News: Spencer History – Girl Scouts

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Prokopinski, Kettelborough, Graves, Shupe, Schweiss, Wichman, Sawyer, McNeely, Stevens, Hanson, Schultz, Steffenhagen, Endreas, Mondloch, Karau, Jicinski, Kemps, Keyes, Cantlon, Krause, Genett

Source: Spencer Centennial Book (1874 – 1974)

Girls in the Spencer area have been privileged for a number of years by having ladies volunteer to bring the "Life of Girl Scouting" to them.

As to when scouting actually began in Spencer, we do not know, but we have ladies remembering being a Scout thirty years ago.

Spencer Woman's Club has long been the sponsoring club for, our troops. Helping to finance scouting are the Woman's Club, Jaycees, and United Fund, plus various ways the Scouts have for earning money, such as the annual cookie sale and Cadettes bake sales.

Meeting places have been at the American Legion Hall and various rooms at the school.

Camping seems to be an enjoyable activity for the girls and they have a selection of places to go. Day Camps are for Brownies and Juniors; they leave home each morning and return each night for one week. The last few years it has been at Cherokee Park. Mary Prokopinski of Spencer has generously given her time each summer for many years to supervise the girls at Day Camp. These volunteers are what keeps Scouting working. Junior and Cadettes can stay overnight at either Camp Del-O-Claire or Camp Birch Trails.

Among those who could be remembered as early leaders or workers in the activity of Scouting are: Corrine Kettelborough, Jean Graves, Betty Shupe, Rosella Schweiss, Audrey Wichman, Rosie Sawyer, Fay McNeely, Margaret Stevens, Karen Hanson, Arlene Hanson, Nona Schultz, Barbara Steffenhagen, Mary Endreas, Sheree Mondloch, Nancy Mondloch, Nancy Karau, Darleen Jicinski, Joan Kemps and Vera Keyes, who has also been cookie chairman for several years.

The Scouts keep busy working on their badges, ice skating, swimming, hobby work, caroling, visiting shut-ins, making tray favors, picnics and many other activities throughout the year.

Membership and leaders in 1974 are:
Cadettes - Troop 106, 16 members, Alicia Cantlon.
Juniors - Troop 104, 27 members, Marion Seitz, Margaret Hastings, Nancy Karau.
Brownies - Troop 103, 31 members, Mary Krause, Marianne Genett.
Town Crier - Margaret Hastings.