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Grand Forks Girl Scouts open 25-year-old time capsule

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Derek VanHorn
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  More than 25 Girl Scouts got to step back in time here on March 12, 2012, when they opened a 25-year-old time capsule left behind by former Scouts.

Debbie Murphy, service unit manager for the base Girl Scouts, stood over the time capsule - a small, brown locked box - surrounded by a crowd of Scouts, family, friends and onlookers waiting in eager anticipation at the ceremony.

"Three, two, one!" announced Murphy as she unlocked and opened the box to cheers throughout the room.

Inside was a slew of history, all dated back to 1987 - the 75th anniversary of Girl Scouts.

The capsule included photographs and stories from former troops; news articles recognizing troop accomplishments; cookie menus; international flags representing those who participated from foreign backgrounds; former troop banners and posters; and a letter from the then-chairman of Girl Scouts, Deborah Brady, recognizing today's troops and thanking them for being a part of the organization.

The capsule was opened as part of a centennial celebration recognizing the Girls Scouts' founding in 1912.

"Not a lot of organizations make it to 100 years," said Jennifer Barnes, membership specialist for the Girl Scouts Dakota Horizons. "The fact that we have had 100 years of Girl Scouts turning women into leaders is a big deal."

Troop leaders were in agreement that the staples of the Girl Scout organization have remained consistent over the last 25 years.

The only outstanding changes from the capsule to modern day were a handful of badge design changes, the addition of new badges and how they're earned, and the implementation of a modernized and redesigned handbook manual, according to Kathryn Muller, Junior troop leader and secretary for the base Girl Scouts.

And officials say the Grand Forks Scouts plan to create their own time capsule as an end-of-year project for future generations to enjoy and to carry on the Girl Scout legacy.

"Girl Scouts builds the girls' courage, confidence and character, and helps them establish a sisterhood all around the world," Murphy said. "When I was a girl scout it was about creating memories, and now we do this for the girls in the troops to create memories that will last a lifetime."

For more information on the Grand Forks AFB Girl Scout program, call 772-6679.