March is “National Save Your Vision Month” and now Girl Scouts in New Jersey can earn a Patch while focusing on eye healthand good vision practices. Interested in earning a Vision Awareness Patch? Check out what you need to do below:
1. The first requirement is to visit an Optometrist’s office (You can find one near you here) or have one speak at your troop meeting.
2. Next is to complete two activities from the list below:
- March is National Save Your Vision Month. Make a poster for your school that promotes eye health and good vision practices.
- Children often experience vision problems. Learn how vision can affect school activities and how a Doctor of Optometry can help.
- Learn about Camp Marcella, a summer camp in New Jersey for blind and visually impaired children. What services are available in your community?
- Not everyone has 20/20 vision. Learn about nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism and how glasses or contacts can help.
- Learn about a career in Optometry. What type of college is required? What percentage of women go into this field? How do you become licensed?
- Run an Eyeglass Donation Drive and contact an organization that collects them. One suggestion is the Lions Club.
- Do “activities in the dark”. Divide the Scouts into pairs, having one girl be blindfolded and the helper girl be non-blindfolded. The blindfolded girl should try some basic activities such as buttoning or zipping a coat, tying her shoe, etc. The helper girl should lead her, explain what she sees and keep her safe. Then trade roles. Discuss: How did it feel to not be able to see? How did you accomplish simple activities? What would you do if you met a blind person?
Once you complete this program, you will have earned a Vision Awareness Patch. Patches are available at the Optometrist’s office.
If you have questions, please contact the NJSOP at 609-323-4012 or Dr. Maria Richman at 732-223-0202.
This program was started by Marietta Richman, a Girl Scout Gold Award recipient, NJSOP paraoptometric, and Pre-Optometry college student. It is supported by the NJSOP, the Favreau Health Foundation and the Girl Scouts.
