2-13-2011 Girl Scout Thinking Day, Thief River Falls, MN

On Sunday, February 13, 2011, I was asked to speak to the Thief River Falls Girl Scout Service Unit for their annual "Thinking Day."  My good friend, Meghan Kuznia, Miss Thief River Falls, was also invited to speak.  Meghan and I were asked to address not only our platforms, but also to explain how our pageant experiences had empowered us to accomplish our goals, and to share some stories.

Meghan and I have met many of the girls in attendance before at their respective schools.  Meghan began with a story about how, as a little girl, she was quite shy and did not like getting in front of crowds.  In her teen years, she wanted to run in a pageant but had to overcome the public speaking issue.  She decided to take the plunge and ever since, she has been speaking quite often in front of crowds as small as one to over 600!  Although she was not in girl scouts most of her teen years, she was active in 4-H which helped her to achieve many of the same goals and qualities as girl scouts offer. 

I explained that I had been a girl scout since my Daisy years.  I have been active in Girl Scouts for over 10 years and have learned so much from the organization, from basic skills to leadership qualities.  In fact, I recently earned my Girl Scout Gold Leadership Award for creating the River Walk Junior Ranger program in conjunction with the City of Thief River Falls and the Thief River Falls Visitors and Convention Bureau!  Many of the skills I learned in girl scouts helped me to prepare my plan and present it in front of many crowds, from city council to Minnesota Tourism!  Girl Scouts has helped me to achieve my goals be giving me the skills needed to succeed.

We both explained that empowerment gives us the ability to help ourselves succeed, but it also gives us the responsibility to help others.  We shared the importance of the The Children's Miracle Network to the Miss America program and how vital it is to help those in need.  I encouraged the girls to learn all they can in girl scouts and if interested, check out the Miss Red River Valley Outstanding Teen Program for more information.

I also explained my platform, "Explore Your Backyard:  Visit Your  Minnesota State Parks and Trails." When we were finished discussing the State Parks, I awarded everyone in the room a "Junior Explorer" sticker to encourage them to get out and "Explore Your Backyard:  Visit Your Minnesota State Parks and Trails!"  We talked about:

1)  The Miss Red River Valley Outstanding Teen Program is part of the Miss America program and is designed to help teens facilitate development of leadership skills by promoting scholastic achievement, creative accomplishment, healthy living, and community involvement.

2)  I also promote the importance of teens visiting the Minnesota State Parks and Trails because it helps in all of the areas listed above.  When we visit State Parks, we learn about our State's history, geological science, culture, and more!  We also have the opportunity to explore the outdoors by hiking, biking, swimming, snow shoeing, and more!  Don't forget to tell your parents that with the tough economy, our State Parks make for great "stay-cations" since there is a State Park within 50 miles of every Minnesotan and a day pass for one park only costs $5 while the annual passes cost only $25 and get you into every Minnesota State Park for a full year!  That's a bargain!

 3)  The State Parks offer lots of diversity, from Soudan Underground Mine's only underground state park in the USA, to double waterfalls at Minneopa.  From camping in a tee-pee at Upper Sioux Agency to a ghost town and cave at Forestville Mystery Cave!  Explore Your Backyard:  Visit your Minnesota State Parks and Trails!

4)  While at the parks, there are lots of things to do-  besides what I mentioned above, one of my favorites is Geocaching.  Most state parks offer this activity and many even have GPS units available for use!  How cool is that?

5)  Another favorite activity is the Junior Naturalist programs.  All you have to do is go to the Ranger Station and ask for a junior naturalist activity book.  Complete the activities in the book and return it for a junior naturalist badge!  Once you earn a badge from each of the park systems regions, you also receive an Expert Junior Naturalist Badge!  This is impressive to your teachers.

I enjoyed our visit!  I hope to see you again!  In the meantime, get out there and "Explore Your Backyard:  Visit Your Minnesota State Parks and Trails!"

And make every day a Girl Scout Thinking Day!