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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 9, 2010)
community february 9 2010 Local Girls Scouts Are Active Again Six years ago, there were no active Girl Scout troops in Vernonia. That’s when Kinnell Steward decided to get involved and do something about it. And now there are four separate, age-specific troops with forty-eight girls participating. “My son was going to be finished with Cub Scouts and I had been involved with that for four years and I didn’t want to move on to Boy Scouts with him,” said Stewart. “I had some parents ap- proach me and ask me to start a Girl Scout troop.” Stewart started working on putting something together and got an over- whelming response from the com- munity. “We had fifty-two girls who responded and signed up,” explains Steward. “To me, that said this is clearly something Vernonia needs.” Currently there are four active The Daisy Girl Scouts got dressed up troops in Vernonia: the Daisies (Kin- for a Tea Party. dergarten and 1st graders) meet at Leader Andrea Grant’s house. Jennifer Moloney is her co-leader. The Brownies (2nd and 3rd grad- ers) meet right after school in the cafeteria-- Susan Ely & Katie Poetter co-lead that troop. Steward leads the Juniors (4th & 5th graders) along with Camyrin Eyrrick, and meet at the Community Church. The Cadettes (6th – 8th graders) are led by Tori Fallau and Dawn Schirmeister and also meet at the Community Church. Citizenship and responsibility are a big part of what Girl Scout leaders try to teach the Leader Susan Ely talks with her girls in the troop. But it’s much more than that. Brownie Troop about an upcom- “For me, it’s about building self-esteem,” says ing tree planting service project. Steward. “In my troop, the girls are responsible to go through the badge book and choose which badge they would like to work on. It’s their responsibility to work with me and their parents to come up with a plan of action about how they will accomplish each goal. They get to take charge of it.” Steward says the girls gain self-confi- dence by speaking in front of groups. They also learn about community and citizenship The Cadettes hard at work on through service projects. posters for the upcoming Girl Recent service projects Vernonia Scout Cookie sale. Girl Scouts have completed include: mak- ing blankets and delivering them to sick babies and young children at Emmanuel Hospital; making dog and cat toys and delivering them the Columbia County Humane Society shelter in St. Helens; vis- ited and organized activities with senior citizens at the Jennings McCall Assisted Living Center in Forest Grove; and tree plantings with the Upper Nehalem Wa- Daisies get ready for cookie sales. tershed Council in the Vernonia area. Of course, what the Girl Scouts are best known for are cookies. Girl Scout Cookie sales begin this year on Febru- The Juniors and Cadettes visited Salem ary 19th. The girls use the sales to (above) and went camping (below). fund different trips and excursions. This past year, the Juniors went to a “Build a Bear” workshop and an overnight trip to the Winston Safari with the money raised from cookie sales. The Cadettes went to the West Coast Game Park in Bandon. The Brownies had a swimming party. This year is the first year the Daisies will be participating in cookie sales. This year, the Juniors are planning to go to The Heathman Hotel for a high tea luncheon and then to see the Lion King on Broadway in Portland. The past few years, all the Vernonia troops have spent time at Camp Moun- taindale, which, according to Steward, is always a special treat. Steward has really enjoyed helping re-start Girl Scouts in Vernonia. “I am so pleased to have four troops of strong girl and parent involvement in only six years!” she says. “Starting this program up again in Vernonia was a wonderful thing.” Phone (503) 429.2617 Kitchen Countertops Fax (503) 429.0941 Fireplace & Furniture ABSOLUTE@AGALIS.NET Tubs & Vanities www.absolutemarbleandgraniteinc.net Grey Dawn Gallery 879 Bridge St. (503) 429-2787 Photography - Bronze Jewelry - Glasswork Lee Anne Krause, Independent Senior Consultant www.pamperedchef.biz/leeannekrause LeeAnneKrause@gmail.com 503-816-9810 Sick or Cranky Firearm? I Can Help! flean, Lube, Safety fhecks & Repair All Work Fully Guaranteed The Gun Doctor 20% Off flean & Lube with this ad Pottery - Custom Framing www.greydawngallery.com Food, Fun & Friends with the Pampered Chef Kitchen shows or online/catalog orders 245 items UNDER $20! 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