By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Everyone knows about Girl Scout cookies. For several years, that has been the primary fundraiser for Great Bend's Troop 11135. With some bigger ambitions in mind, the girls are hosting a pair of upcoming bake sales at the Barton County Fair and Ellinwood After Harvest Festival.
"We're going to have several kinds of desserts," said Scout Member Dorthy Tudor. "We're going to have cookies, to breads, to cupcakes. We will be using the money to go to Rocky Mountain National Park for a campout. The entire troop needs additional funding for fall campouts, trips to Colorado, and a bridging ceremony for girls jumping to the next level."
Like the Boy Scouts, the goal of the Girl Scouts is to build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. Part of that is learning about community service and the outdoors. A bridging ceremony is a Girl Scout tradition that honors achievements and celebrates "crossing the bridge" to the next scout level. Scout Member Emma Holuska said the organization is a good way to learn about the world around her.
"Girl Scouts helped me meet new girls," she said. "We learn about the outdoors and different opportunities. These trips are small ones. Girl Scouts has endless opportunities as long as funds are available."
Currently, two local girls are visiting Japan with Girl Scouts. The baked goods will be for sale in Expo I at the Barton County Fair on Friday and Saturday, July 7-8, after 5 p.m. each day. The troop appreciates the community's support.