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Girl
Scouts - Where
Girls Grow Strong
by Kara Kiefer
On my honor, I will try to serve God
and my country, to help people at all times, and to live by the Girl Scout
Law
- The Girl Scout Promise
What comes to mind when you hear "Girl Scouts?"
If you're like a lot of people, especially this time of year, it's cookies!
And with good reason. Proceeds from the annual cookie sales go directly
to the local Girl Scout units, and the heritage and tradition of the Girl
Scouts depend upon the funds generated from these sales. It's not all
about the cookies. The Girl Scouts, the world's preeminent organization
dedicated solely to girls, strives to build character and skills for success
in the real world. The organization does this through extraordinary field
trips, sports, skill-building workshops, community service projects and
cultural exchanges. At the heart of the Girl Scouts lies its volunteers.
The TowneLaker would like to recognize a few of the
many volunteers who make the scouting experience memorable for the young
ladies in their charge.
Troop 1987, Dandelion Service Unit
- Janelle Futch is the Troop Leader for Troop 1987, which has
girls from Bascomb, Boston and Oak Grove Elementaries. She became a leader
when her daughter, Brianna, joined the Daisies, which is the youngest
group in the Girl Scout ladder. The young Troop didn't have a leader,
until the Service Unit Leader looked Janelle in the eye and said, "You
look like you could be a leader. We need you." That was more than five
years ago. Janelle has seen the girls grow up and says, "I am so proud
of what my girls have learned and accomplished over the years."
Janelle's goal has always been to instill
the Girl Scout Law which includes being responsible, respectful of self
and others and to make the world a better place - also to have lots of
FUN.
Troop 7082, Riverwood Service Unit
- Carrie Sprouse is a Brownie Troop Leader for Troop 7082. The
girls in her Troop primarily come from Carmel Elementary. Carrie was involved
in Girl Scouts as a young girl. She volunteered to be a leader when her
daughter signed up for the Daisy program. Carrie is now in her third year
with the same group of girls. For Carrie, Girl Scouts was not only fun,
but a great program to learn about the world around her. The lessons taught
through the Scouts: good citizenship, caring for others, friendship and
respect for others, has made Carrie appreciate the Girl Scouts even more.
"As an adult, I want to give those lessons back," comments Carrie. "I
want to make sure our girls grow up in an environment where they learn
to appreciate these important attributes while still having fun and making
friends."
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Top to bottom.
1) Troop 1954 gave their time and talent to assist a family featured in
"Everyday Angels." (Left to right) front row: Victoria Davis, Kelli Hitchman
and Elizabeth Hicks. Back row: Hannah Hester, Alli Drinkwater, Colleen
Davis, Jenna Kirkpatrick and Morgan Ton. 2) Troop 1987 during a "Snatch
and Grab." The girls were "kidnapped" by their troop leader and taken
to McDonald's for breakfast. 3) Brownie Troop 7082 joined Junior Troop
1066 at Camp Misty Mountain. 4) Brownie Troop 285 made paper fans for
the 2003 International Festival. (Left to right) front row: Hannah Frantz,
Kaitlin Neese and Rachel Steppe. Back row: Brittany Sutton, Madison Tank,
Hannah Cordery and Carly Manning.
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"Parents tend
to think of the Girl Scouts in terms of cookies, crafts and camping. It's
that, but we have badges involving mathematics and science as well. Everything
the Girl Scouts do builds self confidence and self esteem. It makes them
want to go out there and be leaders, no matter what they do in life."
- Dandelion Service Unit leader, Linda Pope
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