Double dutch, thin mints, shortbread and peanut butter - those are just a few of the types of cookies that you will get to choose from as girl scouts come knocking at your door this month. The Girl Scouts are more than just about selling cookies though. With the goal of helping "today's girls become tomorrow's leaders," the Girl Scouts promote the concept of teamwork and friendship, provides its members opportunities to develop a variety of skills through badge work, helps the girls gain self-confidence as they accomplish and succeed at a variety of tasks, and encourages the concept of "giving back" through numerous community projects. Anastasia Pennington is an 18-year-old student at SUNY Brockport who can attest to the positive impact the Girls Scouts has had on her life. She has been a member for 14 years and despite her busy college schedule still makes time to volunteer for the organization. "I am proud to be a part of an organization whose slogan is 'Where Girls Grow Strong,' " she said. For me, this slogan has proven very true. Girl Scouting has given me the opportunity to work with and learn from many different kinds of women, who have taught me many lessons, and who have assisted me in my journey to becoming a strong and independent young woman." Local GS branch It all began when Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low brought together 18 girls from Savannah, Georgia for a Girl Scout meeting on March 12, 1912. Ninety-two years later the Girl Scouts have thousands of troops across the country, including those right here in Western New York. While our local branch might be named the Girl Scouts of Genesee Valley (GSGV), don't be fooled by its name since it covers five counties, including Genesee, Monroe, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming. The GSGV serves over 12,000 girls, including those in Brockport, Hilton, Spencerport and other area communities. Troop Levels GSGV's program is divided by age and grade, where a girl can become a member at the age of five and continue until she is 17. •Daisy Girl Scouts - Kindergarten, age 5 •Brownie Girl Scouts - Grades 1-3, ages 6-8 •Junior Girl Scouts - Grades 4-6, ages 9-11 •Cadette Girl Scouts - Grades 7-9, ages 12-14 •Senior Girl Scouts - Grades 10-12, ages 15-17 Mamie Smith and Linda St George are troop leaders for Brockport's Senior Troop 634. Five girls between the ages of 16 and 17 make up the troop and most of them have been part of the Girl Scouts for 10 to 12 years. St George's daughter, Jessi, is one of those members and has been a Girl Scout since kindergarten. "Although some may find Girl Scouting dorky or uncool, I think it has such a positive impact on my life," she reflected. "Being a Girl Scout has made me a better person, too. I've learned to think of others before myself and that volunteering can be fun." From seeing her daughter go through the Girl Scouts, as well as her experience as a troop leader for over 12 years, it's clear that St George is a strong supporter of the organization. "I have heard many excuses over the years about having to choose between Girl Scouts and say, dance or sports," she said. "While I feel that all activities help your daughter to grow, Girl Scouts is an organization that is a sisterhood. It helps to develop the whole girl - not just a particular talent or interest." Programs and activities The Girl Scouts offer a broad range of programs and activities for girls that include not just camping and baking - activities that most people associate when they think of the Girl Scouts - but also sports, arts and crafts, science experiments and field trips. "Opportunities - that's what the Girl Scouts offer," said Heather Murphy, membership specialist at GSGV. "Girls can earn badges for aerospace, photography, horses, science, sports and computers." For example, to help girls answer the big question of "what do you want to do when you grow up?" the Girl Scouts have a career development program. In a program called "Destinations," Girl Scouts have the opportunity to take special trips within the state, as well as to other states and countries. This year, some girls are traveling to Mexico and Europe. Community service is also a major component of the Girl Scouts. Throughout the year, they will participate in various service projects, including clothing and food drives. Not only do the girls learn while they participate in these various activities, they also have fun and develop friendships. "I like being in Girl Scouts because you meet new friends and do fun activities," said Megan Whitehair, a member of Brockport's Junior Troop 974. Brittanee Ciurca, who is also a member of Troop 974 added, "I like to go camping and learn new things with friends." Troop leaders and volunteering What makes the Girl Scouts so successful? Because it is a non-profit organization, the Girl Scouts rely heavily on volunteers who act as troop leaders, service coordinators, trainers and many other positions within the organization. For example, in addition to being a troop leader for eight years, Nancy Allen is secretary of the Hilton branch, has run its cookie sale for the past five years and is a Genesee Valley Council Trainer. Allen became involved in the Girl Scouts when her daughter, Heather, joined as a kindergartener. Eight years later, Allen is now the troop leader for Cadette Troop 879, which includes nine girls in the seventh grade. "As an adult in Girl Scouting, it's a great way to spend time with your daughter and see how she relates to her friends and other adults," explained Allen when asked why she volunteers. "It's also a fun way to meet and spend time with other moms with similar interests - specifically our daughters." For seven years, Cecilia Maffett, 42, has volunteered for her two daughters' troops in Spencerport. Her daughters are Megan (11) and Libby (10). "I participate in Girl Scouting to give girls a chance to discover other interests outside of school," said Maffett. "I think girls get a realistic look at life beyond their home. It's a different snapshot of the community they live in, and a chance to challenge themselves in a semi-independent situation." Jan Saxton has seen the positive benefits the Girl Scouts has had on her two daughters, Jessica (14) and Katie (11), which mostly likely explains why she has taken on the task of being leader for both of her daughters' troops: Spencerport's Troops 869 and 942. "I remember when my scouts started off as daisies. They were quiet, shy, little five year olds and I look at them now, growing up to be responsible, wonderful, young ladies," she said. It is clear that many of these troop leaders are extremely dedicated to the Girl Scouts. What makes this even more remarkable is that many of them hold full-time jobs. For example, while Brenda Bauch, Linda Baker and Katherine Kimber all have jobs during the day, they find time to volunteer as troop leaders for Brockport's Junior Troop 974. The troop consists of 11 girls between the ages of 9 to 12. "We are one heck of a team, and couldn't do it without each other," said Bauch. "Not only do we all hold down full time jobs, homes, kids ... we do these extra tasks, too." In addition to going on her fourth year as a troop leader, Bauch, 38, is cookie manager for the Brockport branch. The time and effort is worth it to these women and they encourage those thinking about volunteering for the Girl Scouts to give it a try. They did and it is clear from their many years of service that none of them have any regrets. It should also be noted that the Girl Scouts welcome all volunteers. "We need volunteers and they don't have to be just moms either," explained Murphy. "We already have some aunts, grandmothers and dads who volunteer but we welcome others to join, too." For information about the Girl Scouts, go to: www.girlscouts.org, www.gsgv.org or call 585-292-5160. |
