School is back in session and the Girl Scouts are recruiting. Troop activities go far beyond cookie sales and arts and crafts.
“Through our exciting and challenging programs, Girl Scouts not only participate but also take the lead in a range of activities – from kayaking, archery, and camping, to coding, robotics, financial literacy training, and beyond!” said Jilian Murphy, of the Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains.
“In the Peterborough region, there are approximately 11 troops within the ConVal School District as well as one to two troops in the Mascenic Regional School District,” she said.
Heather Schoff is the leader of “combined mega-troop” 10638 in Greenville, comprised of Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, and Cadettes from Greenville and New Ipswich. She said that last year, they had close to 30 girls. This year, she expects a bunch of new Daisy Girl Scouts to sign up, making “a very young troop” overall. She said the troop is consolidated in part to make sure there are enough adults present for any given activity. “With more leaders, we can take more girls,” she said.
Schoff said the GSGWM council organizes open house and Discover Girl Scouts events, where interested girls can meet local scouts and do a fun activity with them. She said her troop hosts their own additional recruitment event on the first Wednesday in October, where interested girls can meet current troop members over food and cake. Her girls help out with the town’s pumpkin festival and do an annual cookout.
There are several open house events already scheduled for this fall where area girls can get in touch with local troops:
■Florence Rideout Elementary School, 18 Tremont Street in Wilton, on Tuesday, Sept. 10 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
■Highbridge Hill Elementary School, 171 Turnpike Road in New Ipswich, on Thursday, Sept. 12 from 6 to 7 p.m.
■Mason Elementary School, 13 Darling Hill Road in Mason, on Thursday, Sept. 12 from 6 to 7 p.m.
■Peterborough Elementary School, 17 High Street in Peterborough, on Thursday, Sept. 19 from 6 to 7:15 p.m.
Local troops are entirely volunteer-run. Adult volunteers enable girls to have a scouting experience they might otherwise miss out on.
“As a volunteer, you’ll introduce girls to new experiences that show them they’re capable of more than they ever imagined. … You’ll be their cheerleader, guide, and mentor, helping them develop essential life skills and confidence that will last a lifetime. Imagine the excitement, the impact, the memories made – those are the moments you’ll share at Girl Scouts,” said Murphy.
Volunteer opportunities include troop leaders and co-leaders, cookie volunteers, service unit volunteers, and camp and seasonal volunteers. Murphy encouraged interested individuals and families to check the GSGWM website for information on joining a local troop, and for upcoming open houses and discovery events.
For a list of current troop opportunities and to learn more, visit https://www.girlscoutsgwm.org/join
To learn more about volunteering, visit https://www.girlscoutsgwm.org/volunteer or call (888) 474-9686
For a current list of upcoming events, visit https://www.girlscoutsgwm.org/activities.