My Girl Scout Summer: The Story of an Intern

 

The water ran around my legs with a pull as I navigated around rocks and fallen trees in the creek at Camp WaBak. As a mass communications student joining the Mountains to Midlands’ marketing team for a summer internship, I had pictured myself sitting behind a computer writing ads and articles. But there I was wading through a creek in the woods with the M2M staff. With a sense of proud accomplishment, I rounded the last bend and saw the rushing waterfall. At that moment I knew my Girl Scout experience was going to exceed my expectations.

Part of the scenic creek walk at Camp WaBak

 

I didn’t grow up a Girl Scout, so my internship has been a true immersion experience in how to work like a Girl Scout. Above all I’ve learned that being a G.I.R.L. Scout means being a Go-getter, Innovator, Risk taker, and Leader.

Like the Daisy who bravely knocks on her neighbor’s door to make that cookie sale, the M2M leadership team and staff are true Go-getters. Making the world a better place is an all-hands-on-deck affair, and it didn’t take me long to notice that the women I worked alongside were always ready to take action. In my own work, I found that I was inspired and challenged to jump in and tackle new projects with enthusiasm.

I also learned that to make sustainable change you have to be an Innovator. Working in the nonprofit sector presents unique challenges, but my internship has taught me how to face them like a Girl Scout. As my unexpected creek adventure at Camp WaBak taught me, Girl Scouts aren’t satisfied with walking next to the water, they want to be right in the middle of it. They face obstacles head-on and work hard to find creative solutions.

Girl Scout Intern Catherine Pelicano

 

Girl Scouts know that without being a Risk taker you can’t grow or achieve. During my internship there were plenty of projects that tested my skills and stretched my comfort level. But just as the Girl Scout who tackles the high ropes course or speaks out against bullying finds, for every risk I was willing to take I grew in confidence in my abilities.

Finally, whether it’s in big ways or small, I learned that Girl Scouts know how to be a Leader. My internship coincided with the Centennial of the Gold Award, and through my writing projects I learned about the outstanding ways Gold Award winners have taken the lead for 100 years. I was inspired by their girl-genius for seeing those areas of need that are often overlooked and for taking the lead to improve them.

G.I.R.L. Scouts know that becoming a girl of courage, confidence, and character requires hard work, creativity, risk-taking, and stepping up as a leader. As I prepare to graduate from USC Upstate in December, I’ll take the lessons I’ve learned from my internship with me, and tackle life Like a Girl Scout.

 

Are you looking for an internship opportunity where you can work to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who are making the world a better place? If this sounds like you, email mtaylor@gssc-mm.org for more information. 

Chasing Big Dreams: Local Girl Scout Makes Junior Olympics

Somewhere along the course of history, doing something “like a girl” became a bad thing. This phrase has been used as an insult to embarrass school children and even adults for generations. We aren’t really sure why. Hermoine Rickenbacker “runs like a girl” and she just qualified for her second Junior Olympics. In truth, running like a girl is pretty awesome.  

Hermoine manning the cookie booth

Hermoine Rickenbacker has big dreams. She envisions herself standing tall on the Olympic platform with a gold medal around her neck and pride in her heart. Hermoine is only 7 years old. With stature beyond her years, she is confident her dreams will come true because she is a G.I.R.L. Scout; a Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, and Leader. Being part of a girl-led, leadership-focused organization has taught her that when you have big dreams, passion alone isn’t enough. You have to be dedicated, disciplined, and relentless in the pursuit of your goal.

Before Girl Scouts and running track, Hermoine struggled in school. Not because she couldn’t grasp the material, but because her restless energy kept her attention sporadic and unfocused. We all know at least one child that seems to have endless energy. Hermoine Rickenbacker is one of those kids. She runs everywhere she goes. She gets excited about everything. There just aren’t enough hours in the day for her to get all of that energy out. 

In an attempt to help Hermoine release some of her energy, Hermoine’s mother signed her up for track. Hermoine began running for Quick Striders Track Club around the same time she started Girl Scouts, and the two worked hand-in-hand. According to Sekedra, Hermoine’s mother, she watched Hermoine transform from unfocused potential to dedicated skill. The girl who once struggled to keep passing grades now presents her report card with excitement and pride. Sekedra is so proud of the girl Hermoine has become.

Hermoine after a track meet

 

Hermoine’s dedication to her track team pushed her to train as hard as she could. Hermoine may have been only 6 at the time, and new to track, but by the end of her first season she qualified for the Junior Olympic National Championship.

Once again, Hermoine has qualified for the Junior Olympics in sunny California July 25-31. Not by chance or luck, but through chasing her dreams with the dedication of a G.I.R.L. Scout.  

What dreams have you written off as impossible? Maybe someone has said you are too young, or too old to achieve your goals. Just because something is unlikely, doesn’t make it impossible. Just ask Hermoine Rickenbacker. Her first year in track she made the Junior Olympics. When you combine passion, with dedication anything can happen. You just have to think like a Girl Scout.

Being part of a worldwide sisterhood of courage, confidence, and leadership gives girls the opportunities and tools to pave their own paths. Join today and become a part of something that can change your life. Be a G.I.R.L. Scout.

A Fight for Survival: A Tale of Girl Scout Bravery

On a day that seemed like any other last summer, a family vacation turned into a fight for survival in the ocean as Makayla, Kylie, and Kinley Cox were separated from their parents after being forced to bail out of their kayak.

Makayla, Kylie, and Kinley Cox at the beach

Just off South Carolina’s coast, the Cox family was preparing to set out for a day of kayaking on the ocean. Troop Leader  and mom Lindsey, and Girl Scouts Makayla, Kylie, and Kinley all enjoy exploring the outdoors and using their wilderness skills. The sky that August day was as blue as the water beneath them, and it seemed like the perfect start to their family vacation. They had been paddling for some time when, without warning, the sky began to darken. With no time to return to the shore, lightening began to strike as hail and rain battered down upon them. All too quickly their kayak filled with water and overturned.  The whole family spilled out into the raging ocean.

The rain was torrential. Visibility was limited to just a few feet. The situation quickly deteriorated when the violent current separated the three sisters from their parents. The girls tried not to panic even though they were intensely struggling to keep their heads above the water. The oldest sister, Makayla, initially tried to swim while holding her youngest sister Kinley. However, as the waves surged, Makayla realized that exhaustion had set in, and holding onto her sister might cost both their lives. With the clear decisiveness and confidence that Makayla’s mother accredits to her daughter’s experience as a Girl Scout, Makayla instructed her sisters to lie on their backs and float with the current to conserve their energy. The sisters refused to give up on one another as they battled the current as a team to find safety.

Just as exhaustion had threatened to overpower the girls, a boat appeared through the veil of rain. Even though it seemed impossible, their rescue was made possible through the extreme perseverance, determination, teamwork, and leadership that the girls exhibited in the face of adversity. Where did these girls learn these skills that saved their lives?

• Girls Scouts learn by doing. Through an encouraging and empowering network of support, our girls learn Determination that is unparalleled.
• Team work is consistently practiced as girls work with their troops and other girls to solve problems and accomplish goals.
• Giving up is not in the DNA of a Girl Scout. Perseverance is taught by teaching girls how to set their goals, make a plan, and put that plan into action.
• Leadership is at the core of who we are as Girl Scouts. We empower girls, to empower themselves and take action!

Makayla, Kylie, and Kinley Cox being awarded their Certificate of Bravery with their mother Lindsey Cox

The Girl Scouts of South Carolina- Mountains to Midlands are so proud of the courage exhibited by Makayla, Kylie, and Kinley. We are honored to present each of them with a Certificate of Bravery.

What does bravery mean to you? The Cox sisters exemplify what it means to be a Girl Scout; courage, sisterhood, and leadership. Join today and become a part of that same worldwide sisterhood.

Do you have a Girl Scout story to share? Email me at mtaylor@gssc-mm.org to be featured on our blog!

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Girl Scouts

 

Imagine a world in which failure and fear don’t exist. When your best try becomes a miss, there is no crowd of sneering eyes to proclaim your defeat. In this lovely world, you are fearless because you have a support system as solid as the mountains to cheer you on again. Can you picture it?

While this concept may seem like an excerpt from a fairytale, it is precisely what the mothers and girls of Troop 1445 have found in one another; family, support, and love.

Troop 1445 on the beach before their Bridging Ceremony to Juniors

Girl Scout Mom, Leah Worthy, believes this support system has been invaluable to their family. “My little girl gets to spend time with a great group of girls. I know she doesn’t have to worry about being judged for being herself.”

The Troop 1445 family began with 2 neighbors who simply wanted to spend more quality time with their daughters. However, the Girl Scout Experience took the founding members on an unexpected, but incredible journey. Through camping, cookie sales, new members, and service projects, Girl Scouts became the favorite pastime, a relationship builder, and an unexpected family.

Troop

Girl Scout Mom, Susan Conner, warmly reflects about her Girl Scout experience, “I can’t be at school when she learns. I can’t be in sports activities during practice to guide. But, I can stand by her side and the side of our amazing troop to be supportive in all our endeavors. Troop 1445 is not done. We are on a journey to inspire our children, and children around the world.”

The Girl Scout Moms of the troop affectionately refer to themselves as “Troop Beverly Hills”.  Every member is completely fun and unapologetically fabulous in every way. Their troop motto is “Go big or go home!” Accordingly so, Troop 1445 wanted to make Bridging to Juniors an unforgettable occasion. They wanted to celebrate the movement that has changed their lives forever.

The girls posed for a picture before leaving for Savannah

The entire troop set their hearts on traveling to the birthplace of Girl Scouts in Savannah, Georgia. Their goal was “Savannah or Bust!” and by the end of cookie season, the troop had sold enough to fund their trip. Reservations were made, and suit cases packed for an unforgettable Girl Scout journey.

 

On a warm sunny morning, at the start of summer, the troop traveled down to Georgia together. The girls laughed and sang the whole way, but the moms of “Troop Beverly Hills” didn’t mind. Everyone was too excited for the trip to be bothered by anything else.

Girl Scout Morgan Eckard remarked, “My favorite part of the trip was getting to spend time with my Girl Scout sisters.”

Troop 1445 rented a beach house on Tybee Island, just outside of Savannah. During their trip, the group toured the Juliette Gordon Low house, learned about sea life at the Marine Biology Center, went on a ghost tour, and held a surprise birthday party for their troop leader.  The highlight of the trip, however, was the opportunity to perform the Bridging Ceremony on the beach.

Troop 1445 prepares to Bridge to Juniors on the beach at Tybee Island, GA

Troop leader Amanda Fisher described the beach front ceremony, “There was just something special about seeing each girl walk down the bridge, take off her Brownie vest, say the Girl Scout Promise, and put on her new Junior vest.”

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Troop 1445 may not share the familial ties of blood, but they are bound by the unshakable bond of sisterhood. The sisterhood of a Girl Scout.

 

Here at Girl Scouts of South Carolina- Mountains to Midlands, we believe every girl should have the opportunity to be a Girl Scout. Our program builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who are making the world a better place. Join today to be a part of a world-wide sisterhood.

To stay updated on the amazing things our girls are doing everyday, like us on Facebook!

To submit your Girl Scout stories, email me at mtaylor@gssc-mm.org.