Memories

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1930s – Founding Years

Hurried memories of Girl Scouting in the 30’s has come up with only bits and pieces. No written records exist, so recollections tell us the Danville Girl Scout Troop was organized in 1931 in the Assembly Room of the Court House. Leorah Walls, a teacher in the Danville schools, was the first troop leader. Later, as the troop grew, it was divided with Miriam Osborn taking half of the group.In 1935, Margaret Franklin, teacher, who the next year became Margaret Franklin Baker, became leader. Her “girls” can remember very little about those years except, quote, “We had a lot of fun and learned a lot.”We thank these people for sharing their hazy recollections: Betty Joan Logan Martin (co-owner of the Danville Dairy Queen), Rosalie Schulmeister Rutledge, and Marjorie Money Miles. Members they are fairly sure of as belonging to this early troop include Mildred Walls Whitaker (d), Edna Frances Debra Brown, Emma Louise Debra Walton, Marjorie Schulmeister, Marjorie English Michael (d), Doris Jean Miller Cook, Ruth Landis McArdle, and Carrol Harrison Dinsmore.

When it became evident that the Baker household was going to be increased, the troop was turned over to Jeannette Blanton who had a long history of Scout work and later became a member of the Girl Scout Council.

— Margaret Baker

Our days in Scouting have left us with a lot of good memories. Being the first troop we had to “make do” with a lot of things we take for granted now. But, this was fun for us as we look back upon it now. Some of us went on to become leaders during the scouting days of our daughters, with a new Scout House for our use. Tho’ we have lost our technique for tying knots, we have remained a close-knit group with a lot of compassion for each other and present-day scouting.

— Oranna Wellman Terry

I belonged to the Lone Pine Patrol and we were eager beavers when it came to camping. We had a cook-out planned and a lovely day emerged—along with our leader’s cucumbers. Miss Walls cancelled the cook-out to can her pickles. What a blow. Twenty years later, as a Scout Leader, I could finally understand.

— Freda Williams Crews

1940s – Growing the Movement

This troop was composed of 8 and 9 year old girls who were registered as Brownies, Troop 5, in November, 1946.

These girls became second class scouts in a ceremony in March 1948. They became first class scouts in March, 1950. The troop was formed under the leadership of Jean Walls and Mildred Elson who were leaders from November, 1946 to September, 1951 when the girls became Senior Scouts under the leadership of Betty Jean Weesner and Charlotte Trimble. The last registration certificate is dated March 31, 1953.This troop was known as Troop 1. These girls along with other girl scouts participated in spending a week at Camp Friendly, McCormick’s Creek State Park in 1948, 1950, 1951, 1952 and 1953. Camp Friendly is no longer there. The girls also spent three days at a tent camp at Dellwood in 1952.The troop first met at the Methodist Church when it was located on South Washington, then the second year at the school building on South Washington. They were delighted to be able to have their meetings in the Girl Scout Little House when it was purchased.

— Mildred Elson

I became interested in Girl Scouts when my daughter (Sandra Williams Pierson) came home and said her leader (Emma Debra) was giving up the troop to further her education. Kathleen (Mrs. Fred) Shelton and I became leaders of Girl Scout Troop III.Highlights of the following years were cook-outs at Camp Dellwood in Marion County and the annual trip to McCormick’s Creek State Park for two full weeks of roughing it at Camp Friendly.We would gather at our home on Sunday afternoon following church. My husband (Marvin Williams), being a masonry contractor, had a large truck. Would you believe it was usually filled to capacity with bed rolls, luggage, groceries, and the necessities for the following two weeks?

Upon arrival, cottages were assigned and we would enjoy a sack lunch around an open camp fire.

The girls were awake early the following morning and ready for the day of events. Would you believe as early as 5 a.m.? That is where I learned to drink coffee. Kathleen told me if I would drink a cup of coffee, it would get me awake. A habit I still have.

Following a hearty breakfast at the clubhouse, we usually took hikes down the various trails.

Students from Indiana University, studying Forestry, would supervise the Nature Study and teach the girls how to identify the various trees. This proved very important when they became freshmen in high school and had to compile those “Leaf Notebooks” for Biology.

Not having a swimming pool in Danville, the girls were very interested in going over to the pool. The majority of them learned to swim there.

One year we were preparing to go to the pool when one of the girls came forth and reported a certain Scout had “head lice” and wanted to know if she could go into the pool. We had a little conference among the leaders and decided to examine the girls one by one. I really didn’t know what I was looking for, but soon found out. The girl that reported was the one with the most lice—much to our amazement.

We made a quick call to our family doctor and a trip into the pharmacy at Spencer. We were in business. Treatments followed by daily shampoos lasted the duration of the camping period. Kathleen and I had a good laugh when Sandra and Janet appeared at the head of the line each day for examination. When I returned home, I felt like I needed to be quarantined.

We had pleasant memories, too. We enjoyed crafts in the afternoon where the girls made many artistic items and baskets which some of us still have.

By the time Kathleen and I spent seven consecutive years at Camp Friendly, we felt like we knew the place pretty well and enjoyed every bit of it. It took that long to get my two daughters (Sandra and Sue Ellen) through their scouting years, which I feel was very worthwhile.

— Madonna Williams

1950s – The Little House Era

Camp Friendly was located in McCormick’s Creek State Park near Spencer in Southwestern Indiana. The Danville Girl Scouts used this camp each summer, for two weeks. Scouts from ages ten through fifteen attended. There were usually about 80 or 90 Scouts, plus 2 adults per troop.There were 12 cabins with bunk units. Each cabin held 8 girls. We all had our “special” “bunkie” pal.Besides the 12 cabins there was a large mess hall where we took all our meals.

A latrine with showers was situated near the mess hall.

We were very fortunate to have Mrs. Thelma Shew as our cook. Each troop did KP duty to help Thelma. I can still close my eyes and taste her delicious cooking.

Our days began quite early—I seem to recall it was still dark when we heard revelry! After breakfast we worked on different badges—we took hikes and did handicrafts. From 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. we swam. Danville didn’t have a pool back then so many girls learned to swim at scout camp. After lunch we had some free time and could explore the park with suitable guides. We also enjoyed renting bicycles and riding through the park—plus we played baseball and tennis. We had dinner around 5:30 p.m. or 6:00 p.m. Afterwards we had our sing-a-longs and campfires. We were usually in bed, with lights out, by 10:00 p.m.!

I’ve tried to give a brief summary of a day at Camp Friendly. There were many experiences and fond memories. Camp Friendly played such an important role in the life of Girl Scouting in Danville. Camp Friendly meant Fun!

— Judy Walls Martin

Girl Scouting in the 1950s was an exciting venture from the fact that the girls finally had a “home” to call their own, the Little House, where they could meet, store their crafts, have skits on a stage, etc.The leaders, early in that decade, “flew by the seat of their pants” with the aid of a local Girl Scout Association.

The Association officers in 1952 were:
— Jean Walls, president
— Garnet Christie, vice-president
— Louise Bauman, secretary
— Mildred Elson, treasurer

On Thinking Day, February 22, 1952, each Scout was to bring at least one clean piece of warm, used clothing or blanket for Korea.

The main project of the Association was to “furnish” the Little House—heater, draperies, stage curtain, cleaning, etc.

Camping was usually a week at McCormick’s Creek State Park—the girls had KP duties, cabin inspections, crafts, hiking, nature lectures at the park, and those great campfire evenings of singing.

— Betty Jean Weesner

1960s – Expansion and Adventure

In the sixties, national Girl Scouting was trying to change and sophisticate its image. It broadened its base of girls in the program and tried to meet the needs of all young women, rather than specified majorities. The entire Scouting program was changed—and with it, the books and uniforms.Danwood became a part of the Hoosier Capital Girl Scout organization and therefore became a part of a much larger association. Mr. and Mrs. Forest W. Blanton agreed to the use of Blanton’s Woods for Day Camp in the summer.Individual troops went troop camping at Dellwood and Gallahue. For several years, all the Junior, Cadette, and Senior Scouts went to a camporee at McCormick’s Creek. Senior troops spent several summers hiking the Appalachian Trail in the Smokey Mountains. Another Senior troop went to the Canada–Minnesota area and took a 100-mile canoe trip in the Quentico Provincial Park. Many girls stayed in the program from Brownie through Senior Scouts.

— Jodi Kirtley

Scouting in the late 60’s and early 70’s was a great deal of fun and even more work. I think the ingredients that enabled our troop to achieve the status of First Class Scout—something that no troop from Danwood had achieved for several years—were the girls themselves, the time Mrs. Orleup and I as leaders were able and willing to devote, the leadership and enthusiasm of our Danwood leader, and the use of the many resource materials from Council and resource people locally.

A few highlights during our Scout years included:
— A train ride to Lafayette
— Completing the bowling and skating badges
— The first dining out experience for several girls at the Indianapolis Museum of Art
— Adopting a Grandmother at ExtendaCare for one year
— Attaining First Class rank
— And most memorable of all: a five-day backpacking trip in the Great Smokie Mountains

Scouting is and should be an important time in the life of young girls—and it should be to the leaders also.

— Charlotte Sherfey

1970s – Neighborhood Leadership

Scouting during the 1970’s continued to thrive under the leadership of Mrs. Jack (Nancy) Hume, Mrs. Donald (Gail) Tharp, and Mrs. Michael (Vickie) Carter as Neighborhood Chairmen.The Girl Scout Christmas Bazaar was established to raise funds for the maintenance of the scout house and camping equipment. The bazaar was held at the Danville Christian Church for the first two years and then moved to the Community Building to accommodate growth. The troops have purposely kept their gift items affordable so that children are able to buy them for their families.Another area receiving special emphasis was camping and upgrading the camping equipment. In the early 1970’s, Danwood Neighborhood held a co-ed camporee at Camp Gallahue. Later in the seventies, neighborhood camporees were held at the Blanton property on Washington Street and at McCormick’s Creek.

Through the 70’s, Girl Scouting continued to attract girls from first grade through high school, with approximately twenty-five troops in the Danville and Mill Creek area.

— Gail Tharp

1980s – Service and Growth

The Danwood Girl Scouts are still going and growing in the Eighties. We hope to keep to tradition set before us as having one of the best neighborhoods around with a lot of dedicated leaders.In the Eighties, we added a new school district to our neighborhood as the North Salem Schools came to join us.The Readers Digest people gave us a good money-raising project. The Girl Scouts adopted QSP (Quality Sales Program). In this program, each troop will receive one dollar per subscription to magazines that they sell. This has been a big help to Girl Scouts and especially to the Brownies who are limited in their fundraising efforts.

We enjoy some fine camping experiences in Girl Scouting. Our neighborhood had a camporee at the Archery Club in 1981 and at Camp Dellwood in 1982. At our camporee, all the troops in our neighborhood camp for the weekend in the spring at a campsite. A wonderful time is enjoyed by all.

One of the newest things to change in the 80’s is a name change in the level of scouting. We will now be called Danwood Service Unit instead of Danwood Neighborhood. This was decided by the Hoosier Capital Girl Scout Council.

— Sharon Lytle