Ahead of National Girl Scout Day, observed annually in the U.S. on March 12, the Co-ops for Community Scout Patch Program has released an updated version of its Patch Activity Booklet.
The scout patch program, developed by Cabot Creamer Cooperative in collaboration with U.S. Co-ops, is designed to help groom the next generation of cooperators in the U.S.
By introducing boys and girls to all things co-op, the Co-ops for Community Scout Patch Program helps fill a gap in cooperative education and awareness at a young age. While completing activities to earn the Co-ops for Community Scout Patch, scouts will learn the benefits of the co-op business model, be inspired by its values and principles, build leadership skills and support community connections. The Co-ops for Community Patch Activity Booklet provides parents and group leaders with a range of engaging, age-appropriate learning activities, such as matching co-op brand names with their products, visiting a local co-op and even an opportunity for scouts to create their own co-op business. Once a group has completed its required activities, each participant is eligible to receive a Co-ops for Community Patch.
While many cooperative already engage local youth through groups such as Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of America, 4-H programs and Boys and Girls Clubs of America, the Co-ops for Community Patch Program is a great entry point for newer cooperatives wishing to expand their local impact.
The complete toolkit is available at cabotcheese.coop/community-scout-patch-program and on U.S. Co-ops’s toolkit page. For additional details, email Amanda Schlott at [email protected].