Nearly 100 Girl Scouts spent the afternoon of Sunday, April 2 exploring art in the outdoors at Norfolk Botanical Garden during a workshop hosted for Girl Scout Brownies and Juniors. During the workshop, girls worked on earning the requirements for the Outdoor Creator and Outdoor Explorer badges, which were among the five badges added to the Girl Scout Leadership Experience last spring after girls from all over the country voted for Girl Scouts to add a badge category for arts in the outdoors. The badges are designed to inspire Girl Scouts to explore the art that exists all around them.
The workshop took place in the World of Wonders Children’s Adventure Garden at Norfolk Botanical Garden, where the Girl Scouts went on a nature scavenger hunt, looking at different shapes and designs of flowers, trees, rocks and more. They also made leaf rubbings and imprinted leaves into clay. Making rain sticks and using a clay flowerpot to make wind chimes were among the favorite activities for the day, and girls also enjoyed using sticks, flower petals, pinecones and other found objects to construct “elf houses,” which are small, whimsical fortresses.
The Girl Scout Research Institute has found that girls who participate in outdoor activities in Girl Scouts on a monthly basis are stronger challenge seekers and problem solvers. Outdoor experiences help girls develop a strong sense of self and many outdoor activities promote cooperation and team building. Girl Scouts is committed to providing girls with opportunities to explore and discover in the outdoors. Working with community partners, such as Norfolk Botanical Garden, is just one of the many ways that Girl Scouts creates opportunities for girls to try new things, discover the great outdoors and connect with the environment.
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