Think outside the box! (Girl Scout event ideas)

I wrote the following blog article back in 2010. Little did I know that once I moved back to California with my kids later that year, that my Girl Scout involvement and commitment would skyrocket. My passion to give back was allowed to blossom fully once I took on the Service Unit manager position for Girl Scouts, where I then had the freedom to start a day camp, direct and create new events and to help leaders make their troops stronger. The article I wrote below, helps explain why I love helping girls be the best they can be, each and every day.  "Scouting rises within you and inspires you to put forth your best"...(Juliette G. Low). I received an e-mail today asking if anyone had an inspiring story to tell about a girl who had benefited from the experience of being a Girl Scout, who may not have been able to have those opportunities if it were not for scouting. I went to delete it until a wave of emotion went through me, reminding me of a very inspiring Girl

Thinking Day is an easy event overall because generally each troop creates a table with a display, food and swap representing the County they have chosen. However, I have added a couple of fun things to Thinking Day. At our event, I added an Around the World Cake Walk . I use to love cake walks as a child at the school carnivals, so I added one to Thinking Day. Each troop brings a cake or a box of cupcakes decorated in the theme of their Country. Some bring cakes from a recipe that reflect their Country. Some troops simply bring plain cakes which is fine. The more cakes, the better. Each troop is asked to bring a cake or a dozen cupcakes as their contribution. We have a contest and the best decorated cake/cup cakes receives a prize awarded for their troop. Usually local businesses donate prizes. Last year, the winning cake was Singapore and that troop received a bowling party and bowling patches. We sell cake walk tickets for $1 each and we always have a huge line throughout the