Wednesday, April 26, 2023
Utah's Girl Scout programs offer far more than just delicious cookies
Urban Living
Posted By Babs De Lay on April 26, 2023, 4:00 AM
I'm a lifetime Girl Scout. That's not a metaphor—it's a fact. I started as a Brownie, then on to Junior, then all the way through the Cadette stage. As an adult, I was a co-director of a winter camp at Camp Cloud Rim and have just finished serving six years on the board of directors, most recently as secretary.
Girl Scouts is an amazing organization, and Utah is lucky to have two camps. Camp Cloud Rim has an elevation of 9,200 feet, nestled among aspen and pine trees. A highlight of Camp Cloud Rim is Lake Brimhall, where campers can canoe, sail, kayak and swim, as well as hike and backpack.
Utah's other Girl Scout camp is Trefoil Ranch, located on 123 acres of beautiful country tucked away in Provo Canyon. It is home to about 20 horses, offering girls unique opportunities to experience equestrian programs, a ropes course, hatchet throwing, etc.
For more than 110 years, Girl Scouts have discovered, explored and strengthened their outdoor skills and commitment to environmental stewardship through scouting. The summer camp experience is truly a building block in the development of Girl Scouts—and is hella fun! In Utah's natural environment, campers develop a strong sense of self, gain practical life skills, become resourceful problem solvers and cultivate healthy relationships by living and working together.
And, of course, who doesn't love the cookies! The Girl Scout Cookie program is the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world. U.S. girls sell more than 200 million boxes each season, with Thin Mints coming in at No. 1.
The cookie-sales season is just ending, and hundreds of girls have participated in selling cookies online and at locations around the state—usually in front of/at grocery stores. From learning how to interact with customers to creating budgets and taking orders, the Girl Scout Cookie program teaches scouts invaluable skills that they'll need to succeed throughout their lives. Plus, cookie proceeds stay in the community to support local councils and troops. Pretty sweet, right?
Utah membership is up 7% over last year, with over 9,300 members and almost 3,400 adult volunteers. GSUSA is the largest leadership organization for girls in the world, and currently, there are 2.5 million girl and adult members worldwide. Famous scouts include Taylor Swift, Mariah Carey, Gwyneth Paltrow, Venus and Serena Williams, Katie Couric, Barbara Walters, Hillary Clinton and Madeleine Albright. Utah State Sen. Jen Plumb is a Girl Scout and serves on its board of directors.
Fifty million American women alive today were Girl Scouts growing up. And 72% of female U.S. senators are Girl Scout alums, while 58% of women in the U.S. House of Representatives were Girl Scouts.
Girl Scouts of Utah is always looking for volunteers to help with or lead troops of all ages. If you're interested in getting your child into a troop or camp or want to volunteer yourself, please contact info@gsutah.org.
About The Author
Babs De Lay
A full-time broker/owner of Urban Utah Homes and Estates, Babs De Lay serves on the Salt Lake City Historic Landmark Commission. A writer and golfer, you'll find them working as a staff guardian at the Temple at Burning Man each year.
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