Merrimack woman has led Girl Scout troop for six years
MERRIMACK, NH | Always up for new ideas and challenges, Stacie Labore of Merrimack embodies the G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™ spirit that defines Girl Scouts. This energetic leader of Troop 13912, a group of 14 second-year Junior Girl Scouts, has been named Volunteer of the Month for January by Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains.
It all started six years ago for Labore, when her daughter, Lily, now 10, became part of a Daisy troop, which is for girls in kindergarten and first grade. Having never been in Girl Scouts as a child herself, it was all new to her, but Labore said getting involved with the group herself encouraged her daughter to be more active, too.
As the girls in her troop have gotten older – Junior Girl Scouts are those in fourth and fifth grades, Labore has found ways to make community service projects more interesting. One was a supermarket scavenger hunt that helped a local food bank.
“When we first started, with the community service things, there’s not a lot you can do as a little kid,” she noted. “You take stuff and drop it off. Why not make it more interesting and make a scavenger hunt?” She writes funny clues for the girls to figure out what to look for, then they search the store for the item. Their hunt must total $5 in food, and the girls have a great time puzzling out the clues for the proper items.
Joan Lord, a volunteer service coordinator for Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains, has helped with the scavenger hunt, which takes place at Market Basket with the store’s blessing. “It’s always fun to hear girls go ‘What could that mean?’” as they puzzle out the clues.
Labore has given space at her own home to store the many items a troop can accumulate, like camping equipment, flags and craft items, and keeps a helpful inventory so other troops can also take advantage of her stash.
“We have a ton of items that we’ve accrued over the years,” said Lord. “Stacie’s a dedicated volunteer, putting in lots of hours, and always has a smile on her face!”
Labore’s Girl Scouts have also learned to use tools, drilling holes in a plastic container to create a worm composting bin, and are about to create boxes for little free libraries. In the World of Water Girl Scout Journey, her girls put together different pieces to make a working water pump. They’ve also had a float in the annual Merrimack holiday parade, and bake cookies as a troop to give out with hot cocoa for the town tree lighting. She was on the camporee committee, and takes the girls on an annual camping trip at Wasserman Park.
Several of her girls were chosen just this past Veterans Day to take part in the color guard at the Young Women of Distinctions ceremony, which honors Girls Scouts earning their highest awards.
Volunteering for Girl Scouts, she said, has been very fulfilling, watching the girls grow over the years, and come out of their shells. “It’s not something that you have to put in hundreds of hours,” she said. “It’s the quality, not the quantity.” She also gives credit to the parents of her Girl Scouts who stay involved and help her with their input. “I can’t do any of this without my support team of parents,” she said.
Girl Scouts offers the best leadership development experience for girls in the world – one that is designed with, by, and for girls. The inclusive, all-female environment of a Girl Scout troop creates a safe space where girls can try new things, develop a range of skills, take on leadership roles, and just be themselves. Stacie Labore embodies the G.I.R.L. spirit and helps to instill it in others. Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains is proud to name her Volunteer of the Month.
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 innovative leadership programs help girls discover, connect, and take action as they develop strong values, a social conscience, and a deep sense of self and their potential. 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.
