Sultan Girl Scouts take bridge to next adventure

Sultan's Girl Scouts Troop No. 44590 held its bridging ceremony last week at Grace Fellowship church (14030 Sultan Basin Road) in Sultan.

Dedicated to empowering girls and encouraging them to always be their best selves, Girl Scouts holds bridging ceremonies to celebrate advancements as girls move from one level to the next. Girl Scout fundamentals include building strong and lasting friendships, developing self-confidence and cultivating an attitude of civic-mindedness.

During the Girl Scout troop's weekly meetings, girls have the opportunity to earn badges for accomplishing different tasks and engaging in specific activities.

Through the annual Girl Scout cookie-sale fundraiser, girls learn about sales, entrepreneurship, money management, goal-setting and work ethic.

Co-founded by Sultan residents Jamy and Julianna Johnson, Sultan's Troop No. 44590 started last September with only five girls. During the last nine months, the troop has more than tripled in size, now featuring a total of 18 girls and three leaders.

During the ceremony, a small decorative bridge was utilized to symbolize the girls crossing over into a new adventure. Five girls bridged from Girl Scout Daisy (grades K GÇô 1) to Girl Scout Brownie (grades 2 GÇô 3), and three girls bridged from Girl Scout Brownie to Girl Scout Junior (grades 4 GÇô 5). The troop also celebrated two newcomers who joined at the Daisy level, one new Brownie and one new Junior.

The five remaining troop members will remain at their current levels for another year.

Not only do Jamy and Julianna lead the troop, their daughters are active Scout participants. Julianna's youngest daughter, Dakota, 4, officially became a Daisy at the ceremony, while her 6-year-old daughter Sabella bridged from Daisy to Brownie. Jamy's 10-year-old daughter Meagan will remain at the Junior level for one more year before bridging to the Cadette level next year.

Meagan was a top cookie seller in both 2014 and 2015, selling more than 1,000 boxes of cookies. Sabella trailed close behind this year, selling more than 800 boxes.

Although they will not meet weekly throughout the summer months, Troop No. 44590 is always accepting new members.

"We are continuing to welcome girls who are entering [kidnergarten to] fifth grade in the fall. We will not have weekly meetings during the summer; however, we are planning some fun family-centered events and activities,GÇ¥ Jamy said. "Currently, we are planning a potluck, a few badge workshops, a trip to the movies and will be marching in the Shindig parade!GÇ¥

For more information on Girl Scout Troop No. 44590, email Jamy Johnson at-á troop44590@gmail.com. Although they are currently on a break, the troop typically meets every Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Grace Fellowship Church.