The work of today is the history of tomorrow, and we are its makers.

Juliette Gordon Low

Today is National Girl Scouts Day. On this day in 1912, Juliette Gordon Low organized the first Girl Scout troop meeting in Savannah, Georgia.

I have such fond memories of my years as a Girl Scout. I started out as a Brownie back in the 60s; I think it was first grade. Somewhere in one of my many boxes of pictures, there is one of me in that little brown uniform and beanie hat, but most of my memories are of my years as a Junior (skip Cadettes – although I am sure there were many) and Senior scout.

My Junior troop was led by two unconventional leaders, Mrs. Eileen Lehman and Mrs. Maryellen Clark. They gave the girls in their charge some of the best experiences we could have had. There was camping at Camp Laughing Waters, trips to Annapolis, MD, and Washington, DC. We sold cookies (Thin Mints are still my favorite), completed merit badges, made crafts, sang songs, and laughed a lot!!

I remember spending many summers at Rainbow’s End Day Camp. I went every day armed with my lunch and sit-upon. When you got to a certain age there was a sleepover. I can remember wrapping the chicken parts, canned vegetables, and canned potatoes in aluminum foil and placing them on the fire to roast. We took Pillsbury crescent rolls and wrapped them around the edge of a stick and “baked” them over the open fire. Once they were golden brown, off they came and a pad of butter was placed in the warm cocoon, yum! Of course, no sleepover would be complete without S’mores! It took me a few tries before I got to the “just right” golden and gooey marshmallow without setting it on fire!

Being a Girl Scout in high school during the 70s was probably not the “coolest” thing to be. Of course, I was NEVER cool. We stayed in Girl Scouts because of Ms. Trudy Murphy, a career woman who never married, and Mr. Paul Boone, a man who loved scouting and canoeing. We didn’t say we were Girl Scouts, instead, we just told everyone we were on a canoe team (which was technically true). Those two adults helped shape each of us into adults.

Being part of that Senior Scout troop and the Boone’s Bunnies Canoe Team afforded me with experiences I will never forget. I took my first plane ride to Disney World, a five-day canoe/camping trip down the Delaware River, competed in slalom C2 races, and got to meet and be mentored by world-class slalom racers. I stepped out of my comfort zone more than once during those years, and I am glad to have spent them with my two best grade school friends, Terri and Betty Ann.

Thank you, Juliette Gordon Low for organizing the Girl Scouts. Thank you to all the adults who volunteer their time and efforts to give girls this wonderful experience. Thank you, Mom & Dad, for finding the money for me to be able to participate in scouting, for being my chauffeur, and for bringing the bullhorn and cheering me on during all those races.

I am participating in the Slice of Life Challenge sponsored by twowritingteachers.org.