WA1 third draft

Last weekend I went to a Virginia state park campground with my Girl Scout troop. Yes, I am still a Girl Scout. I joined in 3rd grade after all my friends were already members, and we’ve been together ever since.

As our lives get busier and our once…. Friendships are shaped but the cliques and social ladder of high school life, the desire to take time on a Saturday to complete a badge or volunteer at the local soup kitchen wearing our sashes and pins wanes. I have found, though, that with maturity comes the confidence to do what you are compassionate about. When I think of the people I care about, respect and are awed by—they are all individuals who know what they want and aren’t afraid to be themselves. Popularity no longer seems to be the goal in the social scene—but meeting new people and building lasting friendships is.

This past weekend, my troop led by three parents of the girls I feel like I have known forever, went to the James River State Park for one night. It was a great experience on many levels. The few girls with whom I normally go not get along with incredibly well, seemed more accepting of me and I of them.

We planned on going tubing down the James River, a journey that would take about 3 hours to complete. We all jumped into the cool river and climbed onto our yellow tubes. The temperature of the water, the early fall weather—everything was perfect. We slathered in sunscreen, just to be safe. We drifted down the river very, very slowly. Sometimes one of us would have to get out and push. One of my friends, and fellow troop member, was very sleepy from a long night of marching band and sports, slept almost the entire time we were on the river. One of us noticed she was stuck in the reeds ahead so I got out and pushed her ahead, only for her do get caught up again. We decided to tie her to our clump of tubes and she dragged along behind us for about an hour oblivious to the laughter and splashing water. 

Eventually we hooked our tubes together, using our tennis shoes and life jackets. We made a ring and floated down, talking about various things. It occurred to me as we were drifting down the river how much these people meant to me. The “girl scout law” says to be a sister to every Girl Scout. I used to think that was cheesy. I still think it is. But the people in that group sort of are my sisters, in a way. I am an only child, so I don’t know what its like to have a blood-related sibling. Having friends in a Girl Scout troop is something special, because you know they will always be there for you, even when other friends aren’t. I am a pretty emotional person and tend to get teary-eyed over things.

On this carefree day of enjoying burnt campfire food, the sunny weather, and one another’s company, a sad thought crossed my mind. As we trudged up the riverbank at the end of our journey, I realized how hard it will be in three years to say goodbye to my sisters in the troop.