What Girl Scouts means to me - Ashley R.'s story

One thing I love about Girl Scouts is that it is always where you are. I was an Army brat growing up, going from place to place, school to school. My first memory of Girl Scouts was in Belgium where my family was stationed for three years. I did my first year as a Daisy there.

In fifth grade, my family was able to settle down and we landed in Castle Rock, Colo. I joined Troop 2145 which was part of the Wagon Wheel Council. I was part of this troop for eight years until I graduated high school. Our troop started with more than 10 girls, but at the end of high school, we only had four.

Many of my memories about Girl Scouts involve these four girls. Women now, all with children of our own. Three of us have Girl Scout daughters. Two of us are now leaders in Colorado.

While many girls don't stay in the program through high school, the four of us really made Girl Scouts into something we loved. We were known for running weekend camps at Tomahawk Ranch and Flying G. Planning and running fun theme camps like Alice in Wonderland. Making up a grace to go along with the theme to sing before dinner. Teaching the girls about hiking, doing so many crafts, and singing a million songs.

Girl Scouts taught me how to be a great human. To always be a helper, to look for goodness, look for ways to better our community, and always leave a place better than you found it. It taught me about goals, working hard, and how important it is to help others.

When I became pregnant and found out I was having a girl, I COULD NOT wait to start our troop! I emailed Council the day I registered my daughter for kindergarten. I was so excited to become a leader. We are now in our fourth year as a troop with nearly 30 girls. The pure joy I feel as a leader is indescribable. Knowing that I (along with my other awesome volunteers) are giving the girls the same experience I had is so amazing. Knowing what they'll get from it, knowing the kind of people they'll become because of Girl Scouts. Knowing that I get to extend my love to them every week. Often people say to me, “I don't know how you do it.” To which I respond, “Being a Girl Scout leader fills my cup. And my cup runs over every time I hear,'Hi Ms. Ashley!'”