Brownie Girl Scout Troops 1614 and 1604 participated in RadKIDS, a national program that stands for “Resisting Aggression Defensively.” The 10-hour program equips children with tools to respond to emergency situations. Although the course focuses on physical defense against abduction, the instructors also teach the students about staying safe in different environments, including home, automobile, school, and water.##M:[more]##
The course, registered with RadKIDS and offered by Princeton Healthcare Systems with the assistance of the West Windsor Township Police Department, was facilitated by Debbie Millar and Karen Davison of Princeton Healthcare Systems. “When I first heard about this course, I thought that Girl Scouts would be the perfect environment in which to empower these girls,” says Alpa Montoya, leader of both troops and Town Center Girl Scout consultant. “I feel very strongly that this will be the most important activity that the troops will do this year.”
The unique part of the program is that instead of simply telling the strategies to the participants, the participants actually role play different scenarios. The facilitators believe that the role playing will serve the scouts well since many freeze, lose their motor skills, and are not able to recall vital information, when faced with an emergency situation.
“The instructions and practice on what to do if approached by a stranger was phenomenal,” says Sue Hannah, a parent from Troop 1614. “I would not have been able to explain that to my child the way they did. I also think that coming from someone other than the parent really reinforces the importance of the subject matter and the practice.”
For example, the girls were placed in a scenario where they needed to dial 911. The girls had to run an obstacle course and at the end, had to pick up pretend cell phones to make their 911 calls. It sounds simple enough, and the girls have heard it time and time again.
“What was so surprising was when the girls first ran through the course and picked up the cell phone, some girls were not be able to say anything and forgot what their response should be,” says Montoya. “As they practiced, there was marked improvement.”
The RadKIDS program consists of five sessions, with the fifth session culminating in a simulation where instructors don a red, full-body padded suit and the participants take turns going through four scenarios. Members of the troops each resisted abduction attempts with physical defense strategies while the audience of parents and siblings cheered on the scouts.
Girl Scouts participating in the program include Mariesa Cay, Isabella Dorado, Alexis D’Souza, Victoria Hannah, Katrina Luo, Haley Mann, Alexa Montoya, and Sathwika Prasad, all of Troop 1614. Also, Carolyn Campbell, Elizabeth DeMoine, Kelly Letson, Rachel Martin, Alaina Montoya, Vanessa Richardson, and Natasha Singer, all of Troop 1604. At the RadKIDS graduation, the girls received a certificate with a photo ID and fingerprint, and will also receive a RadKIDS patch for their Brownie vest.
“This is a program that will stay with them for a long time,” says Samantha Kemler, leader of Troop 1614. “I am amazed at how these girls gained confidence to rise above the slightest insecurity and know that they will not be victims under any circumstance.”
