Youth Activities: Ways to Get Youth Involved

Joan Penney
2015-2016 Youth Activities
National Ambassador

Youth Activities, what is the purpose?  To instill in the hearts of our youth, a firm belief in the principles of our Republic and reverence for the Flag of the United States; to develop character, cooperation, leadership, self-reliance, a willingness to assume responsibility for themselves and respect for their elders, family, community and veterans.

I posed a question a couple of weeks ago to our members asking how your Auxiliary is promoting Youth Activities. Wow!  I received many great ideas from across the nation. Thank you for the overwhelming response! I've listed several of the submitted ideas below:

• Auxiliary 9610, Lake Park, Florida worked with a Girl Scout troop to paint Veteran Rocks. The girls painted thank you notes on the back of the rocks. This is an awesome way to start the ripple!
• Vickie Purcell, Auxiliary 2250, Hornell, New York, suggests youth groups help collect items for and pack care packages for deployed troops.
• Nancy Kreimer, Department of Pennsylvania, suggests involving Boy & Girl Scout troops in hospital visits.
• Earlene Kelly Barmettler, Auxiliary 4146, Victoria, Texas involved scouts in the POW/MIA Program.
• An idea that was shared on Facebook - host a Poppy Pageant.

Thank you for the great ideas, keep them coming!

The holidays will be here before we know it! Think about ways your Auxiliary can promote youth to work for and/or with our veterans.