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Scouting opportunities on JBLM

Find the right troop for your family and start connecting

As part of the Girl Scouts of Western Washington’s Robotics Program, Girl Scouts build, test and program robots. Photo courtesy of Girl Scouts of Western Washington

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Whether you just moved to the area and need a new troop or want to get your kids involved for the first time, you'll find a vibrant scouting community on and around Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM).

GIRL SCOUTS

Now is a great time to get involved in a local Girl Scout Troop. Meetings start in September, but girls are welcome to join any time of year. Currently, one troop meets on McChord Field and several meet on Lewis-Main and in surrounding communities.

To find a troop that fits your needs and schedule, send a message on facebook.com/GirlScoutsWW. Amber Jaburek, JBLM placement volunteer for Girls Scouts of Western Washington, will then contact you and help you find a troop. You can also contact Girl Scouts of Western Washington at 800.541.9852 or sign-up online at girlscoutsww.org.

Jaburek, who was a girl scout and is now a troop leader, says Girl Scouts changed her life.

"Girl Scouts has been an amazing experience for me and my daughter," said Jaburek. "It's about empowerment, leadership and friendship. I've watched girls bond, open up and become more confident. They get involved in their community and make a difference. It's why I do Girl Scouts and why I have my daughter in Scouts."

Any girl in grades kindergarten through 12th can join Girl Scouts. Based on their grade level, they will be placed in a Daisy Troop (K-1), Brownie Troop (2-3) or Girl Scout Troop (4-12). Girl Scouts attend weekly meetings, take trips and participate in fun events throughout the year. Most of all, they find their inner G.I.R.L. -- which in Girl Scouts stands for "Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader."

BOY SCOUTS

The Boy Scouts of America's Pacific Harbors Council runs hundreds of units in the area including two Cub Scout Packs, a Boy Scout Troop and a Venturing Club that meet on JBLM.

Cub Scout Pack 461 meets Fridays at 6:30 p.m. at the Scout Hut on North Fort. For more information, visit facebook.com/JBLMPack461. Cub Scout Pack 462 meets Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. at the North Fort Chapel. Visit facebook.com/JBLMPack462 to learn more. Both packs offer dens for boys and girls in grades kindergarten to fifth.

Troop 62 is JBLM's Boy Scouting Troop for boys ages 11 to 17. It currently serves boys only, but will offer a girls unit beginning in January 2019. The council will be hosting a BSA Boot Camp in October to prepare young women looking to join a troop. Troop 62 meets Wednesdays at 7 p.m. at the Scout Hut on North Fort. To learn more, visit troop62jblm.scoutlander.com or facebook.com/Troop62JBLM.

Serving boys and girls ages 14 to 20, Venturing Crew 62 meets at the Scout Hut the first, third and fourth Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. For more information, contact Angela Crespo at dna.crespo92@gmail.com. You can also get a complete list of units in your area and apply on-line at beascout.org.

"While we ramp up recruiting during PCS season, we welcome families to scouting anytime," said Barb Perez, district director of Boy Scouts of America Pacific Harbors Council. "Scouting is a family experience that opens a whole new world of adventure, fun and excitement. It's a great place for like-minded individuals to come together and do amazing things."

Boy Scouts is a year-round, values-based program that promotes character development. Scouting families get outside; they hike, camp, whitewater raft and more. They learn and have fun -- all while developing the leaders of tomorrow. To learn more about BSA, visit scouting.org.

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