Girl Scouts Celebrate 100 Years

March 12, 2012 marked the 100th birthday of Girl Scouting in the United States when Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low held the very first Girl Scout meeting in her Savannah, Georgia, home. Those eighteen brand new Girl Scouts had no way of knowing that they had just paved the way for millions of American girls by showing them a new way to have fun while learning life skills. Within a few years Juliette received requests from women all over the United States asking how to start their own troops and today Girl Scouts USA is home to over 3.2 million girls and adults. For every ten women you know one or more is a former scout. Collectively they will have hundreds of tales to tell about campfires, stargazing, crafts, badges and cookies. Seasoned Scouts can even tell your era by what cookies you sold.

In fact, more than 50 million women in America are Girl Scout alumnae and some women remain Scouts for a lifetime; Vashon is home to two of those women. In 2011 Carol Slaughter and Becky Baumgartner received their 70-year and 55-year pins, respectively, at the Annual Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia. In fact, the Island is home to hundreds of former scouts and a party to celebrate Juliette’s dream-come-true is in the works, but for now we’d like to take the time to say, "Happy Birthday Girl Scouts!" A job well done.

Every girl or woman who spent a year or decades camping, selling cookies and making friends is invited have your cake and cookies too. Carol, Becky, Cindy Thomas and myself are in the planning stages to mark a century of Scouting and would love to hear from former Scouts here on Vashon as we formalize party plans. For more information please contact Carol Slaughter at 463-2274 and Becky Baumgartner at 463-5767. Carol and Becky have also created a fun display at the Vashon Library, be sure to check it out! Cindy and I moderate the Facebook page, "Vashon Girl Scouts," and we’d love to hear about your experiences and share pictures.

Margaret Danielson was the Island’s first Leader in the early 1930’s and she led the way for Girl Scouting on Vashon. In the 90’s Carol helped set up Vashon’s Service Unit and my daughter was in Cindy’s troop the year before I became a leader. Carol knew every camp song and had no problem dancing the Macarena and Cindy always had a great project for the girls to do. We marched in the Strawberry Festival and Christmas parades, sold a few thousand boxes of cookies to delighted Islanders and the entire Service Unit camped at Lyle McLeod; a local Girl Scout camp. We were stewards of Lisabuela and each summer had a Playday and cleaned the beach. I’ve had the distinct pleasure of being a Girl Scout in California and a Co-Leader here on Vashon; both are filled with fond memories of camaraderie, camp and cookies.

Oh yes, Cookies! It all started with the Trefoil because a woman wanted to make life better for girls.

Scouting has left its mark on American women, thanks to a European’s dream. Sir Robert Baden-Powell and his sister Agnes Baden-Powell, founders of the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides in Europe, met Juliette Low in 1911. Juliette was immediately inspired and, with the Baden-Powell’s guidance, channeled her considerable energy into the fledgling movement; the cookies came about as the girls earned money for field trips and community projects. Juliette’s vision has left millions of women with fond memories and practical experience. Cookie sales taught my daughter valuable skills that she applies in her life today, for me, it was always a pleasant experience to bring a little sweetness to our neighbors and earn money for campouts; Girl Scout cookies literally sell themselves on our little Island.

And speaking of Thin Mints, Vashon’s Independent Girl Scout, Ciera Orchard—463-3972, will be at Thriftway between March 2 and Mar 18. Look for her there or call for an order, let’s send this hard-working Scout to camp! The selection this year includes Trefoils, Thin Mints, Samoas, Tagalongs, Do-Si-Dos, Thank You Berry Much, Dolci deLeche, and the 100th Birthday special Savannah Smiles, a crunchy lemon cookie. They are $4 per box with part of the proceeds going directly to Ciera as an Independent Scout; the rest pays council staff, camp maintenance and camp scholarships here in Washington State. You may also donate cookies directly to Ciera for Operation Cookie Drop for the troops.

Girl Scout fact: Do you remember Swaps? Every year Canadian and US Scouts meet in friendship and swap these tiny pins at the Peace Arch in Blaine, WA. Share your Swaps ideas on our Facebook page! www.facebook.com/pages/Vashon-Girl-Scouts/299979793369926?sk=wall&filter=1