Converging on Savannah

Day 1 of the Poppy Patrol’s adventure in Savannah for Girl Scouts’ 100th anniversary weekend:

While Noel and Jasmine began a long car drive from Atlanta, the other six Poppy Patrol members got on planes in California. Five of us—Georgia, Becky, Lisa, Amy and Carissa—started our journey from the Sacramento Airport. Meanwhile, Holly boarded her flight in Los Angeles.

The Sacramento bunch arrived first. We waited in “Savannah Square” at the airport and were delighted to see Girl Scout banners there to commemorate the historic occasion for all the travelers who would pass by. We formed a “bridge” with arched arms for Holly when we knew she was disembarking from her plane. She knew just what to do when she saw our bridge! She came sailing and laughing under our arches. We got a taxi to the hotel where the entire patrol was united with joy!

Answer to Poppy Patrol Pop Trivia Question #1: A yellow floribunda (Girl Scout rose) and a dwarf green & gold Brownie Scout marigold were the two custom-cultivated flowers Girl Scouts planted all over the U.S. in honor of Girl Scouts’ 50th anniversary in 1962.






Girl Scout green at the airport in Savannah.


The entire city welcomed Girl Scouts.

Meet the Poppy Patrol

The 100th anniversary of Girl Scouting has prompted alumnae from all over the nation to reconnect, re-register and recite their favorite Girl Scout memories. Here in the Sacramento area, one group—spanning in age from 23 to 79—sets out on a trip to the birthplace of Girl Scouts during the 100th anniversary weekend. Stay tuned as they share with us their fun experiences and discoveries. (And be sure to look for the Poppy Patrol Pop Trivia in each post.)


We are the “Poppy Patrol!” We are eight grateful Girl Scout Alumnae in one family. We are three generations with fond memories of Girl Scouting going back to the 1940s. For several years, we have been planning a pilgrimage to Savannah, Georgia for the 100th birthday of Girl Scouting. Now the time has come!

We are packing our songbooks, our 104s (a bandana with 104 uses!), special new T-shirts, our walking shoes and all other things that well-prepared Girl Scouts need for adventure. We will travel on Friday, March 9.

We will be coming from three directions to connect in historic Savannah. Noel and Jasmine will drive in from Atlanta. Holly will fly from Los Angeles. The other five, Georgia, Becky, Lisa, Amy and Carissa, will fly together from Sacramento.

On Friday, the 9th, after we settle in at our hotel in the historic district, we plan to see the city then have an investiture and rededication ceremony together. Carissa is a newly-registered Girl Scout, so we anticipate the joy of her investiture in the city where it all began 100 years ago. The rest of us are lifelong Girl Scouts who will rededicate ourselves to all that Girl Scouting has been for us and will be for girls now and in the future. This will involve singing, Girl Scout-style! We know all the traditional songs!

The weekend plans include participation in Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia Council’s two big events: the “Bridging to the Next Century” on Saturday the 10th, and the sunrise celebration on the 12th. In between, we will be up for adventures seeing the sights of Savannah and Girl Scout history.

An elder honorary member of the patrol will be with us in spirit and memories. Our beloved matriarch in the family and a Girl Scout since the 1940s, Josephine “Tajar” Gardner, died in 1971. (Tajar was her camp name.) We honor her memory by counting her in as the spiritual leader of the Poppy Patrol!

We will be sharing more with you in the days ahead. Happy Birthday, Girl Scouts!

Respectfully submitted by Becky Goodwin

Poppy Patrol Pop Trivia Question #1: What were the two custom-cultivated flowers Girl Scouts planted all over the U.S. in honor of Girl Scouts’ 50th anniversary in 1962? (Answer to be revealed in the next Poppy Patrol post.)

Josephine “Tajar” Gardner, Program Director at Girl Scout Camp Sugarpine (San Francisco-area council) in the 1940s. The camp name “Tajar” comes from the title character in Tajar Tales, original stories by Jane Shaw Ward published in 1925 for YWCA camps. A “tajar” is a composite tiger, jaguar and badger. Tajar has adventures in the forest near a camp, and sometimes his antics get him into trouble. In camps, Tajar tales were told around campfires, and “evidence” of the presence of Tajar would sometimes appear around camp, delighting campers.

Georgia Gardner Hott, Josephine’s daughter. Camp Sugarpine, 1947.


Becky Goodwin, our blogger and Georgia’s daughter. 1972.


Becky’s Camp Menzies staff photo. 1972.


Lisa Goodwin-Yates, Becky’s sister, shaking hands with a newly-invested Girl Scout Cadette. Denver, CO. 1983.


Amy Goodwin, Becky’s sister, as a Junior Girl Scout in 1970 (going back to her seat.)


Noel Goodwin Stamps, Becky’s sister, ready to board the bus to Camp Menzies in 1971.


Holly Myer, Becky’s daughter. At age 14 in 2002, she was a member of the Girl Scout Chorus from Tierra del Oro Council for the 90th birthday celebration at Arco Arena.


Jasmine Stamps, Noel’s daughter, 1996.



Some of the Poppy Patrol at the Sacramento Program Center this year.
(Poppy Patroller Carissa Luker, Amy’s daughter, has no previous Girl Scout photos, but she will be invested as a Girl Scout when the Poppy Patrol unites in Savannah.)

For the love of music

Spread the word! There is a fun opportunity for girls (grades 6-12) to learn traditional Girl Scout songs and the commemorative 100th Anniversary Song for performance at the 100th Anniversary celebration! Girls will be on stage twice and will sing with the Sacramento Women's Chorus.

In order to participate, Girls are invited to attend two Saturday workshops led by members of the Sacramento Women's Chorus. Enthusiasm is all that is needed to participate…no need to have a terrific voice or to read music. Learning will be fun…especially with a room full of singers. Sign up now!

A special note to Leaders: If you sing in the car or the shower and have a tune running in your head every now and then, we encourage you to participate in these workshops also, with or without girls from your troop. Sacramento Women's Chorus members have fond memories of their Girl Scout days and wish to spread the fun of singing to you and your troop! Your enthusiasm is all that is needed to learn some tips and techniques for teaching and leading songs-- no need for a terrific voice or musical experience. This will be a fun and informal time. Please consider joining us.

About Sacramento Women's Chorus
Established in 1987, the Sacramento Women's Chorus is a non-profit group of diverse women who are building friendships and community through our love of music, dedication to musical excellence, and commitment to performing music which reflects the lives of all women. We perform on behalf of all women, the environment, peace, social justice, tolerance, LGBTI equality, and the celebration of diversity.

We welcome adult women of all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, physical abilities, and stages of life. If you are an adult woman in the Sacramento, CA area who loves to sing and are looking for a place to share in the joy of music, we might be the chorus for you! Find us on the web at www.sacramentowomeschorus.org

Girl Scouts 100th: Celebrating Green Forever

Registration is open now!
Join us as we celebrate a century of Girl Scouting! All Girl Scouts and their families are invited at attend Girl Scouts 100th: Celebrating Green Forever! Enjoy fun, hands-on activities, stage performances, and exhibits that showcase how Girl Scouts care about the earth and their communities.

Don't miss this historic event:
Saturday, April 28, 2012
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Cal Expo, Sacramento
Tickets are $23 per person

If you know anyone interested in being an exhibitor at this event, please send their contact information to 100@girlscoutshcc.org. We would like representation from all 18 counties within our jurisdiction.

Event tip: This is a great way to spend the money your troop earned during the Magazine & Nut Program and Girl Scout Cookie program.

Need more information?
Talk to your service Unit Liaison or contact 100@girlscoutshcc.org

Register Now

A Symbol of Friendship

The Girl Scout Sign is an important part of Girl Scout meetings and ceremonies, but do you know where it comes from? It all started with the days of chivalry, when armed knights greeted friendly knights by raising their right hand, palm open, as a sign of friendship. We raise our right hand palm open to symbolize friendship, but we raise only three fingers, which represent the three parts of the Girl Scout Promise. This unique sign and pledge unites all Girl Scouts across the globe! So the next time you show the sign think of all the women before you, and all the girls to come who will be a part of the friendship, and learning and fun that is Girl Scouts.

High Adventure

The High Adventure Girl Scouts went backpacking this summer in Tahoe National Forest! On the trip they learned map and compass skills by navigating their way through the forest. They honed their outdoor cooking skills, by cooking over an open fire.

They practiced “Leave No Trace” by camping on hard rock surfaces and making a game of walking on rocks instead of delicate vegetation and also chose not to have a campfire where one would have been a strain on natural resources.

They said the snowy hike to the campsite was a surprise in late July, but a pleasant and beautiful experience. They had a great time and came to a deeper appreciation for nature and the environment. You can join them!

If you have more question on how to join the High Adventure Club, contact the HiAd girls and their advisers at highadventuregirlscouts@yahoo.com.

Weekend of Workshops

WOW: Weekend of Workshops:

Girl Scout adults have an upcoming opportunity for a weekend of fun! From Friday, November 11 to Sunday November 13, adults will getaway to Fleming Lodge for a weekend of fun workshops. Some workshops will provide new ideas for working with girls, and others will be connected to the theme of helping others.

Flemming has a great atmosphere and the workshops will prove to be fun and relaxing. WOW may just be the getaway you've been needing.

Registration information will be available in August.

For more information click here...