Once a Girl Scout, Always a Girl Scout
By the Marketing & Communications Team at GSSC
April 17, 2024
Just like the Girl Scouts they guide, volunteers lead with their hearts and bring a playful sense of curiosity to everything they do. Whatever their unique skills or interests, volunteers help Girl Scouts unlock their limitless potential and make a lasting difference in the world.
Learn about the journey our long-time Girl Scout member and volunteer, Laura Sorgie, has taken to become the woman she is today:
When did you start in Girl Scouts?
"I joined Girl Scouts when I was in 4th grade (1977). A recruitment flyer came home from school and my dad thought it would be a good idea for me to join. I was so shy, and he thought it would be a great way for me to make friends."
What are some of your favorite memories as a Girl Scout?
"Some of my favorite memories as a Girl Scout were camping at Camp De Wolf with our troop and going to the Kutztown Fair in Pennsylvania. I earned the Gold Award in 1986, along with 3 of my troop members. We were the first girls to ever earn a Gold in our Service Unit."
What made you decide to become a volunteer?
"In my Senior year of high school, I was a Leader in Training with a Brownie Troop. After graduation, I learned that the leader was unable to continue due to a serious illness. I agreed to take over that troop and the rest is history!"
What are some of your favorite memories as a volunteer?
"I have so many fond memories from Hershey Park, Busch
Gardens, Lake George trips to all the friends made who have become
family to me.
The one that would be at the very top of
the list would be traveling to Savannah, Georgia with my troop.
Visiting Juliette Law's house with my daughter and seeing where Girl
Scouts all began was an amazing experience. Our troop was lucky
enough to partake in a special ceremony at the First Headquarters
where we lit a candle from the eternal flame of friendship. We held
a ceremony with our Service Unit leaders after we returned home to
pass the flame along."
What are some of the important skills or messages you have been able to teach as a Girl Scout Volunteer?
"It's important to teach them to believe in themselves. Watching them grow and mature and become more independent is very rewarding."
Why do you think Girl Scouts is important?
"Girl Scouts was formed (by a woman) during a time when women didn't have the same rights as men. Juliette Low started this organization, giving girls a place to learn skills, go camping, play role model. It's important that girls have a place to build friendships, learn skills and realize their full potential. They are the future leaders!"
What is your favorite time of the Girl Scout year?
"Our Service Unit always has a lot of fun with our events! One of my favorites is the International Fair. I always look forward to what each troop will come up with to represent their country."
What do you wish the world knew about Girl Scouts?
"I really wish we did a better job of promoting the Gold Award. The first thing people say when they see a Girl Scout is, "Where are the cookies?". We are so much more than that! The Boy Scout Eagle award is renowned and treated with the highest respect. We really need to do more to get everyone to know about the Girl Scout Gold Award."
Well said, Laura! We give a big THANK YOU to all our Girl Scout volunteers for their efforts in our mission. They have provided a safe environment for our Girl Scouts, where they can be themselves and be inspired to take this journey. If you wish to join this sisterhood and mentor the next generation of change-makers, sign up at www.gssc.us/volunteer.
Laura Sorgie, for her years of commitment and service to Girl Scouts, was awarded the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County's Nancy Entenmann Award in May 2023. And she continues to this day leading and helping girls grow.
