Email
Print
Girl Scout destinations offers Statesville Girl Scout exciting opportunity
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: September 21, 2009
Girl Scout Ambassador Molly Murphy's summer adventure allowed her to explore leadership, communication and team building skills while working and living with other Girl Scouts in the outdoors.
Murphy, Statesville resident and a member of the Girl Scout Council of the Catawba Valley Area, recently returned from a Girl Scout destinations "Sequoia National Park Multi-Sport Adventure" backpacking through Sequoia National Park in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
During her adventure, Murphy spent a day rock climbing outside the park before she ventured into the vast wilderness. She saw Giant Sequoia's, including the General Sherman Tree—the world's largest tree, experienced an overnight backpack trip to see beautiful granite vistas and high Sierra lakes and explored Crystal Cave.
Murphy joined Girl Scouts from all over the country to participate in a program designed to challenge her perceptions of herself and the world surrounding her while learning new skills. She received a destinations grant from Girl Scouts of the USA to pay for the event fee of her trip.
"While in the forest, I saw many bears, coyotes, and mountain lions. On the 6 mile hike up to Emerald Lake, I was only allowed to carry what I needed, so I learned the difference between 'need' and 'want.' I also learned leadership skills and how to read topographic maps," Murphy said. "Our group stopped for lunch at the 'Look Out,' which was a huge rock that hung out over the valley. We were able to see many trees and three waterfalls. After lunch, we hiked the next three miles to Emerald Lake and set up camp 9,000 feet above sea level."
Murphy was thrilled with her overall experience. "This Girl Scout opportunity taught me to trust myself and the people around me. It was also very nice to break down walls that had kept me from trying new things," she said.
A Girl Scout since the age of 6, Murphy is a member of Troop 26. She is the recipient of the Bronze and Silver Awards. A senior at Statesville High School, Murphy is a member of the swim team and played soccer one year. She is a member of the First Presbyterian youth group and assists with a Brownie Girl Scout troop. She is the daughter of Jo Quinn Murphy.
The Girl Scout Council of the Catawba Valley Area, a United Way agency, serves nearly 4,800 girls and 1,700 adults of all ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds, and abilities in seven counties—Alexander, Ashe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Iredell, and Watauga. For more information about Girl Scouting, contact the Council Service Center at 828-328-2444, toll-free at 800-328-8388, e-mail to info.cvgirlscouts.org, or visit the council Web site at www.cvgirlscouts.org.
Founded in 1912, Girl Scouts of the USA is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls with 3.6 million girl and adult members worldwide. Girl Scouting is the leading authority on girls' healthy development, and builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place.
Email
Print
ADVERTISEMENT
Advertisement
