Samantha's second troop

Three years ago, when Samantha entered the first grade (2009), she had to find a new troop. Lesli and Andi could not continue as troop leaders, but we found Troop 10016 in Scappoose lead by a very dedicated volunteer named Dani. I don't remember her last name, but I remember her daughter's name is Ponette. This was a mixed level troop with some first graders and some kindergartners. Most of the girls were working on their petals, which Samantha had already earned, but that was okay. We had lots of thrilling adventures.

I couldn't find a photo of Samantha in her uniform. This photo was taken in December 2009. Samantha and I are about to deliver her dad's Christmas cookies to our neighbors.

Samantha sold cookies for the first time this year. She set a goal of 100 boxes of cookies and she met that goal. She sold almost all of her cookies by visiting my coworkers in their offices at the American Red Cross. It was lovely not having to walk around in the rain to sell cookies.

I also took her to the Girls Save Lives Blood Drive. The rest of the troop didn't come with us to this event, but I wanted to bring Samantha. She was fascinated to watch them take blood from me. I hope we can do this event again.

This year I went ahead and joined Girl Scouts so that I could attend all the events with my daughter. We went to spring camp together this year. In fact, all the Daisies had to be accompanied by a parent. I don't remember how I got away without registering and attending last year. Anyway, this year it was held during the last weekend in May near Long Beach, Washington at a church camp on the ocean. It was a lovely spot. The cabins were a bit musty. The bunk beds had no railing, and one girl fell out onto the cement floor. I was pretty scared for her, but she was fine. The food was excellent! It rained a lot, but the girls had a great time. I remember learning about SWAPs (Special Whatchamacallit Affectionately Pinned Somewhere).

Another highlight this year was twilight camp. This was just like a day camp except that it was held in the evening instead of during the day. I think it went from about 5pm to 8pm or something like that. The theme was mystery camp, and they tried to solve a mystery during the course of the week.

What did you do when your first-grader was a Girl Scout?

Samantha's first troop

Samantha joined her first troop four years ago (2008) when she was in kindergarten. Troop 10438 met in Saint Helens. Leslie Goldbeck was the troop leader Andi Jane was the co-leader. Samantha loved Andi very much. She still gives her a big hug whenver we run into her around town.

I couldn't find a picture of Samantha in her uniform. This photo was taken in April 2009. Samantha is 6 years old. She is geocaching with me and her brother in Saint Helens.

Samantha didn't sell cookies that first year of Girl Scouts, but she earned almost all her petals. The most memorable experience was spring camp. I don't remember the name of the camp, but it had a zip line, which was super fun even for girls as small as Samantha. When I think of it now I almost shudder.

The food at camp wasn't very good. At least they were serving that cheap red punch that everyone has sampled at events like this. Samantha was very thirsty, so she drank three cups of this stuff in rapid succession. That turned out to be too much sugar all at once for her tummy, or something, and it all came back up - twice. They have a policy at camp about sick campers, and so I had to drive out there and bring her home. She was SO disappointed. Especially because she wasn't really sick, just some indigestion. She didn't throw up any more that evening, and Andi felt a little bad about having to send her home, but we had lots more opportunities for adventures.

What did you do when your kindergardener was a Girl Scout?