Girl Scout Troop #3436 set to kick-off the year

SEELEY LAKE – Seeley Lake Girl Scout Troop #3436 is excited to kick off its first full year working with girls in the Seeley Lake area. After starting the troop last December, Troop Leader Chantel Lynch is looking forward to offering more opportunities to earn badges and learn, grow and work together as a team.

Girls and adults that are interested in learning more about Girl Scouts in general and more specifics about Troop #3436 are invited to the Troop's Kickoff Party and Chili Feed Sept. 15 at 5:30 p.m. at Seeley Lake Elementary.

"We want to grow our troop and make a bigger impact and be able to spread out leadership values that are being instilled and this educational opportunity for the girls," said Jenna Boltz, Troop #3436 volunteer. "We hope to get some other ladies to sign up with us as well."

Lynch started the troop because she wanted her daughter to have the opportunity to be a Girl Scout.

"I was a Girl Scout when I was a little girl and had so much fun doing it," Lynch said. "I wanted my daughter to experience it as well."

Last year there were up to 14 girls in the Troop including all age groups: Daisies (kindergarten-first grade), Brownies (second-third grade) and Juniors (fifth - sixth grade). There are also opportunities for Cadets (seventh - eighth grade) and high schoolers.

Last year there were five volunteers including Lynch. Volunteers pay dues and must pass a background check. Then they are covered under the Girl Scouts of America insurance so they can transport girls for events.

"The more volunteers we get signed up as official Girl Scout leaders, the more girls we can have in the troop," Lynch said.

Parents are also welcome and encouraged to attend activities, even though they may not be an official volunteer. Lynch said the more leaders that are part of the group, the more activities the troop can do.

Lynch said this past year Troop #3436 went skiing, enjoyed learning about nature through art and "conquered" cookie sales. The Troop ended the year with a camping trip at Monture Guard Station where the girls learned camping skills, leave no trace camping, plant and insect identification as well as met the Forest Service stock and learned about packing in the wilderness.

Outdoor opportunities like these are why Boltz encouraged her daughter to join. She was a Brownie when she was young and remembers all the fun activities and information she learned.

"She has an older brother that is constantly doing football and basketball and she is just not quite at that age yet," Boltz said. "She just wanted something for herself and was excited to do something with her friends. It was a good opportunity. It is really cool to be on the other side as a volunteer and to give that back to our girls."

Lynch hopes to meet twice a month for activities and work on badges. She also hopes to have a parents' meeting once a month. The Troop #3436 will meet at Faith Chapel again. Dates and times will be announced at a later date.

While attending all the meetings is not necessary, Lynch said she wants to encourage the girls to work together as a Troop when they do participate.

"I don't want parents to be discouraged because they don't have time in their life to get their kids somewhere," Lynch said. "We can pick them up, we can fill them in. It is a great opportunity for the girls."

Anyone interested is encouraged to attend the Kickoff Party. Members of the troop will share what they have done this first year with Troop #3436 and discuss future goals and ideas for the troop. There will be information about Girl Scouts, how to join and give opportunity to register at the event.

For more information about the troop or how to get involved call or text Lynch at 907-738-8657 or email chanteljlynch@icloud.com

For more information about Girl Scouts of America or to register visit https://mygs.girlscouts.org/.