Local Girl Scout troops mark founder's birthday
By Kelly Corbett
Published in News on October 31, 2011 1:46 PM
Girl Scouts from 14 troops in Wayne County came together at First United Methodist Church in Mount Olive on Friday to mark the anniversary of the birthday of Juliette Gordon Low, founder of Girl Scouts of the United States of America.
The birthday celebration was the first big event to kick off the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts, which will take place in March 2012. Ms. Low was born on Oct. 31, 1860, and created Girl Scouts on March 12, 1912.
Daisies, Brownies and Juniors, ages 6 to 11, from 14 troops around Wayne County filled the evening with games, crafts, stories and food.
A timeline with pictures was set up at the entrance displaying the long history of Girl Scouts.
"This is my first big event," host Cary Kornegay said. "They're smiling, and they seem to be happy."
Mrs. Kornegay found her own old Girl Scouts uniform last week and had it on display at the event. She is also the leader of Troop 214 in Mount Olive.
Taking an active role in the activities at the celebration, Mrs. Kornegay painted a sparkly sun and "GS" on her daughter's cheek along with painting the faces of many of the other girls.
Storyteller Claire Ramsey told campfire stories to the girls toward the end of the night since Juliette Low loved to camp, Mrs. Kornegay said.
"Obviously, Girl Scouts love to camp," she said.
The girls also enjoyed showing off their patches and membership stars.
Daisy Girl Scout Mary Truhan, 6, said she added some petals to her flower patch for planting marigolds and daisies at a church after her friends picked the weeds. Daisies are her favorite flowers.
"My favorite thing about Girl Scouts is my flower patch," she said.
Mrs. Kornegay began her troop one year ago when her daughter, Charlotte, said she wanted to become a Daisy. She was a Girl Scout herself when she was younger and wanted her daughter to be part of a troop from Wayne County, but closer to Mount Olive. She is trying to spread troops to the outskirts of the county, since most of the troops currently meet in Goldsboro.
Troop Leader Carol Hall is the only other troop leader in Mount Olive. She started her troop along with Mrs. Kornegay last October.
"We were late starting," she said. "Normally they start in September. "
She began Troop 638 because of her granddaughter, Ashley Hall, who wanted to be a Brownie.
In the past, Brownies could not stay overnight at camps, she said.
"It's just amazing how much it's expanded over the years," Mrs. Hall said.
The troops will be holding several events between now and March to celebrate the 100th anniversary, she said.
The Girl Scouts recently received a challenge to find a former or current adult Girl Scout from or living in Wayne County to interview. They can write, record or videotape the interviews with the topic of what it was like in the past to be a Girl Scout.
"We're encouraging them in their churches, their families and their communities to find somebody," Mrs. Kornegay said.
In March, the Girl Scouts will view the interviews at the 100th Anniversary Tea Party in the Wayne County Museum.
If you are a former Girl Scout and would like to send stories or share old memorabilia, contact ilovegirlscouts@yahoo.com.