One of the best things about Girl Scouts, said Heart of PA volunteer award recipient Brooke Rice, is that the organization offers a place for every girl.

“Not everyone can play sports, dance, play music etc., but with Girl Scouts and some modifications, every girl can participate,” said Rice, who is the leader of a multi-level troop in Cumberland County. Girls in her troop have faced challenges such as vision impairment, difficulty walking, ADD, ADHD, and more. “Sometimes we have to think outside the box, but we make sure to include each girl,” she said.

Rice, who was a Girl Scout growing up, signed her now-16-year-old daughter up for Girl Scouts after getting information on a local troop at a back-to-school night when her daughter was in kindergarten.

“Her first year, I stayed on the sidelines and helped where I was needed,” Rice recalled. “Her second year I was a Daisy leader and stayed in that role for a few years.” Then, about six years ago, a multi-level troop needed a leader, so Rice stepped up. She now calls herself more of a troop “manager,” handling behind-the-scenes paperwork and finances while relying on a group of moms to plan meetings for the troop, which includes girls from Daisies through Ambassadors.

Over the years, Rice has made countless memories through Girl Scouts. Winter camp events particularly stand out for her.

For some of these girls it’s the first time they have been away from home and to see them laugh and have fun makes all the prep work worth it.

BROOKE RICE

“Granted, this is a ton of work for me each year but so rewarding. Each winter we take the whole troop camping, approximately 30 to 35 girls of all levels,” she said. “We usually do a Journey while there and other crafty things, like bucket sit-upons or tie dye. For some of these girls it’s the first time they have been away from home and to see them laugh and have fun makes all the prep work worth it.”

She said a few years ago, her group implemented “camp buddies,” which has helped even more girls enjoy camping. “We pair up an older/experienced Girl Scout with a younger/first year camper,” she said. “This encourages the girls to work together and gives younger girls someone to look up to. The first thing girls ask when we start back in the fall is, ‘Are we going to winter camp again?’”

Rice, who works full time at Penn State Health Holy Spirit Hospital in outpatient cardiac rehab, enjoys reading, camping, watching her daughter play softball, going to concerts, and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Jeff, have been married for almost 19 years. They live in Newville and are the parents of two daughters as well as an 8-year-old lab dog named Bella and an 11-month-old pug puppy named Riley.

Offering advice to other people who may want to volunteer with Girl Scouts, Rice said, “Surround yourself with a group of dedicated, willing participants and just go with the flow. As long as the girls have a smile on their face at the end, you are doing something right. It does get difficult at times but again the impact you have on the girls makes it all worth it.”

And, while she emphasizes that Girl Scouts is all about the girls, she also points out the benefits volunteering has had for her personally. “Some of my best friends are my fellow Girl Scout moms,” she said.

Whether she’s leading her troop at winter camp or organizing paperwork for a new year of Girl Scouts, Rice is always focused on the girls.

“Some nights we just talk about things they are facing in life or school. Or we just have a game night or be outside,” she said. “We try to create a safe environment for girls to feel comfortable coming to us if they have a problem. For some of these girls the only normal, stable thing for them is our troop.”

She also loves that Girl Scouts teaches girls life lessons. “Last year our Senior troop earned their car care badge, including how to change a tire and jump a car. Our Juniors learned about budgets and needs vs wants. These are things girls need to know to be successful members of society.”

Written by Cathy Molitoris, Marketing Coordinator for Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania.