Oklahoma City -- Three-point-seven million girls worldwide are currently involved in Girl Scouts, but not everyone is able to participate in the after-school program. Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma has implemented a new program. They say they're the first to teach the lessons during school hours. KSBI-TV's Kealey McIntire has more.
Thelma Parks Elementary School students learned more than what was on the classroom itinerary Friday. They learned the ways of the Girl Scouts during school hours.
"I learn how to make new friends, I learn how to be a good leader and the other thing I learn is how to be nice to people and not to be mean," says Camron Walker, a second grader.
Many parents have difficulty getting kids involved in after-school activities. The Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma's new in-school program is a way around that.
"We're bringing in leadership experiential learning cycle of building leadership skills of the three basic pillars of discover, connect and take action," says Alex Priakos, Chief Operations Officer of Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma.
"Discover" teaches students who they are, "connect" demonstrates how to work together and "take action" addresses how they can make a difference.
As part of their second meeting, the girls at Thelma Parks rehearse the Girl Scouts song and what it means.
Camron says it taught her to make new friends, she's also learned the importance of being a good friend.
"Because if you're mean you won't have any friends and nobody will be your friend and play with you and you won't have any friends," says Camron.
The program is currently taught in 44 schools, more than 50 percent of which are at-risk schools. Priakos says they have the greatest challenges building leadership skills and self-esteem. The in-school program teaches those skills.
"So this has been a good program and good match for not only parents, but for the school, of course the Girl Scouts and for the community," says Priakos.
They hope to shape the future of our community one girl at a time and one lesson at a time.
Eighty-five schools have asked the Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma to come into their schools next year. In order for that to happen, Priakos says they need dozens more volunteers to help teach the program.
You can call 405-528-3535 for volunteer information.
