In June I went on the Alaska: Midnight Sun
Sea, STUDIO 2B destination. The trip was an Outward
Bound sea-kayaking course. I had only been kayaking once before
on a lake where I had taken one lesson with my sister. I love
Alaska and the marine mammals so I was very excited when I
read about this trip.
The group met at the Anchorage airport and then went in
a van to the town of Whittier on Prince William Sound, which
is a calm protected area. I was very happy that we went to
Prince William Sound since I knew the weather was a little
rough out in the Kenai Fjords National Park, which was the
other choice for our group.
There were 10 girls and three guides. I recognized one of
the girls from a trip I had gone on two years ago, Valley
and Vista’s, to Yosemite National Park, and we were
very happy to see each other again.
We had mainly single kayaks and two double kayaks. A boat
ferried us to a shore on an island on Prince William Sound,
which was our starting base camp. The first two days we spent
near our base camp learning kayaking safety, paddling techniques,
and reading tides, currents, and waves. While on the trip
we practiced “leave-no-trace” which means that
you leave the areas where you have been very clean, as if
you had never been there. We also were trained to make a kayak
wet exit, which meant getting out of the kayak if it was tipped
over under water.
Each day we traveled by kayak to new areas and set up camp
each night. During the week we traveled over 50 miles by kayak.
It was pretty with all the trees and the snow on the top of
the |
 mountains
along the water. The weather was clear and we were able to
see the glaciers. Along our trip we also saw some seals, sea
otters, many bald eagles, but unfortunately no whales. The
only day it rained was the last day. We got up at 2 a.m. to
break camp and pack up. We then kayaked four hours to get
to our take-out point. At the take-out point we got back into
a van and were driven back to the airport.
Everyone was tired but we loved the week. I will always
remember it. I would definitely recommend this trip and STUDIO
2B destinations to other girls. It was strenuous
and I was glad that I had started building up my strength
several months before the trip by walking and running around
the track and by doing strength building exercises. This trip
was fantastic – I will never forget the group of girls
and the guides and the scenery. |
Everyone in my family has been a long-time member of GSSJC.
Last summer we moved to London and joined Troop #46.
Moving from Houston to London, England can be quite an unsettling
experience. I left family and friends that I had grown up
with in Houston, and was challenged with making friends at
my new American school, TASIS England. Two weeks after I arrived
at school, I was thrilled to know that they had an 8th grade
Girl Scout troop. I had been in Girl Scouting since I was
a Daisy and was part of the Rainbow Springs Service Unit in
Spring, so I was familiar with the program and had been working
towards my Silver Award. My new troop leader, Kim Sigle, has
been a Girl Scout leader since 1986, even before she ever
had children. She is an incredible troop leader.
Troop members visited Our Chalet World center in Switzerland. Pictured: Katherine
S., Kelsey Y., Maggie S., and Sarah P. |
Our first weekend trip was to Our Chalet in Switzerland.
What an amazing opportunity to go to one of the world centers
with Girl Scouts! The scenery was absolutely beautiful. A younger
Girl Scout troop traveled with us. We hiked the Swiss Alps,
toured a wood carving place, played at a petting
zoo, and even got to swim in a lake that was fed
by glaciers on the mountains.
Later in the fall, we took another trip to visit and spend
the night at Pax Lodge, yet another world center that is in
London. We had matinee tickets to a show in London, and then
went to Pax Lodge for the evening. The next day we spent some
time shopping in the city, and then made our way back home.
All year we worked on completing badges and planning for
our Silver Award, which was having a Community Dog Show Fun
Day. As usual in England, it rained on the day of our event,
but we perservered. Thirty-six dogs attended the events with
their owners. We had fun rotations for all of the dogs to
do like catching frisbees, bobbing for plastic balls, best
show dog, dog look alike contests, etc. We also had Guide
Dogs for the Blind in attendance, a groomer, and a dog trainer
showing tricks. We charged an entrance fee and sold American
candy, which you can NOT get in England. All proceeds were
used to buy leases for the Guide Dogs for the Blind. It was
a huge success and great fun for the community!
As I enter high school this year, I plan on continuing in
Girl Scouts to pursue my Gold Award. I thank the leaders in
Rainbow Springs Service Unit and my current leader, Kim
Sigle, for their encouragement. They’ve been excellent
role models, and I’m certainly thankful for all of the
experiences that I’ve had as part of Girl Scouts. |