[StBernard] Girls Scouts plan recruitment day in Chalmette

[Westley Annis]

Girls Scouts plan recruitment day in Chalmette

Published: Thursday, January 12, 2012, 1:25 PM     Updated: Thursday,
January 12, 2012, 1:30 PM

 By Kim Gritter 

In March, Girl Scouting will turn 100 years old, and to celebrate, St.
Bernard's service unit 428 is planning a recruitment day for families to
learn more about what Girls Scouts have to offer.

"The mission of Girl Scouts is to build girls of courage, confidence and
character who make the world a better place," said Marianne Addy, Girl
Scouts Louisiana East vice president of communications and development.

The recruitment event is set for Jan. 23 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Gethsemane
Lutheran Church, 2825 Paris Road, Chalmette.

"The event is an opportunity for families to learn more about the Girl Scout
Leadership Experience and the many 'pathways' girls age 5 to 17 can
participate in Girl Scouting, as well as for adults who are interested in
volunteer opportunities with Girl Scouts," Addy said.

Girls can sign up to become a Scout for just $12 per year. Girl Scout
program levels are Girl Scout Daisies, kindergartners and first graders;
Girl Scout Brownies, second and third graders; Girl Scout Juniors, fourth
and fifth graders; Girl Scout Cadettes, sixth through eighth graders; Girl
Scout Seniors, ninth and 10th graders; and Girl Scout Ambassadors, 11th and
12th graders.

According to Addy, Pathways, or membership options, have been developed
nationally for participating in Girl Scouting. They include various
categories: troop, events, camp, series and travel - and are matched by
grade-level preferences and availability with flexible options.

"The troop pathway offers the same group of girls the opportunity to
participate in a variety of activities, usually over a span of nine to 12
months," she said. "The event pathway is for girls who like to pick and
choose from a menu of events that interest them. The camp pathway allows
girls to participate in the outdoors and/or focus on environmental
education. The series pathway gives girls the opportunity to explore a
specific theme or topic without making a long-term commitment or joining a
troop, and the travel pathway presents girls with opportunities to prepare,
plan, money-earn, and participate in travel opportunities through group
travel, council-sponsored trips, or nationally sponsored excursions."

The Girl Scouts also are gearing up for their annual cookie sale, which
begins Jan. 20 with cookie booth sales set for March 2 through 18. Times and
locations of the booth sales are yet to be announced.

For more information about Girl Scouting in St. Bernard Parish, contact
volunteer service unit administrator Tanya Palazzalo at 504.343.2934 or
membership executive Lerin Amos at 504.733.8220.

 Kim Gritter can be reached at kgritter at timespicayune.com or 504.826.3792