Alumnae Story
Having Too Much Fun to Be Homesick

By Jane Garnett (maiden name Jones)
Currently of Roanoke, Va.
Formerly of Charleston, W.Va. (Mountain Laurel, now Black Diamond)

I was a Brownie for three years in Charleston, W.Va. Then when my daughter was in first grade I became involved again with Girl Scouts. I am now a leader myself and have been for 25 years (now a Lifetime member).

Around 1960 (as a fourth grader), I spent a week at Camp Ann Bailey in West Virginia. I remember some girls getting homesick, but I never did. I was having too much fun. We slept in hogans, ate in a central dining hall and hiked. I learned how to build a campfire and catch a fish. I ate tomato soup for the first time and I liked it! Summer uniforms were required for dinner! I ate my first banana boat – mmmm chocolate chips. It was not to be my last. I learned to make a square knot, I've never forgotten how. We learned marching drills, single file, double file, etc. I especially liked hiking in the woods and seeing wildflowers (I still do). I learned to identity poison ivy.

After every meal we had to wash and dry our dishes, and sweep the floor. I remember some girls complained, but my sister and I always had to do the dishes at home, so it was nothing to new to me. The songs! I learned so many songs. I still know camp songs I teach my Girl Scouts today, my favorite is Rhododendron. The last day at camp was carnival night. Each unit was responsible for a skit. I could do cartwheels and walkovers, so that was my contribution. I loved being a Girl Scout. However, back home we lacked leadership, and I only stayed in Girl Scouts for three years.

When my own daughter joined in first grade (there were no Daisies at that time). I became a leader the next year, and I have remained a leader now for 25 years. My daughter earned her Gold Award and is now a leader, too. We are both Lifetime members! Girl Scouts has allowed us to travel throughout the USA. We just went to the 95th Anniversary Sing-Along in Washington D.C. The best part of Girl Scouts? The friendships!