By Shelby Smithey…
Former and current Girl Scouts are encouraged to attend the Girl Scouts of the Florida Panhandle’s reunion Saturday, Oct. 13 at the UWF Conference Center to celebrate the organization’s 100th year.
Hosted by UWF President Judy Bense, former Girl Scout and 2011 Women of Distinction Diamond Award recipient, the Girl Scout Reunion-Celebrating 100 Years will be at 9:30 a.m. to noon and will allow former and current Girl Scouts to connect with each other and meet current members. WEAR-TV-3 news anchor Sue Straughn, former Girl Scout and 1999 Woman of Distinction Award recipient, will also serve as facilitator of the event.
“We are excited to offer this opportunity for Girl Scouts of all generations to come together,â€
Raslean Allen, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of the Florida Panhandle, said. “The rich history of Girl Scouts in the community will come to life through the activities and sisterhood that is Girl Scouts.â€
Activities at the reunion will include a history of Girl Scouting through presentation, traditional outdoor and campfire songs, a photo exhibit and placement of items in the 100th anniversary time capsule that will remained sealed until 2037. Girl Scouts are encouraged to bring items such as crests and photos in plastic bags to add to the capsule. There will also be cupcake displays created by Cupcake Emporium and Oh Snap! using Girl Scout cookies.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida awarded a grant benefiting each of the seven Girl Scout councils in Florida to support Girl Scouts’100th anniversary activities.
“We invite all women who were Girl Scouts to join us in this celebration,†Frances Yeo, Girl Scouts’100th Anniversary Committee volunteer and chair, said. “It does not matter where you participated; the sisterhood of Girl Scouts knows no boundaries.â€
Reservations are encouraged, but not required. To confirm your attendance, visit www.gscfp.org or call the council office at 1-800-624-3951 or (850) 434-1333 by Oct. 7.
In addition to the Girl Scouts reunion, the exhibit Pensacola: a Girl Scouting Place to Be is open at the T.T. Wentworth, Jr. Florida State Museum. Displays include memorabilia from several decades up to the present. Visitors will get a sense of the impact Girl Scouts had in developing women leaders in Florida. This exhibit will be on display through Nov. 30.