International Girls Day

Today is International Girls Day.  Created by Kappa Delta, the day is for celebrating girls and reminding them there is no limit to what they can achieve.

Megan was in the third grade when she asked me to take over for their Girl Scout Troop.  My initial answer - no.  I had 3 kids with the youngest only a year old.  I was a volunteer with the art teacher at the elementary school.  There was ice skating, horseback riding, boy scouts, baseball and I was working the evening shift.  How would that even work?

I changed my mind and said yes.  And for the next 10 years we had a blast.  So many memories.  So many kind people.  So many places and events some of the girls would never have been exposed to had the not been part of the scouts.  I became very good at making lists and asking for help from the parents.  We held the meetings at home, where the boys could do their thing and I didn't have to lug materials to a meeting site.  I am so glad I changed my mind and became a part of their lives!

Lots of camping.  My favorite was at Mystic Aquarium under the octopus tank.  The most annoying was at USA Skating.  They woke us in the morning with a very loud recording of a rooster.  The scariest was in Maine with bats striking the sides of the tent all night long.

                                        Downtown Providence after ice skating at the city rink.

                                 Kaitlyn, as one of the older girls, working on a cooking badge

                                     with the younger girls.

                                        Rock climbing with attitude!

                             The older girls had less attitude but more success with rock climbing.

                                    Kayaking on the Blackstone River.  The lesson we learned 

                                    that day?  Always go upstream first while feeling strong.

                                        We embraced ceremonies and traditions.

                                            Campfire in Maine.  Classic scout outing.

                                                    Girl power and proud of it!

                                                Hiking at Smalls Falls

                                                Hiking at Purgatory Chasm

                                              Getting ready for a trail ride at Lincoln Woods.

                         Hanging around at Rangeley Beach.  Scott was frequently with us as our "mascot".

                                            The girls preparing a meal at the Pawtucket Soup Kitchen

                                                        Big Apple Circus at Ninigret Park

My final four as I think of them, have all been wildly successful.  Megan, an equine vet.  Kaitlyn, a pharmacist.  Nicole, a communications manager.  Katie, a freelance copywriter.  So proud of all of them.  May they continue to grow and pass on their strength as women.