In keeping with several of the Girl Scout Laws such as, “I will do my best to help where I am needed, to show respect for myself and others through my words and actions, and to be cheerful,” Girls Scout troops sign up to attend the workshop and come prepared for a day of learning and service. The workshop, held in a local Alzheimer’s Care facility, covers all the requirements necessary for each participant to earn an Alzheimer’s Awareness Badge, which has been approved by the Texas Girl Scout Council. Following a session on learning about Alzheimer’s disease, the girls participate in activities with a group of residents who have Alzheimer’s disease. Activities range from a sing-a-long, to an art project, to a visit from a pet that is trained in Animal Assisted Therapy. One important principle of the workshop is to convey to the teen learners the message that Alzheimer’s disease is not a part of normal aging. Though this disease is one that primarily affects older adults, it is not necessarily true that all or even most older adults will get Alzheimer’s disease. However, because of the continuous growth of our aging population, the number of people affected by this disease will continue to increase during the next century.

The girls leave the workshop with a packet of information from the Alzheimer’s Association, regarding Alzheimer’s disease and ways the Association can help people and families who are affected.

The message of the success of this program is clear—while many teens are busy, some are not too busy to spend time learning something new and to give of themselves to people who truly benefit from their oath of action to “help where needed, show respect for others and be cheerful.”

Jeanne Kessler, RN has worked in the field of gerontology nursing since 1986. In 1997, as the Director of Volunteer Services for the Alzheimer's Resource Center of Connecticut (a 120 bed in-patient Alzheimer's care facility), she developed the CARE CAMP Program. She is a the founder of CARE CAMP Consultants, and gives workshops for the Alzheimer's Association Greater Dallas Chapter.

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