A pearl for Girl Scouts from Howland and Vienna

Camporee offers experiences

VERNON -- Girl Scouts with Service Unit 807 of Howland and Vienna spent a recent weekend exploring with a Greek mythology theme at their annual fall camporee as part of the theme "Camp Greenblood and the Quest for Juliette's Pearls."

Carol Williams, director of Service Unit 807, said the event at Camp Sugarbush had eight activity stations such as sword fighting, canoing, archery, science, rope climbing in the woods, yoga and fire building related to Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Lowe.

Williams said the Scouts followed a rotation, going to different stations.

"At the end of each rotation, the girls must answer a question about Juliette Gordon Lowe to earn a ribbon to put on their troop flag. They also were given a task to complete during the Saturday evening campfire," Williams said, noting when all the troops completed their tasks they were able to open the treasure chest to reveal Lowe's pearls.

Williams said Camp Greenblood is a reference to the books by author Percy Jackson. The programming rotations were based on goddesses in mythology as a tie-in to Jackson's books.

Organizers said they had canoing on the list of activities so Scouts could explore the new enlarged pond at the camp, which now allows for races. Mary Pipino, a volunteer, said there is a new climbing wall inside the lodge for the Scouts to use.

Tori Campos, a volunteer, said Jackson's books were adapted for a Girl Scout theme so they could learn more about Lowe and the quest for her pearls.

"The books are a mystery and adventure series with interaction with Greek gods," Pipino said.

SOLD PEARLS

Campos said when Girl Scouts was started and funds were low, Lowe sold the pearls her late husband gave her. She sold them in 1914 for $8,000 to help fund the Girl Scouts.

"We want the Scouts to learn different facts about Juliette Gordon Lowe and her life," Campos said.

Rachel Morataya, a troop leader who attended a camporee in the 1980s when she was part of Lake to River Girl Scouts, said Lowe's pearls today would be worth $270,000.

"She was willing to give up her pearls for the future of Girl Scouts," she said.

Pipino said learning about Lowe is part of the foundation of Scouting. Lowe started Scouting in 1812 in Savannah, Georgia.

Organizers said the annual fall camporee has taken place for 30 years.

"This is a great way for sisterhood. We have good leaders. The ideas for the themes are voted on by the girls," Pipino said.

She said themes of "Mad About Science," Walt Disney, medieval times and movies were popular in past years. There have been camporees with hot-air balloons.

Gianna Morataya, 11, of Howland, who attended her first camporee, said she liked being able to stay inside tents and take part in the different activities.

Amber Sala, 12, of Vienna, who has been to the camporee for several years, said she liked the sword fighting demonstrations.

"What's fun is every year is a different theme," she said.

The two-day, two-night event allows the Scouts to get outside in nature and be by the creek.

"This camporee has come full circle with different generations of families having been part. That is the beauty of scouting -- allowing moms and daughters to get away for a weekend," Pipino said.