Written by council historian, Jane Doyle.
The Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana Historian Team invites you to come check out their new Program Space in the Vernon Hills Gathering Place. The atrium area was selected by the council as the best spot to showcase the displays of historical items and provide some self-directed programming for troops and individuals. The team has storage and workspace in this building as well as the annex in Joliet.
Each of the council’s gathering places has a display case – more than one in some locations – but only Vernon Hills offers activities and hands-on items every day.
As you enter the building, you are invited to come upstairs and begin your journey. At the top of the stairs, turn to your right and look for the table in the center of the room.
On the table will be a binder with information to help you explore the space.
The displays in the three cases will change at least twice a year, so you are encouraged to come back to learn something new. We have provided a scavenger hunt to guide you through the displays. Currently, the cases on the south wall feature Juliette Gordon Low, and some of the dolls in the collection. The large case around the corner currently showcases some of the wonderful scrapbooks that Girl Scouts and troops put together after their time at camp. Other shelves are highlights from the varied items donated to the collection. Did you know there were official Girl Scout cameras to take those camp photos?
You’ll notice four mannequins wearing uniforms featuring the varied choices – and changes – Girl Scouts has produced throughout our 112-year history. These are for looking only, but under the windows you will find bins of uniforms to try on and pick your favorite! Each bin is sorted by level and has a binder with photos to help you put together all the pieces.
The three large black bookcases hold the book collection. The largest number of books are, of course, the handbooks that have shaped our Girl Scout program through the years. But you will also notice storybooks, guides for outdoor activities, songs, games, and in the right-hand case, books specific to the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). The bookends are official and serve a decorative as well as utilitarian purpose.
If you circle back to the north side of the space, you will find a case that holds books you can take out, read and use. Check the binder for suggested activities.
The wire baskets currently have large puzzles to assemble, camping gear and clothing to investigate, some dolls to play with, and paper dolls that can be dressed in historic uniforms.
There’s a Girl Scout trivia game on an easel, another easel holds a display of troop crests, and there is an opportunity to learn a bit about cookies and measure yourself in cookie boxes in the south corner of the space.
Before you leave, take your picture with Juliette and two girls who earned the Golden Eaglet. Learn more about the Girl Scouts Highest Awards in the binder.
We hope you will stop by our program space – bring your troop, bring your family, bring your Girl Scout friends. All are welcome.