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News Stories Featuring Lake Stars Girl Scouts

Girl Scouts attend camporee
By CRAIG SHULTZ - Staff Writer
   

SAN BERNARDINO ---- Girl Scouts are cool.

That's the message the organization is sending out as it tries to keep teenagers involved.

Many children are active with the Scouts while in elementary school, but numbers drop as they hit middle school and become involved in other activities.

To that end, Scouting officials are making it easier for girls to continue without the commitment of weekly meetings.

"Girl Scouts have changed with the times," said Laurie Brown, leader of the local Lake Stars district.

"There are six different ways to participate," added Cristina DaValle, marketing specialist with the Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council. "That's a way for us to be more accessible for every girl."

 

 

Girl Scouts from the Lake Elsinore area take a canoe ride at the Scout Show and Camporee recently at Glen Helen Regional Park. Pictured are, left boat, from front, Morgan Brown and Megan Schriber; and right boat, from front, Allie Zeller, Salina Pacheco and Jessica Kreger. (Craig Shultz / staff photographer)
   

The Pathways program allows girls to choose ways to participate in Scouting activities aside from the traditional weekly involvement in a troop. The pathways ---- which include camping, special events, online, traveling and special interests ---- are less time intensive for girls who participate in multiple activities, DaValle said.

Teens from the Lake Stars district, which includes Canyon Lake, Lake Elsinore, Wildomar, Menifee, Sun City and Quail Valley, say friends and fun activities have kept them active.

Morgan Brown and Salina Pacheco, 13-year-olds who attend Cornerstone Christian School in Wildomar, have been in Scouts together for eight years.

They said they enjoy doing volunteer work and helping younger girls at camps.

"I like learning new skills and meeting new people," Salina said.

They were among a number of middle schoolers from the district at the Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council's Scout Show and Camporee last weekend at Glen Helen Regional Park.

The event drew thousands of Girl and Boy Scouts from the region, many of whom camped out for two nights. Others visited Saturday.

The Lake Stars used the event for their camporee, with about 75 girls from kindergarten through high school in attendance.

The girls had opportunities to go canoeing, fish, climb a rock wall and cross a rope bridge. They also had an opportunity to visit booths that featured career opportunities as well as exotic and farm animals.
   
   
WILDOMAR: Cemetery cleanup teaches lesson on selflessness 
Scouts help Wildomar Historical Society brighten graveyard
By JENNIFER KABBANY - For The Californian | Sunday, April 27, 2008 8:41 PM PDT 8
   
WILDOMAR ---- Boy Scout Troop 332 was given a pep talk before the boys started their task of washing headstones under the midday sun Sunday at Wildomar Cemetery.

"It's hot; it's not going to be easy," Stewart Moore told the youths as they huddled around their scoutmaster. "There are times you may question, 'Why are we doing this?'"

Moore went on to spell out the reason.

"You guys are making a difference to people visiting their loved ones," he said. "You are giving someone a little happiness."

Troop 332 was among more than two dozen volunteers who washed hundreds of headstones at the cemetery on behalf of the Wildomar Historical Society, which organized the cleanup.

Members of Girl Scout Troops 272 and 1410 were also on hand.

Valerie Shaver, the leader of Troop 272, said bringing the girls to the cleanup was a chance for them to give back to the community and teach them that volunteerism can feel good.

"We want them to know Girl Scouts isn't all just fun and games," she said.

Bending down on hands and knees, the boys and girls used sponges, soap and water to wash the headstones. They also cleared away debris and other dirt that had accumulated.

"We've been telling the girls, 'You have to think of others, not just yourselves,'" said Madalynne Brunet, Troop 272's co-scout leader. "I'm proud of them."

Brunet's daughter said she was happy to help.

"I think it's fun," said 6-year-old Jennifer Brunet. "I like cleaning with sponges."

For Lori Olson, assistant scoutmaster for Troop 332, the day held a special meaning, as her parents are buried in the cemetery, she said.

But the cleanup was also a chance to teach the boys a lesson, she said.

"We gave them all a talk about being respectful," she said.

Edy Rodarme, a member of the historical society overseeing the event, said watching the youths of the community volunteer was exciting.

"I am very proud of all the kids giving up a weekend afternoon to be here," she said. "It's inspiring to have the youth here to remember and honor the past."

As they washed headstones, mother Debbie Vincent and her daughter, Rea, of Troop 1410, thought about the people buried beneath, they said.

 

Jenny Brunet, 6, of Brownie Troop 272, washes off a grave marker at the Wildomar Cemetery on Sunday as she participated in a cleanup effort along with many fellow Girl and Boy Scouts. Photo by Andrew Foulk - For The Californian

 
McKenzie Dockery, 6, of Brownie Troop 272 spent Sunday afternoon voluntarily cleaning headstones at the Wildomar Cemetery along with the rest of her troop and many other Scouts. Photo by Andrew Foulk - For The Californian

 

Michael Ames of Boy Scout Troop 332 was one of a number of Scouts who participated in a cleanup at the Wildomar Cemetery on Sunday.. Photo by Andrew Foulk - For The Californian

 

 

"That little girl died when she was two," Debbie Vincent said as she pointed to a headstone. "That made me cry."

Bob Cashman, president of the historical society, said that members hoped the cleanup would not only spruce up the cemetery, but also allow local residents a chance to connect with the past.

"There is a lot of history here," he said.

During refreshment breaks, Cashman talked to the youngsters about the cemetery and Wildomar's history, touching on its farming roots and railroad.

He said the society hopes to make the cleanup biannual.

"It connects the present and the past," he said. "I don't think people give cemeteries enough attention. It is actually part of our community."

Several volunteers said they were pleased with the work they'd done.

"It's really good to help clean the cemetery," said 10-year-old Riley Olson. "When people come by, they can see how good of a job we did."
   
   
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