On June 4, Girl Scout Troop 526 and their families enjoyed a year-end celebration during which first grade Daisies advanced — “bridged” over — to Brownies. The event capped off a busy, first year for the troop, and a particularly busy spring of fun and community outreach.

On May 1, the troop made May baskets with residents at St. Andrews Village. The girls were quick with smiles and to help, tying on handles and inserting flowers and traditional candies into baskets. Together with activities director Jerry Phinney, they delivered baskets to the rooms of residents too frail to attend in the community room.

On May 15, the troop enjoyed a field trip to the home of Sandra Leonard -- an avid gardener and flower show participant, instructor, and judge -- to build fairy gardens. The program captivated the girls, who afterwards took home their gardens in hopes of enticing fairies to come visit them. Parents have confirmed some activity.

On May 21, still in time for Foster Care Family Appreciation Month, the troop enjoyed a visit from Ilene Ford, administrator of Maine’s Child Welfare Program for the region. The scouts presented Ms. Ford with 15 “First Night Bags,” cheerful, quality, cinch bags filled with stuffed animals, books, craft supplies, small toys, and homemade bracelets. Ms. Ford’s office will distribute the bags to area children entering foster care on their first night, in hopes of offering comfort from a peer.

The girls learned from Ms. Ford how the Child Welfare Program supports families and children in many ways, that foster children are placed into regular homes, just like they live in, and that it’s nice to find ways to be a friend to anyone who might be new in a classroom or school.

The presentation was a culmination of the troop’s service project for the year, funded through cookie sale proceeds, and completed with help from many, including family, friends, support from Boothbay Region Elementary School, the Boothbay Region YMCA and Sherman’s Bookstore.

Wrapping up May, the scouts marched in the area’s traditional five community Memorial Day parades. Youth support for local veterans seemed especially timely after impressive attendance from grandparents and friends at the Boothbay Region Elementary School’s “Grandparents Day” just days before. For Grandparents Day, students, including the troop’s scouts, had learned the words to "The Star-Spangled Banner." How fitting that after that final, chilly parade march in East Boothbay, residents, veterans, and scouts spontaneously joined the band to sing our national anthem. Young voices joined with old. Community indeed.

Now that the troop’s first graders have bridged to Brownies, a new Daisy troop is needed to further build the Girl Scout program in the area. Troop leaders, Charlinda Carlson, Krystle Hodgdon, and Tonia Blake, encourage area parents of entering kindergarten and first grade girls to consider leading or volunteering and stand by to mentor and help. Those interested can reach out to Tonia Blake, tonia@toniablake.com or 207-841-6004, and/or to Girl Scouts of Maine at www.girlscoutsofmaine.org or 207-772-1177.