By Sue Wambolt, Contributing Writer
Shrewsbury – Five Shrewsbury Senior and Ambassador Level Girl Scouts from troop 31331 will be heading to Switzerland this summer to visit the International Girl Scout Chalet in the Swiss Alps near Attleboden, Switzerland. The eight-day program includes hiking, rock climbing, campfires, whitewater rafting, a visit to a Swiss chocolate factory, and sampling the Swiss culture and traditions. Most importantly, though, the students will meet other Girl Scouts from around the world and learn about Girl Scouting in other cultures.
Attending the trip will be Katie McBrayer, Erin Sior, Michaella Petrucci, Margaret Gach and Jesse Collins. They will be accompanied by leaders Martha Gach and Ann Collins.
In order to help finance the trip, the girls held monthly babysitting nights and pancake breakfasts as well as a textile drive, cookie sale, camping workshop and a holiday quick bread sale. Additionally, they hosted a spa day for younger Girl Scouts and have held an ongoing can and bottle drive. Learning the costs associated with this endeavor and earning the funds needed has been a valuable exercise for the girls.
The girls are excited about their upcoming trip to Switzerland and are looking forward to furthering their Girl Scout experience.
“I decided to go on this trip because I wanted to explore different cultures from around the world and discover how Girl Scouts/Girl Guides fit into each of those cultures,” said Margaret Gach, a Girl Scout for 13 years. “I have been on international trips before, but have never been able to take advantage of such a gathering of girls my age from around the world all in one place.”
Senior Katie McBrayer, a Girl Scout for nine years, decided to go on the trip because it offered an amazing and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit an extraordinary place.
“I am most excited about the high adventure activities, like the zip-line and ropes courses that the Chalet has planned for us,” said McBrayer. “I hope to gain the life experiences that come with visiting a new place and am looking forward to meeting people from all over the world in a Girl Scout environment.”
For Michaella Petrucci, a Girl Scout for 13 years, the lure of visiting a beautiful place and the opportunity to meet new people from all over the world helped secure her decision to go to Switzerland.
“I am most excited to create connections with new girls and to see cows – my favorite animal!” shared Petrucci. “I am also excited to learn about Switzerland, its culture, and Girl Scouting in different countries.”
The girls of troop 31331 have become role models for younger Girl Scouts who see that by setting goals, adhering to a plan, and making the commitment to follow through can make dreams a reality. This experience has encouraged the girls to take the next step in learning skills in leadership and personal responsibility and, through it, exemplify the mission of Girl Scouts – growing into women of courage, confidence and character.
The group departs June 21 and returns July 1.
