When people think of Girl Scouts, they often picture young girls selling colorful boxes of cookies.
However, behind the scenes, the organization is far more than just Thin Mints and Caramel DeLites—it’s a dynamic network of programs, dedicated staff and volunteers committed to shaping future leaders.
Through the Badger Volunteers program, UW-Madison students devote two to three hours per week to supporting Girl Scouts of Wisconsin–Badgerland. In the process, they build meaningful relationships with staff like Nick Harnish, the organization’s director of education, while gaining hands-on experience in youth programming.
Harnish shares that a team of seven Badger Volunteers currently assists Badgerland with project implementation and execution, helping the organization fulfill its mission across four key pillars: entrepreneurship, lifestyle, outdoors and STEM.
While these focus areas provide essential learning opportunities, the organization also prioritizes leadership development, civic engagement, mental health and cultivating an inclusive community—critical life skills that schools often struggle to cover due to limited capacity.
Given its wide-reaching mission, Girl Scouts of Wisconsin–Badgerland appreciates the extra hands from UW-Madison students, whose contributions help expand these programs.
“Fostering an inclusive and supportive environment is important to me,” says Harnish. “I make sure to greet the volunteers every time they arrive at the office because I consider them members of our team.”
While he’s appreciative of their service, Harnish views his work with Badger Volunteers as a reciprocal relationship. He sees it as an opportunity to empower the next generation and develop global citizens—individuals who understand their role in a broader world and value diverse cultures.
Harnish embodies these values through both his upbringing and career. As a child, he participated in Scouting America, an experience that instilled in him the importance of service and ultimately inspired him to join the military. After his military career, he attended the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, earning three undergraduate degrees. Committed to fostering education through community, he spent 15 years teaching across five states and worked with multiple nonprofits organizations before stepping into his current role with Girl Scouts of Wisconsin–Badgerland.
Growing up in Menomonie, WI near a university, Harnish noticed a distinct divide between residents and college students. He observed that students often remained isolated from organizations beyond campus, reinforcing perceptions that weren’t always positive. This experience shaped his belief in the Badger Volunteer program as a powerful bridge between campus and community—one that goes beyond simple drop-in volunteer work.
Unlike one-time service projects, Badger Volunteers are committed to consistent, sustainable engagement. By stepping outside their campus bubble, students gain exposure to new communities and collaborate with professionals from organizations they may never have encountered otherwise.
The welcoming environment at Girl Scouts of Wisconsin–Badgerland has left a lasting impact on the lives of volunteers—so much so that a few Badger Volunteers have chosen employment with the organization after graduating.
“We create a sense of belonging. While volunteers are given tasks to complete, many find the experience fulfilling because they are able to see their hard work be enjoyed by the community,” says Harnish. “We strive to inspire a passion for service, not just a sense of obligation.”
Students interested in gaining a similar experience can learn more about Badger Volunteers through the Morgridge Center website. Along with Girl Scouts of Wisconsin–Badgerland, students can choose from a variety of service sites organized into three focus areas: education, sustainability and public health.
Harnish believes public service—whether through Badger Volunteers or another outlet—is a meaningful way to create change, even if the impact is not immediately visible.
“You may not see the fruits of your labor right away, but it’s an opportunity to make a social difference, embrace adversity and empower future generations,” says Harnish.