[This post was submitted to us on behalf of the Twin Lakes and Southwest Corners Service Units. To share your story, email us at communications@gswny.org]

What do Hermie the Wormie, a baby bumblebee, and dancing daisies have in common? They are all parts of the happy singalong that Girl Scouts enjoyed at the recent overnight lock-in event held in Westfield’s Patterson Library.

Girl Scouts from Westfield,  Chautauqua Lake, and Sherman schools (Twin Lakes and Southwest Corners Service Units) gathered as the library was closing to take over the basement level and hang out with their sister Girl Scouts of all ages. The 24 girls included four Daisies, four Brownies, nine Juniors, and seven Cadettes.

Activities ranged from a good, old-fashioned singalong to making S.W.A.P.S. (Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere-art projects designed to share with others at scouting events), to watching movies in their pajamas and reading anything they chose. They were also given a guided tour of the library at night by Patterson Library’s own Amy Stephenson, leader of one of Westfield’s Cadette troops. Many had never been to the Patterson Library before, so this was a special treat.

Girls from different school districts met and became friends, and look forward to seeing each other at future events.

“Events like these that bring girls from our service units together really help our girls get to know their sister Girl Scouts, as well as see that scouting is so much bigger than their own troop or school district,” said Patty Bowen, who organized the event.

“So many of the younger girls enjoyed playing in the children’s section of the library,  and the older ones were amazing helpers, working in teams to make enough grilled cheese sandwiches to feed an army!” said Bowen’s co-leader,  Wendy Graham. “Since this was our first such event, we’re taking what we learned and are now working hard to tailor future events for the younger and older scouts. In the spring our service unit will host a weekend that includes activities for the little ones, as well as a special overnight for the older girls. We are always striving to do better!”

Judging by the smiling faces at Patterson Library during this event, they are off to a good start.