Annual Report_2012-13[4].pdf April 2014 | Page 5

More ways than ever to enjoy Girl Scouts ... We want every girl to be so excited about the adventures she’ll have with Girl Scouts that she can hardly wait, because she knows she can do anything she sets her mind to — including taking action to make the world a better place. To stay relevant to today’s girls, we’ve adapted our approach to fit their changing needs and schedules. Being in a troop is still the best option for many Girl Scouts, but increasingly more and more girls are enjoying the benefits of Girl Scouting through special series, events, travel and camp. Troop When a girl says, “I can’t wait to…” you know she is excited about what her future holds. Whether it’s a trip, a game or a movie, that wide-eyed anticipation is one of the best parts of childhood – and something parents love to witness in their daughters. From mud stomping to a sophisticated high tea (see bottom photo), Girl Scouts from Indiana County create their own adventures. At Girl Scouts, girls in troops are always counting down to their next adventure. Their activities are girl-led, not chosen and planned by adults, which makes them even more exciting. Girls decide where they go, what they do and create the plan to get there. That girl-centered spirit is what led Indiana troop leader Melinda Schoenfelt to the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum near Niagara Falls, New York, for a Victorianstyle tea with her 11th and 12th grade Ambassador Girl Scouts. “Our girls were the youngest people there,” Schoenfelt recalled. “The staff at the museum were thrilled that high school students were interested in the event, and the girls had a great time.” The trip was also the first time some of the girls saw Niagara Falls. The prior year, the girls conquered the mud obstacle course at Ace Adventure Resort in West Virginia. “I am not sure how we went from head-to-toe mud one year to a fancy Victorian tea the next,” Schoenfelt said, “but it’s what the girls wanted to do.” Whether they are tipping teacups with Victorian refinement or slip-sliding through mud on an adventure course, Girl Scouts get to try new things in a supportive, all-girl environment. These experiences are designed to help each girl find her confidence, discover her leadership potential and make new friends. Girls from a troop in Indiana County chose to attend a Victorian-style tea at the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum near Niagara Falls, NY. 5