100th Anniversary of Girl Scouts San Diego
IMPERIAL — A century ago, Nancy Waddell arrived from the east coast to launch Troop 1 of the Girl Scouts in Coronado while troops in San Diego and Imperial celebrated Saturday.
At seven sites, six in San Diego and here at Eager Park Girl Scout troops marked the centennial of scouting in the region. And as they are often reminded, a girl scout is a G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader).
They we’re celebrating the century of girl scouting and looking to the future to empower girls to become leaders noted Nina Crabtree, member recruitment and support specialist. “I was a scout here in the early 80s and this is what I wanted- leadership and confidence to make my own decisions at an early age,” she said. “We talked a lot about budgets so when we did cookie sales, we had an idea of how to spend our earnings: high adventure (outdoor skills), Mad Scientist Lab at IV Mall with STEM activities or end of year celebrations with trips to Sea World or Knots Berry Farm.”
Throughout the year girl scouts do course work to earn their badges, all of which incurs expenses they must raise money for. They also stay busy with community services whether planting trees in Brawley, contribute to Imperial
Valley Food Bank or volunteer for Cancer Resource Center of the Desert. Girl scouts engage with their communities and take charge to change the world.
Certain the 100th anniversary will draw new members, Fernanda Robles, Troop 7270 (city of Imperial) leader called the sunset celebration awesome.
“My daughter Mariella has been in for four years and I can see all the troop’s girls are coming out of their shell- especially when they do cookie sales, they learning responsibility and how to socialize,” said Robles. “When they go to big events in San Diego and see older scouts, they see how they developed. Scouting is something positive. It gives girls a sense of direction and puts them on the right track.”
Alessandra Verduzco, a 4th grader at De Anza Magnet School and Troop 7270 member, looked forward to the Sunset Celebration for the snow cones, the singing and, most of all, the chance to get together with friends.
“I like when we do pumpkin carving and when we went hiking at the Desert Museum because we got to meet a lot of new people.”
Just prior to the 6 p.m. kickoff Belia Garneau, Troop 7036 put her scouts through a drill for the presentation of the colors that comprised the American, California, Girl Scout and WAGGGS (World Association Girl Guides & Girl Scouts) flags. Also participating was Troop 7008 of El Centro. At the conclusion, Troop 7267 from Brawley lead everybody in the Girl Scout Promise. Mayor Sam Couchman then thanked them for their welcome and reminded everybody what a vital organization the Girl Scouts is. “We appreciate the Girl Scouts because they provide a lot of enrichment activities for our young ladies throughout Imperial Valley,” he said.
Leading in the singa-long and friendship circle was Troop 7270. Wrapping up, Crabtree instructed the girls on the “squeeze and the turn out.” She closed with, “Let’s welcome the next 100 years with Girls Scouts San Diego.”