Girl Scout leaders have you heard? There is now an eye health patch that your Girl Scout troop can earn! The Colorado Optometric Association and Girl Scouts of Colorado have worked together to create a Vision Awareness Patch Program.

Scouts and scout leaders that are interested in this program will get connected with a Colorado Optometric Association (COA) member doctor who will help facilitate the activities for the troop.  This patch program is aimed to show the importance of eye health through annual comprehensive eye exams. During these activities, the troop will learn that optometrists are not only able to correct poor vision with glasses and contacts, but they can also help diagnose over 270 different diseases! Learn about getting connected here.

While being connected with a doctor of optometry, the group will complete two activities in order to earn their Vision Awareness Patch.

These activities could include:

1. Not everyone has 20/20 vision. This lesson teaches the girls about nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism and how glasses or contacts can help.
2. Poor vision and the effects on academic success. Children often experience vision problems that are not easily detected. Learn how important vision is for school activities and how a doctor of optometry can help children succeed.
3. The month of March is The American Optometric Association’s National Save Your Vision Month. Troops can work to make posters for schools that promote eye health and good vision practices.
4. What does it take to have a career in optometry? Learn about the details on how to take the next steps to become a doctor of optometry, including schooling, licensing, pay and more!
5. Run an Eyeglass Donation Drive. Work with a local service organization that collects eyeglasses such as the Lions Club. Visit http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/how-we-serve/health/sight/eyeglass-recycling.php for additional information.

6. Try “activities in the dark.” Groups will learn what it is like to live and complete everyday tasks with a vision impairment. Then discuss how it felt to experience this and what would you do if you were to meet a blind person.

After completion of the two activities, scouts will receive the Vision Awareness Patch!

This program will allow the scouts to take away how important keeping one’s vision in tip top shape is by getting an annual comprehensive eye exam from an optometrist. It is also a great way for the scouts to get exposure to a career in the profession of eyecare and could also encourage the possible future study of science and technology. For additional information about this program, please reach out to the Colorado Optometric Association, at coa@visioncare.org, or learn about getting connected here. 

Do you need an annual comprehensive eye exam? Find an optometrist near you to schedule an appointment!