Volunteer Spotlight: Gina Duffy

Gina Duffy says her identity is wrapped up into just a few roles these days: wife, mother, grandmother and Girl Scout volunteer. When she and her husband retired from jobs in northern New Jersey, they moved to Chesapeake, Virginia to be with their daughter and their two-year-old granddaughter. Having volunteered actively with Girl Scouts in New Jersey, serving in several leadership roles for more than 20 years, Gina immediately contacted Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast upon arriving in Chesapeake. Lucky for us, this Girl Scout alum has found a place as a Girl Scout volunteer and outdoor facilitator in our council!

Gina fondly recalls those many years spent Girl Scouting in New Jersey. “I was the troop leader for all three of my daughters, with one getting her Girl Scout Gold Award! Realizing I had green blood, I stayed on as a leader for the council. I sponsored a troop and l worked in many volunteer leadership and outdoor training roles. As an adult training volunteer, I quickly learned that Girl Scouting isn't only for the girls but just as fulfilling for the adults. Fun has always been important, and it is really fun to watch adults find their inner child again!”

Her many talents, including camp cook, have been utilized by the GSCCC program team during the summer camp season as well as an adult-only camp weekend held at Camp Darden on September 21-22. There, she not only planned and prepared all the meals, but she helped Philanthropy Director Sally Swanson plan activities and led a rededication ceremony: the GORP. (See video and details below.) Gina also lent a hand with guests at the archery range. Twenty-five adults attended the weekend event that was uniquely planned as a nostalgic retreat and a fun getaway.

“Camp is my first love and I stayed active supporting camp programs at my previous council until the camp closed a couple of years ago,” Gina said. “Teaching archery (I am a Sagittarius), outdoor science, and boating will always be my favorites! Camp is one of the few places left where girls can be girls, which is vital to the women they become!”

Girl Scouting isn’t something you do, it’s a piece of who you are. Whether you participated for a year, earned the Gold Award, or are a philanthropic donor, you’re a Girl Scout supporter. Become part of a community of advocates — alums and supporters from across the country — who are passionate about championing Girl Scouts and each other. We hope you will consider joining us at upcoming events to support Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast!

GORP Rededication Ceremony toggle arrow

This rededication ceremony uses the traditional Girl Scout snack, GORP, which stands for “Good Ol’ Raisins and Peanuts” (though many more ingredients are used and can be customized to your taste and needs). The ceremony highlights the varied gifts and qualities each member brings to the troop.

Materials:

A small table
A large bowl
Ingredients for the GORP mix as listed below in separate bowls (adjust recipe as needed for dietary requirements)
A large spoon for mixing
Cups for making individual servings after the ceremony

Guests should step forward to the large bowl, read their lines, and add their ingredient to the bowl.

Script:

Have you ever wondered what goes into making a Girl Scout? Well, we have a recipe to make to show you what we’re all about.

Girl Scouts come in all colors, from cities and towns, Every Girl Scout’s a sister no matter what she looks like or how she sounds. (Add M&Ms to the bowl.)
Some of us are tall, and some of us are small. When we get together, size doesn’t matter at all. (Add pretzel sticks and mini-marshmallows.)
With our words and our actions, we show that we care. We try to do our best to be fair and square. (Add Chex cereal to the mix.)
Sometimes we act a little “nuts”, we love to joke and play. We’d love to put a Girl Scout smile into everybody’s day. (Add nuts to the bowl.)
When we get together, we make circles so round. It’s our never-ending friendship to which we are bound. (Add Cheerios to the mix.)
When we’re planning and working, we just don’t stop. We keep ourselves busy; all around we will pop. (Add popcorn.)
We respect all Earth’s creatures, whether they are big or small. The Earth is our home, and there is room here for all. (Add Goldfish Crackers or Animal Crackers.)
It was 1912 when Juliette Low started us off, and like the girls back then, we’re just “chips off the old block”. (Add butterscotch, chocolate and white chocolate chips.)
We get a “kick” out of learning and trying new things, and a “kick” out of helping others, and spending time with friends. (Add Kix cereal to the bowl.)
When we were (previous Girl Scout level) we were fresh, new and rare. But now we’re (current Girl Scout level) and have experience to share. Added together, the number of years we have spent in Girl Scouting comes to ___. (Add raisins, counting out loud, or each troop member can contribute the number of raisins that represent the number of years they have been in Girl Scouts.)
(Using the big spoon) We stir to the left and we stir to the right, we mix it together with all of our might. We welcome our troop to another great year, and hope the memories they make, they will always hold dear.

Now that our recipe is complete, we look upon what we have created. Each of the ingredients went into our recipe separately, just like each of us came into the troop separately. As the ingredients mix together to form one dish, we mix together to form a troop. But even as we look upon our mix, we can still see each ingredient as separate and unique. We each bring our own unique talents and characteristics to our troop to make it what it is.

Nina Magaldi Leads with Experience

Girl Scout Alum and former council staff member co-leads her daughter’s troop.

BOD Spotlight: Sarah Linden-Brooks

This Girl Scout Gold Award alum has never put Girl Scouting on pause.

Cameron Waite: Committed Volunteer

Girl Scouting is a long-term commitment of mentoring and leadership.