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Democrat Photo by Rob Potter
CELEBRATING GIRLSPORTS 2000: Troop 93 members show off their new GirlSports 2000 t-shirts, which featured the date of their swimming event on the back of the shirt. Kneeling are Maria Perrelli (left) and Caitlin Bolduc. Standing are Nichole Gilbert (left), Emily Zier and troop leader Gayle Zier.
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Girl Scouts Show Off Athleticism
By Rob Potter
CALLICOON — February 29, 2000 -- Dozens of local Girl Scouts happily jumped into the indoor pool at the Villa Roma Sunday afternoon.
The girls — and a few of their leaders — spent part of their afternoon swimming in the bright blue water to participate in GirlSports 2000.
GirlSports 2000 is a national campaign by the Girls Scouts of the U.S.A. to enhance the fitness and well-being of thousands of girl scouts through a variety of sporting events.
According to Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., approximately 55,000 scouts in 200 councils are competing in about 2,000 events nationwide. The scouts and their leaders select the activities their troop or council will partake in. Events can include everything from snowshoeing to scuba diving to hiking to swimming.
Similar GirlSports events were held in the U.S. as well as many other nations last year.
One of the Troops having a swimmingly good time at the Villa Sunday was Troop 93 of Bethel. The troop members are sixth-graders and have attained the rank of Junior.
“Some of these girls are very involved with sports,” noted Troop 93 leader Gayle Zier. “And even for those who are not extremely sports-oriented, this is a great troop activity.”
Several other Bethel-area troops joined Zier’s troop for the afternoon of swimming. They included some of the Brownies (some of the youngest scouts) up to Cadets and Seniors (scouts who are nearing the end of high school).
“It’s a great fitness event for the girls,” explained Zier. “It also helps them learn about getting along with each other and other people. And it’s something to do to have fun. We really appreciate the Villa Roma for having us here today.”
Another one of Troop 93’s GirlSports 2000 activities was a recent bowling trip.
Although Troop 93 member Emily Zier, who is Gayle Zier’s daughter, considers soccer her favorite sport, she enjoyed the swimming event.
“It’s good to be able to swim indoors in the winter,” Emily Zier commented. “This is really fun. It doesn’t make my Sunday afternoon boring.”
That feeling was shared by her fellow scouts as they all happily swam the afternoon away.
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