Tuesday, February 18, 2014

World Thinking Day 2014

Girl Scout Juniors Alaina and Leilani from Troop 795 stand by
their Nicaragua display during the World Thinking Day
celebration at Pembroke Mall on February 15.
On Saturday evening, Pembroke Mall was abuzz with international flair, as Girl Scouts in Virginia Beach hosted an event in honor of World Thinking Day, which is celebrated internationally on February 22 by Girl Scouts and Girl Guides in 145 countries around the world to give thanks for their international friendships with one another.

Each Girl Scout troop that participated in the World Thinking Day event selected a country and created a display with information about the history, traditions and culture of the country. Girls were given passport books and had the opportunity to visit the displays, learn about the countries and receive stamps in their books. Many of the Girl Scouts dressed in traditional outfits to represent the country that they researched. They also created SWAPS, which are small keepsakes that Girl Scouts exchange, to represent their country and trade with fellow Girl Scouts. From German pretzels made of pipe cleaners to Turkish beads on a pin, Girl Scouts enjoyed visiting the international displays and trading SWAPS with one another.

The Girl Scouts also participated in a parade of flags through the center of Pembroke Mall, and student volunteers with Norfolk NATO Festival set up a booth to talk to Girl Scouts about their native homes in Germany, Canada and the United Kingdom.

The theme for this year’s World Thinking Day is based on the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goal 2, which is to achieve universal primary education, and is especially focused on making sure girls have access to education. In support of this theme, Girl Scouts in Virginia Beach collected new and gently used books at their World Thinking Day event to be donated to REACH, Inc., an organization that supports literacy needs of homeless and at-risk youth living in shelters in South Hampton Roads.
Girl Scout Sydney from Troop 819 stands by her troop's
display about Mexico.