(Chelsea Update would like to thank Bob Milbrodt for the information in this story.)
Last Monday, the Chelsea Kiwanis Club heard from Chelsea Area Girl Scouts.
Scout Leader Rebecca Keiser reported a healthy increase in scouts joining since COVID had depleted the ranks to less than 20 girls. Now 60 girls are ready to serve the community.
Several troops are part of Chelsea Area Girl Scouts. One troop participated in the annual tree lighting, had a visit from a U. S. Army soldier, and learned about martial arts. Scouts are looking forward to camping, horseback riding, and a visit to the zoo next year.
The older girls took part in a self-defense course at Chelsea Hospital. One of the older girls, Helen Sparks-Jackson has been a scout for 10 years. She has moved up the ranks, providing leadership to the younger girls. She reported that with her encouragement, the younger scouts now are confident selling Girl Scout cookies. They handle the money, inventory, and relating to potential buyers.
Helen finds great value in the leadership opportunities Girl Scouts has given her.
She is now a Counselor in Training at Camp Merrie-Woode. She enjoys the horses, and building cooking fires. She also leads the trombone section of the Chelsea High School Band.
The other scout leaders gave personal experiences of the value of leadership opportunities in Girl Scouts and the connections with their mothers and grandmothers in scouting.
The scouts treated us with singing and a recitation of the scout’s oath. Chelsea Kiwanis is happy to support the character-building activities of these young people as they learn leadership skills while helping the community.
Next Monday we will have as our guest Heather Meyer from the Child & Family Life Department at Mott Children’s Hospital.
The 5th Annual Gourmet Mixed Nut Sale continues. Orders can be placed through Facebook or visit our table at Chelsea Farmers Market at the Depot on Dec. 16.