NINA LIM-YUSON*
Were you once a Girl Scout, or a Boy Scout, for that matter? If you did experience Scouting in your life, what stands out? Was it the camping experience, perhaps? Was it a forum where you stood out as you know what you are talking about?
I grew up in a Scouting family, starting with my grandparents and my mom, who were great influencers to us siblings and the nation’s Scouting Movement. Lolo Vicente Lim was one of the 7 Founders of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, and Lola Pilar (his wife) was a co-founder with Josefa Llanes Escoda of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP). My mom, Estefania Aldaba-Lim, was once the National President of GSP. It was customary to be active with the Movement as early as six when that age level was known then as “Brownies.” Today, GSP has added more levels, starting at five years old, Twinklers and going all the way up to 21 years old; after 22 years old, one can become a ‘volunteer’ if she wishes to continue with GSP as well as the World wide movement which is called “World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.” It is the biggest girls and women’s organization, 8 million strong.
One of the most significant benefits of joining GSP is the great outdoors. We have campsites around the country, where our Girl Scouts learn many challenges, such as setting up the tent and roughing it up despite heavy rains, cooking their meals with meager resources, and doing the survival challenges. But it is also quite spiritual as you have the stars above you, the soulful campfire singing, and the quiet times as late evenings. Most of the time, the girls are driven to learn a new skill at camp. It used to be sewing and crafts. Today, it is Taekwondo, hiking trails, learning about Violence against Women and Children, Storytelling that goes with “Every Girl Scout a Storyteller”. Girl Scouts are given workshops on effective and fun storytelling to help the many children who cannot read and drop out of school. It can be a choice project for them.
The Chief Girl Scout Medal is the highest achievement a Girl Scout can reach. It requires her to do a whole year’s community project, work with the local people and the Barangay officials (if needed), plan and execute, and manage a small but realistic budget. It can be any of the 8 Point Challenges related to Health, Environment, Spirituality, Cultural Heritage, Education, etc. Projects include installing a toilet in a community in Mindanao, teaching women in poor communities to sew and earn a living, cleaning an area so kids can enjoy a playground, teaching new skills to older people, and more. This year’s Chief Girl Scouts Medalists numbered 800 plus. Guest Speaker was Patreng Non of the Community Pantry, who inspired the girls to do more for their country.
The Girl Scouts have their Promise and Law that become a part of their DNA. In essence, it is to Love God and My Country, to help other people at all times, and to live by the GS Law..trusted, loyal, honest, respects living things, disciplined, friend to all and every other Girl Scout, clean in thought word, and deed.
What is so great about Girl Scouting, and I think it is so much better than sitting in a classroom and memorizing facts, is that it is “hands-on” learning. You become responsible for what you do. After several lessons in swimming, for example, one can save a person when there are floods.
I wish many girls, especially those out aimlessly in the streets, those who get pregnant at 14 years old, and those who drop out of school and have no self-esteem, could become Girl Scouts. We are addressing this through the Community-Based Troop. If you were a former Girl Scout and want to become a Troop Leader in such a group, you can contact your Girl Scout Council, receive training, and start a troop. It isn’t easy, but the results will prove you did right.
I always have great hope for our country, and I am encouraged whenever I see our Girl Scouts create a better today for tomorrow. Many will become good leaders in their home, country, and the world. Watch out for them!
I often ask independent-minded and service-oriented women, “Girl Scout ka ba noon?” We say, “Once A Girl Scout, always a Girl Scout”. You can see it in their action and service to others.
*Nina Lim-Yuson, PhD, GSP National President (2021-2024)