Samantha's fourth year of Girl Scouting

Last year, when Samantha was ready to start third grade, we didn't have to switch troops. We were able to continue with Troop 10041 lead by Jeannie Lihs and Dana Johnson, but Girl Scouts of the USA was getting ready to change the curriculum. I wa not happy about this. I guess I'm not so good with change. I had a book with all the requirements for all the try-its (badges), and Samantha and I were working on quite a few. I felt a sort of urgency to earn as many as possible before they went away and were gone forever.

Jeannie, our troop leader, felt compelled to do a journey. Journeys were these new curricula items which required approximately 12 weeks to complete. Jeannie chose the World of Water journey to complete with the girls. This journey was divided into four awards. The award patches all fit together on the uniform. They do actually look pretty neat. I have to admit, but I was pretty luke warm on the whole journey idea. Like I said, I guess I don't like change.

In October, the girls toured a fire station with an emphasis on the use of water to fight fires.

In November, the girls toured the water treatment plant.

In December, the girls toured the senior center and sang carols to the residents. We combined with Troop 10052 for this event. Camille's sister is in this troop, and Camille's mom is the troop leader, Kelly Hernandez. We like to do lots of things with this troop.

In January it was time to sell cookies again. This year would be a little tougher. We set a goal of 300 boxes even though I had lost my job, and we couldn't really visit all my coworkers in their offices like last year, but I did email everybody and ask if they wanted any cookies, and several of them did, which was very nice of them. We also knocked all the doors in the neighborhood. We live in a very generous neighborhood. About half of the people we spoke to ordered cookies. The secret to our success was that we kept track of where we had been, and we went back if no one was home when we knocked. The best time to catch people at home: Sunday mornings!

I was so keen on reaching the goal of 300 boxes because I knew that Samantha was going to need a new uniform for next year. Juniors wear green vests. And she would also need new books. I finally figured out that the Brownie Try It book wasn't the only book I was supposed to have for Samantha. There was also a Brownie Guide Book. I should have known that, the Cub Scouts all have guidebooks, but the detail escaped me before now.

I had decided to get on board with the new curriculum and try to help Samantha earn all three journeys and all her badges while she was a junior. To do that, I would need to buy a lot of books, and I wanted to use her cookie money to do it. She was a trooper. She earned over $100 in cookie credits. We were able to buy her uniform, and all her books, and a few pieces of jewelry. I promised that next year I would let her buy whatever she wants. :)

I couldn't find a photo of Samantha in her uniform. This photo was taken on February 12, 2012 in Rainier, Oregon with the Lewis and Clark Bridge in the background. Samantha is posing with her mother and her brother.

In February, the troop toured the Water Resources Education Center in Vancouver. I didn't attend that one, but everyone said they had a good time and they learned a lot.

In April, the troop finished the WOW journey with a project to clean up a beach. They also attended a zoo snooze event at the Oregon Zoo. They were able to make snacks for the animals, spend the night at the zoo, and earn another council's own try-it.

In May, the troop visited a horse riding ranch. The girls learned a lot about taking care of animals. We did not visit the cemetery this year. Bea Crawford had to be out of town that week or something, but we ought to be able to go back next year.

In June we had a very nice bridgeing ceremony at Veterans Park with Kellie's troop., and we went to spring camp again. This year it wasn't near the ocean. This year we went to a Girl Scout property called Mountaindale. We slept in an enormous lodge. It was only about ten years old. It was beautiful. Camp was great. The theme was a carnival, and they had a rock climbing wall that was a big hit with everyone. Samantha loved it. I gave it a try, but I didn't love it. I loved the hiking. There were lots and lots and lots of trails all around. And I liked the 80s night dance. That was A LOT of fun. There were tons of moms there rocking out, remembering high school, and all our daughters were looking at us like we were crazy. :)

In July, the troop toured John's Incredible Pizza. They also walked in the Pow Wow Junior Parade. They looked SO good in their full uniforms!

In August, the troop went on their first "real" camping trip. That is, we camped in tents rather than cabins, and it was just our troop, not the whole service unit or council. It was great fun. We worked on the junior ranger badge and had a great time. The girls definitely want to do more of this.

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

Samantha's third troop

Two years ago when Samantha started second grade (2010), she decided to quit Girl Scouts. I was heartbroken. She made a lot of friends the year before. Her best friend was Taylor Lihs. When Taylor decided that she didn't want to do Girl Scouts anymore, Samantha decided that she didn't want to do it either. Apparently Taylor's mom felt as badly as I did. She convinced Taylor to continue in Girl Scouts by promising to start a new troop and be the troop leader. When Samantha found out, she wanted to be in Taylor's troop, so our third year of Girl Scouts found us in our third troop. Troop 10041 lead by Jeannie Lihs and Dana Johnson.

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?

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?