Submitted by Emma Lilly
Northern & Northeastern CO
Longmont
Almost two years ago, I received a postcard in the mail from GSCO announcing that they would be starting an Older Girl Advisory Board, and that they were looking for applicants for the program. I had been involved in Girl Scouts in a troop from 5th through 8th grade, and I became a Juliette in high school after my troop broke up. I loved going to summer camp, and but besides that, I did not know many other older Girl Scouts. I applied to the program because I figured it would be a good way to meet other active Girl Scouts as well as a chance for me to share my opinions and ideas with Girl Scouts.
Being on the OGAB has been a wonderful experience. I have made some really great friends, and not only do we have a ton of fun on our retreats (playing a lot of Spoons and other games), but I also feel we are contributing to some positive changes being made within Girl Scouts. During our retreats and web calls, we have discussed a variety of subjects from the CIT and PA experience, to cookie sales, to how we can keep older girls in the program.
When I came to the first OGAB retreat, I was pretty nervous because I felt like I wasn’t a “real” Girl Scout because I am not in a troop, but it quickly became apparent to me that my opinions and experiences were valuable to the group. As my confidence grew, I became comfortable sharing all of my ideas, and now I am one of the more talkative ones in our group.
Being a part of OGAB has added a lot to my Girl Scout experience because it has given me a group that feels almost like a troop and it has allowed me to reflect on my experiences in Girl Scouts and see how we could improve certain programs. It also has given me another leadership role within Girl Scouts, because we have essentially been representing girls all around the state. Of course, this is an experience that looks great on college applications and resumes, but it is also real experience that I believe has prepared me for college and beyond.
If you are a Girl Scout Senior or Ambassador and have the opportunity to apply to OGAB, I would highly recommend it. It has added so much to my Girl Scout experience, and I have made so many good friends. I have so many fond memories from my time in OGAB, and as I go off to college next year, I will miss it so much.
The Older Girl Advisory Board (OGAB) is a group of Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts from all regions of Colorado that provide feedback on projects that enrich the experience of Girl Scouts of Colorado. Make your voice heard by applying today! Applications close on September 18, 2018. https://gscolorado.formstack.com/forms/ogab2018
Questions? Contact Emily Speck, emily.speck@gscolorado.org or 303-607-4811