Girl Scouts of the USA Reveals the Second Annual "Girls' Choice" Badges at Macy's 2016 Flower Show

This year's flower show theme, America the Beautiful, aligns with Girl Scouts' Art in the Outdoors badge series that encourages all Girl Scouts—from urban areas to rural locations—to explore the art around them. The new badges will be shown in full bloom at Macy's Herald Square through April 3, 2016. Girl Scout gardens, packed with colorful flowers in organic surroundings, will also be on display—showing that art is everywhere you look, from urban gardens to the intricate architecture of a skyscraper, from rock sculptures to a vibrant sunset. The Girl Scout displays are located on the Mezzanine level of Macy's Herald Square.  

"We are so excited to have a presence at the Macy's 2016 Flower Show and to reveal our new Girls' Choice badges during the event," said Anna Maria Chávez, CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA. "Through research, we know there is a correlation between immersive outdoor experiences and girls' understanding of their leadership potential. And, whether they hail from the big city or call the countryside their home, we believe that, through the new Art in the Outdoors badge series, Girl Scouts from all walks of life will be motivated to indulge their curiosity and explore the inspiring beauty that dwells all around them."

As part of Sunday's flower show grand opening, Macy's announced they will generously donate a variety of plants to Girl Scouts of Greater New York. The gesture speaks to both Girl Scouts' ties to the outdoors as well as its legacy of girls taking action to make the world a better place. Girl Scouts in the New York area will plant the flowering shrubs, trees, and perennial flowers in two of GSGNY's outdoor classrooms at its Camp Kaufmann, located in Dutchess County, New York. The outdoor classrooms—The MetLife Butterfly Garden and Rita's Organic Vegetable Garden—each play a leading role in the council's environmental and outdoor leadership programming. 

"We are thrilled to collaborate with Girl Scouts of the USA and Girl Scouts of Greater New York on Macy's 2016 Flower Show and bring Art in the Outdoors to life," said Mike Gansmoe, executive producer of Macy's Flower Show. "Girl Scouts are dedicated to giving back to their communities and are shining examples of global citizens. In the efforts to support the positive impact Girl Scouts have on the environment and the world, Macy's plans to support their noble actions by donating a portion of the flowers and plants used in this year's show to Girl Scouts of Greater New York to replant at Camp Kaufmann."  

Girl Scouts indicate a much higher level of engagement in environmental stewardship than girls at large in the United States. According to the Nature Conservancy's 2011 youth poll, Girl Scouts were much more likely to take actions to protect the environment and have a personal experience in nature that made them appreciate it more, compared to non–Girl Scouts.

Last year, GSUSA released its first-ever Girls' Choice badges to provide girls with beneficial experiences and enhance the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE). This was the first time girls had the opportunity to vote on a range of badge topics and designs. For the second year in a row, the Girls' Choice badges theme is focused on the outdoors. From city living to country life, the new Art in the Outdoors badges will inspire Girl Scouts to explore the art that exists all around them through fun activities like making "galaxy shirts" inspired by the night sky or filming an environmental documentary. Girls' Choice Art in the Outdoors badges will be available through the Girl Scout Shop by June 15. To learn more about Girl Scouts, outdoor programming, and summer camp options, visit www.girlscouts.org.

We're Girl Scouts of the USA

We're 2.7 million strong—1.9 million girls and 800,000 adults who believe girls can change the world. It began over 100 years ago with one woman, Girl Scouts' founder Juliette Gordon "Daisy" Low, who believed in the power of every girl. She organized the first Girl Scout troop on March 12, 1912, in Savannah, Georgia, and every year since, we've made her vision a reality, helping girls discover their strengths, passions, and talents. Today we continue the Girl Scout mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. We're the preeminent leadership development organization for girls. And with programs for girls from coast to coast and across the globe, Girl Scouts offers every girl a chance to do something amazing. To volunteer, reconnect, donate, or join, visit www.girlscouts.org.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160321/346153 
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160321/346152 
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160321/346154 

SOURCE Girl Scouts of the USA

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