Folks warming up at the Santiam Outreach Community Center on Dec. 19 were treated to cookies made by girls from Boy Scout Troop 9050.
“Community service comes in all shapes and sizes,” Assistant Scoutmaster Krista Stave told visitors to the Troop’s Facebook page. “Today, our Scouts baked and decorated holiday cookies given to the warming center
to sweeten up these chilly days.”
Based in the Stayton-Sublimity area, the all-girl troop is chartered with the Stayton Kiwanis Club, serving youth throughout the Santiam Canyon from Aumsville to Gates.
“Currently, we have six Scouts but are actively looking for more girls,” Stave said.
“While we definitely are not the only unit serving girls, we are one of few and the only offering this great program to girls in our local area. We interact, with other units at these larger events where the girls complete and show off their skills they have been learning and practicing.”
Baking cookies for Mill City’s SOCC is just one of several community service projects the girls participated in this year, according to Stave.
“This upcoming year we have lots of fun activities planned, including the Klondike Derby in February where we will go and take part in competitions in the snow,” Stave said. “Last year we took first place in one of the categories.”
Following the snow competitions event is an opportunity for the Scouts to go to Sand Lake in Cloverdale, Oregon, with activities such as rock-wall climbing, rifle and shotgun shooting, and participating with other troops while learning important life skills, Stave said.
“And the best yet, this summer we plan on attending summer camp in Washington at the historic Camp Parsons nestled right on the Puget Sounds,” she added. “There are a lot of activities to do both on and off of the water.”
The Boy Scout program offers youth the ability to earn merit badges through many different avenues, including career exploration, life skills and civic service, Stave said.
“One of the core tenets of the Scouting program is community service,” she added. “Our girls have never shied away from helping their local community. Something special happens when youth are encouraged to take part in helping their community. They start to take a sense of ownership and pride in their service.”
As well as baking cookies for the warming center, troop members helped the City of Aumsville with
its Halloween event, giving pumpkins away to families. Other good deeds include cleaning up local trails and participating in community engagement activities, Stave said.
“While initially people were hesitant to bring girls into a historically all-boys program, through community engagement and education we have helped the community at large understand the value that Scouting brings and the benefit youth gain, both girls and boys alike,” Stave said.
“As we come into this new year, we are excited to continue building on the foundations of the amazing programs we have and look forward to sharing the fun with any girls interested,” she added.
Troop 9050 is a year-round Scouting program for girls, 11 to 17, and is part of the Cascade Pacific Council, Boy Scouts of America. Meetings take place 6-7:30 p.m. at Sublimity School.
“We are excited for our next year of adventures and invite you to join us,” Stave posted. “Come visit our meeting and see what we are all about!”
For information about how to be involved, visit Stayton Troop 9050 on Facebook, text or call 971-772-1022, or email [email protected].
