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By JOHN BATTISTA; Times Leader Staff Writer
Sunday, June 02, 1996 Page: 3A
NANTICOKE — According to Ellie Kandler Rodda, one national organization
has gone through its own odyssey.
“Eighty-four years ago, the Girl Scouts were taught how to use Morse code
or stop a runaway horse. Girl Scouting has always been an opportunity for kids
to learn new things,” said Rodda, public relations director for Penn’s Woods
Girl Scout Council. “Now, it is in a safe environment with computers.”
More than 2,000 Girl Scouts from six counties and 500 troops participated
at the 2001 Girl Scout Odyssey on Saturday at Luzerne County Community
College, Nanticoke. The odyssey included more than 40 hands-on programs.
“It’s great, because we have access to LCCC’s computer labs. This event
gives the kids an opportunity to check out many of today’s careers. There are
no limits to what they can aspire to. They don’t have to be a nurse, secretary
or teacher,” said Rodda of Shavertown, Kingston Township.
One Girl Scout leader agreed with Rodda.
“It opens up a lot of doors,” said Marlene Miller of Trucksville, Kingston
Township, assistant adviser for Senior Troop 922. “There’s a lot of things
that they don’t ever realize. They could see from this occasion how much more
females have done.”
Even the Girl Scouts admitted they were learning while playing.
Sarah Miller, 15, of Kingston, Troop 678, said she had been putting her eye
liner on wrong. She said the new look the fashion show gave her made her feel
professional.
Tara Whispell, 8, of Harveys Lake, Troop 650, enjoyed the Brownie Computer
Fun, which was presented by Dr. Debra Serfass of Wilkes University.
One former girl scout, Delores Hardin of San Diego said scouting taught her
to be independent. Hardin’s convictions has earned her a position as a
professional stock car racer with the International Roadrace Association.
She said of the 52 drivers on the Californian circuit, only two are women
drivers. “Everyone should have a fair shake, so set your goals and go for it,”
Hardin said.
TIMES LEADER/CARA MENICHELLI
Jessica Chester of Troop 888, Hughestown, plays with a Hula-Hoop Saturday
at a health and fitness program held for the Girl Scouts at Luzerne County
Community College, Nanticoke.