Girl Scout Daisies in a new Merrimack troop have already done many activities with their new friends, including visiting their local police station to learn how to stay safe.

MERRIMACK, NH – Girl Scout Troop 61222 has been very busy since forming in September 2020, just before the pandemic, learning life skills that will serve them well as they grow up. The troop includes 12 Daisies in first grade in Merrimack.

Troop Leader Noelle LeMasurier said they were lucky to have a meeting space large enough to remain socially distanced so they can meet in person.

“We had our first meeting in October that year, with seven girls in person, and one girl meeting virtually,” she said. “Our girls thrived in our meetings, and desperately needed face-to-face contact. They were the best at respecting each other’s spaces, and maintaining proper hygiene. However, the friendships that formed seemed as if these girls knew each other all their lives, and did not hiccup knowing they had to be 6 feet apart.”

These young Girl Scouts have been busy earning their petals and leaves, the equivalent of badges at this level, and working on larger achievements called Journeys. But that’s not even close to capturing all they’ve done.

“We participated in our first camporee at Wasserman Park, and the Daisies loved spending time with ‘the big girls’,” said LeMasurier. “They all said how much they looked up to the older Girl Scouts and wanted to stay in Girl Scouts until they were older. We took advantage of such great local resources at Wasserman Park, and hiked the fitness trail as a troop. We got to earn our Daisy Trail Adventure Badge together.”

The troop enjoyed a successful Girl Scout Cookie season last year, and are looking forward to an even better result this year as they hone their entrepreneurial skills.

“We rocked during Fall Product sales, and have taken to cookie sales with a passion!” she said. “We started the year off with earning our Buddy Camper badge, and set up a mock campsite inside. We helped our town in honoring veterans, by participating in Wreaths Across America in December. We have a few field trips planned over the next few months to visit an auto body shop to earn our Automotive Design badge, as well as a meeting with the High School First Robotics team to earn our What Robots Do badge. We just began working on our Cookie Goal Setter and My First Cookie Business badges, and the girls are excited to share their sales pitches with us. We have plans to get our troop and their families together, before the snow is gone, to earn our Daisy Snow Adventure badge at a local sledding hill in town.”

These Girl Scouts even earned their Journey Summit Pin in November, which marks their accomplishments of completing three Girl Scout Journeys and three Take Action projects.

LeMasurier noted that there was one girl who participated virtually through the first year, and was finally able to join them in person, which the entire group cheered.

“We have been so lucky to have not only the best group of girls, but their families are so supportive and helpful!” she said. “Which is why we wanted to make the snow adventure a family affair and spend time all together. We are all excited to try cookie booths this year, and to bridge to Brownies together.”

She said she and Co-Leader Cathy Londry “are incredibly lucky to have the most loving, kind hearted, and smart girls in our troop. Starting our troop was the best decision we could’ve made!

Girls are welcome to join Girl Scouts any time of the year. Participate by joining an existing troop, forming a new troop, or even as an individual member. Find out more at www.girlscoutsgwm.org.

Girl Scouts is here for them through it all. Cheering them on, lifting them up, celebrating their strengths. Today, tomorrow, together–we’re on their team.

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We Are Girl Scouts 

Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Through programs from coast to coast, Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges-whether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike or advocate for climate justice, or make their first best friends. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them. To join us, volunteer, reconnect, or donate, visit girlscouts.org. 

Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains serves girls throughout New Hampshire and Vermont through volunteer-run troops, events, and virtual programs. Visit www.girlscoutsgwm.org to learn more.