In a symbolic move, some 600 Girl Scouts, leaders, siblings and parents marched over the Towpath bridge in downtown Akron on Saturday.
Leaving from Lock 3, the group formed a long line and maneuvered its way to the bridge over the Akron innerbelt (state Route 59). The parade was the kickoff for several events by the Girl Scouts of North East Ohio (GSNEO) in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts in March.
Juliette Gordon Low organized the first American Girl Guides meeting with 18 girls on March 12, 1912, in Savannah, Ga. The following year, the name was changed to Girl Scouts. The organization has grown to nearly 4 million members and is the largest educational organization for girls in the world.
Girl Scouts have a tradition of bridging when a youngster progresses to the next level. Saturday’s event signified the organization’s crossing into the next century of Girl Scouting.
Though the weather was crummy, children who were tucked inside rain ponchos and beneath colorful umbrellas chanted and sang as they made their way to the other side of the bridge and back.
To those who know her, co-leader Toni Patterson of Girl Scout Troop 70225 in Shaker Heights is a ball of energy. Even 9-year-old daughter Kiara admits her mom has as much energy as a busy toddler. As a kid, Patterson joked, she wasn’t a Girl Scout, so she’s eager to make up for lost time.
Grinning and hustling members of the troop together like a protective mama duck, Patterson encouraged them to sing. Answering her call, the children proudly belted out a song that they had made up for the event.
“We walked around the corner.
“And we walked around the block.
“We walked right into a Girl Scout shop.
“We are walking across the bridge for 100 years.
“Now, we’re here.”
Though there was much celebration, including a concert by country music singer Veronica Ballestrini, the weather kept many at home, suspected Rebecca Shaffer, director of marketing and communications for GSNEO.
Some Girl Scout alumni were planning reunions to hook up with old pals, she said, but they will have plenty of time to do that at later celebrations. Visit www.gsneo.org for a schedule.
“Had the weather been good, we anticipated 5,000 people,” Shaffer said. “Akron is kind of the central location for our council and it is easy to get to. The city of Akron made us feel quite welcomed.
“And, about the weather? Girl Scouts just don’t know when to come out of the rain,” she said, laughing.
Trying to keep somewhat dry and warm beneath a canopy were the girls of Troop 1020 of Cuyahoga Falls, led by Jennifer Smith.
Chatting about what they liked most about the Girl Scouts, Jennifer’s gals talked about mini-trips and friendships.
“I like going on new adventures and camping,” offered 10-year-old Molly Manning. “I also like earning money and donating it.”
So goes the Girl Scout promise: “To serve God and my country, to help people at all times ... ”
Kim Hone-McMahan can be reached at 330-996-3742 or kmcmahan@thebeaconjournal.com.