When people talk about Heidi Christophel, they highlight her passion and commitment to the Girl Scout organization and the girls she mentors. Heidi, who lives in York County, is a troop leader and a powerhouse of dedication and creativity who transforms meetings into a memorable adventures.

“Heidi is an outstanding troop leader,” her nominators wrote when they put her forward for a Volunteer Recognition Award this past last year. “She goes above and beyond for her girls. We are a multi-level troop but Heidi makes sure all the girls have equal opportunities for badge work. We have gotten to have so many unique experiences, from having a local karate instructor teach self defense, to learning how to make our own pizzas to day camps in the summer.”

Heidi’s belief in the power of Girl Scouts is unwavering.

“… My daughter could not wait until she was old enough to join Girl Scouts,” Heidi recalled. But the first troop her daughter joined in 2019 wasn’t a good fit. Heidi wasn’t ready to give up. Recognizing the value of Girl Scouts, she encouraged her daughter to try another troop a month later. Then Heidi became a troop leader.

Since then, Heidi has been unstoppable. She remains the troop leader and has taken on roles as her service unit’s team lead and chair for both the Fall Product and Cookie Programs. “Girl Scouting is important to me because it’s important to my daughter and all the wonderful girls that are part of the troop,” Heidi said.

Leading a multi-level troop isn’t easy, but she’s committed to ensuring every girl has a place. “I want all girls to know there is a troop here if they want to join.”

Heidi’s approach fosters a sense of community, encouraging parents to get involved from the start. “We aren’t just a troop of girls; we are a family—moms, dads, grandparents, siblings,” she said.

She advises leaders with multi-level troops to meet at different times so that one-on-one connection isn’t lost. “You can really get to know the girls if it’s a smaller group,” she said.

Running a troop takes time and energy, but for Heidi, it’s a labor of love. Outside of Girl Scouts, Heidi cherishes family time, whether it’s watching her daughter horseback ride, homeschooling two of her children, or volunteering at the local grange.

Life is busy but fulfilling for Heidi and her family, which includes her husband, two sons, two daughters, an Australian shepherd named Coca, a pony named Remi, and a flock of chickens.

Heidi hopes more girls and their families will explore what Girl Scouts has to offer. Operating a successful troop will encourage others to join.

“I don’t think it’s what you say that would bring a girl to Scouts,” she said. “It’s the troop you have that will bring girls. I have never recruited for my troop.”

She also encourages adults to take the leap into volunteering, even if they lack prior Girl Scout experience, as she did herself.

“Over time I learned it’s not how much you know about Girl Scouts that makes you a good leader. It’s how much you love sharing what you do know about Girl Scouts,” she said. “Be there for the girls and their families.”

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