Glenview Girl Scouts to Host World Thinking Day Event on Sunday, April 9th

Nearly 250 people are expected to attend a celebration of cultures at the Ismaili Jamatkhana in Glenview on Sunday, April 9 from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. as part of the local Girl Scouts' service unit World Thinking Day event.

During the event, attendees will have the opportunity to visit stations about several countries, including Turkey, Morocco, Indonesia, Jamaica, Ireland, Germany, Syria, India and Sweden, through educational activities and have their "passports" stamped.

"At this program, younger Girl Scouts will learn from older Girl Scouts about another country's food, games, crafts, songs and dance," said Mary Anne Bolle a longtime Girl Scout troop leader who has been organizing local World Thinking Day celebrations for 13 years. "In the political climate today, it is important for everyone to learn about the unique and fun aspects of various cultures so we don't allow the unknown to cloud our perceptions."

This year, the Ismaili Girl Scouts, who are the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims and belong to the Shia branch of Islam, will be hosting the festive multicultural event. With nearly 100 registered members, the Ismaili Girl Scouts range in age from 5 to 18.

"This event gives the troops an opportunity to branch out and learn from other neighboring troops. It signifies a worldwide movement and a reason to come together and learn about other countries and cultures where Girl Scouts and Girls Guide exists," said Sheila Gilani, leader for the Ismaili Girl Scout troop. "It also gives communities like ours the opportunity to establish stronger relationships with other school-based and faith-based troops."

World Thinking Day is a longstanding tradition with Girl Scouts and Girl Guides from 146 countries celebrating it as a day of international friendship. It's also an opportunity to support girls as they travel internationally, connect with sister Girl Guides, and take action globally.

Every year, Girl Scouts and Girl Guides from 146 countries celebrate World Thinking Day as a day of international friendship. It is typically recognized on February 22.

To learn more about World Thinking Day, visit www.girlscoutsgcnwi.org.

Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana impacts the lives of more than 52,000 girls
and 20,000 adult members in 245 communities in six Illinois counties (Cook, DuPage, Grundy,
Kankakee, Lake, and Will) and four Indiana counties (Jasper, Lake, Newton, and Porter). Girl
Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. For
more information, visit www.girlscoutsgcnwi.org.