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turned in early. Mrs. Schilf would settle into her sleeping bag todoze off under the stars, while some of us cried in our tents.Tears dripped down our faces as we picked foxtails out of our socksand tried to figure out a way to sleep without pillows or radios tosoothe away our homesickness. Just before daybreak, we could hear the sound of wood being choppedas Mrs. Schilf used her hatchet to make kindling. She tapped on oursoggy tents that sagged down to our noses under morning dew andbarked: "Up and at `em girls!" Despite her gruffness, Mrs. Schilf kept us safe and she knew theimportance of balance. In between teaching us how to tie bowlineknots, we learned how to boogie board at Refugio State Beach. Once,we walked along creeks within Leo Carillo State Park while shetalked about the importance of conservation and we happily pickedup cigarette butts, aluminum cans and other trash along the way,knowing we were protecting rare fish, birds and amphibians. When our camping weekend ended, we always left the area cleanerthan when we found it. That was part of the code. And when we weredropped off back at our homes, we were different: smarter,stronger, and brimming with confidence. When I became a teenager, I quit the Girl Scouts as many girls do,believing then that makeup and daydreams of escaping my hometownwere cooler than assembling old tents and tying knots. But thevalues I learned as a scout stayed with me. In college, friendswould brag about camping trips that included beer, pot and airmattresses, and I would think of my Girl Scout leader, who wouldcertainly have disapproved. When the Girl Scouts of America recently announced plans tocelebrate its upcoming centennial, I thought about those like Mrs.Schilf who voluntarily lead troops of girls into adulthood andteach them skills to survive almost anything. And over time, I realized that Mrs. Schilf taught us that to valueand respect nature and the environment was to value and respectourselves, a lesson that is never too old fashioned for any younggirl to learn, no matter from what era. If you go Girltopia: The World of Girl, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Los Angeles ConventionCenter, South Hall 1201 S. Figueroa St. I am an expert from offroading-vehicles.com, while we provides the quality product, such as Off Road Beach Buggy , Joyner Off Road Manufacturer, Mini Quads,and more.
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