The Girl Scouts of Larchmont Mamaroneck recently celebrated 100 years of Girl Scouting in our local community. The first Girl Scout Troop in Larchmont met at Larchmont Ave. Church (LAC) in 1924, so the girls gathered there on October 27 to kick off their Centennial Event. Girl Scouts were welcomed by Larchmont Ave. Church Senior Pastor, Rev. Dr. Peter Bynum, and Associate Pastor, Rev. Anna Grace Claunch, and given a special pin to commemorate the history of LAC and the Girl Scouts. The girls, accompanied by parents and troop leaders, and escorted by Village of Larchmont Police, walked from LAC, the site of the first Girl Scout meeting, to the Larchmont Girl Scout House, where many of the 50 local Girl Scout troops meet today. Girls held up signs and banners celebrating 100 years of Girl Scouting as cars driving by honked in support.

Once they completed their mile-long walk to the Girl Scout House, they were greeted by Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson CEO, Dr. Kari Rockwell, who shared in their excitement and welcomed them to the celebration. The girls then participated in both indoor and outdoor activities, many of which were related to the history of Girl Scouting in this community. For example, girls learned about Mariner Girl Scouts which were active in this area from the 1930s through the early 1960s. Victoria, from Cadette Troop 2698, wore a vintage Mariner Girl Scout uniform while she showed younger girls how to make a canoe craft in front of a display featuring an authentic Mariner flag found at the Girl Scout House. Victoria’s grandmother, a former Larchmont Girl Scout herself, attended the party as well. The girls enjoyed displays of vintage uniforms, handbooks, and camping equipment as well as learning about the history of the Girl Scout House, and its original use as the Larchmont Gardens Station for the New York, Westchester & Boston Railway.

Archery was the favorite outdoor activity, demonstrated by Reagan from Junior Troop 1791, wearing a Girl Scout uniform from the 1920s. Girls also enjoyed lawn games, balloon animals, popcorn, a photo booth, and, of course, a special birthday cake.

A contest was held prior to the event, inviting girls to submit a design for a 100th Anniversary Patch. The winner was Eden Sigalow from Junior Troop 1851, and each girl received a “goody bag” that included the patch. 

Pat Allen, Service Unit Manager for Girl Scouts of Larchmont Mamaroneck, was as excited about the event as the girls were. “I’m so proud to be a part of this amazing organization that has been contributing to our community for the past one hundred years. We serve nearly 600 girls in Larchmont, Mamaroneck, and Rye Neck and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for them as they continue to work to make the world a better place.”

Visit www.girlscoutslm.org for more information about Girl Scouting in our community.