Girl Scouts prove they are ‘Outdoor Adventurers’
Special to The Star-Herald
EASTON – On Saturday, May 22, nearly 30 Daisy and Brownie Girl Scouts from Mapleton and Presque Isle, accompanied by leaders and a dozen parents, visited the Francis Malcolm Science Center in Easton to participate in a nature learning experience and outdoor adventure. The nearly four-hour event was organized by Presque Isle Girl Scout Troop Leader Dina Harding and Vaughn Martin, science and nature educator at the center. Before the event began, each girl in attendance received a special gift from Harding relative to the day’s activities of their own choosing including a miniature notebook and pen, compass on a necklace, or a small thermometer. During the indoor morning session, the girls learned about the different types of seeds and how they travel and viewed models of wild animals while discussing various food chains.
Following a picnic lunch outside, the girls were armed with clipboards, compasses, magnifying glasses, and small baggies to collect specimens to begin the afternoon session. Once outside, the girls were introduced to a maple tree and practiced a tree rubbing technique. Martin then led the group across the road to the center’s marked nature trail. Using the lists provided directly from the Girl Scout Brownie Try-It book, the girls had to use several of their senses as they walked through the woods. They identified things through touch, smell, and listening. The girls were also on the lookout for non-living things, living things, and signs of living things. About halfway through the hike, the group stopped at the center’s bird station. Martin filled the bird feeder and put peanuts in the squirrel houses. Small wooden benches provided a brief resting place for all and it wasn’t long before several squirrels entertained the group, eating the treats that they have come to expect!
During the hike, Martin pointed out a moose footprint and the base of a tree trunk where the bark had been chewed on by an animal. Using the map provided by Martin, he told the girls that there was a “treasure” to be found. They had to figure out how to get from the end of the “Woods Trail” where they currently were standing to the “Parsons 2 Miler” trail, named after “Parson” Martin along with his friend and fellow clergyman who helped create the trail. Working together, they were able to find their way to the trail leading to the “treasure.” The group crossed a wooden bridge that according to Martin had been partially destroyed by moose walking on it. After crossing the bridge, he told the girls it was time to find the “treasure.” They all spread out and the metal box containing the “treasure” (chocolate candy!) was found by Presque Isle Girl Scout Lily Staples. Before heading back to the center, the girls all contributed to an outdoor protective shelter that had been started by local Boy Scouts earlier in the month. Girls collected pine and spruce branches and added them to the teepee-like structure.
As the group exited the woods, everyone was asked to select a stick for roasting marshmallows and grab a handful of dried leaves to help start a campfire. Once the group returned to the center, everyone walked up behind the building to the fire pit where Harding instructed the group on proper fire building skills and safety precautions to take. The girls enjoyed roasting marshmallows over an open fire and making their own s’mores in spite of the rising temperatures and melting chocolate!
By attending this highly educational event, the Daisy Scouts earned their Outdoor Knowledge patch and the Brownies earned two Try-Its: Eco-Explorer and Outdoor Adventurer. All Scouts attending earned two fun patches, as well – “Campfire Songs” and “Hiking is Fun.”
Troops attending included Mapleton Troop 1133, led by Jennifer Buzza and Nancy Winslow; Presque Isle Troop 1137, led by Harding and Julie Knight; Presque Isle Troop 1170, led by Marjorie Snow and Harding; and Presque Isle Troop 1178 led by Tara Cote, Krissy Williams and Harding.
ENJOYING AN AFTERNOON full of outdoor activities at the Francis Malcolm Science Center were nearly 30 Girl Scouts from Mapleton and Presque Isle, accompanied by their leaders and a dozen parents. Vaughn Martin, science and nature educator at the science center, led the extensive tour. Attending were, front row, from left: Laurel Brown, Sophia Morton, Jeanna Knight, Brooke Trask, Elexis Lunn, Alexis Getchell, Amanda Winslow, Allison Morton, Delaney Alward, Lily Staples, Katherine Snow, Lily Hanks and Courtney Harding. Back row: Caroline Brown, Madelyn Buzza, Jenna Mountain, Elizabeth Dyer, Katelyn Amero, Vaughn Martin, Bethany Baker, Paige Trask, Eva Callioras, Claire Hopkins, Abigail Dionne, Josalyn Wark, Jayden Lovely, Madyson Wark, Olivia Sanchez and Mayce Kinney. The troops are led by Jennifer Buzza, Nancy Winslow, Dina Harding, Marjorie Snow, Julie Knight, Tara Cote and Krissy Williams.
