There Was a Wider Opportunity for That!

The Variety of Travel and Learning Experiences Offered with Wider Opportunities

Before there were Destinations for older Girl Scout travel possibilities, local Councils and Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) offered Wider Opportunities (Wider Ops). These were programs that presented Girl Scout Cadettes and Seniors with the prospects of traveling to locations within the USA or around the world, much the same as Destinations do today. The Wider Ops had various themes, so a Girl Scout had the ability to find an agenda with activities that interested her. This innovative program gave Girl Scouts amazing experiences that they might never have had if it weren’t for Girl Scout programing. So let’s take a look at what some of our Girl Scouts encountered through the Wider Opportunities program.

Denise (Schillings) Roche, Legacy South Cook County Council

In 1988, legacy Raintree Council of Evansville, Indiana (now the Southwest Indiana Council) hosted Studio ’88. Denise Roche was a Cadette in Troop 147 of Homewood at the time and very interested in attending this Wider Opportunity. It was a two-week fine arts Wider Opportunity that was being held at the University of Evansville. Girl Scouts could choose their course of study: instrumental music, vocal music, drama, dance, or visual art. Denise was an oboist and decided to apply for the instrumental music. Along with completing the paperwork, she had to have recommendations from her band director and also from the South Cook County Council staff and volunteers who knew her character and intent. Denise was thoroughly excited when she received the news that she had been chosen to participate in Studio ’88. Since Evansville is near her Dad’s hometown, Denise’s parents drove her there. The Raintree Council partnered Denise with a host family that took her around Evansville, so she could become familiar with the city before the event started. Then the girls moved into dorms at the university. The girls were from all over the country, and Denise recalls that her roommate was a ballerina who studied dance for her fine art. During the day, the girls spent their time attending classes. Besides her music classes, Denise also chose to do visual arts – a good choice since she is now an elementary art teacher. In the evenings, the girls had various social events in which they could participate. At the end of the two weeks, families and friends were invited to attend a full production of all the performing arts, along with visiting an art exhibition that highlighted the visual arts.

*Here is Denise holding her Senior Girl Scout vest, pointing to her Studio ’88 patch.*

This initial experience with Wider Ops prompted Denise to apply again in 1991. This time, she decided on an event called Together We Stand that was being hosted by the Girl Scouts of Philadelphia (now the Eastern Pennsylvania Council). This Wider Opportunity was more of a conference-style workshop. Again, Denise had to complete a substantial amount of paperwork and have recommendations for her application. For this event, the girls stayed in dorm rooms at the University of Pennsylvania. Having the chance to stay at an Ivy League School really impressed Denise. The girls explored all the educational and historic sites around Philly for the four days they were there. One evening was all about trading SWAPS. Denise took rocks from the Thornton Quarry for her SWAPS. She considers the volcanic ash from Mount St. Helens to be the best SWAPS she received. Denise was 15 that summer, and it was the first time she had travelled by plane alone.

Denise went on to earn her Gold Award, is a Lifetime Member, and currently serves as the Fall Product Manager for her daughter Giovanna’s Senior troop, a position she has held from the time the girls were Daisies.

*Instead of a patch, the participants in Together We Stand were given a button.*

Tamara Anderson, Legacy Chicago Council

As a Girl Scout Senior in Troop 178, Tamara Anderson was chosen to participate in a Wider Opportunity called Music and Medicine that was held in July of 1990. It was hosted by legacy Mid-South Council (now Heart of the South Council) located in Memphis, Tennessee.

Tamara arrived in Memphis on July 20. She had visited Memphis during previous summers, spending time with her uncle’s family, but this time she went directly to Rhodes College where the participants of Music and Medicine were housed. Tamara remembers becoming close friends with two of the other girls joining in this Wider Opportunity. One was there for medicine and grew up on a farm. The other was there for music, the same reason Tamara was interested in attending this program. She also recalls that the meals at Rhodes College were undeniably GREAT and that she never ate so good while being away from home. Since Tamara celebrated her birthday two days after her arrival in Memphis, the girls had a party for her with balloons and cake.

The activities that Tamara experienced were so exciting for a girl who was interested in music. She was able to visit Beale Street, the birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll and the home of the Blues. It was on Beale Street that Tamara purchased her first harmonica, which she taught herself to play. The girls also went to the famous Peabody Hotel to see the legendary duck march to the fountain in the hotel lobby. Additionally, the group went to Sun Records studio, notable for being where Elvis and Howlin’ Wolf recorded their music. Tamara was even able to play her harmonica in that very studio. The girls then travelled to Nashville to experience the medical and music scene there. While in Nashville, Tamara recorded an original song that she wrote. She also shadowed two doctors.

As with so many Girl Scout gatherings, SWAPS were exchanged at this Wider Opportunity, too. Some were handmade by the participants, while others used council patches for their SWAPS. Tamara’s Mom sent her with SWAPS from the Chicago Council and the city itself.

This experience has stayed with Tamara. It was a steppingstone to what she is now doing, since she is a professional artist who acts and sings, along with writing music and plays. And by the way, she can still play a mean harmonica.

*Program patch and SWAPS that Tamara received at Music and Medicine Wider Op*portunity.

Ruth Caragher-Stiles, Legacy DuPage County Council

Ruth Caragher-Stiles went through the Wider Opportunities application process when she was part of Senior Mariner Ship 167 in legacy DuPage County Council. She was chosen for a program sponsored by the Utah Council during July of 1999. Ruth feels that being selected gave her the chance to mature and grow as a young person. She also saw Wider Ops as a way to explore new experiences that would broaden her horizons.

For Ruth, there were many firsts related to this journey. During the application process, it was her first encounter with sitting down for an in-person interview. Additionally, it was her first time to be on a plane, to see a mountain, to be away from home by herself, to be responsible for herself as a person, along with so many other firsts that are too long to list. It all led to Ruth being more aware of who she is as a person and her ability to recognize her strengths, weaknesses, and maturity level.

When July finally arrived, Ruth flew to Salt Lake City and was greeted by the family who hosted her. She appreciated the family’s kindness and their willingness to take her up into the mountains after they learned Ruth had never seen a mountain before.

The day after her arrival, Ruth met up with all the Wider Op group of Girl Scouts from around the country. The girls had a day of talking and visiting with each other, doing trust games, touring downtown Salt Lake City, visiting the Mormon church, and being together as a group while preparing for the rest of the week.

The participants traveled by tour bus around the state of Utah for the week. They started out driving to Zion National Park near the Arizona border. Ruth remembers it being quite a long drive, but worth it because of the spectacular view. For Ruth, one of the more rewarding experiences was getting to know the other Girl Scouts during the drive. She recalls that one of the girls was vision impaired and used a walking cane to get around. The other girls were all inspired by her bravery, since this Wider Opportunity was going to include a lot of hiking, camping, and rafting. She was very trusting, and all the girls surrounded her with support.

After a day of hiking and swimming in the river at Zion, the girls set up camp for the night. Ruth remembers how a thunderstorm rolled through. Since the camp was in a valley between two mountain ranges, the thunder would start at one end and roll like a bowling ball to the other end of the valley and back. The girls sang songs and cooked over a campfire before the rain came, enjoying all the fun.

The following day, the group headed to Bryce Canyon National Park and set up camp again. There was lots of hiking and helping the vision impaired Girl Scout who was so brave, and the group all really built up their friendship during this time.

The next stop on the tour was Moab, where two national parks are located, Canyonlands and Arches. At Canyonlands National Park, the girls saw the beautiful Angel Arch, while at Arches National Park, they saw the magnificent Big Arch. While in Moab, the girls enjoyed white water rafting down the Colorado River.

For the first night in Moab, they stayed in cabins with six girls to a cabin. The other two nights were spent camping under the stars next to the Colorado River. Coming from the Chicago area, Ruth couldn’t get over how quiet it was at night, how beautiful the stars were, and how she had never seen so many of them before in her life. The girls had big bonfires at night and sang songs. They each took turns talking about their lives, homes, and families. Ruth remembers the girls with whom she became close, and how they would lie together under the stars in the long, tall grass of a field, counting the falling stars until they were fast asleep and not waking until the morning.

During the time in Moab, Ruth had her sixteenth birthday. The rafting tour guide company had bought her a cake. It was the first time Ruth had a birthday away from home, and everyone sang Happy Birthday to her. This was quite a happy time for Ruth.

The blind girl continued to demonstrate her bravery during the hikes in Moab. There were times when the girls had to traverse huge rock faces. At one point they were all completely horizontal and shimming up between a crevice in the rocks, and the blind girl became afraid. The group refused to let her give up and after some time she continued on. The girls all rallied around her, telling her how proud they were of her. Looking back now, Ruth is proud of the entire group she was with.

Through all the hiking and swimming, the cooking and rafting, seeing all new mountains and rivers, the beautiful scenes at all the national parks in Utah had a profound effect on Ruth. She believes that she became a bit more in tune with who she is as a person because of this Wider Opportunity, which sparked in her a lifetime of curiosity and adventure. There are many times during hikes that were quite challenging that Ruth didn’t think that she could do them. However, after completing these challenges, Ruth’s confidence improved. She considers her experiences during the Wider Opportunity to have been completely positive. The Girl Scout leaders, the Girl Scouts who attended from around the country, and even the family who welcomed Ruth into their home, all started out as strangers, but they left Utah as friends. Ruth is very proud and grateful to have had this experience.

Beth (Pradelski) Kosiba, Legacy South Cook County Council

As a Cadette Girl Scout in legacy South Cook County Council, Beth Kosiba was chosen for a ten-day Wider Opportunity called Porpoises, Patents, and Polymers that was offered by legacy Western Reserve Council (now Northeast Ohio Council) in Akron. During this July 1999 Wider Opportunity, Beth participated in numerous activities, along with 50 other Girl Scouts from 29 states who were also interested in biology, physics, and other science activities. Beth has always had a love for animals, and this was a perfect match for her to explore the many options for her future.

Program patch for Porpoises, Patents, and Polymers

Before heading to the program, Beth made SWAPS to exchange with the other girls. She made a key chain out of fun foam in the shape of Illinois, painting a tulip on it to show where her hometown of South Holland was located.

To start this journey, Beth flew into Cleveland, Ohio and was met at the airport by her host family. She stayed with the host family for two days before being taken to Camp Ledgewood, the home base for the program. Most of the mornings were spent at camp where the participants could enjoy scavenger hunts, snorkeling, rock climbing, or activities planned by different patrols. The girls slept on bunk beds, went on hikes, and used the pool to cool off. However, one thing that Beth found different at Camp Ledgewood was “timing the showers”, turning the water on and off to make sure that there was enough water for everyone. There were additional activities, such as campfires in the evening, a pool party, and a tour of the Council office that included a pizza party.

The Girl Scouts spent five days at Sea World, investigating the animals and learning from the instructors. There was classroom education and behind the scenes exploration. They even had close access to dolphins, penguins, and whales, along with interacting with the handlers who cared for or worked with the animals. They learned how to walk with flippers on, and they were able to try out scuba gear in a swimming pool.

A trip to Kent State University let them explore the Liquid Crystal Institute and the displays there. Here the girls learned a bit about physics and what careers it could lead to. They toured Inventure Place and the Inventors Hall of Fame, where they were able to research and learn about the marvels of invention.

Another outing took the girls to the University of Akron. Here they learned about the Polymer Science Program at the state-of-the-art facility, the Polymer Research Science Center. At the research center, the girls were able to make something with plastic.

There were also fun times not related to science. They went to the Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland and to the Great Lakes Science Museum where they saw an IMAX movie. The participants also explored the natural wonders of the Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation area. They went to Geauga Lake for an afternoon of fun and had a picnic dinner there.

Beth really enjoyed this Wider Opportunity program and found it to be a lot of fun. It reinforced her love of science careers and education, along with service to others. She thoroughly enjoyed seeing the animals behind the scenes, and this program helped her to decide on what she wanted to do in the future. Beth has worked at the Lincoln Park Zoo, Shedd Aquarium, and now at the Indianapolis Zoo in the education department. While working at the Shedd Aquarium, Beth became friends with co-worker Juliann Krupa and discovered that Juliann’s mom was the person who organized the PPP Wider Opportunity Program for Western Reserve Girl Scouts. And now, Juliann is currently involved with Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana. The Girl Scout sisterhood touches us in a variety of ways!

Beth continued her Girl Scout journey and earned her Gold Award. She is also a Lifetime Member.

*These are some of the SWAPS Beth collected during her Wider Opportunity.*

Amy (Heyse) Mantuori, Legacy South Cook County Council

Amy Mantuori was fortunate to be chosen for four Wider Opportunities during her time as a Girl Scout Senior with legacy South Cook County Council.

In 1998, Amy went on her first Wider Opportunity, which was hosted by the Nation’s Capital Council in Silver Spring, Maryland. Rocks, Caves to Comets offered spelunking, fossil digging, rappelling, panning for gems, and whitewater rafting, along with a visit to the Smithsonian. The participants camped in tents most of the time, but also stayed in hotels and on college campuses as they traveled around.

Legacy Michigan Pine and Dunes Council in Grand Rapids, Michigan (now Michigan Shore to Shore Council) offered the Wider Opportunity Ecoventures in1999. Amy felt fortunate to be chosen for this Wider Opportunity thatwas all about learning science and math, along with how to make it fun to encourage younger girls to become interested in STEM. She was taught all kinds of interesting experiments and how to recreate them. Learning how to write grants, press releases, and proposals was also part of the program. Additionally, the girls acquired the knowledge on how to set up STEM kits for their councils. Amy took this idea and made it the focus of her Gold Award project. A highlight of this Wider Opportunity occurred when astronaut Sally Ride spoke to the participants about the importance of getting girls interested in math and science.

For her next Wider Opportunity, Amy headed to Modesto, California in July 2000. Legacy Muir Trail Council (now Heart of Central California Council) offered On the Trail for Gold. During her time there, Amy panned for gold, hiked through Yosemite, crawled through a cave, explored San Francisco, and visited old west towns. The lodgings included camping, hotels, college campuses, and even homestays with host families as the girls traveled across the west in search of gold.

Amy’s last Wider Opportunity took her to Portland, Oregon in July 2001. Great Northwest Adventure was hosted by legacy Columbia River Council (now Oregon and Southwest Washington Council). Amy had the chance to do all kinds of amazing things, such as hiking up Mount St. Helens, windsurfing, whitewater rafting, and hiking through waterfalls. She also went to museums, the aquarium, and on boat trips and light house tours. There was plenty of time spent on the beach, too.

Amy really enjoyed these experiences for so many reasons. Although she found it to be a little nerve wracking getting on a plane (sometimes by herself) and heading to another state, not really knowing anyone, Amy also realized that she was going to have an exceptional experience at each of these Wider Ops. When looking back at these four amazing adventures, she realizes that the most memorable aspects of each trip were the people she met. She is still in contact with many of the girls who were on the trips with her, some she has seen many times since the trips. One girl even stood up in her wedding, while another was in attendance. She reached out to some of her friends to ask about their memories of their Wider Ops. Most of the memories centered around just getting to know each other, playing games, having new experiences, and having fun.

Amy went on to earn her Gold Award, and she is also a Lifetime Member. She recently became the leader of her daughter’s Daisy troop.

After learning about the Wider Ops experiences of these five women, it is quite evident that the Wider Opportunities program had a profound impact on all of their lives. Girl Scouts helps develop girls of courage, confidence, and character through all of the programming that is offered. However, Wider Ops was proven to be one of the most influential in girls’ lives, and Destinations is carrying on that legacy.

An Enchanting Recap from 2023’s National Council Session and Girl Scout Convention.

This past July in Lake Buena Vista, FL, Girl Scouts from across the country and world gathered at Walt Disney World Resort for the 2023 National Council Session (NCS) and Girl Scout Convention, Phenom. With excitement and magic lingering in the air, nearly 10,000 Girl Scouts, National Council Delegates, volunteers, and visitors eagerly awaited their chance to celebrate our movement. A magical few days were about to take place in what could be described as one of the most magical places on earth.

Taking place once every three years, this event is both a business meeting, where important issues and topics that affect the future of our movement are discussed and voted on by the National Council, and a celebration of our movement with inspiring stories, new friendships, and of course, lots of sing-a-longs taking place.

National Council Delegates are elected by local councils and serve in these roles for three years. They represent local councils in the business meeting portion of convention known as NCS. The Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GCNWI) National Delegation is made up of adult members and Girl Scouts who are at least 14 years of age at the time of election. Some GCNWI Delegates have attended numerous NCSs while others were attending for the first time!

While their experience varies, all delegates share a passion for Girl Scouting, a desire to serve our council, and have a dedication that is unmatched as they spent countless hours preparing to attend NCS by meeting both virtually and in person. National Delegate Pamela shared that while she had so many memories from NCS, one of her favorites was GCNWI’s Delegation meeting up at the airport. “I could feel the positive energy of the group. We each knew we had a purpose to represent our council and we were ready.”

Upon arrival and ready to kick off the festivities, GCNWI’s National Delegation gathered with other GCNWI council members who were in town to attend the convention. Together, they had a spectacular evening full of laughter, friendship, and wonder as they looked ahead to the exciting events that were to come.

During the 56^th NCS, which lasted three days, delegates participated in debates and voted on seven proposals that direct the future of the Girl Scout Movement. Four of these seven proposals were passed. While some proposals were passed or defeated quickly, others went through hours of debating before a vote was taken. First time GCNWI National Delegate Rebecca reflects that, “It was so exciting to be a part of the debates and witness the voting/passing of various proposals. I was surprised by how quickly things could move – and how slowly they could crawl. The most surprising part of NCS may have been the girl delegates. They spoke so passionately and thoughtfully with a perspective I no longer have personally. I’m so impressed and inspired by all of them. The future is bright.”

GCNWI National Girl Delegates and chaperone strategizing before NCS.

GCNWI National Girl Delegates Madalyn, Maddie, McKenzie, Hazel, Katharine, and Annabel.

While reflecting on her favorite part of NCS, GCNWI National Girl Delegate Madalyn shared, “I loved the entirety of the democratic process. Seeing such passionate females making their voice heard and being powerful was such an inspiration and an experience I will never forget. Even the little moments when I would talk with the other girl delegates across the table, and we would discuss the proposal at hand was so meaningful because open-mindedness is something that always should be present in democracy but is rare.”

Additionally, GCNWI National Girl Delegate Hazel shared, “It was really cool to be surrounded by so many powerful women and intelligent girls. It’s so rare to be in a room where important decisions are being made by only (or mostly) women, and it was a really amazing experience.”

GCNWI National Girl Delegate Annabel reflects, “I was definitely nervous about knowing all of the information and nuances of the proposals being discussed, but as we all were able to have in depth discussions from members of our and other delegations, I learned some really fascinating insight and was able to deepen my understanding of Girl Scout governance. This was one of the things I was also excited about, being able to talk to many people from all over the country, as well as the opportunity to grow closer to those in my delegation. I think Girl Scouts is truly one of the most inclusive places, and everyone I’ve met wants to listen to and learn from what others have to say, even if they disagree.”

GCNWI National Girl Delegates McKenzie, Madalyn, Hazel, Maddie, Annabel, and Katharine with new National Board Member Scott Saunders and GCNWI Board Member Janet Hulet.

GCNWI Delegate Lindsay shares that, “The best part of NCS was listening to passionate, informed, and courageous girl members from around the country make their cases to a room of 1000. Their voices were excellent reminders of why Girl Scouting is more important than ever.”

One of the more important pieces of business at this year’s NCS was the consideration of the Girl Scout Gold Award Scholarship. During the 2020 NCS, GCNWI’s National Delegation proposed the formation of a task force to examine the feasibility of creating a national Gold Award Scholarship Fund, which was passed. After the passing of that proposal, a task force was formed and made recommendations for the creation of a Movement Gold Award Scholarship. The passing of the 2023 proposal puts the existence of the fund into the Blue Book of Basic Documents.

GCNWI National Delegate Karen, who was instrumental in the creation of the 2020 proposal and served on the Gold Award Scholarship Fund Task Force, shared that her favorite moment of this year’s NCS was wrapped around the passing of this proposal. “After many years of advocating for the creation of a national scholarship program for Gold Award recipients, I was thoroughly delighted when the proposal passed and that my dream will now come to fruition.”

Proposals were not the only topic on this year’s NCS agenda. Delegates had a busy schedule and participated in a discussion on Movement Governance, elected the new National Board and National Board Development Committee, and had a great time meeting and networking with Girl Scouts of the USA’s (GSUSA) CEO Bonnie Barczykowski, members of the National Board, and new National Board President Noorain F. Khan.

After NCS wrapped up, it was time for Phenom, the convention portion of the week! During Phenom, Girl Scouts had the chance to continue networking with others from across the movement, explore the expo hall, workshops, and even hop on over to the parks! Some of our members also volunteered or participated in a 5k that took place around the convention center.

GCNWI National Alternate Delegate Tina has attended convention multiple times as a visitor and shared, “I love going to convention. There is so much energy when you put so many Girl Scouts in one place. It’s amazing to see the girls become so engaged, socializing, and networking with other girls and adults from all over. It’s equally amazing to see so many adults who are so passionate about our movement and what it provides for the girls. It’s a perfect cure for burnout! I always leave reenergized and proud to be a lifetime member of GSUSA.”

GCNWI National Delegate Tresa joined her troop after NCS to take in convention. “I loved meeting other delegates from other councils along with having my troop of 5 girls there for Phenom. It was an amazing and inspiring event that they got to witness while using their money they had raised to make it a better world in the future.”

While we reflect on all of the wonderful memories created at this year’s NCS and Girl Scout Convention, we’re excited to share the next NCS and Girl Scout Convention will take place in Washington, DC, July 20-25, 2026! Those interested in attending as visitors should stay tuned for more information that will be released from GSUSA.

GCNWI will be seeking applications for our next class of National Delegates in Fall 2024. These delegates will serve from Spring 2025 to Spring 2028. More information will be available on the GCNWI Democratic Process page.

If you or a Girl Scout you know is unsure about applying to be a GCNWI National Girl Delegate or attending Girl Scout Convention, check out what some of our GCNWI National Delegates had to say!

“Apply! Attend! Be part of the remarkable experience! I hope to again in 2026. Once you are there you can see Girl Scouts in action. It is a place where you are surrounded by people who are passionate about the movement, and it shows. The positive energy at the convention is contagious. You need to experience for yourself firsthand. I wish every Girl Scout could attend.” —GCNWI National Delegate Lisa

“Enjoy the journey! You will get to learn more than you imagined about the history and origins of Girl Scouts, and how change happens in this amazing organization.” —GCNWI National Delegate Jen

“I would tell them to go for it. It is such an amazing experience to be able to express your voice & the voice of other Girls and volunteers in your area. You will make close friends with your fellow delegates, meet people from all over, have in-depth conversations about governance and general life. Girl Scouts is such an inclusive and loving space, and it is really reflected in the people you meet. Being able to help better it is such a joy.” —GCNWI National Girl Delegate Annabel

“I cannot recommend this experience enough. YOU can make an impact on our mission. YOU can help guide the future of our organization. YOU should do it (and get ready to have loads of fun on the journey)!” —GCNWI National Delegate Rebecca

Want to learn more? The GCNWI National Delegation is happy to come speak to Troops or Service Units about being a National Delegate and the 2023 National Council Session and Convention. If you would like to request a Delegate to come speak at your meeting, please email Alaina Greene, Delegate Liaison, at agreene@girlscoutsgcnwi.org.

Using Troop Proceeds to Fund Exciting Adventures

Meet Troop 60314, a multi-level troop from Lansing, IL, who used their troop proceeds for an amazing Girl Scout travel experience to Mackinac Island.

The troop has funded many great experiences through fall product and cookie proceeds, such as camping at Camp Palos and Camp Butternut Springs and visiting the Art Institute and other landmarks in Chicago, but the troop had yet to travel outside the council for a multi-day trip.

With six Girl Scouts in the troop graduating this spring and many Girl Scouts having jobs and other after-school activities, the troop decided this was the perfect time to go on a big trip. Girl Scouts brainstormed places to go, set their budget, and agreed that Mackinac Island was the perfect destination.

From June 12 to June 16, nine Girl Scouts and their families explored the beautiful scenery and learned about the history of Mackinac Island. They went on a ferry tour, a carriage ride, and walked through a butterfly house. They also hiked Munising Falls, and on their last day, the troop toured the old Mackinac Point Lighthouse. The entire trip turned out to be an unforgettable experience for the troop.

Heather, a co-leader of Troop 60314, shared some tips for new troop leaders who are interested in beginning the trip-planning process:

You know your troop and what they’re interested in. Do your research first and share with your Girl Scouts what is reasonable.
Keep it simple: the girls will enjoy spending time together regardless of the destination.
Mention that you are bringing Girl Scouts to the places you are interested in visiting – they may offer you a discount!

You can count Troop 60314 in for participating in the fall product and cookie program this year, as they have already begun planning for their next big troop adventure!

Learn more about our Fall Product Program by clicking here.

Hiking the Swiss Alps Recap

Embarking on a Girl Scout international destination trip is an incredible journey that expands your global horizons and builds memories, friendships, and fun. To prepare for your trip across the globe, you must have completed the Girl Scout travel progression timeline, starting with field trips for Daisy Girl Scouts and working your way up regional travel as a Junior Girl Scout. When you bridge up to Cadette’s, you will have built the foundational travel skills needed to take the lead and see the world!

After six months of planning, preparing, and connecting over Zoom, 12 Girl Scouts were ready to connect in person and travel to Switzerland. Girl Scouts immersed themselves in the Swiss culture for two weeks, where they went hiking and sightseeing, toured Our Chalet (the first World Centre for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts!), ate lots of fondue, and so much more! Read on to get a daily recap of their trip and hear from some of the world travelers.

All Girl Scouts arrived in Chicago, then flew together to New York:

Unfortunately, the flight to Geneva was delayed a couple of days due to severe weather. But luckily, Girl Scouts were in New York and had an opportunity to explore the city! While in New York, Girl Scouts shopped at Hudson Yards, took a lovely scenic stroll on the Hi-Line, had a delicious lunch at Chelsea Market, visited the Stonewall Monument, and enjoyed some classic New York pizza.

The following day, before heading to the airport, Girl Scouts were able to visit the Cradle of Aviation Museum and learn about the history of flight from their awesome, friendly staff.

First full day in Switzerland:

For their first full day in Switzerland, Girl Scouts explored Lausanne. They visited Lausanne Cathedral and climbed up to the top for some amazing views of the city.

Girl Scouts also had time to explore the Old Town and stop in all sorts of shops before stopping in a creperie for lunch.

After lunch, they hopped on a ferry to cross Lac Lemon into France!

Girl Scouts spent a few hours exploring Evian and filling their water bottles at the official source spring that started Evian Bottled Water.

Once they returned to Lausanne, they gathered for an authentic Swiss fondue experience!

Second day in Switzerland:

Girl Scouts took the train to Montreux on their second day! Girl Scouts saw the Chateaux de Chillon, a castle built in the twelfth century. They toured the castle for the morning and then went into downtown Montreux for the rest of their day. Girl Scouts first stopped at The Queen Experience, a small museum where the band Queen recorded one of their albums.

Then, they all gathered around the Freddie Mercury statue for a photo together. The group decided to split up for a little while in the afternoon. A few of the Girl Scouts went on a hike while the others went into the old part of Montreux to explore. They all met for dinner before catching the train back to Lausanne for the night.

Week in Adelboden:

For the first night at Our Chalet, Girl Scouts attended a Pinning Ceremony and received their exclusive pins.

The next morning, Girl Scouts were up bright and early for a hike up an actual alp! They hiked all day, stopping for the amazing views and to say hello to some cows. It was a challenging hike, but their months of preparation paid off.

“My most vivid memory is walking up the side of a mountain surrounded by cows and hearing the gentle ringing of their bells. To me, this was a quintessential experience to have in Switzerland,” said Girl Scout Leah.

When they got back to Our Chalet, they enjoyed Swiss Night! Girl Scouts learned about Swiss history and folklore, played trivia, and enjoyed chocolate fondue.

The next day, Girl Scouts had their onsite day. They spent the whole day at Our Chalet participating in activities about knot tying, team building, orienteering, fire building, shelter making, and whittling.

That night, Girl Scouts attended International Night. They got to learn more about where all the Our Chalet volunteers are from and the other guests. They also shared about the 12 different states they were all from.

“It was really interesting to learn how Girl Scouts is different, but also how the Girl Scouts themselves are similar to me and that we have much in common,” said Girl Scout Abigail.

Girl Scouts had one free day at Our Chalet, where they could plan their own activities. Girl Scouts decided to take a hike up to the Trummer Woodcarver. It’s a family-owned business where everything is handmade, and you can have your name hand-carved into a cool souvenir.

Girl Scouts then hiked back into Adelboden to spend some time shopping! Everyone bought some Swiss chocolate to share with their family back home.

“Being exposed to the cultural differences on this trip has inspired me to save my money and seek other unique experiences in the future. Now, I have an appreciation for European culture and a drive to experience other cultures around the world as well, said Girl Scout Calleigh.

The next day was their favorite activity of the whole trip – the adventure park! Girl Scouts had two different activities for the day: zip lining and rock climbing. The rock climbing wall was challenging, but a ton of fun, and the zip lines were so exciting! Girl Scouts all got to work together as a team to cheer each other on and help each other through the different levels.

That night, all the groups at Our Chalet gathered for a campfire. They all shared songs with each other and learned songs from different countries!

The last full day in Adelboden was one last big hike. Girl Scouts hiked a steep trail to a beautiful lake with cows hanging out on the beach.

They stopped for lunch and then headed to the toboggan run, followed by a cable car back down towards town.

Girl Scouts spent the evening packing up their rooms and attending the Closing Ceremony.

Being at Our Chalet with people from all over the world was such an amazing experience, and all Girl Scout travelers made some great friends they hope to keep forever.

“The overall experience was unforgettable and one that I will cherish forever. This trip pushed me outside of my comfort zone. It was my first time traveling to a different country without my parents. I was nervous and anxious to leave my family for so long, but once I made it to Chicago, I felt included and welcomed by all of the Girl Scouts and leaders. This experience has also taught me to persevere during times of adversity,” said Girl Scout Camdyn.

“Coming back from this trip of almost a month in a foreign country with people I hardly knew, I can confidently say that I grew mentally and emotionally,” said Girl Scout Amelia.

For more information on Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana travel opportunities, please contact programs@girlscoutsgcnwi.org.

Adventures in Colorado

Fourteen Girl Scouts and volunteers started their summer with an adventure full of firsts. From unforgettable rock-climbing experiences to crafting gnomes, Girl Scouts navigated physical challenges that tested their comfort zones. Girl Scouts supported one another during their trip to Colorado and made lasting friendships. In this post, you’ll get a day-by-day recap and hear some stories from the attendees.

July 26, 2023 Girl Scouts landed in Colorado on July 25, but their activities started on July 26 with a hike along the Colorado River. On the way, the hike turned into a step-uphill climb. Girl Scouts encouraged each other to keep going as they trekked up the side of the Rocky Mountains. The high altitudes posed some challenges, but by taking breaks and having oxygen tanks on hand, the Girl Scouts were able to reach the top! They saw many native animals, including moose, deer, and elk, and enjoyed the lovely views. The group also visited a historical site where Girl Scouts got to tour the different buildings, including an old cottage where ranchers would come and stay for the night and a building where ranchers would bring their horses into when it got cold. While visiting the local town, Girl Scouts enjoyed some tasty ice cream!

July 27, 2023 After breakfast, Girl Scouts got to go on a four-mile horseback ride. They were very eager to ride horses and had lots of fun being able to ride together. After horseback riding, the group completed a high ropes challenge at Camp Chief Ouray. Girl Scout Victoria soared with courage when participating in a high ropes challenge.

“It was very scary climbing the swinging ladder and jumping off the ledge. I felt accomplished after jumping because it was a very high ledge, maybe 20 feet or more, and I was terrified of climbing up the trunk. After completing the climb, I felt proud that I did it, and I can now say that I had jumped off a 20-foot platform,” said Victoria.

Girl Scout Lily conquered her fears and reached new heights. “I was very scared because it got really windy, and the ladder rocked. I felt it was going to fall over. At least I completed it,” said Lily.

July 28, 2023 The most anticipated day of the trip! Girl Scouts spent half the day white water rafting. Before they could get in the water, Girl Scouts had to practice all the commands for paddling. The tour guide from MAD Adventures told the Girl Scouts about the three different types of rapids that they would go through: Snooze, which was just a wave train; Wake Up, which was an actual rapid; and Needles Eye, which was the hardest out of all three. After learning about rafting safety, it was finally time to board the raft and get in the water!

“The experience was dynamic: at times, you were gently floating down the river and taking in all of the magnificent views, and then suddenly the rapids would pick up, and the raft was bobbing up and down. I will always treasure the experience – and hope to do it again,” added volunteer, Misse.

“My highlight of the trip was going white water rafting. I love traveling and trying new things, so this was a great fit. It felt like a water ride, almost like nature’s very own Six Flags. The boat was rocking and swaying, but in a good way. We even jumped off a cliff into the water! It was really cold but refreshing. The best part, though, was having awesome friends with me the whole boat ride,” said Girl Scout Francesca.

After conquering one challenge, it was time to take on the next! When the group made it through the rapids, they reached Jump Rock, which, as the name implies, was a rock about 25 feet above water, perfect for those looking for a thrilling experience. A few Girl Scouts accepted the challenge and jumped off the rock.

“We were able to jump off the high cliff into the Colorado River. My Girl Scout was smiling the whole time,” said volunteer Claudia.

July 29, 2023 The morning started with some downtime for Girl Scouts to work on crafts. Girl Scout Kelly worked on decorating some gnomes. She made one for herself and one to share with her grandma. Around 10:00 AM, the group headed to the Kiva Center for indoor rock-climbing. Girl Scouts learned all about rock-climbing safety, and we’re ready to climb. There were four different climbs that varied in difficulty. Some Girl Scouts made it to the top, while others made it halfway, still a challenging experience for everyone! After rock-climbing, the group went roller-skating and then had lunch. After lunch, the group traveled to Sulpher Springs, a resort and spa with healing mineral water pools for ultimate relaxation. Well-deserved after multiple days of hiking and using upper body strength! Girl Scouts had a lot of fun getting to know each other better while exploring the different pools.

“As I was getting ready to jump into the pool, my friend pushed me in, which I was not expecting, but it was funny, and we laughed it off,” said Girl Scout Kelly. “This was the best part of the day; time just flew by,” said Girl Scout Soleil. Girl Scouts ended their day by enjoying dinner together, playing two truths and a lie, and making s’mores.

July 30, 2023 The day started with more downtime for Girl Scouts to work on their creative arts and crafts projects. Girl Scout Liliana learned how to do leather work on a wallet. She was in the middle of finishing up the stitching when the group had to leave to go ziplining. However, the weather had changed once they got there, and it was no longer safe to zipline. Lucky for Liliana, she got to return to the craft shop to finish her wallet!

“I’m really glad I learned how to leather work. I probably would not have been able to learn this anywhere else, or at least not for a long while,” said Liliana. After spending more time at the craft shop, Girl Scouts went back to the roller-skating rink and enjoyed more quality time together.

July 31, 2023 For the last day of the trip, Girl Scouts were able to squeeze in their rescheduled ziplining adventures! After soaring through the sky on a zipline, Girl Scouts headed for the airport to fly through the friendly skies and return home.

Overall, Girl Scouts thrived while expanding their comfort zones and trying new things.

“Watching my daughter that week started off unsure and afraid of each of the adventures (white water rafting, ziplining, the high ropes course, climbing to the highest point in the Rocky Mts., etc.) and slowly achieving success with each of them was the best experience I could have imagined. That is what Girl Scouts is all about. I am so very fortunate to have the opportunity to attend this trip twice,” said volunteer Lisa.

Take a look at the fun the Girl Scouts had by browsing the gallery below.

Troop Uses Cookie Proceeds To Create Memories That Will Last A Lifetime

Troop proceeds from selling cookies can be used for fun, like taking a trip to Disney World!

Troop 35580 recently returned from a five-night, six-day trip visiting Disney Springs, Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. When visiting Animal Kingdom, girls earned their Animal Habitat patch to enhance their Girl Scout experience.

“We saw the true meaning of sisterhood. They (Girl Scouts) all showed their courage and strength. Many of the girls stepped outside their box and rode rides they would have never ridden at all the parks,” said Troop Leader Kailey Gernenz.

The troop paid for this trip with the proceeds collected from selling 22,925 boxes of cookies over the past three years.

“Like Walt Disney says” IF YOU CAN DREAM IT, YOU CAN DO IT.” That is what got us to Disney,” said Kailey.

The troop made many great memories and has set another goal for 2025 to return and go to Sea World.

Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana created a plan to help troops continue to reach their cookie goals.

For every online shipped order (Digital Cookie, Ship-to-Customer) placed and paid for by a customer between February 27 and March 20, the troop will receive $1.15 ($1.25, if the troop opted out of rewards) per package as troop proceeds.

Girl Scouts, remember to email your customers on February 27 with your new Digital Cookie link.

From Savannah to Wellesbourne, The Story of Juliette Gordon Low in Warwickshire, England

By Karen M. Schillings

It may seem curious to discover that the woman who eventually founded the Girl Scouts of the United States of America, Juliette Gordon Low, spent a good portion of her life in Wellesbourne, England, in the county of Warwickshire.

Most Girl Scouts are familiar with the William and Eleanor Gordon home in Savannah, referred to as the “birthplace,” where Juliette had her start in life and became known to family and friends as Daisy. They also might know that the first Girl Scout meeting took place in the Andrew Low estate carriage house, which Juliette’s father-in-law had originally owned. However, when examining Juliette’s life, it becomes clear that the residence she and her husband owned in England, the Wellesbourne House, was the place Daisy considered to be the home that really belonged to her. So how did this 19th-century Southern debutante end up so far away from her upbringing in Savannah? It all has to do with the family into which Juliette married.

Eleanor Kinzie Gordon, Juliette’s mother, came from a family of well-educated women, and she expected the same from her daughters. Early on, Daisy was learning to read and write in the home of a local teacher. At the age of twelve, she was sent to a boarding school in New Jersey. A year later, she attended the Virginia Female Institute and, afterward, Edgehill School, also in Virginia. She studied mathematics, English grammar, spelling, French, piano, and drawing. Daisy was quite artistic, so she enjoyed drawing the most.

Her studies concluded at a finishing school in New York City, where she learned how to dance, curtsy, and sit properly, the important skills of the day for members of polite society. In this era, it was understood that an elite Southern girl was being educated to take her place in society and to be a good wife, not to espouse a profession.

William “Willy” Mackay Low came into Daisy’s life when she needed someone the most. Her sister Alice had died of scarlet fever in 1880, and Daisy was grieving deeply over the loss. Willy had been in England for some time, studying at Oxford, but had come to Savannah for the summer to stay with family and friends. He was the son of Andrew Low, an immigrant from Scotland who became the wealthiest cotton merchant in Savannah. Andrew had built a large house on Lafayette Square just a few minutes’ walk from the Gordon home. In 1864, when Willy was four years old, his mother passed away.

Andrew moved the family to the Warwickshire town of Royal Leamington Spa. However, he maintained the Savannah home and only returned there when he was on business. It should be noted that Andrew Low disapproved of the relationship developing between Willy and Daisy since he wanted his son to marry someone of equal status. On the other hand, Willie Gordon wanted Daisy to marry a man who could support himself through his challenging work rather than marry an idle rich man.

When Willy returned to England in 1881, the impetuous couple continued to correspond, disregarding parental objections. Daisy was given the opportunity to see Willy at Beauchamp Hall in Leamington when her father consented to her first trip to Europe in 1882. Her second voyage overseas in 1884 gave her another prospect to encounter Willy, even though Daisy assured her parents that her trip to Beauchamp Hall was to visit with the Low sisters. Juliette and Willy strengthened their commitment to each other that summer. A few months later, Willy came to Savannah, and the courtship continued. When the couple announced their intention to marry in February of 1886, Andrew Low insisted on a year’s waiting period. Otherwise, Willy would forego his inheritance. Willy and Daisy agreed to the arrangement, but Andrew died suddenly in June. Even though it was customary to have a year of mourning, they decided to get married as soon as possible. Willie Gordon, unwilling to relinquish his daughter totally, requested that Daisy come home to Savannah for six months each year. The couple agreed, and the date was set for December 21, 1886.

At first, the newlyweds resided in Savannah and occupied the luxurious Low home. However, during the summer of 1887, the couple returned to England. At this time, Willy had two rented homes, one in Leamington, near Beauchamp Hall, and the other near Blair Atholl in Perthshire, Scotland. However, he wanted to own a country manor befitting his social position. To that end, he purchased Wellesbourne House in rural Warwickshire in 1889, a fifty-five-acre estate. Having inherited 750,000 pounds from his father’s fortune, Willy could well afford the purchase price, and then he set about making improvements. The estate grew to twenty bedrooms with a stable for forty horses, a cottage for the gardener, a separate laundry facility, a greenhouse, and a garage where the first Wellesbourne automobile was housed. This was a home for entertaining and living the good life. Daisy was excited to have a home of her own and thoroughly enjoyed selecting the furnishings. From all accounts, she was delighted with Wellesbourne House and relished being the lady of this stately home.

As a part of the Marlborough set, a group of high society individuals close to Edward Albert, the Prince of Wales, Willy and Daisy had many social events on their schedule. Willy became president of the Wellesbourne Cricket Club and was also a member of the Warwickshire Yeomanry, his voluntary cavalry unit. In May 1895, the Prince of Wales attended a Warwickshire Yeomanry dance. Daisy was flattered to be the only woman in the room with whom the Prince asked to dance. In 1896, Prince Edward visited Wellesbourne House with his entourage. Daisy presided over a lovely luncheon for her honored guests.

Another celebrity of the time graced the Wellesbourne House. Rudyard Kipling and his wife Carrie frequented the home because Daisy’s mother was Carrie’s cousin. Once they had become acquainted, Juliette became good friends with Mr. and Mrs. Kipling. Daisy enjoyed this refreshing couple, who were quite different from the social elites to whom Willy was attracted.

Because Willy was away so much on hunting trips, racing his horses, or gambling with his friends, Daisy started to feel lonely. She had been an artistic soul from an early age and delved into various pursuits to take up the time whenever Willy was absent. Daisy had already proved herself an excellent portrait artist but branched out into other endeavors. She took up woodworking and carved a beautiful mantel for Willy’s smoking room and other ornamental pieces for her home. Then she took to metalworking. It’s not for certain who taught her how to forge, but it’s suspected that the village blacksmith John Thomas Thorpe was the one who instructed her. She took on a major endeavor by designing and then forging the gates for the entrance to Wellesbourne House. Those original gates were later shipped to Savannah to adorn the entrance of Gordonston Memorial Park, but they are now on display at the Birthplace. However, replicas made from Daisy’s design still hang at the Wellesbourne House entrance.

Although Daisy was thoroughly devoted to her husband, it cannot be said the same for him. Willy had a roving eye and was very keen on women. In 1901, Anna Bateman, an actress, was discovered to be Willy’s mistress.

This was particularly hurtful to Daisy since she had welcomed Mrs. Bateman to Wellesbourne House on several occasions.
Now Daisy had a dilemma; how to end her marriage quietly and honorably. If she filed for divorce on the grounds of adultery, then her husband and Anna Bateman would be subjected to embarrassment and shunned in polite society. Not wishing to bring scandal to either of them, Daisy decided to leave Wellesbourne and reside in London. At a later time, she did file for divorce, but on the grounds of desertion. However, before the divorce was finalized, William Mackay Low died of a seizure in 1905.

Without her knowledge, Willy changed his will and left his estate to Anna Bateman. Nevertheless, Daisy persuaded Willy’s four sisters to contest the will. In the end, Daisy did receive a small settlement, along with the house in Savannah.
Willy’s sister Amy Low Grenfell kept Wellesbourne House.

Daisy needed to put the heartbreak of her marriage and Willy’s death behind her. Without a career or the prospects of remarrying, she set her sights on traveling.

However, this strong woman wanted to have a purposeful life and continued to search for something meaningful to do. In 1911, she had by chance been seated at a luncheon next to Sir Robert Baden-Powell, who had just started the Boy Scouts. And the rest, as they say, is history.

I had the good fortune to visit Wellesbourne in July of 2017. At that time, the house Daisy so loved was an office complex. Then in 2018, the property was sold and converted into condominiums. However, it was nice to see the replicated gates and to imagine what an exquisite home it once was.

I’m sure the many people who enter those gates today are unaware of the lovely lady who once lived there.

Since there was nothing on the site to identify the property as once being the home of our founder, I started making inquiries as to how a historical plaque could be secured for Wellesbourne House. After much research and outreach, two local historians, who at the time did not know the property’s historical significance, offered to help. A plaque was affixed to the home at the end of 2019. Dedication of the plaque was to occur in March 2020, but this ceremony was canceled due to the pandemic.

It has recently been rescheduled and will take place in April 2023.

It’s good to know that the Wellesbourne House is now correctly identified for its distinguished history in the life of Juliette Gordon Low.

Troop 606 – Leave: July 28, 1991, 8:30 a.m. from Mrs. Caragher’s House 

By Chris Caragher, Girl Scout Historian

After years of being a Girl Scout troop leader for Brownies, Juniors, and Cadettes, I yearned to visit the birthplace of Girl Scouting, Savannah, Georgia. I viewed that as the ultimate pilgrimage to our founder’s home and, by extension, the birthplace of my Downers Grove-based Cadette Troop 606. It was the girls’ last year in this troop as they were faced with the decision to move on to a long-standing Senior Girl Scout troop, a “Mariner troop,” known as Ship 167, or end their active membership as they started high school.

At our meeting, we decided the trip would be a great idea, and we had enough cookie money in the bank to do it!

The troop applied for a date, as required by the birthplace, and chose a “high tea” program and house tour. Our reservation was for August 1, 1991. Now, all we had to do was to figure out the transportation costs, logistics, and the care and feeding of each member. Our troop loved camping and had been on short trips to Mackinac Island and Wisconsin and used Camp Greene Wood often, even in the winter, but this was much bigger! So, I called an airline. Tickets to fly would take all our cookie money plus more! We had to figure out another way.

My co-leader, Ginger, and I wondered if we could drive to Savannah, so we thought we’d check with the parents. We knew that we had parents who owned vans. We asked, and two dads volunteered, but they would need gas reimbursement to drive and would go for free. We calculated the miles, cost of gas, food, and activities. 

At that time, the birthplace provided a booklet called Birthplace Bound. It had ads for accommodations, restaurants, local attractions, and some discount admission coupons for Girl Scouts. I called the hotels recommended for Girl Scouts and got a special Girl Scout rate reservation at Budget Inn.

The trip down to Savannah would take time, so we decided to leave early to do some activities on the way down and some on the way back; it turned into a 10-day trip. It was like a family vacation. We had snacks, drinks, games, camping equipment, luggage, and uniforms in each van. 

The itinerary as told by a Girl Scout:   

7/28 We visited the Kentucky Derby Museum and toured Churchill Downs. Afterward, we drove to Cave City, tent camped and cooked at Mammoth Cave National Park.

7/29 Mammoth Cave Tour and lunch in their cafeteria, then departed to Indian Springs State Park near Macon, GA, where we visited the Historic District. When we arrived at the campground at 7 p.m., we discovered we had lost our campsite for being late, so we just found a long stretch of grass, set up our tents in a single line, and shared a fire with the friendly campers next door. We made a snack and settled into our tents. After breakfast in the morning, we waded in the creek before we left.

7/30 We visited the Macon Historic District and a trinket store tourist trap, then drove to Savannah, GA, through a torrential rainstorm and arrived at a flooded Savannah. As troop leader, I was elected to wade through the water to check in to the Budget Inn, 3702 Ogeechee Rd., Savannah. It was an old, one-story motel with outside doors looking nothing like the ad in the Birthplace Bound booklet, but it was clean enough and turned out to be safe. The promised swimming pool was out of order and filled with rainwater, but we went swimming at one of the owner’s other properties. We ate at a real sit-down restaurant and ordered off the menu! Thank goodness!

7/31 Toured the Savannah Visitor Center, the Savannah Experience, and the Ships at Sea Museum. We walked along the ocean, visited the Andrew Low House and other mansions, learned about the city’s squares, had fun, ate popcorn, shopped for souvenirs, saw a movie about Juliette Low and her childhood, and more. We walked ’til we dropped and ate out, but not at the famous restaurant everyone else was eating at. It was way too long of a wait time for hungry girls!

8/1 Birthplace Day! – JULIETTE LOW DAY AT HER HOUSE! We had a lovely tour and took pictures. Saw all the rooms, including her bedroom and the old library. We went to the garden and learned all about JGL, her art, her wedding, the history behind the birthplace, and some things about the Civil War. We saw the real oil painting of Juliette Low in her pink party dress hanging in the living room. The docent answered all our questions. Then it was time for our activity program in the basement. We did a project to learn about the Girl Scout history of helping others and interacted with another troop that had signed up to try-on dresses that girls and women might have worn in JGL’s time. We invited the “dress girls” to our tea party. We had fun. Then we went to the gift shop for souvenirs. We all got a Birthplace Pin with a Daisy on it. Our precious spending allowance was also used, so everyone could bring home a keepsake.

One of our troop’s favorite fun songs was Boom Chica Boom. We came up with new lyrics that didn’t really fit the tune but went like this: 

I said a Boom Chica Boom – a little bit Southern Style:

“So down to Savannah we went, I said a Boom Chica Boom,

Little did we know that the Budget Inn, I said a Boom Chica Boom!

Would be only a little better than a TENT,

I said a Boom Chica Rocka Chica Rocka Chica Boom!”

8/2 We started heading home but not stopping the fun. We made our way north to Stone Mountain. This was a place where a large bare rock was carved to show the Confederate Generals. Although we were mostly Northerners, it was interesting to see and part of our country’s history. We stayed in the beautiful campground behind the rock. It was a lovely place. At night, a laser light show reflected off the rock carving and special effects to make it look like the generals were actually riding their horses across. It was kind of like a fireworks show. Very cool. We had a good time, and I shared with the girls that my maternal grandfather, Josepha Bouska, who had been a stone cutter in Chicago, was one of the cutters hired to work on carving the rock.

I bought a book with a picture of all the stone carvers in a big group. I told the girls I could not figure out which one was my grandfather, but I wanted it anyway.

8/3 We went home a different way through the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. We stayed at the Tanglewood KOA Swannanoa, North Carolina, near Ashville, which had a swimming pool! It had a big hall in a red building with screens all around, but no windows. We visited the National Park Shop and signed up to learn horseback riding. We had hoped to do this activity while planning the trip, so we packed the helmets. We learned how to lead a horse, not be scared of the horse, and we went on a trail ride. Then we brushed the horses and helped put them in the stable. It was great! There were many water activities around the area as well. Although we could not do the tubing activity because no lifeguard was going down the stream with the group. We still interacted with the water at the edges of the stream and got very wet. This area was beautiful to drive through.

8/4 Driving home through Indiana, it got to be late, so we decided not to camp. We found a nice hotel and a restaurant for a late dinner and collapsed from all the vacation activity. 

8/5 Arrived back home. We called our moms to let them know we were home. We cleaned out the vans and gave them a car wash to thank the drivers. We had a little goodbye ceremony on the front lawn. It was not only the end of the trip but the last thing for our beloved Troop 606, as we disbanded with hugs and tears all around.

Girl Scout Adventure in India: Part 1

This summer, Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts from across the U.S. embarked on an incredibly exciting voyage across the sea to India to visit Sangam, a center affiliated with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). From unexpected bus mishaps and interacting with locals, to riding rickshaws, these Girl Scouts experienced an unforgettable journey; one, they want to share with you all!

Read the story of their India trip below, then learn how you can travel with Girl Scouts!

The First Days

After two days of bonding and exploring in Chicago, the group hopped on a 16-hour flight to Mumbai, something none of the girls had experienced before! Once they landed, the girls boarded a bus to take them to Sangam. Even after their long flight, their trip didn’t come without additional challenges. On the way there, they realized the road was closed, but, just like the resourceful Girl Scouts they are, the girls decided to ride rickshaws through the neighborhoods in Pune to their destination.

Upon arriving in Pune, they tasted delicious food, met and interacted with the locals, then visited ancient temples and a Punjabi fabric market. The Girl Scouts also practiced yoga, embroidery, painting, and explored the vibrant city around them. The girls met with local Nivedita Guides—local area Girl Guides—together, they sang and danced; teaching the WAGGGS Girls the “Cotton Eye Joe” line dance and in-turn learning a traditional Bollywood dance.

Serving a Community Internationally

After visiting holy temples in Alandi and Tulapur, the girls traveled to an organization called Ishwari—a Sangam community partner. The girls worked with Ishwari to help local women create crafts like embroidery, cards, and food, in order to make money to support their families.

Why Travel?

Experiences like these are so important for Girl Scouts, not only because they get to see different parts of the world, but different parts of humanity. International travel and cross-cultural exchange is good for the soul!

Learn how you can travel with Girl Scouts!

The journey continues: Part 2 coming soon!

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A WAGGGS Adventure in Mexico

By Kim DeWitt, Global Action Volunteer

In November 1975, I had the opportunity to visit Our Cabaña, one of the WAGGGS (Girl Scouts is part of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts) World Centers located in Cuernavaca, Mexico. My fellow Girl Scouts at Mitten Bay Council (now Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan) planned out trip to the center established in 1957, about 50 miles outside of Mexico City. We were incredibly excited to not only venture out of the United States, but also to have the opportunity to meet Girl Scouts and Girl Guides from around the world. Although I don’t remember everything about the trip, it certainly was an experience of a lifetime and began a lifelong interest in travel!

Planning for Mexico

We started planning the trip a year earlier using funds we gained from many money-earning activities. We sold crafts we had made at a number of craft fairs; I especially remember decoupage soap – think I may still have a bar somewhere! We also hosted Sarah Coventry jewelry parties. The estimated cost of the trip was $462 (about $2,000 today) and as a troop, we collectively worked hard to achieve our goal of traveling to Mexico.

By the time we were ready to leave, I was a sophomore in high school. We had planned our trip to take place during the school year so we all got to miss school.

For most of us, it was our first airplane trip. We flew to Mexico City and visited a number of the tourist sites, including the Floating Gardens of Xochimilco, meaning the “Place of Flowers”. One of the more memorable sites was the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It was amazing to watch some of the parishioners crawl on their knees on the cobbled stone to the entry of the Basilica as a means of giving thanks.

Hello Our Cabaña!

Then we were off to Cuernavaca. I remember Our Cabaña as having many flowers and great food. Trying the local cuisine, like pigeon, was a new and exciting experience—also delicious. During our time at Our Cabaña we met Girl Guides from other parts of the world including Mexico and El Salvador. We also volunteered at an orphanage. And we visited the city of Taxco, a city heavily associated with silver. We all bought souvenirs to take back home.

At the time, a trip to Mexico was quite unusual and we were in the newspaper several times before and after the trip. Back in 1975, it wasn’t that common to take an airplane trip out of the country (or in the US for that matter) especially for high school students. The fact that we were going to Mexico was a big deal especially in our smaller council in Michigan. Amazingly, I had saved most of the mementos from the trip in a travel bag we received from the airline – a trip that truly was the experience of a lifetime.

I encourage EVERY Girl Scout to travel to a new place with their troop or even on their own. Girl Scouts of GCNWI has amazing travel opportunities both nationally and internationally, and Girl Scouts USA has Destinations!—for those individual adventure seekers!

*Kim and her fellow Cadettes at My Cabaña 1975*

Travel with Girl Scouts

Learn more about the WAGGGS World Centres here, and more about how you can visit Our Cabana here.

GSGCNWI hosted a trip to Our Cabana in 2017; see more about our trip here.

Check out the GCNWI travel page for more information on how to plan your own trip or join a council-sponsored trip!

Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana Blog

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Tag: Travel