When asked to speak to a Girl Scout troop in Oregon, I said “Sure!” I had loved speaking to the teens at the School of Environmental Studies in Apple Valley for several years. But when I heard these Girl Scouts were six to twelve years old, I realized I needed a whole new program. Having taught and tutored kids of those ages forever, that shouldn’t be hard. So I created Strong Girls for a Green World. I took the themes I present in Saving Money, the Planet, and Your Sanity and put them in terms more meaningful to young girls.
They’ve all heard Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. But not as much as they’ve heard Buy it! Buy it! Buy it! and Throw it away! Throw it away! Throw it away! My goal was to help them see, through many slides of my “alternative lifestyle,” that they have choices. Some of the themes are
Strong Girls like having strong bodies and minds
Strong Girls know when to ask for help
Strong Girls know how to share
Strong Girls have strong friendships
Strong Girls make good choices, to save money and help Mother Nature
Strong Girls love the earth, and the earth loves them
In other words,
Strong Girls follow their hearts and minds, instead of the crowd
I look forward to creating similar programs for boys and for mixed groups.
Here’s what Katie Callison had to say after I presented to her Troop 41103 in Oregon.
“Holly’s talk was filled with great ideas and examples of how to be a leader in using resources wisely. She has an extensive background working with kids and her energy and enthusiasm engaged all of our girls. Her talk fits in well with the Girl Scout Law and the “Its Your Planet, Love it” journey books. Holly is an excellent example of how to be a strong woman leader and how one person can make the world a better place.”
Very nice Holly! The girls still talk about you. Keep spreading the message! You inspire us daily!
Thanks, Katie! And thanks to Clara and Connie for letting me use their picture. It’s perfect for this page, and brings back fond memories of your visit.
Hi Holly! It was a great pleasure meeting you today. Looking forward to see you on TV. And I want to say, I love your homepage. I will share it with my friends out in the world. Miriam
Thank you, Miriam! And thank you for sharing. That is how change comes, one heart and mind at a time.
I just came upon the story of you and Greenie. I live in NS Canada and love animals of all kinds, so your story delighted me. At a time when there seems to be only doom and gloom, it was so refreshing and nice to have your lovely story to lift my spirits. All the best- Janice
Thank you, Janice. I am delighted to know that Greenie has touched you in Canada. Where did you see it? I’ve heard the story has made it to the UK, Germany, and Costa Rica as well. What a little fish can do! All the best to you, too. Stay safe, find joy.
p.s. Janice, I’m not sure why your comment showed up under Strong Girls for a Green World, but if you could re-post it after the Greenie post, that would be great. Thanks!