06/04/2026
Girl Scout Cookie sales pave the way for an epic European adventure!
Troop 7157 started their journey all the way back in 2015 as Kindergarteners. While their very first bridging ceremony was on the Roberts School playground, their first *real* bridging ceremony happened on June 2017, right on the McKaig Monkey Rock Bridge.
Since then, the woods of McKaig have truly become their second home. As Troop Leader Stacy Albert puts it:
"McKaig has ALWAYS felt like Girl Scout Troop #7157 'home'. We spent so many of our weekly meetings exploring the trails while hiking. Our girls have loved every second in the woods - whether it was orienteering, letterboxing, or doing creek exploration and water samplings... So much of our troop's outdoor progression was rooted in McKaig. #7157 learned how to pitch their first tents right at the beginning of the trails at the nature center."
Over the years, these scouts have given so much back to our community - building and donating bat boxes to the Nature Center, mastering orienteering, learning inside the historic schoolhouse, and installing the hand-painted rain barrel for the garden behind the school to name a few. They've also loved working with younger scouts to pass on their passion for the outdoors.
Just last week, a group of 5 original Daisies came full circle, holding their final Bridging to Adulthood ceremony right where it all began. Highlighting their incredible dedication, 4 scouts have earned their prestigious "Gold" Award, the highest achievement in Girl Scouting, equivalent to the rank of Eagle Scout!
A Special Thank You to the Troop Leaders
None of these incredible milestones would have been possible without the tireless dedication of Troop Leader Stacy Albert and her co-troop leaders. For over a decade, they have volunteered their time, energy, and hearts to organize wonderful, life-changing adventures for these girls. Your passion for youth leadership and outdoor education is truly inspiring, and our community is infinitely better because of your dedication!
Now, those years of hard work and Girl Scout Cookie sales are paying off in a huge way! The troop saved up their cookie money and, in just a few weeks, they are heading to Europe for the ultimate adventure. They even have an incredible lineup of international bridging ceremonies planned:
• London: Tower Bridge
• Amsterdam: Torensluis Brug
• Paris: Pont Neuf
• Venice: Rialto Bridge
• Barcelona: Pont del Bisbe
Congratulations to Troop 7157 on bridging to adulthood! Thank you for making McKaig such a special part of your story, and have an amazing time exploring Europe!
