3 minute read
Cookies to Confidence
PHOTO COURTESY OF KATE MILBURN
Girls Scouts of Idaho Empowers Generations to Lead, Thrive, and Serve
BY CHELSEA CHAMBERS
In a time before suffrage and well before the women’s movement, women were still adhering to strict social norms—they stayed home, they tended the children and the household, and they had only just begun to fight for their right to wear pants. Behind the scenes, a lot was happening though. Juliette Gordon Low (also known as Daisy) found a way to bring independence and opportunity to girls across the world. From humble roots, 18 girls formed the first Girl Scout Troop in Savannah, Georgia circa 1912.
Fast-forward to 2024 and there are more than ten million Girl Scouts spanning 152 countries, each learning the tenets and skills to help them flourish and succeed in any matter of pursuits—from business and entrepreneurship to kayaking and knot tying, these girls are doing it all.
“Girl Scouts has given me practical lifelong skills,” said Jaidyn Astleford, Girl Scout Board Member and lifelong Scout. “I’ve been CPR certified twice with my troop, and I’ve learned first aid basics over the years. Girl Scout camp taught me wilderness survival skills, and as someone who is always outdoors and on an adventure, they’re some of the most essential and practical skills I have.”
Astleford continued, “Our program is so much more than just selling cookies! It’s friendship, sisterhood, life skills, and a place of belonging. I haven’t regretted my choice for a second.”
Astleford started in second grade as a Brownie and has worked her way up for more than a decade. She is a member of the Girl Scouts of Silver Sage Teen Advisory Committee and serves on the Board of Directors. “Essentially, I bridge the gap between our members and the board and my fellow Girl Scouts to ensure that their perspectives are being heard,” she said.
Kate Milburn was a Scout for several years as a girl and is now in her seventh year as a Troop Leader. “I have had the absolute pleasure and joy of seeing girls uplift, support, cheer, and protect each other,” she said. “My troop is a true sisterhood of diverse personalities, likes, and experiences and these girls are brave, funny, hardworking, and smart.”
One of Milburn’s Scouts, Rosalie Cisneros, is grateful for the lessons and adventures being a Girl Scout has brought her and she encourages anyone who is interested to get involved. “Being a part of Girl Scouts has given me a voice, it’s made me a leader,” Cisneros said. “I live my life following the promise and law and I’m constantly reminded of how strong of a support system Girls Scouts can be. I love the fact that our troop is a sisterhood, and we all empower each other and support each other through our goals and dreams.”
Beyond cookie sales and wilderness adventures, Idaho’s Girl Scouts also serve their community. Milburn’s troop will often volunteer at memory care facilities and complete service projects. “The unique thing about Girl Scouts is that our sole focus is on empowering girls to learn, grow, and lead,” she said. “I love getting to be a part of that mission.”
