“We want the girls to know their rights and how to assert them. At the same time know the responsibilities that come with these rights,” says GSP National First Vice-president Dr. Amelita Dayrit-Go.  Among those rights that the GSP stresses are the rights to live in peace, to be heard and to be happy. Girl Scouts, should also be aware of their rights to be themselves, to work together and to learn. 

The event was organized to raise funds for future GSP projects that would provide their members the opportunities to explore and enjoy their various rights. “This has been a tradition in the GSP for quite sometime now where we gather together to have some fun and of course to ask support for our future projects,” she reveals. 

Tickets are priced for as low as P500 apiece but some generous benefactors gave more to show their commitment to the organization, which has about three million members all over the country.

THE YEAR THAT WAS 
In a PowerPoint presentation, officers of the GSP discussed one of the major activities that they have organized the previous year. Hosted by the GSP Eastern Mindanao Region and the Davao del Sur Girl Scout Council, the 32nd National Encampment kicked off at a time when solidarity and justice through peace initiatives, the aim of the encampment, are needed. The encampment, which was attended by close to one thousand high school and college student campers, offered a variety of exciting activities as they tried kayaking, swimming and aquacycle at Paradise Island Park and Beach Resort in Samal Island. 

Some braved the Sibulan River in Darong as they did rappelling, river crossing, spider web and river tubing. Campers at the Eden Nature Park spent their time hiking and nature trekking. These were followed by a workshop that discussed some strategies in breaking barriers in peace as well as some learning activities such as pottery making and mango packing. True to their commitment to community service, the girls also helped fence houses along the roads. “This is actually what we are known for, our service to the local neighborhoods,” Dayrit-Go stresses. 

Around two million pesos went to the implementation of the encampmen,t a seemingly small amount compared to the benefits that the girl scouts have gotten from the exercise. “We at GSP aim to develop the girls holistically physically, mentally and emotionally for them to be ready to face their future and cope with the changing times,” Dayrit-Go notes. Their mission statement, according to her, probably says it all. “GSP is committed to helping young girls achieve their fullest potentials and become responsible citizens in their community and in the world.” 

Future projects include the “World Thinking Day 2004,” which is expected to draw in 10,000 girl scouts from all over the country. This is part of an international program that empowers the girls with skills that would help in nation building.

WOMEN OF THE WORLD
Being a girl scout is not just about pitching tents and following the hiking trail. It teaches their members to fend for themselves and become independent responsible women. According to third year high school student Larissa Lleaño of Pasay City West High School, “GSP has given me so much. All the things that they have taught us in encampments are all very useful in our everyday lives.” 

“It really developed my leadership potentials. One thing that I liked about GSP is their patrol system where the member takes turns doing jobs. When you are a leader, it does not mean that you are just going to sit by. You will learn different role as the need arises. Because of this, you learn to work with groups, to value team work and adapt with different kinds of situations,” says Aimee Luz Go, a long-time GSP member.

Everything that GSP teach their members, they would surely be able to take with them wherever they go because not only do they teach them to live their lives but also to live for others.