The Girl Scouts of America have come a long way since Juliette Gordon Low founded the organization in March 1912. Despite societal changes in the past 99 years, scouting remains relevant and, for some, a vital part of the passages of youth.
“I grew up in Colorado and was in Girl Scouts for awhile,” said Keli Konczak, who, with Jennifer Schouten, leads troop No. 3971, whose members are students at Columbine Elementary School in Woodland Park. “My fondest memories are of the Meadow Mountain Ranch in Allenspark, which is still part of the Girl Scouts of Colorado,” she continued.
Years later, Konczak’s daughters, Mandy, 16, and Alie, 9, are going this summer to the same type of camp, where they too, will ride horses, at Sky High north of Woodland Park.
While Mandy is enrolled in the camp’s counselor-in-training program, her sister is participating in the “Night Owls” camp. “They get to stay up late, do neat stuff, and sleep in,” Konczak said.
As activities and themes have evolved — the night camp for instance — scouting for girls still holds an opportunity to earn a badge while reaching out to others.
As Girl Scout cookies are an American tradition, perhaps the only thing that has changed over the years is how the girls spend the proceeds, about 40 cents on a $3.50 box.
This year’s sales pay for the troop’s overnight stay at a horse camp in Loveland in May. “The girls had that goal two years ago,” Konczak said. “Once they set those goals, they really seem to embrace them.”
In addition to earning their way to the camp, the scouts count giving back to the community as part of their goal-setting. “The girls hosted a breakfast May 2 for their teachers at Columbine,” Konczak said. “They all came to my house on Sunday and we made fruit salads and casseroles for the breakfast. It was really cool because the girls chose all of this.”
In April, the troop donated $100, split between boxes of cookies and groceries, to the Community Cupboard. “This was something the girls wanted to do. We love how all the donations stay right here and goes straight to the people in need,” Konczak said.
For potential careers in broadcasting, four of the scouts participated in the “Media Stars” event. “They got to do a commercial for cookies on Peak FM radio,” Konczak said.
In the fast-paced lifestyle of the 21st century, scouting remains relevant. “I think girls are initially drawn to the social aspect of scouting but once they get into it, realize how scouting is much more than just hanging out with your friends,” Konczak said.
With the 100th anniversary coming up next year, this troop is well-prepared to honor Gordon Low’s legacy. “We celebrate her birthday every Oct. 31,” Konczak said.
Konczak talks about scouting on Teller Life May 12 at TellerNetcast.com.