Local Girl Scouts had banner year thanks to community support

CARRIE RUSSELL

May 29, 2008 at 1:07PM AKST

The Dillingham Girl Scouts will be celebrating another year of scouting on May 29 with a Court of Awards ceremony.

This year the Girl Scouts of our community were fortunate to have several new leaders, as well as the continued support of many parents and community members.

Girls in various troops worked on patches that helped them follow their mission, “Make the world a better place and be a sister to every Girl Scout.”

Daisies, Brownies, Juniors and Cadettes all worked on projects to earn patches for their sashes.

Projects from the past year included a beach cleanup by Troop 94, led by Nicole Ito; fundraising by Troop 19, led by Jamie Vance, so that the troop could take a trip to Katmai; the celebration of World Thinking Day in February with special guests sharing their experiences of traveling to other countries with the girls; and a holiday visit to sing for elders.

When I asked the Dillingham Girl Scouts what were the highlights of their scouting year, the third annual all-Scout sleepover, held this year at the senior center, was top on the list.

Other contenders included spending time with their Girl Scout sisters, celebrating Girl Scout founder Juliette Lowe’s birthday in October, and participating in Dillingham’s 50th annual Beaver Roundup carnival as suitcase girls for Dillingham’s version of the television game show, “Deal or No Deal.”

This is only a small portion of things the Dillingham Girl Scouts do during the year.

Twice-monthly troop meetings provide time and space for girls to explore, discuss, create and grow together — not to mention laugh, play and have fun.

None of this would be possible without the dedicated group of leaders in our community who give their time, energy, money and skills to the members of our local Girl Scout troops.

On behalf of all the Girl Scouts in Dillingham, I would like to express deep appreciation for Girl Scout leaders Cindy Fyfe, Serena MacArthur, Karen McCambly, Gayla Woods, Anita Fuller, Holli Scott, Shireen Kapotek, Tracey Eason, Nicole Ito and Jamie Vance.

If any one is interested in helping the girls in our community grow strong, consider becoming a Girl Scout leader or volunteer. A few hours a month will provide girls with a lifetime of skills, increased self-worth and desire to make the world a better place.

Carrie Russell is the Dillingham Girl Scouts service unit director.