I first joined Girl Scouts to become a leader
when my daughter was a Brownie. I did not have the opportunity
as a girl to be a Girl Scout, so I really did not realize what
I missed until I became involved. We started the troop with
18 girls and 13 matriculated to Adult Girl Scouting twelve years
later. The majority of the girls were with the troop the entire
twelve years and those who dropped did so, for the most part,
due to parent transfers, etc. Of the 10 original members of
the troop who remained, nine received their Gold Awards. We
were so proud! I continue to stay involved because I have seen
the positive effects Girl Scouting has on girls. A special moment
occurred for me just last week. I attended a college graduation
party for one of “my girls.” When her dad introduced
me to their other friends, he said, “This lady has played
a huge part in making Elaine what she is today.” I nearly
cried. Elaine, by the way, is the assistant camp director for
Camp Misty Meadows for 2005 and will leave immediately afterward
for New Zealand for an internship. It is truly gratifying to
know that you have made a difference in someone’s life,
just because you cared. Even though I no longer work directly
with girls, I feel my work at a different level is just as important.
I know that I have encouraged many volunteers over the years
and they in turn have made a difference in the lives of “their
girls.”
–Tab Kennedy
My daughter graduated
two years ago and I’m still involved. Over the 14
years I was a leader of her troop, I made so many new
friends – if I left, it would be like leaving part
of my family. I’m still the registrar for Alief
Service Unit – so that keeps me active and up to
date in the area. I had always said that after my daughter
graduated I would become a trainer – and so I did.
I just finished my first year as an Outdoor Trainer and
love working with the new leaders. Some of them have never
been camping and walk in scared to death –especially
after we fill them with so much information at the intown
session. But after the weekend is over, we have bonded
and made new friends. They are so happy and enthusiastic
– they are ready to take their girls camping. It’s
the greatest feeling!
–Sonja Stephens |
I have continued to volunteer because I feel like I have a place
that I belong. I also feel like I have a positive influence
on the lives of girls.
–Carrie Carter |
After reading something
Oprah said, I found out why I stay in Girl Scouts. Girl
Scouts is my passion. I love doing what I do with and
for Girl Scouts. I am a Council trainer and I really love
training Standard Troop Camping. I am also a Council cook
and I love that (I actually have a college degree in food
service management). Eight years ago my best friend told
me she was pregnant and if it was a girl, I would get
to be the Daisy leader and she would be the co-leader.
So, three years ago I started my first Girl Scout troop.
And, I’m loving it! We had our Court of Awards last
Monday and my little second grade Brownies performed an
AWESOME Flag Ceremony! I was so proud of them I nearly
cried. I don’t know how I’ll make it through
presentation of Bronze Awards, much less Gold or Silver.
I have also been a SUM or ASUM for the past 10 years.
I just love Girl Scouts! When I am out in public and see
young girls, it’s all I can do to keep from running
up to them and asking if they are Girl Scouts. “No?
Well, you really should be. It’s such a great organization.
I can get you in a troop and I have the forms in my car!”
I’m so glad you asked why I love Girl Scouts! I
love to talk about it!
–Kay Craig |
I started as a Brownie back in the sixties. My mom was the leader
of my Brownie troop and through the years I moved up and had
four more leaders who all touched my life and made me what I
am today. I became involved again in Girl Scouting in Wyoming
while attending college as a master’s student. I did not
know anyone and was very lonely. Getting involved in Girl Scouts
was something familiar and instantly I had friends. Getting
involved in the San Jacinto Council 10 years ago was the best
thing I ever did. My husband Rick and I, although we do not
have children of our own, currently have 17 girls in one troop
and 12 in our older girl troop. We know we are teaching these
girls things they would not learn otherwise. We have had a number
of girls graduate from high school and are just waiting for
our first invitation to their wedding...all the joys of having
kids without having them 24/7! We leave next Friday with nine
of the older girls along with our co-leader for a 10 day trip
to the Grand Canyon and are looking forward to every minute...taking
these girls places they may never see otherwise...that is why
I am still a Girl Scout...and will be for awhile. I have offered
to be the Daisy leader of my Brownie co-leader’s daughter…she
is two years old right now!
–Robin Kohler |
Why do I stay involved in Girl Scouting? I have asked myself
that question and I here are some ideas. Last night I attended
a Gold Award Ceremony for a girl in our service unit. She had
been in Girl Scouting since Daisies and her mother was the troop
leader. The troop had begun – co-leaders came and went,
there were combinations with other troops etc. – through
it all the mother and daughter stayed involved. The celebration/ceremony
was held at the home and the mom/troop leader had tables full
of scrapbooks and memories of the 13-year journey. It began
with the Daisy scrapbook and ended with her poster about her
Gold Award. Present were family members, past troop leaders,
members of the service unit, girls that had been in the troop
along the way and a teacher from her high school who spoke about
her. Mention was made of all the things she had done and places
she had been as a Girl Scout. Even though the purpose of the
evening was to focus on her Gold Award – the real benefit
was that because she had been a member of the organization,
she had opportunities to experience things, meet new people,
and learn life skills that will benefit her as an adult. It
turns out that during the career exploration activities she
had a chance to learn about Hotel and Restaurant Management
and has decided to go to college to study that and make it her
career. Her aunt was there from Buffalo, NY and she shared that
both herself and her sister had been Girl Scouts – so
it runs in the family. Both of my daughters had the opportunity
to get to do and experience things because they were Girl Scouts
and I know that they have benefited from those experiences.
I can honestly say that my being a Girl Scout had a positive
effect and has helped me become the person I am today. I still
see that as the main reason that girls and adults should continue
to benefit from this organization. The main reason I stay involved
is the chance to get to know those girls and adults.
–Carolyn Davidson
I continue to volunteer
for Girl Scouts since I have seen the benefits of the
Girl Scout programs through my first hand experiences
with my own three daughters. I also see the benefits of
the program through the girls in my Senior Troop #2263
and from the stories I hear from troop leaders I meet
in Braes Link Service Unit. I believe the program benefits
girls directly and gives girls the tools for success in
their lives, which then benefits society as a whole.
–Julie Ulrich |
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