From her first meeting as a second grader to more than 30 years of Girl Scouts leadership and advocacy, Jan Aurant of Smithfield Township, Huntingdon County, believes keeping girls first and foremost makes everything else fall into place.

From managing the Cookie Cupboard to troop leader, Service Unit Lead and day camp counselor – to name a few of her many roles – Aurant is the “go to” person for the local school district, Trunk or Treat events, Girl Scout recruiting and anywhere she’s needed to pitch in.

“Jan works with everyone. People (of the Huntingdon County) area know about Girl Scouts because of Jan, and she’s in it to make sure her girls and her leaders get the best,” said Sheri Kline, Girl Scout in the Heart of Pennsylvania Volunteer and Alumnae Engagement Manager.

Aurant said her family’s support is a big part of her ability to do so much for Girl Scouts.

“My husband, Larry, my daughter, Jennifer, and my son, David, show up for cookie deliveries, fall product deliveries and running forgotten items to a meeting for me. I can’t do what I do without them,” she said.

She said the girls are the reason she has made a life-long commitment to Girl Scouts. “I enjoy watching them grow and experience new things they might never get to do or experience,” she explained, “and I like to think they take their experiences from Girl Scouts and apply them to their college lives and beyond.”

A patient person by nature, Aurant believes patience is a critical quality in a Girl Scout leader. She also is goal-oriented, which helps drive meetings, projects and activities from planning to completion.

“I set goals for myself, my troop and my Service Unit, and then I go and do everything I can to achieve those goals,” Aurant explained.

She hopes her girls will take fond memories with them as they grow into adulthood and start their professional lives.

“I hope the girls remember all the fun trips we’ve taken. I hope they remember all of their ‘firsts’ in my Girl Scout troop and that if they needed anything, I was always there for them,” Aurant said.

Her eagerness and willingness to step in, step up and get the job done is an attribute she models for her girls.

“I encourage the girls to participate and help them to complete activities – even when they (are) not cooperating,” she said.

Engaging the girls by letting them help plan service projects, badge activities, parties and trips is another way to build their confidence and help them develop.

Aurant credits those who have mentored and trained her along the way in Girl Scouts as contributing to her dedication. She encourages anyone considering Girl Scout service to be willing to take the risk, make mistakes, be honest and ask for help when it’s needed.

“Always put the girls first, show the girls respect, always listen – even when you don’t have time – and always tell them the truth,” Aurant said.