JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — The Alaska Army National Guard and the Girl Scouts of Alaska is releasing a new Girl Scout patch this week at the Encampment event at the Alaska State Fairgrounds in Palmer May 30-June 2.
The Girl Scout patch program provides girls opportunities to explore a wide range of topics and have unique learning experiences, while also connecting with their community.
Members of the Alaska Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Batallion collaborated with the Girl Scouts of Alaska to develop the patch criteria as part of their community outreach efforts.
The patch is inspired by the Army values: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage. Girl Scouts will have the opportunity to complete activities that teach these values, while also learning about Alaska National Guard Soldiers and equipment used to respond to domestic disasters and worldwide contingency operations.
Girl Scouts who attend Encampment will have the opportunity to earn this new patch during one of the one-hour sessions Friday-Saturday, May 31-June 1 presented by women in the Army National Guard. Activities will include a rock climbing wall, an obstacle course, Q&A with female Army Guard leaders, and creating art for deployed troops. Several of the Soldiers presenting are former Girls Scouts.
Attached to this media advisory are the Alaska Army National Guard patch requirements, and the patch design is pictured below. In the future, girls may invite a member of the Alaska Army National Guard to visit their troop to assist with completing the activities.
The Alaska National Guard and Girl Scouts of Alaska plan to share the patch and criteria with other states, so that Girl Scout councils nationwide can consider adopting this into their own patch program.