Community Service Project Ideas Service is inherent in the Girl Scout program. It is stated as part of our Promise as well as part of the Girl Scout Law. When we promise to "help people at all times", we need to realize that there is much that is needed within our communities. Making girls aware of what is needed in your community is one way to build responsible future members of that community. Below are just a few ideas. Build on these to tailor them to your own needs. DID YOU KNOW?  If you know a Girl Scout who has contributed substantially to her community, she may be eligible for a President's Student Service Award.  All full time students from kindergarten through college who contribute at least 100 hours of service to the community are eligible for the President's Student Service Award.  Students may be certified by their school, their college, or a community organization and will receive a gold pin specially designed by the White House, a presidential certificate, and a letter from the President.  Youth ages 5 to 14 who perform 50 hours of service may receive a silver pin specially designed by the White House, as well as a presidential certificate and a letter from the President.  For more information and applications, go to http://www.student-service-awards.org/awards.html   ALL AGE LEVELS    Plant flowers at a local park, nursing home, library, etc. Plan a Party for a Daisy Girl Scout Troop. Sing songs at a local nursing home or hospital (doesn't have to always be at Christmas time) Participate in a community parade or event. Collect clothing or personal items and donate them to a local shelter for the homeless. Make tray favors, scrapbooks, napkin rings, or crafts for a special occasion to donate to a local children's hospital, hospital or convalescent home. "Adopt" a Grandparent in your neighborhood or in a convalescent hospital to visit and take them cards. Adopt a neighborhood senior citizen and help him or her with necessary chores. Do secret Brownie deeds for members of your family. Plan or cooperate with existing paper drives or other recycling endeavors. Plan a tree or shrub on Arbor Day (last Friday of April). Visit a nursing home, and sing or put on a play for residents. Present Girl Scout cookies to a food bank or to someone in need. Collect canned goods for local food banks. Donate money to the Juliette Low World Friendship Fund. Make greeting cards for people in veteran's hospital, or other health care facilities. Make bird feeders for local park or nature centers. Adopt a service person stationed overseas. Collect items and send them a gift box during a holiday when they cannot be home with their family. Knit, crochet, or sew a blanket or afghan for a family in need. Make posters to tell others about Girl Scouting, and have your leader display them in a public place such as a library, etc. (with permission). Help decorate your troop meeting place for a holiday (get permission first). Plan a Holiday party for a younger troop. Make bird feeders and put them outside in the winter. Plan and do a bridging activity with a Daisy, Brownie or Junior Troop. Perform a puppet show at a nursing home. Operation Dear Abbey - Sent cards to military personnel stationed overseas.   Junior - Senior Opportunities      (Can undertake longer project commitments.) Make toys, games or crafts for a Child Care Center or pediatric unit of a hospital. Read-me-a-Story Tapes - Record children's stories that the girls read onto cassette tapes to donate to local Day Care facilities.   Help your Brownie sisters to learn basic camping skills. Do clerical tasks such as stuffing envelopes, collating papers or putting together packets for your Girl Scout Service Unit, Council, or other community organizations. Help with a community fair or event. Assist with a restoration of a historic landmark. Develop and participate in a Girl Scout and Senior Citizen "Pen Pal" Program. Plan a program with a daycare center or nursery school. Give a puppet show; share a treat, read stories, play games, or make things together. Baby-sit so that parents may vote on Election Day or attend a Girl Scout or other event. Adopt a lot, corner, park, playground, community center or neighborhood you can help keep clean and plan improvements. Collect clothing and donate it to a charity that serves the homeless. Assist a community agency by wrapping holiday gifts for families in need. Plan and set up a wildlife conservation exhibit at school or other community center. Help build a nature trail and conduct guided tours to teach Girl Scouts and others the value of wildlife. Build and erect birdbaths in the summer. Help with trail maintenance on local hiking trails. Participate in a river clean-up project with local agencies. Put on a play for a local nursing home. Do yard work at your local Council office or Council owned camp or volunteer to help with yard work at a location of your choice. Collect books or other Girl Scout memorabilia and donate it to a community library. Participate in a "Rake 'N Run" - go to a neighborhood and go door to door asking if they would like their leaves raked (make sure you make it clear that you do not expect payment) . Assist a younger troop in doing a flag ceremony. Perform a flag ceremony for a local PTA or other community group. Plan and carry out the entertainment for a Leader recognition event. Accept the responsibility for cooking meals for your family for one day. Participate in a holiday program at a church or synagogue. Assist with a Daisy or Brownie troop in your Service Unit area. Help to clean benches or trails at a park. Assist at a day camp for girls who have not yet had an opportunity to be in Girl Scouts.   Older Girl (Cadette & Senior) Opportunities    Volunteer to read stories to children at your local library's "Children's Hour" or develop one if none is present.   Volunteer to work at a local campaign office.   Help serve at a local "soup kitchen" in your community.     Links to More Service Project Ideas on the Internet Service Project Ideas