GILBERTS – Marking three generations of tradition, Corron Elementary School Brownie troop 4622, along with other local troops, headed to Camp Tomo Chi-Chi Knolls of the Kane County Forest Preserve in Gilberts this October in honor of the upcoming 100th anniversary of the Girl Scout Organization.
Not only are the Corron Girl Scouts celebrating one century of learning outdoor skills and leadership, but Sun City resident Sue Henburger is recognizing three generations of Girl Scout involvement within her own family, since her daughter, Linda Strohschein, is a Corron Scout leader.
To honor the Girl Scouts 100-year anniversary, Corron Elementary School Brownie troop 4622, along with other local troops, headed to Camp Tomo Chi-Chi Knolls of the Kane County Forest Preserve in Gilberts. There they formed the number 100 for this photo. (Photo provided)
“I was a Girl Scout leader for my daughter, and she is now a Girl Scout leader for her daughter. It’s following in mom’s footsteps,” said Henburger.
It is the family involvement of Girl Scouts that Henburger and her daughter emphasized in the trip to Camp Tomo Chi-Chi Knolls. One way in which they planned to highlight this theme is through their idea to stage a photograph of both the Girl Scouts and their parents forming the number “100.”
“My daughter and I thought it would be great because it would be three generations of Girl Scouts,” said Henburger, who was a Girl Scout herself while growing up in California.
The agenda for the field trip, which hosted Kindergarten and first-grade Girl Scout Daisies, second and third-grade Brownies, and fourth through sixth grade juniors, included indoor cabin-style camping, which was a practical choice to guard against autumnal uncertainty.
“If it’s an indoor cabin, even in October, we don’t have to worry about the weather,” said Strohschein.
Strohschein has carried on the scouting legacy of her mother and has been a Girl Scout leader for three years for her daughter, Jenna. Strohschein’s idea to bring her daughter’s Brownie troop to Camp Tomo Chi-Chi Knolls, which Strohschein discovered when her son’s Boy Scout troop visited the same location, had a personal motivation.
“The reason was because I remember Girl Scouts being a bigger group with lots of different ages, and I wanted to do that for Jenna,” Strohschein said.
Strohschein attributes her inspiration for a large ensemble Girl Scout experience to her mother’s Scout leadership during Strohschein‘s childhood.
“When I was talking to my mom about this trip, she asked me why I got involved in all of this planning, and I said, ‘Mom, I did it because of you,’” said Strohschein.
The memories that both Henburger and Strohschein cherish from scouting expeditions also include noteworthy learning experiences that they feel have amounted to the Girl Scouts’ cross-generational success.
“I really like the way the program helps teach the girls about leadership,” said Strohschein, adding that being a Girl Scout helps “To be able to lead others and to find your own voice.”
Henburger shared similar reasons she thinks Girl Scouts have maintained their importance for one hundred years. Reasons, she notes, are more than just “those wonderful thin mints.”
Instead, Henburger feels “It gives the girls a sense of camaraderie with peers in a way that is not just athletic or educational. It’s education while having fun.”
Henburger also described the specific education that Girl Scouts provides.
“To me, it’s the basics. Living decent lives, caring for yourself, your friends, and your environment,” she said.
