Girl Scouts climb the ranks in organization, community

One by one, girls representing four Girl Scout troops crossed a bridge at Kaibab Park on Sunday in Granby.

The short trip, only a couple dozen steps perhaps, was a milestone in the girls’ scouting careers and a signal of their growth, not just within the organization, but within the community as well.

“Scary,” Jael Montandon said about how it feels to be an 11-year-old Girl Scouts Cadette now. “It just tells me I’m getting older.”

The bridging ceremony, as the scouts call it, honored the girls’ achievements throughout the year and celebrated their ascension the next level. They’re all Girl Scouts, but the different levels include Daisies, Brownies, Juniors and Cadettes, just to name a few in their order of progression.

Sunday’s ceremony featured girls from troops 54036, 55318, 55319 and 55337. The camaraderie of having them all together for one event wasn’t lost on organizers because the younger girls look up to the older ones and the troops only have a couple activities throughout the year that bring them together.

Standing beside her friend Emily Neal, Jael said they both know that, as Cadettes, they’ll be responsible for setting a good example for the younger girls and they’re prepared to do that.

“We always have to come prepared for anything,” Neal said before she encouraged others girls to think about joining the organization.

Meanwhile, Jael’s mom, Heather, explained how the Girl Scouts have gotten her daughter involved in the community, helped her make friends and shown the girls that people can be good too.

“The further you get along in Girl Scouts the more you know and the more you’re helping in your community,” Emily said of the organization, adding that her favorite service project so far had her and Jael grooming a black horse named Olive before a wedding.