World Thinking Day 2023 is Tuesday, February 22nd and is the first Girl Scout holiday of the calendar year. Here are free resources for leaders to use with their troop.
Every year, the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts selects a theme that troops around the world will work on simultaneously. This is an activity the connects over 10 million scouts from over 150 countries and celebrate international friendship. While it is not mandatory to celebrate this with your troop, the Girl Scout of the USA believe that it is so important that an earned World Thinking Day badge goes in the front of the vest, sash, or tunic.
What is World Thinking Day 2023’s Theme?
This theme for World Thinking Day 2023 is “Our World Our Peaceful Future, The Environment & Peace“. This year, to earn the World Thinking Day award, girls will explore environmental problems and learn how you can work with nature to create a more peaceful and secure future for girls everywhere.
Does My Troop Have to Celebrate World Thinking Day 2023 on February 22nd?
This question was raised in one of the Facebook groups that I belong to. After reading the responses from other leaders, I did my own research just to be sure what was posted was correct.
The answer is no, you do not have to celebrate World Thinking Day 2023 on the exact day, or even in February.
From the GSUSA website:
“Making the world a better place is Girl Scout Law, so it’s no surprise we have a holiday dedicated to doing just that. Each February 22, Girl Scouts and Girl Guides across 150 countries celebrate World Thinking Day. It’s a day of international friendship and a time to stand up for causes that could improve the lives of girls around the globe. And while the holiday itself comes in February, the World Thinking Day Award can be earned at any time of year.“
This news will be a welcome bit of information, as so many are knee deep into cookies sales and earning cookie badges and leaves.
This year’s theme will tie in nicely with Earth Day in April, when hopefully troops will be able to meet again in person, at least outdoors. It will make your planning in the spring easier to know you have something already preplanned and laid out for you to do.
Free Girl Scout Thinking Day 2023 Resources for Leaders
WAGGS and the Girl Scout of the USA website have you covered with free World Thinking Day resources for leaders.
At the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts website, you will find an overview of this year’s theme. You can find it here.
The downloadable WAGGS activity pack can be found here on the WAGGS site.
At the Girl Scouts of the USA website, there are downloadable activity packs divided into two different levels.
Downloadable PDF packets for Daisy, Brownie and Junior World Thinking Day 2023 activity packets can be found here.
For Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors, the World Thinking Day 2023 downloadable PDF activity pack can be found here.
Do Troops Still Learn About Girl Scouts in Different Countries for World Thinking Day 2023?
In the past, learning about other countries was the focus of World Thinking Day. Now the focus is on the how sisters in scouting around the world can help our planet.
If you decide that you want to focus on one country, you can read this blog post and get your free printable passports.
Here is a free printable planner that you can use to organize your World Thinking Day 2023 meeting.
If you wish to play games from other countries, check out this blog post with games from around the world.
When does your troop plan to celebrate World Thinking Day 2023?
