Vision Awareness Girl Scout Badge

Great news for Girl Scouts and troop leaders in New Jersey!
The Vision Awareness is available at optometry offices throughout the state. Girl Scouts can earn the fun badge while focusing on eye health and good vision practices.

Requirements for Earning the Patch
Girl Scouts interested in earning the Vision Awareness patch must visit an Optometrist’s office or have one speak at your troop meeting. Find an optometrist near you by using our doctor locator. (If the optometric physician you speak to doesn’t have the badges on hand, ask them to contact the New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians (NJSOP) to obtain them.)

Girl Scouts must also complete two activities from the list below:

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?