Chatham Girl Scouts Day of Service 2024
Submitted by Ceal Purschke
Chatham Girl Scouts hosted their annual Day of Service event on March 16th, at the Stanley Center in Chatham. This year’s topic was Mental Wellness. Over 60 Girl Scouts, ages kindergarten to 12th grade attended. The event organizer, Troop Leader Jessica Romeo, planned the event with her 10th grade Troop 96147; Annika Raffetto, Asher Robson, Chloe Fajolle and Fina Gianusso, who wanted to host a Day of Service that was meaningful and spoke to current issues facing Girl Scouts in the Chatham community.
Many local women volunteered their time and expertise to make this day impactful.
The event kicked off with a yoga and mindfulness practice with resident and yoga instructor Julia Gray followed by a discussion with Chatham Township Mayor Stacey Ewald; Chatham Borough Mayor Carolyn Dempsey; and Chatham Township Police officer Carolina Kopacz on how mental health and self-confidence are important to help Girl Scouts successfully navigate their world and make good decisions. Organizer Jessica Romeo explained to the Girl Scouts that by learning to understand and care for their own well-being, they can be their best and most healthy selves as well as be better equipped to help others.
The Girl Scouts then broke out into groups, organized by age, to visit 15 tables where they learned about topics such as identifying and understanding feelings and emotions with a feelings wheel, and understanding – and practicing the therapeutic value of hands-on activities, such as creating their own clay worry stones and making meditation/calm jars using kits created by Senior Troop 96147.
Other mental wellness stations included the benefits of getting outside in nature led by Junior Troop 97790, the benefits of gardening on our wellness, coloring for calm with Troop 96323, music therapy with Jill DeBiasse, and self-care bingo. Members of the Chatham High School Gender-Sexuality Alliance (GSA) hosted a table with LGBTQ+ information and resources, and Girl Scouts learned about good mood food with nutrition and wellness health coach Gina Roof. In addition, the Girl Scouts had open conversations with officer Carolina Kopacz about self-respect and issues she sees facing Girl Scouts in the Chathams, and Allison Bardon from the Madison Chatham Coalition was there to provide resources and information on mental wellness programs and support.
Three 12th grade Girl Scouts were in attendance to inspire younger Girl Scouts through their Gold Award projects. Katelyn Hoffelder created a platform to provide books to local food pantries, providing families who utilize those services with the mental health benefits of reading. Ishita Yadav is tackling health issues that women face, including period poverty, and shared how these issues impact girl’s and women’s mental wellbeing. Rhea Agarwal presented her project on the impact the media has on our body image and the need for body positivity.
Event organizer Jessica Romeo said, “The day was not only fun and engaging for the attendees but shed light for adults on many important topics facing girls each day.” Romeo heard feedback from adult attendees who said it was “timely”, “very much needed”, “impactful”. One mother said, “I didn’t realize how much I actually needed this day myself!” Romeo also noted that each Girl Scout seemed to leave with a feeling of empowerment and a boost of positive energy to be better able to help others.
