Girl Scouts of the Philippines facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Girl Scouts of the Philippines |
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Facade of the National Headquarters Padre Faura Ermita Manila
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Official emblem
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| Location | 901 Padre Faura Street, Ermita, Manila | ||
 Location in Metro Manila
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| Country | Philippines | ||
| Coordinates | 14°34′51″N 120°59′16″E / 14.580771°N 120.987748°E | ||
| Founded | May 26, 1940 | ||
| Founder | Josefa Llanes Escoda | ||
| Membership | 800,000 (2017) | ||
| National President | First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos | ||
| Affiliation | World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts | ||
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The Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) is a special group for girls and young women in the Philippines. Its main goal is to help girls become strong, responsible women. It prepares them for their roles at home, in their country, and in the wider world. In 2017, about 800,000 girls were members of the GSP.
Contents
The History of Girl Scouting in the Philippines
The first Girl Scout groups in the Philippines started as early as 1918. They were organized by American missionaries and servicemen. These early groups were directly connected to the Girl Scouts of the USA.
Founding the GSP Movement
Two important women, Pilar Hidalgo-Lim and Josefa Llanes Escoda, led the effort to create a Girl Scout movement just for girls in the Philippines. They asked the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) for help. In 1939, Mrs. Escoda traveled to the United States and Britain for special training. This trip was made possible with help from Joseph Stevenot of the BSP. When she returned to the Philippines, she immediately began setting up the GSP. She worked with other community groups to make it happen.
Official Charter and Global Membership
On May 26, 1940, the GSP officially became a chartered organization. This happened under Philippine Commonwealth Act No. 542.
In 1946, the GSP joined the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). They became a "tenderfoot" member during the 11th World Conference in Evian, France. By 1948, the GSP became a full member of WAGGGS. This happened at the 12th World Conference in Cooperstown, New York.
Girl Scout Programs and Activities
The GSP's program helps girls learn about many important things. These include "well-being, family life, heritage and citizenship, world community, preparedness, economic self-sufficiency, arts and environment." A key part of the program is the "eight-point challenge." This is a system where girls earn merit badges for their achievements. The highest award a Girl Scout can earn is the "Chief Girl Scout Medal." This special award was first given out in 1976.
Girl Scout Age Sections
The Girl Scouts of the Philippines is divided into five different groups based on age. This helps make sure activities are right for each age level:
- Twinkler Scout - for ages 4 to 6 (Pre-school)
- Star Scout - for ages 6 to 9 (Grades 1-3)
- Junior Girl Scout - for ages 9 to 12 (Grades 4-6)
- Senior Girl Scout - for ages 12 to 15 (Grades 7-10)
- Cadet Girl Scout - for ages 15 to 21 (Grades 11-12 and Colleges)
The Girl Scout Promise
All Girl Scouts follow a special promise. It guides their actions and helps them be good people: On my honor, I will do my duty:
to God and my country;
to help other people at all times;
and to live by the Girl Scout Law.
The Girl Scout Law
The Girl Scout Law has ten important points that members try to live by every day:
- A Girl Scout's honor is to be trusted.
Ang Girl Scout ay mapagkakatiwalaan. - A Girl Scout is loyal.
Ang Girl Scout ay matapát. - A Girl Scout is helpful.
Ang Girl Scout ay matulungín. - A Girl Scout is a friend to all and a sister to every other Girl Scout.
Ang Girl Scout ay kaibigan ng lahát at kapatíd ng bawat Girl Scout. - A Girl Scout is courteous.
Ang Girl Scout ay mapitagan. - A Girl Scout respects all living things.
Ang Girl Scout ay magalang sa lahát na may buhay. - A Girl Scout is disciplined.
Ang Girl Scout ay disiplinado. - A Girl Scout is self-reliant.
Ang Girl Scout ay may sariling paninindigan. - A Girl Scout is thrifty.
Ang Girl Scout ay matipíd. - A Girl Scout is clean in thought, words, and deeds.
Ang Girl Scout ay malinis sa isip, sa salitâ at sa gawâ.
GSP Emblem Evolution
The Girl Scouts of the Philippines has an official emblem or logo. The old emblem, used until 2010, included features from the Flag of the Philippines. The current emblem is green and only uses the three stars from the flag. These stars are placed inside a trefoil shape.
See also
- Estefania Aldaba-Lim
- Boy Scouts of the Philippines, helped in the foundation of the GSP in 1940
