The Campus Scouts celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts of the United States on Oct. 20, 2012 with a pre-Halloween festival at the George Weaks Community Center in Murray.
The Murray State University Campus Scouts (MSUCS) is a registered University organization that welcomes faculty, staff and students. Members of the MSUCS are considered adult volunteers with the Girl Scouts.
The MSUCS has been on campus for nine years and has recently named new officers for the 2012-13 academic year. The officers and executive committee include students Shelby Gray, Taylor McStoots, Olivia Dreckman and Chesika Crump.
Karla Johnston, adviser for the MSUCS, said she thinks the celebration of the anniversary shows how the Girl Scouts have impacted the country.
“I think celebrating the 100th anniversary has reminded me of the history of the organization,” she said. “It has also reminded me of its contribution to and reflection of women’s roles in our country and accentuated the connection I feel to other Girl Scouts, young and old.”
Johnston, who is also a research technician in the College of Science, Engineering and Technology, said Murray State is just one of the schools in the region to have an active girl scout’s group. She said Western Kentucky University and Southern Indiana University are two of the other schools.
Having been a girl scout herself, Johnston said it felt good to be part of a group where she felt accepted. She said she loved the activities, especially visiting Chapman Hills, the local Girl Scout camp. Johnston said her Girl Scout experience has not changed to this day, except for changing to Camp Bear Creek in Marshall County.
As for the University, Johnston said she would like to both encourage and introduce the Girl Scout presence to more students.
“I’d like them to know that we’re here,” she said. “I think it’s important to emphasize that MSU Campus Scouts is a student organization, led by students. My role is to advise and facilitate. Any student is welcome to join, as are faculty and staff members.”
The MSUCS has an upcoming event which Johnston said she hopes will extend community feeling the Girl Scouts are known for. She said the MSUCS is partnering with the Calloway County Girl Scout troops to plan and hold a World Thinking Day celebration and international fair, which will take place in Feb. She said other activities could include a ‘special training’ day to help Girl Scouts with activities like camping, hiking and kayaking.
Johnston said the Halloween party and the activities the campus scouts have coming up show off how the organization wishes to support the Murray State community as a whole.
Said Johnston: “This is a win-win-win situation. The local Girl Scouts benefit greatly from our efforts, the college aged members have an opportunity to gain real experience while serving others and we all have a good time together.”
Story by Samantha Villanueva, Staff writer.