The Golden Link

     When Cora Ann asked me to be a guest contributor to this column, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to write about one of my favorite subjects – singing! My mother always sang to me and I always sang to my children. When I became a Girl Scout leader I continued to have fun singing with my troop, at day camp, and then at adult training workshops.
     In July, at the “Sound of Music” workshop at MDC, a very large group of Girl Scout adults gathered for a Girl Scout sing-a-long. Many came with fond memories of singing with their troops when they were girls. Others were leaders and shared their troop’s favorite song, and then there were the leaders who came to learn some new songs to teach to their girls. Whatever the reason, a good time was had by all. Yet, there were many volunteers concerned that the singing and traditions they remembered were being lost. Some of the comments voiced were: “Nobody knows the old Girl Scout songs any more.” “My troop doesn’t know any songs.” “My troop doesn’t like to sing.” “I (the leader) can’t sing.” “Girl Scouts don’t sing like they used to.”
     If girls don’t have the experience of singing, they’ll be missing a lot.
So why should you sing?

Because it’s fun!
Because it’s instant program for troop meetings, campouts and ceremonies
Because it’s fun!
Because of the fellowship (creates a common bond)
Because it’s fun!
Because it develops leadership skills
Because it’s fun!

     Here is my advice for adults and girls:
Sing out loud, sing out strong – Sing for the joy of it! You don’t have to have a beautiful singing voice (I don’t), just be enthusiastic.
     Make it simple to last your whole life long – Sing for the friendships and memories it creates.
     Don’t worry that it’s not good enough for anyone else to hear – It doesn’t matter if you don’t know all the words (just make up the words, hum or say la-la). It doesn’t matter if you don’t sing the tune exactly “right” (nobody cares). Just keep singing; the thing that really matters is that you sing and laugh and have fun and the girls sing and laugh and have fun.
This month’s issue of The Golden Link is about service. Just think of the many ways your troops can use their singing skills to give service:

They can sing at nursing homes and hospitals.
They can carol at malls during holiday times.
They can teach songs to other troops.
They can be program aides at day camp.
They can use their skills for babysitting services.
They can help entertain prospective girl members at rallies.
They can sing at Girl Scout events (investitures, bridging, Thinking Day).
They can sing at community events.

I invite each of you to sing with me. Come and visit with me in my office (Room 270 at the Houston Girl Scout Center.) Call me at 713-292-0401 and I’ll sing to you on the phone or sing to your answering machine. E-mail me at clowenkron@sjgs.org and I’ll send you words to songs. Just sing, sing a song!

Sing a song