Helping the hungry, supporting veterans, celebrating friendship, and earning badges are just some of the great things Girl Scouts are doing in our council. Check out this month’s Mission Moments recap.
A dream trip to Hawaii
For over 20 months, the members of Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors in the Lancaster County Troop 70674 raised funds, planned a dream itinerary, and prepared for an epic adventure to Hawaii, which they took in November.
On Oahu, the girls volunteered on the Battleship Missouri, cleaning the Surrender Deck where World War II ended, followed by a behind-the-scenes tour of the ship. They also worked in the North Shore’s Waimea Valley, cleaning out a section of sacred botanical gardens that was overgrown, making it accessible and allowing the native plants to thrive.
They toured Pearl Harbor, went snorkeling in Turtle Bay, hiked up Diamond Head at sunrise, and watched the sunset off the famous Waikiki Beach. Then they flew to Maui, where they camped in the Olowalu Valley with the beach steps away.
After surfing lessons one morning, they completed a beach cleanup for the Maui Ocean Center. On their last day, the troop volunteered at the Maui Humane Society putting their “Animal Advocate” skills to use as they cleaned the facility and cared for the cats and kittens, many of whom lost their homes during the wildfires in Lahaina last summer.
They capped off their week at the Old Lahaina Luau, enjoying the feast as they took in the culture and beauty of the dances and music of Hawaii’s past. The trip was a fantastic culmination of dreaming, planning, and making it happen. While the week there was incredible, the process of getting there was special, too.
So many members of the community supported the girls and their efforts. And on Hawaii, whenever they arrived somewhere–from the gate at the airport to their restaurant reservations–they received a cheerful “it’s the Girl Scouts!” greeting.
The troop offered this advice to others considering a trip like this: “We didn’t need a travel agent or a tour group to make this happen. We did it as a troop who had a vision, a goal, and the support of our community and one another. If you’re a younger Girl Scout, think of what you could do one day! And if you’re an older Girl Scout, or a leader–you could do this, too. Dream big, look (way) ahead, work together … and sell lots of cookies!”
Community fun in Cumberland County
Troop 10622 participated in the Hampden Township fire station Trunk or Treat event in late October. The girls chose a Candyland theme and used troop money to provide the candy to hand out. Since it was a community event, they also got to take action on learning more and practicing CPR as well as a fire extinguisher simulator. The girls won Best Trunk for the event and had a great time interacting with other service groups that serve the community!
Exploring the zoo together
Troop 10067 from Middletown chose to donate items to a local women’s shelter and go to the Philadelphia Zoo with their cookie proceeds. The girls finally got to enjoy their day at the zoo in early November and were blessed with beautiful weather.
On parade in Centre County
Over 40 Girl Scouts participated recently in a community Halloween parade. Some girls represented songs—“If I Were Not a Girl Scout” and “Bazooka Bubble Gum”–while others were book fairies who gave out books to other children in attendance. Another troop represented the Suffragettes with special rights for Girl Scout Cookies!
Helping the hungry in Luzerne County
Over 100 Girl Scouts and volunteers from Penn’s Woods Service Unit 331 volunteered to pack boxes for CEO Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank’s 45th annual Thanksgiving distribution. By packing the boxes, they enabled over 10,000 families to receive all items to complete a Thanksgiving meal for those in need.
Supporting veterans in Perry County
Troop 10716, comprising second-year Daisies and first-year Brownies, celebrated Veterans Day during their Nov. 10 meeting. The troop colored pictures, made cards, and planned their first of many care packages for the troop’s adopted soldier Kylie who is stationed in Poland. The girls found Poland on a map and brainstormed what to include in Kylie’s Christmas package— Middleswarth potato chips, comfy Christmas pajamas, hot cocoa mix, blank Christmas cards, a gingerbread house kit, and (of course) Girl Scout Cookies were all popular suggestions!
Hiking fun in Dauphin County
Daisy Troop 10730 and Brownie Troop 10731 met together for a fall hike. It was a little cool and rainy, but it didn’t stop these Girl Scouts! In addition to the hike, the Daisies worked on the Eco Learner and Outdoor Art Maker badges and the Brownies worked on the Shapes in Nature Try-It. Both groups reviewed the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace before the hike, and then of course, there was hot chocolate and homemade granola bars to enjoy!
Marking Veterans Day in Monroe County
Troop 52287 in Cresco served the community in Veterans Day activities alongside their American Legion, Evans-Blitz. They replaced flags at a local cemetery and participated in a ceremony at High Acres Park, where they led the Pledge of Allegiance and walked the honorary wreath to the memorial.
Learning from leaders in Cumberland County
Daisy Troop 10554 invited three strong female leaders from their community to visit the troop in early November to talk about authority, strength, and courage. Everyone felt a lot of girl power by the end of the meeting, and the girls were honored to share their community with these incredible women. Huge shoutout to firefighter Abeln, LTC Brunais, and CPL Dimartile of the Carlisle community!
Furry visitors in Lackawanna County
Multi-Level Troop 50801 from Clarks Summit had a special visitor, A.N.A Critters, come and help them earn their pet badges in November. The girls learned about animal care, different habitats, animal first aid, and what foods animals eat. The speaker ended the night with a bullying talk and discussed how even animals can be bullied by bringing along a blind cat that was bullied. The girls enjoyed interacting with the animals and earning their badge.
Going green in York County
St. Rose Cadette Troop 20956 and a Cadette Troop from Spring Grove voted to volunteer on a Saturday afternoon service project at Nixon Park. The girls dug holes for small tree seedlings and bushes along a designated area on a hillside. The girls individually planted each seedling, then they hammered in placed a stake and wired fence around the young tree. The girls were able to successfully plant a few dozen trees at Nixon Park. Way to make the world a better place, Girl Scouts!
Outdoor adventures in Dauphin County
Junior Troop 12268 spent a weekend at Camp Small Valley earning their Camper and Simple Meals badges! The girls navigated around camp in patrols using a map to find challenge stations as part of a camp-wide game focused on outdoor skills. They learned about knot tying, purifying water, first aid, and more. On Saturday, they were joined by Brownie Troop 12267, who earned their Cabin Camper and Snacks badges. The girls made SWAPS and canvas banners to hold them, plus painted personalized Girl Scout tote bags. The Juniors planned, cooked, and prepared all three meals on Saturday — which meant cooking for 51 people on Saturday evening!
Cleaning up trails in Susquehanna County
Part of the hiking trail at Camp Archbald was overgrown and unusable. The seven Cadette girls from Troop 51000 decided to make it usable for the Take Action part of the Outdoor Journey. They spent five hours at camp, along with parent volunteers, clearing and raking the trail and then laying down a layer of mulch. The trail is now usable, and they hope more troops will hike the trail at Camp Archbald. One of the historic buildings, Samoset, is also now accessible due the girls making a pathway there as part of the trail as well.
Feeding the hungry in Dauphin County
Middletown Cadette Troop 11049 volunteered at Midwest Food Bank, putting pasta noodles and pot pie squares into individual bags. These bags will then be distributed by Midwest Food Bank to local food pantries and food banks. The girls had a great time, showed teamwork, and worked to be able to provide food for those in need.
Friends and fun in Centre County
Service Unit 416 held a Troopsgiving event in late November. More than 60 girls and parents showed up to share a meal and earn the Girl Scouts Ways badge. Each troop contributed a part of the meal. Ambassador/Seniors made a “trash can turkey” they cooked over a fire in a metal trash can. Other troops made turkey-themed veggie trays, a mashed potato bar, and a variety of desserts. Some troops gathered before the event to work on their meal contribution and earned their legacy cooking badge. After dinner, the girls participated in a fashion show with vintage Girl Scout uniforms. They talked about how the look of the uniform, badges, and handbooks have changed over the years. Then the girls completed the Girl Scout Ways badge with stations run by volunteers, including knife safety, knot tying, learning the Girl Scout Promise in ASL, friendship bracelets, fire safety, and SWAPS. Girls also brought donations for baby girl items for a basket for the Mommy Shoppe in honor of Juliette Gordon Low.
Helping families in Lackawanna County
Troop 50801 from Clarks Summit observed Juliette Gordon Low’s birthday with a compassionate act by creating Birthday Bags for the Women’s Resource Center. The girls gathered cake mix, frosting, candles, cards, and other party items for the bags throughout the month. They then assembled the bags, learned about Juliette Gordon Low, and celebrated with a small party.
Providing meals in Perry County
Troops 10716, 10712, and 10716 volunteered with a local community outreach program to make Thanksgiving dinners for the community. They prepped and packed 520 Thanksgiving meals to be delivered to Perry County residents. The girls had so much fun, and they said they wished they could do this every week!
Filling up in Lancaster County
Members of multi-level troop 70520 in Paradise collected and donated 233 pounds of donations for their local food bank at The Factory Ministries. They dropped off the donations and received a tour of the services the Factory Market provides to people in the area experiencing food insecurity. A favorite part of the tour was the walk-in freezer!
Caring for others in Dauphin County
Two Cadette Girl Scouts in Troop 10010 worked hard to get donations to make their vision of a personal care cart in their area a reality, as one in four families in their community live in poverty and cannot afford to buy hygiene products. Briana R. and Abby A. had a ribbon-cutting ceremony at The Northern Dauphin Human Services Center in Elizabethville to open the personal care cart in the community. Donations are still being accepted through their Amazon Wish List. All items purchased will be directly shipped to the center to assist in keeping the care cart stocked. The girls worked with Bonnie Kent at the center, who is the Operation Manager/Community Liaison. They are so appreciative of her support of their project.
Caring for servicepeople in Lycoming County
Troop 62029 spent their first meeting in December making Christmas cards to send to troops serving overseas. They talked about how the holidays can be a lonely time for service men and women serving overseas when they can’t be with their families, and they wanted to make their holidays a little brighter. What a great way to show kindness!
Practicing first aid in Lancaster County
Conestoga River Girl Scouts Service Unit 715 held a first aid badge event for 55 Girl Scouts in early November. Daisies earned the safety award pin, and Brownies through Ambassadors earned the new first aid badge. They offered thanks to volunteers from UPMC Lititz and Touchstone Foundation for leading stations to help Girl Scouts learn about first aid. The UPMC Pinnacle Foundation donated items for the first aid kits that the Girl Scouts built and the UPMC Lititz nurses volunteered their time to educate those in attendance on how to administer first aid! Troop leaders Anna Kennedy and Beth Valentin coordinated and hosted the event.
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.