Girl Scout calendar ..,. The G11f Comes ~ F1rn '" Girf Scouting

• ~ ~ 9

~ ~. I·/ ...... \ ·" .. 1 -.-.-..

ORDER July 1992

The Gh1 Comes First In Glt1 Scoutlng• ••Girl Scouts' new promotional theme, is featured In the colorful NOW! opening apt'elld of the 1992 waH calendar, and reflected In lively photographs throughout. The numerous actlvtttes Illustrated In the calendar emphasl2e that a strong, supportive aJI-glrl setting, coupfed with a dedicated corps of caring adult volunteers, brings out the best In every girl. The 32-page wall calendar begins with... 1992 • a dynamic opening spread with compelling photographs And also features... Girl Scout Wall • full color photographs of girls involved in a myriad of activities .. .from vital, learning experiences to just plain fun! • a full page with 4 convenient mini-calendars of the years 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995 • a full page of significant Calendar & 1992 holidays • a full page for writing in names and phone numbers Companion pocket planner-great for backpack, pocket or purse-features.•• Pocket Planner • 4 convenient mini calendars of the years 1992, 1993, 1994, and 1995 • a full page of significant 1992 holidays • a full page for writing in names, addresses and phone numbers

------,I ORDERING INFORMATION I I Check with your council. If your counctl ls hav.r>g a WALL CALENDAR & I Council Jurisdiction If------I calendar sale, orders must be placed w•th your coun­ POCKET PLANNER Customer I G# ______Code*------I cil office. Orders for this ad will be accepted only from Allow 4 weeks for delivery 'I lone troop leaders and leaders in councils whrch are Send orders to: Order II ______'I not having a calendar sale; please fill in council Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. ' name. USA Girl Scouts Overseas, APO. FPO and National Equipment Service DO NOT WAITE IN THIS SPACE CH2 :' I international addresses must include full remittance 830 Third Avenue with this order. Draw checks on U.S banks only. Cal­ New York. NY 10022 ~ndars wll be ready to ship June 17th. Order now! We Please shtp ___ coptes of the 1992 Girt Scout Wall Calendar #30-092@ ------each will ship any time you spec1fy after June 17th. We will Please sh1p ___copies of the 1992 Girl Scout Pocket Planner lf30-192@ each fill orders as long as the supply of calendars lasts. Shipping charges prepaid on all calendar orders. to arrive by (c1rcle one) the (15th), the (30th) of or (ASAP). Wall C.lendars are packed 100 per carton. Mini· Required approval given by mum order 2 cartons. Order in carton lots only. Pocket Planners are packed 200 per carton. Min· Name Title Council or Lone Troop lmum order 1 carton. Order In carton lots only. . . .J VISA & MASTERCARD. These charge card orders accepted only via mail as signature Is required. Unsold calendars may not be returned. Resi· tl dents of CA, MD and GA add the appropriate sales tax. Add $1.00 per carton, PAL charge, for all APO c Signature------,------,-,-.,.------­ and FPO deliverres. 0 (a s1gnature is required on credit card orders) QUANTITIES AND PRICES ACCOUNT II Ex=iration Date Charge my: WALLCALENDAR-100 PER CARTON ~ I I I I I J I I I Minimum Order: 2 cartons tl (please till in all digits shown on your credit card) 0 VISA 0 MasterCard 200 to 1.400 copies ...... 48 .50¢ each .: ~ FULL PAYMENT IS ENCLOSED$ . Make check or money order payable to Girl Scouts 1,500 to 2,500 copies ...... 47.50¢ each of the U S.A. Do not send partial payment. Do not send cash. 2,600 to 5,000 copies ...... 45.25¢ each <.> 2 BILL ME. Our sale will end on (date) . I wiD remit the full amount 5,100 to 15,000 copies ...... 43.25¢ each 30 days later. All orders In excess of $250.00 must be submitted through the Council offlc:e. 15,100to30,000copies ...... 42.25¢each Call If acknowledgement Is not received within 3 weeks. 30,100 to 75,000 copies ...... 40.25¢ each Bill to: 75,100 to 150,000copies ...... 37.75¢ each Name (pnnt) ______Signature ------150,100 copies and over ...... 36. 75¢ each Outside the continental U.S.A. including No. & Street City------State County ______Zip· ______Alaska and Hawaii ... , , ...... 49.25¢ each International addresses ...... 52.25¢ each Ship to: Name(pnnt) ______POCKETPLANNER-200PERCARTON Minimum Order: 1 Carton No. & Street (no box II, please)------200 to 1,400 copies ...... 38 25C each CttY·------,..------County·______1,600 to 5,000 copies ...... 36 25c each (do not abbreviate) 5,200 to 15,000 copies ...... 34 25c each State ______Zip ______15,200 to 30,000 copies ...... 31 .25¢ each 30,200 and over...... 30.25¢ each Date Daytime Phone Number ------Outside the continental U.S.A. including Clear all money-eamlng plans with your Council Finance Committee or Lone Troop Committee. All Alaska and Hawaii ...... 39.50c each shortages and damages must be reported within 30 days of receipt of shipment. International addresses . . • . • . 4150¢ each

President's Message

ider opportunittes ts a However, there are doors to all Council Session recently held in perfect name for those kinds of adventure available here Miami Beach. WGirl Scout acti,·ities that in the U.S.A. Many wider opportu· The list of opportunities goes on open doors for older Girl Scouts. nities are sponsored by indi\idual and on. Each girl who participates In Girl Scouting we continuall~· Girl Scout councils. Tbese take on has a unique ex-penence. But we can "widen" our horizons to help achieve regional flavor. With names like also look at wider opportunities as a personal growth. Early in this cen· "California Dreamin'," "Follow the whole-as an ongoing group of ac­ cury, a popular saying in Girl Scouting Hudson," "Y'AII Come," and "South tivities growing in size and impor· was "Look wide! And wben you Dakota Roundup," g~rls know that tance each year. In 1991 mere \\ill thmk you are looking v.ide. look they ''ill be getting a taste of hie in be 2.600 chances to participate in w1der still." a different part of our country. A nauonal wider opportunities. That If we examine the word "oppor· girl from Montana can gather Florida figure includes 989 more openings tunity. '' we find renmants of the seashells and learn about tbe ecology than last year's offerings. This There are doors Latin words porta, meaning gate or of the ocean. A member of CSA Girl reflects our long-term planning of passage, or portus, meaning a pon Scouts Q,·erseas mar ha,·e a pano· \\ider opportunities; we are expand­ to all kinds of or landing site. For thousands of rarmc view of the American West ing the number of opportunities we Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts, from horseback. offer g~rls each year. adventures here ....~de r ops open ponals and offer This year for the first time, Wider opportunities are very voyages to faraway places. GSt;SA and outside organizations appeahng to grrls. Cadene and Senior in the U.S.A. Those faraway ports may be are cooperating in sponsoring such Girl !X'oub IO\·e to travel and see international ones. In recent years, innovative activities as wagon train new place;, and make new friends. international opportunities have taken trips and dinosaur digs. Many of Youn{(er girls look forward to the place in dozens of locales from Aus­ these national opportunities empha· time when rno::r will be old enough tralia to Zambta. as well as at the size chances to experience America to be eh~:ible . Girls who \\ill be world centers m 1\lexico. s.... itzer· west of the Mississippi-an mterest tolll()rrow ·s ieadt:r::- reJOice in the land, India, and England. strongly expressed at the ::\ational chance to have first-hand experience of their world. Wider opportwlities are a gateway to that world. LOUtS PSIHOYOS \\'hen we "look \\ider, .. doesn't it seem that all of Girl Scoutmg is a w1der opportun1ty for the girls and for all those adult volunteers who help make the entire Girl Scout program a voyage of discovery? ~~ :--rational President

4 Girl Scout Leader/Summer 1991 portunidades mas am­ Scouts del Extranjero, pucliera en que seran elegibles. Nifias plias es el nombre per­ tener ante Ia ,;sta todo el pane­ que habran de ser las lideres de 0 fecto para esas activi­ ramo del Oeste Americano ca­ manana, se regocijan de poder dades de Girl Scouting que balgando en su caballo. tener Ia oportunidad para de abren puertas de par en par a Este ano por primera vez, primera mano aprender lo que las Girl Scouts mayores. GSUSA y organizaciones de fuera es su mundo. Las oportunidades En Girl Scouting, de continuo estan cooperando en auspiciar mas amplias son Ia puerta de "ampliamos" nuestros horizontes actividades innovativas como entrada a ese mundo. para asf obtener Ia plenitud per­ excursiones en tren de carga y tNO es cierto que al "ampliar sonal. A comienzos de este siglo excavaciones de dinosaures. El Ia vista" pareciera como si todo el siguiente era refran muy pop­ enfasis en muchas de estas el Girl Scouting fuera oportunidad Aqui mismo en ular en Girl Scouting: "jAmplfa oportunidades nacionales es en mas amplia para las nifias y para Ia vista! Y cuando creases am­ observar lo que es nuestra naci6n las personas voluntarias adultas EE.UU., hay plia, jamplfala otra vez!" a! oeste del Mississippi, interes que contribuyen a hacer de todo AI exarninar Ia palabra "opor­ que como pudo comprobarse el Programa de Girl Scouts un puertas que se tunidad", hallamos vestigios del en Ia Sesi6n del Concilio Nacional ,;aje de descubrimiento? latfn "porta". que significa puerta recien celebrada en Miami abren a toda o paso ode "portus'', puerto o Beach, fue demostrado clara­ ancladero. Para millares de Ca­ mente. clase de dette y Senior Girl Scouts, opor­ La lista de oportunidades es ~~ Presidenta ~acional tunidades mas amplias abren interminable. Toda nina que par­ aventuras puertas y ofrecen viajes a sitios ticipe contara con experiencia lejanos. inol\idable y Unica, aunque tam­ Puertos que puclieran ser bien comiene considerar en total internacionales. En anos las oportunidades mas amplias, recientes, han habido oportuni­ o sea, como un grupo de activi­ dades en localidades desde Aus­ dades progresivas que ano a ano tralia hasta Zambia, a! igual que aumentan en tamano y en impor­ en centres muncliales en Mexico, tancia. En 1991 se contara con Suiza, Ia India e Inglaterra. 2.600 ocasiones de participar en Pero, aquf mismo en EE.UU., las oportunidades mas amplias hay puertas que se abren a toda nacionales. Esta citra abarca 989 clase de aventuras. Numerosas ocasiones mas en comparaci6n oportunidades mas amplias aus­ con el aflo pasado. Refleja Ia piciadas por concilios inclividuales forrnulaci6n de planes a largo de Girl Scouts, los que tienen plaza de oportunidades mas am­ sabor regional. Con nombres plias; estamos extencliendo el como "Ensueno de California", m1mero de oportunidades que "Sigamos el Hudson", ";A venir cada ano ofrecemos a las ninas. todo el mundo!" y "Rodeo de Las oportunidades mas am­ Dakota del Sur", saben las ninas plias son de gran atracci6n para tendran ocasi6n de darse cuenta las niflas. Les encanta a las de como se vive en diferentes Cadette y Senior Girl Scouts lugares del pais. Asi, Ia nina de viajar, ver lugares nuevos y hacer Montana, recoge en Ia Florida nuevas amistades. Las que no conchas en Ia playa y aprende tieen aun Ia edad para poder sobre Ia ecologfa del oceano. La hacer estos viajes, esperaran que pertenece a U.S.A. Girl con ansia que llegue el tiempo

. : :· '· : ... :._ .. ~·

Girl Scout Leader/Summer 1991 5 • n the news

and winner of a trip to London Sharing National to present her anginal research Recognition project on measuring sunspots. After a summer internship at the National Solar Observa­ At the 20th anniversary cele­ tory in :\ew r-.lexiCO, Jenny bration of the National Commis­ enroUed as a physics major at sion on Libraries and Informa­ Carnegie MeUon University. tion Sciences G-ICLIS), held Her mother credits Girl Scout­ at the Library of Congress, First ing for developing Jenny's lead­ Lady- and Girl Scout Honorary ership and decision-making National President- Barbara abilities. "Girl Scouts can be proud of their program for Bush receh·ed an :"\CLIS rec­ ]umor Girl Scout Troop 5i9 tcith ognition av.rard for her active girls." she says. • support of reading and literacy pots of space-exposed seedlings programs for aU age groups groups throughout the country. across the country. She shared One group selected was Coming Home to the spotlight with Girl Scouts of Junior Girl Scout Troop 579 in the Girl Scouts the U.S.A., which won an San Antonio Area Girl Scout award for the national "Right to Council, Tex. Working v.ith Read'' program. their leader, Linda Kay Hill. the ~lanl~11 Quayle, wife of Vice Girl Scout .l\'ational President girls measured germination and President Dan Quarle, became B. LaRae Orullian and Brovmie growth rates and reported a Girl !:!com member last faU . in Girl Scouts Kia ~laseado and their findings to :\ASA: The Limberost Girl Scout Council lnken Hoepner were on hand to gro,vth rate of the "space" m Fon Wa~11e. Ind., which accept the honor and meet seedlings was slightly lower serves her hometown of Hun­ ~1rs. Bush. • than that of the control group. ungron. ~lrs. Quayle received The e>.l)eriments are continuing gu"rs from Lun~rlost Girl Brow11ie Girl Scot

In her 11th year as a member of the Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital (Washington, D.C.), Jennifer Alice ~ewbury reaped the rewards of hard work. She was honored with the Ethel G. Harvey Award, a Marilyn Quayle is welcomed f>y Back in 1984, a space shuttle distinction granted to only one Indiana Girl Scouts nussion carried more than 12 girl w1thin the council. She also million tomato seeds into space received national recognition as part of an experiment to for ber achievements in science. Hands and Feet in,·estigate effects of long-term She is a 1990 winner of the at Our Chalet exposure on many materials. Westinghouse Science Talent Last year, NASA recovered Search, a first-place winner in the space-exposed seeds and both the ~1aryland and national Last summer, eight Senior Girl distributed them along with le,·els of the Junior Science Scouts and two adults from control seeds to educational and Humanities Symposium. Badger Council of Girl Scouts

6 Girl Scout Leader/Summer 1991 pie a day; that's more than 20 people e\'err minute, at least Oa the Trail of 16 of whom are children under Proleulonala the age of m·e. • Poverty is the leading cause of hunger and a lowered San jacinto Girl Scouts {Hous­ life expectancy. ton. Tex.) report great success • In some parts of the with their Career Shadowing world, hunger strikes hardest program for Senior Girl Scouts. during the months of May ''It's seeing what the real world through September, when the is all about, ·• says coordinator A memorable trip to Our Chalet previous year's supplies have Dorothy Goodykoontz. After a run out. During this "hungry girl picks three careers, she season," families often exist on CBelo1t, Wi~>.) ~>pent 12 memo­ is matched with a woman rable days at Our Chalet in meager rations of a single professional in each, whom she food S"'1tzerland. It was the culmi­ a,·ailable such as rice or follow<> throughout the workday. nation of two years of planning mangoes. • Smce last summer, nearly and prepanng for their first 100 gu'b ha,·e shadowed a councihpon:.eored internanonal profe sional. ~ot only does it tnp. gm~ the gll'!s an understanding The program theme at the of their fields of interest; some­ Chalet wa~> "Hand:. and Feet"­ times opportunities come along usmg feet for h1king and sight­ for summer jobs seeing and hand~ to Jearn Swiss Fifteen troops from Daisy C.urrenll~, the council has handicrafts from local residents. through Senior Girl Scout age 300 professionals on the waiting The mountain hikes were exhil­ levels in Black Diamond Girl hsl to be shadowed. ''The community people are all for aratmg, the ~cenery breathtak­ Scout Council (Charleston, mg, and man} friendships en­ W.Va.) won a S500 second the program." says Dorothy. "There has been a great sued, the~· report. prize award in Colgate's 1990 Now the gll'b are sharing Youth for America campaign. response." • the1r experiences w1th other The 215 girls and their 58 troops by pro,iding slide pre­ leaders helped finance the sentations from theJr transformation of one of photographs. • Barnes\ille's oldest homes into a doll museum through various money-earning projects. They Among the 19 reetp1ents of the Somber Food cleaned the 3,000 donated dolls 1991 Amencan Institute of for Thought and furniture and worked as Architects Honor Awards 1s tour guides in the new Barbara Camp Tweedale, 0\~1led and Barbe DoU House Museum, Fretdom Valley's Camp Li'ing in America. we often wuming praise from to\\11 offi­ tend to undere:otunate the star­ cials for theJr part m promoting Ttul'dalt ts carefu/IJ sited \'ation and malnourishment so tourism through re,italized prevalent throughout much \'ictonan heritage sites. of the developing world. Ac­ The group is justifiably proud cording to (ARE: of its community senice rec­ • A quarter of a million ord, repons Kathy Johnson. children ,.,;u be permanently director of the Barnes,ilJe blinded tlus year. simply be­ Semce Unit (Barnes ..ille, cause they Jack \itamin A in Ohio). It was the third year in their d1ets. a row the girls won an award in • Hunger affects more than Colgate's annual search for the one billion people. country's best community • Hunger kills 30,000 peo- projects. •

Girl Scout Leader/Summer 1991 7 • n the news (continued) operated by Freedom \'alley into action by Junior Girl Scout Scout Council, York. Pa.) keeps Girl Scout Council (Oxford, Troop 827 in Greensboro, ::--1.C. busy impro'ving the environ­ by Susan ~laxman Architects of (Tarheel Triad Girl Scout ment. The troop has adopted a Philadelphia drew enthusiastic Council, Colfax). Concerned playground on Fort Detrick in comments from the jury of about the destruction of the Fredrick, and is helping to keep experts. The facility, they say, rain forest, the troop decided it beautiful by planting flowers "captures the energy and vigor to purchase an acre of land and picking up trash. of the children who use it . . . in the Rio Bravo Conservation Another of their projects Evoking images of playhouses, Area, home to over 400 species involves recycling. The girls the rustic sleeping cabins create of birds and mammals. collect newspapers from the the feeling of tent camping Realizing that one troop housing areas on post and take although they are heated and purchasing one acre of land is a them to the recycling center. can be used year-round. small step in the tight direction, Fort Detrick sells recyclable Through its sensiti\-e siting. Troop 827 is challenging troops matenals and uses the proceeds this carefully detailed and beau­ across the country to take a to benefit the community. • tifully planned cluster of build­ similar step. Those interested ings teaches an Important lesson should send a check for S30.00 about the need to respect the to The ::\ature Consen·ancy. natural emironmem." • 1815 North Lynn Street, Ar­ lington. Ya. 22209. •

Seruor Grrl Scour :\ancr C. Flowers for the Fort ;\luetz Scout Law translated ick, Md. (Peim Laurel Girl Her Gold Award project was to chair her county's first event in the California Trail Days junior Girl Scout Troop 827 helps preserve flora and fauna program, an event usually led by a recreation professional. The 15-year-old worked with several community agen­ cies to organize more than

Califomia atcard u:imzer .\'ancy .\!uetz at the state capitol

8 Gtrl Scout Leadcr/Swnmer 1991 • n the news

and winner of a trip to London Sharing National to present her anginal research Recognition project on measuring sunspots. After a summer internship at the National Solar Observa­ At the 20th anniversary cele­ tory in :\ew r-.lexiCO, Jenny bration of the National Commis­ enroUed as a physics major at sion on Libraries and Informa­ Carnegie MeUon University. tion Sciences G-ICLIS), held Her mother credits Girl Scout­ at the Library of Congress, First ing for developing Jenny's lead­ Lady- and Girl Scout Honorary ership and decision-making National President- Barbara abilities. "Girl Scouts can be proud of their program for Bush receh·ed an :"\CLIS rec­ ]umor Girl Scout Troop 5i9 tcith ognition av.rard for her active girls." she says. • support of reading and literacy pots of space-exposed seedlings programs for aU age groups groups throughout the country. across the country. She shared One group selected was Coming Home to the spotlight with Girl Scouts of Junior Girl Scout Troop 579 in the Girl Scouts the U.S.A., which won an San Antonio Area Girl Scout award for the national "Right to Council, Tex. Working v.ith Read'' program. their leader, Linda Kay Hill. the ~lanl~11 Quayle, wife of Vice Girl Scout .l\'ational President girls measured germination and President Dan Quarle, became B. LaRae Orullian and Brovmie growth rates and reported a Girl !:!com member last faU . in Girl Scouts Kia ~laseado and their findings to :\ASA: The Limberost Girl Scout Council lnken Hoepner were on hand to gro,vth rate of the "space" m Fon Wa~11e. Ind., which accept the honor and meet seedlings was slightly lower serves her hometown of Hun­ ~1rs. Bush. • than that of the control group. ungron. ~lrs. Quayle received The e>.l)eriments are continuing gu"rs from Lun~rlost Girl Brow11ie Girl Scot

In her 11th year as a member of the Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital (Washington, D.C.), Jennifer Alice ~ewbury reaped the rewards of hard work. She was honored with the Ethel G. Harvey Award, a Marilyn Quayle is welcomed f>y Back in 1984, a space shuttle distinction granted to only one Indiana Girl Scouts nussion carried more than 12 girl w1thin the council. She also million tomato seeds into space received national recognition as part of an experiment to for ber achievements in science. Hands and Feet in,·estigate effects of long-term She is a 1990 winner of the at Our Chalet exposure on many materials. Westinghouse Science Talent Last year, NASA recovered Search, a first-place winner in the space-exposed seeds and both the ~1aryland and national Last summer, eight Senior Girl distributed them along with le,·els of the Junior Science Scouts and two adults from control seeds to educational and Humanities Symposium. Badger Council of Girl Scouts

6 Girl Scout Leader/Summer 1991 The Girl Scout Trekking Network

L every research study, girls tell us the things the site capacity, and the person to contact for they like best about Girl Scouting are going on resen·ations. Accommodations range from rustic trips, camping, and making friends. As girls grow spots to pitch-your-own tents to conference cen­ and look for new challenges and places to visit, ter facilities. Many sites also have nearby sight­ the Girl Scout Trekking Network can help Girl seeing opportunities. Warm Scout groups plan trips and find wonderful new The Trekking Network can be used by places to stay along the way. Whether they plan troops, council-sponsored groups on trips, and Welcome a trip to the state capital, Washington, D.C., Ju­ camp groups. Cross-country touring provides liette Gordon Low's Birthplace in Savannah, or a perfect opportunities to meet other Girl Scouts Along the tour of national parks, Girl Scout facilities are along the way. It is possible to correspond with ready and waiting. other troops along the route and then plan joint Road Each year, Girl Scout councils offer to make activities to get to know each other. their facilities available to traveling troops. A cur­ rent list of facilities in the Trekking Network is Look It Up, Check It Off available through your own council. This year, more than 125 councils in 39 states have offered Camp groups can use the Trekking Network to provide facilities to traveling groups. Compiled Directory to find Sites for overnights on bicycle by GSUSA, a Trekking Network Directory lists or canoe trips, for example. Many councils are the sites available, the type of sleeping and cook­ also inviting trekking groups to stop long enough ing facilities, the time of year they are available, to use swimming and sports facilities or join other on-site acti\·ities. Sightseeing alo11g the way adds to a trip's The following is a checklist of general indi· excitement cators for leaders and girls to use in determining whether a troop IS ready for a trip. 1. The trip is in keeping with Girl Scout pol­ icies and standards. 2. There is communication between those planning the trip and their Girl Scout council. • All appropriate permissions have been ob­ tained from the council. • Leaders and girls know and follow the council policies concerning camps and overnight trips. (When using the sites provided by other councils in the Trekking Network, girls also must be willing to follow the established procedures of the host council.) 3. There is sound planning. • The trip has a clear purpose, formulated and understood by the girls and adults. • The trip is part of ongoing troop or group activities, with all participants included in the planning steps. "ERI CLUCKI>AARTIN MANN

10 Girl Scout uader/Summer 1991 6. Members take responsibility for personal conduct and equipment. • All girls and adults know what clothing and equipment to bring, and how to use and pack it. • Girls understand their responsibilities as travelers. Everyone is briefed about appropriate Traveling troops can use local indoor and outdoor conduct and safety in public places. facilities • All girls and adults are prepared for new • Girls are able to work successfully in experiences and are open to appreciation of local groups and are mature enough to accept the re­ customs. sponsibilities of the trip. 7. Everyone knows and observes good • Girls and their parents are wholeheartedly health and safety practices. Take time to behind the project; parents understand all of the • Safety- Wise and Girl Scout Camping plans and have confidence in the leadership. Guidelines as well as council guidelines are used enjoy the sights, • The girls and adults make realistic, de­ when preparing for the trip. tailed plans together well in advance. • Required health histories and examina­ sounds, and • Plans take into consideration the religious tions are completed and taken along. and ethnic diversity of the participants. • Everyone is in good health. people along • Girls and adults learn as much as possible • Procedures for handling accidents, ill­ about what they will be seeing and doing. nesses, and emergencies are understood by aU. • The group investigates various types of • The trip leader has taken the leadership the way transportation and decides which best suits its training required by her council as well as trained needs. for specialized trips such as canoeing or back­ 4. Travel arrangements are made in ad­ packing where appropriate. vance. 8. After the trip. • The entire itinerary is known to girls, • All bills are promptly paid and thank-you adults, parents. council, and the back-home letters written to people who helped along the emergency contact person. way. • Time is provided for eating, sleeping, rest • Borrowed equipment is returned. and relaxation, recreation, and personal needs. • The trip is evaluated and the group re­ • Reservations for overnight accommoda­ ports back to the council. tions are confinned in writing and all stopping • The trip is shared with others and efforts places are planned in advance. are made to keep in touch \\ith new friends. 5. The business and money matters are Satisfying rewards and stimulating new worked out. friendships await groups that plan their own trips • A detailed, realistic budget is set up. and take time to enjoy the sights, sounds, and • Money-earning projects are carried on people they meet along the way! • with the permission of the council and in accord­ ance with Girl Scout policies and standards. • Decisions are made in advance concerning -Carolyn Kennedy how to pay bills that come up prior to the trip, Carolyn Kmnedy is director of Outdoor Education in en route, and afterwards. GSUSA's Program Group.

Girl Scout Leader/Summer 1991 11 Helping Thur Girls Through the Selection Process

L. Wider Ops magazine has arrived and the bers' eyes must get tired from reading, so my girls in your Cadette and Senior Girl Scout troop application better be easy to read. are pouting over it. Several see events that in­ • I better be sure I meet the stated quali­ terest them, but wonder if they should bother fications for the event. If not, my application will applying because they don't think their chances be passed over for someone who does. of being selected are Yery good. • I guess all those applications start to Does that sound familiar? Is there anything sound alike. I should try to make mine sound you as a leader can do to help? Is it possible to fresh and emhusJasbc. see that your girls have an "edge" in the com­ • :\Iy applicauon better be complete, not petition for openings? The answer is YES to all missing any references or anything. It might not these questions. be cons1dered if everything's not there. After the girls have "tried on" the role of What Selections Task Groups selections task group members. they might then Look For break down the steps in the application process and look at them one by one Here are some One thing you might do is to ask your gtrls questions for the girls to a:.k to help them de­ to imagine that they are members of a selections ternune the best way to complete their applica­ task group charged with choosing the participants tions. for a wider opportunity. The task group members are probably volunteers, giving up evenings or Choosing Events to Apply For weekends. They are working under tight time pressure. And chances are that they have more • Have I read Wider Ops carefully? Do I applications than openings. Ask the girls w brain­ under:.tand the steps m the selections process? stonn or role play what it would be like to ha,·e Are there e,·ems that have separate applications to choose girls under these conditions. The girls and/or deadlines (such as international)? will probably come to a number of conclusions, • Ha\ e I thought about the events I am which can be written up on newsprint or a chalk­ choosing? Are they all the ones that "everybody" board, or taken down by a recorder-conclusions wants to go to? If so, the competition might be such as : tough. All \\;der ops offer a great experience. • After a few hours, the task group mem- Look again.

Focusing on a particular 111 lerest and skill level is importani

12 G1rl Scout Leader/Summer 1991 The Application being intef\iewed until I feel comfortable telling someone about myself, my interests, how I feel • Is my application easy to read, in black about Girl Scouting, why I feel this event is for ink, preferably typed? me and what I can bring to it, and how I plan to • Have I described myself, my background, follow up back home in my council? interests, and skills with specific examples, not • Will I be on time for the interview, appro­ adjectives? priately dressed. and gracious? Will I be sure to • Ha,·e I said clearly why I feel I am right say and/or write thank you? for the event, and the e,·ent is right for me? • Have I told how I will follow up back home Optimism and Realism Help her see all in my council if chosen? If your girls ha,·e thought about the answers that she has References to all these questions, their applications ''ill no doubt be above average. Will they be selected? learned about • Have I picked adults to write references There's no guarantee. Does that mean they're for me who together know about me as a person, not good enough? Of course not! as a Girl Scout, and as someone qualified for the Ask them to go back again to their brain­ herself, her event? storming session about being selections task • Have I explained Girl Scout \\ider oppor­ group members. If they were on a task group. strengths, and tunities and the event to them and answered their would they pick just the girls who sound "best?" questions? Probably not. They would try to select a balanced her skills • Have I given them enough time to write and diverse group for the event, a group whose the reference? participants cover the full age range, come from • Have I checked with my council to see all parts of the country, and can together bring that my references were received on time (very different strengths. The task group may want to important)? have some more experienced girls and some less experienced girls. They may have debated long Interview into the night about wonderful girls that they didn't have enough openings for. • Have I practiced with my troop members It's not easy for a 14-year-old to accept that she truly is wonderful, but still wasn't selected. But maybe if you can help her see all that she has learned about herself, about writing applica­ tions, about her strengths and skills, she might start to believe she's great. And next year ... she might be selected! •

-Lucy Dinnes and Kathleen Quinn

Lucy Dmnes is mo11oger, Xationa/1 brtcmotio11ol Opporlrmrlres 011d Kothlmr Quimr is a program specialist i11 GSUSA's Program Group.

Grrl Scout Leader/Summer 1991 13 Looking Forward to 1992

S ummer is coming, and Cadette and Senior Messages," in Illinois, focuses on different fields Girl Scouts across the country are anxiously of communications. awaiting their Wider Ops magazines. From horse­ For the history buffs in your troop, "Cajun packing in the Sierras of California to "taking care Days and Cajun Ways" is being offered again in of business" in South Carolina, the variety of Louisiana, exploring the history and diverse cul­ Girl 1992 wider opportunities truly will inspire your tural traditions of Acadiana. "Back to the Past: girls to look wider still. Pow-Wows, Paddles, and Pioneers," in Ne­ Scout A comprehensive preview of 1992 events, braska, will help girls to develop a deeper un­ including dates and costs, appears in the May derstanding and appreciation of Native American Wider issue of GSUSA News. Ask your council for a culture and the contributions made by African Opportu­ copy to share with the girls in your troop. Here Americans and women in settling the West. is just a small sample of the variety of opportu­ Several events in 1992 offer girls the chance nities nities offering something exciting for everyone. to challenge themselves in unique ways. "A Are some of your girls interested in science Texas Accent" will help them develop an individ­ and exploring career opportunities in scientific ual style that maximizes their potential as they fields? Exploring the arts, biology, and culture of engage in workshops and acti\ities that deal with southeast Alaska in "Alaska Southeast ABC's" health and fitness. appearance, communications, would suit their interests. And "The Architecture and interpersonal skills. "Step Forward, Step of a Continent," in Utah, offers girls the chance Lightly," in Colorado, will hone leadership skills to work side-by-side with women geoscientists in the outdoors, rncreasing girls' knowledge of as they participate in a dinosaur dig, collect fos­ the natural world through minimal impact camp­ sils and minerals, and acquire skills in field ob­ ing, outdoor li\ing skills, and environmental ed­ servation and mapping. ucation. You can help the girls in your troop by be­ From Career Options to Camping coming familiar v.rith the events and their require­ The field of ments, encouraging them to apply, and sharing communications "All Around Puget Sound" will give girls an their anticipation of an experience of a lifetime. is a popular opportunity to explore the Pacific Northwest; in A supplement will be issued to councils, featuring choice "Mountains, Movies, and Missions" they will ex­ GSUSA-sponsored events being repeated from perience the history of the California missions 1991 and any other events not included in the along with the cun·ent impact of local geology, Wider Ops magazine. Ask your council for a copy entertainment, and space industries on southern of the supplement and any infonnation on trav­ California. elships or financial aid, and share it with the girls Although most wider opportunities include and their parents. \Vhether their interests lie in career exploration, several focus specifically on hiking with the "Trailblazers" or developing act­ career options for women today. "Taking Care ing skills in Wyoming's performing arts event, of Business," in South Carolina, offers insights they are sure to have a rewarding experience in into the world of entrepreneurs and entertainers. 1992. And you can help them go for it. • In Michigan, "Carousel of Careers" provides an in-depth look at traditional and nontraditional ca­ -Kathleen Quinn reers for women, through workshops, speakers, Kathleen Quinn is a program specialist ht GSUSA's trips, and hands-on experiences. "The Magic of Pmgram Group. PHil HUBER/BLACK STAR

·.

14 Gitl Scout Leader/Summet 1991 What Are Wt"der Opportunities?

• Zn its b1·oadest sense, the term "wider opportunities," refers to any activity in Girl Scouting that goes beyond the troop. Someti1nes people think wider opportunities refer only to those events with nationwide participation that appear each year in the Wider Ops magazine. Actually, these events fot~ Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts are just the tip of the iceberg.

\\ ider op' :ue 3n integral pare of Girl Scom program and should happen :u all a~e Jc,·els. f:,·en the younge!)t Daisy G1rl Scom can ha,·e wider oppcmuniries- a special phly day with another Da1sv Girl Scour troop, a \:ill it cu the zoo, or 3n acm iry \\ irh t1 group of BrO\\ nie Girl Scout'). A'> girl<> gro'' and meet rhe sim­ pler challenges of'' ider opportunities do'c co home, they prepare rhem­ -.clvc' for rhe broader challenge'> of councih\ ide e\·enr~. and eventually for event:> with nationwide panicipa­ uon.

Jlo'J!' Con Leaders Help? The mo~r imporranr person in making "ider opporcun1tie~ 3\ ailahlc to girls women. In chis and other challenging time a girl is 11 and ready to mo,·e is their Girl Scom leader. You are situations, your G1rl Scout council inro the older girl program. she should the ke~ rhat opens rhe door to chi' may have people who can help you. haye a good idea of the opponuniucs wider world for girb. If you :m: Younger girls can be encouraged thac ''ill be available co her in Cadcrce receptive tO and eager for ne\\ tlU· to take part in neighborhood anu and Senior Gi rl Scouting. \t:nturcs, if you want to cry ncvr councih11ide event). They can also Leaders of older g1rl troOp!. or thin~' \\ irh your girls. 1f you want learn abour e\'ent!> wirh nationwide groups can encourage girls co apply rhem to experience o11l that Girl pamcipation by examining copie' of for a nationwide e\·enc. You can help s ~ outing has tO offer. the ~irl~ \\ill old Wider Ops magazines. which :~re ger them ro council wider op' work­ l'atch your sp1rir. a\'ailable co council ... free of charge in 'hops or mini-e,·em., \\here they A" leader<>. you kno\\ ~our girl'> rhe '' inrer folio\\ ing publication. can learn more about che C\'encs. the and rheir parent~. Therefore. you arc Junior G1rl Scout:. can earn rhe \\ idcr application proces:,, and 'ourccs of in a po~irion to help all concerned Opporrunit1cs badge. described in fundmg including tra\'ebhip'> from under!>tam.l the Girl Scour philosophy the )llmfJr (;irl Srout Handbook. Be"r GSCSA. You can remind r::irb th.lt ;:~bour looking wider :.ull. You may of all, if someone in the council ha'!> because "'ider ops arc parr of Girl need co tlcq uire a spedal sensi £i >it)' been on a nationwide event, she can Scou t program, they arc open to o1 ll in dealing with parents who'!>c ctdturnl share her experiences with younger nirl Scouts who meet chc .1ge .tnd b.tcl-.ground places a high value on girl~;, and gi\'e them a ''feel" for skill requirement::. specified in the being proteCti\·e of girls 30U young ''hat the-;e events are like. fJy the de!>criptions. A gut doe'n' c han: co Gtrf Scou: Lrodcr!Stmm:rr 1991 15 have bcen in (itrl Scouting for yeJrs a holiuuy from char count~·. You can !Jro'lJ!JIIie Girl Sm11ts in order to apph. ),how ~Iitle-; or L"c pic ture:~ from li­ \ t thi'> :tge. girl' arc beginning to Some of the best help you can brary books i llu~tnHing people .tnd reach out beyond the world of the: 0Ye girl~ appl) mg for C\ cntS i'> guid­ places: he sure to 'hO\' girl' "here family to build friendships and ex­ :mcc on ho\\ w prescnr themsehe-. the oL.nr~· is on a map. If possible. plore nc\\ hanLon,. They .m: de\ d­ on an applieanon or in ;tn incen iew. invite someone from the country ro npmg nC\1 interests and becoming A visit from an expert in this ;~rc,t , participm: in ,u.: rh irie~ \\ irh the girls, more Ill\ nh ed "irh peer .g roups. An :.uch th ~omcone \\ ich a background talk. with them. und an•mer in personnel or college rccruirmt:nr, theu quc:suons. could be a big help to rhc girh. \ nd. of cour.,e. you can find \\a~:. to get 4. l'h<. Dar I' Girl Srout the girls' application'> t) pcd. T he I ~'L1tltn · G11ide• hJs man~ following acriviries arc only a h;mdful :lcti\ iric~ in the World of of the po~ ~ibilirics a\ ailahle. People ~:hapter lpp. 73-1'14) co help .!!.iris kam aboUt diffe rcru cultu re~. For C\· DoiJ)' Girl Scouts ample. Sc:prember or Octo­ There are man) \\ays to begin pre­ ber would he ido.:JI momhs paring little girb for th<.:ir fururc to celebrate the \ ic: mamc~e mrerc'r in wider opporwmries. festi,·al T er 'J r m,...:-Thu. Girls c:ln panicipate in the J. Oiscuss \\ ith girls rhe fact that activitic~ "Lanrcrn~ and che' arc members of an international \loon Cuke~" (p. 75). organ11:nion. l 'se a map or glohc as which \ •crname'c children well as pictures to introduce them co enjoy. ) ou could furrher the four worh..l centers. ) ou might rcinforl.'e a<.pec t'> of the -,ho\\ rhcm picwrco;; of ~irJ, their age culn!Te h~ pia~ ing \ iet­ in each of the four countries. anu . na mest: fol k son.!:(s or in~trumcntttl m crnighr family l.'.tmping e\pcrien<.:c pictures of the: uniforms they \\e;lr. record~. ' ome of '' hich mJ\ he i'> a !:!;ood ucri\ irv for rhcm a' well. The tf. 1m·oln: offer opportunitie'> for girl piJnning ahout rhcir 1dcas and to tak<; rum' them in planning an all-da) field rrip, ,IJld girl/adult partnership. I liking. expressing their opinions. This perhaps with Jnorhcr troop or group. .. inging. meal prep;tracion. nacure traditional ftlrm of troop gon!rn­ T his ma) be a skatmg part), a chil­ crafts. and o 1rdoor uwarc~1e~., acti' i­ ment is !!Ood for pbnning, deciding.. dren's museum. a picnit', or a trip co w:s can be real growing experience-s making rules. assi~~:ning jobs, and a local sire. The import.lnt objeuivcs for young girls in an overnight camp clecnng offit:ers anJ committee are that each gi rl ha,·e a '> mall role setting. member,, in the planning CAROLYN SCHULTZ and prt:paration, 2. Help girls and that girls u~c then Bro'' nic learn to interact Girl Scour Ring wirh people out­ co plan a ~·ommu­ ~ide the troop. n•ry sen k e project. \ good 3 . Devote ont: way to lead up m meetin~ a month il sernct projecc to the World of j, to combine it People. Select with another ac­ one count~ or ti,·iry. For exam­ culture ond plan ple, girb can du ~our troop meet­ the homt:made ing around it. rt:cycled p:~per Read picrure 3Ct1Vity on pp . ~ rorybooks, play .H4-R6 of rhe games. celebrate Rrrr.;::m, Girl Scout

16 Girl Seoul Lrader!Swnmer 1.991 Handbook. Then they can plan a 1. Share Wider Ops magazine with pp. 157-158 will help them get community recycling projccc They junior Girl Scouts, reading some of started. Each girl should have a re­ can lt:arn the songs from around the d1e event descriptions, and pointing sponsible role in planning the trip. world on pp. 90-93, then organize our their creative names. The 1991 a sing-along for children in the pedi­ Wider Ops featUres names such as 5. Several of the badges in Girl atric ward of a local hospital. They "Cracks, Crevices. and Crawlways,"' &o11t Badges and Signs have activities also can plan a community service "Spree b) the Sea," ''Dinosaur that can cultivate an interest in wider project with an­ Dig," and "\"All Come.'· Ask girls ops. Encourage girls to work on ·'Girl other troop/ how these names relate ro the event. Scouting Around the World," ''Girl group. Have them pick their favorite event Scouting in rhe U.S.A .. " and tell why they like it so much. "TraYeler." or "World Neighbors." J. Brownie On a large wall-size map of the Cnited Girl Scours can States, ask girls to place stickpins co learn about the mark each event site. Cadette a11d Senior Girl Scouts world centers, By now girls have reached the age and should be 2. Girls can create games using requirements for participating in able to locate the information about each e\·ent as wider opportunities. They will re­ them on a map or well as general information about ceive the magazine and can acquaint globe. A popular wider ops. Help them create a themselves with the events and ap­ way ro introduce "Jeopardy" or ''Family Feud'' type plication procedures. Girls in this them w rhe wider game; or create another game where age level closely identify with their op experience is they match the event tide to the peers, yet at the same time, they are ro ask a Cadette state in which it is offered. learning that they have unique indi­ or Senior Girl Yidual traits, special abilities, and Scout who has J. Junior Girl Scouts can sponsor interests. They can use their special been to one of a Cadette Girl Scout who is planning interests to explore wider opportu­ the world cemers to go on a wider opportunity by nities. to speak ro them about her experi­ holding money-earning events co ences. She can share her pictures or help defray the cost of her trip. Tn 1 . Girls can go through their Wider memorabilia with rhe girls, and per­ turn, the Cadette Girl Scour can Ops magazine together. They should haps teach them something she make a presentation ro the younger pay particular attention to the ''Step­ learned from that culmre. girls and share her experiences with by-Step Guide ro Applying for a them. Wider Opportuniry. ,. They can create 4. Games proYide girls with an games with the wrder ops information opportunity to deYclop group cooper­ 4. Going on trips is a very popular such as the Junior Girl Scouts activity arion and self-control. They also can acti\·iry for this age level. You can 2. be used to explore cultural values in;-olve girls in deciding on a trip and develop social and physical skills. they would like to take; then, help 2. Cadette and Senior Girl Scours The recenr publication, Camesfor them do the planning in parrols or should attend a council mini-event, (iir! Srouts, contains a variety of sma11 groups. "Making Plans in Girl especially if one is planned for all international games from which girls Scouting'· pp. 70-72 in the Junior wider ops applicants. This would can select. "Chinese Jump Rope" Girl Stout Handbook and "Trips" on give them an opportunity to learn on p. 69, "The Ocean Is Stormy- A ROBERT FOOTHORAPIBLAC!( STAR Danish Game" on p. 43. and "Earth, Water, and Sky" on p. 80 are a few of the many good choices .

.!utJior Girl .Scouts As you work \Vith Junior Girl Scouts, you must consider each girl a unique individual with her own growth rate, talents, and personality. By now, some girls haYe traveled and have stayed away from home overnight; others have never slept anywhere but in their own bed. You should take this into consideration when planning more sophisticated ad,·en­ rures.

Girl Scout Leader/Summer 1991 17 more abouc \\ ic.Jer op' and mccr ocher Some of rhe'e concerns induuc: the '' ider op c\.periencc. e\ en 1f rhis girh. mean ... reaching ouc .. ide the Girl Sc<>ut 1. girls' feeling') of being "differ­ family ami usin~ commun1t) re­ em.'' rhu" nor being accepted wirhin J. Girh c-an ''rite a ~horr Je crip­ ':'ourccs. Thi, ourrcach could pro\ ide the gwup: rion of thcm~eh e .... empha~izing their exec Ilene role mo<.lels for hoth ''hire srrengrh'!t. abilirie~. and inrcrt:'t'· 2. parental concern for girl•,' ..,afet\ .tnd minority girls. They should include an: honor' or and their ability to t.lke care of thcm­ a\\ards they h:ne receht!d. Then, sch·c,; \... a leader. you c.·an help nil girl<. the) t":ln practice talking about h~ example. That is. you can cake rhcm,eh cs in an inrcrYic\\ )imula­ 3. financial difficulrie~: ad\ anr;•ge <>f your own wider oppor­ cion. Girls can work in pair!> on rhi~ 4. a lat·k <>f cncouragcmcnr: cuniuc-.-perhaps a swff posicion ar a acti\ iry. and perhaps !.leer experience narion\\ ide c\'ent. an educational being critiqued by orher'>. 5. a l:lck of kno\\ ledge that these e\­ opportunit) ar Edith ~lacy Confer­ pcricncc' arc accc ... '!tible ro them: cn~.:c Center. or an c,·enr for adults 4. Encoura::.c girl' co plan a couple ac one of rhe four world center.... of mone) -earnmg eYcnt~ to hold in 6. a feeling that the C\ em' do not re­ );c\cr undcre'>timarc your role in late rhem: support of rho~e girls who ''ill he w hdpmg girls gro\\. It'~ never roo late :mending a \\ ider op . . \II girls should 7. rJcism. co,·err and O\ err. or roo early for leader' a~ well a~ han~ a re<.pomible role in organizing girb ro "look "iller 'till" in Girl the C\ent\. 'coucing. -Lucy Dione~ and Toni Eubank~ Al.tANOA I

UJCJ f>tn!US IS mOIItfKrr f\ tl'I011t7lfnf(I1/0ffl)lf0/ Opp(JnllmllrJ uul r. m E.ulxzrrlt IS ,, smior prograwr Jptt'IOilttn C\C'SI's Pnr.:rmtt (,'roup,

R tsOIIf'l'('S

.-\11 handbook' and leaders' 1!;Uide~ SrtUil-\1'/St'. c'pecially pp. 59-85 II ida· Ops (pubiJ..,hed annually :10d sene co all regi,tcred Caderre and Senior (JjrJ Stout' and leader) of Junior, Cadent:. and Senior Girl Scour~) ,lion /Jmc:nit• Girl Smut Tr;y-!ts

(;irt Srout Bad.::''' tllld Sti!.tts Read through licjoil Rou11tl tl!r Some suggc,tion'!t for O\ en:oming 5. Gmnts for C:ul SmtJts World. Encourage girh w -.deer :-.omc thc-.c problems: countrie) and r~ad about rheir Girl '/ !ifoil Round tlu U:orld prc~­ Ciuidc pro~ram. Thh <:an result 111 a 1. Plan anu conuucr a "iller op' cntacion for p.1renr-. and girl-.. fol­ \\,\GGGS Brownie l'niform Po,cc rs coral ~roup di,cw.)ion. If pos)ible. lowed hy an adequate question and invite international c:xchangc -.rudcnh \\'.\GGG<; (iJrl Guide/G1rl Scour ans\\ e r period. ro 'i-.ir ~our rrooplgroup. C'niform Po..,tcrs 2. Encoum,ge minorir~ girh or adult' Outdoor Edutatirm in Girl Sto11ti11g Sprdul Collcems of lf illodty Girls "ho h:l\ e participated in a wider op tmtl Their Families ro ~peak to rroopslgrou P' that ha\ c a With a hdghrencd ... cn,;d,·ir~ :1nd 5izable minorit~ mcmhcr,hip. :l\\ :uene'' of the concern' of minorit~ ~irb anu their famiJic,, lcadcf\ :md 3. For chose im·oh·ed in planning councib can double their effort' in coundl e\enh, \:trier} is mo't impor­ recruiting this gro" 1ng population of ranl. Di\'ersify rhc .. peakers and t:on­ Clirl Scoub to parcil'ipare in "ider <:>ulranrs \\ ho help plan the e\ enc-.. opportunitie~. Seek more minorir~ leader~hip '' irhin

18 Girl Seoul Ltudrr/Summtr 1991 A Diverse and Worldwide Sisterhood

G irl Scouts of the U.S.A. can proudly boast illustrate the colorful mosaic that is WAGGGS. of a membership of over three million girls and The theme of the 1990 meeting, held June 13-22 adults. adding up to a strong presence and po­ in Singapore, was "Strength and Harmony in Di­ tential for influence throughout the nation. But versity" and it was aptly reflected in the faces The the impact of Girl Guiding/Girl Scouting is also and actions of the more than 400 participants. felt internationally through the World Association A highlight of each world conference is the Colorful of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). welcoming of new member associations. Six The 118 national Girl Guide/Girl Scout as­ countries became associate members of Mosaic of sociations that belong to WAGGGS represent a WAGGGS at the Singapore meeting. The an­ total membership of eight million girls and adults. nouncement of one of those six-Czechoslova­ WAGGGS Each member shares a belief in the Promise and kia -marked a particularly poignant moment. Law and adheres to the values of service and Czechoslovakia had been a founding member of caring that are cornerstones of Girl Guiding/Girl WAGGGS in 1928. But its Girl Guiding/Girl Scouting everywhere. As the international body Scouting activities, like those in other Eastern that binds the member associations, WAGGGS European countries, were forbidden by the }Jazis has a number of responsibilities. It organizes in 1938 and dormant during the succeeding years meetings, trainings, and seminars in different of So,iet influence. In Czechoslovakia, Hungary parts of the world. It owns and operates four (which had two representatives in Singapore), world centers: Our Cabana in Mexico, Our Cha­ Poland, and elsewhere in Eastern Europe, loyal let in Switzerland, Sangam in India, and Pax Girl Guides/Girl Scouts had to go underground Lodge in England. during those long years. Now, \\ith the coming WAGGGS also operates a mutual aid of democratization in that part of the world, there scheme that enables its national organizations to has been a re\ival of Girl Guiding and a renewed help one another by providing financial assistance interest in the world movement. Vlasta Mac­ for projects such as printing handbooks or ex­ kava, Chief Guide of the Czech Girl Guides, came panding a program center. And it promotes inter­ to the meeting in Singapore and movingly noted national friendship through the celebration of that she'd last been able to attend in 1946. Thinking Day-February 22-the joint birthday It was also in 1946 that Olave, Lady Baden­ of the founder of Girl Scouting, Lord Baden­ Powell, visited Czechoslovakia. Follov.. 'ing her Powell, and his wife, Olave Baden-Powell, the visit, she wrote a note of thanks to her host­ World Chief Guide. esses. Her closing words of encouragement to Czech Girl Guides are as uplifting now as then: "Strength and Harmony "So go ahead with courage and confidence. in Diversity" Work hard and play well in this great game of Girl Scouting which you share with millions of other E\·ery three years. WAGGGS convenes a girls the whole world over. We care about you world conference, attended by representatives aU, and wish you success, and my kindest from its member associations, to review past ac­ thoughts are with you now and always." • tivities and plans for the future. Delegates from Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, the Arab -Milly Hawk Daniel Group, and the Americas, aU resplendent in the Afilly HaU'k Dame/ is a senior program specralist in Girl Scout/Girl Guide uniforms of their countries, GSUS.4's Program Group.

Girl Seoul Leader/Summer 1991 19 Memories of Our Cabana

G irl Scouts always enjoy visiting Our Cabana. was afraid of heights wouldn't be asked to fix the One of the four world centers of the World As­ roof; she would work on the ground." sociation of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, it is situ­ The trip represented Elizabeth's first inter­ ated in the beautiful resort town of Cuernavaca, national opportunity. which she characterized as Mexico. "great, wonderful. The facilities and the staff The Re­ As with every other country, the reality of were great. I met girls from Guatemala, Hon­ Mexico differs from the travel-brochure fanta­ duras, El Salvador, Colombia, Panama, England, wards of sies. The 1985 earthquake in Mexico City caused and Mexico. I practiced my Spanish and learned great damage, and today the result is continuing about other cultures. I want to go on more wider Working homelessness and po,·erty. Girl Scouts who jour­ opportunities-I can't wait to go to India.'' ney to Our Cabana can do more than just enjoy Lifetime member Susan Ferguson echoes to Make the beautiful scenery and warm climate. Partici­ that desire. "Our Cabana was "ery fulfilling and pants in GS"C'SA-sponsored international oppor­ I would love to go to San gam now." The former a Differ­ tunities. as well as girls who Yisit Our Cabana executi,·e director of .\fountain Prairie Girl Scout with their troops, can actually pitch in and help Council m Greeley, Colo .. characterizes her ex­ ence make life a little easier for those who lost their perience as ·'the full Clfcle of my Girl Scout ca­ homes in the earthquake. reer." (Susan's been a troop leader and partici­ GSUSA has developed a session on shelter pated in wider ops as a girl member. She is Ale)andra at Our Cabana, which focuses on the plight of the currently the executiYe director for the United Llorca of homeless. Cabana visitors from many countries Way in Fort Collins. Colo. ) "I think that tra,·eling Guatemala have participated in Operacion Lamina, a service in a group and ha,ing the benefit of the Cabana and Elizabeth project in which Girl Scouts and Girl Guides build staff gave us a different perspective on the cul­ Valera of the dwellings for indigent local homeless families, us­ ture. Compared to many of the local people, we U.S.A. ing coated, weather-treated cardboard, or "lam­ were from advantaged backgrounds." ina." Although Girl Scout visitors acknowledged Jennifer Trout, a Senior Girl Scout from the challenge of the task, they all reported a deep Richmond, Va. (Commonwealth Girl Scout Coun­ sense of satisfaction when they finished con­ cil), shared her experiences with other local structing the shelters for the needy. troops after she returned from Our Cabana. Her presentations on homelessness and poverty Service Through Teamwork earned her an outstanding youth award from a ci\·ic organization last year. '·I guess I lead a shel­ Girls who ha,·e journeyed to Our Cabana tered life. But I realize that I really can make a have combined sen·ice work with international difference. ~ow I arn glad that I went to Mexico friendship and fun. They describe the experience rather than to Europe or someplace more 'glam­ as a wider opportunity that changed their outlook orous.' We constructed lamina shelters, studied on life. homelessness. and learned about the effects of Elizabeth Valera, a Senior Girl Scout in At­ the 1985 earthquake. ·• lanta C'-iorthwest Georgia Girl Scout Council) The mood wasn't all somber, though. Jen­ marvels, ''What was important about the expe­ nifer's group toured the pyramids and attended a rience was the sense of teamwork. When we performance by the Ballet Folklorico. They lived built the shelters, we put each person to work in dormitory-style with girls from other countries, a way that was helpful. For example, a girl who and developed an appreciation for Girl Scouting's

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20 Girl Scout Leader/Summer 1991 Seeing the J1exican countryside gives these U.S.A. Girl Scouts a different perspective Brooklyn, N.Y., Girl Scouts on a shoppmg expedition to Taxco global perspecti\'e. erty. She relates, ·'Participants assumed roles, Carol Obeng of Seattle, Wash. (Totem Girl like an unemployed ~lexican farmer, a blind child. Scout Council), now a college freshman, had been The leaders were employers and the girls learned on several national opportunities and was de­ about competing for jobs. We had brainstorming lighted to get the chance to visit Mexico last sessions on world problems." year. She recalls, "Frankly, I had heard that Our According to Carol, the trip to Our Cabana Cabafia was like a fantasy garden in the midst of represented the first time most of the girls had poverty. But it was both educational and fun. traveled outside of the united States. "We came Being there made me feel privileged." Carol later away with a sense of how good we have it here gave a presentation to a leadership class on the in the u.S.," she remarked. "It made them ap­ volunteer acti\ities sponsored by Our Cabafia. preciate their own homes and families more." Senior Girl Scout Damalia Jackson, one of "A Day in Rainbow Country" her troop members, agrees. '·It was an experi­ ence I will never forget. I was ready to cry when Kimberly Johnson of Sacramento, Calif. I saw little kids begging for money, and the police (Tierra del Oro Girl Scout Council) admitted, "I had these big rifles. It made me feel fortunate to think we were all kind of skeptical about going. have a home and a family." You hear about the pollution and the poverty, and She added that even though most of the Girl I wasn't sure it was something I wanted to see Scouts from the United States could not speak and deal with.'' Spanish, the group managed to communicate However, Kimberly walked away from her non verbally. "It was like being sisters." Building 10-day experience deeply enriched. She recalls, shelters for the poor was ''hard work," she says. Kimberly johnson "We played leadership games, like 'A Day in "It was hot and we really worked, but we did it (second from right) Rainbow Country,' where each group, repre­ as a team." and her friends on senting a family, had a different color and trait. When Damalia returned to Brooklyn, she an outing in The purple family, for example, might eat v:ith and her troop got involved in projects to help the Cuemavaca-a one hand. Another family might yell all the time, hungry and the homeless, and worked on a global memory to cherish and some would sing. It made us all think, be­ understanding badge. She reveals, "Our trip to cause we had to learn how to compromise and Our Cabafia really made a lifetime impression on get along with others." me." • The role-playing activities helped Brooklyn leader Carol Ambrose and her troop (Girl Scout -Marianne Ilaw Council of Greater New York) to understand bet­ ter the global concerns of homelessness and pov- bzjormation Team.

Girl Scout uader/Szmzmer 1991 21 Savannah Sojourn

L. Birthplace, beautifully restored to Victo­ when they started out on a 10-day trip to the rian period elegance, is the childhood home of Birthplace and Epcot Center in Orlando, Fla. juliette Gordon Low, founder of Girl Scouting ~toney earning, says leader Marcia Obman­ who once referred to it as "a place where Jove Gray, is what initially brought the girls together; and friendship dwell." they raised $400 each by selling candy, posters, Impres­ Since 1956, 13,000 Girl Scout troops and and holding a bowl-a-thon. "It was very gratifying their leaders have traveled by plane, train, car, for me as a leader to see girls who were sions of bus, and van to get a feeling of what it was like strangers come together and through a common to be a girl growing up a century ago. What do goal and teamwork form a strong kinship. Many the Birth­ they expect to find in the 19th century mansion? of them are still very good friends," observes What are their lasting impressions? Marcia, who has also maintained her friendship place Although Deborah Reyes, president of the with co-leader Eileen Diercks. Girl Scout Council of Tropical Florida (Miami). After dri\ing to Sa,·annah m a ,·an, the girls has been a Girl Scout since childhood, \isiting the toured the city's historic waterfront district and Birthplace \\~th her Cadette troop was a first for then headed for the Birthplace. The girls were her. "I was probably more excited than the girls especially intrigued by the Victorian furniture and to see the house where Juliette Gordon Low Daisy's jewelry. '·Let's face it. Girls today don't lived. Visiting the Birthplace is a great way to get diamond brooches for their birthdays, so they tell the story of Girl Scouting,'' she says. were amazed by the exquisite jewelry Daisy She feels the history of Girl Scouting is often wore," she says. overlooked during troop meetings. "I've had girls More importantly. the girls got to know the Deborah Reyes who didn't even know who Juliette Gordon Low founder of Girl Scouting as a person, rather than loved her was, let alone the house she lh·ed in. But once just a figurehead. notes Marcia. ''Most girls don't first vtS1f you introduce girls to the wonders of the Birth­ know that much about her life. Visiting the Birth­ place, they get quite enthusiastic about it and the place opened their eyes to the person behind the rest of Girl Scouting." Movement. It also gave them a much greater Like many other teenagers, the girls in her appreciation for all of Girl Scouting," she says. troop enjoyed dressing up-southern-belle Marcia's advice to other leaders planning a style-in hoop skirts, bustles, bonnets, and pet­ Savannah sojourn is clear-cut. "Start early. We ticoats during a special interest session that em­ found that the entire process, including earning phasized 18th century fashions. money, took eight to ten months." She also sug­ A strong advocate of the girl-planning gests spending more time taking advantage of process, Deborah suggests leaders let the girls Savannah's many historical opportunities. decide where they want to go on a trip and then Leaders looking to cut comers may want to participate in every part of the process. "Girls as consider Marcia's recommendation to stay for young as Brownie and Junior Girl Scouts can be free at U.S. Air Force bases near Savannah. involved in long-range planning, especially when "Granted, it's not the Hilton. Girls sleep in sleep­ it comes to trips to places like the Birthplace," ing bags in an area reserved for Girl Scouts. We she says. even ate dinner at the dining hall, where eleven None of the nine Cadette and Senior Girl girls ate for twelve dollars," she says. (Check Scouts or their two leaders in the Trailways Girl with the Birthplace staff for participating military Scout Council group Ooliet, Ill.) knew each other bases.)

22 Girl Scout Leader/Summer 1991 house are pinned. "I got really emotional watch­ junior Gll'l Seoul ing these girls I've kno\m for so long. Going to Troop 2050 en;oyed the Birthplace is a wonderful experience, and I'd the special interest recommend it to every leader," says Debbie. session 011 textiks Imagine going to Savannah and meeting someone who knew juliette Gordon Low person­ ally. That's exactly what happened to Cheryl Shradel and her Cadette troop from Northwest Georgia Girl Scout Counctl (Atlanta). Since the gu-ls loved the feeling of going back in time, they opted to visit other historic houses in Savannah. \\'hile on a tour of the Andrew Low house, the former home of Juliette Low's father­ in-law. girls met an elder!} tour guide who. as a lllmois Grrl Sco11ts 1n:rt amazed by Daisy's jttulry little girl, knew the founder of Girl Scouting. "She must have been 85 if she was a day, and this Artistic Revelations Jo,·elr woman took us mto a room at the Low mansion and told the girls 1t was the place where Juliette Gordon Low pursued art seriously in the first Girl Scout charter had been signed." many forms. She painted in oils. sculpted in sev­ says Cheryl. "She even told the girls a story eral media. and e,·en forged l!On to create the about what an animal Jo,·er Daisy was and how magnificent wrought l!On gates that grace the she had a favorite pet bird." Birthplace's beautiful garden. The highlight for Cheryl was seeing the girls It was Daisy's artistic ability that surprised make decisions as a group on their first big trip junior Troop 2050 from the Girl Scout Council of together. "These girls are really bonded because the Nation's Capttal (Washington, D.C.) when they've been together since Daisy Girl Scouts, they visited with their leader, Debbie Sylvester. but the trip helped bring them even closer. They "The girls were really astonished by the variety want to keep traveling to places like Our Cabafia of media that DaiS} worked in and ,,;th such great and Our Chalet. The trip to the Birthplace made skill, especially those gates," says Debbie. them want to go on many other trips," says While there, the girls participated in "Pop Cheryl. Goes the \\'easel." a special interest session Some girls return from the Birthplace with about textiles. "The} really enjoyed the session, a new awareness of Datsy Low's expansive ar­ which was like takmg a tnp back in time. They tistic abilities, while others come back ,,;th the combed and carded wool and tried spinning. They knowledge of what it was like to be a Girl Scout even stttched little cards and watched a slide in 19th century Savannah. Abo,·e all, they carry show about how fibers are bound." she says. home ,,;th them the legaq of love and friendship :\lost touchmg of all to tlus leader- who has left by the founder of Gl!l Scouting. • been with her troop since they were Daisy Girl Scouts-was the pinning ceremony in the gar­ -Deborah Craven den. Visttmg Gl!l Scouts take part in a Girl Deborah Cratti!IS a u.riu:rftdrtor m GSL'SA's Prtblic Scouts' 0""11 where the "new daughters" of the brfonnatitm Ttam.

Girl Scout ·Leader/Srmrmer 1991 23 An International Perspective

G irl Scout adults can use their leadership Lebanon, she was a Girl Guide leader. became a skills in creative positions unique to our inter­ trainer for the Arab world, and eventually served national ~lovemenL Heading the list are the as International Commissioner for Girl Guiding in Guiders-in-Charge at three world centers of the Lebanon. "Girl Scouting definitely makes a dif­ World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts ference," Maha believes. "If you take where I Reflec­ (WAGGGS). By managing Our Cabana in Mex­ grew up in Lebanon. and with the war, if I ico, Our Chalet in Sv.itzerland, and Sangarn in weren't a Girl Guide I wouldn't ha\'e survived tions of India, these women help to color the world\\ide what I survi\·ed for fifteen years." complexion of Girl Scouting. Sangam's ~largaret Harriet Edmond became a Brownie Girl Three "Ylorgan, Our Cabana's Harriet Edmond, and Our Guide in her nam·e Scotland when she was six Chalet's Maha Salhani share the belief that Girl years old. Her mother, who was also her troop World Scouting forges strong bonds of sisterhood leader, had been a Girl Guide when she was a across races, classes, ethnicities, and religions. child. Harriet moved with her family to Canada Associa- "At Sangam," says Margaret Morgan, who when she was 17. and has spent most of her adult has been Guider-in-Charge there since 1990, life in the Canadian Armed Forces and in Girl tion "there are no strangers. only friends we ha\•e not Guiding. She recently retired after 22 years of met yet." Harriet Edmond, who took charge at armed forces duty and is a member of the Order Women Our Cabana in 1989, has observed how the inter­ of Military Merit, an honor bestowed on only one national experience "helps girls recognize their percent of the Canadian military. "My Girl Guid­ similarities." She says girls from different parts ing experiences," she believes. "helped me to of the world quickly disco\·er they like "the same earn it." rock group, or the same kinds of clothes, no mat­ ·while semng in a \'anety of rrulitary posts ter where they come from. Girls take what they from Canada to Egypt and places in between, learn from such discoveries home with them Harriet has also been a Girl Guide Western where they can assume leadership roles in help· Hemisphere trainer and worked at the World Bu­ ing others learn the importance of diversity and reau in London. When attached to the Canadian intema tiona! friendship." Mission to the United Nations as a military ad­ \iser from 1978 to 1981. Harriet did training for Growing lJp in the Movement the Girl Scout Council of Greater ~ew York. Margaret Morgan, too, began her career as Margaret Morgan, Harriet Edmond, and a Brownie Girl Scout. She later became a Girl Maha Salhani, Guider-in-Charge at Our Chalet, Guide when, at the age of nine, she moved to also share another characteristic. They have all Australia following her dad's transfer there. been in Girl Scouting since they were girls. When she returned to the States, she became a Boasting a 29-year membership, Maha Sal­ Senior Girl Scout in Peoria, ID., in a troop led by bani has been a Brownie, a Guide, and a leader her mother. Throughout her childhood travels, and believes that "Girl Guiding is the school of she observes, ''Girl Scouting has provided con­ life." Indeed, it has been an important influence tinuity in my life." throughout her life. Fluent in Arabic and French Like her Guider-in-Charge colleagues, Mar­ as well as English, Maha attended schools in Leb­ garet has also held a host of positions in Girl anon and studied at Cambridge University in Scouting. She has been a troop leader (and taken England. While teaching 12 to 17 year-olds in troops to Our Cabana), a member of GSUSA's

24 Girl Scout Leader/Summer 1991 ALL PHOTOS BY National Board of Directors (1984-1987), and a RON FRANCIS member of the Our Chalet Committee. She also ran the Helen Storrow Session at Our Chalet in 1986, has attended three world conferences, and was recently named honorary associate of WAGGGS. Margaret says that while she is in­ deed "grateful for her American citizenship," she has "always felt that I was more a world person. I learned as a child to see other perspectives." She smiles as she adds, "Even my license plate says WAGGGS." Margaret has a home in At­ lanta, but her furniture is in storage. "Where,·er I live is home," she says. Her two daughters, .\/argaret ,\forgan aged 17 and 21, both former Girl Scouts and cur­ rent college students, are "\'ery supporti,·e of my decision to take the Sangam position."

"The True Girl Scouting Gift"

Yet another similarity :\1aha, :\1argaret, and Harriet share is a strong belief in the importance Harriet Edmond of the international aspects of Girl Scouting. International opportunities make Girl Scout­ true Girl Scouting life." She also makes a plea ing unique, Margaret believes and adds, "Our for proper preparation before making the journey (non-governmental organization) status with the to any of the world centers. "Sometimes," she United Nations gives us potential for influence." says, "girls come not even knowing on a map She says that opportunities for international ex­ where they are. Some haven't known the differ­ periences can be a powerful tool for girl retention ence between Switzerland and Swaziland." as well. The opportunity to take part in an interna­ :Making new friends and learning about other tional adventure in Girl Scouting can add a rich cultures are two potential outcomes of partici­ new dimension to a girl's experience in the move­ pating in international Girl Scout experiences that ment. And it can make real the fact that ours is can ha\'e long-term effects. "It's a growing ex­ truly an international sisterhood that is shared perience," says Harriet. And, she pleads, adults worldwide. The potential should not be taken as well as girls should be encouraged to \'isit the lightly, says Maha: "\\'hen you think that we are world centers. eight million Girl Scouts in 118 countries, that :vlaha echoes the "new friendship'' theme. means we can really do something!" • "Wherever I go, I ha\'e Girl Guide and Girl Scout friends. I know at least one person in every WAGGGS country." She advises Girl Guides and ~lilly Hawk Daniel Girl Scouts everywhere to "come and meet other Milly Hawk Dame/ ts a semor program specialist in people, other cultures, a different way of life, the GSUSA's Program Group.

Girl Scout Leader/Summer 1991 25 Helping the Hungry

L. closest many of us get to the problem of world hunger are late-night television commer­ cials that flash images of starving children in Helping the hungry became a troop project some distant locale. How many of us really con­ front the problem on a daily basis? What can we Mr. Jazairy gathered the rest of the girls Thinking do individually as well as collectively? around him and asked if they'd like to help him Consider the efforts of Cadette Troop 189 fight world hunger. ''Before we knew what was Globally, from Little Cloud Girl Scout Council (Dubuque, going on, we heard the girls yelling out 'Yes! Iowa) who tackled an ambitious service project We'll do it!' " relates Diane Erickson, who has Acting to alleviate world hunger. been the girls' leader since the Bro,,'Ilie Girl After seeing an article in their hometov.'Il of Scout level. Locally Elkader about World Food Conference Day to be The girls had been working on their own to held on October 16, 1990, the nine girls and their eliminate hunger in their own backyard. On Hal­ leaders, Diane Erickson and Glennda Dennler, loween 1990, they went trick-or-treating in their volunteered to serve dinner at the event. Among Girl Scout uniforms. collecting 306 pounds of food the many speakers was Idriss jazairy, president and S17 in cash for the local food pantry. After of the International Fund for Agricultural Devel­ collecting the food. the girls boxed and delivered opment (IFAD), a United )lations agency that it to 87 homeless and hungry families. teaches Third World farmers - many of them "Since Elkader is a small town of only 1,400 women-self-sustaining methods of food produc­ people, we wanted the girls to realize that hungry tion. people exist in other places." says Diane Erick­ son, who along with her co-leader, drove the girls A Special Friendship 60 miles away to a shelter in Dubuque. Along with other volunteers and core staff at the cen­ After serving a three-course meal to 85 dis­ ter, the girls served a hot meal to the hungry tinguished guests, the girls, dressed in their Girl group. Scout uniforms, were asked by Mr. Jazairy to The girls and their leaders also wrote a come up front so he could formally recognize script to accompany a slide show which illustrates them before he began his speech. what the girls have learned about world hunger. The following day, the troop attended the It was shown on Thinking Day at Little Cloud dedication of the Peace Pole in :\1ascara Park, Girl Scout Council, and is scheduled to be shown where once again ~. Jazairy was the keynote at local and area community groups throughout speaker. He posed ,.,.ith the girls for photo­ the year. graphs, which he said would be published in the Cadette Troop 189 has been in\ited to go to IF AD publication of the United Nations that is the United :\ations in October 1991 and present distributed to 125 nations in four languages. the slides to Mr. ]azairy along \\ith the money After the photo session ended, Mr. Jazairy they earned to contribute to the cause. • struck up a conversation with Jennifer Erickson. He asked about her badges and their meanings. Jennifer told him many of the badges symbolized -Deborah Craven service projects through which Girl Scouts Deborah Crarm is a writer/editor i11 GSUSA's Public helped people in need. Information Team.

26 Girl Scout Leader/Summer 1991 The Value of Friendship

1doesn't cost a dime. You needn't be rich, Girl Scouting is a prime example of such an famous, or beautiful to do it successfully. In outlet. Young children have a chance to build and truth. making and keeping friends is as essential develop social skills, while adult volunteers dis­ as food and shelter. cover they have a "built-in" family of sisters in Our Our socialization process begins in child­ Girl Scouting. Girls and adults alike repeatedly hood, when we gra\~tate toward others who mir­ emphasize the importance of the all-girl setting; ror our personalities or complement them. Chil­ an environment that provides strong female role Priceless dren, who don't harbor ingrained attitudes, seem models and concerned peers. It's also a prime to make new friends quicker than adults, whose opportunity to cultivate cross-generational Human criteria for companionship become more de­ friendships and build mutual respect. manding with age. Network However, gender-linked differences are in­ Transcending Class and Race volved in social development, and these patterns tend to perpetuate through adulthood, say ex­ Girl Scouting is able to break down other perts. Dr. Deborah Belle, of Boston University's potential barriers to friendship. Dr. Belle points psychology department, explains, "Boys and girls out, "Indeed, friendship can transcend class and exhibit markedly different patterns in their atti­ race issues. Girl Scouting is good for that, be­ tudes toward friendship. Girls prefer to relate to cause it gets people together in a situation of people one-on-one. You see a lot of talking, mu­ equal status. ·when the status is equal, it's a ven­ tual self-disclosure, more exclusive relation­ ture that requires teamwork." ships." Boys, on the other hand. "talk less, pre­ Anti-social behavior often is rooted in child­ fer group settings, and are activity-oriented. hood experiences, but adult intervention can With boys, there is a hierarchy; \\ith girls, there make an enonnous impact. Encourage the girls is more equality." in your troop to discuss their differences calmly Adults maintain these patterns as well. Have and objecth·ely. Foster goodwill by defusing po­ you noticed how men will converge to watch a tentially explosh·e situations (nasty name-calling, ballgame, work on a car, or play cards, while accusations, bullying or "ganging up"). Let the women will get together simply to chat about girls know that disruptive behavior will not be their kids or confide family troubles? tolerated. Of course, you never can force chil­ Psychologists are now beginning to question dren into relationships, but you can nudge them the "macho" male stance- keep a stiff upper lip, along by pointing out sinlilarities and comparing hold yow· emotions in, and don't exhibit extreme differences. sensitivity. Experts believe that one of the main As for you, why not make a vow to cultivate reasons divorced men and widowers go to pieces at least one new friendship a year? Get to know is because their wives pro,ided their primary, someone who lives on the other side of town, or and most socially acceptable, source of nurtur­ is considerably older or younger, or has a com­ ance. In our society, it is deemed ''unmanly" for pletely different set of values. After all, aren't men frankly to discuss their problems with each friendship and Girl Scouting synonymous? • other or seek help from friends or counselors. Women provide a strong supportive network -Marianne Ilaw and have numerous outlets from which they draw .'-1ariamze Ilaw is senior writer/editor in GSUSA's Public strength and courage in times of trouble. Jnjorm.ation Team.

Girl Scout'Liader!Summer 1991 27 Gambling: A Drug-Free Addiction

E t it was alcohol. Then, marijuana and co­ Commission, 230,000 underage wagerers were caine, followed by deadly addictive crack. What denied entry to Atlantic City's lllicensed casinos possibly could be left? As unbelievable as it last year. An additional 23,000 minors were es­ sounds, compulsive gambling seems to be the corted out of casinos. Helping next addiction striking America's already belea­ guered youth. What Is Compulsive Gambling? Teens to According to experts who track trends in youth, gambling-related problems are overtaking For most people who gamble, the activity is Break the drug addiction as the most prevalent problem an occasional recreational pursuit. For others, among teenagers. Durand Jacobs, Ph.D., chief of however, the action of gambling provides a feel­ Habit psychology at the Veterans Administration Hos­ ing of intense excitement. power, and powerful pital in Lorna Linda, Calif., recently completed anticipation. These gamblers become dependent the first overview on underage gambling. on the action in the same way they might get He concluded that approximately seven mil­ hooked on drugs or alcohol. lion high school-age students gamble on a regular Called the in'isible disease because it has no basis and that, of those. more than one million physical symptoms. compulsive gambling is de­ are experiencing senous problems. Jacobs de­ fined as "the chronic and progressive impairment fines adolescents with serious problems as of the ability to resist the impulse to gamble, and "those who admitted they would like to quit gam­ interference in function (in interpersonal relation­ bling but could not, or those who stated their ships, work, family , and financial matters) due to gambling is out of control." Dr. Jacobs calls gam­ gambling behavior." bling "the gro\\ing addiction of the 1990s, \\ith Robert Custer, a psychiatrist and pioneer in the favorite bet for high schoolers being the the treatment of the disease, characterizes com­ lottery." pulsive gambling as developing in tllree stages: winning. losing, and desperation. Wheel of Fortune Mentality In the winning stage, initial luck and small wins give the gambler a feeling of euphoria and Although it is illegal for people under 18 to the unrealistic expectation that the "big win" is buy lottery tickets in most states, enforcement just around the comer. is lax. More than 30 states and the District of In the losing stage. unreasonable optimism Columbia now operate lotteries. Re,·enues na­ leads to increases in betting frequency and in­ tionwide are expected to exceed 20 million, mak­ creases in losses. As losses mount, the gambler ing lottomania the second largest form of ganl­ begins to "chase'' losses. ("Chasing" is gambling bling after casinos. In Wisconsin alone, residents in an attempt to win money back.) The search spend Sl million a day on tickets. So phenomenal for money to pay back debts usually involves de­ has been the growth of state lotteries-revenue ceitfulness, lying, and cheating. has tripled since 1982-that some members of The bailout is the last stage and is viewed Congress now are suggesting a national lottery. by the gambler as a magical bonanza that liber­ Teenagers also are getting into casinos, ates him or her from the a!J-consUllling obsession where the legal age for admission IS 21; some are with gambling. Parents and other relatives often even treated to complimentary drinks. According are approached during this phase to borrow to officials at the New Jersey Casino Control money to pay off debts. Check forgery, embez-

28 G~rl Scout Leader/Summer 1991 zlement, and theft also 1s common. What Leaders Can Do Rather than soh·e the problem, me bailout often ushers in the de~peration stage: a period Like other forms of addictive beha\ior, the of greatly accelerated gambling with an increase first-line defense is prevention. an area where in debt, a deterioration of functioning, depres­ Girl Scout leaders can clearly make a difference. sion, and despair. Leaders need to arm themselves with informa­ tion about teenage compulsive gambling and even How to Identify speak to girls on the danger of the invisible dis­ a Compulsive Gambler ease. Gue~t speakers from Gamblers Anony­ mous. literature. e,·en high school curricula, can Certain personality traits are exhibited by serve as teachmg tools. Approximately teenagers susceptible to this hidden high. The~ Don't offer to bail out a girl who may be are usually mtelligent, competitive, hardworking. gambling. Although it is natural to want to help seven million and \\illing to take risks They may display ex­ a girl in your troop, work out an arrangement aggerated self-confidence \\ith a tendency ro brag \\ith her so she knows the responsibility to pay high school-age about being the best or the brightest. grandio e back the debt i~ all hers. If she has taken money beha,ior that often ma~ks low self-esteem. from the troop treasur} or stolen from other Girls who are organizing therr li\·es more and girls, help her get a part-time job or take a loan students gamble more around gambling rna} exhibit one or more from her parents, but make sure she handles it of the following signs. Leaders should be aware herself. Leaders also should inform the girl's par­ on a regular of: ents about her gambling and let the family handle 1. Gambling paraphernalia (racing forms, the situation. basis lotte!) ticket~. betting sheets. casino chips. sou­ As for treatment, a combmed approach is ventrs from gambling places, and betting senrices often the best solution. Attending Gamblers literature). Anonymous meetings along with individual or 2. A keen interest in sports that could mask group therapy may be needed to address the un­ an obsession with point spreads. A girl obsessed derlying problems. \\lth a game score rna} have a lot riding on it. Girl Scout leaders can play a major role in 3. L'nexplained debts or wealth. helping to pre,·ent tlus epidem1c ocial problem 4. ~lysterious telephone calls from that ''ill only get worse. Awarene:;s is the first strangers and secret telephoning. step. "Gambling in America 1s at the stage of 5. Lnexplained absences from school or public awareness alcoholism was forty to fifty troop meetings or events. years ago," says Durand jacobs. who supports a 6. L~ing. cheating, or stealing. massive education campaign on the dangers of 7. Tr}ing to comince other girls to take a gambling and a\·ailability of treatment. trip to a horse track or casino. "It's the best-kept secret in America. 8. S1gns of depress1on or anxiety such as a They've got to understand that you can get change m sleep or eatmg patterns. in trouble gambling. They just don't know 9. Increased preoccupation. emotional dis­ that." • tance, and worr} . -Deborah Craven 10. Withdrawal from social groups or activ- DtboraJJ Craun IS a 1rntrr1tditor m GSUS.-l's Pubil< it1es. /nfomJa/Jon Tram.

G1rl Scout LeadcriSummrr 1991 29 Making a Stand for Decent Speech

E the past 21 years, the American public has ments, "Children today-from nice families and backed efforts to eliminate or reduce all kinds of good schools-often use coarse, ugly language, environmental pollution. As a result, certain full of sexual insults .... Boys, it seems, ha,·e standards now apply to the air we breathe, the always had access to this vocabulary; what soil we cultivate, the water we drink. But over comes as a surprise is that these days girls use "Words this same period of time, one pollutant has pro­ 'bad' language too." She makes the point that Matter'' liferated to the point where no standards seem when children are little, we teach them not to hit to apply at all. Vulgar language, obscenities, and other children; in much the same way, not teach­ racial slurs have become as commonplace today ing a young person to avoid foul language is ab­ as the belching smokestacks of the past. dicating responsibility. Which words are "bad'' or unacceptable? Some dictionaries affix labels to such words that Original Meanings Are Lost serve as a guide, should the reader need one. American Heritage II, for example, uses the la­ The four-letter words, the vulgarities, the bels "vulgar," "obscene," and "offensive," ex­ racial, sexual, and ethnic slurs are well on their plaining, "The label vulgar warns of social taboos way to becoming devoid of their original mean­ attached to a word. A term that is considered to ings and merely knee-jerk reactions. Girls and violate accepted standards of decency is labeled boys who hear and use these words may not even obscene. The label offensive is reserved for terms be aware of their meanings; all they know is the such as racial slurs that are not only insulting and words make them feel grown up. They ha\'e to derogatory, but a discredit to the user as well." be taught it's taboo, just as they were taught that In his book Van Wi11kle's Retum: Change in playing \\~th matches was taboo when they were American English, 1966-1986, lexicographer toddlers. Most adults would agree to this: unfor­ Kenneth G. Wilson notes, "Expressions nearly tunately, many will pass the buck when it comes everyone had considered obscene or vulgar and to taking on the job of censor. had therefore severely restricted in use just a If the problem exists in your Girl Scout couple of decades ago seemed now to ha'e won troop, try asking the girls what they mean to tolerance, if not acceptance, in all sorts of new convey when they use foul language-anger, situations and in the mouths of all sorts of new scorn. rebellion? Then ask if such words really speakers." Such language, he observes, once re­ clarify such feelings. Does anyone pay attention stricted to the barracks and the locker room, now to meaningless epithets, or do they only elicit rings in nearly everyone's ears, spevving forth similar mindless responses, arousing hostility from uncensored cable television shows and mov­ rather than furthering communication. ies and out of the mouths of women and children. Humans have a rich store of words to artic­ The free speech movement of the sixties ulate thoughts and emotions. They mean much may be to blame for the collapse of social more than the four-letter slurs. It may take a standards governing manners and speech, say little conscious thought - a split second of self­ some sociologists. But that was then and this is restraint- for a girl to choose the appropriate now, and parents and adults who work with words to fit a situation. But, as Susan Ferraro young people are beginning to cry "enough." In observes, "Words matter; restraint is not always "Small-Fry Swearing" (The New York Times confinement." • Magazine, July 29, 1990), Susan Ferraro Ia- -Patricia Stoddard

30 Girl Sc:o11l Ltader/S11mmer 1991 GSUSA's Annual Report

L. 1990 Annual Report design aptly captures portunity to do something good for their com­ the spirit of its theme and focus: opportunities. munity. In 1990, more than three million Girl Opportunities for fun, friendship and leadership; Scouts joined forces to tackle the problem of il­ the development of self-esteem through service; literacy through a nationwide service project reaching out to all girls; and the development of called "Right to Read." Largest enduring values . One way GSUSA reaches out and serves The year 1990 was eventful and productive. others is through its National Centers for Inno· Total GSUSA launched a national literacy project, and vation. At the center in Texas, projects are un· reached out to more girls through our National derway to serve girls and adults in Spanish­ 1'vfember­ Center for Innovation. And we completed two speaking areas. remarkable studies: The Girl Scouts Survey on Meanwhile, successful outreach continues in ship in the Beliefs and l\loral Values of America's Chil­ southern California. Seven innovative projects dren, and Girl Scouts: \\bo \Ve Are. What We and their spin-offs are in de\·elopment at eight 16 Years Think. councils. This includes "Daisy Girl Scouts-Head In the latter survey. Girl Scouts told us that Start on Literacy." their favorite acti\ities were tra,·el and camping. In 1990, GSUSA announced a national initia­ In 1990, approximately 1,600 Girl Scouts trav­ ti\·e to join \\ith America's schools to extend Girl eled throughout the nation to participate in spe· Scouting to girls who have not yet been reached. cia! events called \\ider opportunities. A new resource guide, Girl Scouting in the School The survey also supports the importance of Day, was developed to help implement the the girl/adult partnership. Nine out of ten Girl project. Scouts expressed satisfaction \Vith the adults And in 1990,_Focus on Ability: Serving Girls who work with them and said that opportunities with Special Needs was published. The book for leadership and participation are greater in presents ways to help girls with a disability to their Girl Scout troops than in their own class­ participate in the mainstream of Girl Scouting. rooms. In 1990, approximately 2,500 Senior Girl Membership Scouts earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest achievement in Girl Scouting. This award GS'CSA saw its largest total membership in recognizes outstanding accomplishments in the 16 years. when its ranks swelled to 3,268,630 as areas of leadership, community senice, career of September 30, 1990, an increase of 3.2 per­ planning. and personal development. cent over the same period in 1989. Because volunteers make Girl Scouting pos· Girl Scouting continues to make steady gains sible, adult training and development are a high in racial/ethnic minority membership, increasing priority. In 1990, 300 volunteers were certified 5.9 percent in the last year. Reported racial/ as Girl Scout council instructors-of-trainers. ethnic membership reached 455,443, represent­ o,·er 2,400 adults attended 74 courses offered at ing 14.0 percent of aU girl and adult members. GSt.JSA's Edith Macy Conference Center. This Gains in adult membership have also been was also the year that the Certificate Program in impressi\'e, now standing at 788,360, an increase Nonprofit Management was introduced. of 5 percent This represents the highest adult One of the most highly rated benefits of Girl membership in the history of Girl Scouting. • Scouting cited by girls in the survey was the op·

Girl Scout Leader/Summer 1991 31 I These Brott'nie Girl Scouts and their leader are enjoying a tdder opportunity as they play games outdoors on a day trip in late spring. This issue's centerfold explores widel' ops at cwy age level.

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