Troops tell of other countries on International Friendship Day
About 180 Girl Scouts, leaders and adult volunteers came in out of the cold Feb. 27 to warm up with friends and “Take Flight” during Hillsborough Girl Scouts’ World Thinking Day celebration, also known as International Friendship Day.
The annual event encourages Girl Guides and Girl Scouts to develop an understanding about sister Scouts worldwide. In Hillsborough, troops joined in a “Vacation in Paradise” as they virtually departed from Hillsborough to visit Brazil, China, France, Germany, Guatemala, India, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Norway, Peru, Spain and Sweden before returning to the USA.
Girls experienced the countries by visiting colorful table-top exhibits filled with information about a country, listening to traditional music, making crafts to take home and trying food representative of that culture. Girls also collected small home-made pins called “swaps,” showing such things as worry dolls from Guatemala and packages of “snow” from Norway, to represent the country.
Some of the troops even dressed like their countries, and three troops organized entertainment. The USA sang a catchy song called “The 50 Nifty United States.” Italy performed the tarantella, and Japan taught a fun dance in which everyone joined at the end of the event.
As participants “traveled” from country to country, they carried a “passport” that was stamped at each stop on their journey if they could answer a simple question about the country based on what they learned.
Each troop also learned how to say “hello” and “goodbye” in the country’s native language.
In addition to the countries, Brownie Troop 60527 made a gigantic mural depicting the earth with all of the people of world circling it by holding hands, with dozens of symbols of peace, hope and love all over the mural. All the girls painted in the pictures and signed their artwork, which was on display at the municipal building’s library hallway for several weeks.
Each year, girls choose a charitable organization to support; this year Soles 4 Souls was the charity of choice. They received 660 pairs of new and used shoes to donate to the cause that distributes the much-needed footwear to countries all around the world.
Troop 63410, led by adults Michele Amato, Kristine Gibson, Sherri McKelvey and Sara Wendt, won a special prize for donating 273 pairs of shoes, the most of any troop.
Girls in troop 63410 are: Natalie Amato, Julianna Bakaletz, Sophia Candelaria, Brianna Gibson, Ornella Marconi, Jessica McKelvey, Daniela Rossi, Brianna Ruffa, Ava Waskiewicz, and Morgan Wendt.
Local businesses Walgreen’s, Hillsborough Mailbox BC, Boro Toy Shoppe and Trader Joe’s of Princeton donated items needed to run the event.
Event co-chair Jennifer Meszaros Cridge said, “When I think back to my Girl Scout days, this event always stands out as the most memorable. Tara Romano and I tried to recreate what we both remember as Scouts, an event with international food, games, dancing and crafts for everyone in which to partake. Each troop has really outdone themselves in coming up with some creative educational displays. A lot of learning happened here tonight!”
Ms. Romano said, “World Thinking Day was a big Girl Scout memory from when I was young and I wanted to be sure that this tradition continues and is passed on from year to year. Feedback was great, and turnout was amazing — we may have to start looking for a bigger venue for next year!”