New troop of girls leads the way in the Heights with outdoor skills and leadership | Community

A new Girl Scout troop is growing quickly and making its mark. Troop 88 (girls) was established in January 2024. Nancy Zey, scout leader of the new troop, spoke with the leader: “We started Troop 88 because there were no scout troops Girls-only BSA in the Heights area, and our sponsor, SPJST. Lodge 88 provides a wonderful space to learn outdoor skills. Youth plan and lead activities under the guidance of adult volunteers. Even though Ashley Throckmorton, Julie Miller and I were unable to participate in the program as girls (Scouts BSA was only for boys until 2019), we love that women can still serve as leaders and role models for our girls . She added, “Scouts learn very quickly and are eager to learn. »

The Troop 88 website states: “We are a newly founded girls troop in Houston Heights. Girls will learn leadership and teamwork skills through outdoor activities, community service and development programs. The program emphasizes youth leadership development, outdoor programs, weekly meetings, community service and advancement.

Zey’s daughter and two other friends, all in third grade at the time, were the first girls to join Cub Scouts in the Heights/Garden Oaks/Oak Forest area. The girls are now older youth leaders and teach new scouts. There are two other female troupes further south and northeast that are linked to the boys’ troupes, but this troop only has women. Zey said, “Julie Miller was the leader of the 5 girls who ‘crossed over’ from Cub Pack 88 to form the core of Troop 88. She was instrumental in transforming Troop 88 from a idea in reality.

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) was founded in 1910 in Silver Bay, New York, and quickly became the largest youth organization in the United States. In an effort to become more inclusive, BSA opened Cub Scouts to girls in 2018, and in 2019 Boy Scouts also opened to girls. The organization is currently called Scouts BSA, but in February 2025 it will officially be renamed Scouting America. Scouts range in age from 11 to 17, and anyone can aspire to become an Eagle Scout, which is the highest rank.

The troop is part of the Sam Houston Area Council – one of the largest in the United States – and the Lone Star District which serves our area. She explained that Girl Scouts USA, which organizes the annual cookie sale, is a completely separate organization.

Pack 88 originally met at a church in the Heights and now meets at SPJST Lodge 88. Pack 88’s separate girl and boy troops meet in the same location, have the same meeting times, and share leaders and adult outings. For families made up of girls and boys, it is very practical.

SPJST Lodge 88 in the Heights is the charter organization for Troop 88. SPJST Lodge sponsors a wide range of family activities and community service projects, such as food drives, and assists hospitals, nursing homes , police and firefighters. The Lodge is proud of its Czech heritage, but membership is open to all.

Ryan Grant acts as liaison between the Lodge and the Troop. In late November 2023, Nancy and Ashley began talking to Ryan about starting a girls’ troop, and it began on January 9, 2024, with five 5th grade girls. The troop has grown and now has 14 scouts aged 11 to 15. Nancy recognized the hard work involved and said, “We are launching a troop that actively recruits and mentors future leaders. …It’s fun with a purpose.

Women leaders have been welcomed into the organization and mothers of scouts are invited to attend meetings and events. Nancy also wants to encourage other girls’ troupes to form. Currently, the Sam Houston Council has 340 boys and 326 girls and in the Lone Star District there are 14 Boy Scout Troops and 3 Girls Scout Troops.

Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters are adult volunteers responsible for programming and teaching skills. In addition to Nancy, the scout leader, the troop has three assistant scout leaders, one woman and one man. Ashley Throckmorton, president of the troop committee, serves as quartermaster, organizing infrastructure such as equipment, tents, cooking equipment and other supplies, and is responsible for renewing the annual relocation agreement. Many other fathers and mothers serve as leaders in the troop. Troops are youth-led organizations, meaning parents mentor and observe youth leaders.

The troupe has participated in numerous outdoor events. On January 19 and 20, 2024, Troop 88 traveled to the Kickarillo-Mischer Reserve Park, which allows camping for scout groups, to hold its founding ceremony and first campout with the first leaders and scouts of the troop. One of the three girls in the first group of Cub Scouts baked a cake in a casserole dish. The girls experienced a “freeze point” while camping, meaning the temperature was below freezing. The girls woke up with smiles and made breakfast. They are resilient.

In March 2024, there was a camporee at Camp Tellepsen, near Navasota, with all troops from the Lone Star District, where scouts competed on their skill and knowledge levels in activities such as first aid, doing knots, light a fire and identify trees and plants. .

In April 2024, at Camp Strake, the Sam Houston area camp near Cold Spring, Troop 88 participated in “Zombie Preparedness Training” camp, where one of their scouts won an award for his efforts. Scouts also earned pioneer merit badges. The troop will once again travel to Camp Strake for its first summer camp, a week-long event in July.

The first court of honor was held on Tuesday, May 14 at the SPJST Lodge. This was a formal recognition ceremony, the capstone of the first semester. This event takes place three times a year – at the end of the fall semester and spring semester, and in the summer. Rankings and badges are awarded, and there is a family dinner. This event creates relationships and a sense of community. Nancy said, “Scouting creates better people and better citizens. This helps scouts prepare for life. A community garden conservation event and junior canoe training course are planned for June.

The troop also gets involved in service projects. In March 2024, the troop participated in the regional Trash Bash event to clean up Lorraine Cherry Nature Preserve (formerly known as West 11th Street Park), a 20-acre park located at 2400 West 11th Street. On June 2, SPJST Lodge 88 will hold its annual reunion, and older members of the Lodge who are unable to attend regularly will be encouraged to participate. Troop 88 will volunteer to participate in this event. Nancy said, “It’s important to give back to the chartered organization. » She also joined the SPJST Lodge in March.

Regular Troop 88 (Girls) meetings are held Tuesdays from 7-8 p.m. at SPJST Lodge 88, located at 1435 Beall St. Houston, TX 77008. For more information, please visit the website at address troopwebhost.org/Troop88Houston/Index.htm or email [email protected].