Girl Scouts spend day around the globe
By Julie Bailey

Daisy Girl Scouts representing Holland, visit the Junior Girls Scouts Japan booth at the World Thinking Day. Photo by Julie Bailey

A visit to the Melrose school cafeteria Feb. 26 might have made people think they had wandered into a marketplace in a distant land.

On that afternoon, Jamestown Girl Scouts celebrated World Thinking Day in traditional fashion, donning costumes, sharing food and games, and learning about Girl Scouts and Girl Guides from all over the world.

Jamestown Girl Scout troops represented countries from five of the seven continents of the world, which they have studied in recent weeks.

At the event, the girls shared their discoveries with each other, especially about customs related to Girl Scout troops around the globe.

Lora Bonnot, an adult with Brownie Troop 612 (Ireland), said "One of the special things about Thinking Day is, unlike most Girl Scout activities, it brings Girl Scouts of all ages together." Indeed, Daisies (K-1st), Brownies (2nd- 3rd) and Juniors (4th-6th) all enjoyed the afternoon's festivities.

The event kicked off with a ceremony and song led by Junior Troop 865 (Japan) after which all the troops rotated through the room visiting each country's booth. Each Scout carried her passport, complete with her name, photo and troop information. Upon arrival at a country's booth, Scouts would have their passport stamped then taste food from that country, participate in a game or activity, and learn interesting facts about the country and its Scouts/Guides.

Daisy Troop 1318, wearing "wooden" shoes and milkmaid hats, represented the Netherlands by sharing cheese and cookies with everyone.

Dwarfed by their sombreros, Daisy troop 1397, representing Mexico, shared chips and salsa with fellow Scouts as well as a lively dancing game.

Brownie Troop 612 brought to Jamestown a taste of the Emerald Isle. They offered delicious Irish soda bread and gave the Scouts the opportunity to make their own "Blarney Stones," which looked like pet rocks.

Sixth grade Junior Troop 647 really got the room rocking with a game from South Africa called Ladders. They also shared delicious fried dough and rice pudding treats.

A taste of the Mediterranean in the form of pita bread, hummus and baklava was offered by Junior Troop 709 at their Lebanon booth. Their colorful neckties (integral to Lebanese Girl Guides' uniforms) helped them stand out in the crowd.

And lastly, Junior Troop 865 offered seaweed bits and the chopstick challenge as part of their glimpse of Japan. Racing to fill their bowls using only chopsticks, girls laughingly realized using chopsticks is not as easy as it looks. Not only were several of the girls adorned in beautiful Japanese costumes, but even their American Girl dolls wore one.

Event organizer Marah Campbell received praise from many of the troop leaders as the event drew to a close. The girls are already looking forward to next year's World Thinking Day.

World Thinking Day is observed annually on or about Feb. 22 to give girls the chance to honor their sister Scouts and Guides from other countries. This date was chosen for the first Thinking Day in 1926 because it is the mutual birthdates of Lord Robert Baden- Powell, founder of the Boy Scout movement, and his wife Olave, longtime Chief Guide for the Girl Scouts/Girl Guides.

Looking to support our Jamestown Girl Scouts? They'll be out delivering pre-ordered Girl Scout cookies over the next several weeks. Also, keep an eye out for their cookie booths at McQuade's Marketplace and St. Mark church.