Two months of Albany’s Girl Scout DreamLab inside Walmart on Ledo Road drives program growth

ALBANY – Science labs, fitness fun and holiday crafts are just some of the activities girls who visited Albany’s Girl Scout DreamLab have participated in since the space’s opening Oct. 3.

Michele Edwards, the DreamLab’s assistant program director, said the first two months in the lab saw word slowly getting out and tangible growth. Edwards said Girl Scouts registration is up in the area. 

“You can definitely see the uptick in girls,” she said. “Even just with the programs – the girls are coming, and they’re inviting their friends.” 

Girl Scout DreamLabs are spaces designed to meet the evolving interests of girls today. It’s equipped with an audio sound booth space, STEM activity lab, “outdoor” set-up and large areas for girls to collaborate or hang out. Albany’s DreamLab is the seventh to open in the U.S. and the first to open inside a Walmart Shopping Center. 

Edwards, who grew up as an individually registered member of the Girl Scouts in Albany, or a “Juliette,” said the visibility the space brings for Girl Scouts in the area was much needed. 

“We’ve been here the whole time,” she said. “Our little building on Pine Avenue was just one of those hidden gems.”

Since its opening, Edwards has assisted with multiple programs in the space. One was a three-day mini camp during the Thanksgiving break. Ten girls in the second through fifth grades, met in the space from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. to brainstorm ways they could positively impact their community. 

Edwards said the girls talked about character traits like kindness and how they could turn them into a “super power” and be a “superhero” for their community. They even got to make their own superhero crests. 

“They’re definitely enjoying the space,” she said. “Even little girls who walk by, you can see them looking in like ‘What’s that?’’’

The DreamLab hosts programs almost daily. On Mondays, curious, potential Girl Scouts can participate in “Try It! Mondays” to get a taste of what being a Girl Scout is like. 

Brandy Tatum, a marketing specialist for Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia, said Girl Scouting today looks different from 10 years ago. She said in some areas the Girl Scout troop model still thrives, but in others, like southwest Georgia which is spaced out geographically, independent registration could grow.

“So, we’re offering some flexible spaces so Girl Scouts can experience Girl Scouting however they want,” she said. 

Placing Albany’s DreamLab in a Walmart Shopping Center represents one of these flexible spaces. Tatum said the Walmart on Ledo Road is one of the most visited Walmarts in Georgia. 

“We knew this area would be highly visible, and there’s a lot of potential for growth,” she said.  

So far, existing troops have used the space and girls interested in joining Girl Scouts have been able to participate in activities. It’s also a space where girls who are registered as individual members can come participate in badge programs or interact with fellow girl scouts. Tatum said the space is ultimately targeting girls who are unfamiliar with Girl Scouts in order to spread awareness. 

In one corner of the room is an electric “campfire.” Girl Scouts are known for their s’mores and camping adventures, but Tatum said girls new to the group might be scared to dive right into these outdoor activities. The campfire space in the DreamLab allows them to get a glimpse into outdoor skills, including talks about environmentalism.

While the DreamLab embraces tradition with the campfire, it also steps into the modern interests of today’s Girl Scouts. The DreamLab is fully equipped with a podcasting sound booth and a STEM Lab set up. 

“We are ever-evolving to meet the needs of girls and tech is really popular so we try to incorporate that,” Tatum said. 

So far, girls have been able to use the space to record audio for homework assignments or learn the basics of recording equipment. Tatum said they’re picking up skills they’ll be able to take outside of the DreamLab. 

The space has also hosted “Mommy and Me” fitness classes or holiday-themed sessions. In fact, the DreamLab is packing this upcoming holiday week with activities:

• Try It! – Dec. 23 from 3-6 p.m.
• Holiday Paint and Sip – Dec. 24 from 3-6 p.m.
• Kwanza Drum Circle – Dec. 26 from 3-6 p.m.
• Fitness Fun – Dec. 28 from 3-6 p.m.

The Girl Scouts are also preparing for the upcoming Cookie Program season, which runs from Jan. 2 until March 9. Cookie-selling booths will begin popping up Feb. 14. National Girl Scout Cookie weekend starts Feb. 21.

Brianna Jarvis, another marketing specialist with the Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia, said she’s excited to see how the DreamLab space transforms cookie season and emphasizes the entrepreneurship pillar in the program. She said the space will offer opportunities for programs that go hand in hand with cookie sales, like handling money. 

Edwards said she’s looking forward to the overall growth of the DreamLab space and Girl Scouts in southwest Georgia.