Service is an integral part of Girl Scouting. Including service in all Girl Scout programming helps develop well-rounded girls who can relate to others, contribute to society and develop their own values and potential.
Required Service Projects
Girl Scouts of Rolling Hills Council requires every troop, all levels, to participate in two
service projects each year:
An act of service to the agency your Service Unit has chosen to help
In addition, every troop should do a reciprocal act of service for their sponsor in
appreciation of the sponsor's generosity.
Inchworm of Service
The Inchworm of Service patch program recognizes the service girls perform while they represent Girl Scouting. Each troop leader should provide opportunities for her Girl Scouts to perform service and earn this recognition.
Birthday Buddies - host a birthday party at an adult day care center in Bridgewater or Basking Ridge
Blood Drive - troop, service unit or Gold/Silver Award project that directly benefits the community.
Color A Smile - Color A Smile collects crayon drawings from school children and distributes them to nursing homes, Meals on Wheels programs, and individuals all across the country.
GirlSports - ideas for sports-related service projects
GSBB Service Opportunities - Provide lunches or a craft for the GSBB (Girl Scouting Beyond Bars) program.
Let's Say Thanks - A web site (www.letssaythanks.com) where you can send a free printed postcard to U.S. military personnel stationed overseas showing your support and appreciation for their service to our country.
Operation Shoebox - donate items to be sent to US armed forces deployed overseas. Accompanying cards or letters are particularly appreciated! Volunteers also needed for packing events held periodically.
Project Linus NJ - make blankets and hand crafted toys for children suffering serious illness and trauma
S.H.I.P. (Somerset Homeless Interim Program) - provide casseroles and other items for the homeless
Online Volunteer Center - web site maintained by Somerset County United Way, features a database where you can find volunteer opportunities. Click on "Search" to search for opportunities available to children or adolescents.
A number of Rolling Hills Service Units have compiled lists of opportunities and contacts. Some of the opportunities are specific to their locality and some are dated, but there are lots of good ideas here!
SU 1 Service Projects Page - Hunterdon Co. emphasis. If you are not from SU 1, disregard the "Calendar of Annual Service Events" and scroll down to the "Service Suggestions."
SU 2 Service Opportunities - 13 page document with service opportunities/ideas (Clinton area emphasis - ignore SU2-specific information if you are from another service unit). Last updated 9/06.
SU 6 Service Ideas Booklet - 10 pages of year-round service ideas. (Readington Twp./Hunterdon Co. emphasis) Updated 9/05
SU 18 2007-2008 Service Booklet -
comprehensive 23-page resource, Southern Somerset and Mercer County emphasis (Acrobat pdf file)
