This year is the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts! Started by Juliette Low, American Girl Scouting has been part of communities all across the country.
Over the years Scouting has been a way for girls to learn skills they might not otherwise have a chance to practice — from traditional camping and horseback riding to more modern skills in photography, computer graphics, science and business skills. Recently the Girl Scouts of America have restructured the program to re-emphasize leadership development. Girls can still earn badges but they also work on “Pathways” to focus on their unique interests and “Journeys” to learn both individual and group problem solving.
In Cook County we have girls participating in Scouting from kindergarten to seniors in high school. Over 60 girls are Scouts. There are nine troops, each acting independently. The girls come together for celebrations like Investiture, Thinking Day and Court of Awards. They also come together for service projects like delivering Salvation Army baskets, Santa’s Workshop and the Alumni Tea.
Each troop raises money for unique troop events. In the past year this has included camping in state forests, going to regional seminars, going to the Duluth Zoo and trips to the Twin Cities. Fundraising for individual troops has taken place with Girl Scout cookie sales, candy sales, tacos in a bag at summer events, the sale of eco-friendly products, and other individual troop activities.
This year, in honor of the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouting, a group of 40 Scouts, troop leaders and community members are fundraising for a trip to Savannah, Ga.—birthplace of Juliette Low—in March 2012. The Girl Scouts-Savannah Bound have been raising money with a talent show, rummage sale, Halloween pumpkin sale and summer fair food sales. Upcoming fundraisers include poinsettia sales at the Craft Fair on Nov. 26, a pancake breakfast on Dec. 3, and pumpkin pie sales.
The Cook County community, and friends and relatives from across the country, have been an amazing support for local Girl Scouting. An active Scouting program as we have would not be possible without that support. Interested in joining in on the fun? Talk to any Girl Scout — there are plenty around!
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