Earning the Courageous & Strong Daisy Petal
The Daisy Girl Scout Program Teaches Character Traits
Feb 23, 2009
The Daisy Girl Scout program is designed to reinforce positive character traits, as defined in the Girl Scout Law. As part of the Girl Scout Promise, girls in do their best to live by the Girl Scout Law, which includes the words "courageous and strong." The red petal on the Daisy girl Scout uniform symbolizes an understanding of courage and strength of character.
Courageous and Strong
Many girls underestimate the meaning of the word strong, and certainly, a strong body is important. However, in the Girl Scouting program, strength of convictions, and strength in the face of adversity are powerful skills. Courage and strength often go hand in hand, because during times when girls are called to display courage, it often takes strength to do so. Discuss the difference between physical strength and emotional strength. Some girls have undesirable living conditions that require great emotional strength. If a girl has lost a loved one, or a pet, discuss the strength that it has taken to deal with loss.
Girl Scout Ceremonies
Participation in Girl Scout Ceremonies is one occasion when girls are called upon to display courage. Standing in front of a crowd to recite the Girl Scout Promise, like at an Investiture Ceremony, can be frightening. Walking out on stage to sing Girl Scout Songs in front of an audience takes personal strength. Girls display these qualities all the time. Instead of creating a situation where you ask girls to move outside of their comfort zone in order to display these character traits, it is best to look for occasions when they are already doing so. Point it out afterward, to avoid creating new feelings of self-consciousness.
Daisy Girl Scout Activities
Daisy Girl Scouts enjoy role playing and costumes. Many Daisy leaders like to host a fashion show where girls can dress up in whatever they like and strut their stuff on a runway. The empowering feeling that comes from facing fears and displaying courage can be a source of healthy pride for the girls.
In the Wizard of Oz, the Cowardly Lion was given a medal of honor. Have the girls create medals of honor or bravery, to wear around their neck. They can present them to one another or make their own. They can wear them when they're not feeling so brave, or to commemorate a time when they were feeling courageous.
Daisy Girl Scouts and Character Traits
Helping the Daisy Girl Scouts earn their red petal patch can be great fun for leaders. A contest of strength (follow Safety-Wise guidelines) can be a fun activity, like tug-of-war or a push-ups contest. Use your imagination to think of ways that girls can gain a full understanding of the many meanings of the words strength and courage, as well as a healthy attitude toward risk-taking.
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