Tell Your Story

Diana: The family of Girl Scouting

When I was in elementary school I joined the girl scouts and my mom was one of the leaders. When I was in 5th grade, my mom was struck by a vehicle while walking home from my grandmother’s home. We nearly lost her. She was hospitalized for more than a month and I was too young to be able to visit her. The other Girl Scout leaders and moms, came to the rescue by providing my family with many home cooked meals while my mom was in the hospital. If felt very special to receive that level of support from so many scouting families. From that point on, I knew that I would someday become a GS Leader to make sure acts of kindness and family continue.
Fast forward time many years, when I became the troop leader for my daughter’s troop. Over the years as troop leader, Service Unit Registrar, and Service Unit Manager, I had the opportunity to teach girls leadership and build a new scouting family. At one time one of the girls unexpectedly lost their father to a heart attach. I reached out to the troop adult members and we rallied for that family by delivering groceries, taking the mom and daughter out for dinner and ice cream, etc. We wanted to let them know that their GS family is there for them. The adults even attend the wake together to be there for the mom. I’m proud to be a member of the GS family. We are not only building girls of confidence, courage and character, but also creating a bond to last a lifetime.

Dorothy: My Girl Scout Experience

I gazed through the door of an elementary classroom and longed to be part of that Brownie Troop even though I was too young! But before you knew it I was older and became a Brownie, Junior, Cadette and Senior even experiencing a Wide Opportunity in Washington D.C. at the National Beautification Conference. Later I married and had a daughter and son. As soon as my daughter was 5 and ready for Daisies she joined and I signed up as a volunteer or assistant leader. She got her Gold Award at the age of 14 and my son got Eagle Scout at 18. After my daughter aged out, I continued to be an Assistant Leader because I love doing it. I now have approximatley 37 years in Girl Scouting and have been given a wonderful service award from my Service Unit as well as other awards along the way. Both my daughter and I are now Life Members of Girl Scouts. Dorothy M. Lorenz

Carolyn: Once a Girl Scout…

Girl Scouts has been my family and role model since I was in second grade. I first became involved in 1971 when I signed up to be a Brownie. My leader became a caregiver who helped support my goals. My father passed away when I was nine, and my leader was an adult who made sure I was o.k. until my mother came home from work. Her house was a place I could go if needed. Together we worked on badges, camped in her backyard and with other troops in a city park, learned outdoor skills, how to wrap packages, participated in a city wide Thinking Day (Las Vegas was small back then), and more. My mother was highly supportive buying me uniforms at J.C. Penney’s and sewing my vest out of felt on which she sewed all by badges and patches. I still have my vest, and the pins I wear are mine from childhood. I fondly remember attending Girl Scout camp making candles in the ground, hiking, singing, cooking outdoors, and just being in nature. I stayed in the program until junior high .

As an adult, I wanted my daughters to have the same experiences. I became their leader to make sure they had an opportunity to be a part of this amazing group. I learned many skills as an adult Girl Scout too: budget making, planning, organization, making visions reality, and most importantly, speaking in front of adults. I worked my way through the volunteer ranks eventually becoming part of the Board. I even became Board President where I furthered my adult education in learning the importance of networking and asking for support.

I honestly feel that Girl Scouts has helped me become the person I am today. It has given me the confidence and skills I needed to be a successful teacher, mother, grandmother, and community person. I am still a Girl Scout volunteer and plan to continue for as long as I can. As a Juliette Gordon Low Society member, I plan on leaving my Council, Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada (formerly Frontier), a legacy so they can continue this highly successful program for my granddaughters, great-granddaughters, and others to come. Once a Girl Scout, always a Girl Scout!

Susan: It’s the Next Best Thing to Being There!!!

My first introduction to Sisterhood was when my mother signed me up to be a Brownie Girl Scout in first grade. I stuck it out through high school because I had an amazing troop and leaders who continued to inspire me and taught me how to work and live with a group of girls. My favorite parts of Girl Scouts were the outings and weekend camping trips. Girl Scouting went dormant in my young adult years but re-emerged when I decided to lead my own daughter’s Brownie troop. I never would have guessed that Scouting would continue to give back to me as I became a volunteer leader but it did. It was there that I met and befriended other mothers who were leading their daughters’ troops. Fast forward 16 years to the year 2020. Our daughters are all adults now and we mothers (some of us grandmothers now) continue to meet and organize weekend getaways. We affectionately refer to ourselves as the “Smore Friends”. Our gathering have a look and feel reminiscent of a Girl Scout weekend (sans the wine) with activities, craft project, making really good food, togetherness, support and of course one can’t forget the patch! During the Pandemic we have transformed our gatherings through Zoom sessions. It’s the next best thing to being there!

Theresa: My camp name is Frog

I became a Brownie in 1969. My father was in the Army, and each time we moved, my mother signed up all four girls for Girl Scouts in our new neighborhoods right away. This gave us an instant sense of community and was a familiar touchstone, no matter where we were. When we moved to Boise when I was a seventh grader, a girl in the cafeteria began to be unkind to me. Someone she knew walked up, heard what was going on, and said, “Oh, that’s Theresa. She’s in my Girl Scout troop. She’s cool.” This put an end to the attempted bullying, and was a great example of how being a Girl Scout means you have sisters everywhere.
I continued with Girl Scouting through my senior year of high school, led my daughter’s troops, and have been volunteering in different capacities with troops since then.
Most importantly, Girl Scout resident camp shaped me into who I am today. I started going to camp in 1976 at Camp Alice Pittenger, in Idaho. I had just finished seventh grade and was at a lonely time in my life. I instantly found my tribe at resident camp. I learned to whitewater canoe at that camp, developed my outdoor skills, and met counselors who would serve as role models for me forever. I recently reconnected with one of my favorite counselors from that time, Clyde, and found that even though we had lost touch, we both followed the same career paths (teaching kids with emotional issues), and have other parallels in our lives. Clyde, and many of my other counselors, demonstrated positive leadership skills and unconditional positive regard to me and many other campers.
From there, I went on to become a CIT at Camp Potomac Woods in Virginia in 1979. From that CIT group, we have a woman who was elected to the Virginia General Assembly, the head electrician of the Port of San Francisco, a woman who has worked in the field of supporting victims of domestic violence for many years, and many other accomplished people who have lent their skills to the world around them, including my honor of being the national elementary teacher of the year for the VFW in 2017. I say this not to brag, but to point out that the skills learned in Scouting translate to skills essential for life.
After my CIT year, I worked at resident camp for roughly another 15 summers, in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maine, and volunteered at camp in Michigan and Idaho. Those summers were what kept me going through the school year. The songs, the traditions, the out-of-doors, the pranks, and the camaraderie while working with girls are part of my self. I would not be who I am today without those experiences.
At camp, I learned to improvise and innovate. If we ran short of food at a cookout, we figured something out. If the tents were missing poles, we adapted by using tarps and tied knots. If bad weather came, we moved into a shelter and worked out our activity.
At camp I gained skills, and I was very happy to see my daughter do the same. We know how to make a one-match fire, how to make shelter, hang food from a tree, paddle a canoe and portage it, how to read the river and know when to get off and make camp. We know how to leave no trace and how to prep for a hike or cook over a campfire in the rain. We know how to take care of ourselves, and that is what Girl Scouts has to offer to all girls. The ability to take care of yourself is reflected in your self-esteem and sense of personal agency, which helps us stick up for ourselves and those in need.
I met my spouse at camp. We are preparing for a virtual camp singalong this weekend with our camp in Maine. We have Girl Scouting in our blood, as does our daughter. After the sonogram during the beginning of my pregnancy, we were thrilled to find out I was having a girl. We went out to eat right afterwards, and told each other with joy, “She’ll be a Girl Scout!” She was sung to sleep as an infant with camp songs. She helped out at an Obama Inauguration with her troop. She is now working as a naturalist at a state park, and when there was a canoe adrift in the Potomac River, she hopped into a kayak, with her PFD on, and quickly paddled out to retrieve it. Girl Scouts know what to do.

Susan: Sharing the Girl Scout Experience!

Girl Scouts impacted my life immensely! I loved everything about Girl Scouts, beginning as a brownie and rising to an assistant leader, to having my own daughter become a Girl Scout. The class photo is of me as a junior Girl Scout, along with my daughter when she was the same age I was in the photo. The G.S. lessons I learned have assisted me throughout my life…being prepared, leaving a place better than you find it, working hard to become the only woman in my graduating class to earn an engineering degree. Incredible G.S. memories for me included: summer and winter camping, making colonial costumes for our country’s Bicentennial, putting on a drama production of the Mikado, discovering s’mores, and celebrating 100 years of Girl Scouting with my own Girl Scout daughter! May Girl Scouting continue to evolve and provide such a great foundation for future leaders.

Beth: My 60 Years as a Girl Scout

The impact of Girl Scouts in my life is hard to describe. I became a Brownie in 1960 in my little west Texas town and have been an active scout ever since. I cannot really remember not being a Girl Scout.
I have great memories of my childhood years from the GSUSA 50th anniversary celebration with Caprock Council, to the 100th anniversary in Savannah with my son and daughter walking over the Savannah River bridge with me. I spent many weekends and 3 entire summers at Camp Rio Blanco in my council. First trip was as a new Junior and those trips continued until the 3 years as camp lifeguard and camp nurse. I learned so much at Rio Blanco.
One huge memory I have is when we began junior high school in 1966. That was the year our town integrated the schools and so, we integrated our troop. It seemed quite normal for me, but later in life, I realize what a big deal that was. My mom was our leader and she was so kind and welcoming to everyone and Troop 197 was the first integrated troop in our council.
In 1970 we embarked on a journey to Mexico City and Our Cabana. At that point there 3 of us plus 2 adults. Again, it was just us traveling together but didn’t find out until 22 years later, on another trip to Our Cabana with one of my later troops, what an impression we made. My mom accompanied us, then. We used the same Chapultepec tours that we used in 1970, and our tour guide ended up being Roberto, the same tour guide we had in 1970, and the bus driver was the same, also. On the bus he kept looking at my mother and finally asked if she had been there before. She said yes, and that he had been our guide. You could see his excitement when he realized who she was and said “I remember you. You came with 3 girls, 2 white and one black”. She said yes, we did. He remembered that we stayed in a certain hotel (Ticalli was not an option then), and that he then delivered us to Our Cabana. She asked how he remembered something so long ago, and how we had changed over the years. He said we were the first integrated troop he had ever taken to Our Cabana and it made a huge impression on him. Imagine him remembering the details of one small troop in all of the troops he has escorted. That made a huge impact me, too.
I became a leader in 1971 when I began college and have led seven troops, so far. I love being a Girl Scout leader because I get to see young girls become young women and watch them become confident adults. I had the privilege of being my daughter’s leader for her 13 years of scouting. We had many adventures from our first Brownie campout, to many great camping trips, a road trip to Savannah, an adventure at Our Cabana, to the troop graduation trip to Europe, where we stayed at Pax Lodge and Our Chalet. I still see and/or hear from most of the girls in that troop.
Before my daughter graduated, I began a choir in GSSJC as part of the program department. 22 years later, it continues today as a troop. Over the years we have traveled to Savannah x2, Washington DC to national sing alongs x2, New York City 2x and appeared on the Today show both times. We have visited the GSUSA offices and sung for the staff. These girls love to sing and come from their own troops to sing together. Over the past 22 years I have had nearly 300 girls come through this choir. We have sung all over Texas, in the Capitol building, the national anthem at many, many events and just celebrated our 15th year of singing at the Dickens on the Strand holiday celebration in Galveston, in full Victorian costume.
I’ve been a council trainer, day camp director, national delegate and have been on too many committees to count, Thanks Badge and Thanks Badge 2 recipient, and Lifetime Achievement awardee. and I’ve loved every minute of it. But what I love the most is being a part of changing the lives of girls.
You ask, how has Girl Scouts changed my life. It didn’t change it, for 60 years it has been my life. I was supposed to receive my 60 year membership pin this spring. Of course, that was postponed. It’s just a pin, but it reflects a huge part of my life.

Peggy: Girl Scouts is great!

Girl Scouts offered me – and thousands of other girls – unique opportunities to learn, develop, and appreciate myself, others, and the world around us. My mother, May, was a Girl Scout in New York City during World War II. She loved it and signed me up for Brownies (then the first level) in 1962 – and I’ve been a member since then (and am a Life time member)! I was a shy as a younger child, yet with the encouragement of many, including Girl Scout leaders became a top cookie sales person, enjoyed (and learned so much from) the full range of outdoor experiences at Camps Tankee Grace, Beaver Meadow, and Addisone Boyce, and over time, developed my own leadership skills. As an adult, I led troops 165/555 in Nyack from Daisy through Senior scouts and am proud of the three Gold Award winners from that troop, including my daughter, Brady Amoonclark, a third generation Girl Scout! I also held every volunteer position in Girl Scouts of Rockland, from Service Unit Chair, Council Cookie & Special Events Chair, to President and Chair of the Board and National Convention Delegate. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to further develop, meet and work with so many people who share the values of Girl Scouting, and know our work secures the future of Girl Scouting in my community – and beyond. I’ll also share that I’m a proud recipient of the Thanks Badge and several other adult awards. Over the years, my greatest joys have been in helping girls reach their goals – and I continue to do that as a volunteer mentor and consultant.

Three generations of our family, my mom and I, together with my daughter, Brady, a Gold Award winner and Life time member, happily celebrated the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouting in the USA as part of the human chain around Rockland Lake, NY. And the legacy continues in my family – and hopefully yours. My older granddaughter, Grace, is a Daisy Girl Scout who, like her mother and I, loves Camp Addisone Boyce. I look forward to many more years of Girl Scouting! The only organization solely dedicated to girls development.

Dwayne: The Legacy of Girl Scouts

I will forever be grateful that my mother and a neighbor started a Brownie troop in the mid-50’s in Riverdale (a rural community outside Fresno). There followed many years of Girl Scouting including 3 wonderful years at Dinkey Creek’s Camp El-owin. Those experiences remain as highlights of my growing up years and have informed my subsequent volunteer interests including serving on the Girl Scout Board of Directors. From campouts with “buddy burners” to initiating my love of horses, Girl Scouting has continued to impact my life in positive ways. It is my wish that all girls have like experiences in their formative years!!

Bonnie: Growing Up Green!

I first joined Girl Scouts in 1959. I was 7 years old and in the second grade. One of the most exciting times a young girl could do. I stayed in Girl Scouts through my High School years. Girl Scouts created a safe place for me and I had many friends, that liked me for who I was. What I learned as a Senior Girl Scout has forever stayed with me.
When I left my troop, I came to the knowledge, that I had to give back. I wanted to make girls feel the way I did. I saw girls, who were my younger sister’s friends, they needing a place that they could find a sisterhood. I wanted to give them the things I learned in the many years when I was involved as young girl.
The ten years I was involved in Girl Scouts, it helped me grow to a young lady. My parents divorced, while I was in Junior High. I was teased by my classmates. I had three younger sisters, two older brothers and because my mother had to work, we couldn’t have a sitter. It was my responsibility to take care of my sisters. Because my mother couldn’t be there, I also cook a lot of family meals. When I was 16, I volunteered helping with a Women’s center which helped abused women with children. In the summer we put on a mini day camp for the kids. My Girl Scout camping experience helped me to help with this program. My mom rewarded me for my help by allowing me to go to Girl Scout Camp.
When my son was born, I took part in Boy Scouts, then my daughter was born. I was a Den Mother and Brownie Troop Leader. I had been doing Day Camp for both groups and took National Day Camp training from training Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. I Became Council Day Camp trainer for both Councils, both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. I realized that the Boy Scouts weren’t giving me the leeway I needed to grow and decided to make the move to the Girl Scout side.
I continued as a Troop Leader and took on an active role in our Council. First as a Service Unite Manager, then a Trainer, Programs and Camp. I continued as a Troop Leader for my daughter, until the troop entered High School. When I saw a weak spot, I would jump in and do what was needed to be done. I went to work for our School District and there was a group of girls, who needed something to do. My daughter was out of school. I couldn’t pass up their needs, I started a Cadette Troop.
I was hired to work for the School District, I had summers off. (When I was in High School, we couldn’t afford for me to go to any of the Roundups. It was a disappointment, but I understood.) So, when I started to work, I had learned that I could apply as a Chaperone for Wider Ops. I ended up helping with 3 different Wider Ops. This was one of my greatest adventure I was able to take. (Besides camp.)
While people thanked me for my service, it was I who thanked them for allowing me to take part in a World Wide program. Every program I volunteered for, was a chance to give opportunity to a girl and let me share my positive experiences and if one girl leaves a program feeling the way I felt, then it was worth every minute I helped.
I’m no longer able to physically help with program. I retired from school because it became hard on me. I took a look at our Girl Scout Council and realized they needed a Historian. Being a Collector of Girl Scout Memorabilia, I saw a need that I very well could do. After all, I retired from School as a Library Technician. I approached the Council, proposed what I felt I could do for them and I am now their Archival/Historian.
I’m still involved, with a program I deeply love. The “Pandemic” has been a challenge. I haven’t been able to go into the Council. I keep in touch with other Girl Scout Historians and so I’m working to create a record of what our Council has done to provide program to girls, during this difficult time. I’ve also have been looking at what I could possibly do to present Girl Scout history to girls through the internet. I’m still around girls. I help staff understand the history of Girl Scouts and I’m able to share my collection to the girls. I was a Girl Scout for 10 years and I’ve volunteered for 50 years. Hopefully for a few more years.

Jane: My Girl Scout Story

I joined Girl Scouts in the late 60’s as a Brownie and continued to
Juniors. I was one of those little sisters where the leader is your Mom
and you get to be a Brownie a few extra years. My own daughter Katy
was a Daisy for four years because I was her older sister’s troop leader.

I was that painfully shy introvert who was never sure of her place
in her World. While Girl Scouts was fun, there were aspects of it that
were just plain difficult especially selling cookies door-to-door. Perhaps if
my parents had been more hands on, things would be have been
different and I would have stayed in it longer. I know that things are
different now, especially for those shy introverts that are out there.

When my girls were babies, I knew they were going to be Girl Scouts and they were to do great things. Well, of course, I was right about both of those things. When Katy was just entering Juniors and Abby was in her second year as a Junior, we moved to Woodbury which is where I became more involved in the service unit. The first position I took on was the Cookie Director. At that time the cookies were delivered to different homes and storage units and separated at that point for the troops to pick up. I had come from the Minneapolis Council where all of the cookies were brought to one central location using semi-trucks and then the troops picked up their cookies from there. With much push back from the rest of the service unit members and help from the baker we found a central location for all of the troops to pick up the cookies and it has been done that way ever since.
Years later, I was at a leader open house in Woodbury and overheard a leader who had moved from California talking about selling nuts and cookies in the fall as an extra fund raiser. I spent some time talking to her and getting as much information from her as possible. I jumped on that band wagon, did the research, met with the council and met with Gail Sederski from Ashton Farms to find out how we could bring this to Minnesota. From all of those meetings, the Fall Product Sale Program came to be.
I was instrumental in bringing both of those two programs to the Woodbury Service Unit and eventually the Council. While I am proud of having done that, I am most proud of my time as a Day Camp Director for the Woodbury Service Unit. For a shy girl from Inver Grove Heights, this was truly a huge step and a great opportunity for me. But more than that, we had some really good program, I know I helped some of those girls learn skills they wouldn’t have gotten anywhere else and I have made lasting friendship with three of the best women ever. The picture is from day camp at Camp Lakamaga
Now-a-days, I volunteer as the finance person on the Lakamaga Adult Conference Committee. While there may be other places better suited to where I am at in my life, I am content with what I am doing until I figure out what that may be.
Throughout my adult career as a Girl Scout volunteer, I have met some really great women and feel honored to be able to name them friend. The experiences I have had with Girl Scouts, I could have not have found anywhere else and I wouldn’t change a single thing. Thank you to the program and thank you to all of those great women (past, present and future) who continue to make Girl Scouts such a fantastic place for girls and women.

Carmen: Finally a Girl Scout!

Girl Scouting wasn’t an option for me when I was a girl in the 1960’s, the daughter of immigrant parents working long days and and struggling to learn the American way. They didn’t understand what Girl Scouts was about. They feared entrusting their little girl to strangers to take camping trips into the wilderness. I just wanted to join my friends at the after school Brownie meetings, but wasn’t able to. I never stopped admiring the movement and never lost my longing to join. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to volunteer for my daughter’s Brownie troop 30 years later. I have learned what it means to be a Girl Scout alongside her and her troop. It has been a wonderful adventure gaining new friends, new skills, and a new outlook, while spending precious time with my daughter. Together as Girl Scouts, we’ve gone hiking and camping, attended Space Camp, explored Savannah and the Birthplace, skied in N.Y., packed food for the needy, served mentally handicapped adults, and done so many other worthwhile service projects. We’ve bonded while drinking tea at Mother-Daughter Teas and learned about other cultures together at annual International Bazaars. I’ve watched an amazing group of girls grow from giggly playful Brownies into confident and poised Ambassador GS, now bridging to Adult GS. I have no doubt that they will all accomplish great things in the future, as young women of courage and character. They are all happy to have participated in GS all of these years, and credit GS for helping them become the best version of themselves. The Girl Scout program WORKS! It gives me hope for the future of girls and women. It is important that we ensure its continuation. I have been so proud to finally be able to call myself “a Girl Scout”!

Beth: Two generations

I was a Girl Scout in the 1960’s- Brownie, Junior, Cadette- before other activities took the place of scouting. I reconnected as a mom of two girls and was a Girl Scout Leader for 13 years- starting with 8 Daisys which morphed to 21 Juniors and then gradually weaned down to 4 graduating Seniors who all earned Silver Awards, even though my own daughters had moved on from Scouting. I still stay in peripheral touch with some of those girls. Scouting taught me so many values and leadership skills that I hopefully helped pass on to my own troops.

Valerie: Becoming a Girl Scout Later in Life

Many stories, I believe that are shared, are about how being a girl scout when women were children helped them to develop their courage and character and develop into a strong woman.
My story is slightly different. My girl scout story begins almost 5 years ago when I joined the Girl Scouts of the USA staff.

Over my 30-year career in the workforce, I have been employed by high profile companies such as Merrill Lynch, AT&T, AON Consulting and Linde, an international Oil and Gas Organization. They all provide superior services and good to the public and have a high percentage of male employees. During my work experiences with these companies there was still just one thing missing for me – personal meaning. Joining the Girl Scouts has given me a sense of purpose. Working for this non for profit has increased my job satisfaction and my engagement level has increased.

Working with like-minded individuals has provided me with a group of peers that I can share ideas with and develop strong bonds. Especially during these times of new working conditions and adjusting home and family life, I have a set of co-workers and friends who I can turn to when I need support in remaining courageous.

Many of us spend more time at work than we do with our partner, families and friends. For me, having this common purpose has made a big difference in not only my professional life but in my life in general.

Valerie Egan,
Director of Learning & Development
Lifetime Member GSUSA

Georgia:

The interview I gave Girl Scout Alumni 2005 is applicable today:

When Alumni reflect upon their time in Girl Scouting, many have several pleasant and even humorous memories. Camping, crafts, friends and cookies are favorites for many.

San Antonio Texas Alumni Georgia Morgan Wedin, and Life Member Girl Scout, treasures her Girl Scout memories at camp and has many keepsakes to go along with them.

At camp, girls have the opportunity to venture to a new environment surrounded by the best of nature. In those years Girl Scouts of the San Antonio Area were fortunate to have two summer camps, Camp Mira Sol and Camp La Jita.

Georgia’s Girl Scouting days begin in 1946 in Alpine, Texas at the Permian Basin Girl Scout Council and Camp Mitre Peak. The camp memories closest to her heart were made at San Antonio Area Camp La Jita (Indian for Precious Possession). In 1955 Georgia came to La Jita as a counselor in training, also known as a CIT. Beginning in 1956, she became a camp counselor and also went on to serve as the waterfront instructor and director. “One of my favorite Girl Scout memories involved my time at Camp La Jita…,” stated Georgia. “During the 1950’s Girl Scouts were taught how to swim in the Sabinal River and wore special uniforms on Sundays and during special flag ceremonies.” Georgia compared going to camp to going away for college. She states that go camping gave her the opportunity to become independent and gain important life skills.

“Campfires, camaraderie, and singing brings back special warm and exciting memories I treasure, even in my retirement years,” stated Georgia. “Those songs and experiences as a young girl and woman have stayed with me all these years. I feel it has helped make me the woman I have grown to be. Going away to camp is an experience every girl should have. Making friends and warm memories is a part of Girl Scouting. Girls have the opportunity to grow strong in mind, body and soul. I am active GIRL SCOUT ALUMNI at 80 years old.”

Heidi: Because of Girl Scouts

The reason I am who I am today is because of Girl Scouts. My most fondest memories go way back to when I first started out as a Girl Scout up to this exact moment where I cherish my Girl Scout friends from all over the world!

My first exposure to Girl Scouts was when I was in 4th grade in 1966. I joined a Junior troop at my school and I think the number was #427 our Council was Blue Hill, my troop leaders were Mrs. d’Entremont and my own Mom. We met in the library of our elementary school once a week. I don’t recall how many girls, but do remember being split into patrols where I was elected patrol leader. I wore the COOL shoulder cord on my green Junior Girl Scout uniform. I had a yellow pin on neck tie, green beret, sash and green knee socks. My Junior Scout handbook was one of my prized possessions and my first badge (and I remember this so well..) was Troop Camper.

I have strong memories of going to the Armory in our town once a year to go to a “Town-Wide” Girl Scout event. Each troop had a table sharing crafts and activities they were involved with. One group was a Senior Troop who went to a World Encampment Event (I think there was an official name). They had a tent set up with a make believe fire.. They sat around in camp clothes and sang songs with their guitars. The older girls wore bandanas and looked REALLY COOL. I knew I wanted to be one of those girls some day!

Camp was seriously the MOST important thing to me. I remember our troop going to the backyard of a neighborhood lady where we learned how to use buddy burners and make fire. We also made sit-a-pons, first aid kits and learned knot skills. We were supposed to “master” these skills before we actually went camping and I remember loving the challenges. My first town-wide encampment was at a resident camp in Plymouth called “Camp Helen Storrow”. Our unit was “Brushwood” and there were wooden cabins for 4 girls. There were two closets and really awesome screened in windows with wooden covers that could be opened and closed. A memory I had was the way everyone signed their names on the cabin. We were told NOT to write on them, I wish I had a camera back then… What a great document that would be of all the girls who stayed in that cabin! I think I managed my name really small somewhere! At the encampment we cooked, went to campfires and did skits, sang songs, we “hiked”, swatted mosquitoes and did KAPERS. The pit latrines were the funniest thing. Some girls wouldn’t even go to the bathroom in them! One girl, I totally remember this, dropped her flashlight into the pit… and there was an eerie glow for two nights! After this encampment I was caught.. I HAD to go again. My mom signed me up for Girl Scout Summer Day camp in our town forest. We camped, sang songs and did loads of crafts. Every year as a junior I looked forward to going on our troop encampment.

After Juniors I became a Cadette. I think our troop was #428. The uniform was so “grown up” with a white blouse, green skirt, green beret with a special ribbon on the GS patch. We wore our sashes the same way and could wear knee socks or nylons. Our troop met once a week at a church hall. I remember walking after school with my friends. We worked on badges and did community service. It was tough being a Girl Scout in Junior High. Loads of pressure for being a “nerd”, but I LOVED it. My friends and I had a blast, we cooked, camped, sewed and all sorts of things I would never have done on my own. This is where I fell in love with resident camp. In 7th grade for the first time, I went away for 2 weeks to Camp Favorite in Brewster, MA. I remember one of my tent mates and found her a few years ago and we have reunited since! My counselors were Bonnie and Kathy… I remember my unit; Lakeview and even where the tent was! We had swimming lessons, did crafts, cooked out, sang songs… lots of songs and went to campfires. I returned every year after that, sometimes for 4 weeks.. Sometime for more! I really wanted to be a counselor and this is where I found out about CIT training. My parents signed me up… it was amazing. I loved helping out, teaching songs and sharing my love of being out in the wilderness. I loved meeting counselors and campers from around the world. Girls who were totally different from me, but, still the same. In Cadettes is where I really achieved my skills and earned badges. I was so proud of my accomplishments. After CIT II, I became a junior counselor and had my first group of girls. It was so much fun. I returned for quite a few more years as a counselor and then eventually CIT Director!

As Senior Girl Scout I was totally an individual that LOVED Scouting and everything it stood for. We had a small troop and did many activities together,but mostly we did Council Wide programs. I remember signing up for different events through the council, we hosted a Girl Scout from another state and one time hosted a Girl Guide from England. As a Senior Scout I had more exposure to the entire council, I was the President of the Scout Board and would go to Council meetings where we would plan events for the council. We created a “Boy Scout/Girl Scout” encampment in Milton, still not sure how we pulled that one off! One funny recollection was that I was known as “Heidi and Jerry”. I had a ventriloquist doll who would go to camp with me, visit nursing homes and even give the end of the year report at the Council meeting. Wow. My biggest achievement was earning “First Class Girl Scout”. I was so proud of being a Girl Scout and remembered back to when I looked up to those Seniors at the armory. I hoped younger girls would also see my accomplishment and hope to do the same.

After I graduated from High School I joined the United States Marine Corps. I will say that Girl Scouts really prepared me for so much. I was motivated, dedicated and LOVED to work as a team. Scouting taught me to get the job done and get it done right. How to work with kapers, be organized, check up on what has been done or figure out what you need to do to finish a task. I have ALWAYS given credit for my accomplishments in the USMC to Girl Scouting. In boot-camp I received two awards, The Molly Marine Award; this is given to a Marine who was selected by her platoon as the most spirited and the Honor Graduate; this is given to a Marine who is selected by her Drill Instructors who is the “top of the platoon” in every manner. Again, I say this with pride… I could not have achieved these awards if it was not for my Girl Scouting experiences.

My scouting did not end while I was a Marine. I helped out with Girl Scout Troops on the bases and also helped organize encampments. After I got out of the USMC I attended college where I had my own Troop. During the summers I worked at Camp Cedar Hill, a Girl Scout Day Camp in Waltham, MA. I was a counselor, Art Specialist and Assistant Camp Director. I remember not loving that the council kept changing, no longer Blue Hill, but Patriot’s Trail. Camps would close or change names, events would be bigger in scale and cover more areas.

To this day I think about Scouting every day, a bit more distant because I am so busy with my professional schedule. Currently I am the Director of Art and Design for Braintree Public Schools, K-12 where I have been directing and teaching for going on 29 years! I will be retiring next June and hope to be back and involved with a troop who wants to take an “Old Lady” camping!

Heidi Hurley

Teresa: My life started with Girl Scouts

I started Girl Scouts as a Brownie. I continued through the second year of Senior Girl Scouts. The troop I was in went to Europe in 1970. When I joined the Army, my years as a Girl Scout helped me to go as far as I did. I retired after 25 years in the Army. I now volunteer with the Girl Scouts as a Senior advisor.

Jill: Anyone can do it – the keys are passion, determination and persistence

I started in Girl Scouts as a Brownie and continued until I was a Cadette (age 14 – when my troop disbanded and there weren’t alternatives). Girl Scouts complemented the lessons that my parents were teaching me about self-confidence, self-resourcefulness and self-reliance. I also learned to sell through the cookie program which benefited me immensely in my professional career as a consultant, including the all-important how to deal with rejection. The lessons I learned through Girl Scouts were important in helping me get through engineering school – the third year that the University of Virginia admitted women. Those lessons sustained me to where I am today – writing women back into history – not, as some would say revising history – but restoring the narrative of the half of the population the world over whose stories are not captured in written history. I have learned that anyone can do it – the keys are passion, determination, and persistence. I hope that girls and women can continue to learn leadership skills through the Girl Scout community. We need strong women leaders in the future.

Shelby: Power of G.I.R.L.

Being a Girl Scout has given me the confidence to be a global changemaker fighting against single-use plastic. I became a Brownie in the 1st grade and continued in Girl Scouts through my senior year in high school, earning the Gold Award and being recognized as the first in my GSCCC Council to be named a National Gold Award Girl Scout in 2018!! To all Girl Scouts out there, continue using the power of G.I.R.L. Be Go-Getters, Innovators, Risk-Takers, and Leaders and go out and change the world!

Bonnie: My Good Friend”s Mom- A Jack of All Trades

My career in Girl Scouts began in Cincinnati,Ohio with a very knowledgeable woman who was one of my best friend’s mother and a graduate nurse. Our First Aid badge was well taught with her expertise. This woman”s knowledge didn’t stop at nursing, however, she was an expert gardener who was invaluable in helping us earn our Gardening Badge. A Cooking Badge was also mastered with her culinary guidance. In all, I mastered 12 badges under her leadership! The one I remember especially with great fondness was our Traveler Badge. We collected clothes hangers from hither, thither, and yon, among other fund raisers to travel to Washington, D.C.- a character building and fun trip I will not forget. I am nearly 80 years old now, and Mrs. Grace Norton made a difference in my life.

Michelle: Co-leading my Daughters Troop

I started working for the Girl Scouts in November 2018. Previously, I worked for only for-profit companies. However, I always wanted to give deeper meaning to my work life so when I was presented with this opportunity, I was very excited. Not only was I excited about the Girl Scout mission on a larger level, I also have a five-year-old daughter which gives double-meaning to this experience. My daughter is now a Daisy in the Girls Scouts. This year, I decided to become a co-leader for her troop.
After experiencing PTSD, I realized I needed to start paying more attention to myself physically, emotionally and socially. I started to focus on self-care which included working out, yoga, eating healthier, spending more time with friends, and giving back. Volunteering as a co-troop leader has contributed to my progress. Originally, I thought being a co-troop leader would benefit my daughter the most, but realized it is equally self-rewarding. Volunteering provides a natural sense of self-accomplishment and sense of purpose. It is rewarding to know that I am making a difference and positive impact on girls’ lives by being a role model, teaching values, and sharing my own life experiences that they can learn from. I am contributing to their development, as they are contributing to mine.

Mercedes: Where there is a will there is a way… Or it’s never too late to be a Girl Scout

Girl Scouts has been a vehicle in my life to spend quality time with my daughter, give back to my community and to mentor girls who might not otherwise have had an opportunity to meet and spend time with someone of my background and experience. I am an employment law attorney and a Partner in a national law firm. I am a life time Girl Scout member and the proud leader of a multi level troop of over 50 girls from K.-12 that meets at our church on Sundays, after services. I am also the Service Unit Manager for our area and one of our area’s Silver Award trainers . When I adopted my daughter from Panama over 17 years ago, I decided to pursue my childhood dream of becoming involved in Girl Scouts. I became a leader so I could share in my daughter’s Girl Scout experience and to give as many girls in my community ,as possible,the opportunity to become Girl Scouts.I wanted to teach them that where there was a will there was a way. I wanted them to learn that regardless of the obstales life may have put in their way, they could achieve their dreams and their goals , that they could be leaders in their communities and make a difference as long as they were willing to work hard and not give up.
I am hispanic and bilingual in Spanish and English, and felt I had alot to offer girls in my area, as I could relate to alot of things some of them were going through.

At the age of 5, my mother, older brother and I had to leave our home in an upper middle class neighborhood in the Town I still call home, to live in the poorest side of town, after losing my dad’s support.
My mother ,formerly a stay at home mom, had to work three jobs just to make ends meet.

Growing up , I longed to be a Girl Scout, and felt So left out , when the girls at my elementary school wore their Girl Scout uniforms on meeting days ….but there was “no time or money for that”.

I was expected to come home and cook and clean and keep up with my school work during the week , as well as help clean other people’s houses on the weekends.

At 14 ,my brother was working and I was allowed to enroll in Cosmetology college, in an after school program offered at my high school . I used the tips I earned to save for college and to help support myself and our family.

At 18 , I graduated with my Cosmetology license and as Valedictorian of my high school class. I then began working towards my seemingly impossible goal of going to college and law school and becoming an attorney.
Despite working my way through college as a hairstylist and research assistant ,I graduated in 4 years and at the top of my class. Thereafter, I was fortunate enough to have been admitted to the University of California Berkeley Boalt Hall School of Law on a full Scholarship.
I know I never could have done it without my family’s encouragement and the strong mentors I met along the way.
That is why, once I achieved my career goal and had my own daughter, I knew I not only wanted to give back to my community but also, I wanted to have my daughter experience being a Girl Scout .

I started our troop approximately 13 years ago with 10 brownies. My motto was “Leave no girl out.“ Every girl who asked to be in my troop was welcomed with open arms ,regardless of ability to pay , disability,race,religion,national origin or any other basis. Girl Scouts became my hobby, my joy ,my favorite charity and my favorite volunteer organization. Every girl who joined my troop was provided with all she needed to be a Girl Scout . Countless girls have aged out of my troop over the last 13 years and have gone on to college . My own daughter achieved her goal of the triple metals : bronze, silver and gold and served as honor guard in the Rose Parade . She is now In her second year of college studying Biology and is a leader in our troop. My hope for our community in the future is that we continue to grow and that every girl who wants to be a Girl Scout is allowed that opportunity.

Linda: My Life As A Girl Scout

I became a Brownie when I was seven years old. I was in second grade and that was the earliest that you could join. That was 59 years ago. Since we needed a leader, my mother stepped up. I was nothing like my mother. She was happy, playful, creative, full of craft ideas, loved camping, the perfect Girl Scout leader. I was shy, anxious, lacked confidence in myself and my abilities. Through my scouting experiences, I became a more confident person and learned to be a leader. I found that I could learn to sew, knit, build fires, I took horseback riding lessons through a Girl Scout program and I discovered that I like to teach and that I could be a good leader of my patrol.

By the time I was in high school, I had opportunities to host foreign Scouts from Denmark, Sweden and Africa, in my home and led them on tours of New York City as an International Aide. I worked in a hospital laboratory staining lab slides and feeding research mice. I attended summer camp in a primitive camping unit where we cooked all our own meals. As a high school senior, I became a leader in my own troop with help from the parents. I became a Certified Camper and took my own troop out into the woods. This helped me to solidify my goal of becoming a teacher.
In college I worked as a Certified Camper to allow a troop with inexperienced leaders go out camping with their girls. Before I ever had my own children, I was a co-leader of a Cadette troop and taught them about the patrol system. I became a trainer for new leaders and an outdoor trainer to teach leaders to be Certified Campers. I worked at Camp Merrie-Wood in Manchester as a counselor in the summer for many years and when my own daughter was old enough, she joined me there as a camper and counselor. I was so proud of her. She also became a Certified Camper and is the best fire builder. She was a Girl Scout from Brownies to Adult, with me as her leader all the way through. When she turned 18 we both became Life Members of Girl Scouts.

As an adult, I was able to take advantage of amazing Girl Scout travel opportunities. I went to a program at Edith Macy Conference Center in New York about camping skills. Later, I was selected, with a Senior Scout, to attend a Girl Scout program in Washington D.C. where we visited the Capital to meet Barbara Kennelly the Representative from Connecticut and to the White House to meet Nancy Reagan, the President’s wife. It was an amazing experience. We were treated like VIP’s.

I was also selected as one of two women to represent the United States at a young women’s international conference at Our Cabana, a Girl Guides World Center in Mexico. I traveled to New York City for orientation and was hosted by a family in New York, just like I had hosted three international scouts when I was in high school. I became friends with amazing women from thirty different countries, toured Mexico City, Cuernavaca and Taxco and visited Teotihuacan to climb the Pyramid of the Moon. I learned so many new songs and games that I brought back to my council and learned about Scouting around the world.
A few years later, I was selected by our Girl Scout Council to represent the Girl Scouts of the Hartford CT area to the National Girl Scout Council, all the way across the country in Portland Oregon. This was such a moving experience. To be in a huge stadium with thousands of women and girls from all over the country and the world, was awe inspiring. After the Council some of us went to see the volcano, Mt. St. Helens, by helicopter.

My Girl Scout trips were highlights in my life and experiences I would never have been able to have on my own.
So what has being a Girl Scout meant to me. I have gained confidence, learned to speak in public, learned that I can make valuable contributions to the lives of others and to the world. I am a leader. I achieved my goal and have had a wonderful career as a Special Education teacher and I have been a leader in many organizations. Thanks to my mother’s and many other women’s willingness to be Girl Scout leaders, my life was changed forever. I have been happy to be able to have that influence and bring opportunities to other young people.

I hope that women will continue to step forward to be Girl Scout leaders and camp counselors, to take advantage of all the training and to help the next generation to grow and thrive as Scouts. Girl Scouts grows leaders.

John: Beaver-Castle Girl Scouts visit The Girl Scout National Center West located just outside Ten Sleep, Wyoming, among the Big Horn Mountains.

Well, I did not have any lofty motivations in volunteering for the Girls Scouts. My wife was the executive director of the Beaver-Castle Council in Western Pennsylvania. I just enjoyed working with the girls and being in the outdoors. It was an enriching experience for me too.

Terry: Confident, adventuresome and happy

I am a Lifetime Girl Scout still at 68 years old, have been since I was a Brownie (in the times before there was such a thing as a Daisy). My passion was resident summer camp. I went every year, became a CIT, and a counselor. Without the confidence I gained in Scouting I would still be a shy little wallflower. Without the skills I learned I would not be as confident as I am that I can make it through anything. Without the lifelong friends I made I would be very lonely. Without learning from my Scouting role models that I could achieve anything I put my mind to, I would not found and achieved my passion of becoming a Pediatric Psychiatric Registered Nurse; and I would not have started a whole new career as an author upon retirement. Without learning to expand my horizons, I would not have built a loving family through adoption. Without learning to appreciate the earth and the wilderness, I would not have experienced the many adventures that I have experienced (and still am experiencing). Photo of Camp Robbinswold 1968-1970 Camp Staff Reunion

Jayne: The Fun of My Life

I become involved with Girl Scouts when I was in first grade. I enjoyed the meetings, earning badges, going camping, and the singing of songs. Girl Scouts gave me confidence to speak in front of others, be a leader, and to persevere even in difficult times. I am honored to have been a leader for 10 years while living in Las Vegas, and helping with a troop in my small community. I became a Lifetime Member because I feel scouting is important to small communities, and gives girls a chance to learn and explore.

Betty: Expanding my world through Girl Scouting

I couldn’t write a book about my life without including a chapter on Girl Scouting. Although I only got be a Girl Scout for a very short amount of time as a GIRL, I became involved as an adult and remain a Lifetime Member at this time.
I was born in Iowa and was a Brownie for just a few weeks. I was about seven, and I really liked the idea of doing a good deed every day. One time I tried to mop the living room floor for my Mother. She was worried I was going to short out the lamps and the telephone because of the amount of water I was using. After the near flooding, I was put on sweeping duty instead.

The first time we were asked to bring in money for something, my Mother made me leave the troop because we were too poor to afford whatever the fee was. She was embarrassed and didn’t want to ask for any special considerations. She just told me I could no longer go to the troop meetings. I was so disappointed, but I never forgot those special times in my troop.

As an adult, I lived in Indiana. In 1974, our home was totally destroyed by a tornado. My husband worked for GMAC and had previously put in for a transfer to Florida. Once his Manager saw what was left of our home, and the devastation in the area, the transfer request was granted, and we were in Florida within a week. We moved to Largo, Florida and our daughter, Brenda was invited to join a Brownie troop. I was asked to register as an adult and serve on the Troop Committee. I helped the leaders with whatever they needed, so I started learning what Girl Scouting was all about.

The next year, my husband was transferred to Lee County. We moved to Cape Coral and my daughter was now in the third grade and wanted to stay in Girl Scouts. This time there were no troop openings, just a lot of girls without a leader. Since I had a good experience from helping the leaders in my daughter’s first troop, I agreed to be a troop leader and took 21 girls. Our girls stayed together as a group for six years, through Juniors and two years of Cadettes. If we lost girls, we took more girls. The troop averaged 18 to 21 girls. It was a great size to use the Patrol System. I was not as experienced as some leaders, so I took every training available and attended all of the Neighborhood meetings. Our meetings nearly always had a bit of training or program. We learned new songs, a closing ceremony, or an inexpensive craft. The meetings were always very worthwhile.
Our Neighborhood was always very active and participated in Thinking Day programs and Juliette Gordon Low birthday celebrations. The girls were able to be involved with girls from other troops.

As I learned and developed confidence, I began planning and being in charge of some of our Neighborhood and Council activities. Helen Christenson was our Field Executive, and was employed by the Council. I had planned a 3 County Water Sports event for 100 girls, with the first part being a swim meet at a large school pool. She dropped by to see how things were going. She took me aside and gave me a wonderful compliment. I will never forget what she said to me. She said, “Betty, with your leadership and organizational skills, you could run a major hospital or a community”.

Not long after the swimming event, Helen asked to meet with me. She asked about my educational background. Out of five children, I was the only one to graduate from High School. She encouraged me to go to our Community College to take some classes. She shared with me that it took her several years to get her degree because she could only go part-time while she was raising her family. She inspired me to try something new, and my husband was so supportive. They are the two most influential people in my life.

I started classes when I was in my mid 30’s. After 10 years of attending classes, mostly at night, I graduated from the University of South Florida with a Master’s Degree in Counselor Education. I really believe that Girl Scouting gave me the opportunity to recognize skills I had and to learn new ones. Helen was a wonderful inspiration to me and remained one of my lifetime friends.

The wonderful people I met through Girl Scouting and the belief in the program helped me to stay on as an adult volunteer even without a troop of girls. I planned several Council wide events for girls. Later, I became a Trainer for Adult Development courses. In 1988, I was chosen to attend Edith Macy Training Center to be a member of the first team in our Council for the new Train the Trainer course. We were then responsible for designing and delivering the very first Train the Trainer courses in Gulfcoast Girl Scout Council. I also reactivated the TOPS weekends for Cadette Girl Scouts. They were weekends designed for girls to complete all or most of an Interest Project. I did workshops on career development and the new Silver and Gold Awards. I worked with another volunteer and designed a Disability Awareness patch and program. A few years later, our national organization came out with an official patch.

During my time as a council volunteer, I had many opportunities to learn and travel. For the 75th G. S. Anniversary, Lynda Young and I took a group of girls to Washington D.C. for the special Promise Circle headed by Nancy Reagan, our First Lady at that time. The girls had such a memorable experience. I attended several National Conventions and even participated in a leadership conference at Our Cabana in Mexico.

In 1996, my husband was transferred back to the Tampa area. By this time, My daughter had married and had a Brownie age daughter. The opportunity was presented again. There were a lot of girls who wanted to be Brownies, but there were no leaders to form troops. My daughter and I became troop leaders for the girls and worked with the troop two years in Brownies and three years as Juniors. Sports eventually caused a conflict, just as it had done with her Mother, so Molly had a decision to make, and she decided to give up Girl Scouts, so she could participate in sports. I think it was softball that she wanted to play.

After I completed my educational program, I worked in the school system for seventeen years. I often thought that my Girl Scout experiences had prepared me almost as much as my University course work for my chosen vocation. For the last six years of my educational career, I worked at two elementary schools. One of my responsibilities was to give a character education lesson in every classroom monthly. I could actually use Girl Scout program ideas, as well as the school curriculum to deliver the classroom lessons. When I was still working down in the Gulfcoast G. S. Council, I was presented with a Lifetime Membership, so I no longer register every year.

I am now in my 70’s and retired. I have not been very active in recent years, but I remain friends with several wonderful ladies that I met in Girl Scouting. It has been 45 years since I first started working as a GS volunteer.

As I am writing this story, we are in the middle of the “pandemic”. I live in an Independent Living facility with over 400 elderly people. For our safety, we have not been allowed to leave the facility or have visits from family and friends for almost a month.

I look at Face Book sometimes on my computer, and I saw an advertisement about a Virtual Sing a Long that is coming up on April 28. I have registered for it, and I hope I have enough technical skills to participate. It’s being organized by a Girl Scout for seniors in Sarasota, who are in the same shut-in situation that I am in. I thought this would be a wonderful thing to participate in. I’m not a great singer, but I do love the Girl Scout songs.

I learned so much and had so much fun as an adult in Girl Scouting. I hope the girls I worked with enjoyed it as much as I did. Girl Scouting has impacted my life in so many ways. I will always be a strong advocate for the organization. Helen Christenson, Craig, and Betty

Flora: From Brownie Girl Scout to Council Program Director. A Girl Scout Journey.

I have been a Girl Scout for over 70 years beginning as a Brownie in Brooklyn, NY. When my father died at age 49, my mother moved the family to Hanover, PA. It was there that Girl Scouting really became an important part of my life. Our Intermediate troop leader was the mother of one of my best friends and we had wonderful experiences. The girls in this troop stayed together through Seniors and helped convert a farm purchased by the council into a camp. We planted trees, cleared brush, and staffed the Day Camp. In 1959, I was selected to attend the Senior Roundup in Colorado Springs. That event was truly life changing and provided the momentum for many more Girl Scout experiences. as an adult Girl Scout, I served as a troop leader, service unit chair, district chair, board vice president, director for 5 wide opportunities, volunteer at The World Conference in Tarrytown New York, delegate to several National Council Meetings, leader of an International Partnership Project with the Girl Guides of Kenya, and Program Director for the Penn Laurel Girl Scout Council. I was able to travel to all four World Centers to participate in Thinking Day programs. I have also attended many of the Senior Roundup Reunions where memories are relived and Girl Scour friendships continue. The photo I chose for this story is of me and my lifelong Girl Scout friend Diana Weaver at the 50th reunion of the Colorado Roundup. I could write volumes about my Girl Scout experiences and how they have shaped the person I became. I am so grateful to have been part of this very special sisterhood and I continue to support the positive experiences being offered to today’s girls.

Marguerite: To the moon and beyond

Nearly 20 years ago a council staff member sent me an application to a NASA training at Macy called Exploring the Solar System. I was one of the lucky 30 out of hundreds of applicants who was selected. Over the years I went to another 6 trainings at the Johnson Space Center, Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Goddard Space Flight Center. I have stayed connected with many of the adult Girl Scouts I meet and we are a close circle of friends. My training led to STEM programs for girls, program kits, patch programs and leader and older girl trainings. I have reached thousands of girls and adults over the years. I think what I love best is the “Ah ha” moment when you see a girl has just figured out the concept I am teaching. Girl Scouts has taken me on adventures to places I may never have gone, like the extraterrestrial samples lab at Johnson Space Center, where I was able to suit up and handle moon rocks! My life is richer for the experiences I have had and the friends I have made, all thanks to Girl Scouts.

Janet: All my best friends are Girl Scouts

Girl Scouting and the lifelong friends I made shaped the person I became. My mother and my best friend’s mother volunteered to be leaders of our newly formed Brownie troop in Akron, Ohio (Western Reserve Council) in 1964. I progressed through Campus Girl Scouts, went to camp every summer, and worked at Girl Scout camps.

The biggest life changer was a council trip to National Center West in 1972. I came home and told my folks I was moving to Wyoming when I grew up! I worked at NCW 2 summers and moved to Casper, WY, in 1979 to work as a geologist. When the oil industry gave me the opportunity to look for a new career, I returned to college and became a career counselor at Casper College. The leadership and networking skills I learned in Girl Scouting helped me in my life and career. I served as the president of the Wyoming Girl Scout Council and Girl Scouts of Montana and Wyoming. My mother Betty, partner Leanne, and I are all Life Members, and all of my longest and best friends are Girl Scouts.

Sandy: DYED in the WOOL GREEN

In 1954 I followed a group of girls all wearing the same brown dress to one girls home they were having a meeting and let me stay. I soon became a Brownie Girl Scout. A few years later my mom took over this troop and in high school i joined with another group. this thing call Girl Scouts was the prefect place for me as school did not work, I had a learning disability that was not known much about. I got to go to camp every year where I was a quick learner of skills I could even teach others. with an August birthday I was very young for my grade in school and scouts. This became important when i would want to go on regional, national, or international programs the same thing happened after I finished the C.I.T. program graduated high school at seventeen camps would not hire me to young. this all taught me resilience and determination just keep on working.
As an adult in Girl Scouts I learned many more lessons that applied to raising my family and being a member of society. Scouting is a life time love of mine and has given me a foundation to build on. My dream is that girls will become stronger leaders while gaining more respect for what they bring to the table.

Amy: GIRL SCOUTS FOR LIFE

The first time I heard about Girl Scouts was from an older Brownie in grade school. My sister, several years my senior, had never joined. I couldn’t wait until I was old enough to don one of those cool brown dresses and put on my beanie. Each week we brought our dues, kept safe through the school day in a small leather belt-pouch with the Brownie logo on it. That simple act of bringing dues helped establish a sense of responsibility.
I’d always been a shy and awkward child, so being part of a group felt wonderful. We did many activities and projects, like paperclip necklaces wrapped with contact paper and cast resin paperweights. Knife skills and safety circles were also part of the program. I still check my safety circle when using a tool. The handbook had great illustrations and instructions, including how to make a bandana hat by tying it over your knee. It’s a shame those aren’t in the new handbook. Even the Brownie story has changed through the years. At least the investiture ceremony hasn’t. “Twist me and turn me and show me an elf. I looked in the water and saw myself.” From that time forward, the girl scout promise became part of me.

I loved being a Brownie and was very excited to fly up to Junior Girl Scouts, but missed the ceremony due to illness. The uniform of the day was green slacks with a green belt, a white button-down shirt with a trefoil pattern, and a snap on tie. I would have loved my girls to wear my uniform, but I must have been a total toothpick. Neither of them fit, not even my youngest who was always petite.

My first camping trip was either in Brownies or Juniors. I honestly can’t remember which. There’s nothing like staring at a campfire and the smell of burning wood. Unfortunately, I was afraid of bugs and the dark. The platform tents we stayed in had a lovely collection of creepy crawlies. Most of the night was spent scouring the walls with my flashlight to make sure nothing would crawl over me. Despite the nighttime fears, I had a great time.

Although I left Scouts because of a time conflict with religious school and meetings, the GS promise and law had become ingrained in my personality. It wasn’t until HS that a friend reintroduced me to Girl Scouts. I rejoined as a Senior scout and instantly fell in love with camping, wild foods, and lots of fun. Have you ever picked fiddle heads, or made acorn bread on a campfire stove? I did that and more.

A few activities stick out in my mind. The Yukon sled pull, was one of the first council events I participated in. Cadette troops pulled sleds around the lake, while Senior troops tested their knowledge at various stations. Having missed part of Juniors and all of Cadettes, I needed a crash course in safe handling of all the tools my troop was in charge of. It was the first time I’d ever handled an axe. I learned so much that day and had a blast at the same time. Another exciting weekend was a backpacking trip along the Appalachian trail. We hiked from High Point State Park to Sawmill Lake.

One of my fondest memories was the survival skills weekend. Our troop spent all winter studying, and this was our chance to teach the Cadettes. We covered all the basics, and even did a search and rescue exercise. A friend of mine and I were “rescued” by a group trying to duck the exercise. After a few moments of scrambling to remember first aid, (I feigned a hurt ankle.) they managed to get us back to base camp safely. All in all, they did a great job, although I’d prefer not to be carried in a sleeping bag stretcher again. The exercise was called the next day. Storms had rolled in overnight, flooding several tents. Even with the downpour, three teams got their breakfast fires lit, one without matches before we called it quits and went to the lodge.

Earning awards wasn’t my focus when I joined scouts. I was most interested in the social aspects. But after my first year back, I set myself an ambitious goal. The silver and gold awards were new and didn’t have the scout level restrictions they do now. It took a lot of hard work, but I proudly wore my senior uniform as I received the silver award. By the way, that was my least favorite uniform. The pea green skirt wasn’t too bad, but a green, yellow, and blue plaid shirt was too much to bear.

I’ve always loved the outdoors, whether it be gardening or exploring the woods. GS gave me the chance to expand my knowledge and experience. The wild foods skills came in handy when I moved to Baltimore, Maryland, where I harvested the edibles from my backyard garden and froze them for the winter. Even now, my family occasionally accuses me of feeding them weeds.

As an author, I often dip into what I learned in scouts. Tatiana, the main character in my first novel, Star Touched, has a knack with wild foods and herbs. Kara, from Wolf Dawn, lived in the wild with a wolf pack for eight years. Even Maya, from Mark of the Goddess, knows which plants can help and which can kill. Their ideals mirror my own, and many reflect what I discovered in Girl Scouts.

By the way, I’ve held onto more than the Girl Scout promise and law. I still have my Brownie dues pouch, my junior uniform, and a few pieces of my Senior uniform. When my children were old enough, I became a troop leader. Both earned the Silver award and my Eldest, the gold. I’m super proud of the women they have become and am thrilled there were able to experience Girl Scouts like I did. We are all life time scouts. When they have kids, I hope they discover the joys of scouting as well.

Lori: Girl Scouts from the 1950’s to 2020’s

I became a Brownie in the later 1950’s and my troop continued till the end of 8th grade. Luckily Troop 208 had consistent leaders. When a leader had to go back to work or move out of the area, another Mother would volunteer to lead the troop. I enjoyed going to Girl Scout Camp at Camp Tulakes and participated in a council wide Opportunity called Sleeping Bags A Go Go. We traveled by Bus and Camped throughout Central Coastal California.

Then I joined a Senior Mariner Troop MSS Petey. We canoed the Colorado River on Spring Break, participated in Mariner Gam and was part of the Council Wide Senior Council, with a member from each Senior Troop. It was Girl Scouts that provided an outlet for me because I was never into the POP music scene of that time. Allowed me to have success. I earned my First Class that is now called a Gold Award.

During one of the meal lines at Crown College, UCSC someone was standing in front of me and had the same Mariner Gam patch that I did, and we are still friends. During College I co lead a Girl Scout Troop a troop for a year. I was also a Camp Counselor for a Girl Scout Camp in the Santa Cruz Mountains. After that there was a length of time when I was not involved in Girl Scouts.

I joined the Active Army as a Army Nurse Corps Officer and my Girl Scout experience facilitated my Ability to be an Army Nurse Corps Officer. When I left Active Duty, joined the National Guard, Attended Graduate School, worked part time, and became a Co Leader for my daughters Troop. My daughter and I had to move away and we moved to an area that did not have a Girl Scout Presence. 4H was the Presence and my daughter was not interested in 4 H. Plus I was working rotating shifts as a Family Nurse Practitioner in an ER and Urgent Care, and continued my National Guard Career.

So finally in 2012 or 2013 after retiring from the National Guard I learned about being a Lifetime member of Girl Scouts. So I became a Lifetime member off Girl Scouts and co lead a troop in my town in Coastal Oregon. It has been fun to watch our Daisy Scouts become Brownie Scouts and see how they have grown and matured. Our Troop is multi level and it is hard to get mothers or fathers to volunteer to keep all levels going.

Jackie: Girl Scouts shapes a leader.

I started in Girl Scouts in second grade (that was the earliest then) with a super leader Charlotte Weaver and a great troop at my elementary school. I did get yelled at a couple times when I was a little loud. But in my troop I was a leader who didn’t know it, but I think my troop leader did. When our troop was in high school I served as president for 3 years at least.

I didn’t stop there. While in Kenosha, WI I became service unit chair, cookie manager, co leader for my nieces troop, had a troop of my own and served on many committees. The year I moved, I received the Thanks Badge for all that I did. Our family moved back to Sheboygan, WI and a couple months later my daughter was born. I became a Service Unit Chair, a trainer, the cookie manager for the council among other things. Once Alexandra was old enough, I immediately signed up to be the leader.

I am not involved much in scouts now but I truly believe that all these years later it has made me a strong leader who now can lead Sheboygan Theatre Company into the future and through this pandemic. This is my second 6 years on the Board of Directors at STC. I was secretary, and VP amongst other things last time. I am currently the Advisory Chair (president) and have been in this position for 2 years. I am the fundraising chair, run props for shows, stage manage, production manager, on Long Range Planning and more. I am currently filling in for our Executive Director as we are in the process of hiring a new one. In the past 2 years we have had many challenges along the way and I have lead our group. Girl Scouts has prepared me for this leadership role as I serve my community theatre and help it survive and thrive.

I thank my leader, the co leaders (my mom included) and many more for shaping me into the women who will volunteer with an open heart and help the community along the way. One thing I hope for the future is my daughter to be a strong women as well. She currently works at our Girl Scout camp and has for over 5 years. She is the retail coordinator and is helping it to survive this summer. I like to think Girl Scouts and me, as her leader, helped shape her into a person who cares and is there to help.

As we look into the future I hope that not only scouts but the community theatre that I am so much a part of will thrive. STC is going on its 87th season, and I plan to see people enjoying live entertainment for many years. Also I hope Girl Scouts will continue to serve girls to raise strong young women like my daughter is at age 23.

Sheryl: Inspired by the Growth of Confidence

The girls have had the greasiest impact on me. When our troop attended convention in 2008 in Indianapolis, a third of the girls had never traveled out of state. Their experience, along with the sisterhood that developed with the girls with more experience traveling, was heartwarming.

However, my most memorable experience has been as a member of our council’s Gold Award committee. A few years ago I had an interview with a Girl Scout who had submitted her Gold Award Proposal. Her mom attended the interview with her and for the first half of the interview answered my questions while the Girl Scout sat silent with her back to me. I asked mom to allow me a few minutes with the Girl Scout. I was able to get a few single word responses from the girl in order to make sure the girl was in charge of the project and it wasn’t just mom doing the work in her behalf. The young woman’s project was educating her classmates on autism, a personal project since she herself is autistic. Although she was more verbal with me during her final interview when her project was done, the awards ceremony clinched this as my favorite memory. She not only walked across the stage to accept her pin, but stood on stage with our CEO and Board Chair for pictures. Knowing her full Gold Award experience had tears streaming down my face. This was a true example of the growth a girl should experience through the Gold Award process.

Cindy: Unexpected Rewards

My daughter wanted to do girl scouts. As they moved to Juniors, I was asked to be a troop co-leader. As a co-leader, we were working on the eco-badge. Each of the girls selected the name of an influential female role model for the ecology. The names were put in an hat, and my daughter selected Dr. Jane Goodall. While we were reading about the work that Dr. Goodall does, we found out that she was coming to speak in the area. I felt that seeing her presentation was a once in a lifetime experience. At the end of the presentation, Dr. Goodall did photos and book signings. At first, my daughter (in 5th grade) didn’t really understand the impact of whom we were seeing. After listening to Dr. Goodall’s introduction and hearing her life story, my daughter was very impressed. Dr. Goodall impressed me as well. Since that time, we have seen her speak a few more times, and we have taken steps to continue her work. In a world where we have very few role models, Dr. Goodall really stands out.

Marilyn: I couldn’t have done it without you.

I joined Girl Scouts 55 years ago as a Brownie. Growing up as a Girl Scout made me feel much stronger and capable. I went to Day Camp that was right near my house. Then my younger sister joined and went to camp. By now Mom was an assistant troop leader. The following year the next younger sister also wanted to go to camp so Mom joined the camp staff and Dad became the do everything guy for the property. By then I was old enough for sleep over camp and started going to Camp Wind in the Pines in Buzzards Bay Mass. I became a CIT and then a camp counselor. I then became a “First Class”scout. As a Cadette, and Senior Scout I was fortunate enough to attend 2 Wider-Ops and work at 2 others. My freshman year of college was the first year of Campus Scouts and I registered for that. The day I started college my youngest sister started kindergarten and (you guessed it) I became an assistant leader. Eventually I became the troop leader. By the time those girls graduated my own daughter was turning 5 and, Yup, I was a troop leader again. By the time she was old enough for day camp we lived near another G.S. camp and I was a unit leader. I became a life member and not long after that troop graduated I moved to Rhode Island and introduced myself to our local SUM. The first couple of years here I just did occasional things to help out. Then I was told about a young women in the council who wanted to start a G.S. chorus. As a semi-retired music teacher it was a perfect fit and for 8 yrs. I was the assistant director of the GSSNE Chorus and taught many of the girls to play guitar.
I have traveled, made life long friends, and stronger bonds with my sisters through Girls Scouts. When I was 13 and my youngest sister was 15 months old I saved her life by calling the poison control center and following their directions. I had learned the poison control center phone number as part of working on my “Emergency Preparedness” challenge in Girl Scouts. I became a professional singer and music teacher. I could never have done these things without Girl Scouts. In fact I would have thought I couldn’t. The women who who helped make me who I am were adult volunteers in Girl Scouts and I owe them so much. So I’m still paying it forward. As of now my granddaughter is a 2nd year Daisy and my daughter is one of her leaders. So she is now the 4th generation of my family in Girl Scouts and I can’t wait to take her camping this summer.
I hope that the future holds more and more opportunities for girls and women and that through Girl Scouts I will be part of making sure they are ready for whatever they choose to do. I believe that we need much more leadership from women and that today’s Girl Scouts will be those women. When I look at the accomplishments of G.S. alums I am so impressed and ready to help the next generation of phenomenal women.

Sandra: My Green Angels, memories of a lifetime Girl Scout

My name is Sandy Gentry, Byrnes, Eastlick.
I was a Brownie for 3 months back in 1963, then a Senior for 3 months in 1973. Just 4 years later, following in the footsteps of my older sister, I became a Troop Leader in the Tidewater Council, Virginia Beach, VA. As a 19 yr old troop leader, I learned with my girls how to do all the things I didnt get to do as a child. I moved to Blacksburg, then Charlottesville, always having a Girl Scout troop, and sometimes 2, because my bridging girls also needed a leader. I loved adult outdoor training so much, that I became a volunteer trainer as well as camp director at Camp Sugar Hollow, Crozet, VA. I came back to Virginia Beach, and of course started a troop back home. I even had girls in my wedding as flower girls, and taught the Fashion badge by helping them make their dresses for the wedding. Funny, when we finally had children, I had 2 sons! They were tag-a-longs in all my many Girl Scout adventures, and I even took on Cub Scouts for them as they grew. We moved to Colorado Springs, CO, and I had a troop of 28 Cadettes, who all made Victorian dresses, and went to the Molly Brown House for a Victorian Tea Party to honor Juliette Low in 2012.
We finally moved back to Virginia that year, and my last troop was in Fredericksburg. I ended my Girl Scout career to develop my own business, and, as all things do, the program took a change I had a hard time adapting to.
If I could share my heart, my love of campfires, skits, and songs, of whipporwills and marshmallow and chocolate smudged pug nosed little girls, I would always be back in my favorite Girl Scout memories.
For the future, continue to develop new programs as girls’ interests always change and grow, but please remember to keep the basics. Making new friends, keeping the old, remembering why Juliette started this wonderful adventure, not for any amount of money to be earned, but to share our talents and skills with a new generation of amazing young ladies who will carry on the torch.

Valerie: Black Diamond Council

I began Scouting as a Brownie in school and am still a Scout today (50 plus years later). Scouting provided many opportunities to delve into creative areas. The attached photo is the winning design for The Black Diamond Council Patch Contest. I no longer have the patch (due to a house fire) but am fond of the memory. My favorite part of Scouting was always camping whether it be day or overnight camp, as a girl or as an adult. I hope Scouting in the future can be focused on many fun opportunities for girls.

Judy: Girl Scouts changed my life

I started as a Brownie and continued as an Intermediate Scout and then became involved again when I had a daughter who needed a Brownie troop. It was the adult years that made the biggest difference in my life. By taking baby steps along the way, I transformed from a very shy person to someone who could speak in front of 2500 people. I hope Girl Scouts continues to make a difference in the lives of many girls and adults.

Mary: A lifetime commitment to the Movement brings a lifetime of memories

I grew up in Sioux Falls, SD, and was a girl member in the Minn-Ia-Kota Council (now Dakota Horizons). When my husband and I moved back to Sioux Falls in 1978 the local Council CEO asked me to join the Finance Committee (I had taken a job as a Bank Officer with First Bank of SD). It wasn’t long before I was involved in Girl Scouting up to my eyeballs. After 12 years on the Council Board, including a stint as President and Capital Campaign Chair, the Council CEO sent my name to the National Nominating Committee. 12 years on the National Board, including serving as Treasurer and First Vice President and as a GSUSA delegate to 2 World Conferences, culminated in my election in 2002 to the World Board, where I served for 6 years with 16 amazing women from around the world of Girl Scouting/Girl Guiding. I learned that despite our different languages, cultures, religions, and lifestyles, we shared a common bond in our Mission, to enable girls and young women to achieve their fullest potential as responsible citizens of the world. I was privileged to represent the World Association at National Association meetings, Regional Conferences, and at the United Nations. I am a proud Lifetime member of GSUSA, as is my husband, Steve. We are also members of the Olave Baden-Powell Society, providing financial support to the World Association, and the Juliette Gordon Lowe Society, supporting GSUSA with a legacy gift. We hope that the Movement continues to empower girls and young women to be all they can be long after we are gone.

Krystan: A girl scout family or legacy?

Girl scouts has impacted my life quite a bit by giving me a place to belong, teaching me fun skills, and making me feel important. Iam a 3rd generation girl scout. Both my grandmother’s were scouts, and my mom wS a scout. My daughter continued the pattern by becoming a 4th generation girl scout. I only hope and pray for a granddaughter some day to continue our legacy.

Rosa: Staying in the game…..

Girl scout impacted my life because when I was a little girl, I wanted so badly to be a Girl Scout but did not have any adult to step up to be a leader. As soon as I became an adult (and although I was a Soldier at the time); I became a Leader. I was my daughter leader from K-5 (one of the first Daisy all the way to her high school senior). I stayed a leader for an additional 8 years. My hopes for the future is now I am about to do my second retirement I am seriously thinking about picking up a Troop again. I love Girl Scouting…….

Kristin: Our Family Legacy

I was a girl scout, like my mother and aunt before me untill I bridged to junior and my troop disbanded. I’m now a troop leader and my daughter is a third generation girl scout bridging to juniors next month. I loved girl scouts and wish I could have continued. In the picture is my daughter and two of her besties from our troop. I do not have any pictures of my self or my mom and aunt as a girl scouts.

Lenore: The European Adventure of Girl Scout Troop 25

I started Scouting as a Brownie in 1952 and I have continued to be a “Girl” Scout to the current day. My Girl Scout Troop was the first troop from the West Coast to travel to Europe, between our junior and senior year in high school. We had many unusual experiences over the years as Scouts. Our time spent at “Our Chalet,” the international hostel for Girl Scouts, was an opportunity of a life time. The story includes the purchase of a bridal veil by one of the leaders when we were in Europe. Almost all the women in the troop wore this veil when they were married. Now our daughters, daughter-in-laws and grand-daughters wear the veil when they marry. My Girl Scout Troop continues to get together for a reunion every two years.
Girl Scouting has made me the person that I am. It has given me a richness to my life that is indescribable. It has given me friends for life.

Patricia: The Best Place for a Girl to Grow

I have been involved in scouting since I was 6 years old and a Brownie. Then there weren’t any troops in my town after that first year until I was Cadette level and I immediately rejoined went up through Seniors and earned my First Class award. I then went on to lead a Brownie troop with my mother leading a second troop with my assistance. Through my college years I also led my sister’s Cadette troop and Senior troop until I left for Medical school. I feel that I was accepted into medical school partly through the school’s appreciation of my years involved in Girl Scouts. I hope our community remains strong and the premier expert on girls. I led my daughter’s troops and would like to be involved in my granddaughter’s troops. I don’t agree with the Boy Scouts starting girl troops as I feel Girl Scouts is the expert resource for girls. Even now I co lead a troop with some other women whose own girls have out grown the troops and we continue to be surprised by the girls we lead. I am a pediatrician and have always felt that Girl Scouts is a place for girls to grow strong and be proud of their abilities and contributions as women in our society. I am very glad to see Girl Scouting embracing STEM careers and education.

Christene: An Amazing Journey

Thank you for the opportunity to share my Girl Scout Story, which happens to be a big part of my life. Girl Scouts, especially selling Girl Scout Cookies, allowed me to think that I was good in sales. I started selling Girl Scout Cookies in the 60’s and I sold the most cookies every year I was in it as a child and student at Holman School in Stuttgart, Arkansas. So from a Brownie to a Cadette, I sold cookies in and around my neighborhood. All the people bought cookies from me: healthy and sick.

My parents struggled and saved to provide for all of us six children, but it helped that we were spaced out, except for the twins, because they managed to save money for each child’s endeavors. My parents saved to get my Girl Scout uniform which had to be ordered through the J.C. Penney Catalog and picked up in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. I remember the sales clerk saying, “You better try in on this little chubby girl because you can’t bring it back after it is worn.” I resented being called ‘chubby’ but that was what the size was ‘Chubby 10.’ They ordered the whole Brownie outfit: hat, socks with tassels, dress with bigger belt, orange cross tie, all of the numbers, and they found some brown two-tone oxfords. I was cute. My daddy only got to see me in the whole uniform twice: once when the school had an assembly to introduce the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and 4-H. I was in 4-H also; and another time when we attended a Girl Scout/Boy Scout Jamboree at Barton Coliseum. My dad died over the summer between my third and fourth grades. I had to exercise to stay in the Brownie uniform. When I went to the next level, I just got a sash and the skirt. My grandmother had to make me a white blouse.

Our troop did a lot of crafts and other outdoor things together. There were racial challenges in the Arkansas County town and surrounding areas, but when we went to the Jamboree in Little Rock, the adults (black and white) decided to work a little closer together. I remember going to one of the historical sites in Arkansas County and we could not eat in the restaurant. Our troop leaders went to the local store and purchased crackers, lunch meat, chips, and can drinks. We ate outside around our school bus and enjoyed it. It didn’t matter that we had Girl Scout uniforms on.

To keep our troop going after the first teacher moved, a lady, (I don’t remember her name,but I’ll call her Mrs. GS) which would probably have been a service unit director, would meet with our troop. We did a lot of strange things for us, but we enjoyed the things we did. By sixth grade, I was going to be a Cadette and she convinced my mother to purchase the new Cadette uniform for me and she. In order to afford the new uniform, my mother, my sisters, my brother, and other family members sold cupcakes to raise the money. Mrs. GS, my mother, my little brother, and I got the uniform from Little Rock. I even got white gloves. They didn’t have a beret to fit my head, so my grandmother and aunt attempted to make me one. It was cool. Mrs. GS convinced the school officials to recognize my promotion during the school promotions assembly. I was the highest level Girl Scout and the highest level Boy Scout brought the flags into the assembly. The band played and all of the honorees were on the platform. I don’t remember what all happened until Mrs. GS called my name and she and my mother started putting pins and badges on my sash. After every description of the pin or badge the crowd cheered. My mother was self-conscious because she said her dress was too short to be out front like that. It was the Sixties.

After that year, Mrs. GS died. My heart sunk and the other troops in Stuttgart ‘said’ we could join them, but they were not very welcoming. We went to two meetings and decided that was it. No other adults wanted to continue so our troop was over. I wish I had known that my mother and I could have continued ourselves, but we didn’t know. I only found out we could have continued when my sister, Bobbie, taught in DeWitt, Arkansas, and a senior got an award, maybe a Gold Award, upon graduating. By eighth grade, my mother was doing other things and I was involved in other activities at Stuttgart Junior High School. Ninth grade to twelfth grades, I did not see a Girl Scout Cookie.

When I went to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB), I walked past a church to catch the city bus to the shopping center and I saw they were in their Girl Scout uniforms doing a craft. This was my freshman year in college. The leader (I am not good at remembering some names from the past, so I will call her Mrs. PH for Pine Hill Missionary Baptist Church) talked to me while I waited for the bus. I told her I use to be in Girl Scouts and I sold the most cookies when I was in it. I must have bragged a little too much because she invited me to come to their meetings and help out. Wow! That year, according to the leader, they sold the most cookies ever. I sold cookies on the campus of UAPB and that troop had enough money to take a big trip; I could not go, but I did go with them on a small trip to the place my troop had gone to when I was a young Girl Scout. I told Mrs. PH we would need to take our own food. So we made sandwiches and got everything to go along with them. When the two (2) vans of Girl Scouts arrived at the place in Arkansas County, we were welcomed for the tour. When it was time for lunch, we ate outside around the vans. The restaurant manager came out and invited us to come inside; huh? He fixed cool-aid and a dessert for us for free. I was blown over and wrong about the attitudes of the people. I work with that troop for a short period of time because after my second year I had an evening class and I could not attend the meetings, but I did help with a float for the Christmas Parade.

Fast forwarding to my first year of graduate school and an office job at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Sue Wallace worked in the Admissions Office and her daughters were in Girl Scouts at St. Mark Baptist Church. Again, I bragged about my cookie-selling skills and she got me, but good. I took cookie orders on behalf of her and her daughters. When the cookies arrived, I could not get all of them into my Mustang. For years I sold for them.

Then a Girl Scout Troop was formed at St. John Missionary Baptist Church where I attended and still do. They said they got tired of me selling cookies for others and they wanted to see what I could do for the new Troop. By the time Girl Scouts came to St. John, I had daughters Felicia and Cecily, (plus baby boy, Andrew) but Cecily was only four and not old enough to be a Daisy and Felicia lived in another location. That did not matter because I was told that I was going to sell for St. John’s Troop 117. We sold a lot of cookies. Once Cecily became a full Girl Scout, she embraced the program, but not like me. We camped and traveled as Girl Scouts. People (my family) said I tried to live my life through my daughter’s experience in Girl Scouts. Cecily was the first Girl Scout to sell 2,000 boxes of cookies in the Ouachita Council. Her picture and name were in the newspaper along with the Gold Award Girl Scouts. She was in the ninth or tenth grade. I tried to force her to do her Gold Award, but she did not want to and my husband opposed me forcing her. My daughter and I are both Life Members of Girl Scouts. Cecily got a scholarship from the department chair of her area of study just by being in Girl Scouts for so long.

I spent twelve years as an assistant Girl Scout Leader with Troop 117 at St. John. I have been Troop Leader for fourteen years of Troop 117 now Troop 6117; I have been the Pocahontas Service Unit Director for eight years; I have been a Diamonds Council Trainer for ten years (and two years with Ouachita Council as a trainer). I would like to continue working with Girl Scouts to increase the membership in the urban areas all over the state. Girls are missing out on the experiences of participating in Girl Scouting. There are still valuable skills that girls can learn to carry them throughout their lives. I hope Girl Scouts will continue in the future. I will remain with Girl Scouts as long as I am allowed.

I have and am having an amazing journey with Girl Scouts. I love it!

Laura: Scouting for Life

I started my scouting journey as a Brownie in early grade school. I continued on through Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors, Campus Gold and then became a troop leader when I was in college. I enjoyed the challenge of earning badges and awards. It taught me to value continuous learning. (I still have my old handbooks and badge sash, just for fun.) I felt honored to do flag ceremonies and learn to respect our flag and our country. Throughout my many years of scouting, I learned about giving back to my community and to others. I am proud to be a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts.
Scouting taught me to be a leader; responsible and honest, hard-working and committed to service. It was also a great opportunity to make true friends. Having these lifelong friends to call upon (and to know they can call on you) in good times and in bad really makes a difference, no matter where you are in your life journey. Scouting also showed me the value of the adult leaders who make an impact on youth through their commitment to service.
The skills and values I learned in scouting have served me well throughout my career. Scouting taught me to look for those in need and lend a hand whenever I can. I spent 30 years in customer and community service for a public utility. I now serve as a city council member in the community where I grew up. I volunteer with many organizations and often work with local girl scouts on community projects. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve. I feel honored to be able to give back.
In these challenging times, we will need to lean on each other just a little bit more. I know my community is already working together to identify needs and find ways to help our neighbors.

Rosi: Over 50 years as a scout keeps me going.

Hello, I am a Lifetime Girl Scout. I started way back in the 60’s when my mom was an assistant leader. I went through all the levels at the time and then started helping as an adult. Girl Scouting has taught me a lot about myself, helped me form my goals, raise my children, both male and female. My sons were over joyed to be official mascots when they were little before entering in boy scout adventures. My 3 girls grew up in scouting. They are now sharing the love for scouting with their children. I have assisted with many jobs. Camping was always great fun. When it was not my troop I would go in as the first aid person, I learned how to train the trainers, teach the leaders and girls. I was part of the Service Unit for several years enjoying the training we received. The friendship has continued on past our service time and into every day life. As I age and my health stops me from doing as much I can still use my memories to keep me strong and upbeat. Especially during this pandemic. Shelter in place allows me to read my old books, enjoy the memories from my Junior sash, and so much more. Thanks to all the wonderful women and supportive men. Our world would be so much worse without it.

Joni: Everything I am Began at Camp

Being a Girl Scout has been one of the most important things in my life, giving me experiences I would never have had otherwise and that have shaped who I am today, both personally and professionally. Most important were camping experiences–summer camp every year from 1968-1977, week-long backpacking trips with my troop every spring break from 1973-1977, and Wider Opportunities, which took me to Utah (1974) where 50 girls from around the country studied the ancient Fremont people and learned their survival skills, to Wyoming (1975) to backpack for two weeks near Yellowstone, Colorado (1976) for two weeks of backpacking, jeeping, and horseback riding, and then the United Kingdom (1977) where we toured London, Edinburgh, lived with Girl Guide host families at the British seaside, and then camped on the grounds of an eighteenth century English manor home with 120 other girls from around the world. There I met Suzanne from England’s Isle of Wight (here pictured with me in 2019; I’m on the right). She became a lifelong friend; we and our families (including her daughter whom she named for me) have visited each other on both sides of the Atlantic many, many times over these 40 plus years, and we talk now on Facetime every week; she has truly become my sister, just as we Girl Scouts and Guides are supposed to be to one another.

Camping gave me an intense love of landscape and the outdoors, inspiring my husband and I to buy an off-grid cabin in the forests of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula where we and our daughter spend our summers, cooking often over the fire and always singing songs. And perhaps even more important, my Girl Scout trips out West inspired me to study the art of that region, ultimately enabling me to earn my Ph.D. and become a professor of American art with a specialty in the history of western landscapes.

I am a Lifelong Member of Girl Scouts, and I strongly believe in the values the program has long held. I am extremely disheartened, however, at recent trends deemphasizing traditional programming in favor of more corporate interests. Most distressing is the move away from traditional rustic camping and the experiences that camps gave to so many girls. The sale of so many beloved camps throughout the country is a tragedy of untold dimensions. I hope that stories like mine, and so many others, that demonstrate the value of these special places and the opportunities they provide will help persuade current administrators of Girl Scouts to return to the roots of our organization that so many of us cherish and that have made us the women we are today.

Marisa: Girl Scout Camp for the Win!

Girls Scouts is truly ingrained in most aspects of my life. I even have a cat named Scout! I have been a Girl Scout since I was a Brownie, but I truly connected to Girl Scouts in the form of Girl Scout camp. I started attending a Girl Scout camp when I was 13 and began working there when I was 16.

While working at Girl Scout camp, I made lifelong friends, networked for my first full time job (at a Girl Scout council!) and met my boyfriend, now fiance there! My fiance and I worked at camp for seven summers; his job consisted of camp maintenance and store management while mines went from junior counselor all the way to program director. I talk to my friends from camp almost every day, and we have annual trips and celebrations together. It is amazing to see my camp friends spread out across the country (as far as Alaska!) but still be able to come together and talk about life and camp!

When I first attended Girl Scout camp, I never expected to love it as much as I do now. I even wrote a letter my first week begging my parents to come pick me up. As a camper, I found my love of outdoor activities there like boating, like sailing, and backpacking, along with gaining leadership skills. Working at camp taught me lifelong skills that I try to bring to work every day like patience and detailed organization.

I hope that any girl who is looking for a great experience outside that will help them grow into an awesome leader, finds it at a Girl Scout camp.

: The impact of Summer Camp

When I was 15 I sold the most Girl Scout cookies in my district. This awarded me a half scholarship to any camp in America. It was 1976, the bicentennial, and choose to attend a two week camp in Washington DC. This camp really solidified my interest in American History, which became my major in collage.

Beverly: Camp and Confidence

I joined the Girl Scouts as a Brownie at age seven about the year 1958. I had the opportunity to attend one week of Girl Scout camp that first summer and I went every summer after that for two weeks. One day, my dad said it was time to go to summer school and take typing so I could learn to type. He said that if I ever got divorced, then I could become a secretary. I was devastated! No more camp! At least until I was 17 and I got a summer job at that very camp where I had gone for many summers. I loved camp so much. I gained confidence and went on to help girls in camps all over the country, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois and finally Washington state. I worked at camp every summer and I grew to love the outdoors, travel & lake life. I graduated from college with my Master’s Degree in Recreation and went to work as a professional Girl Scout in South Bend, Indiana, where I hired the staff for camp. I always wanted to live on a lake but lakes were few and property expensive near South Bend but I did visit Lake Michigan often as it was well within driving distance.

Marriage came along, two children, I started a business in genealogy and then the divorce. BUT, I know how to type! I guess I can thank my dad for that. And I learned how to make my own web pages and sell on line. I am nobody’s secretary, I am the owner of a business which takes me around the United States selling wonderful products to genealogists.

Dating started up again in 2002 and I knew I had to get on that lake. I met the husband to be and I bought the lake property in a nearby county. I told him it’s the lake plus me or nothing! We are married now and he said just the other day he will never live here. We love it so much and I credit that love to my many summers at Girl Scout camp.

Meanwhile, the Corona Virus is raging but my husband and I are well stocked with food in the freezer and I know how to cook well. We don’t even feel like there is a pandemic as we rarely leave our beautiful property anyway. I do miss going on the road with my business and the lack of income certainly effects me, but this too shall pass.

Yes, Girl Scout camp played a huge part in my life as well as having made so many friends. My high school just had their 50th class reunion last summer and four of us girls (we left the men at home) traveled together and met up to be together. We were all Cadette Scouts in the same troop in Michigan and we are in contact with each other often.

I wish more girls would attend camp. I gained mental strength and confidence and I know it made me into the woman I am today.

(The attached photo is of our class reunion and my three Cadette friends: Marty Alsgaard, Dorothy Houser Fancher, Barbara Merry Busch & myself, Bev Trew Palmer.

Sierra: Innovators: empowering the next generation

Girl Scouts showed me that I can accomplish anything I set my mind to! From beginning as a 1st grade Brownie and selling cookies door-to-door, to graduating high school as a Gold Award recipient, to volunteering throughout college as an adult in Community Based Programming, I’ve been able to set and achieve goals I never would have dreamed of without the support of Girl Scouts. Now, I’m able to empower the next generation of innovators through my social initiative, “Let’s Go Full STEAM Ahead!” and my book, “Innovators: women in history who have made positive contributions to STEAM.” Completing my Gold Award project gave me the skills needed to create a social initiative, to write a book, and to show young women their potential to thrive in STEAM careers.

Jennifer: My Troop Saved a Man’s Life!

My first experience with Girl Scouts was as a Brownie in Medina, Ohio where we did a lot of arts and crafts. Then my family moved to Glen Ellyn, IL, a suburb of Chicago, when I was in the 4th grade. Continuing with Girl Scouts at my new school made being the “new girl” and making friends a lot easier. The most impactful experience I had as a Girl Scout was when my troop went on a bike trip to clean up trash along our town’s bike path. When it was lunchtime we veered off the bike path and into a neighborhood I had never been to and we heard a low groaning sound but we couldn’t figure out where it was coming from. It sounded like someone was in pain and needed help so we broke into small groups and rode around frantically to find the source. We finally found a man trapped under a car – he had been doing some work underneath and the car had rolled onto his chest. He could barely breathe and his wife was inside watching television and could not hear his cries for help. We pounded on the door and when she answered we rushed inside with her to call an ambulance. The ambulance arrived within a few minutes along with a fire truck and it took several minutes for the firemen to lift the car up and pull the poor man out. When he was finally free he was gasping and crying and could not stop thanking us all for saving his life. When we realized that he could have died many of us started crying too. After the ambulance crew assured us that he would be okay and took him to the hospital, we jumped on our bikes and our troop leader led us to Baskin Robbins for ice cream. We were in shock but the ice cream helped calm our nerves and when we eventually rode home I remember feeling so proud of what we had done. That experience ignited in me a lifelong passion for helping people in need.

Ginger: Girl Scouts got me outside

Girl Scouts sparked my interest in the outdoors. My first weekends away from home as a kid were to an annual Girl Scout camp hosted by Arizona Cactus Pines Council, and later to a Girl Scout summer camp I signed up for to continue the fun. Without Girl Scouts, I would never have learned how to build a fire by myself or have shared in the joys of kayaking, archery, or how to cook things like spaghetti on a fire without a pot. Most importantly, Girl Scouts was a place where I got to experience new things I would never have encountered at home, and to do so by my own volition. Girl Scouts was a place where I felt comfortable in self-discovery as a kid. My wish is that Girl Scouts continues this safe haven of exploration by integrating an intersectional approach to programming and culture for Gen Z and beyond.

Grace: Growing as a Girl Scout – the adventure continues!

I became a Girl Scout in first grade as a Brownie and continued all the way through high school culminating in achieving my Gold Award. Some of my most fond memories are from camping with my troop (my mom was one of our camping parents so I got to spend a lot of extra time with her). I loved selling cookies as well, booth sales were my favorite and taught me how to approach people in a way that was warm and welcoming and could lead to a great sale. Many of the pivotal experiences I had growing up happened in Girl Scouts and now I get to share that with my current troop as a troop leader! It’s been so special to watch the Girl Scout legacy continue with new generations of kids.