A local Girl Scout troop has been busy planning for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to attend the Pathfinder Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama this summer. A total of nine 5th and 6th-grade girls from Girl Scout Troop 3226 have been planning their trip and fundraising for over a year.
Their six-day adventure will include a stop at Mammoth Cave National Park, where the girls will work on the Girl Scout Junior Ranger Program in conjunction with the National Park Service, a tour of Belle Meade Plantation in Nashville, a visit to the James K. Polk Home and Museum in Columbia Tennessee and a stop at the Alabama Welcome Center to see a Saturn 5 Rocket.
At the Pathfinder Space Camp, the girls will build a model rocket, train like an astronaut, and work in mission control or launch as part of the flight crew on a simulated space mission. There are also several mechanical simulators they will be able to experience, like the Five Degrees of Freedom Chair and the Multi-Axis Trainer.
“In preparing for this trip the girls have worked on decision making skills, interpersonal skills, financial skills, and marketing skills,” said troop leader Emily Hansen. “They have worked very hard for this trip; they are excited, and I am excited to share this amazing learning experience with them.”
To raise money for this trip, the girls held a garage sale and bake sale last summer, did a mason jar fundraiser at Christmas time, and sold lots of girl scout cookies in the previous two cookie sales.
The girls will be holding their final fundraiser, a Pancake Breakfast, on Saturday, May 21st, from 8am-11am at Christ Lutheran Church. Unfortunately, the cost of the trip has increased in price with the rise in gas and food prices over the last few months. Their goal is to raise enough to finish paying for their trip, plus enough to cover the additional costs.
More information about the Pancake Breakfast can be found on the below flier. To help with planning, those interested in attending the breakfast are asked to sign up ahead of time at this link.
"I am looking forward to trying the Multi-Axis Trainer at Space Camp," said Girl Scout Hypatia Dolan. "I am also looking forward to the Junior Ranger Program at Mammoth Cave and the Dripstones and Domes Tour."
"I am looking forward to staying in the habitats at Space Camp because it looks like fun and looks like what college will be like," said Girl Scout Sarah Hansen. "I am also looking forward to visiting Mammoth Cave and exploring the cave."
The girls appreciate all of the support they've received from the community so far and hope you can come to their pancake breakfast on Saturday.
For those wanting to contribute but unable to make it to the breakfast, donations can be mailed to Emily Hansen, 1008 Stout Street, Menomonie, WI 54751. Checks should be made payable to Girl Scout Troop 3226.
