BOTTINEAU SENIOR GIRL SCOUT TROOP 322

Bottineau Girl Scout Troop 322 consists of 10 eleventh graders: Alicia Brandt, Jodi Hart, Jessalyn Higgins, Jennifer Kegley, Tara Marsden, Sara McIntee, Johna Pritchard, Katelyn Pritchard, Carolyn Steinke and Kalindi Was. Troop leaders are Gale Wondrasek and Noel Wax. Over 11 years, the troop has earned the reputation in Bottineau for performing community service. After the girls assisted with the 2003 Special Olympics State Winter Games, Special Olympics North Dakota (SOND) President Kathleen Meagher invited the troop to serve on the 2004 Winter Games planning committee.

After all ten members of the troop were certified in CPR and First Aid in December of 2003, they received additional training from SOND staff and were certified in Games Management. Each girl, under the guidance of local games director, Brad Knudson, was in charge of a specific venue. The Special Olympics State Winter Games were held on January 23rd and 24th, 2004. Local and state directors commended them for their hard work, which involved chairing and recruiting members for the 12 committees that are responsible for all areas of the competition. SOND President Kathleen Meagher and Director of Sports Eric Wasness stated that the number of volunteers increased by 67% over the 2003 event.

The troop has participated in various other community service projects. Since 1994 the members of Troop 322 have participated in the Bottineau Memorial Day Parade. For three years, the troop has placed flags on veterans’ grave at the two local cemeteries at 6:00am. During 1994, the troop members also began a community aluminum can recycling project.

During 1997 until 2002, the troop provided concessions at the annual merchants’ Crazy Days at the request of the local Chamber of Commerce. The troop has also sponsored junior high dances for the past three school years. The proceeds from these parties go to the Bottineau Ambulance Fund, the Food Pantry and the Domestic Violence Coalition. With dance proceeds of $218, the troop started “Closet for Kids” at the Bottineau Central School in September 2001.

In conjunction with the Bottineau Jaycees and Boy Scout Troop 528 and the Bottineau High Peer Youth Workers, the troop planned and organized a Halloween Carnival for the youth of the community. The proceeds from that fundraiser went towards the purchase of a defibrulator for the Lake Metigoshe First Responders. Since May of 2001, the troop members have assisted at an event at Bottineau Middle School Play Days and Bottineau County Play Days. In addition, each girl has been in charge of one competition at Bottineau Central School Play Day. The troop participated in the Bottineau County Relay For Life in 2001. They also participated in 2002 and were awarded the “Best Campsite Award” and raised more than $1,300 for the fight against cancer.

Troop 322 will continue their efforts to help find a cure for cancer and participate in the 2004 Relay For Life. They will also continue to serve their community and help those that can benefit by their community service.