Local troops celebrate Girl Scout Week

The Girl Scouts organization is celebrating its anniversary Tuesday and an entire week of celebration is planned nationwide and in the Northland.

Girl Scouts of the USA will celebrate its 101st anniversary March 12, and the week of March 10-16 is designated as Girl Scout Week.

Many local troops are celebrating with family events, holding clothing drives and taking winter camping trips, according to Jamie Sands, a membership specialist in Duluth.

“Everyone celebrates a little differently,” she said. “You can celebrate in small ways or in big ways like the groups that are planning trips.”

Members of the public that are curious about the history of the organization can stop into the Duluth Depot before the end of the month. An exhibit featuring Girl Scout uniforms, photographs and memorabilia from the past century is on display in the Fesler Gallery at the St. Louis County Heritage & Arts Center through March 31.

The Girl Scouts were founded March 12, 1912, by Juliette Gordon Law, with the goal of instilling the values of self-discovery and community service in young girls.

“Girl Scout Week is an opportunity to celebrate the long and proud history of Girl Scouting and to engage our girls in making our communities and the world a better place,” said Leigh Ann Davis, chief executive officer at Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin Lakes and Pines, which serves northern Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin.

Today, there are an estimated 3.2 million Girl Scouts in the country, and one in 10 girls in kindergarten through 12th grade participates, according to the organization.

For information about how to join, volunteer, reconnect or donate to the Girl Scouts, call the Duluth office at (218)726-4710. The Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin Lakes and Pines can be reached at (800)955-6032 or gslakesandpines.org.

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