Girl Scout & Boy Scout Activities for Save Your Vision Month in March
March is “National Save Your Vision Month” – a perfect time for Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts to earn a Patch while focusing on eye health and good vision practices. Interested in earning a Vision Awareness Patch? Check out what you need to do below:
1. The first requirement is to contact an optometric physician (You can find one near you here) and ask them to host or attend a virtual meeting for your troop.
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 scout be blindfolded and the helper scout be non-blindfolded. The blindfolded scout should try some basic activities such as buttoning or zipping a coat, tying their shoe, etc. The helper scout should lead, explain what he/she sees and keep him/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 and they can arrange to get them to your group.
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.
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