On June 9, 2012 over 200,000 Girl Scouts, family, alumnae, and friends will gather at the National Mall at the base of the Washington Monument to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouting. Girl Scouts was founded in 1912 in Savannah, GA by Juliette Gordon Low. In one hundred years it has evolved from 18 girls to 3 million current members. It is estimated that over 50 million American women were Girl Scouts in their youth. The Girl Scouts of Louisiana-Pines to the Gulf serves over 8,000 girls in 42 parishes. From that council more than 100 girls are travelling to the nation’s capital to participate and demonstrate the strength of the Girl Scout movement. “I celebrated the 75th (have the patch) with my daughter as her troop leader, now I am celebrating the 100th with my granddaughter as her leader,” says Versa Dore of New Iberia.
Early in the year the girls set the goal and decided to travel to Washington, DC. They are using money raised from the cookie program, other fundraisers throughout the year and contributions from local businesses. Many of the Girl Scouts participating earned enough money from cookie proceeds to cover the entire cost of the trip. Dodi Boutin, an adult volunteer from Opelousas says, “We received donations from businesses and cookie sales, a couple of girls are using cookie dough money (the girls’ individual proceeds from cookie revenue) – Each girls trip is paid for 100% and I will have money to buy them food while we are there. We had an AWESOME year!” The cookie program teaches the girls five essential business skills: goal setting, money management, decision making, business ethics and people skills. Girl Scouts has provided opportunities for girls to explore, travel, develop self-reliance and leadership for 100 years.
Some of the activities planned for the event are the 100th Anniversary Sing Along, where there will be educational, program tents sponsored by Dove, K12, GEICO, EF Tours, Nestle, Wells Fargo, Hard Rock Café, and Purple Promise. There will also be a girl-led song festival with dynamic audience participation, Girl Scout Choruses from around the country, DC Girl Scout Step Showcase performers, vintage uniform fashion show and much more. The Girl Scouts will also have the chance to meet and speak with their US legislators who have been invited to join them.
For more information on Rock the Mall please visit Girl Scouts Rock the Mall.
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