Emily Wesenick, youth and family program manager
In 1912, Juliette Gordon Low founded the Girl Scouts with one big idea: girls could push boundaries and boldly redefine what was possible. She believed in the power of curiosity, courage, and, above all, community. What started as a single troop in Savannah, Georgia grew into a movement of nearly two million current members and more than fifty million alumni…including me.
As a proud member of Troop 295 in my elementary and middle school years, I dove into service projects, participated in badge opportunities, and, of course, raced door to door during cookie season with the determination of a seasoned entrepreneur. My troop was so committed to completing badges that by the time we moved up each level from Brownies to Juniors and prepared to move to Cadets, our vests could barely hold the hard-earned patches.
When the Girl Scouts of Northwestern Great Lakes reached out about hosting a badge event at the Museum, the answer was an easy yes. Outreach is always rewarding, but partnering with an organization that made a massive mark on my childhood added a meaningful spark. We were going to help the scouts earn their Outdoor Art Creator badge! To earn their badges, participants needed to complete three different activities focused on art of the natural world, including creating something wearable, taking inspiration from wildlife nearby, and interviewing an artist. Volunteer coordinator and assistant educator Andy Jacksack and I jumped into planning hands-on stations inspired by Birds in Art—each one allowed participants to explore, imagine, and create in their own unique way.
When the day finally arrived, we were elated to learn that this was the first time most of the Girl Scouts were stepping through the Museum’s doors. We were ready to be part of their first glimpse of the campus and its creative magic. Their excitement was contagious. Throughout the morning, scouts carved their own rubber stamps based on their observations in the Sculpture Garden, experimented with cyanotypes, and learned watercolor techniques alongside artist and docent, Diane Shabino.
Before the day was through, we had one final surprise—the badge itself. It featured an owl sporting a colored pencil, sketch book, and a tiny beret, as if it had been made just for our day’s gallery experience. It was the perfect way to finish a day filled with new experiences and creative exploration with a community of joy at the Woodson Art Museum.
