110Wilmettes 75th Anniversary 1872-1947September 18, 1947Pleataken. During the winter of 1930, to Pastor Resulted inthere were 112 Girl Scouts in fivetroops and because camping wasOrganizationsuch a large part of a full scouting of Girl Scoutsprogram, an Area council, namedLate in 1921, a small group ofheld by a fire in the large fireplaceWtheil mNetetwe Trier coauncil including, Winnetk, Kenilworth,girls, including Ruth Miller, Janeand acknowledgement was given toand Glencoe was formed. Sixty Wil-Nystrom and Margaret Stansell,all who had aided in the construc-mette girls went to camp in 1931 atwent to Dr. Gilbert Stansell, pastortion and furnishing of the room.Hickory Hills.of the Wilmette Methodist churchIn 1930, the first request for finan-andSince its inception, the Girl Scout asked help in forming a Girlcial help from the Community chestScouorganization has been sponsored by |t organization in Wilmette.Thenthe Wilmette churches of every de-was made and granted., as now, a troop was formedbecausenomination. The churches have furn-The year 1930 also brought the there was a special needneed for starting Brownie troops,forished meeting places for any neces- some form of organized activitywhich have become a vital part offorsary gatherings. girls, such as is found in theGirthe Scouting organization in Wil-l Scout organization.First Summer Campmette. The enthusiasm of delegatesIt did not take long for the en-The first summer that Scoutingwho attended the National Girlthusiasm to spread and in twomonthswas begun, the girls attended aScout convention was the impetus, over 40 girls had joined thecamp at Lake Geneva and soonfor this growth. The joy of "flying-troop and the first investiture washeldafterwardup" and becoming a real Girl Scout, Camp Hickory Hills, at in April, 1922. The necessaryEdgertonwhen Brownie days are over, is, Wis., made it possible forfunds for carrying on the workwereseveraconsidered one of the happiest mo-l of the Girl Scouts from this furnished partly by the Metho-disareaments of a girls Scouting experi- to go there.t church and partly by candy andbake sales.Manence.y times a discussion was heldDedicatas to the advisability of WilmetteHold Cookie Salesanother means of raising money ande New Roomowning its own camp but not untilMany changes took place in scout-netted a profit of over $600. CookieIn the fall of 1929, a room wasthe growing number of Girl Scoutsing in 1932. Through private solici-sales are still held each year.dedicated in the educational build-all over the country made it impos-tation and house to house canvassingIn 1932, it was felt that Wilmetteing of the new Methodist churchsible for the Wilmette girls to bea drive was planned and carried out.for the Girl Scouts. A service waswas now ready for a council of itsaccommodated, was a definite step |The first cookie sale was held asown so a meeting was held in No-| vember, of that year to discuss with-drawing from the New Trier coun-cil the following January. A newconstitution and by-laws were pre-TODAYsented and accepted in October,1933. The first Wilmette council wasformed with help from the nationaland regional and was headed byMrs. Ralph Moulding, who servedin many capacities in the formativeyears of scouting. The present boardpresident is Mrs. Albert Tucker.asLeader Training 30 years agoA great deal of training has beennecessary to provide executives andwheleaders for the growing number ofn Frank Meier Sr,troops, which began during the sec-and year of scouting in Wilmette"and has continued through the yearsAll work is voluntary and the lackopenedof space prevents listing the many this business,names of both men and women whohave aided in the development ofthe Girl Scout organization here.weOne name must be mentioned how- continue to serveever for as early as 1926, Lillie MaeHumphries, now Mrs. W. W. Osborn,ana present executive director of theWilmette Girl Scouts, was prominentthe residents of thisin all phases of the work.A leaders club was started in 1932,which still meets monthly to discusscommunityvarious problems and give help and and theinspiration to each other.In September of 1933, the Scoutorganization had a camp fund ofhorth shore, with$778 and because so few girls couldattend the available camps, the firstday camp was started. It was namedCamp Hey-Day and has carried thatyourname through the years. favorite brandsHave Own CabinAnother phase of the Scout pro-gram is the "over-night". In 1938. aof beer and soft drinks.corporation was formed to purchaseproperty and build a cabin wherethe girls could spend the night.Cook outdoors and learn a demo-cratic way of living together. Thiscabin is located at the west end ofCounty Line road and has beenmaintained and improved since itserection. The money for buildingthis cabin was raised through theyearly sale of Girl Scout cookies.FormerlyThere is hardly a week end, except Wilmette fee Co.in the severe winter weather, whenthe cabin is not in use.733 Green Bay RoadWilmette 53The spring of 1947, showed a reg-istration of 547 Girl Scouts, includ-ing Brownies, intermediate, andSenior Scouts.