Whether camping under the stars or volunteering at a soup kitchen on a cold winter’s day, the Girl Scouts of the USA are stronger than ever. What began with barely 20 participants 100 years ago, has grown to more than 3 million members across the country today, providing girls with the skills and values that will stay with them into adulthood.
That’s worth celebrating.
The Girl Scouts have declared 2012 “The Year of the Girl,” and there are plenty of celebrations to commemorate the centennial year, including the creation of Savannah Smiles, a special addition to their famous fundraiser cookie sale. Named after Girl Scout founder Juliette Low’s Georgia birthplace, it’s a lemon wedge cookie dusted with powdered sugar.
Beginning this month, Staten Island’s Historic Richmond Town is hosting an interactive educational experience that explores the Girl Scouts. Called “A Century of Honor,” the exhibit runs from Feb. 11 through March 18, and kicks off with a historic uniform fashion show on Feb. 11.
On June 9, 200,000 girls and adults from around the world will gather at the National Mall in Washington for a sing-along. Additionally, troops everywhere are committing themselves to 100 hours of community service.
The Girl Scout organization was founded 100 years ago by Low who was interested in the Boy Scouts’ youth movement and felt girls should also have the opportunity to step into the outdoors and develop skills in self-reliance and resourcefulness. So, on March 12, 1912, she gathered together 18 girls and registered them as the first class of Girl Scouts.
Since then, it has grown to more than 3.7 million members, and has given these young women skills that will prepare them for not only traditional homemaking, but for roles as professionals in business, science, and the arts. It offers scholarship and travel opportunities, and each troop is involved in community service.
Mother and daughter Marie Kulikowski and Rose Gilleece have been teaming up with their Girl Scout troops at the New Utrecht Reformed Church in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn for more than 20 years, and have enjoyed every minute spent as part of the organization.
Kulikowski feels that scouting brings out the best qualities in young people by teaching them about all aspects of life. Her troops have collected food for pantries and toys for needy tots, and they are currently learning about first aid, and plan to visit a nursing home in the spring.
“It’s very rewarding to be a part of a girl’s life, and to know that in some way you’ve made a difference,” says Kulikowski. “I enjoy being with the girls, and they’ve also touched my life.”
Mary Tomasulo-Mariano is a mother of four daughters who have all reaped the benefits of being a part of the Girl Scouts. Tomasulo-Mariano was also a Scout and is still a volunteer member. Their favorite Girl Scout cookies are Thin Mints and Samoas.
Historic Uniform Fashion Show at Historic Richmond Town [441 Clark Ave. at Richmond Hill Road in Staten Island, (718) 967-0010] Feb. 11, with seatings at 10 am, 11:30 am, 2 pm and 3:30 pm. Registration required. “A Century of Honor,” an interactive historical experience celebrating the centennial of the Girl Scouts of the USA, will also be presented at Historic Richmond Town from Feb. 11-March 18. For more, visit www.acenturyofhonor.com.
To get involved in the Girl Scouts, contact the Girl Scouts Council of Greater New York at (212) 645-4000, or visit www.girlscoutsnyc.org.
