Girl Scouts have been earning their Highest Awards, having fun on field trips, working on badges, and much more. Check out this month’s Mission Moment Recap.

Enjoying Beach Bash

Dauphin County troops 10045 and 11113 attended Beach Bash at Morey’s Pier in Wildwood, N.J. They used their Cookie money to fund the trip, which included sleeping on the beach for two nights, enjoying free admission to Morey Pier’s amusement park, swimming in the ocean, and exploring the boardwalk. They also tie dyed troop shirts and painted rocks as part of troop 11113’s Bronze Award project. When wind gusts caused other tents to uproot, the girls ran around with extra stakes and shovels to help right the tents. Sounds like a great way to be a sister to every Girl Scout!

Exploring the outdoors in Luzerne County

Girl Scouts from troop 33265 went camping at Camp Louise. They completed the Seeking Sasquatch program, a patch created by Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington. The troop survived the rainy weather but sadly didn’t find Sasquatch.

Members of troop 33265 also enjoyed attending a camporee with Service Unit 331. The girls had a blast competing in Olympic games against other troops, and the girls participated in the morning flag ceremony.

Honoring the flag in Dauphin County

Girl Scout troop 12300 performed the flag ceremony for the opening of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs Middle Atlantic Conference held at the Sheraton in Harrisburg. In addition to learning the inspiring origins of this organization, which were rooted in the suffrage movement, the girls had the added benefit of meeting the Honorable Wanda R.D. Williams, Mayor of the City of Harrisburg.

Cookie fun in Cumberland County

While working on arts and crafts at a recent meeting, girls and volunteers from troop 10629 enjoyed snacks of Girl Scout cookies. They also got a little silly, deciding that a Venus fly trap should eat the cookies as well!

Earning an equine badge in Lycoming County

Troop 62019 spent their Sunday meeting at Empower Stride in Muncy, a nonprofit organization that uses horses to help women and children learn to trust again. The troop learned basic horse education, grooming, tacking, leading, and riding skills. They also had full troop participation for earning their horse badges.

Going to bat for butterflies

Junior troop 10045 in Dauphin County built a bat house and a butterfly house while researching the benefits of having each house in their local nature garden. Girls then presented their researched to a packed house borough meeting. The girls also purchased and planted two butterfly bushes with their Cookie money to help butterflies find their new home. What a way to help the Earth, girls!

Centre County troop earns Bronze Award

Junior troop 40223 from State College earned their Bronze Award by creating a sensory garden on the grounds of a local school to promote wellness and mental health awareness. They worked in small groups to develop plans, present a proposal to the principal, source recycled materials, research with experts, build structures, restore the garden, beautify the space, and create interactive features. To share the garden, they created a QR code that directs attendees to a webpage so that Girl Scouts can learn about and build upon the space for years to come.

Dauphin County troop goes green

Four girls from troop 10538 attended Girl Scout Art Day hosted by Community 153 at Wildwood Park. Tess, Adeline, Sutton, and Meadow completed their Outdoor Art Explorer badges. After doing some nature crafts organized by Community 153, they took a walk on the trails to observe the environment and view the natural art installations. They also visited the Olewine Nature Center and learned about the watershed, native species, and sustainable practices.

Members of Lancaster County troop achieve Bronze Award

Four girls in troop 70585 in Lancaster County learned about rain gardens and how they help wildlife, which was their goal for their Bronze Award. They visited local rain gardens to see how they looked and worked, performed their own research, created a website, and ultimately planted a rain garden with over 120 native plants! After learning that native plants help pollinators and birds and protect mammals, they were excited to plant them in their garden. The garden was planted in a corporate center so it will really help in reducing run-off and be attractive to visitors.

Wizarding World Camp in Dauphin County

The leaders of Brownie troop 10731 and Daisy troop 10730 put on Wizarding World Camp for the girls in the two troops. It was a weekend filled with magic which included making their very own wand. They held Potion Class, Transfiguration Class, Herbology Class, and Charms Class. There was also time for hiking and outdoor games. They ended Saturday evening with s’mores and Wizard Bingo. Sounds like a magical time!

Showing civic pride in Cumberland County

Lily Holsinger, an Ambassador in troop 11467 and Meadow Holsinger, a Junior in troop 10538, volunteered at the Get Out The Vote event hosted by the YWCA on Sept 5. Good job showing your Girl Scout spirit!

Loving the drive-in in Lycoming County

On a September evening, Girl Scouts from all over central Pennsylvania gathered with their families for a special movie night at the Pike Drive-In Theatre in Montgomery. The event brought together approximately 100 Girl Scouts and family members combined for an unforgettable night under the stars featuring two films. The atmosphere was lively as families arrived early to set up lawn chairs, spread out blankets, and prepare for a fun-filled evening. The event was designed to offer the Girl Scouts and their loved ones a chance to relax, enjoy time together, and strengthen their community bonds .As the credits rolled on the final movie, families packed up their blankets and lawn chairs, but the excitement and joy from the evening lingered long after. For many, it was a reminder of the strength of the Girl Scout community and the lasting impact of events that bring people together. The leaders of troop 62057 and Service Unit 642 expressed their gratitude to all the families who attended, as well as to the Pike Drive-In for hosting the event. The organizers hope to continue this tradition in future years, with plans already being discussed for more family-friendly events that foster connection, growth, and—of course—fun.

Bridging and a court of awards

Girl Scouts from troop 10840 in Dauphin County had a court of awards and bridging ceremony on Sept. 15. The ceremony was held at Italian Lake in Harrisburg. They had six Daisies bridge to Brownies and four Brownies bridge to Juniors. Cadette Girl Scouts from troop 10286 help welcome girls as they crossed the bridge. The Girl Scouts helped plan the ceremony and the troop is very excited for all the fun adventures they have planned for the upcoming Girl Scout year.

Submit a Mission Moment today so we can showcase your Girl Scouts’ recent experiences and accomplishments next month! Visit our Mission Moment Recap webpage on the GSHPA Blog to see more Mission Moments from previous months.

*All Mission Moment information is submitted by volunteers/members. Should you have any questions regarding a submission, please email cmolitoris@gshpa.org.