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Did your experiences in Girl Scouting as a child or adult influence the person you are today? We hope you will share your unique Girl Scout story when you register as a Girl Scout Alumnae. Register Now

Wearing a Girl Scout Uniform, Underneath It All

“I was a tomboy growing up. So when I started out as a brownie Girl Scout, I thought it was just okay. Learning how to crochet was something my grandmother did. But little did know the incredible skills I would learn in my many years in girl scouting. It was a truly rewarding experience.

I earned my Silver Award in 2002 and my Gold Award in 2005. I stayed with my old troop and volunteered to be an advancement adviser. Now I would like to get involved on a much bigger scale.

The best thing about girl scouting was camping! I remember trying to pitch a tent by myself at 8 years old, now that was an accomplishment. Also, falling into a river because I didn’t listen to my leader. I learned the hard way by leaning too far over the edge to see all the fish. I loved being an outdoor girl, and still am. But, I will admit that I’m a bit clumsy.

As silly as it might be, those are my favorite memories- falling in a river, tripping over things, scrapes that left scars to remind me of those special days. Not only was I clumsy, but very curious. I was constantly looking to discover more. Those experiences as a young Girl Scout of truly made a difference in my life.

Looking back and remembering how much I wanted to get out there and learn, gives me confidence to discover all I can in this world today. Curiosity had become my friend. It may have gotten me into some rivers, but it gotten me to where I am today. Even now, as a grown woman in the business world, I still sometimes trip times in my high heels and pencil skirt. But, at least I’m headed somewhere wearing a Girl Scout uniform underneath it all.”

- Kimberly, Girl Scout Alumnae

Girl Scouts Expands Her World

“I was lucky enough to be able tero earn First Class and the Gold Award. I worked at the 75th B-day celebration at Glen Helen Regional Park (and saw Donny Osmond and Burl Ives!). GS gave me confidence, leadership skills, decision-making skills and life-long friendships. It helped me to see beyond my little world and realize my responsibility to and the wonder held within this big blue marble we call Earth. Thank you GS from a life-long member!”

– Samantha, Lifetime Member

Camp Creates Memories for Lifetime

I grew up in Orange County and spent several sumemrs at Camp Scherman. Now as a 39 year old woman, I realize some of my very best chilcdhood memories are those spent at camp. I remember singing around the campfire, going out on the lake in canoes, participating in skits in the huge mess hall, and wonderful story telling after lights out in the cabins at night. I hope that this camp is continuing to be a dwelling place for little girls to be little girls and enjoy the lovely outdoors and great friendships! I can still hear the words in my head to the song “Camp Joe Scherman is the Place For Me”…totally love it! ~Keri

Developed interests that led to her career.

The Girl Scouts was fundamental in developing my interest in ecology through summer camps. In school, I focused on mathematics and computer programing and had almost no formal background in biology. My experience in the Girl Scouts allowed me to develop my interest in biology outside the classroom. I’ve since worked in bioinformatics and soil ecology (my current field)  ~ Katherine

Leaders are Important Role Models for Girls

I started my volunteer work with Girl Scouting to help lead my daughter’s troop. Through the year’s as a troop leader I had the privilege of watching our girls grow into bright, confident young women. The bond’s that were formed with some of my girls will last forever. ~ Julie

Exciting Adventures in Girl Scouts

Girl Scouts gave me the opportunity to learn and participate in activities that I never would have done with only my family. I learned how to rock climb, sail, canoe, and snow ski because of Girl Scouts. I traveled to Mexico City and Cuernavaca, Mexico with Girl Scouts, spent two weeks of a summer at Camp Scherman and spent a week on Catalina Island! ~ Karen, Alumna

Learning About the Impact of Community Service

My mother was our troop leader and one of the very strong women in leadership positions that influenced me from a very early age and into adulthood. From Brownies through Girl Scouts into my early teens I was exposed to team building and mentoring by leaders at the troop level to those who served as camp counselors to camp director at Camp Merrywood each summer through the sixth grade. The campaign to sell the most cookies each year and be one of the best troops in the County gave me the opportunity to perfect my ability to approach and interact with adults of all ages in my community. It was a small town environment and those were the days it was safe for girl scouts to fan out thought all of our neighborhoods on foot to take orders and then deliver and collect the money for cookies. We never considered the idea of having an adult accompany us or setting up a table at the local grocery store. Learning to knit and sew we’re skills I learned for a badge. Most of all I believe it was during those years where my first ideas of community service and the impact women have in that arena of life were formed. ~ Gail, Alumnae

Three Generations of Girl Scouts

My friends came to my door in brownie uniforms when I was in 1st grade. They asked my mom if I could join, she said “Yes” and I was hooked! I was in Brownies, Juniors, and Cadettes through 9th grade. I learned how to camp, make great friends, and love the outdoors. I volunteered my mom to be the “cookie mom” without her knowledge and she has never forgotten that. I participated as a troop leader, co-leader, assistant leader, cookie “mom”, adult volunteer organizer for Leader retreats for Tustin, and volunteer at Twilite Camp Tustin and sessional volunteer at Camp Scherman. ~ Maryanne, Girl Scout Alumna and Volunteer

My daughter’s participation from Daisies to Seniors gave me a “second life” as a Girl Scout. I attended GAM for the first time and other senior events. My daughter earned her Bronze the first year it was offered, the Silver Award, and the Gold Award in 2008 by volunteering with the Volunteer Clowns of Orange County.

Jacqueline Schaar Will Always Be Remembered


It is with sadness that we report the passing of former Girl Scouts of Orange County Board President Jaqueline Schaar on August 25, 2011. Jacque loved and was extraordinarily dedicated to Girl Scouting – and Girl Scouts loved her. As a volunteer and mentor she inspired the involvement of many in our organization and impacted the lives of countless girls in the Orange County community.

Jacque was a public relations professional for more than 30 years, and owned her own PR firm. She was president of the OC Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and a former member of both the National Board of Directors and the Counselors Academy of PRSA. Jacque and her husband Robert, an artist, owned Schaar Galleries in Laguna Beach for 21 years.

In addition to her commitment to Girl Scouting, Jacque served as a founding president of Friends of KOCE; and was a member of several boards including KOCE-TV’s Foundation Board, Human Options, and Designing Women.

Jacque was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and sister. She leaves behind her husband of 49 years, Robert; son and daughter-in-law, Bob and Mary Schaar; daughter, Denise Jeffrey; grandchildren, Conner and Skyler; and sister, Carole Cairns. Jacque was an incredible woman and an exemplary Girl Scout who made the world a better place and she will be greatly missed.

The Love of Scouting and a Troop Reunion After 35 Years

Girl Scout Alumna Donna Ashbaugh Shares Her Story 

Girl Scout Alumna Donna at Age 10 and Today

 Every spring, when birds seem to sing more, flowers bloom prolifically and girls in green come marching up to front doors, I travel back in time to when I joined Girl Scouts.  What happy memories for me on a spring day when I go to the grocery store and find a group of well-groomed Girl Scouts clustered around a card table stacked with boxes of thin mints, samoas and my favorite, the classic shortbread trefoil cookies.

I joined Anaheim’s Troop #37 as a reluctant and shy ten-year-old who wore wire-rimmed glasses. There were no other girls close to my age in my neighborhood, so I don’t know whether it was my mother, or the fact I had few playmates (I don’t count brothers) that inspired me to sign up. 

Although I didn’t know it at the time, I realize now that I broadened my understanding of the world and made long-standing friends through my Scout activities – camping and cookouts, badge successes and retail experience selling  cookies. Cookies sold for 35 cents a box in those days! 

One of my memories was learning to tie my official yellow scarf.  To this day, the words “left over right, right over left” come back to me when faced with a scarf. I also remember some of the songs we used to sing: “Kookaburra Sits in the Old Gum Tree” and the perennial “Taps”. 

Girl Scout Troop #617 in 1975 with their leader Donna

Because my husband and I had positive memories of scouting and believed in its benefits, we jumped at the opportunity to enroll our daughter in the program when she reached the appropriate age. I didn’t think to ask if she wanted to join. I also didn’t think twice when asked to be a leader.  

When Troop #615 was formed, it was like stepping back in time. Cookie sales, cookouts at the park and award ceremonies filled our days.  I don’t remember how much cookies were selling for when I was a leader, but they were certainly more than 35 cents a box.     

This year, after being involved in planning a high school and a family reunion, I thought it would be fun to plan a reunion for my Scouts in June. After all, some of them hadn’t seen each other for over 35 years.     

Troop #615 at the 1975 End of the Year Award Ceremony held at Jack Fisher Park in Santa Ana

So, on June 11th six girls and three mothers met at my home for a potluck lunch. The girls must have retained something from their cooking badge requirements as the food they brought was first-rate. We even had desserts that resembled s’mores. We couldn’t have a Girl Scout Reunion without s’mores.     

The girls, mature and successful women now, showed me the influence scouting had on them by their gracious demeanors, caring concerns and mature judgments. I couldn’t get over the fact they were older than I was when I was their leader. But most of all, I looked at those women with much admiration and pride as they shared their families’ achievements and educational experiences.     

Troop #615 reunion after 35 years. Debbie, Donna, Sara, Jayne, Anna, Tracey and Lisa

In looking back on our reunion day and the women who are now mothers and outstanding, productive women, I take pleasure in the fact that the scouting tradition continues in their own sons’ and daughter’s joys and successes in scout programs.     

As they departed, they clustered in our driveway for a long time, reluctant to leave, hanging on to those long ago memories. They enjoyed the day so much they plan to have their own Girl Scout table at their next all-class, high school reunion. I heartily recommend planning Scout reunions; reconnecting and reminiscing are joys not to be missed.    

Reluctant to leave the amazing Troop #615 Reunion

Girl Scout Council of Orange County | 9500 Toledo Way, Suite 100 | Irvine, CA 92618 | 949.461.8800 | 800.979.9444
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