No, it’s not cookie time. It would make more sense if it was cookie time, right? Actually it’s popcorn time for that other scouts organization. You know, the one that gets all the press. Now that we are in the #metoo era, my thought was that maybe it’s time that the Girl Scouts get a chance at center stage. It’s been many years (no numbers) since I’ve given much thought to my time in the Scouts which means it is the best time to do a little reminiscing.
I was 6 years old and had just started first grade at my new school when there was a presentation regarding the Girl Scouts. They were looking for girls to join and parents to be leaders. I had only been in El Paso for about 4 months and was still in the process of making friends. This just sounded like the “best fun ever!” How hard can it be to sell an after school program to a bunch of six year olds? I only remember coming home with my application form and handing it to my mom and saying I wanted to join and could she be a leader. Simple. To a six year old it was simple, anyway. It couldn’t have been too complicated because the next thing we all knew, we were a Girl Scout family. Two troops formed at our school, but our troop was the largest. That’s because my mom would never turn anyone away. I think she ended up having to corral 30 little girls every week in our home.
Girl Scouts was a very serious business in our house. Every meeting was planned with activities that were goal based. We worked to earn our badges, fundraise for trips, parties and camping. My mom even made us take part in any activities that were about representing the entire Rio Grande Council. I’ve walked in parades, built a float for the same parade, volunteered at nursing homes and a multitude of other experiences that I might not have otherwise done. I don’t know how she did it, but we worked hard and had a great time doing it. And my mom made sure that every girl that wanted to participate did and that the money was there to pay for the expenses. In our group, everyone was on the same economic level. I didn’t appreciate that as much at the time. It wasn’t until later that we ran into one of her former Scouts at the grocery store, that I realized the full impact. But I digress…
I spent 8 years in the Girl Scouts. Probably the best years of my childhood. The easiest way to get kids to work is to make them think they are getting something for the work. In this case, it was badges. I loved working on the badges. Because my mom was the troop leader she was very concerned about bias, which meant that I had to do a little more than anyone else. I was required to keep scrapbooks and have other adults sign off on my work. Any questions about whether or not a badge was truly earned were answered by the pages and pages of documentation that I had “on file.” Turned out that she was right to make those demands. (Mothers tend to be right most of the time, darn it!) My OCD kicked into high gear and I was determined to earn every badge in the book. I started with the first page in our guide book and systematically worked badge by badge. My sash was covered front to back with my trophies. I ran out of time and missed finishing by a handful of badges. I shouldn’t have let sports and school distract me. LOL
Today’s badges have been updated to include STEM (science and technology) which I regret missing out on. I can’t imagine what kind of fun I would have with that! Back in the day, most of the badges focused on the traditional girl stuff. Lots of arts and crafts which is how I learned that my strengths did not include using scissors and glue. I still have origami nightmares! I also learned how to set a formal table and to use the proper silverware in a fancy restaurant. My neighbor taught me all about the Greek culture and food which still fascinates me to this day. At one point I wanted to be an archeologist because of my project on the Incas in Peru. We went camping and learned how to pitch a tent, start a fire and cook food in a tin foil lined box using solar power. I don’t necessarily recommend the pizza biscuits, but the hot dogs weren’t bad. Though I still don’t know how we came out with pink scrambled eggs. Tasted great and just like plain eggs, but somehow a little pink. There was summer camp, day camp, Daisy Day and the parties!
My parents were the king and queen of kid’s parties. And the Girl Scouts gave them the perfect excuse. We had a party almost every month, most of them sleepovers. The poor neighbors! Halloween takes on a whole new meaning when you have a group of 30-35 kids trick or treating at one time. The scavenger hunts became epic events. I don’t know if my mom warned the neighbors, but they didn’t seem to mind when the horde descended on them. Every party had a theme that carried through to the games, prizes, gift bags, decorations and the cake. Halloween was the crown jewel. My dad and uncle would build a haunted house in our backyard complete with strobe lights and scary sound effects. Inside, the house became party central. Games and food aplenty. Go big or go home, was the motto when it came to the parties.
Cookies are such a small part of scouting and yet, it seems to be the only thing that anyone ever equates with the program. Boy Scouts get lauded for their jamborees and Eagle Scout status. No one thinks of popcorn first, second and only when it comes to the Boy Scouts. Girl Scouts are more than just a thin mint.
Girl Scouts provided a great opportunity to learn how to socialize with people from all socioeconomic and ethnic groups. We learned how to operate as a cohesive group, as a leader and as individuals. At any given time and depending on the activity, anyone could and would take a lead role. My strength was when we had to perform some practical application, like building a shelter in the desert while earning a survival skills badge. I took a back seat when it came time to planning our group activities for social events like the parades or Daisy Day. I didn’t know it at the time, but Girl Scouts played an important role in determining the values and beliefs that still guide me through life. Work hard, treat people fairly and honestly, respect of self and others and lend a helping hand for the sake of doing good and not accolades. Girl Scouts are goal oriented and focused. And I’m reminded that they teach girls to be strong and independent. A good reminder during this current divisive time we are living in.
The next time you see a box of Girl Scout cookies remember there is more to the program than cute little girls in their uniforms. And buy some! Whether you like to eat them or not, remember that those cookies are funding the future female leaders of the world.
The smartest decision I ever made was bringing home that slip of paper all those years ago. Girl Scouts were the best thing to happen to my 6-year old self. Check out the website and see what the girls are up to these days. girlscouts.org
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