Girl Scouts GCNWI Champion Belonging Through Art & Culture

This April, Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GCNWI) created a space for every girl to connect, create and thrive, shining on a light on belonging.

To honor Social Inclusion Week – an initiative conceptualized by the organization to ensure every girl feels seen, valued and empowered – Girl Scouts GCNWI invited Girl Scouts to experience two transformative programs at Camp Greene Wood in Naperville by integrating art, culture, and community:

• Art Therapy Workshop: Mental health advocate Kayla Allen guided Girl Scouts through acrylic painting sessions designed to encourage self-expression and emotional well-being.
• Cultural Cooking Class: Chef Roberto Pérez of Urban Pilón taught participants to prepare Puerto Rican-style “Espaguetis” while sharing Afro-Caribbean cultural traditions.

Hands on programs that let creativity shine exemplify how Girl Scouts build courage, confidence, and character through the power of inclusivity and cultural exchange, fostering inclusion through shared experiences.

To learn more about Girl Scouts GCNWI and its offered programs, visit girlscoutsgcnwi.org.