Local Girl Scouts holding 111th-year celebration

TORRINGTON — Northwest Connecticut has 19 Girl Scout troops, all of varying sizes and ages. This week, as Girl Scouts across the nation celebrate the organization’s 111th anniversary, those local troops are holding a celebration and membership event.

March 11-18 is Girl Scout Week, according to Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England. Scouts in and around Torrington will gather March 11 at St. John Paul the Great Academy on Prospect Street at 3 p.m. The get-together will feature a membership drive with activities for prospective Girl Scouts.

“We’ll have a friendship circle and probably sing some songs; we’ll have knot-tying, and some of the girls are making cards for children in a hospital,” said Heather Bushey, service manager for Nutmeg Girl Scouts in northwest Connecticut and leader of Troop 40017 in Torrington. “One of the troops is also making ‘original Girl Scout cookies,’ which are very simple: butter, sugar, flour, eggs and vanilla.”

Visitors can order Girl Scout cookies from girls at the celebration, and can also learn about what it means to be a Scout, how to join a local troop, and the many opportunities available to girls who join.

“We’re inviting any Girl Scouts, alumni and those who want to join to come on Saturday,” Bushey said.

Troop members will have a timeline showing the growth of the organization, with a display of photographs and vintage uniforms. The event runs until 4:30 p.m. and there is no charge to attend.

Bushey said troop membership took a big hit during the pandemic, and it’s been difficult to get new members. “Each troop’s membership has gone down,” she said. “We’re trying to get members, and volunteers. If you don’t have volunteers, you can’t have a troop.”

Girl Scout troops from Torrington, including Bushey’s, which is for fourth-graders, are attending the celebration, as well as troops from other towns. Troops are also offered in Litchfield, Goshen, Canaan, Winsted and Morris.

Learn more about Girl Scouting at www.gsofct.org. To reach Bushey, call 860-459-7808.