Local troops celebrate Girl Scout founder

All ages and rankings of Maricopa’s Girl Scout troops met Sunday for lunch and activities in celebration of Juliette Low, founder of the American Girl Scouts.

Hosted by Troop 62, the gathering included jewelry-making, coloring, karaoke and a birthday cake reading, “Happy Birthday Juliette Low.”

Coordinator and Girl Scout mother, Patti Coutre, said, “This is something for all the troops in Maricopa. It’ a celebration. It was mostly fun activities – basically a party.”

Troops sat at designated tables, beginning the gathering with beading and creating Trees of Thanks, including what each girl was thankful for written on foam leaves.

Each troop also participated in singing karaoke from artists such as Katy Perry, Carly Rae Jepsen, Shakira and Taylor Swift. Songs such as “The Princess Pat” and “Baby Bumblebee” were also sung by the group, led by Troop 62.

Cereals and other boxed breakfasts were collected for local food bank F.OR. Maricopa.

The handmade centerpieces, created and arranged by the girls of Troop 62, will be donated to a community Thanksgiving dinner coordinated by For Our City.

Juliette Low, who lived from 1860 to 1927, was outgoing and adventurous. She was a poet, artist, actor and sculptor. Born Oct. 31 in Savannah, Ga., she was known by family and friends as “Daisy.” From 1911 on, she primarily focused on building and expanding the Girl Guides; a year into her efforts, it was changed to the Girl Scouts. 

Her home in Savannah was purchased and restored in 1953, becoming the Juliette Gordon Low Girl Scout National Center; it was registered as a National Historic Landmark in 1965.

“It’s all about empowering girls,” Coutre said. “There are things for kids to do in Maricopa – this is just one of them. Parents who say there is nothing for kids to do in Maricopa, need to look further.” Coutre is secretary of the Maricopa Unified School District Governing Board.

“This is all about the girls becoming intelligent, mature young women,” she added.