After-School: Petal Power

Petal Power

By Melanie Heimburg

Shaded from the mid-day sun, the Daisy Scouts of Toop 931 eat lunch just outside the gates of the Folsom Zoo Sanctuary, the girls' latest field trip destination.

“Those squirrel monkeys had a little playground,” says Riley Cittel, 6.

“The mountain lion has a long tail like a rope that can trip you, kind of,” chimes in Tristynn Case, 6.

Tristynn’s mom and the Troop Leader, Denise Case of Roseville, organized this as one of many activities the girls will experience as a troop.

“We’re pretty ambitious—we want to have fun and expose the girls to as many different experiences that we can, because I think being a Scout means having an opportunity to try stuff you probably wouldn’t think to do otherwise,” says Denise, who is wearing a tee-shirt screen printed with the word “inspire” and various motivational synonyms, all of which she seems to embody as she enthusiastically talks about her Scouts.

The troop began meetings and activities in March, a somewhat late start, but it has already earned Daisy petal badges, participated in community service activities, and gone on several outings like this one, which will earn the girls a fun patch.

Find out more about scouting in Greater Sacramento:

GirlScoutsHcc.org   &    Gec-Bsa.org

“The patch represents having an experience: this is what I learned, this is how it’s good for the world, and this is my little symbol of proof that I participated and learned,” explains Kimberly Melcher, Roseville mom and Troop Assistant. By the time they bridge to Brownie Scouts in June, 2011, the girls will have earned about 35 fun patches.

While her daughter, Marissa, 6, participates in other organized activities, Kimberly says that she turns to Girl Scouts because it offers a unique message.

“It’s about understanding that you’re part of a community, part of a bigger world, and that together we can accomplish much more than we can on our own,” she says. “It’s about that bond, that feeling of sisterhood.”

It’s exactly what the Girl Scout Law, the foundation of the Girl Scout program, aims to instill: “I will do my best to… make the world a better place and to be a sister to every Girl Scout.”

Even within the circle of parents—who happily chat as their daughters run and play together in the nearby sand pit—the bonds of sisterhood seem to be cementing.

“I don’t think I’ve ever given so much of myself to others like I have now,” says Denise. “I want to be the best leader I can for everyone.” She indicates her shirt, the one that says “inspire,” then adds, “Really, the girls inspire me.”

(c) Melanie Heimburg

Melanie is Sacramento Parent's intrepid Calendar Editor and Editorial Assistant. Her fave extracurricular activities include long walks with her dog, scrapbooking recent exploits, Saturday morning workout sessions, and lunching at taquerias. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it