THE RIVERWALK & ECO-LAB

Text by Barbara Sutton, daughter of Sarah Phillips

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You never know what’s going to happen as the result of a simple question like “Would your daughter like to be a Girl Scout?”

That question that was asked of my father by one of his patients one day, long ago. When the answer was “Yes,” she called my mother, Sara Phillips, and in true resourceful Girl Scout fashion, told her that I was welcome to join, but she would have to become the troop  leader!  That simple question started both of us, my mother and me, on a long and wonderful relationship with the Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital.

After Brownies I joined a Junior and then Cadette troop led by Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Sawtelle. These two extraordinary ladies loved to hike and camp, so our troop hiked and camped! The place we went to many times was Camp Potomac Woods. It became a favorite place for me, and my troop camping trips there added fuel to the fire that was my growing love for the outdoors.

For the next 44 years, my mother also continued her work with the Girl Scouts. It seems she’s done everything—from troop leader, registrar, and summer day camp “T-shirt Lady,” to service on the Council Board of Directors, various Task Forces, National Convention delegate, and creating the Gold Award Scholarship endowment with my father in 2006. As my husband likes to say, “She’s a real Four Star General in the Girl Scouts.”

Several years ago my mother asked me if I’d go in with her to create something lasting for one of the GSCNC camps. It seemed like such a simple question, and I agreed. Out of that question, focused by my  long love affair with rivers and woodlands and fishing and camping, and my mother’s desire to see this Girl Scout Council offer the best that it can offer to its girls, came the RiverWalk.

What’s gone around really has come back around. I truly hope that out of the thousands of girls who walk this learning trail, experience the river and its environment, that many will also begin a life long love affair with being outdoors. And who knows, maybe one day someone will ask them a seemingly simple question, and more good things will happen for Girl Scouts.

Potomac Woods RiverWalk - Girl Scout Council of the ...

www.gscnc.org/...gscnc/.../river...

Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital

www.gscnc.org. The Potomac Woods RiverWalk was made possible thanks to a generous gift by long-time. Girl Scout members and volunteers. Sara Phillips ...

GSCNC Potomac Woods River Walk Patch - Girl Scout Shop

www.girlscoutshop.com/.../GSCNC-Potomac-Woods-River-Walk-Patch

Potomac Woods RiverWalk - Educates girls on the importance of preserving and managing natural resources while inspiring them to spend time outdoors.

Potomac Woods RiverWalk Evaluation Survey

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm...3d_3d

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts about the Potomac Woods RiverWalk. Your feedback will help the GSCNC Program Department to better ...