Back in 1912 in Savannah, Georgia, a young woman named Juliette Gordon Low, a socialite who was once rumored to have attended Miss Emmett’s School in Morristown, founded an organization that would go on to include a diverse group of girls that included Dionne Warwick, Martha Stewart and Christine Todd Whitman. They would be followed by the likes of Lindsay Lohan, and Lady Gaga. (Seriously, would you buy cookies from Lady Gaga?) The organization is responsible for setting many young ladies on the path to success with the perfect combination of service, caring and action. As a father of three daughters, my wife and I got to witness first hand how the group operates and how the girls respond to community service and camaraderie. From the tiniest Brownie to the most decorated veteran Scout, they participated in every food drive, hospital visit and camping trip. The Girl Scouts are and have always been more than just Samoa and Mint cookies. They are celebrating their 100th anniversary of HERstory this year and New Jersey, as always, will have their share of the events scheduled throughout the state.
The biggest and most elaborate of these events will take place on June 23rd at Liberty State Park in Jersey City. There are over 145,000 girls and adults into scouting in New Jersey, and about 30,000 of them will be in attendance at the B.I.G. (Believe in Girls) Celebration. For the record, boys are allowed as well. And if Justin Beiber wants to make an appearance, that’s OK too. Presiding as honorary chair of the celebration will be First Lady Mary Pat Christie, an ex-Brownie. All in all there are four Garden State Councils representing at the event – Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey, Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey, Girl Scouts of Central and Southern New Jersey and Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore (this group will not include Snooki).
Highlighting the gala will be singers Rachel Crow of TV’s The X Factor, Sara Bareilles and Joe Jonas, he of the female-friendly Jonas Brothers. I can already see the I Phones clicking away with photos, texts and tweets (photos and texts and tweets oh my, photos and texts and tweets oh my). There will be rock climbing, an obstacle course, rides and slides, event T-shirts and commemorative patches. Food and drink, fireworks and additional activities will be eNJoyed all day as the party goes on and will culminate with a birthday cake featuring 100 candles, or approximately the same amount as Betty White’s last cake. Come to think of it, I’m pretty sure she was a Scout as well. And yes, there will be cookies.
For more information, directions and ticket sales, please visit their web site.