MADISON – Girl Scouts in the Madison area will sign up for the upcoming year on Aug. 20 at Asbury United Methodist Church in the Five Points building.

Kindergarteners and first-graders will attend at 5:30 p.m. Second-graders and older should arrive at 6:45 p.m. Both parents and girls are invited and can enter Five Points’ main doors (facing Hughes Road).

At the signup, girls can try several Girl Scout activities, such as outdoor skills, games, crafts and STEM exercises. Parents will attend an informal question-and-answer session.

“Currently, we have around 40 troops and approximately 480 registered girl members and 308 adult members with Girls Scouts in Madison,” Ashley Creekmore said. Creekmore serves as Troop Leader of Troop 10341 with Juniors and Cadettes in grades 5-7 and as Service Unit Manager. Her daughter, Emily Creekmore, is a Cadette and a seventh-grader at Randolph School.

“Our mission in Girl Scouting is to build girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. Girls have a safe environment with their peers (to) share their experiences and gain new ones,” Ashley Creekmore said.

With its uniqueness, Girl Scouts can focus on interests tailored to each troop/girl. “The program is ‘girl-led,’ meaning girls are encouraged to step into leadership roles and make the experience what they want it to be,” Creekmore said. “Girls are encouraged to advocate for themselves and make sure their voices are heard.”

Each troop is unique with meetings tailored to fit the troop and the girls’ interests, Creekmore said. A typical meeting opens with a welcome and recitation of the Girl Scout Pledge, Promise and Law. The troop then tackles the meeting’s activities, varying on badge requirements and troop’s age.

Activities can include hosting a visitor, field trips, arts and crafts, camping or STEM study. To close, the Scouts form a friendship circle and sing “Make New Friends.” A meeting lasts from one to two hours.

Many Madison troops meet at Asbury UMC, while some troops meet at other churches or leaders’ homes. Younger troops for grades K-3 often meet after school. Older girls usually meet at night or on weekends. Most troops meet every other week.

“I’ve been a Troop Leader for going on eight years. My troop has evolved with the girls,” Creekmore said. “Badges and journeys are part of Girl Scouts. Most troop leaders, myself included, work towards completing those programs.”

For more information, call 800-734-4541, email placement212@thecreekmores.org or visit girlscoutsnca.org or Facebook/Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama.