It's 3 P.M. - Now What???

Girl Scouts Offers After-School Activity Tips

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Girl Scouts of the U.S.A.

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NEW YORK, Aug. 17, 1998 -- Children's involvement in after-school activities increases the quality of life for those children, according to a study by the Department of Education, and parents can "team up" with their children to choose activities that help children grow, while having a good time.

"Children have many options today in how to spend their after-school hours, but parents need to be involved in that decision-making process to ensure that their children will be safe and will benefit from the experience," said Marsha Johnson Evans, national executive director of Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. "We also hear from many parents who don't know how many activities are too many and how to narrow the number of activities."

Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. offers parents these tips in helping children choose safe after-school activities wisely:

• Investigate - Speak with the adults supervising and volunteering in the activity, as well as children who participate. Read the written materials offered. Attend after-school activities fairs at your child's school.
  
  
• Understand - Know what your obligations will be, in addition to your child's. Be clear on how your child will benefit from the experience. Listen - Understand what your child wants. Don't be quick to offer your own feelings, thoughts and observations.
  
  
• Discuss - Ask questions designed to get a true understanding of what your child wants and why she wants to join particular programs.
  
  
• Decide - Try to find an activity that your child will enjoy that also allows you to fulfill your obligation.
  
  

"We have found that parents who take an active role in their child's in- and after-school activities ensure that their child gets the full benefit from those experiences," Evans, formerly a Rear Admiral in the U.S Navy, said.

Today's Girl Scouts reflects the changing needs of contemporary girls. Recent programs established to address these include:

• GirlSports, a sports initiative designed to increase girls' participation in sports, health and fitness activities in order to develop positive life-long habits in sports and fitness.
  
  
• National Science Partnership, a nationwide collaboration between science museums and Girl Scout councils to make science fun and exciting for girls as they earn Girl Scout recognitions (badges).
  
  
• Operation Safe Neighborhood, a major violence intervention initiative, which involves girls in the planning and implementation of projects designed to provide solutions to youth violence.
  
  

"While every girl between the ages of 5-18 would benefit from the Girl Scout experience, we really need to focus on our girls being involved in healthy, meaningful and motivating activities, whether she is in sports, theater, band, volunteering or any other after-school activity," Evans continued. "GSUSA believes in and will support nationwide initiatives to increase the number of quality after-school programs."

A June 1998 joint study released by the Department of Education and the Justice Department, titled "Safe and Smart: Making the After-School Hours Work for Kids," focuses exclusively on the benefits children receive in terms of increased safety, reduced risk-taking and improved learning, and challenges communities to provide quality after-school programs, keeping our children safe, out of trouble and learning.

Today, the Girl Scouts provides a safe, supportive environment for girls to participate in projects involving computers and technology, careers, the environment, personal finance and sports. Girls between the ages of 5-17 or who are in kindergarten through Grade 12 can become Girl Scouts in the United States.

Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. was founded in 1912 by Juliette Gordon Low in Savannah, Ga. While the early emphasis was on camping, cooking and outdoor skills, the contemporary Girl Scout program has expanded to meet the needs of today's girls. The Girl Scout movement has a membership of more than 3.5 million girls and adults. More than 40 million American women have been members of the Girl Scouts since it began 86 years ago.

Web Site: http://www.gsusa.org

CONTACT: Claudia Davis of Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., 212-852-6540; or Maria Shydlo, 212-704-4503, or Jeneane Steele 212-704-8295, both of Edelman Public Relations Worldwide