The Trailblazer A Newsletter for Girl Scout Alumnae and Supporters Fall 2019 Vol. 6 Scaling mountains is a lesson in confidence Girl Scout Alexandra Herr reached all 48 of NH's highest peaks - by 6 years old Boundless energy and a love of the outdoors has defined Alexandra Herr since she was little. From the day she was born, her mother, Patricia "Trish" Herr of Campton, NH, vowed to instill a love of nature in her children, and by the time Alex was 5, Trish had her hik- ing adult-level mountain trails. Alex and her younger sister, Sage, are individual- ly registered Girl Scout members who are taking the Girl Scout goal of build- ing skills through outdoor experiences to new heights. Alex, 16, is busy completing her Girl Scout Gold Award project, called 13 Before 13. The Girl Scout Ambassador has created a list of hikes that children younger than 13 can enjoy in the White Alexandra Herr, 16, enjoyed the view from the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire Mountains of New Hampshire. The recently. Her Gold Award project is designed to involve children in hiking. (Courtesy photo) hikes are divided into easy, medium, they finish the whole list they earn a when you’re younger (helps with) fo- and hard levels, with a final hike of Lit- patch designed by Alex herself. The cus, mental wellbeing, appreciation of tle Haystack. Children choose the last concept of the project is to introduce nature, especially now with changing hike in each section themselves. As the children to hiking and to experience na- climate,” Alex said. “If people appreci- easy, medium and hard hikes are com- ture with a list of hikes that are fun and ate the environment, they’re more like- pleted, a child earns a sticker, and once suitable for younger children. ly to advocate for that in the future. If they enjoy it, it can be a bonding expe- “We enjoy hiking. It’s a big part of our rience with their family. If they don’t en- lives. It’s something that isn’t too daunt- joy hiking, they can enjoy other things ing,” she said of her list of 13 hikes. “I in nature.” want them to feel like this list was made for them...because it was! Ideally, this You might think Alex’s family had been list would introduce children to hiking avid hikers all along, but Trish Herr said and motivate them to move on to more it was Alex’s “over-the-top energy lev- difficult lists after they finish 13 Before els” that led to their outdoor adven- 13,” is how she describes the project in tures. She began hiking when Alex was her blog. She invites anyone interested just 3 years old. She homeschools her in taking on the challenge to hike with daughters, and has encouraged both to her and give her feedback. She’s eager document their hikes in blog form. At to see more girls out on the trails. first she took care of the blogging for This is the patch Alexandra Herr designed for those who take on her hiking challenge. “Just being in nature itself, especially Continued on Page 2 The Trailblazer A Newsletter for Girl Scout Alumnae and Supporters Council CEO Patricia Mellor Scaling mountains is a lesson in confidence Board of Directors Continued from Page 1 learn key life skills. Among the 42 new badges released by Girl Scouts of the President/Board Chair her girls, but as each reached the age of USA this summer are 12 Outdoor High Tara Pacht 13, she turned those duties over to them. Adventure badges, designed for girls to They also host a YouTube channel, pod- First Vice President explore nature and experience exciting casts, and do speaking engagements. Martha Manley outdoor adventures like backpacking, Second Vice President Trish has documented their family adven- snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, rock Katelyn PC Hudson tures in a book titled “Up.” In it, she de- climbing, and tree climbing – giving them Council Secretary scribes their adventures climbing all 48 the confidence to support one another, Susan Manning of New Hampshire’s highest mountains. take healthy risks, and spend dedicated Council Treasurer She says that “small doesn’t necessarily time in nature. These are the first Girl Eric Carlson mean weak; that girls can be strong; and Scout badges that members can earn by that big, bold things are possible.” choosing one of two self-directed paths. Members at Large Candice Benson “There’s a strength that comes from Getting girls outdoors is one of the four Star Dargin knowing you can do something on your pillars of the Girl Scout Leadership Expe- Maura Grogan own two feet,” she said, “and enjoy the rience, along with building skills in STEM, Courtney Morin surroundings around you.” life skills, and entrepreneurship. Peggy Piette Denise Vailllancourt She notices that solo hiking is becoming For more information about the 13 Before 13 Girl Representative less of a strictly male endeavor. “Both girls Program, please contact Customer Care at Emily Galeva hike solo a lot now,” she said. “For them to [email protected]. Julia Tilton do that requires knowledge, preparation, confidence – knowing you can take care of yourself. It’s very empowering. When Alumnae Advisory Board you grow up doing that on a regular basis, Chair you not only appreciate nature, you have Megan Cuddy confidence in yourself.” Members Having brought both girls up hiking, she Jacie Crump is enthusiastic about the emphasis Girl Candy Hamacher Scouts is putting on getting girls out- Abigail MacGregor Belle Pfeiffer doors. “I would love to see more troops of Colleen Settle Girl Scouts out there doing the hard core stuff (her girls) are doing.” Alex hopes to have her Gold Award work finished up later this year, as she hikes with more children on her trail list and For More Information gets their feedback. To donate to Girl Scouts of the The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest Green and White Mountains, visit: achievement in Girl Scouting, and a testa- girlscoutsgwm.org/donate. ment to the girls who earn it. Gold Award Girl Scouts have shown remarkable ded- To learn more, contact the Ad- ication to improving their communities vancement office by emailing and the world. For more than 100 years, advancement@girlscoutsgwm. Alexandra and Sage Herr climb the Caps Ridge Girl Scouts has provided girls with un- Trail on Mount Jefferson in June 2015. (Courtesy org or calling 888-474-9686. matched outdoor adventures where they Photo) The Trailblazer A Newsletter for Girl Scout Alumnae and Supporters Girl Scouts love the outdoors Save the Date G.I.R.L. Expo Dear friends, ral resources up close and in new ways. Due October 19, 2019 to the great success, we will offer another NH Sportsplex, Bedford, NH In the words of series of Girl Scouts Love State Parks pro- April 11, 2020 a special Camp grams in September 2020. Farnsworth song, DoubleTree by Hilton, this was a summer We also continue to train our troop leaders Burlington, VT many hundreds in a wide variety of outdoor skills. Over the The G.I.R.L. Expo focuses on of girls will never course of the past year, our team of volun- “everything exciting for girls” forget! Over the teers and staff have updated and revitalized including hands-on activities, STEM, outdoors, Take Action course of several our outdoor courses - designed to get more interactive zones, exhibitors, fun weeks, girls explored, challenged them- leaders comfortable with, and therefore workshops, live stage shows, selves, and made new friends. Whether more girls out in, the out-of-doors. Farns- raffles and more! If you, your they were climbing a rock or the four-sid- worth Weekend again brought adults and company, or someone you ed climbing tower, girls reached impres- older girls from across our council together know would like to be a part sive heights. Our camps were full of to kick off another great year. of G.I.R.L. Expo, contact us to songs, laughter, and amazing adventures. learn about all the ways you can This issue of The Trailblazer celebrates our participate! Learn more by visiting At Camp Farnsworth, we celebrated 110 focus on the out-of-doors. The outdoors has girlscoutsgwm.org/GirlExpo. summers of all-girl camping fun, bring- played a key role in our program from the Young Women of Distinction ing together alumnae from the 1940s very beginning and continues to provide ex- November 9, 2019 through today. A highlight was the unveil- citing experiences for girls today. Thank you NOAH's Event Center, ing of the Vermont historical marker cel- for making Girl Scout camp and Girl Scout Bedford, NH ebrating the vast reach of the Girl Scout outdoor programming possible. We are so November 10, 2019 camp experience. grateful for your support and friendship. Essex Community Education Center, Essex, VT Beyond our summer programs, girls are Yours in Girl Scouting, also on the move in the out-of-doors in The Young Women of Distinction event honors girls who have other ways. This year we celebrated our earned our highest awards, state parks with 10 new summer pro- including the Girl Scout Gold grams. Girls, their families and troops Patricia Mellor Award. Alumnae who are highest were able to hike, fish, learn outdoor pho- Chief Executive Officer, GSGWM award recipients are invited to join tography skills, and see our state’s natu- Gold Award Girl Scout us and be honored as well. RSVP to customer care by November 1.