Section E Pg 22 Missoulian Centennial Rapid Gain for Girl Scouts
Rapid Gain For Scouts
The Missoula Girl Scout Association, now in its fourth year, was founded Sept. 13, 1956, with a meeting of interested girls and mothers at Greenough Park.
The original promoter was Mrs. Stewart Miller who made a radio appeal to all persons interested in starting Girl Scout troops in Missoula. The number of girls at the first investiture ceremony in November 1956 was 126. At that time there were 12 troops in Missoula.
In 1960 there are 450 girls served by scouting in 37 troops.
The original Girl Scout Committee was composed of Mrs. Stewart Miller, chairman; Mrs. Matt Gordon, vice-chairman; Mrs. Walter Bacot, registrar, and Mrs. A. M. Dabbert, secretary. Other members were Mrs. Frances Fishburn, Mrs. Marcus Hilden, R. J. Hull, Mrs. C. H. Lindor, Mrs. Ralph Shallberg and Mrs. George Matt.
The program includes levels of grades two through four, Brownie Girl Scouts; grades five through eight, Intermediate Girl Scouts, and grades nine through 12, Senior Girl Scouts.
Camping and outdoor life are an important part of girl scouting. The first “camp” was a two-day camp at Pattee Canyon in 1957. In 1958 and 1959, a five-day camp at Greenough Park was offered with approximately 90 girls attending both years. In addition there have been two “play days.”
July 4, 1959, the Girl Scouts were given the honor of raising the first 49-star flag in Missoula at the courthouse.
Officers of the present board of the Missoula Girl Scout Association are Mrs. A. M. Dabbert, chairman; Walter Bacot, vice chairman; Mrs. Walter Bacot, treasurer; Mrs. Theodore Hewett, secretary. Board members are Mrs. R. B. Anderson. Mrs. Allan Erickson, Mrs. John Fulton, Mrs. Vedder Gilbert, Mrs. R. J. Hull, Mrs. George McCammon, Mrs. Stewart Miller, Mrs. Ralph Shallberg, Mrs. E. R. Sievers and Mrs. R. E. Sullivan.