October 15, 2014 at 4:33 p.m.
Girl Scout recruitment event draws a crowd
Girl Scout recruitment event draws a crowd
While their parents filled out forms, the girls munched on the organization's trademark cookies and made get-well cards, which will be distributed to children and the elderly who are in hospitals.
Elvis Bauman, service area manager for the Northwoods, was trying to fill eight of the Rhinelander troops. His goal was to have a total of 150 girls in Girl Scouts in the Rhinelander and Crandon area.
"By the end of today we should be meeting our goal for all the Girl Scouts in this area," Bauman said.
There are multiple troops within the different Rhinelander schools, so girls are placed depending on what days they can attend meetings.
Heather Sanders enrolled her daughter Valerie, 7, in the Daisy troop.
"We moved up here about a year ago and [Valerie] was enrolled down where we used to live and she really wanted to (participate again). But when we moved we weren't able to get her (enrolled) in time to do the Girl Scouts up here, so we wanted to make sure she had an opportunity to do it because there are so many wonderful things that girls can learn when they're doing Girl Scouts," Sanders said.
She said her daughter brought home a Girl Scout flier from school. She was really excited about joining a troop and made sure her mother brought her to the registration.
Valerie said she is looking forward to delivering cookies and having fun. Her favorite cookies are peppermint.
"We're really excited, it's a great organization and it teaches girls just how to come together and work together on things," Sanders said.
The Girl Scouts are involved in many community service activities such as creating food baskets around Thanksgiving, caroling at nursing homes, helping Wild Instincts get the facility ready for winter, going to the humane society to walk dogs and play with cats, among other things.
"It's a great opportunity for the girls to learn those leadership skills that they're going to need as they move forward in life," said Cheryl Schnelle, community development coordinator with the Girl Scouts of Northwestern Great Lakes.
Each troop focuses on different activities, but many participate in dances, Winter Fun Days, first-aid programs and more.
"We run at least one activity a month for all the girls in the Rhinelander, Crandon and Laona area," Bauman said. "We just try to keep a nice, fun-filled learning experience for the girls."
They even have bronze, gold and silver award levels that the children can strive to achieve.
"We have a group that did a real big anti-bullying (campaign) last year for their bronze award project and this year they're working on a lot of public relations and what speaks to girls about Girl Scouting," Schnelle said.
The girls that signed up received their first badge for joining.
Girls in kindergarten and first grade are Daisies, second and third graders are Brownies, and fourth and fifth graders are Juniors.
"It's a great organization, we're always looking for more girls," Schnelle said. "We're also looking for good leaders and it's also skill building for the leaders because they learn things about themselves and they can really work on building their resume."
Parents can register their daughters any time of the year by going to a local troop or contacting Bauman at [email protected] or (715) 490-1742.
Those who are interested in becoming troop leaders can also contact Bauman.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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