In January, Samantha sold cookies again this year. She came to my office again this year. She sold more than 200 boxes of cookies. I was very proud of her.
I couldn't find a photo of Samantha in her uniform. This photo was taken in February 21, 2011 at the Oregon Zoo.
Other adventures this year included a trip to see Mary Poppins: Broadway's Perfectly Magical Musical on a special Girl Scout night. We received reduced price tickets and we got to speak with a few cast members after the show. We got home VERY late that night, but I remember it as a very lovely night. There was a lot of stage magic in that show.
In April, we went to Newport for the weekend. The event was called Try-its by the Sea. The Girl Scout badges for second graders are called try-its, and the goal of this weekend was to earn four special try-its: Indians of Western Oregon, Lewis and Clark, Oceanography and Oregon Trail. I love helping Samantha earn badges, and I love going to the coast, but this weekend did not go as well as most Girl Scout events.
We were set up to sleep in yurts in the nearby state park. That was fine, but they assigned twice as many girls (and adults) to our cabin as it could comfortably sleep. WE tried to put some air mattresses on the floor, but we were very uncomfortable. It was a little better the second night when we found the heater.
Also, there was no printed schedule, so it was hard for us to know where it was that we were supposed to be and when. We sort of just waited for someone to come tell us. Finally, although the oceanography program at the Hatfield Marine Science Center was first rate, the program presented for the other badges was a bit slip shot.
Honestly, though, I had a great time, and I know all the other girls enjoyed themselves, too. The location was just spectacular. Writing this, I think we should try again this year as juniors. Those badges are still available to earn again. The requirements are updated every 2-3 years to keep them age appropriate.
In May, we celebrated Memorial Day by placing roses on all the veterans graves which had not yet been visited. This event is conducted by Bea Crawford. She lives just behind the cemetery, and we have a big potluck after attending to the graves. It's one of my favorite recurring Girl Scout activities.
In June, Samantha went to spring camp again, but she didn't want me to come with her this year. I guess she wanted to feel like a big girl or something. It was held at the same Christian camp on the beach near Long Beach, Washington. Much later, Samantha would admit that she was a little homesick, and she wished I had been there after all, but everyone else told me that she had done great. She especially enjoyed dancing with the Skittles. Near as I can tell, the Skittles were a group of older Girl Scouts that everyone really looked up to all weekend.
In July, she went to Twilight camp again, and the troop toured the Columbia County Sheriff's office and jail. That was a very interesting tour. Did you know that the Sheriff has 20 deputies assigned to the jail and only 2 deputies assigned to patrol? Neither did I. I also learned that a significant fraction of inmates are being held at the jail while awaiting federal prosecution. The jail receives a fee from the federal government to hold these suspects on their behalf.
In August, the troop celebrated their cookies sales with a pizza party and toured the Oregon Human Society. We learned that most dogs are surrendered because of behavior problems, but most cats are surrendered for population problems. The girls brought little snacks to give to all the dogs and cats. There were even some guinea pigs and smaller animals at the shelter.
What did you do when your second-grader was a Girl Scout?
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