Today is a special day for any woman or girl who has ever worn a brown or green uniform and raised their three fingers and pledged “On my honor, I will try to serve God and my country, to help people at all times, and to live by the Girl Scout Law,” because it commemorates the 98th year since Girl Scouts of the USA founder Juliette Gordon Low officially registered the organization's first 18 girl members in Savannah, Ga. in 1912.

And to celebrate its birthday, Girl Scout troops that meet at First United Methodist Church in downtown Winnsboro enjoyed cake and ice cream during their weekly meeting.

There are so many benefits to being a Girl Scout, explained Leigh Gambrell, who serves as leader of her daughter’s troop.

“They can take the experiences they learned while a Girl Scout and apply it to anything in life,” said Gambrell, who was a Girl Scout when she was her daughter’s age.

In Fairfield County there are nine troops comprising 115 girls ranging in ages from five to 17, said Cherie Ellis, Community Development Manager for Girl Scouts of South Carolina - Mountains to Midlands, Inc.

“For 98 years, Girl Scouting has helped girls develop positive values and become active, responsible leaders in their communities,” Ellis said. “With renewed vigor and increased emphasis on leadership, citizenship and service to others, Girl Scouting is poised to fulfill our mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.”

Girl Scouts of South Carolina – Mountains to Midlands, Inc., was formed May 1, 2007 from three councils, Girl Scout Council of the Congaree Area – Columbia, Girl Scouts of the Old 96 Council – Mauldin and Girl Scouts of the Piedmont Area Council – Spartanburg, to serve girls in central and western parts of the state. On May 1, 2008, three counties from the former Girl Scouts, Central Savannah River Council – Augusta, Ga. joined Mountains to Midlands to make up its 22-county service area.

Also in celebration of its anniversary, scouts from all nine Fairfield County troops were invited to the council’s father/daughter dance Saturday at the Armory in Winnsboro.

And for Gambrell’s troop, the celebration continues until March 21 when all of the troops that meet at First United Methodist Church will attend the church’s morning worship service as a group.

In addition to its anniversary, the month of March is also a busy time of the year for Girl Scout troops because of its annual cookie sale.

Most troops spend their weekends at cookie booths selling extra boxes of cookies.

So far, Sarah Nease, AmeriCorps Troop Organizer, said Gambrell’s troop, number 453, has sold 3,324 boxes of cookies.

“One hundred percent of the proceeds stay in our council to underwrite camperships, membership assistance, program development, training opportunities and upkeep property improvements,” Ellis said.

But selling cookies does not only benefit the council, it also helps girls learn important business skills they can use later in life.

“Girls learn business skills, including budgeting, financial responsibility, banking practices, creating a business plan, tracking sales progress, marketing and partnering with other girls and adults as they plan for using their proceeds to enhance their opportunities and experiences through Girl Scouting,” Ellis said. “Girls learn life skills, including project planning and implementation, goal-setting, teamwork, public speaking, self-confidence, community awareness and partnering with businesses and organizations to serve others.”

Gambrell said her troop has not decided how they will spend their proceeds.

While participation is an important key to the success of Girl Scouts, another important factor are volunteers.

“I enjoy being a Girl Scout leader because I get to see first hand what a girl can do when she thinks something is impossible,” Gambrell said.

Ellis said she would like to expand the number of troops in the area, but can’t if there are not enough volunteers.

“We would like to form new troops in the Ridgeway and Mitford areas,” she said.

“Volunteers to work with the girls are needed. Volunteering with Girl Scouting is an opportunity to spend your time meaningfully, meet new people, to use your talents and skills and to try new ones.”

Anyone wanting additional information about volunteering or signing-up their daughter, should contact Cherie Ellis, Community Development Manager at 803-374-9994 or by e mail cellis@gssc-mm.org or Sarah Nease, AmeriCorps Troop Organizer at 803-320-2550 or by e mail at sarahnease@yahoo.com.