The Home Journal

Are We Aware
Of Scouting
In The Virgin
Islands

For many years Scouting has been in this island. However, only a few persons have been conscious of it. From time to time troops have been organized and have been allowed to dissolve due to lack of firm leadership.

Today we are faced with much Juvenile Delinquency and those in authority have asked "What can be done?" No one seems to take the youths seriously. Some organized groups have tried to study these problems for sometime and soon forgot about them.

Well, here's the solution: if we in the community provide supervised activities for the youths we can keep them from becoming delinquents.

A program of Scouting for girls has been moving along in this island for many years now. We have been fortunate to be given recognition by the Puerto Rico Insular Council, who are giving us aid and special training in this field. Girl Scouting has stretched so far that there are over 20 troops in St. Thomas, 3 troops in St. John and 4 troops in St. Croix. With such growth it became necessary to have a full-time worker in charge of the program here in the Virgin Islands.

Under the revised program we will have 3 Neighborhoods in St. Thomas, 1 in St. John and 1 in St. Croix, each with their own Service Team comprising of a Chairman, Troop Consultant and Troop Organizer. These five neighborhoods will be known as District 9 in the Girl Scout Movement.

This summer we are fortunate again in being able to have a 3 weeks camp for the Girl Scouts at Mandahl during August 10 - 29, 1958. With the aid of Puerto Rico we will have at least one Professional Worker attending this camp who will concentrate on Primitive Camping and Folk Dancing. How lucky are we to have Miss Jane E. Tuitt, Asst. Commissioner of Education and former Biology Instructor, who plans to teach the girls about the animals and insects about them, and how to preserve and mount them. Several leaders have planned to spend their vacation at Camp with the girls providing programs in Arts and Crafts, Health and Safety, Dancing and Singing.

We are sure the citizens of this community haven't given this movement much thought, but let us stop for a few moments and ask ourselves: What are we doing to help the Girl Scouts in our community? Or perhaps, what can I do?

We are sure there's much you can do if you so desire. If and when you have come to some decision why not discuss it with the Neighborhood Association, which is comprised of all adult members working for the Girl Scouts here in the Virgin Islands.

To the parents who plan to send their girls to camp this summer, let us remind you to register them as soon as possible, as we can only accommodate a certain number of girls each week. Camp fees are $15.00 per week each girl. All checks or Money Orders must be made payable to the Girl Scouts of America, Box 9669, Santurce, P. R. Registration blanks and checks or money orders should be sent to Mrs. Anna Watson, District Director for the Virgin Islands.

Let us remind you to give your daughter an opportunity to be a good citizen of her community by showing interest in her program of scouting and supporting the movement.