Look for a Girl Scout cheerleader, and you won’t find one more enthusiastic than Chris Dougher. She marked 50 years as a Girl Scout leader earlier this year.

“I’m totally committed to the Girl Scout program,” says Chris, who lives in Cumberland County. “I think it’s the best program for girls in the world and every girl should be in it.”

Chris had been an active Brownie leader until very recently when she passed leadership of her troop to her daughter in law, Jennifer Dougher.

“A 74-year-old and a 7-year-old don’t move at the same pace,” she said with a laugh. “I had to take a break.”

She still serves as treasurer of Service Unit 221, and she has been the Service Unit Lead, a position she may step into again.

“Miss Chris,” as she’s called by her Girl Scouts, enjoyed a surprise party planned by her son and daughter-in-law to celebrate her milestone in July. Eighty people showed up to honor the woman who has made a difference in the lives of countless girls.

Chris reflected on her Girl Scout journey in a piece she submitted to us. Here’s her story in her own words.

For half a century, the title “Brownie Troop Leader” has been stitched into the fabric of my life as surely as any badge upon a sash. To mark 50 years of guiding, cheering, and sometimes quietly shepherding dozens of girls through the joyful chaos of the Brownie experience is to look back on a tapestry woven with laughter, learning, and love. When I first stepped into the role, the world—and the world of scouting—looked quite different. Yet, across the decades, one thing has remained constant: the indelible spirit that each Brownie brings to the troop and the sense of purpose that being a leader has given to me.

Beginnings
I became a Brownie Troop Leader in the fall of 1975,  when a coworker and I sat over lunch reminiscing about our years as a Girl Scout. We decided to call council and see if there was a troop that needed leaders.  Neither of us had daughters, but treasured our years in Girl Scouting and wanted to give back.   Little did I know that this simple act of volunteering would become a lifelong calling.
Growth
Over the years, our troop meetings have been held everywhere from church basements to picnic pavilions, echoing with the sounds of song and storytelling. We’ve made bird feeders from pine cones, learned the basics of first aid, built bridges from popsicle sticks and, just as importantly, from kindness and inclusion. The Girl Scout Promise and Law have always been more than just a phrase. It has been a guiding star, shaping our projects and our approach to each other.
As years turned into decades, I watched as girls I once taught how to tie square knots returned as mothers of daughters who wanted to be in my Brownie Troop.  Nothing swells my heart more than seeing former Brownies, now grown, sharing their spark with the next generation.
Adapting to Change
Fifty years brings a parade of change. When I began, crafts meant construction paper and glue, and “camping” often meant a borrowed tent in someone’s backyard. Today, we incorporate STEM activities and digital citizenship lessons; we talk about climate change and community activism. The transition from the simple joys of roasting marshmallows over a fire to learning coding basics has been a journey, and the Brownies have always been eager to embrace each new challenge.
But some things never change. Campfire songs still ring out beneath starry skies, and the magic of earning a badge—whether for baking bread or building a robot—still lights up a Brownie’s face in the same way it did decades ago.
Lessons Learned
It may be expected that a troop leader teaches, but more often than not, I have been the one learning. I expanded my volunteer service to include filling many different roles in Girl Scouts, including serving on the council board, as a board member, and as treasurer,  trainer of other adults, and as Service Unit Lead.  I was promoted to a management position with my employer based on my experience in managing these roles in Girl Scouts.
However, my role as a Brownie Troop Leader has been the most precious learning experience.  I have discovered that leadership is less about giving orders and more about setting an example, about showing up on rainy days and celebrating small victories. The girls have taught me that every idea deserves a fair hearing and that creativity flourishes where kindness grows.

Moments of Joy and Challenge
There have been moments of pure joy—watching a nervous Brownie make her first friend, or marveling at the determination with which they tackle the world’s problems. There have also been moments of challenge, from navigating the logistics of a field trip with a dozen energetic girls, to comforting a troop member who has faced loss or hardship.
Through it all, the troop has been a family. We have weathered storms together—literal thunderstorms that sent us running for cover at camp, and figurative tempests that tested our resolve. Yet, every challenge has only served to strengthen our bonds.
A Lifetime of Impact
It is hard to measure the true impact of 50 years as a Brownie Troop Leader.  The greatest reward is the ripple effect: the knowledge that, in some small way, I have helped foster a sense of confidence, kindness, and curiosity in hundreds of young people.
I have seen shy girls find their voices, and bold ones learn the beauty of teamwork. I have watched friendships blossom, leaders emerge, and communities grow stronger through the service of Brownies determined to make the world a better place.

Looking Forward: The Future of Brownies
As I reflect on my journey, I am filled with hope. The world may change, but the spirit of the Brownies endures. Each new troop brings fresh faces, fresh dreams, and fresh energy. My story is only one thread in the vast tapestry of Girl Scouts, but I am grateful for every moment, every lesson, and every laugh along the way.
I am a Lifetime Girl Scout and will continue to be involved in my granddaughter’s troop, and in our local Service Unit.  To anyone considering the path of a Troop Leader, I offer this encouragement: It is a journey worth taking. You will find yourself surrounded by joy, challenged to grow, and forever changed by those you lead.