In 2021, the Wright Museum of World War II will offer a program designed for girls, ages 8 to 11, in Girl Scouts, a development that results from a recent visit by Maine-based Troop #2271.
The program, developed by museum Executive Director Mike Culver, focuses on WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots), the subject of an exhibit that opens in May 2021.
“Members of WASP became trained pilots who tested aircraft, ferried aircraft and trained other pilots during World War II,” he explained.
Noting the program covers the full story behind — and “often over-looked” importance of — WASP, Culver said it also sheds light on the role of Girl Scouts in the war effort.
“They helped sell war bonds, tended victory gardens and collected scrap metals and fat to be reused,” he said. “Girl Scouts also formed ‘Defense Institutes’ for teaching women necessary skills and ways to comfort children during possible air raids. Troops even made calendars instead of the Girl Scout cookies we all know and love today so they could help with food rationing.”
According to Ginger Kozlowski, communications and public relations manager for Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains, the museum’s program will help Girl Scout Juniors earn their Playing the Past badge.
“They are asked to explore what it’s like to live in the past, think of a character from that time period, create a costume, and act out what it would be like to live daily life as that character,” she said.
She described The Wright as “an ideal partner” to show girls what life was like during World War II.
“The program will help them understand what it would be like to be a soldier, homemaker, pilot, child, a Girl Scout, or even the president at this critical point in U.S. history,” she said.
For Culver, the opportunity to bring young people into the museum is important.
“It’s essential we help kids understand that history is not just in the past,” he said. “It has relevance today, and I think The Wright can play an important role as educator of tomorrow’s leaders, which the Girls Scouts are actively working to develop through their innovative programs.”
The region’s leading resource for educators and learners of all ages on World War II, The Wright features more than 14,000 items in its collection that are representative of both the home front and battle field.
To learn more about the Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains, whose mission is “to develop girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place,” visit girlscoutsgwm.org.
