Press Release: Children’s Museum Serves Disadvantaged Girl Scouts Troops

Apr 25, 2009 - Children’s Museum Serves Disadvantaged Girl Scouts Troops

Girl Scout troops in Hempstead, Roosevelt and Freeport will receive free scouting experiences, including museum visits and overnights through the Long Island Children’s Museum’s new Scout Discovery Program. The program is supported through a $10,000 grant from the Long Island Fund for Women and Girls (LIFWG).

The newly launched program will provide 115 Brownie and Junior Girl Scouts from disadvantaged communities in Nassau County with the opportunity to explore concepts in science, math, art, culture and the humanities through LICM programs. Scout Discovery represents a collaboration with the Girl Scouts of Nassau County and builds on the success of their outreach efforts in Housing Authority sites and other underserved areas in the three towns. Through their trips to the Children’s Museum, off-site visits and the Museum’s popular overnights, girls will have the opportunity to fulfill scout requirements and earn “try-its” and badges. Scout Discovery will also assist scout leaders to become more confident in presenting science activities to their troop members beyond the life of this program.

“The launch of the Scout Discovery program allows the Museum to enhance its commitment to inclusivity and access for all children and families of our region,” explained LICM Executive Director Suzanne LeBlanc. “Skyrocketing costs, particularly in transportation, have put many items traditionally associated with the scouting experience beyond the reach of troops in towns surrounding the Museum. The generosity of Long Island Fund for Women and Girls ensures that the Museum’s innovative and interactive experiences will be available to girl scouts troops across all Nassau County.”

In announcing the grant, LIFWG Executive Director Laurel Parker West stated, “We believe that this innovative and collaborative program will help create a future generation of women scientists right here on Long Island and we are thrilled to be partnering with the Long Island Children Museum in this important work.”

Troops participating in the Scout Discovery program will begin their program participation when the Children’s Museum brings its popular “Bubbles” outreach to the girls in their community meeting spaces. This hands-on program allows children to explore such scientific phenomenon as surface tension, geometry, and light refraction wrapped inside silly, soapy fun.

Brownies and junior girl scouts will take part in either LICM’s “Science Wonders” or “Geology” workshops when they come for a two-hour guided program at the Children’s Museum. Free transportation will be provided for troop members and leaders.

The highlight of the Scout Discovery program is sure to be the night the scouts spend at the Museum as they participate in a 2009 LICM scout overnight. With sleeping bags and flashlights in tow, the girls will take part in a themed evening, Explorers of the Lost Kingdom, where they will be immersed in the culture, scientific advances and history of ancient Egypt. During this memorable “night into day” program, the girls will create a personalized cartouche, make an origami pyramid, learn about sacred scarabs, perform at a virtual campfire in the Museum theater and then snuggle up in a favorite exhibit gallery for the night.

The Scout Discovery program will be directed by Faun Guarino, LICM’s Rentals and Events Manager. Guarino has 15 years of scout training and leadership under her belt and was a 2005 recipient of the Silver Beaver Award, the highest national honor a council can present to a Scout leader. The award recognizes commendable service to youth through scouting. She has overseen the Museum’s scouting programs since 2003.

About the Long Island Fund for Women and Girls
The Long Island Fund for Women and Girls funds programs that improve the lives of women and girls, highlights and addresses women’s issues and develops women’s philanthropy.

About the Long Island Children’s Museum
Long Island Children’s Museum invites visitors of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities to explore freely, discover their passions, and appreciate the communities and world we share. The museum is designed for infants through 12 and their grownups. LICM is a not-for-profit institution chartered by the New York State Board of Regents.

Photo Link & Caption:

http://www.licm.org/images/LIFWG_ Supports_ LICM_ Scout_ Program.jpg

Junior Girl Scouts from Troop 1397 in Hempstead visited Long Island Children’s Museum as part of the Museum’s Scout Discovery program supported through a grant from the Long Island Fund for Women and Girls. At the completion of their geology workshop at LICM, the junior girl scouts received their “Rocks Rock” merit badge and the beginning items for their own rock collection.

Back Row (Left to right): Long Island Fund for Women & Girls administrator Vandana Lall, Long Island Fund for Women & Girls Executive Director Laurel Parker West and LICM Executive Director Suzanne LeBlanc welcome members of Junior Girl Scout Troop 1397 to the Children’s Museum. Troops participating in the Scout Discovery program take part in on-site LICM workshops, an off-site outreach program and a scout overnight at the Children’s Museum