Girl Scouts and Children's Hospital Colorado Team Up to Boost Self-Esteem

A recent study commissioned by Girl Scouts of the USA found that nine in 10 girls say the fashion industry (89 percent) and/or the media (88 percent) place a lot of pressure on teenage girls to be thin. Forty-eight percent wish they were as skinny as the models in fashion magazines, and 31 percent of girls admit to starving themselves or refusing to eat as a strategy to lose weight.

In an effort to make girls feel good about themselves just the way they are, Children's Hospital Colorado welcomed 80 Girl Scouts on Feb. 27 for an annual workshop titled "Every Body is Different Inside and Out." The 4th- and 5th-grade girls represented eight troops from across Colorado.

Led by the medical and health care experts from Children's Hospital Colorado Eating Disorders Program, girls participated in a day of interactive and empowering activities centered on self-esteem, body image awareness and eating disorder prevention.

Jennifer Hagman, MD, Medical Director of the Eating Disorders Program at Children's Hospital Colorado, helped to organize the day. Dr. Hagman is a troop leader and a mom who has seen first-hand the effects of negative self-esteem. She has seen girls as young as 9 years old enter Children's Hospital Colorado for treatment of eating disorders. Dr. Hagman has also been recognized by Girl Scouts as a Woman of Distinction for her accomplishments personally and professionally and the positive example she sets for girls.

The theme for the day tied into the “every girl deserves to feel beautiful the way she is” message which Girl Scouts' partner Dove employs in its Campaign for Real Beauty.

“I have been learning that it is important to like yourself,” said Payge, of Troop 2136 from Aurora. “It is important to be you.”

The workshop was divided into three sessions: making “me” boxes, creating self-esteem flowers and enjoying a session focused on mind and body with yoga and a discussion about healthy nutrition.

The “me” boxes were decorated according to what the girls show the world on the outside and also noted who they are on the inside. Each girl worked with a partner on her box and was able to learn a few things about her fellow Girl Scouts. “I learned that Amber loves cheese, mud and cows,” said Evelyn, 10, of Troop 2136 from Aurora.

Designing the self-esteem flowers involved putting descriptors on each petal to represent belonging, identity and purpose. Examples of descriptors written on the petals included being a Girl Scout, playing lacrosse, being a good daughter and helping Mom. The yoga and nutrition provided a winning combination of fun, exercise and relaxation.

Each Girl Scout from the Centennial, Highlands Ranch, Aurora, Arvada, Granby and Commerce City troops who attended the workshop earned a commemorative “Children's Hospital Colorado Body Image” patch.

Perhaps more significant than the patch was the lesson the girls learned. Dr. Hagman concluded the day by reminding the girls to always be themselves. “It is good to be you,” she said.

The Girl Scouts and Children's Hospital Colorado have held this event for seven years. Learn more about the Eating Disorders Program at Children's Hospital Colorado.

*This article was written by Amy Tolley, volunteer, Girl Scouts of Colorado.