Girl Scouts Celebrates 100 Years

A Girl Scout birthday celebration Credit: Girl Scout National Historic Preservation Center

Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland - with members throughout central and southern Missouri, southeast Kansas, and northeast Oklahoma - joins Girl Scouts around the country to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts in 2012. March 12, 2012 will mark 100 years from the day that the first Girl Scout troop was established in the United States.

Self-discovery and community service were core values that Girls Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Low sought to instill in girls from the earliest days. In 1912, many girls' paths in life were limited and Low's vision was to establish an organization where any girl could expand her personal horizon by having fun while exploring new interests and contributing to society. With 3.2 million members, Girl Scouts is today's preeminent leadership development program for girls.

"This special anniversary 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 Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland's interim CEO, Anne Soots. "It is also an opportunity to thank the countless committed volunteers in our community who give so much to Girl Scouting all year long. The encouragement, coaching and resources from adults are crucial for girls to be able to develop their leadership skills."

Girls will be celebrating through the end of 2012, including at the Believe in Girls 5K and Expo in Springfield, Missouri on March 31, 2012 and Camporees in Sikeston, Sedalia, and Nevada in September. They will also, as always, give back to their communities in big ways. During this year's Girl Scout Cookie Program, many Girl Scout troops have participated in the Cookie Share program, through which Girl Scout Cookies are shared with military organizations or food pantries. At summer camp and locally, girls will also be participating in Girl Scouts Forever Green projects to promote environmental stewardship.

For information about 100th anniversary initiatives, including the Believe in Girls 5K and Expo and Girl Scout summer camp, call 877-312-4764 or visit www.girlscoutsmoheartland.org.