Girl Scouts Love a Parade

Girl Scouts across the country and right here in Alaska proudly promote Girl Scouting by participating in parades, never so many as this upcoming weekend in celebration of the independence of our nation.

We know that Girl Scouts will be in 4th of July parades in Anchorage, Juneau, Bethel, Wasilla, Ketchikan, Kenai, and Metlakatla this weekend. Kodiak girls already cheerfully did their part during the cold and rainy Kodiak Crab Festival parade in May, Eagle River girls will represent in the annual Bear Paw festival parade on July 10th, and Soldotna girls on the 24th. Anchorage girls also intrepidly built a float, marched, and sold cookies in February at the Fur Rendezvous parade. And, we are certain there are many more small Alaska communities whose Girl Scouts participate in their Independence Day parades.

Why parades? Parades, like flag ceremonies, are an opportunity for Girl Scouts to demonstrate service to their country, community, and Girl Scouting, as pledged in the Girl Scout Promise and Law.

I was recently priveleged to visit our Girl Scout National Headquarters in New York City, where the official GSUSA archives and museum are housed. http://www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/history/museum/
I was humbled by the reminder of the history of our movement and the enormity of its impact on American girls.  Walking in a parade with a group of Girl Scouts connects us with Girl Scouts throughout our nearly 100 years of existence, brings out the feeling of unity in the Girl Scout Movement,  and promotes Girl Scout values and community leadership a century ago and now. To give you a sense of that, watch the 1918 Girl Scouts film production of The Golden Eaglet. Girl Scouts in a small town parade were featured in this GSUSA recruitment tool, in which the characters Margaret Ferris and her friend Dorothy were so impressed by the Girl Scouts marching through their town, they became Girl Scouts themselves which brought adventure and meaning to their lives. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pks_Ah2Q88

In 2012, Girl Scouts USA will celebrate 100 years as a movement. Here in Alaska we'll kick off the centennial celebration at the Girl Scouts of Alaska Encampment, at the Palmer State Fair Grounds, June 2-5 2011. Encampment features a parade of Girl Scouts communities and troops from all across the great state of Alaska. Mark your calendars now for that milestone parade.

Enjoy your 4th of July with family, friends, and Girl Scouts, and take pride in the Girl Scout presence in your community's parade. Send a photo of your community, troop, or service unit's Girl Scout parade participation in 2010 along with the names and number of girls who participated and we'll be happy to send you Girl Scouts Parade fun patches for free. council@girlscoutsalaska.org

Happy Independence Day Girl Scouts!

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