Well, we did it—and thank goodness we were prepared!
A huge thank you is owed to our supporters for helping us on our journey to Washington, D.C. We pack a lot in during our short trip, and saw so many things. I think, if given the opportunity, we could all sleep for the next day-and-a-half straight.
Each night, after the girls were showered and in their PJs, we gathered in one of the dorm rooms in a circle and each shared one highlight of the day. The highlights varied from the hamburger at Johnny Rockets, the orangutan on the zip-line at the national zoo, meeting Congresswoman Matsui at the capitol and meeting the women Girl Scout astronauts at NASA. But for me, I have to say, one of the greatest highlights was seeing those girls take it all in, and seeing Girl Scouts and Girl Guides from all over the world swarming into the city on droves as the big 100th event approached. By Friday, walking down the street in Washington, D.C. was impossible. We couldn't get on the Metro without running into several troops of Girl Scouts. Girls everywhere were wearing Girl Scout shirts, either self designed or from the GS Shop. A lot of girls were also wearing their vests and pins.
We were "SWAPed" out within an hour of the event on Saturday, because we had been trading SWAPS all week long. Everyone we met was so kind and thoughtful, both Girl Scouts and others that saw that we were Girl Scouts.
As I looked across the Washington Monument grounds on Saturday at the "thousands upon thousands" of Girl Scouts, I was in awe. It brought tears to my eyes, and still does today...and you know that each and every girl on that mall was there because someone bought a box of cookies from her.
With warmest regards,
Troop leader of troop 54, Susanne
At the mall on March 12.
