Girl Scouts Offer Sensory Training To Hillsborough Restaurants

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Hillsborough Girl Scout Troop 60561 is helping local restaurants become more inclusive.

Girl Scouts of Troop 60561 presented their inclusiveness training for restaurants at the Sept. 22 Township Committee meeting.

The project is being led by Grace, Maya and Haben, who said they are all working toward their Gold Award.

"We are teaching restaurants how to manage people with sensory issues who have a hard time when dining out," according to the Troop's presentation.

They said the effort is focused on helping restaurant workers respond in different situations and making outings more comfortable for diners who may feel overwhelmed.

One of the scouts, Maya, said, "We want to teach restaurants how to make dining out enjoyable for everyone, including people with such issues."

According to the scouts' presentation, they have already worked with Applebee's and Old Man Rafferty's and trained wait staff on what to do in different scenarios.

They also said they gave those restaurants bravery bags with "fidget toys, earplugs, and things to help someone keep calm."

The troop's leader said the girls are part of an adaptive troop and are doing outreach as part of their Gold Award work.

The troop leader also thanked another local business for helping with the project.

"We wanted to give a shout-out to Petrock's as well because they allowed us to film a video in there that we can hand out if we can't come and do the teaching in person," the troop leader said.

The scouts said they want to expand the training to more restaurants in town.

They said, "We would love to come to other restaurants to meet with the employees and provide training and to give them bravery bags."

The troop leader said Hillsborough Restaurant Week seemed like a good time to connect with more businesses.

Interested restaurants can scan the QR code below:

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.