Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines builds girls of courage,
confidence, and character who make the world a better place.
We
are committed to diversity, equity, inclusivity, and belonging by
creating a safe and welcoming environment for all through a shared
responsibility of each and every member.
We are dedicated to increasing our cultural competence and creating opportunities for authentic human-to-human connection by respecting, embracing, and celebrating what makes us all different.
For more than 100 years Girl Scouts has stood for making the world a better place, and pledged to “help people at all times.” Those words carry great weight and responsibility and inspire us with strength as we denounce institutional racism, violence, injustice, and inequity.
To make the world a better place, we must commit to working together build an antiracist society. Not being a racist is not enough. Honoring diversity without being inclusive is not enough. Inclusivity is a big part of the Girl Scout DNA. From the very moment founder Juliette Gordon Low first mentioned her plans to start Girl Scouts, it was set to be an organization not only for the girls of Savannah but also for “all of America, and all the world." And if you didn’t already know, Girl Scouts is a nonpolitical, nonpartisan organization, we are not red or blue, we are Girl Scout green and proud.
Building Beyond Today Programs
Back by popular demand, another year of activities that help create a community for all Girl Scouts to thrive! This year we’re focusing on you. That’s right, it’s time to shine a light on the amazing Girl Scout you are and your efforts to create a community for all Girl Scouts to thrive. Read on to see how you can complete each of the patches.
The Building Beyond Today and Thrive activity patches can be purchased on our Patch Order form or by emailing our retail shop. The Building Beyond Today patch should be worn with the Thrive activity patches, so start by purchasing the Building Beyond Today patch and then the activity patches.
Raise your hand to help enact change with Girl Scouts-North Carolina
Coastal Pines’ advocacy patch. If you support creating a community
where all
Girl Scouts can thrive, purchase and proudly wear this
patch. It’s that simple!
So, show everyone you’re an advocate for change.
Get the Building Beyond Today patch by emailing an order to shop@nccoastalpines.org.
When girls have earned this patch, they’ll have developed an appreciation of the uniqueness and commonalities of themselves and others, and the rich diversity of various cultures in their community and in the world. Girls will also deepen their understanding and respect for people who may be different from them and learn how to better relate to others.
Beyond Today. Thrive Talk Series
Join fellow Girl Scouts for a virtual discussion around “thriving communities”. Learn more about what you can do locally to create change and how these Girl Scouts have enacted change in their communities. This experience is perfect for Girl Scouts interested in tackling the Bronze, Silver or Gold Award or who want to simply make a difference.
Register via Activities (coming soon!) patch included.
The Thrive Challenge offers Girl Scouts an opportunity to learn
about different people, cultures, customs, and more. We invite all
Girls Scouts in K-12th grade to complete the challenge. Girls can
complete the challenge on their own (supported by their family) or
troops can participate together. Simply take on at least two challenge
ideas per letter (T.H.R.I.V.E.) to complete the Thrive Challenge. Then
purchase your Thrive Challenge patch.
Click
here for the Thrive Challenge.
The Thrive
Challenge patch should be worn with the Building Beyond Today patch.
Both patches are available in our retail stores. Snag yours by
emailing an order to shop@nccoastalpines.org.
Beyond Today. Thrive Book Series
Download the Thrive Book Series suggested reading list. This reading list is aimed at helping Girl Scouts broaden their view of the world. Discussion questions for the books will help readers reflect on what they’ve read. Activities to help readers creatively capture the book are included. Read at least one book to complete the patch.
Thrive Book Club
Like reading? Download the Thrive Book Series suggested reading list. This reading list is aimed at helping Girl Scouts broaden their view of the world. We supply discussion questions for the books to help you reflect on what you’ve read, while encouraging you to creatively capture the book.
Purchase this patch after reading from the Thrive Book Series suggested reading list. Girl Scouts should read at least one book. Remember the Thrive Book Series patch is meant to be worn with the Building Beyond Today advocacy patch, which signifies you raising your hand to help create a community for all girls to thrive.
Thrive Book Club Reading List:
The Thrive Book Series patch should be worn with the Building Beyond Today patch. Both patches are available in our retail stores. Purchase yours by emailing an order to shop@nccoastalpines.org.
Beyond Today. How Do You Thrive?
You are unique, there’s simply no one who is just like you! We’re excited to hear what makes you, well, YOU!
To complete this patch, you’re tasked with meeting someone new, sharing what makes you unique and learning about the other person’s uniqueness. Find out a little about your differences and then celebrate what makes you each your own person. You may meet someone new at the park, a sporting event, a cookie booth, or even the library. The possibilities are endless! Girl Scouts should have parent/guardian permission before meeting with someone new and should always exercise safety. Once you have tackled this task, complete a short online survey before 4/1/2023. Share what you learned and how it made you feel. Submissions, with your permission, may be shared via social media.
Click here to complete the online survey. Then head over to the retail shop to purchase the patch.
The How Do You Thrive patch should be worn with the Building Beyond Today patch. Both patches are available in our retail stores. Purchase yours by emailing an order to shop@nccoastalpines.org.
Beyond Today. Thrive Art Show
The 2023 Thrive Art Show is a juried art contest with the theme, Self-Portrait. This year’s Thrive Art Show is a way for Girl Scouts to self-reflect and answer the question “Who Am I?” in a creative art expression. All types of visual arts will be considered. All submissions must be made between January 9, 2023- March 31, 2023 (midnight). Awards will be given to the top artist in each age group as well as a special People’s Choice award that will be voted by the public.
Registration fee of $3.00 includes a certificate of recognition and the Thrive Art Show patch. Register via Activities.
Resources for Parents
While we should be having conversations about race and racism regularly, checking in with your girl is crucial when racist violence claims lives and sparks widespread protest, grief, and unrest around the nation. See the resources below for guidance on navigating racism with your girls.
Resources for Troop Leaders and Volunteers
As a Girl Scout volunteer, making all girls and families feel welcome and offering a safe space for your girl to talk about important issues is vital. Review these resources as you navigate discussions.
The Girl Scout Multicultural Community Celebration Fun Patch was designed to celebrate the countless contributions that diverse communities have made and continue to make in the United States. Girl Scouts of all levels and their leaders have plenty of activities to choose from to earn each segment of this fun patch, whether they choose to do one or all of them. We encourage girls from all ethnic backgrounds to participate, they are sure to learn interesting new things.
GSUSA Black History Month (All) The Girl Scout Black History Month Celebration Fun Patch is designed for Girl Scouts of all levels and their leaders to celebrate the cultural richness of Black Americans and those whose ancestors originated in the African diaspora and acknowledge the many contributions that the Black community has made and continues to make across our nation. Girls and leaders have plenty of activities to choose from to earn this fun patch, and we encourage girls from all ethnic backgrounds to participate. Click here for this fun activity in Spanish.
GSUSA Hispanic Heritage Month (All) During Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15–October 15), we celebrate the countless contributions that Hispanic people and Latinos have made and continue to make in the United States. We honor the cultural richness of all people in the U.S. whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Girls and leaders have plenty of activities to choose from to earn this fun patch. And regardless of their specific ethnic heritage, they’re sure to learn interesting new things. Additionally, we invite you to complete our council patch program, Discovering Hispanic Heritage, too! You can purchase these patches by emailing shop@nccoastalpines.org or visiting your local retail shop.
GSUSA Native American Heritage Month Celebration “I’m a Girl Scout!” fun patch is designed to provide Girl Scouts and volunteers of all backgrounds with an opportunity to learn more about the cultures, histories, and traditions of over 574 tribes and communities honored during Native American Heritage Month. We invite you to explore the cultures of the Indian Nations in your state and across the country! We’ve got plenty of activities for you to choose from, so that you can make new discoveries and have tons of fun learning while earning a cool patch!
Additionally, we invite you to complete our council patch program, North Carolina American Indian Patch Program, too! You can purchase these patches by emailing shop@nccoastalpines.org or visiting your local retail shop.
May is Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, an annual celebration of the achievements and contributions of Asians Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States. It’s a time where we join in paying tribute to the generations of Asian American and Pacific Islanders who have enriched the history of the United States and are instrumental in its future success. Following are the many countries included in the Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage month celebrations as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Additionally, we invite you to learn more about patch requirements. You can purchase these patches by emailing shop@nccoastalpines.org or visiting your local retail shop.
Ways to Take Action
Have resources to share? Email them to us! Share with us how your troop is taking action through our Girl Scout story form.
