More Than Just Cookies

Creative Spotlight

Every year around February there is a craze happening. There’s a buzz in the air regarding the sale of a well-known treat. If you haven’t guessed by now we are talking about Girl Scout cookies. But there has to be more than just cookies happening for such a phenom as this. So we set out to find out more about the Girl Scouts.

We recently sat down with a Girl Scout leader from Cornerstone Baptist Church in Brooklyn, NY, Mrs. Henetta F. Hamlett to ask a few questions and get a better understanding about Girl Scouts and her group in particular.

CZ Magazine: Were you once a girl scout?

H. Hamlett: I was not a girl scout when I was younger. What I knew of it was from watching my dad, Henry Fraley who was a scout master and my brother, Arnold Blackwell who was a boy scout and then as parent with my own son, Vernell Hamlett who was a cub scout and then a boy scout and presently, a Cub Scout Leader.

CZ Magazine: What inspired you to become a Girl Scout leader?

H. Hamlett: The opportunity to join was brought to me by my friend who is more like my sister and is our group’s coordinator, Ms.Mamie McCoy and my niece Ms. Danika Fraley. I like what being a Girl Scout represented: teaching leadership skills, building confidence, independence and how to work in groups. It was something I wanted to be a part of.

CZ Magazine: How many levels are there and which level do you work with?

H. Hamlett: Well at Cornerstone right now we have Daisies, Brownies Grades 2-3, ages 7-9), Juniors which are Grades 4-5, ages 9-11, Cadettes which are Grades 6-8, ages 11-14. This is our fourth year and for the first time we have girls that are going to be Seniors, which are Grades 9 - 10, ages 14-16. My co-leader, Mrs. Precious Overton-Adkins and I work with the Daisies (Grades K – 1 ages 5-7).

CZ Magazine: Have you seen membership growth?

H. Hamlett: Yes, we have grown. In our first year we had 9 girls we have grown to have 46 girls.

CZ Magazine: Most people hear “Girl Scouts” and think cookies. There seems to be way more going on than cookies. What are some things that your group focuses on? H. Hamlett: The object of girl scouting on all of the levels is to have the girls take the lead, how much leadership they have depends on the level. The Daisies, require a little more guidance, a little more focus, a little more hands on. As they get older they take the lead in some things. Like with cookie sales: What a Daisy would do if they were selling cookies, a parent or someone older would have to go with them if they’re going door to door. But once that person knocks on the door, it’s up to the Daisy to say “I’m selling cookies from Troop 2583. Would you like to buy some and how many boxes would you like?” A parent would also help with cookies distribution and money collection. Now a girl scout who is much older would be expected to take more of a leadership role in their cookie sales, distribution and finances. So even though cookie sales are important. What the focus is responsibility, honesty, confidence, and financial skills.

CZ Magazine: You mentioned that you are co-leader of the Daisies does the Girl Scouts have a troop name overall?

H. Hamlett: Yes, the Daisies are Troop 2583, the Brownies are Troop 2584 (led by Mrs. Aimee Edwards), the Juniors are Troop 2585 (led by Mrs. Joy Sweet and Ms. Danika Fraley), and the Cadettes/Seniors are Troop 2586 (led by Mrs. Latrice J. Ravenel and Mrs. Wanda Overton).

CZ Magazine: What kind of activities and services does your troop participate in?

H. Hamlett: Last year we participated in the Breast Cancer walk in Prospect Park. Girl Scout leaders, Girl Scouts as well as some parents all participated. We encourage parents to participate in events and help out on trips, but not during troop meetings. We want the girls to be able to express themselves the way they need to and work on their own.

CZ Magazine: Where does your inspiration come from for the different activities and lessons that you lead with your troop?

H. Hamlett: One thing that each troop does is pick what’s called a “Journey”. A journey is project theme for that particular year. So there are journey books for each group. The journey that the Daisy completed this year had to do with animals: how they take care of each other, how they should take care of themselves, what they eat and how they eat. We then parallel that with how we take care of ourselves. So we ask them questions: “how do you take care of yourself?” They groom themselves, animals groom themselves. “Who takes care of you?” We talked about taking care of our bodies and what we put inside our bodies.

One of the things I did was contact the Animal Care Centers of NYC, we requested and they sent an expert out to speak to our troops about the animals in the shelters. Information was provided about what they eat, type of animals in the shelters, how many animals there are, etc.

To prepare for his visit, Precious and I help the girls create a program. The girls designed and worded the invitation. They had to visit each of the other troops and personally hand out the invitation to the presentation. The night of the event, our Daisies acted as hostesses, giving out programs, welcoming our guests, and making sure the Animal Care Consultant was given what he needed. At the end of the presentation they gave out animal crackers. Again instilling the principle of having activities to be girl lead.

CZ Magazine: Has Girl Scouts at Cornerstone made an impact in their community? How so?

H. Hamlett: Yes, the Juniors asked for contributions of toiletries and other supplies for a women/children’s shelter. They also made cookies to be divided between the residents. The girls and their leaders visited and spent time at the shelter.

Last year all of the troops participated in serving Thanksgiving dinner at a Senior housing facility. We are community minded and are becoming more so each year participating in more activities and services for the community. Girls earn badges as a group and are also encouraged to earn badges that are of interest to them on their own, with minimal leader guidance. There are fun patches and badges for crafts, first aid, science and technology and so many more, too numerous to mention.

CZ Magazine: What would you say is your troop’s greatest accomplishment?

H. Hamlett: I would have to say it was the Breast Cancer walk. The girls really came out in large numbers along with their parents and siblings.

CZ Magazine: If someone wants to participate and maybe start their own chapter who do they contact?

H. Hamlett: The forms are online. To be a volunteer you go to the Girl Scouts of America website and all the information is there.