Girl Scouts of Jamaica
{{Update|date=February 2014|inaccurate=yes}}
{{confused| The Girl Guides Association of Jamaica}}
{{Infobox WorldScouting
| name =Girl Scouts of Jamaica
| image =Girl_Scouts_of_Jamaica.svg
| image-size =
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| type =
| age =
| headquarters =
| location =
| country =Jamaica
| coords =
| f-date = August 5, 2008
Launched October 5, 2008
| defunct =
| founders =
| founder = Mrs Lavinia McClure
| award-for =
| members =
| chiefscouttitle = Chief Commissioner
| chiefscout =
| chiefscouttitle2 =
| chiefscout2 =
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| chiefscout3 =
| website =http://girlscoutsjm.freehosting.net/
| affiliation =Order of World Scouts
|gender=female
|pattern_head = barehead
|skintone=D
|color_head =
|pattern_body = blouse short sleeves
|color_body = 9bc4e2
|pattern_legs = shorts
|color_legs = 000000
}}
Girl Scouts of Jamaica (G.S.J.) is a Christian faith based Scouting organization for girls in Jamaica founded on August 5, 2008.{{Cite web|url=http://go-jamaica.com/mailinglist/mailout20081107.html|title=Go-Jamaica Newsletter #121, November 07, 2008|website=go-jamaica.com}} The girls-only organization is a member of the Order of World Scouts.Learn more about the Girl Scouts of Ja, Children's Own, A Gleaner Publication, December 1–5, 2008
Membership is voluntary and open to all girls and young women regardless of creed, race, nationality or any other circumstance, provided that the member is willing and committed to uphold the promise and the law of the movement. Leaders must uphold the promise, law and constitution.
History
The Girl Scouts of Jamaica were established in August 2008, out of concerns about administration and the changing of the programme of the Girl Guides Association of Jamaica. The Girl Scouts of Jamaica desire was to have a democratic structure and to embrace the traditions of the eight point programme[http://girlscoutsjm.freehosting.net/custom.html GSJ - Peenie Wallies][http://girlscoutsjm.freehosting.net/custom_1.html GSJ - Doctorbirds][http://girlscoutsjm.freehosting.net/custom_2.html GSJ - Girl Scouts]{{Cite web |url=http://girlscoutsjm.freehosting.net/custom_4.html |title=GSJ - Adults |access-date=2008-12-02 |archive-date=2009-05-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090530191614/http://www.girlscoutsjm.freehosting.net/custom_4.html |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.girlguidingnorfolkheritage.org.uk/uniforms/guides-1990-1999-jessica.html |title='Guiding Through Time', Girlguiding Scotland |access-date=2008-12-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723220448/http://www.girlguidingnorfolkheritage.org.uk/uniforms/guides-1990-1999-jessica.html |archive-date=2011-07-23 |url-status=dead }} and camp craft.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ashfield-dc.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/community-and-living/faiths--beliefs-and-religions/the-brownie-guides/;jsessionid=23831629C964C8643808A8CA57CBFC72|title=Ashfield District Council: The Brownie Guides}} They joined the Order of World Scouts,{{Cite web|url=http://www.boy-scout.net/en/page49/page49.html|title=Order of World Scouts G.S.J.}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.troop97.net/wrldsct2.htm|title=All Scout/Guide Associations in Every Country|website=www.troop97.net}} with whom they shared ideals and vision, right after their October 2008 launch promise ceremony.
Ideals
File:Promise Pin (Girl Scouts of Jamaica).png
I promise that I will do my best:
To do my duty to God,
To serve my country and help other people,
And to obey the Scout Law
; The Law
A Scout is loyal.
A Scout is helpful.
A Scout is a friend to all.
A Scout is courteous.
A Scout respects the environment.
A Scout obeys orders.
A Scout is cheerful under all difficulties.
A Scout is thrifty.
A Scout is pure in thought, word and deed.
Be Prepared
; The Promise Pin
The traditional fleur-de-lis is presented in Jamaican national colours. The fleur-de-lis is significant in two ways. In ancient Christian culture it was used to represent the Holy Trinity. In scouting it signifies the three-fold promise: "Duty to God", "Service to Man", "Obedience to the Law".
Age groups
The organization works with four age-groups:{{Cite web |url=http://www.go-localjamaica.com/readarticle.php?ArticleID=11194 |title=The Girl Scouts of Jamaica - World Scouting Month |access-date=2008-11-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206165918/http://www.go-localjamaica.com/readarticle.php?ArticleID=11194 |archive-date=2008-12-06 |url-status=dead }}
Image:First Girl Scouts of Jamaica Junior promise ceremony.jpg
- Peenie Wallies; 4 to 8 years, kindergarten to grade 3
- Doctorbirds; 7 to 12 years, grades 3 to 6
- Junior Scouts; 10 to 16 years, grades 7 to 10
- Senior Scouts; 14 to 19 years, grades 10 to 13
- Assistant Leaders; 16+ years
- Leaders; 18+ years
Programme
The eight point programme offers a variety of activities for the girls to do in a variety of areas of interest. The eight points are similar at all levels, but the presentation changes to be suited to the age groups.
| class="wikitable" border="1" |
| Peenie Wallies:
! Doctorbirds ! Girl Scouts ! Adults |
|---|
| are knowing and growing
| Let's be Aware | Looking Ahead | Intelligence |
| enjoy listening and moving
| Let's get Physical | Physical Fitness | Fitness and Health |
| make a promise
| Let's do it Right | Obeying the Law | Morals and Values |
| enjoy making things
| Let's Create | Creativity | Creative Expression |
| enjoy playing together
| Let's Love | Relationships | Social Skills |
| are ready to help
| Let's Serve | Service | Service |
| enjoy helping at home
| Let's do Homecraft | Homecraft Skills | Homecraft and Hospitality |
| enjoy exploring and discovering
| Let's enjoy our Environment | The Environment and You | Environment |
Each girl does challenges in each of the eight points and receives a progress award after completing an approved set of challenges.
National Service Project
Special events
Image:Girl Scouts of Jamaica new Doctorbirds.jpg
Source:[http://girlscoutsjm.freehosting.net/index.html Girl Scouts of Jamaica Home]
- September 1 - Start of the Girl Scout year, coinciding with the school year start
- October 5 - Founders' Day, Anniversary of the first promise ceremony
- November - World Scouting Month, coinciding with National Youth Month
- November 11 - Anniversary of the founding of the Order of World Scouts (1911)
- December - Service Month
- January - Leaders' Planning Month
- January, last Saturday - Annual Leaders' Conference
- May - Girl Scouting Month, coinciding with National Child Month
- May 24 - Anniversary of the founding of the British Boy Scouts and British Girl Scouts (1909)
- August 5 - Anniversary of the founding of the Girl Scouts of Jamaica
- August 31 - End of the Girl Scout year, coinciding with the school year end