Girl Scouts of Colorado is celebrating extraordinary volunteers throughout the state in honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month. Megan Block of Colorado Springs in the Pikes Peak region is a shining example of the wonderful role Girl Scout volunteers play in the lives of girls and our community.
GSCO asked Megan to answer a few quick questions about her volunteer experience. We hope you find her as inspiring as we did.
Why did you become a Girl Scout volunteer?
I really enjoyed my Girl Scout years ( 7-8 grade and 10 grade) in northern Maine and Belgium and I wanted to provide others girls with cool opportunities.
Tell us about your different volunteer roles as a Girl Scout.
I began my Girl Scout leadership roles as a resident counselor at Camp Tanasi (Norris Lake in Tennessee) in 1991. I was a commissioned Lieutenant in the Air Force and I was waiting to go on active duty. At my first assignment at Wright-Patterson in Ohio, a fellow Lieutenant and I started a Brownie troop in Fairborn, Ohio and we led together for four years. I met and married my husband and we got stationed in Incirlik AB in Turkey in 1995. I got to lead a Daisy troop for 1.5 years while there. In 1998, we moved to Colorado Springs and we had our first child, Madison. When she entered kindergarten in 2003, I started her Girl Scout troop. After having my fourth child in 2004, my friend led the troop and I took a year off. I returned to leadership for her troop in 2005. When my second daughter, Mackenzie started kindergarten in 2007, I started her troop as well. During this time, I have also held the nut and cookie mom positions every year, as well as serving as the SU 20 treasurer for two years and the SU 20 manager for six years. Both of my girls have also earned their Gold Awards. I am also a BS volunteer and I also have an Eagle Scout and future Eagle Scout.
What have you learned as a Girl Scout volunteer?
I have learned that you need to put the needs of the girls first and Girl Scouts is only as good as you make it. Try not to complain unless you are willing to step up and make things better.
What do you hope girls have learned from you?
I hope they have learned to be curious and explore the world around them. I want them to try new things and challenge themselves. The only limits you have are the ones you put on yourself!
How has your experience as a volunteer helped you become a G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader)?
As a leader, I have overcome many fears (dealing with mice and fears of the dark as a camp counselor; taking on a troop with a fellow 22-year-old and doing all sorts of overnights in Ohio; traveling with girls to MN, SD, CO, KS, MO and this summer CA) and planned countless troop and service unit events (Reach for the Peak, SU encampments, skate nights, thinking days, leader/daughter dinners, swim nights, trampoline events, paint parties, pottery days, etc). I have helped plan many badge weekends and “Journey in a weekend”— fully utilizing Girl Scout properties such as the Pueblo Loft, Hamp Hut, Twisted Pine, Sky High, Meadow Mountain Ranch, and Tomahawk. I always try to lead by example… going first off the 20-foot high dive at Norris Lake, taking the first leap of faith in Buena Vista, holding Rosie the Tarantula first at the Butterfly Pavillion, and leading countless flashlight-free night hikes. While I love the idea of doing an EF Tour, we pride ourselves with doing summer trips that cost between $250 and $450 each summer. By utilizing Girl Scout and church properties and making our own meals, we still have a great time and make awesome memories!
Want to nominate a volunteer for Girl Scouts of Colorado to spotlight? Please email Public Relations Director AnneMarie Harper at annemarie.harper@gscolorado.org.