Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains host conference
THETFORD, VT – They baked treats in a campfire with pie irons. They scaled the 30-foot climbing tower. And they spent a weekend becoming the young women of courage, confidence, and character who are working to make the world a better place. All were Girl Scouts from around Vermont and New Hampshire who took part in the Older Girl Conference, May 17-19 at Camp Farnsworth in Thetford. Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors – those in grades 6-12 – got to stretch their skill set, spend time outdoors, enjoy the company of their Girl Scout sisters, and just relax and have fun at the resident camp.
“This year, we expanded our offerings and added a new Gold Award ceremony, early morning polar bear swims, lunchtime flex sessions, a knife skills workshop, an all-day spa, a camp service project, and learning sessions for adult volunteers,” said Jessie O’Leary, coordinator of program, curriculum, and awards for Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains. “It’s important to give our older girls time to be themselves and relax away from the many pressures they face in their daily lives. Our Older Girl weekend offers girls a chance to just have fun while trying new things in a place where it’s safe to make mistakes.”
The conference has been taking place yearly for about five years, she said. “This is the only conference for Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors,” said O’Leary. “We also offer a conference more focused on global leadership and advocacy in grades 10-12 – the Global Leadership Conference.”
O’Leary said the girls had “a blast” at the weekend. “They loved having independence to choose their own activities and move about Camp Farnsworth with their buddy! The opportunity to spend time in nature for an entire weekend is invaluable as a way to relieve stress, especially as our girls were heading into the end of their school year. The leadership skills they developed through trying new high adventure, art, outdoor skills, outdoor cooking, and other activities will be transferable into their daily lives. The weekend was a tremendous success!”
For more than 100 years, Girl Scouts has provided girls an unmatched program for outdoor adventure, challenge, friendship, and fun. Events like the Older Girl Conference help girls develop important life skills, a sense of self, positive values, and healthy relationships. Girl Scouts unleashes the G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™ in every girl, preparing her for a lifetime of leadership. Extended-year membership in Girl Scouts is available through June 30.
About Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains: Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains is recognized throughout New Hampshire and Vermont as a leading expert on girls. Our Girl Scout Leadership Experience is a one-of-a-kind leadership development program for girls, with proven results. It is based on time-tested methods and research-backed programming that helps girls take the lead—in their own lives and in the world. Through our exciting and challenging programs, Girl Scouts not only participate but also take the lead in a range of activities—from kayaking, archery, and camping, to coding, robotics, financial literacy training, and beyond! Serving more than 10,000 girls throughout New Hampshire and Vermont, girls discover the fun, friendship, and power of girls together. Visit www.girlscoutsgwm.org.
