The Girl Scouts organization helps teen girls build confidence to help combat anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders that teens experience.
While doTERRA Wellness Advocate Kimberly McAndrew is passionate about sharing essential oils, she has discovered a way to use another one of her passions—horseback riding—to help others. When her daughter joined the Girl Scouts in 1998, Kimberly got involved as a troop leader and has donated her time to the organization ever since. For nearly 15 years, Kimberly has helped with the Girl Scouts of San Jacinto horseback program—combining her love of horses with her desire to volunteer.
Kimberly currently volunteers as a Riding Director for the San Jacinto Girl Scouts program. Not only does Kimberly enjoy spending time around horses, but she feels that her volunteer work is extremely rewarding. She says,”It always makes me feel good when a young girl gets off the horse and tells me she had the best time on the ride. Plus, helping a girl who may be scared of a horse feels great. Nothing beats seeing the smiling faces of these young girls.”
As both a mother and a woman who was once a teenager, Kimberly knows how difficult the adolescent years can be for girls. She knows that healthy environments and opportunities to develop confidence are essential during these years. For many teens, their appearance, social pressures, the need to feel accepted, and conflicts about independence can cause feelings of anxiety.1 Anxiety disorders are the most common of all mental illnesses and affect 25 percent of all teens, and 30 percent of all teen girls.2
When adolescent girls have the opportunity to build skills, serve others, and make friends, it helps their confidence and self-esteem. Kimberly says, “I enjoy seeing these Girl Scouts grow up in the program to become well-rounded people and leaders in their community. My two youngest daughters went through the program and graduated with over 1,000 volunteer hours and are very service-oriented young ladies.”
Like many other Girl Scout programs, the horseback program is designed to teach girls responsibility, leadership, friendship, and other skills that will provide them with the necessary confidence to navigate their teenage years. Kimberly says, “I love watching young ladies go from being shy seventh-graders to becoming confident, strong leaders. The transformation is amazing.” To find out how you can get involved with the Girl Scouts in your area, visit their website.
