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Father / Daughter Sock Hop!

Last year, our Girl Scouts really wanted to take a trip. Long story short, we worked with them to do some fundraising since our $45 annual dues wouldn't begin to cover the cost, especially if we wanted to do anything else all year. The girls sold the famous Girl Scout cookies in their neighborhoods. They  put on a babysitting clinic for families during the holiday season, so parents could get some shopping done. They sold more cookies at several booth sale opportunites in arctic weather conditions on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. They wrapped presents for tips at a holiday gift gallery at our church. Through it all, they managed to perform various community service tasks in addition to their fundraising efforts. Even so, it took the entire school year to raise enough money to be able to start planning our big adventure.

The trip has just finally come to fruition. The scouts earned half of the funds needed, and they will kick in the other half themselves. That is to say, some of the parents required their girls to pay the remaining amount themselves. Others have numerous babysitting contracts for younger siblings to pay their way. Any way you slice it, they have earned it well. In my next post, I will recount the tales of our trip to St. Louis. It was a trip that I believe they will remember for the rest of their lives. And maybe, just maybe, it will keep them in scouting just a little longer. In high school, being a Girl Scout is more and more about service to others. It's about becoming active members of the community and doing what is right.

I am here to tell you that I believe that Girl Scouts helps make capable, caring and adventurous young women out of girls. The lessons learned in Girl Scouts will stay with these girls throughout their lifetimes. As the years go by, we as their leaders, are doing our best to transfer the leadership of the troop over to the girls. Many of the girls are even working to earn their Silver Award, the highest honor a Cadette Girl Scout can earn and second only to the Gold Award as the highest award a Girl Scout can earn.

In the process, the girls are now learning about career choices and what it takes to run a business. They're gaining tools to help them make decisions that may effect the rest of their lives. And as their leader, I can only say that I am happy to go along for the ride. I plan to stay a leader as long as my daughter stays in scouting. I hope she'll complete the Silver Award and be so fired up about it that she wants to dive right into the Gold Award. Many colleges across the country have automatic scholarships based purely on a young woman having earned the Gold Award. It is similar to the Boy Scout's Eagle Award and involves tremendous planning, sacrifice and community service.

If you are looking for a rewarding volunteer opportunity and have a school-aged daughter, look no further. Become a Girl Scout leader. You will change lives (including your own!)!

Next time, whether you are looking for a trip for eleven 8th grade girls or just a fun family getaway, my tips regarding our trip to St. Louis should provide a jumpboard to planning a trip of your own!