Even girls can do in Troop 306

Carl Kieke
·4 min read

I want to tell you about a particular Scouts BSA troop, but most troops have similar activities, although subjects will vary widely.

This troop spent several days at Camp Constantine on Lake Texoma; younger Scouts stayed closer to home at Camp Tonkawa.

A couple of members helped during Cub Scout camp. One who went to Constantine also went on a special trip to Tennessee and paid for both trips with little help from family (by choice, not a forced decision).

Troop members helped participants unload and carry luggage during a conference at Hardin-Simmons University, and recently spent much of a Saturday teaching first aid basics to 9- and 10-year-old Scouts.

They spent some meetings getting prepared for the latter, as well as learning knots and teaching newer members the ropes (pun intended) of being a Scout.

Three of them are performing requirements for Eagle Scout, including one who hopes to remove and replace a deteriorating fence for Alliance for Women and Children. All this while members also juggle time for school band and sports.

And did I mention: All these members are girls?

Troop 306 is the only all-girl Scouts BSA troop in Abilene and one of four in Texas Trails Council. The others are in Lampasas, Breckenridge and Brownwood.

These girls are required to do all the things that boy troops must do. The books are identical, except one shows boys doing activities, the other shows girls doing the same things.

Many people are not aware that girls are full participants at all levels of Boy Scouts of America. The Boy Scout age level (now called Scouts BSA) is beginning its fourth year for girls after a limited trial year in 2018.

Scouts BSA is for kids ages 11 until age 18. If you would like to try it out, Troop 306 meets at 7 p.m. on Mondays in the 2300 block of Jackson. The street dead-ends at the fence line for Hendrick Home for Children, in the parking area for the Scout hut. You can visit anytime, but you should contact scoutmaster Helen Harris at helenharris155@gmail.com to be sure there isn’t a schedule change for that particular night.

There’s a lot more to say about the troop; perhaps I can continue this next week.

Upcoming events

  • Training for new Girl Scout leaders, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday. No fee; virtual event open to leaders from any council. Register at gs-top.org under “Events” calendar. (Course repeats Oct. 13 (Sunday deadline to register); Oct. 18 (Oct. 14 deadline); and Oct. 27 (Oct. 23). Direct questions to Shannon Spencer, 806-589-5950 or sspencer@gs-top.org.

  • Girl Scout service unit cookie sales training for adult leaders in Central Texas council, 6:30-8 p.m. Oct. 12. Virtual event; no fee. Deadline has passed, but course repeats Oct. 17 (must register by today at gsctx.org under “Events” calendar).

  • “Let’s Go! 2 and 3” for Girl Scout leaders, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Oct. 15, Lake Brownwood State Park. Required training for leading outdoor events; must complete “Let’s Go! 1” online prior to attending. $20; for Girl Scouts of Central Texas members only. Deadline has passed; check availability with Diana House, stbrnbugs@yahoo.com.

  • Sporting Clays Classic, Oct. 15, Camp Tonkawa (near Lake Abilene). Fund-raiser for Texas Trails Boy Scout Council. Prices and times vary; check brochure at texastrailsbsa.com (“Featured Events” on left near bottom) or at 3811 N. 1st St., Abilene. Register by Oct. 13. 325-677-2688.

Deadlines

  • Thursday for AXE throwing, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 20, Abilene. For Cadette, Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts. $15 per Scout. Location TBA after registration. 800-582-7272 or customercare@gs-top.org. For specifics on the program: Carrie Seals, 806-589-5943 or cseals@gs-top.org.

  • Saturday for “So You Want to Be a Medical Doctor” virtual conference Oct. 22. For Junior, Cadette, Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts (any council). Price varies. Register through your council.

  • Saturday for discount price for Haunted Forest Cub Scout/Scouts BSA family event Oct. 21-23 at Camp Tonkawa. 325-677-2688.

Contact Carl Kieke at 325-673-3552 (voice only); or kiekec@suddenlink.net. Deadline is Monday for publication the following Monday.

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Even girls can do in Troop 306