AUBURN — The Girl Scouts of Maine Troop 438 joined with Girl Scouts and Girl Guides around the world in celebrating World Thinking Day on Feb. 22. The theme was “Impact” and, meeting at the Auburn PAL Center, the eight kindergarten through second-grade girls explored how they could make an impact on the world.

Activities ranged from observing and drawing nature, to becoming trees absorbing polluting carbon particles, to seeing the ripple effect of a pebble in water and discussing how that is like doing a good deed in the community.

The culminating activity was creating a six-foot-long mural depicting how nature can inspire and guide, and advising all to “Be Kind to Nature.” They plan to ask each of their schools to exhibit the mural in the upcoming weeks.

“This was our first year participating in World Thinking Day,” said Troop Leader Cheri Donahue. “I think the girls not only enjoyed themselves, but gained insight on how they are part of a bigger community and how they can make a difference.”

Troop 438 is made up of Daisy and Brownie Scouts, girls who are just beginning their adventure in scouting. So far this year they have gone on several hikes, including a trek in Thorncrag Bird Sanctuary in Lewiston and a snowshoe hike in Norway.

They have also created artwork with nature, celebrated Girl Scout Founder Juliet Lowe’s birthday with old-fashioned games, gone holiday caroling at Clover Health Care and have done multiple activities centered around teamwork, family, leadership and community.

Currently they are involved in the Girl Scout Cookie Sale program, planning to donate some of the proceeds to the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society as well as go on an animal adventure, both causes meshing with one of the group’s passions, a love of animals.

From left, clockwise: Troop 438 leader Cheri Donahue, Brooklyn Dunbar, Gretchen Dunbar, Sage Yarnevich, Kaylee Davis, Rinoa Cole, Lucy Dumont, Maddisin  Mercier and Annabelle Fitch.

From left, clockwise: Rinoa Cole, Lucy Dumont, Annabelle Fitch, Brooklyn Dunbar, Sage Yarnevich and Gretchen Dunbar.

In back, from left: Parent volunteer Shannah Lawrence and Troop 438 leader Cheri Donahue. Middle, from left: Kaylee Davis, Rinoa Cole, Brooklyn Dunbar, Sage Yarnevich and Gretchen Dunbar. Front, from left: Annabelle Fitch, Lucy Dumont and Maddisin Mercier.