Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma

PROJECT PURPOSE

Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma exists to give girls in grades K-12 across 30 Oklahoma counties a space to explore their potential in a safe, inclusive environment for growth and learning. Our mission is to build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. Immersive activities provide a vast array of experiences that adapt to the abilities and interests of girls from kindergarten through high school. Most importantly, Girl Scouts provides girls with the support and mentorship of caring adults who imbue them with hope and prepare them for a lifetime of leadership. Connection and community building are at the core of Girl Scouts, and we are dedicated to helping girls and families by supporting girls? mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Through STEM programs, girls gain important exposure in robotics, cybersecurity, coding, manufacturing, space science, and more. Outdoor adventures provide a connection to nature for girls who may not have safe green spaces to explore at home. Integrated life skills include lessons on first aid, civic participation, respectful disagreement, and nutrition. Participation in the Girl Scout Cookie Program teaches girls entrepreneurial and life lessons in goal-setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics.

EVIDENCE

One in every three women in the United States were Girl Scouts at some point in their lives. A 2021 study, The Girl Scout Alum Difference, conducted by the Girl Scout Research Institute, found 84% of Girl Scout alums hold leadership positions as adults. Girl Scout alums are more likely to attain higher education; volunteer and contribute to causes they support; be civically involved; and overall be more satisfied with life personally, professionally, and financially. This program allows us to champion all girls to thrive and excel in their futures.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

During the COVID-19 pandemic, girls faced unprecedented challenges such as school closures, online education, and the isolation of social distancing. Many are still struggling with depression, anxiety, or self-harm, while some are still feeling the stress of financial hardship. This is concerning, especially as Oklahoma ranks first in the nation for youth up to age 17 who have experienced two or more Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES), according to the 2017 National Survey of Children?s Health. The stress caused by ACEs, when children are not given a strong support system, is a strong predictor of issues later in life, from the adoption of health risk behaviors as teens to the development of disease, disability, and social problems in adulthood. Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma supports girls? mental, emotional, and physical health by connecting them to caring peers and highly-trained adults who become important pieces of their social safety net. Staff-led programming is available for girls in Tulsa?s most low-income or disinvested communities where volunteers may be scarce. Within both staff and volunteer-led troop settings, girls experience support that increases their resilience and protects against the risk for mental and physical illness that stems from ACEs.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

Annual post-program surveys developed by Girl Scouts of the USA and adapted by Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma are utilized to determine the achievement of desired and expected leadership outcomes. These outcomes are as follows: 1) Sense of self, 2) Positive values, 3) Challenge seeking, 4) Healthy relationships, and 5) Community problem solving. Surveys are distributed either on paper or electronically, and are compiled and analyzed in Qualtrics, a data management software.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma