October 15, 2002

The following members are registered for this 2002-03 year: Jamie, Stephanie, Jill, Tia, Brittany, Amy, Kristen and Beth. Adults: Rachel, Pat, Norma and Juli. Registration forms will be available at tonight’s meeting for anyone else planning on registering. Remember the $7 fee to GSUSA when registering.

Tonight we will plan our meeting schedule for the year. As busy High School students, some members have already discussed meeting less often and trying to work around hectic schedules. We will stay flexible enough to take advantage of fun events as they come up.

Three members, Jill, Stephanie and Jamie, are working on their Silver Awards and when those are completed, the Troop will bridge to Senior Girl Scouts. We will all get an opportunity to participate in their final project. Meanwhile, keep your eyes open for adventures you think the Troop would enjoy!

We got a great Sunday start to our destination of Devil’s Lake State Park. Charles and Barb drove, as well as, Rachel and Pat. Troop members on the trip were: Jill, Jamie, Rachel J., Keli, Brittany, Tia, Amy and Kristen. The Nelson, Wisconsin, Ice Cream Shop was our lunch stop and later, a stop at Lark, WI to ride the carousel and shop the toy stores (see our album for pictures of the hats!). From there, a huge storm cloud followed us to Devil’s Lake and managed to wait until we were setting up our tents to start the downpour. We got the kitchen shelter up plus 3 tents, having to give up on Brittany’s tent for the time being. The joys of camping!

Monday found us in Madison—this time the weather cooperated beautifully. Amy’s sister, Katie, met us at the UW Allen Gardens and walked us around UW. We took a city bus to State Street and spent the day wandering the unique shops. Keri met us there to take marching band students back home. Back at Devil’s Lake, Mini-golf founded out the day.

Tuesday we toured the Frank Lloyd Wright school near Taliesen in Spring Green. After lunch at the Spring Green General Store, we ran around House on the Rock. An enthusiastic group (not) hiked to the natural bridge at Natural Bridge State Park on the way back to Devil’s Lake.

Wednesday was Noah’s Ark Day. This day was chilly and windy but fun anyway. Going out for pizza in the evening was a treat.

Thursday—home again. Hmmmmm, highlight of the trip home would probably be Culvers.

We worked a double shift Saturday night plus Rachel worked with some leaders Friday night, so we should get a nice boost to our treasury (have not gotten the figures yet). Volunteers Saturday night were Amy, Mandy (our honorary troop member), Brittany, Keli, Annie, Pat and Rachel. We also got some help from passing friends. It was fun to have an actual pop stand with heating ovens, pop dispensers, lights, fans, etc.

September 2002 Encampment. The theme was Girl Scout Ways. Our troop was in charge of food and served 165 people. A GIGANTIC thank you to Jill for planning the menu and to Jill and Jamie for spending the whole weekend not only working the kitchen, but leading the Camp Site Safety/Tent Set-up sessions AND leading the singing Sunday morning! Add to that Brittany and her mom, Chris, coming out Friday night to “camp” in the multipurpose building and helping to put together 200 bags of trail mix. We invented our own version of trail mix that contains animal crackers along with the regular raisins, M&Ms, Cheerios, and peanuts… it was a hit.

Saturday, Becky and Bill came to help us prepare and serve our lunch of turkey, ham, cheese and all the fixings sandwiches. They also donated apples for our fruit bowls.

Norma helped with lunch and dinner on Saturday. In the afternoon, Amy came with Barb to help with our spaghetti dinner and to stay overnight. Thankfully, we had the assistance of another troop for dinner—they set up all the tables. We used the kitchen plates and silverware for our dinner. They also helped put together the salads. We served spaghetti, with and without meat, garlic bread, salads, and Popsicles for dessert.

There was plenty of food and we got many compliments on it. Sunday breakfast consisted of muffins and cold cereal, juice and milk. Again, we had a troop help with clean-up of the multi-purpose building while we got the kitchen back in order. Amy, Jill and Jamie did a great job leading singing Sunday morning. I don’t know where they got the energy and enthusiasm, but they did it!

Terrific weekend! Thanks to everyone who helped make it that way!

Finally, we just want to say thank you to Pat for the past years of leadership assistance. She is stepping down this year as a leader and we thank her for always being there with her smile, enthusiasm, ideas and kindness. She says she will try to make some of the events this year but we will miss her leadership.