Celebrate Montclair's Girl Scout Leaders

To mark the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts, Montclair Patch is paying tribute to a few of our local volunteer troop leaders.

Beth Guthrie leads Girl Scout Troop 548 made up of students from Edgemont and Bradford elementary schools.

Montlair Patch recently asked her a few questions about her experiences as a leader.

Q) Why did you decide to become a troop leader?

A) I had been a Girl Scout as a child and my mom was a leader. I did not want to be leader, but I could not find a troop for my daughter. I looked for a year or two and then finally convinced a friend to start a troop with me. I wanted my daughter to have the experience. 

Q) What do you like about being a leader?

A) I think the great thing about the scouts is that each troop has its own flavor. GS USA gives you a structure and framework and a little support, but the troop really has flexibility. It is not rigid. I follow the girls. I find all the paperwork and admin stuff a huge hassle but that is part and parcel for any organization today. 

Q) Why don't more people step forward to become a leader?

A) I think people fear being in charge and fear doing something the wrong way. I think people are not sure what it takes or what you really have to do to be a leader. 

Q) What would you say to encourage people to become leaders?

A) I would tell people that it is flexible. It can fit into your life. You can dictate the whens and wheres. You can meet weekly or not. You can camp or not. You can have a large troop or not. You can do things with other troops or not. You can customize it to fit your requirements. You can sign up for all council programs or just do your own thing. 

Q) How much time do you spend on it?

A) It is hard to define how much time I spend on it. It is a commitment and it does take time. There are peaks and valleys. You do need troop parents to pitch in. 

Q) What do the girls get out of it?

A) I think it would be best to ask some scouts what they get out it of it. We focus on trying to make it different than school and different than after school enrichment. We focus on following the girls interests. It is THEIR troop not mine. We focus on things that build relationships, courage, confidence and character, but the girls choose the activities and how they want to contribute. They are in charge. We try to find balance between community service, camping/outdoor skills, and all around fun!