Molly Bishop is being highlighted as our guest blogger this week. Molly's experiences span from a young Girl Scout to now as a volunteer. Thanks Molly for your contribution!
If you would like to be our next guest blogger, email us and tell us your story.
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Molly Bishop
Volunteer - Troop Leader |
When I think over my time as a Girl Scout (so far!), and all
that Girl Scouts has given me, there are many things I could discuss. One
theme, however, has held true every year since I started Girl Scouts as a
Brownie in first grade: Girl Scouts has continued to help me grow by
giving me new opportunities and experiences.
Growing up in my troop, this was
spending time with different people than I did at school, and having the chance
to help choose what to do. It was the opportunity to watch a surgery at a vet
clinic – also known as the moment I knew I didn’t want to
be a vet after all.
I started going to Girl Scout camp after third
grade, and that introduced me to a whole new set of experiences. Camp is where
I learned how to build a fire, climb the tower, and identify constellations. It
is also where new experiences helped me gain the confidence to try things that
are a little scary, the ability to trust those around me, and the courage to be
myself. My troop didn’t last through middle school, but my love for camp did.
After completing the Counselors in Training program, I worked at camp for five
summers – my first job! My final two years on staff, I took on roles on the
administrative team. This gave me more new experiences than I can count!
Fast forward to last fall, when I contacted my new council (Greater
Iowa!) about getting involved. The past year has contained no shortage of new
experiences! My first year as a troop leader has been challenging but extremely
rewarding – very different from a week-long camp counselor. Also, this summer,
I had yet another new opportunity – day camp!
Ames/Gilbert
and Roland/Story City community teams partnered up at the end of July to host
their second summer Day Camp! I helped
plan and run this event with the help of a wonderful team of volunteers who put
on the event last year! Our event was held at the local Izaak Walton League. We
included crafts, canoeing, archery, fire building, fishing, outdoor cooking,
nature time, games, songs, indoor cooking, and more, all packed into three
(very full) days of fun!
Day camp is an amazing opportunity for the girls, especially
those that may be nervous about attending resident camp. It is a wonderful
stepping stone to going to a council camp. I encourage you to try something new
like this in your service unit, or in your troop! It may be a one day event,
maybe just canoeing, or maybe a day of archery, but it is not the details that
are important – use the skills of the volunteers near you. I learned during the
planning process of day camp how many people there are in our service unit with
skills in a variety of area. I loved hearing “I caught my first fish!” or seeing
the look on a camper’s face when she lit her first fire at day camp! I know
that these girls are having those new experiences that Girl Scouting continues
to give me.
The experience of day camp, as well as reflecting over this blog,
has me thinking, as I hope you are too: “What other new experiences can I give the
Girl Scouts around me?” Good luck!
- Molly Bishop
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