COMMUNITY SPIRIT: Girl Scout Troop 1380 teaches lifelong skills

May 20—Girl Scout Troop 1380, like other Scouting groups, has been teaching its members valuable life skills for years.

Stephanie Wisdom, Troop 1380 leader, said the nine Cadettes get plenty of straightforward information to put to practical use.

"They get a sense of camaraderie, a sense of community involvement," Wisdom said. "Everything we do they do research on it, so they're building a knowledge based. They're not just going out there and being told to do something. They actually do the research and then they implement what they learn into community service."

Wisdom said Girl Scouting is more than just selling cookies and learning how to sew — just a few common misconceptions. The program gives members a chance to work in the community and pick up critical skills.

"It gives girls the opportunity to ... thrive and to develop into leaders, entrepreneurs and just empower them to be the best possible women later on in life," Wisdom said.

Wisdom hopes troop members will continue with the community involvement aspect as they get older.

Some community projects for which the troop has received awards include creating and installing pollinator boxes throughout the area, and planting self-sustainable flora at Mission Park.

"A lot of people think Girl Scouts is nothing but selling cookies, but we really do try to get into the community and think of ways to better it — not just for us, but for everybody," Wisdom said.

The cookie sale does teach Scouts about inventory, entrepreneurial skills, money management, and more.

"It's essentially them running their own small business," Wisdom said.

Another way the Girl Scouts of Cherokee County try to make an impact is by making care boxes for military troops and people working overnight New Year's Eve, such as police officers and those at the fire stations.

Wisdom said troop members excel in different areas, depending on their interests, but they all learn skills like first aid, camping, survival techniques, how to manage money, and more.

"As they get older in Girl Scouts, they take on more and more responsibility to where the leaders just step back and oversee," Wisdom said. "Our girls aren't quite there yet, but they're getting there."

Learn more

Anyone wanting to get involved with the Girl Scouts of Cherokee County can go to www.gseok.org to join.