The number of badges offered over the last 110+ years of Girl Scouting is truly amazing. You can find everything from architecture to zoology, but only one badge has survived for 110+ years: the Cook Badge (now known as the Simple Meals Badge).
Several other badges have had a long tenure. The First Aid Badge and the Citizenship Badge started in 1938, and both continue to this day. The Cyclist/Bicycling Badge and the Swimming Badge started in 1912, but the Cyclist/Bicycling Badge ended in 1980 and the Swimming Badge in 2010. The Birds Badge has been around off and on during our 110+ years. Close to the length of the Cook Badge, the Art Badge has also been around for the past 110+ years, but it has had many different focuses, including painting and clothing design, to name a few.
The first Cook Badge in How Girls Can Help Their Country said that Girl Scouts must know how to:
wash up
wait on a table
light a fire
lay the dishes correctly for a table for four
clean and dress a fowl
clean a fish
make a cook-place in the open
make tea, coffee, or cocoa
state the approximate cost of each dish
cook two kinds of meat
boil or roast potatoes and another vegetable
boil rice
make two salads
preserve of berries or fruit, or can them
The requirements in the 1920, 1929, and 1933 versions of the Girl Scout handbook are essentially the same. They add knowing how to cook eggs and operate a gas stove (if available).
With the end of the depression in view and the war in Europe threatening to involve us, the Intermediate level for the Cook Badge was started in 1938. The Intermediate level of Girl Scouts is what we now refer to as our Junior and Cadette Girl Scout levels. Back then, the Intermediate level was for Girl Scouts in grades fourth through eighth grade. The Senior level was for Girl Scouts in ninth through twelfth grade.
The 1941 handbook had the revisions for the Intermediate level and showed the new badge. A Girl Scout had to complete ten of the fourteen requirements and five of the chosen activities required cooking. The requirements also changed with the focus on planning menus and nutrition.
The 1950 handbook listed twenty activities, with a Girl Scout having to complete ten to earn her Intermediate Cook Badge. Eleven out of the twenty activities required cooking.
In 1963, Juniors were now an official Girl Scout level, and the handbook had ten requirements to earn the badge. A Junior Girl Scout had to complete all ten to earn the badge, but only three required cooking.
The 1990 Junior handbook renamed the badge “Exploring Healthy Eating” and showed the badge with a red border as part of the Worlds to Explore Girl Scout Badge Program. It had nine activities, with six, including two mandatory cooking activities, required to earn the badge.
The 2001 Junior handbook renamed the badge to “Let’s Get Cooking” and returned to a green border. This badge had ten activities, and a Junior Girl Scout must complete six activities to earn the badge. Five of these activities required cooking, so cooking has made a comeback compared to the last version, where only two activities required cooking!
In 2011, the Junior badge was renamed to “Simple Meals” and pictures a steaming pot on the badge with a purple border. All five steps must be completed, but there are three choices for each step; only one of the choices for each step must be completed to earn the badge—four of the five steps require cooking.
The Simple Meals Badge has changed over the years to reflect what our society at the time thought Girl Scouts should know. Today, very few of us have to dress our own chickens or turkeys, and our recipes are more likely to come from an internet search than a magazine, but we still want Girl Scouts to be able to cook for themselves.
To earn your Simple Meals Badge, check out the activity book and badge available for purchase here.
You may remember an earlier blog, written by Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana Historian Christine Caragher, about the ceremonies a Brownie participates in to become part of Girl Scouts.
As troops are now forming for the new Girl Scout year, we’d like to further examine the history of becoming a Girl Scout Brownie and how the Brownie “elf” still lives on today.
The Brownie program was inspired by the children’s book The Brownies, by Julia Horatia Ewing. In the book, Brownies were compared to fairies or elves (who were to help others by doing a “good turn”), and their uniforms often sported an elf in one way or another. It was only fitting that the first Girl Scout Brownie uniforms also had elf-like features. One of their earliest hats was a peaked cap like an elf might wear, and their first uniforms had an elf patch stitched onto them.
In 1921, Brownie Girl Scouts were given a membership pin to wear on their uniform, which was in the shape of an elf. Eventually, the elf was placed inside a trefoil shape, which has been the Brownie membership pin ever since.
The felt beanie, which is easily recognized as belonging to a Brownie Girl Scout, was introduced in 1941. Over the years, the color of the elf and the beanie changed to match the other accessories for the Brownie uniform, but the image of an elf remained. The elf was also found on a dress pocket, anklet cuff, uniform tie, blouse sleeve, and a belt purse. Even the official uniform buttons had an elf stamped onto them. In 1996, a baseball-style cap with the Brownie elf on it was introduced. Camp uniforms also had the Brownie trefoil printed, embroidered, or stamped.
When everyone in your troop is wearing the same apparel or uniform, it makes you feel special. You are not only part of a group, but a sisterhood, too!
Stop by any of our Girl Scout shops, or look online to see what Brownie Girl Scouts wear today!
For more than 100 years, Girl Scouts have discovered outdoor adventures full of learning, challenges, friendships, and tons of fun by going to camp. Today, Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana offer outdoor programming at four camps across Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. Camp Palos and Camp Greene Wood are day camps where Girl Scouts spend the day at camp and return home in the evening. Camp Juniper Knoll and Camp Butternut Springs are resident camps where Girl Scouts can have an overnight camping experience. With all summer camps now in full swing, our council historians and previous Girl Scout members have shared their fondest memories of attending and the history of former Girl Scout summer camps.
Camp Timber Trails – Munising, Michigan
Camp Timber Trails was leased for nine weeks from 1928 to 1942 from Bay DeNoc Lumber Company. It was in the heart of the Hiawatha National Forest in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It was a pioneer camp for older Girl Scouts where they could roam over the entire National Forest from Lake Superior to Lake Michigan.
Mary-Jane Ryan’s camp application for Camp Tiber Trails.
Girl Scouts who attended the camp came from Chicago and other surrounding councils. Some Girl Scouts were driven to camp, while others traveled from Chicago by train. Former Girl Scout Mary-Jane Ryan started her camping experience at Juniper Knoll, and at age 17, she attended Camp Timber Trails. Mary-Jane Ryan returned to Juniper Knoll as a staff member. Mary Jane Ryan’s daughter, Corkey Waite, said her mother’s Girl Scout experiences made her who she is today and that she always talks about Girl Scouts.
Camp Cloverleaf – Sheridan, Illinois
Camp Cloverleaf was originally named Camp Sheridan until 1959 and was located on the Fox River. By the spring of 1958, the winter house, which is seen in the above picture, was completed. It was the only building with hot and cold running water, central heating, and a stove. In the early 1960s, eight cabins that housed four Girl Scouts each and an outdoor kitchen were added. Eight platform tents were erected in 1962. In 1964, the Cloverleaf Council purchased another 44 acres adjacent to the original land. The next building to be built was the summer troop house; it had an indoor kitchen and fireplace. Between 1969 and 1972, the council purchased another 84 acres, bringing the total acreage to 198 acres. In 1979 and 1980, more platform tents were built. These had wooden roofs and canvas sides. Eventually, the original platform tents had wooden roofs added. The last building to be built on the property was a shower house. The camp also had two primitive camp areas, trails, an archery field, and a canoe launch area.
Former Girl Scout Marty Devereux-Poch’s fondest memories of Camp Cloverleaf were that her grandma was one of her Junior troop leaders and loved camping in the little cabins. Each cabin had a name like Sleep Inn. There was space for activities and for having meals in the middle of the ring of cabins.
“My troop was from Our Lady of the Mount Catholic School, so we always packed our Girl Scout uniforms when we went camping. On Sunday morning, we would all get dressed up and head down to Wedron, IL, to attend Mass, and then we would return to camp for breakfast before packing up for home. As a Cadette, I learned archery, and Mr. Whelen, who farmed part of the camp property, always found some arrows during harvest time. I learned to canoe at camp. Some trips on the Fox River were short, to Wedron and back to camp. Others were day-long trips from camp to Yorkville, stopping at Camp Merrybrook to eat our lunch in their meadow, then being picked up and driven back to camp,” said Marty.
Former Girl Scout Gwen Novy Ferguson also has fond memories of Camp Cloverleaf. She camped there as a young Girl Scout and became a Junior troop leader and council trainer in the late 1970s.
“My memories include times spent with Junior Troop #13, Cadette Troop #17, and Senior Troop #99. During my Junior and Cadette years, my mom, Gladys Novy, was my leader, and Erma Slovak was my Senior leader. We enjoyed outdoor cooking, badge-work, singing, stargazing, knot-tying, compass, lashing, crafts, nature lore, campfires, skits, service projects, hiking, long and short canoe trips on the Fox River, and exploring other places that were a short distance from camp. During the summer, we’d drive to the Pitstak Dairy, which had a small swimming lake with a beach and offered horseback riding. I remember we’d use the council van, named the Green Giant, for transportation. For added adventure in the evenings, we’d sometimes hike down the road to Camp Merrybrook and have a campfire with the Girl Scouts from the West Cook Council,” Gwen said.
When the West Cook Council and the Cloverleaf Council merged, they decided to sell Camp Cloverleaf on April 1, 1994. The eight cabins and the outdoor kitchen were moved to Camp Merrybrook. Later, the platform tents were also moved, and the unit was named Cloverleaf.
Camp Merrybrook – Serena, Illinois
In 1954, the West Cook Council purchased 97.5 acres of wooded property near Sheridan, Illinois. It fronted on the Fox River and Mission Creek. The council originally named the camp: Camp Kiwanis-on-the-Fox, because the Kiwanis Club of LaGrange provided money for the down payment. An existing fishing lodge near the creek was named Kiwanis Club.
The first campers arrived in 1955, and Mr. Bray, Sr. was the first camp caretaker. In 1956, the camp was renamed Camp Merrybrook. From 1957 to 1958, three platform tent units were added to the camp. In 1958, the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe railroad donated a huge steam engine bell to the council. It was installed on a concrete pillar outside Lenona Lodge and used in emergencies. The camp was dedicated on October 4, 1959, and the mortgage was burnt. From 1960 to 1961, the caretaker house and maintenance building were constructed. The Heritage House Lodge was built in 1964. At some point, more acreage was purchased, and the camp totaled 136 acres. At some time, a totem pole was displayed in respect for Native American tradition.
In the late 1970s, electricity and running water were installed in Heritage House. It was renamed Bonnie Brae after a camp trainer and the first caretaker. In 1971, Idle-a-While Lodge was built between Lenona and Bonnie Brae. It was the first lodge to have flush toilets. The pool and pool house were built in 1976. In the early 1980s, a challenging adventure course for older girls was constructed. It was not maintained and deemed unsafe. Repairs were never made, so it was taken down.
Camp River Trails – Sheridan, Illinois
In 1986, when the West Cook Council and the Cloverleaf Council merged, the board decided to sell Camp Cloverleaf and keep Camp Merrybrook. They renamed the camp: Camp River Trails. As mentioned above, the eight small cabins, outdoor kitchen, and platform tents were moved from Camp Cloverleaf to Camp River Trails. At the same time, the post office changed its address to Sheridan, Illinois. In 1995, the old farmhouse was torn down, and the Dreamcatcher Room was added. The Lenona Lodge was renamed the Merrybrook Room.
The entire construction included:
Two kitchens joining the two-unit rooms.
Multiple leader rooms.
A handicap ramp.
A stone wall for sitting around the fire ring.
A washroom and shower house with a storage basement and storm shelter beneath.
The entire complex of new buildings became known as the Lenona Complex. In 2000, a Friendship Pole was installed, and a challenge course called The Challenge of the Castle Garden was installed near the pool. Then, in 2014, an Ambassador troop from Lyons, IL, donated the materials and built an archery course near the camp manager’s house. Other troops built and painted a map of the camp and archery rules that were installed on the outside of the maintenance building.
Near the manager’s house, there were two landmarks: Smokey Bear and his two cubs, added by a Senior troop in 1958, and a sign that read, Camp Built by Cookies. Both landmarks are now at Camp Greene Wood. Over the ravine on one of the trails, there was a footbridge over a stream called River Kwai. Senior Girl Scouts made and repaired the bridge using logs, and branches lashed with twine.
Lifetime Girl Scout member Kathi Krankoski shared some Camp Merrybrook tall tales and traditions that carried over to Camp River Trails:
Friendship Pole: One of the traditions was to place “wishing rocks” around the Friendship Pole. The rocks were painted with environmentally safe paint, and when spring came, the magic happened, and the rocks and their messages were carried out via the Mission Creek, Fox, Illinois, and Mississippi Rivers, and eventually into the ocean.
Sparkler pencils: At checkout from camp on a weekend, if your site or cabin met inspection, each girl received a camp sparkler pencil.
Cadette roundup: During a special week when only Cadettes could attend camp,the Cadettes never used the words “poison ivy.” They just said, “PI.”
Daisy Bridge: If a Girl Scout didn’t make the Girl Scout sign before crossing the bridge, it would collapse.
Old wagon: There was an old wagon abandoned as a group was heading west. It was left behind after the group was attacked by Native Americans. When excavating the area, clothing and other items were found.
The Legend of Hernando’s Hideaway: Legend has it that Hernando was a local bandit river private. He and his group stole from farmers and hid the treasures along Mission Creek. From the beginning of Camp Merrybrook until 2013, Girl Scouts would walk the creek and investigate caves to see if they could find a treasure. Early on, wagon wheels and broken pottery pieces were found.
The Legend of the Crying Princess: Behind the area where Bonnie Brae stands, there are bluffs that form what we call the Crying Princess. It’s a sandstone formation that weeps out a trickle of water. Legend has it that long ago, a young Native American woman, while running to escape an undesired suitor, fell to her death there. Her tears are what are seen to this day.
In the January 2023 historian blog post that I wrote, From Savannah to Wellesbourne, The Story of Juliette Gordon Low in Warwickshire, England, I told the story of why Juliette Gordon Low’s Wellesbourne House was so important to her. I also shared that the dedication of the plaque, which identifies the house for its historical significance, had been rescheduled. Having recently returned from the dedication ceremony that took place on April 15, I will now share the journey for obtaining the plaque and what other individuals did as they accompanied me on the way.
Wellesbourne House 1890’sWellesbourne House Today
The saga began in July 2017, when my husband Denny was planning an upcoming trip to the English countryside for that August. He had prepared a fascinating itinerary that took us to Canterbury, the Cliffs of Dover, Highclere Castle, Stonehenge, Hadrian’s Wall, and Stratford-upon-Avon.
When he shared his plans for our excursion, I thought that maybe when we reached Stratford, we would be close to Juliette Gordon Low’s country estate. This is probably something only an enthusiastic Girl Scout historian would ponder. Anyway, I searched the internet for the location of Wellesbourne and used Google Maps to determine its proximity to Stratford. I realized that the distance between the two towns was a short 15 to 20-minute drive, and I shared my findings with Denny.
Since he is a meticulous planner, he wasn’t thrilled when I indicated that I wanted us to take a short trip to Wellesbourne. His response was that his plan was for us to go to Conway from Stratford, and Wellesbourne was in the opposite direction, so that would cause a disruption to the schedule. After I explained to him how important it was for me to see Juliette’s house, he agreed to deviate from the set-in-stone itinerary only if I could acquire the house’s exact location. He would not travel around the countryside looking for it since that would put us behind on his rigid timetable. I told him I would find out the house’s exact location, making it possible for us to be in Conway by his designated time. However, after he agreed to this proposition, I had yet to learn how I would obtain the exact location. Enter Ben Earl, the webmaster at Our Warwickshire.
When I found the Our Warwickshire website, I had the option of contacting the webmaster for further information. I wrote a lengthy message to Ben, explaining my predicament. He was unfamiliar with Juliette Gordon Low and her Wellesbourne connection, so he had to do some research in the county record office catalog. Ben successfully found the house’s location, and he relayed that information to me. I could now tell Denny how to find it.
When we got to Wellesbourne and located the house, I was thrilled. Even though it was a Sunday morning, and the gates were locked, I could at least get a photo of the home’s exterior and of the replicated gates, which are copies of the original ones that Juliette forged and are now on display at the Birthplace in Savannah, GA. I kept trying to see if there was anything on the house that identified it as once being the home of Juliette, but to my disappointment, I could not find anything. I was quite concerned about the house not having something to recognize its historical importance. In the meantime, Ben had asked me to write an article for Our Warwickshire describing Juliette’s time in Wellesbourne, which I did when we returned to Illinois. I asked Ben how I could get a plaque placed on the house. He gave me some suggestions as to where I might start.
This next pursuit found me contacting My Wellesbourne, which gave me the web address for the Wellesbourne Local History Group. It was through the local history group that I found Michael Dane. Michael was very receptive to my idea of having the house identified with a plaque and offered to help with this endeavor. His first task was to acquire permission from the owners to place a plaque on the house. This was no easy task. He had to do a considerable amount of research to locate that information.
He discovered that a property investment company had recently purchased the house and some of the other buildings, which would be converted into condos. He was finally successful in contacting the owners and was able to gain their approval to place a plaque on the house once the construction was completed. Michael then set to work getting bids for the fabrication of the plaque. On my end, I solicited my fellow Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GCNWI) historians and the Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois historians for the funds to pay for it. Michael received the plaque and gave it to the owners, who were to install it after the renovation was finished.
In the advertising brochure for the condos, the history of the property and Juliette’s time in Wellesbourne were highlighted, with much of the information taken from the article that I had written for Our Warwickshire. While this was all happening in September of 2018, several of my fellow historians and I went to Our Chalet in Adelboden, Switzerland, for an adult program. To my delight, a group from the Warwickshire Trefoil Guild was there with us at the same time. They were very supportive of my pursuit to have a plaque placed on Juliette’s house, and I appreciated their enthusiasm for this undertaking. Initially, Michael thought the project might be completed in time for me to stop by Wellesbourne on my return trip from Our Chalet, but that didn’t happen. The remodeling was taking much longer than anticipated. However, I felt very hopeful that everything would eventually fall into place. Then we hit a slight bump in the road. Somehow the plaque had been lost during the construction, and Michael informed me of this unforeseen setback in October 2019.
At first, the owners wanted me and the historians to come up with the funds for the replacement. However, Michael and I convinced them that they were responsible for losing the plaque, so they needed to pay for another one. This time, Michael kept the replacement plaque until he was sure it would be mounted. In January 2020, Michael sent me a photo of the plaque attached to the house.
So, after much angst, Juliette’s Wellesbourne House finally had a plaque to properly identify who had lived there.
Karen Schillings pointing to plaquePlaque at the end of March 2020
Plans were set into motion to have an unveiling of the plaque at the end of March 2020.
Denny had made all the arrangements for us to be in Wellesbourne on March 28. However, our plans came to a screeching halt. This time the COVID-19 pandemic put us in lockdown, and everything had to be canceled. It was such a disappointment. We were ultimately able to have a proper dedication on April 15 of this year, and it was such a joy to see the plaque affixed to the house.
Lesley Goodhead from the Warwickshire Trefoil Guild and the local historian Michael Dane made all the arrangements for the day. Michael secured permission for the event to take place on the property. He also arranged for me to have the opportunity to enter the house and see the front parlor, which has been modernized, but the same wrought iron railing still adorns the upstairs hallway.
Front Parlor 1890’sFront Parlor 2023Wrought Iron Railing 2023Sky Light 2023
Lesley informed local Girl Guides and Trefoil Guild members of the event. Additionally, she organized a luncheon to take place after the dedication in a nearby church hall and involved volunteers in preparing and serving the meal. I brought 12 boxes of Girl Scout cookies donated by GCNWI to serve and be enjoyed by all those in attendance. It was a gesture of our worldwide friendship, too.
At the dedication, I welcomed the Girl Guides and community members who came to the ceremony and thanked all those who supported the effort to have the house identified with a plaque. Since so many in the community were unaware of Juliette’s time in Warwickshire, I also explained the history of her journey that brought her to Wellesbourne House.
At the end of the ceremony, I presented Michael with the GCNWI Girl Scouts Hero Award for all his efforts in acquiring the plaque. Although Ben could not join us that day, he was approved for Girl Scouts Hero Award as well, and Michael agreed to take the award to him. In addition, I gave out to all the Girl Guides in attendance a Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana patch.
I, in return, received the Warwickshire Girl Guide Service Award for volunteers from the Girl Guide County Commissioner.
Karen speaking to the crowdMichael Dane receiving Girl Scouts Hero AwardKaren receiving the Warwickshire Girl Guide Service Award
After the ceremony and luncheon, some of the Trefoil Guild members took me to Chedham’s Yard, the local blacksmith’s forge that has been in the same location since 1856.
It is believed that this is where Juliette was taught how to shape the iron to create the gates for Wellesbourne House.
Juliette’s GatesKaren at Chedham’s Yard Forge
The day’s international spirit was very evident, and it was heartwarming to be part of this effort to have Wellesbourne House properly identified for its historical importance.
Karen – Girl Guides – Trefoil Guild
So, in the end, why all the fuss over getting a plaque put on Wellesbourne House? It’s because Juliette Gordon Low’s vision has meant so much to girls for over a hundred years, and this particular house, is the one she considered to be her own. She imagined a movement where all girls could come together and embrace their unique strengths and passions—and as Girl Guides and Girl Scouts have done ever since, she made that dream a reality.
A friend of mine is a Daisy leader and is now getting the troop ready for their bridging ceremony. This event has inspired me to look back on the tradition of becoming a Brownie and share a bit about the Brownie Program and its origins.
At the beginning of Girl Scouting, there were only Girl Scouts, which started at age 11. Only one complication: the Girl Scouts were often responsible for their little sisters, as they often had to babysit the little ones. To solve this problem, the first official Brownie Program was created.
The program and its principles were inspired by the children’s book, The Brownies by Julia Horatia Ewing. In the book, the Brownie is a quiet, clever fairy helper who helps the mortals in their homes by doing “good turns.” Early Brownies had traditions like making a Brownie Promise and being “obedient and helpful to other people, especially those at home.” They had a motto: “Be Prepared,” and a cry: “L. A. H.” which stood for “Lend A Hand.” The Brownies became little versions of their big sister Girl Scouts. They also went by the nickname “Junior Scouts.”
The leaders were lovingly called Brown Owl and Tawney Owl. The leaders had a guidebook, The Brown Book for Brown Owls. (Note: the council historians have this book in our collection. You may request to see it. You may request any book in the collection if you ask by emailing customercare@girlscoutsgcnwi.org)
Only Brownie Girl Scout leaders had a handbook titled Leader’s Guide to the Brownie Scout Program. Some topics were: Service Brownie Scouts Can Give, The Brownie Song, Brownie Scout Troop’s Own Special Days, Suggested Activities for Brownie Scouts in the Outdoors – Three Years of Progressive Activities, and lots more! The handbook also included tests and requirements to lead the Brownies to awards and become Girl Scouts!
It was not until 1951 that Brownies got their handbook. It was titled Brownie Scout Handbook. The book was all about Girl Scouts and traditions, and, in those days, a girl had to attend four meetings, pay $1.00 for national membership dues, and recite the Brownie Promise before becoming an official Brownie.
I became a Brownie in 1957, and we still used the 1951 handbook. My mom was one of the troop leaders. We had a huge troop and three leaders. It was great! I went through Girl Scouts until I reached Cadettes in 1962. I later became my two daughters’ Girl Scout leader until they became Seniors. And now, I am a Girl Scout historian! Thanks, Mom!
Today, the Daisy Program starts in kindergarten, and when Daisies reach second grade, they can become Brownies through a special bridging ceremony.
You may be wondering: what is a bridging ceremony?
A bridging ceremony is when troop members, volunteers, and family gather to recognize those who are ready to move up a level in Girl Scouting. They are a time to reflect on the past and look toward the future with confidence, courage, and character.
Bridging ceremonies happen between all levels of Girl Scouts. Each level of the bridging ceremony is unique, but all ceremonies are a key part of the life of a Girl Scout.
For a bridging to Brownie ceremony, the words are special. The ceremony relates to the same children’s book that the Brownie Program was inspired by.
The leader states, “To prepare for bridging today, our troop read “The Brownie Story,” a story about girls who went to a forest in search of “very helpful persons” called Brownies. There they met a wise old owl who told them that they could find the Brownie if they looked upon the magic pond and finished a magic rhyme. Now we, too, will perform a little magic. I’d like to call all new Brownies to stand around the magic pond and listen carefully while I read this poem.
Cross your little fingers, stand up on your toes,
That’s a bit of magic that every Brownie knows.
Now we all are standing inside a forest glade,
Listen very carefully; see the magic made.
And tucked inside this great big wood,
You’ll find a pond that’s pure and good.
Then turn yourself around three times,
Gaze into the pond; complete the rhyme.”
One at a time, each new Brownie walks to the pond and is met by a co-leader or helper who turns her in a circle while the Girl Scout says, “Twist me and turn me and show me the Elf; I looked in the water and saw myself!” The Girl Scout then receives a Brownie Membership Pin pinned upside down and returns to her fellow Girl Scouts. The leader explains that Girl Scouts must perform three good deeds for their family for their pin to be turned right side up.
After the three good deeds are done, the Girl Scout is now ready for new adventures, new badges, new skills to learn, and new trails to blaze as an official Girl Scout Brownie.
As a volunteer leader, one usually looks to an experienced leader for instruction, advice, and mentoring. Pat Walenga, who died suddenly in 2019, was one of those mentors.
A photo of Pat’s tribute.
Pat Walenga was a Girl Scout herself. With disruptions in her own life growing up, she could always count on Girl Scouts as the place that provided stability.
Initially an assistant leader for two years when she was just out of high school, Pat returned to being a leader when her older daughter needed one. Pat never stopped being a leader over the next forty years, which led to having four or five troops at a time every year.
Pat (fourth from right) with fellow Girl Scout Historians.
Pat was steadfast in promoting Girl Scouting. She was a service unit manager, area chair, master trainer, council and national delegate, board of directors’ member, board secretary (for the Girl Scouts of Chicago, before the merger of councils in 2008), and historian. She served on numerous committees: 75th Anniversary, By-Laws, Contemporary Issues, Outdoor, Long-Range Property, and Field Policy.
With Pat’s many jobs, her dedication to girl involvement and experiences was always at the heart of what she did. Girl Scout activities needed to be fun, as well as a place to learn skills, learn about oneself, and learn about others.
Pat as her clown character, “Yum Yum,” posing with her husband.
At Salmagundi, a northwest area annual event she ran, Pat appeared as Yum Yum, her clown character. On camping trips and outdoor events, Pat would have teams of girls go on an unnatural hike, looking for non-natural items near the path.
At times, questions were asked at troop meetings that girls did not feel comfortable asking in any other environment. One Daisy was worried that her grandparents would be sent back to Mexico; Pat was there to listen. Pat was always there to squeeze the hand of a Junior who got a bad grade; she encouraged a Cadette struggling with school; she hugged and assured others.
Pat connected not only with girls but also connected with former Girl Scouts wherever and whenever she could. When Girl Scouts of Chicago was considering selling Camp Juniper Knoll, Pat provided the local newspaper with a very old photo from the archives which showed young campers with lily pads on their heads; a half-million-dollar donation was received from a woman who remembered the event, saving the camp.
Pat received every award over the years. However, her most outstanding achievement was the fun and adventures with her many Girl Scouts. Her reward was the joy of working with the girls to help them become confident and caring women.
Newspaper article of Pat’s wedding anniversary and how it benefited the Girl Scouts of Chicago Endowment Fund.Pat with former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.Pat with Girl Scout volunteers.
Thousands of incredible volunteers routinely show Girl Scouts what it means to be unstoppable.
Girl Scout volunteers put their skills to good use and develop new ones; build community and connection; and make a meaningful, lasting difference for future generations of Girl Scouts through mentorship. Volunteers meet Girl Scouts where they are and respond to what they want and need, using care, knowledge, and experience to guide the way without dictating it. Volunteers’ talents and experiences can change girls’ lives.
From troop leader to service unit cookie manager, the list of amazing people volunteering their time and talents is long. In honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month, we would like to introduce you to a few of the explorers, trailblazers, changemakers, and stargazers that our members called to our attention.
Meet Michelle
Michelle is a fearless volunteer who raised her hand four years ago when her daughter’s troop needed a new troop leader. Michelle was eager to learn more about the product program side of Girl Scouts, so she started volunteering at the Joliet Cookie Cupboard. Two years later, Michelle became a service unit manager. As a troop leader, Cookie Cupboard volunteer, and service unit manager, Michelle is a true champion for girls. Girl Scouts GCWNI thanks you for making a meaningful and lasting difference for Girl Scouts through your mentorship and dedication.
Meet Monica
Monica boldly stepped up to be troop leader five years ago and has been empowering girls ever since! Monica has gone above and beyond by becoming a troop fall product and cookie manager. She sorted out all the girl’s rewards and made sure each girl got the rewards they earned as she fearlessly led them through years of cookie and fall product seasons. Monica used her talents to hand-sew all the patches on each girl’s vest in her troop. We are extremely grateful for volunteers like Monica who pour their heart into making authentic experiences for girls and truly making a difference in their lives. Girl Scouts GCWNI extends our appreciation to you, Monica, for guiding girls to listen to their heart and showing them what true confidence, courage, and character looks like.
Meet Marissa
Marissa is a lifetime member of Girl Scouts GCNWI and started her leadership journey in 2014 as a troop leader. Today, Marissa leads a multi-level troop, where she guides girls to be their most authentic selves. On top of her work as a troop leader, Marissa is also a service unit manager. Her dedication to living out the Girl Scout Mission is powerful and inspiring. Not only is it inspiring to the Girl Scouts in her service unit, but to adults as well. Her confidence, courage, and character have inspired others to become new troop leaders. Girl Scouts GCNWI thanks you, Marissa, for your outstanding leadership, years of service in Girl Scouts, and for living the Girl Scout Mission daily.
New volunteers may not realize the impact they have, so it is important for us to let you know that each one of you plays a vital role in showing girls how to be courageous and navigate life when challenges arise.
The volunteers mentioned above were submitted by Girl Scout GCNWI community members. If you’d like to highlight a stand-out volunteer, we’d love to hear about them. You can do so by clicking here. You can also head to our Facebook and Instagram pages to see more incredible volunteers highlighted in our stories and posts.
Happy Volunteer Appreciation Month to all Girl Scout volunteers; we couldn’t do it without you!
Girl Scouts take pride in recognizing the traditions and special days that make up Girl Scouting. Girl Scout Week is a perfect example of how Girl Scouts and Girl Scout volunteers come together and showcase their Girl Scout spirit. Girl Scout Week 2023 started on March 12 and concluded on March 18. Girls had a great time participating in the many fun activities throughout the week, including birthday parties, outdoor activities, ceremonies, community service, exploring Girl Scout traditions, and much more.
The tradition of celebrating Girl Scout Week is lively, but did you know that from 1919 to 1953, Girl Scout Week was observed in the fall? It included Juliette Gordon Low’s birthday (October 31), and each day of the week had a different focus:
Sunday Girl Scout Sunday
Monday Homemaking Day
Tuesday Citizenship Day
Wednesday Health and Safety Day
Thursday International Friendship Day
Friday Arts and Crafts Day
Saturday Out-of-Doors Day
During the National Council Session (NCS) in 1953, it was decided to combine Girl Scout Week with Girl Scouts’ birthday and celebrate during the week that includes March 12.
Why March 12?
On March 12, 1912, Juliette Gordon Low held the very first Girl Scout meeting in Savannah, Georgia, making March 12 Girl Scouts’ birthday.
Since the NCS in 1953, Girl Scout Week has started with Girl Scout Sunday and ended with Girl Scout Jummah/Sabbath/Shabbat Saturday.
Girl Scout Jammah/Sabbath/Shabbat Saturday, as a part of Girl Scout Week, was established to spread awareness of Girl Scouting at places of worship, to share the Girl Scout legacy of service to others, and deepen girls’ connection to their faith and Girl Scouting.
Everything in Girl Scouting is based on the Girl Scout Promise and Law, which include many common principles and values found across religions. Therefore, during Girl Scout Week, faith partners join us to help girls celebrate the connections between their faith and Girl Scouts.
Girl Scout Week connects Girl Scouts across the globe.
We hope you had an unforgettable experience celebrating this historic Girl Scout tradition.
Since 1926 World Thinking Day has been celebrated by Girl Scouts and Girl Guides around the world on February 22, which is the birthday of both Lord Baden-Powell and Olave Baden-Powell, the founders of Girl Guides. It was set aside as a day for “Girl Scouts and Girl Guides around the world think of each other and express their thanks and appreciation for our international Movement.” (History & Impact (wagggs.org)
The World Association was established to set standards shortly after the Girl Guides, and Girl Scouts began in a number of countries. The First World Conference was held in England in 1920 and was an opportunity for Girl Scouts and Girl Guides from around the world to meet and exchange ideas. But it wasn’t until representatives from 26 countries attending the Fifth World Conference in Hungary in 1928 formally established the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. The founding member countries were Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Hungary, Iceland, India, Japan, Latvia, Liberia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and Northern Ireland, USA, and Yugoslavia
Special programs with international themes are presented, and money is collected to help support WAGGGS, the World Association of Girl Guides, and Girl Scouts. It was proposed at the 1932 World Conference that girls could show their appreciation for the worldwide Scouting and Guiding movement by fundraising or making a donation. It was Olave Baden-Powell herself who suggested that girls “spare a penny.” This led to troops devising unique ways to collect donations for WAGGGS. For example, donating a penny (or a larger amount for older girls) per inch of height, length of hair or distance of a jump.
Today over 150 countries have Girl Scout or Girl Guide organizations. American Girl Scouts who are living in other countries with their families may belong to American troops if there are enough girls in the area, or they can join a local troop and experience their lifestyle while they participate in the activities and earn the badges of the local council.
Starting in 1915 in Washington, D.C., the democratic process has been continually promoted by our organization through the National Council Session (NCS), a.k.a. the National Convention.
Orlando, Florida, will host the 56th National Council Session from July 18-20, 2023, followed immediately with Phenom by Girl Scouts from July 20-22, 2023. This triennial meeting, comprised of delegates from each council, is charged with giving clear direction to the future of the Girl Scout Movement. It is the central link between Girl Scout councils and GSUSA. Each local council is allotted delegates on an adjustable formula to keep the National Council close to the optimal size of 1,500 delegates. Once elected by their local councils, the delegates serve a three-year term.
So, what do these National Council delegates do once they are elected to their positions? During NCS, National Delegates represent their local councils as voting members. They gather input, debate, and vote on proposals that impact the future of the Girl Scout Movement, including changes to the Constitution and the Blue Book of Basic Documents. In addition, National Delegates elect the National Board of Directors and the Board Development Committee. However, during the interim three years between each NCS, the National Delegates can also develop and submit proposals to the National Board for consideration as agenda items. In Girl Scouting, a proposal is a leading motion to bring a recommendation before the National Council for a vote. The National Board of Directors decides whether each submitted proposal is worthy of being on the agenda.
However, if any proposal developed by a local council receives support from 15 percent or more of the Girl Scout councils, then the National Board of Directors is obliged to have that proposal on the agenda so the National Council can act upon it.
This may sound boring and mundane, but the National Council Sessions are vital to keeping the movement forward-thinking. There has been a wide range of proposals since that first Girl Scout convention in 1915, and it’s quite interesting to look back on what has transpired at NCS.
My first encounter with the National Council Session occurred in 1990 in Miami Beach. At that convention, I was the chaperone for the two girls from legacy South Cook County Council who were sent as visitors. Since I had no previous association with NCS, I didn’t realize how many councils would actually send girls as delegates. I then began to lobby for a change to any subsequent South Cook County delegations to include at least two girl delegates.
Senior Girl Scouts Rachel Janssen, Patty Healy, and chaperone Karen Schillings at the 1990 Miami Beach National Council Session.
After Miami Beach, I attended all but one NCS either as a delegate, a girl chaperone, or often both! However, Miami Beach was an experience I will never forget. The keynote speaker was the author and poet Maya Angelou who captivated and inspired the attendees. The Spring 1991 Leader Magazine described her address in this manner: “. . . she held everyone spellbound. In song, in prose, in poetry, she captivated one and all with her wisdom, her insight, and her humor.”
The Miami Beach Convention Center during the 1990 NCS.
An additional highlight of the Miami Beach convention was the launching of GSUSA’s national service project on literacy with the help of an unexpected visit from our Honorary President at that time, First Lady Barbara Bush. Leader Magazine depicted it this way: “The excitement of the First Lady’s visit began with the arrival of the Secret Service people who checked the arena thoroughly. A surprise for those stern-visaged gentlemen must have been the immediate silence resulting from our Girl Scout quiet sign!”
First Lady Barbara Bush at the 1990 NCS.
The 1990 NCS is memorable for another reason, too. At this triennial meeting, the National Council passed a proposal to establish the designation Girl Scout “Gold Award” as the highest award to be earned by a girl member. After having the name of the highest award change several times in our Girl Scout history, this proposal dictated that the name “Gold Award” could not be altered.
You probably already know that the Girl Scout Promise and Law have been changed several times. However, you may not realize that some changes were voted upon during a National Council Session. The first-time changes were made at NCS took place in 1972 in Dallas. The delegation voted to approve this wording of the Promise and Law:
The Promise
On my honor, I will try:
To serve God,
My country and mankind,
And to live by the Girl Scout Law.
The Law
I will do my best:
—to be honest
—to be fair
—to help where I am needed
—to be cheerful
—to be friendly and considerate
—to be a sister to every Girl Scout
—to respect authority
—to use resources wisely
—to protect and improve the world around me
—to show respect for myself and others through my words and action
The Promise was again revised by the NCS delegation in Detroit in 1984 to its current form:
On my honor, I will try:
To serve God and my country,
To help people at all times,
And to live by the Girl Scout Law.
However, The Law did not undergo additional changes until the Fort Worth NCS in 1996, which is the version we use today:
I will do my best to be
honest and fair,
friendly and helpful,
considerate and caring,
courageous and strong, and
responsible for what I say and do,
and to
respect myself and others,
respect authority,
use resources wisely,
make the world a better place, and
be a sister to every Girl Scout.
Perhaps the most misunderstood proposal concerning the Girl Scout Promise was passed by the National Delegates in 1993 at the Minneapolis convention. The proposal was titled “Flexibility in Wording for Spiritual Beliefs in the Girl Scout Promise.” It stated:
THAT, since the Girl Scout organization makes no attempt to interpret or define the word “God” but encourages members to establish for themselves the nature of their spiritual beliefs, it be the policy of Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. that individuals when making the Girl Scout Promise may substitute wording appropriate to their own spiritual beliefs for the word “God.”
Having attended the 1993 National Council Session, I still remember the headlines of that time declaring that the Girl Scouts had taken “God” out of their Promise. The intent of the proposal was to promote inclusivity for girls of various faiths whose religious beliefs might have a different terminology for “God,” such as Allah or Yahweh. Many media outlets totally misrepresented what had transpired, so GSUSA had to do damage control and make numerous explanations on what the proposal intended to do.
Members of the South Cook County Council delegation wearing their convention casual attire during the 1993 Minneapolis NCS.
At other National Councils Sessions, the delegates have reviewed the request to increase dues. The Constitution was amended in 1975 during that year’s Washington NCS, giving this authority to the delegates. It stated: Decision on annual membership dues shall be by ballot and shall require a majority of votes cast. However, the wording in the GS Constitution concerning membership dues was somewhat altered at the 2008 NCS in Indianapolis. Within its rationale for the changes, the National Board included the statement that after the 2008 NCS, it would be the one to set dues amounts going forward and included a lengthy explanation as to why it felt it had the authority. At their January 20, 2012, meeting, the National Board raised annual membership dues from $12 to $15, effective with the 2014 membership year. This was the first time since the 1975 amended Constitution that the National Board raised annual membership dues without the National Council’s approval. Then in 2016, the National Board raised the dues again, going from $15 to $25. A lawsuit initiated by the Farthest North Council against GSUSA claimed that the dues increase violated the Constitution. The lawsuit went all the way to the Alaska Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of the Farthest North Council.
This controversy on who has the authority to raise the membership dues caused the delegates of Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GSGCNWI) to write a proposal for the 2020 NCS that would create a compromise between the National Board and the National Council. The proposal inserted into the Constitution has this wording:
The National Board of Directors must seek approval from the National Council whenever planned dues increase will increase by more than 25% in any triennium. This amendment to the Constitution passed, making it one of the two proposals submitted by GSGCNWI in 2020 to be approved.
Delegate Marty Poch (right) served as a resource person for the GCNWI dues restriction proposal at the 2020 virtual NCS
Another proposal associated with membership dues was passed at the Houston NCS in 1981. However, it was at this time the Lifetime Membership category was established. Then in 1999, at the Kansas City NCS, a vote was taken to have a special Lifetime Membership dues be offered to any girl who was a registered Senior Girl Scout at the time of her high school graduation or equivalent. In 2017 in Columbus, the delegates approved the elimination of the multiplier formerly used to establish the cost of a Girl Scout Lifetime Membership and voted for a flat rate of $400 or, for alums under age 30 and currently registered volunteers with ten or more years of service, a $200 cost. This change was supported by the GSGCNWI delegation.
GCNWI Delegation at the 2017 Columbus NCS.
There have been other significant proposals passed during NCS, such as those concerning the National Board. For instance, the Denver National Council session in 1978 reduced the number of National Board Members from 65 to 51. This number of National Board members was again reduced in 1996 in Fort Worth to 35. During the Atlanta NCS in 2005, the number of members of the National Board of Directors was amended to 25, which is the number that is in place today. Also, in 2005, the number of consecutive terms for the National President was reduced from three to two.
As I mentioned before, GSGCNWI had two proposals pass during the virtual NCS of 2020. Besides the proposal to restrict any dues increase to not exceed 25% in a triennium unless voted upon by the National Council, the GSGCNWI delegates also developed a proposal for the movement to establish a feasibility task group to research the formation of a National Gold Award Scholarship Foundation. When both proposals received positive outcomes, the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana made NCS history. We were the first local council to have two proposals pass during a single NCS. As one of the authors of the National Gold Award Scholarship Foundation proposal, I was asked to sit on the feasibility task group. Our findings will be shared at the NCS in Orlando this coming July. Stay tuned!
Karen Schillings at the virtual 2020 NCS presenting the proposal to initiate a task group to research the feasibility of a National Gold Award Scholarship foundation.
The GSGCNWI delegation is really looking forward to attending the Orlando NCS this July. After having the 2020 NCS held virtually due to the pandemic, it will be so satisfying to be in a convention hall once again with Girl Scouts from across the country. Being a National Delegate is a huge commitment with the numerous meetings before and even after the National Council Session. However, it’s extremely gratifying to know that this work is tremendously important to the vitality of the Girl Scout Movement.
Screenshot of the GSGCNWI delegates at the 2020 NCS.With the long hours spent at the computer during the 2020 NCS, some of the GSGCNWI delegates tried to find humor in the ordeal.With the long hours spent at the computer during the 2020 NCS, some of the GSGCNWI delegates tried to find humor in the ordeal.
Finally, I want to share a uniquely GSGCNWI tradition that was started for NCS in 2011. As a National Delegate who is also a Council Historian, I have had the capability to acquire vintage uniforms for our girl members who attend NCS as either delegates or visitors. The girls always feel special when delegates from other councils can identify the era of the uniforms they are wearing. Because 2020 was virtual, this tradition was suspended during that NCS, but it will definitely be brought back for 2023!
GSGCNWI Girl Delegates and chaperone Karen Schillings wearing vintage uniforms in 2011 at the Houston NCS.Girl Delegates and participants in the Girl Scout Leadership Institute in Salt Lake City during the 2014 NCS. The CEO of GSUSA, Sylvia Acevedo (center), is pictured with the girls handing out her patch.Girl Delegates Madelynn Zeller and MiCayla Jones at the Columbus NCS in 2017.
