Service Unit: SU4605-Bedford
County: Bedford
Total Girl Scout Years: 18
Volunteer Years: 17
Current and Former Volunteer Positions: troop leader, service unit manager, cookie manager, MagNut manager
Age-Level Experience: Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Cadette, Senior, Ambassador, Younger Multi-Level, Older Multi-Level, All-Ages Multi-Level
Girl Scout Pillars: STEM, Life Skills, Outdoors
Specialties: camping, travel, community service/Take Action projects, Journeys, badges, event planning, archery
Awards: Volunteer of Excellence, Appreciation Pin
Certifications: Archery/Hatchet, First Aid/CPR/AED, Outdoor Training
What do you want volunteers to know about you?
I was only a Girl Scout as a girl one year. However, Girl Scouts has been a big part of my life for the past 17 years. I started as a Daisy troop leader for my oldest daughter when she was in kindergarten. I led her troop from Daisy through Ambassador. I also led my younger daughter’s troop from Daisy to Cadette. Now, I’m a leader in the travel troop she is part of. I’ve been the Bedford County service unit manager for several years. I’m also a member of the Trefoil Alumni.
What does Girl Scouting mean to you?
Girl Scouts has been a tremendous blessing to me. I have greatly enjoyed watching so many young ladies grow through the building of friendships, learning new things, having new experiences, and serving their communities. I have had the opportunity to meet lots of wonderful people and have made so many friends through Girl Scouts. I have done so many new things with my daughters through Girl Scouts that I may not have had the opportunity to do otherwise. This experience has had such a positive impact on my life that I want everyone to have their own special Girl Scout experience.
What is your Girl Scout leadership philosophy?
I believe that all girls have their own interests, skills, and abilities that are unique to them. I believe that those things should be encouraged. Troops should strive to involve everyone’s interests and use everyone’s talents. Girls should be encouraged to try all kinds of things. That’s how they will find the things that they love and excel at.
What advice do you have for new troop leaders?
I would say enjoy the girls, seek out help, attend your service unit meetings, and involve your community.
Anything else?
I have a bachelor of science and a master of science in biology. I’m a project manager for an environmental laboratory.
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