LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Orinda/Moraga Girl Scout International Fair


Photo provided

On Sunday, Feb. 25, over 450 Girl Scouts from the Orinda-Moraga Service Unit of the Northern California Girl Scouts Council gathered at Joaquin Moraga Middle School participate in the annual Girl Scout International Fair. Each year, in honor of World Thinking Day, the Orinda-Moraga Service Unit of NoCal Girl Scouts hosts an International Fair. World Thinking Day, first celebrated in 1926, is a day of international friendship, providing an opportunity to speak out on issues that impact young girls and women around the world. World Thinking Day is celebrated by Girl Scouts and Girl Guides in over 153 countries.

This year, 29 troops within the Orinda-Moraga Service Unit hosted country booths, including Argentia, Greece, India, Israel, Philippines, Thailand, and Ukraine among others. The troops spent the weeks before the International Fair learning about their chosen country, its language, history, customs, and culture. Troops then decorate their booths and plan activities like crafts, games, or food tasting - for other Girl Scouts to participate in to learn more about the country.

At the International Fair, Scouts spent the afternoon traveling from country booth to country booth, learning about each country's unique customs, sampling cuisine from the country, playing traditional games, learning a few new words in that country's language, or participating in a craft. Once they've visited the country, they get a stamp in their passport.

The event brings together Girl Scouts of all ages, from Daisies (Kindergarten and First Grade) to Cadettes and Senior Scouts in high school.

It's fun to learn about different countries and try new foods, said one Del Rey fourth grade scout and now there are even more counties I hope to visit one day!