By Sue Wambolt, Contributing Writer
Westborough – Senior Girl Scout Troop 30635 is currently running a flamingo “flocking” fundraiser to raise money for their April 2013 trip to Costa Rica. Julie Baldwin is the troop leader.
“The girls will be attending a program run by Costa Rica Outward Bound,” she said. “Part of the time will be spent doing a service project, and part will be spent on outdoor adventures with a focus on developing leadership skills. The service project?focuses on protecting sea turtles and their?nesting grounds, and learning about environmental conservation.”
In Costa Rica, the nesting season for giant leatherback turtles is October through April, so the girls hope to see?newly hatched baby turtles or nesting adult females. Other tasks the girls may participate in include patrolling nesting areas, cataloging nests and creating habitats. Additionally, they will participate in beach clean-up and trail preservation.
“On the leadership/adventure side,” Baldwin said, “the girls will rotate through?leading the group and being responsible for?various jobs during the program as they?participate in whitewater rafting, surfing, and zip-lining and also organize tasks for the turtle project.”
The girls will also?visit Manuel Antonio National Park and spend a day in San Jose.
In order to attend the Costa Rica trip, each girl must raise $2,000. They have been busy babysitting, running bake sales and yard sales, selling Girl Scout cookies and, currently, flamingo flocking to realize this goal.
For those who are unfamiliar with the practice, “”Flamingo flocking” is the name given to a fund-raising gimmick that typically involves the use of plastic lawn flamingos to collect donations for a charitable cause. Traditionally, the pink ornaments are placed on an individual's front lawn with a note that outlines the charity and the donation required to have the flamingos removed.
To schedule a date to “flock” your special someone, or for more information, contact Julie Baldwin at 508-366-9463 or email the troop at [email protected].
Girls Scout Troop 30635 includes Margaret Baldwin, Katherine Nikopoulos, Julia McKay, Christina Buffo, Cassie DiSaia, Erin McCafferty, Ellen Waite and Elizabeth Whalen. Troop leaders are Julie Baldwin and Eileen Nikopoulos. In addition, parent Susan McKay will be a chaperone on the trip.
