Local girl travels to Europe on Scout vacation

Sarah Mittrucker, a member of Girl Scout Troop 13 of Girl Scouts of Otahki Council, recently attended a girl guide camp in Ayrshire County, Scotland, with Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma through the Girl Scouts Destination program.

Sarah first traveled to Tulsa, Okla., for an orientation with five other Girl Scouts from around the country and six Girl Scouts from the Tulsa Council. In preparation for the trip, the girls met one another through a Yahoo group and helped plan the five days of sightseeing in London. During the orientation they also tie-dyed shirts and made pajama pants.

The group toured London on a double-decker bus. They saw Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and rode the Eye of London. They also had high tea several afternoons. They toured Pax Lodge, one of the World Centers for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. Before returning to the U.S. they spent the night at Lord Baden Powell Hostel in London.

They traveled to Scotland by train to Ayrwaves 2008 held at Elginton Country Park. More than 700 girls from Scotland, Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Nigeria, Singapore, Canada and the United States gathered for a week of fun and friendship. They were divided into clans, and Sarah was in the Royal Stewarts. She participated in cycling, crafts and a day trip to the island of Arran and to the local amusement park, Loudoun Castle.

As part of the international day, the girls showed others how to tie-dye and also gave them sample of popcorn, which many had never had before.

It was a trip of a lifetime and many new friendships were made.

Sarah is already talking about her next international adventure with her new friends.

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