tf;he L d GIRL SCOUT e IJ e r World Conference MRS. PAUL RITTENHOUSE National Director, Girl Scouts 'THAT THE FIRST SI'CTIO~ OF THE PROt.USI : DUlY TO Goo, as laid down by the Founder, shall be the tundamental ba..~is oi the \X'orld A.ssooation,"' W:lS reafurmed at tts final ses:.ton by the Eleventh Conference of the \X'orld A~soci.uion of Girl Guides and Gtrl Scouts. Coming as this starement does ac the first conference since the greatest war in history, it gives renewed significance to the force of our moral code, and reminds us what that code has meant to the thousands of young people who held co it durmg war years. Adaptation:; tn program vary according to the needs of the different countries: the Promise and the Laws stand fast. In contrast to the senousness of such thoughts, the settmg of the confc:rence at Evtan-les-Bains in Haute-Savote, France, was one of graciou:.ness and charm. Our hostess country had secured the use of a famous and comfortable resort hotel ovedooktng Lake Leman, with mountains behind it and tempting walks into them if one only had the rime betwc:en sessions. A wide terrace and garden tn front were ideal for discussion groups. In the garden every morning ac nine, the conference assembled for Colors, arranged and attended by girls and their leaders from six French camps situated either tn the park of the hotel or a little further up the mountainside. Two large fiags- the French Flag and the World Flag- were raised, there was a song, and generally a few words from someone chosen from the various delegations, always emphasizing the internattonal aspect of Girl Scouttng and Guiding. On the terrace, rea was served each afternoon, and each after­ noon the French Guides and Eclaireuses presented some simple Ashley and Crippen, Turon10 form of entertamment. Several times there was singing, and MRS. JOHN S. CORBEIT everyone enJoyed hearing farruliar tunes even though the words We iliare Can.1da's pride in the election of her Chief Com· were different; and it was another bond of unity co discover missioner w the chairmanship of the World Committee of how many songs we have in common. The stnging itself was Girl Guide~ and Girl Scouts. This is the first time the post so beaurifully done that u set a htgh standard, as indeed W:lS bas been held in the Western Hemisphere. true of all the presentations made by the girls. One evening they gave a concert, held in whac we should probabJr describe as the was Gtrl Scouting and Gut ding to do about it? That tht" move· town hall, singing really difficult choral selecttons as well as mcnt h:lS a wonderful opportunity before it no one doubted, simpler folk songs. A final campfire was another arti~tic triumph for all felt tt had been tried by fire. In che reports of each coun­ on the part of Guides and Eclaireuses, who puc on a mo:.t mov­ cry it \\as apparent, too, that the fundamental objectives were ing and dramatic pageant showing the war in France and the everywhere the same: To help girls, and therefore help society, liberation, with final scenes portraying the :.piritual \\Uues of to reconvecr to peace. to be aware of new trends, new thinking.; France. The setting was a mountain meadow, lighted by two to adapt Guiding and" Gtrl SCouting so that ic ~ !ruly the.laal huge bonfires, and the pageant was interpreted either by choral of the generatton that needs and uses it, yet retains its code and speech, by singing, or by a narrator. It was an evening of ,rare 1fs purpose • beauty. As one of the speakers, M. Pougatz, said (in liberal transla­ The program of the conference ttself was crowded, as had tion): "We muse not forget that all systems must be based on been expected since there was a gap of eight year:. to make up certain fundamentals. These may be described as a belief in for, eight years which had changed the whole world; and what peace, truth, Justtce, and love; or, stated more simply, in clear· December, 1946 [ thinking, disinterestedness, honesty, and loyalty." Those who listened felt he understood the purpose of Scouting and Guiding. The international values of the movement, of course, were especially emphasized. Reports from the teams that worked through the war and are now continuing with unabated vigor in camps for displaced persons, and now in Germany, made the point over and over again that to the hundreds of thousands of waifs of the war, the universality of Scouting and Guiding was something to which girls could cling when they seemed hope­ lessly adrift. A girl could belong to an Jnternahonal sisterhood and simultaneously have a part in a movement which she could either take back to the country of her origin or to a new home. Because of r.he intense belief in the world-wide scope and character of the movement, a recommendation has been made for the consideration of all member countries for a world tre­ foil pin, which may be given either at the same time that a Girl Scout or Guide makes her Promise and puts on the pin of her own country; or possibly may be used by countries in place of a so-called "national" pin. The conference felt so enthusiastic about the proposal that designs are to be submitted, and all llyger. Adelboden countries are asked to discuss the idea with leaders and girls. Our Chalet, Adelboden, Switzerland. As always happens at these conferences, in spite of the hard work everyone was reluctant to say good-bye. Many new friend­ EDITOR's NOTE: Because of their tremendous interest in the ships were made and new understandings were reached. We whole international SituatiOn and the1r recognition of what Girl parted on the promise to see each other again in 1948 when the Scouting has to contribute, the volunteers attending the World World Conference meets in the Western Hemisphere for the Conference paid the1r own expenses. The expenses of the pro­ first time since its inception- a great day for all of us who live fessional workers were taken care of by earmarked contribu­ between the Atlantic and the Pacific. tions. Why Sadie Lawson Is a Girl Scout Leader Miss Lawson, Leader of Senior Troop 3.5, Roa1zoke, Virginia, is a teacher in the Luc> Addison High School. WHEN A SM.r\LL NUMBER interest that proved frwtful, for three of the girls used their of interested women finally training in telling stories to children at our city library on Satur­ secured permission to or­ day mornings. All the members received certificates in home ganize a Negro Girl Scout nursing and first aid. These course:; were taught by one of the troop here, I hesitated co school nurses and one of the health directors here. Summer be­ • become a leader because of fore last, some of the guls made baby clothes for one of the my ignorance in the field city nursery schools. Recemly the members of Troop 35 helped of Scouting. However, 1 one of the hospitab by rolling bandages and sernng patu:nts. felt that my enthusiasm, They collected paper, clothing, and cans in the variou:; v.ar gratitude, and inspiration dnves, and collected and distributed magazines for the hosp1tal. would in some way com­ Letters have been written to soldiers from this area. Nut baskets pensate for the lack of a and postcards were made for patients in the Veterans Facility, j Scouting background, located near Roanoke. The gHls have served as ushers at the­ which I realize is helpful aters and churches for programs of clubs. for the good leader. For­ It was most gratifying to have one of the girls of the first tunately, my formal train­ group in Troop 35 serve as life saver at our first Scout-YWCA ing and experience as day camp summer before last. That ·Same girl was life saver ac a school and church school camp in New York last summer Several other first-group mem­ teacher, as well as girl ad­ bers have served as camp counselors. Some of the Senior Ser· viser, had been with ado- vice members have served as Program Aides, and seven girls lescents and I felt at ease ~ who have been in Troop 35 have :.erved as recreational helpers with older girls. in our several local churches. Perhaps my enthusiasm was contagious. The first members' of 1 Perhaps the personal satisfaction I receive from intimate/ Troop 35 were high school seniors and our activities during f association with young people accounts for my being a leader. those months of training centered largely on outdoor life-hik­ The girls discuss almost every problem and 1 seldom speak ing, cooking, and spores. unless called upon. To me the organization seems like a mini­ My experience at Camp Edith Macy in 1941 revealed a wider ature democracy where everyone has a part. Our last president meaning ·of Girl Scouring; and the enriched program for saw to it that every girl had something to do in every project Seniors, as well as the other offerings in music, dramatics, na­ or activity. The service which these young people give their ture, arts and crafts, suggested greater possibilities for my work community, the interest they take in their meetings, and the with the Senior group. For the next two years we centered our freshness of youth give me satisfaction in my work as a leader.