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Friendliness and helpfulness are Girl Scout ways and a Girl Scout tries to be prepared to do her share in her community.
The first regular meeting of Troop No. 1 of the Baden Girl Scouts met Wednesday, February 10, 1937, in the basement of the school house. Thirtytwo girls were present. Mrs. Charles Harris was appointed temporary captain, and acted in that capacity until the registration of the leaders in April,when Miss Ruth Whitmore assumed the responsibilities. Miss Whitmore had as her lieutenants: Misses Jane Morrison, Virginia Goerman and Mrs. Martha Young McDanel.
From February until June the girls spent their time organizing the troop and passing Tenderfoot tests. Their first money-making project was undertaken during the Easter season of that year when they sold Easter eggs.
The first year was climaxed by an Investiture Ceremony held June 24, 1937, in the Baden Lutheran Church. At this time 24 girls became the first registered Girl Scouts of Baden. Those Scouts were: Sarah Barkley, Mary Catherine Brown, Jane Dillon, Jean Dumeyer, Leila Farquahr, Elizabeth Furness, Mary Lou Gaughan, Margaret Anne Gould, Dolores Gray, Josephine Hervoich, Alice Hicks, Marjorie Hulet, Phyllis Hulet, Mary Virginia McCreary, Marian Macombs, Marcia Mann, Marjorie Marr, Helen Overholt, Elinor Pate, Jean Prus, Jean Schermerhom, Evelyn Schleifer, Mary Smedley and Gretchan Warner.
On display at the Investiture Ceremony was all of their equipment which consisted of an ax, a hiking book and a small first aid kit. Since that time the equipment has been supplemented and it now includes a flashlight, knife, Troop Record and Report Book, an enlarged first aid kit and an equipment chest.
After a three-month vacation, the troop resumed its weekly meetings in September. A lending library was organized. Two hundred old books, donated by the girls were repaired. A bookcase and complete library equipment was purchased. Beadcraft and basketry were enjoyed by the girls, who made or crafted such useful articles as table mats, belts, necklaces, purses, coasters, baskets, and candy dishes.
In order to pay for the projects, equipment, and entertainments such as parties and hikes, a bake sale was held in October and candy was sold at Christmas time. In the spring a Camp Fund was started by selling Easter eggs and metal sponges.
The purpose of the Baden Girl Scouts is the same as that of all Girl Scout organizations. The troop has as its objective the development of the girl along physical, emotional, mental, moral and social lines to the end that there may result not only a personal enriched individual, but also an intelligently participating citizen in a democratic social order.
This leisure-time, characterbuilding movement for girls began in England in 1909. It was developed due to the urgent demand of the girls. A program parallel to that of the Boy Scouts, organized in 1908, was worked out for them based on the same ideals as the Boy Scouts. The Girl Guides, as they had come to be called, became a separate organization in the spring of 1910.
During these years, Mrs. Juliette Low of Savannah, Georgia, was living in England and making frequent visits to her native city. She became deeply interested in the Scout movement and worked with the Girl Guides in London. From England Mrs. Low carried Girl Guiding to the United States where she adapted the program and organization to meet the needs of the American girl. On March 12,1912, she established the first troop of American girls in her home city of Savannah, Georgia. The name "Girl Scouts" was taken by the American organization.
Much of the credit of forming the Baden Girl Scouts goes to the Junior Woman's Club of Baden, who is the sponsor of the troop. From January until March, 1937, four Junior Club members and one Senior Club member took the eight weeks Scout Leader's Training Course at the Pittsburgh Scout Headquarters. Those members were Mesdames Charles Harris, Martha Young McDanel, and Misses Jane Morrison, Ruth Whitmore and Virginia Goerman. The club not only furnished the leaders, but has at various times donated money, and keeps up an annual Credential Fee.
It is advisable that every Girl Scout organization have a Troop Committee which is composed of from three to five adults who are interested in a particular group. It is especially important for a lone troop, such as we have in Baden, to have the backing and assistance that this committee can give. Those who have served the Girl Scouts of Baden in this capacity are:Mesdames James McKalip, Chairman, Hay Young, George Axtell, Charles Hare, Victor Pate and Earl Leibermann. They have given the troop desirable community backing and have been useful in fostering neighborhood interest in the girls and their activities.