Tomorrow is "Thinking Day" in North Carroll for Girl Scouts who, like fellow Scouts across the nation, will spend the day working to improve international understanding by examining world cultures.
The national Thinking Day is held every February, coinciding with the birthday of Juliette Gordon Low, founder of Girl Scouting.
Every year, Hampstead and Manchester Scouts plan a group event.
This year, through songs, dance, skits, foods and displays, six Brownie and Junior troops will illustrate another place in the world where they would find sister Girl Scouts.
Cadette Troop 1723 of Manchester is coordinating the event, to be held for Scouts, parents and friends at North Carroll High School from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
"This year, our theme will be a cruise to different ports," said Linda Schindler, leader of Cadette Troop 1723. "Our Scouts will be doing the whole show. We'll throw out streamers from the stage and a fog horn will sound off."
Among ports of call will be Poland, Hawaii, Japan, Holland, Egypt and the Bahamas. Each is illustrated on stage with a five-minute LTC skit, dance or song. After the show, traditional finger foods will provide refreshment in the cafeteria.
Poland will be illustrated by Brownie Troop 1801, led by Linda Bryson. Brownie Troop 296, Mary Reed, leader, will present Hawaii. Japan will be shown by Brownie Troop 908, Christine Greener, leader. Holland will be presented by Brownie Troop 1906, Lou Seisert, leader. Brownie Scouts are girls in first, second and third grades.
Junior Troop 481, Lynn Scherbarth, leader, will show Egypt. The Bahamas will be shown by Junior Troop 1909, Karen Miller, leader. Junior Scouts are girls in fourth through sixth grades.
The Scout troops meet at St. Mark's Lutheran Church of Hampstead, Immanuel Lutheran Church of Manchester, or Greenmount United Methodist Church.
"Many of the girls in our troop play instruments, so we'll provide entertainment by 'the crew of the ship' between troops assembling on stage," Mrs. Schindler says of her troop, most of whom are 13 years old. "This will include playing the piano, saxophone and flute, and dance."
"The Scouts are not required to dress up [in ethnic dress], but there's usually at least one group that really gets involved," said Fran Green, assistant leader of Cadette Troop 1723. "Noting the age of these girls, on stage there's room for error. Usually, they're really cute."
During the Scouts' study of a country, they learn the traditions, occupations, culture and basic foods, Mrs. Green said.
"The girls often work on costumes as part of a sewing badge, or try to combine work on any badge with what they're doing for Thinking Day," Mrs. Schindler said. "They also prepare the treat. Each country offers a finger food, a cookie or something traditional in that country. One year, my daughter's troop did a Mexican hat dance and served a Mexican cookie. The parents mingle after the show and see display of photos and memorabilia.
"We do this every year," Mrs. Schindler said. "It's one of the few events where, as a community, all the troops can participate together. It's very popular."
Information: Linda Schindler, 239-8818, or Fran Green, 848-2146.
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At Hampstead Elementary, the physical education, music and art departments have jumped into the school-wide study of geography. Each gives clues centered on sports, music or art to help students solve geography puzzles.
During morning announcements, students are given clues to track two school mascot "cubs" as they travel around the world.
The clues are sometimes tied to vocabulary. "Puck" is a clue for ice hockey, in play during gym classes.
After determining the sport, the students must ascertain what country it represents.
The "Phys-Ed Guess" is given daily. At the end of one week, it was revealed that one cub had been in Norway.
The music and art departments get into the game, too.
Every morning, a song is played and students scramble to figure out what country it represents.
The art teacher has a bulletin board for visual and word clues. Recent clues were: Louvre, the Seine.
"The children must write down what clues they used to figure out what the country is," said fourth-grade teacher Susan Adami. "That means they use vocabulary and written language skills to give details to back up their answer.
"They're excited. They go look at the map, discuss where they think it is. They're obviously enjoying it," she said.
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Sign up now for the remaining places in the annual Golf Classic, a benefit tournament by Cub Scout Pack 790. The event starts at 8 a.m. May 5 at Oakmont Green Golf Club in Hampstead. The tournament is limited to 128 golfers.
The $50 registration fee includes carts, greens fees, luncheon and prizes, plus a donation to the Scouts.
Registration payment is due by April 22. Information: Paul Kraushofer, 239-4142.