Published: May 07, 2008 11:11 pm            

Girl Scout sign-ups set for tonight at Scout House

Calling all girls interested in building self-esteem, making great friends, and memories that last a lifetime, all while having fun doing it. Have you considered becoming a Girl Scout?

Tonight at the Girl Scout House, 2203 Ave. M from 5:30-7:30 p.m. girls wishing to become part of this worldwide organization will have the opportunity to sign up for fun.

“We need dedicated adults to participate as well,” said Girl Scout volunteer Mary Gedelian. She was also a scout when she was younger and her daughter, Samantha, is a Senior Scout.

Without adult leaders, Girl Scouts could not happen. The Girl Scout Web site said volunteers have the opportunity to awaken girls’ personal leadership abilities and the promise to develop to their full potential.

“I’m really excited,” said Gedelian. She has had three moms with daughters from New Waverly call and express an interest in becoming involved.

She also said she had another mom who moved to Huntsville from Houston with her family who wanted to become involved.

“Her daughter was a Girl Scout in Houston, and she wants to stay involved in it,” said Gedelian.

Parent involvement is both welcomed and appreciated. Margaret Carrell was a scout during her childhood. Her daughter, Elizabeth, joined as a Brownie and Carrell became involved once again.

“It’s something I enjoy and I am giving back to the community,” Carrell said about why she is involved in scouting.

During sign-ups, various scouting activities will be on display so parents and girls can actually see things they will participate in. Weather permitting, a fire will be blazing in the fire ring for a chance to make smores, definitely a scouting thing. To learn more about camping, a campout display will also be available to view.

When one thinks of Girl Scouts, they think about the cookies. While selling cookies is the biggest way to raise funds that is not all they do as scouts.

“We do more than sell cookies,” said Carrell.

“One of the cool things about scouts is they’re always looking at what is going on and what girls are interested in. They change their program based on the input from girls,” said Gedelian.

The volunteers try to make every outing or camp fun, educational and challenging. If a girl has an interest in horses, she can choose to take part in Camp Misty Meadows, a horseback riding camp near Conroe. Campers at Agnes Arnold, also located near Conroe, will have the opportunity to stay in tents, tree houses, or yurts (rounded tents on a platform) where they will have fun canoeing, hiking or studying nature. There is even a camp for those wanting to explore the ocean with chances for sailing and scuba diving, among other things at Casa Mare in Seabrook.

“It’s an opportunity for experiences they may not have had unless they were in Girl Scouts,” said Gedelian.

Local troops are part of the Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council, the largest in the nation with 88,000 adults and girls participating. F. M. Law and Corinne Fonde founded the council in Houston in 1922. It serves 26 counties in southeast Texas.

“Scouting helps cultivate values, social conscience, and self esteem in young girls, while also teaching them critical life skills that will enable them to succeed as adults,” said GSSJC.

“I feel like girls need an opportunity to gain experiences; that’s what it gets down to,” said Gedelian.

If any girl wishes to join, money shouldn’t be an obstacle because financial aid is available. Girl Scouting has many supporters donating funds so that every girl who wants to join is able to join, and to participate in camps and other activities.

Some famous scouts are Sally Ride, an astronaut who was also the first woman in space; Laura Bush, the honorary Girl Scout USA president; and Barbara Walters, a pioneering anchorwoman for television, just to name a few.

Registration will also be on Saturday at the Girl Scout House from 10 a.m. until noon.

To learn more about scouting, call Mary at (936) 295-6935 or log onto www.girlscouts.org or www.gssjc.org.

        

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