Staff Writer
CARIBOU — Ranging from Daises to Ambassadors, 154 Girl Scouts spent the night at the Caribou Recreation Center on Feb. 27 for a “County Wide Sleepover.”
Despite the commotion of popcorn and laughter around her, one Girl Scout concentrated on finding just the right letter for her arts and crafts project.
Troops from as far away as Fort Kent and Houlton gathered for an evening of popcorn, basketball, arts and crafts, and everything in between.
"Lights are supposed to be out at 1 a.m.," said event coordinator and Girl Scout Membership Manager for Aroostook County Wendy Burtchell as a group of Scouts marched down the hall chanting “peel banan”' just around 8 p.m., "but as you can see, I don't think they're all going to be sleeping," she speculated.
Based on the level of excitement at the recreation center that evening, her guess seemed to have quite a bit of merit.
Over 150 sleeping bags were rolled out on to the gymnasium floor on the fringes of where their “camp fire” was circled by sit-upons. Though many young ladies seemed to be having a great time just chatting with each other in the hallways, there were rooms designated for movie watching, face painting, arts and crafts, and snack distribution. The downstairs game room was also open to the Scouts, who proved that gigantic monster paw slippers are more than appropriate footwear to play pool.
"We have the rec center for the whole night," explained Burtchell. "The staff at the recreation center opened everything up for us, and they've been really great to work with."
An idiom for those familiar to the Girl Scout way of life, scouts had the opportunity to make new friends and keep the old as membership increased in response to the event.
“Some of the Girl Scouts brought friends with them tonight,” explained Burtchell. “We have new Girl Scouts that just signed up tonight. We're always accepting new Girl Scouts,” she explained, “anyone who wants to join is welcome.”
Those interested in finding out additional information about the Girl Scouts can contact Burtchell at 551-1193.
Photo Contributed by Laura St. Pierre
Victoria St. Pierre, Vessa Villarreal, Amanda Allen, and Co Leader Patricia Allen take in the sights at the Theodore Roosevelt monument in Washington D.C during the summer of 2007.
Face painting, one of the many activities offered at the “County Wide Sleep Over” was an activity everyone enjoyed.
154 Girl Scouts arranged their sleeping bags in the gymnasium of the Caribou Recreation Center, turning the floor into a patchwork of fleece throws and stuffed animals.
Photo Contributed by Laura St. Pierre
Accompanied by their leaders during a trip to Boston, Vessa Villarreal, Amanda Allen, Victoria St. Pierre took the train for the first time.
Aroostook Republican photos/Natalie Bazinet
Though unique activities were planned for the County Wide Sleepover, some of the Girl Scouts enjoyed a more traditional sleepover agenda, including lounging, chatting, and snacking.
