newsletter P.O. BOX 523, ARDSLEY, NY 10502 ARDSLEYHISTORICALSOCIETY.ORG VOL. 29, NO. 1 WINTER 2015 OFFICERS PRESIDENT Robert M. Pellegrino VICE PRESIDENTS Bea Caporale Theresa DiStefano TREASURER Peter Marcus SECRETARY Rick Palladino DIRECTORS Stephen Beech Joann D’Emilio Lessem Henry Groth Daniel Kalish Mary Keehan Bernhard Preisser Walter Schwartz Steve Wittenberg EDITOR Theresa DiStefano DESIGN Valerie S. Lalli Ardsley and The Girl Scouts of America For 90 Years Although every attempt is made to maintain accuracy in the newsletter, the editor and the Society assume no responsibility for errors. The editor also reserves the right to edit where necessary. By THERESA DISTEFANO Girls Scouts of the United States of America (GSU- SA) became part of American Life in 1912 when Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low organized the first Girl Scout troop meeting of 18 girls in Savannah, Georgia. Daisy Gordon Low wanted to bring girls out of their cloistered home environments to serve in their communities and to experience the open air. Thereafter, by using Girl Scout methods, girl scouts would build self-esteem; learn values such as honesty, fairness, courage, compassion, character, sisterhood, confidence and citizenship through activities including camping, community service, learning first aid, and earning numerous badges by acquiring other practical skills. The program was originally for girls 10 to 18. However, over the years, the program was rearranged to include: Daisy Girl Scouts (ages 5-6 or grades K, 1), Brownie Girl Scouts (ages 6,7,8 or grades 1,2,3), Junior Girl Scouts (ages 8,9,10,11 or grades 3,4,5,6), Cadet Girl Scouts (ages 11,12,13,14, or grades 5,7,8,9), and Senior Girl Scouts (ages 14,15,16, 17 or grades 9,10,11,12). As time went by, more programs were introduced such as Ambassadors (grades 11 and 12, ages 16 to 18 years old). Also to mention, Wing Scouts (part of Senior Scouts) which was ended in 1970). Girl Scouts are grouped into patrols, troops, local councils and national councils. In- dividually these units decided upon their own activities but are always guided by the Girl Scout Promise, Law, Motto and Slogan. Since its beginning, girl scouts’ activities always encouraged camping and outdoor activities such as canoeing, and hiking with their troops; joining in with community activities such as clearing land sights; col- lecting food for shut-ins; collecting food for food drives; visiting nursing homes and veteran’s hospitals; sponsor- ing and helping the Red Cross to service needy families; visiting cemeteries and putting flags on veteran grave sights; visiting veterans on Veteran’s Day with smiles and baked cookies; and sending girl scout cookies and letters to soldiers serving in the United States military to mention only a few activities girl scouts do. There is always time for fun as girl scouts offer their services to their communities. Girl Scouts learn ideals of character, and patriotism while they enjoy a program of work, play and compan- ionship. They learn to pro- tect their health, practice useful skills and become good citizens of their com- munities and country. Girl Scout Sign: Raising three fingers of the right hand. This stands for the three parts of The Promise. Courtesy of Wikipedia.com Daisy Gordon Low Promise: On my honor, I will try: To serve God and my country, To help people at all times, And to live by the Girl Scout Law. Law: I will do my best to be Honest and fair, Friendly and helpful, Considerate and caring, Courageous and strong, and Responsible for what I say and do. And to Respect myself and others, Respect authority, Use resources wisely, Make the world a better place, and Be a sister to every Girl Scout. Motto: Be Prepared. Slogan: Do a good turn daily. Ardsley Becomes Part of Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) Girl Scouts in Ardsley 1924 to 1948 Since 1924 Ardsley Girl Scout Troop I, the Bluebirds, has contributed to Ardsley’s community as its members fol- lowed the Girl Scout: Promise, Law, Motto and Slogan: , Date: , Description: , OCR Text: newsletter P.O. BOX 523, ARDSLEY, NY 10502 ARDSLEYHISTORICALSOCIETY.ORG VOL. 29, NO. 1 WINTER 2015 OFFICERS PRESIDENT Robert M. Pellegrino VICE PRESIDENTS Bea Caporale Theresa DiStefano TREASURER Peter Marcus SECRETARY Rick Palladino DIRECTORS Stephen Beech Joann D’Emilio Lessem Henry Groth Daniel Kalish Mary Keehan Bernhard Preisser Walter Schwartz Steve Wittenberg EDITOR Theresa DiStefano DESIGN Valerie S. Lalli Ardsley and The Girl Scouts of America For 90 Years Although every attempt is made to maintain accuracy in the newsletter, the editor and the Society assume no responsibility for errors. The editor also reserves the right to edit where necessary. By THERESA DISTEFANO Girls Scouts of the United States of America (GSU- SA) became part of American Life in 1912 when Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low organized the first Girl Scout troop meeting of 18 girls in Savannah, Georgia. Daisy Gordon Low wanted to bring girls out of their cloistered home environments to serve in their communities and to experience the open air. Thereafter, by using Girl Scout methods, girl scouts would build self-esteem; learn values such as honesty, fairness, courage, compassion, character, sisterhood, confidence and citizenship through activities including camping, community service, learning first aid, and earning numerous badges by acquiring other practical skills. The program was originally for girls 10 to 18. However, over the years, the program was rearranged to include: Daisy Girl Scouts (ages 5-6 or grades K, 1), Brownie Girl Scouts (ages 6,7,8 or grades 1,2,3), Junior Girl Scouts (ages 8,9,10,11 or grades 3,4,5,6), Cadet Girl Scouts (ages 11,12,13,14, or grades 5,7,8,9), and Senior Girl Scouts (ages 14,15,16, 17 or grades 9,10,11,12). As time went by, more programs were introduced such as Ambassadors (grades 11 and 12, ages 16 to 18 years old). Also to mention, Wing Scouts (part of Senior Scouts) which was ended in 1970). Girl Scouts are grouped into patrols, troops, local councils and national councils. In- dividually these units decided upon their own activities but are always guided by the Girl Scout Promise, Law, Motto and Slogan. Since its beginning, girl scouts’ activities always encouraged camping and outdoor activities such as canoeing, and hiking with their troops; joining in with community activities such as clearing land sights; col- lecting food for shut-ins; collecting food for food drives; visiting nursing homes and veteran’s hospitals; sponsor- ing and helping the Red Cross to service needy families; visiting cemeteries and putting flags on veteran grave sights; visiting veterans on Veteran’s Day with smiles and baked cookies; and sending girl scout cookies and letters to soldiers serving in the United States military to mention only a few activities girl scouts do. There is always time for fun as girl scouts offer their services to their communities. Girl Scouts learn ideals of character, and patriotism while they enjoy a program of work, play and compan- ionship. They learn to pro- tect their health, practice useful skills and become good citizens of their com- munities and country. Girl Scout Sign: Raising three fingers of the right hand. This stands for the three parts of The Promise. Courtesy of Wikipedia.com Daisy Gordon Low Promise: On my honor, I will try: To serve God and my country, To help people at all times, And to live by the Girl Scout Law. Law: I will do my best to be Honest and fair, Friendly and helpful, Considerate and caring, Courageous and strong, and Responsible for what I say and do. And to Respect myself and others, Respect authority, Use resources wisely, Make the world a better place, and Be a sister to every Girl Scout. Motto: Be Prepared. Slogan: Do a good turn daily. Ardsley Becomes Part of Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) Girl Scouts in Ardsley 1924 to 1948 Since 1924 Ardsley Girl Scout Troop I, the Bluebirds, has contributed to Ardsley’s community as its members fol- lowed the Girl Scout: Promise, Law, Motto and Slogan: , Z ArchiveInABox,Ardsley Historical Society,Archived Issues of The Beacon,Volume 22-33,ArdsleyHistoricalSocietyVol29No2.pdf,ArdsleyHistoricalSocietyVol29No2.pdf Page 1, ArdsleyHistoricalSocietyVol29No2.pdf Page 1