The scouts can earn a “Choose Kindness” badge as they learn how to stop bullying.
SAN ANTONIO — Bullying is a growing epidemic across the entire world, including in south Texas. One well known organization is doing what it can to combat the problem, by tapping into the emotions of young women.
The Girl Scouts of America engage in a multitude of activities like camping, first aid and community service. But they also work on building character, with a goal of helping others.
“So these two are daisies, then these two are brownies for my two years and two juniors for my two years,” said 11-year-old Torilynn Sanchez Leigh, who has been in the Girl Scouts for more than four years. “I like that you can start having confidence and more speaking because Girl Scouts has a lot of, I would say, helping with maturity.”
They earn these badges as they grow with the scouts, and the “Choose Kindness” badge is one that Torilynn is extremely proud of.
To earn that, Girl Scouts learn about empathy, with a goal to prevent bullying.
“That it’s bad and people shouldn’t do it because like it really hurts people,” Torilynn said.
Gabriela Lara, a Wellpoint community relations representative told us, “Bullying is a serious, public health issue that can affect a person’s emotional and physical well-being.”
So why did Wellpoint decide to get involved with the Girl Scouts and their curriculum? To better not only the mental health of Girl Scouts, and anyone they may come into contact with.
“Wellpoint uses a whole health approach this means we focus on improving not only physical health but behavioral health as well,” Lara said.
Torilynn says she wouldn’t just talk to a grownup about someone that she thinks is being a bully.
“I would tell a teacher or somebody that’s in charge” she said. But she would also do her best to make sure it doesn’t happen again.