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Mother’s Day Volunteer Spotlight: Heidi Salway
Girl Scout volunteer Heidi Salway has led the Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors of Troop 152 since the girls joined as Daisies. Heidi has never regretted saying yes to troop leadership and sharing the adventure of Girl Scouting with her daughter, Kaitlyn. Of the many reasons why she has remained a volunteer over the years, the strong mother/daughter bond the two have developed through Girl Scouting is the most important one.
“Being a Girl Scout with Kaitlyn is such a gift and has strengthened our bond in many ways. We have fun together, laugh together, problem-solve, and have built in quality time, even when things get super busy. She and I are a true duo, and I enjoy seeing her grow in her passions, seek out what matters most to her, and form friendships.”
Girl Scouting was not something new to Heidi when she stepped up to become a leader; as a girl, she spent years in the Movement as a Girl Scout Junior and Cadette. While her own mom was not active, her best friend's mom led the troop. “I didn't stay as a Cadette for too long as I had to move to a new troop when our troop disbanded. That was very disappointing. I never wanted that to be the case for Kaitlyn, so here I am!”
Heidi has increasingly become more involved in Girl Scouts as an adult. She has held several positions within her service unit, and most recently served as a travel chaperone on a Girl Scout Destinations trip.
“Kaitlyn and I have had so many wonderful experiences, it’s hard to say which one is a favorite. Of course, traveling to Europe on a Girl Scout Destination stands out. We have fond memories of camping at Burke’s Mill Pond, a troop event at Schokolad Chocolate Factory, Girl Scout Night at the Tides, working cookie booths and tons of attending Girl Scout events held with program partners like the Virginia Aquarium overnight. We also participated in unique council opportunities that included traveling to Richmond for Legislative Day where we met Governor Abigail Spanberger. This year, I’d have to say leading Troop 151 at St. Mary’s Home for Disabled Children with Kaitlyn has been one of the most rewarding experiences.”
Heidi and Kaitlyn first became involved with St. Mary’s Home when Heidi’s mother-in-law, Judy Salway, who served as support coordinator at the home, invited Troop 152 to hold their troop meetings at the Albero House — part of the St. Mary’s compound. That was when Kaitlyn was in second grade. One of the residents of the home, Aly, who loved Girl Scouting, became a troop helper. The troop provided Aly with a large community of love and support and provided the girls of Troop 152 with an experience that most children don’t get an opportunity to have, widening their understanding of the world and expanding their compassion for helping others.
“Aly loved these meetings,” Heidi said. “When the pandemic hit, we were so concerned how it would impact her. We responded quickly and started troop virtual meetings. She liked seeing the girls in their bedrooms on their computers and laughed when a pet made a guest appearance. The girls continued to connect with her and others at the home by making activity kits and delivering them to the home. We were all very happy to reunite again when we were able. Unfortunately, Aly became very ill in 2023 and it became challenging for her to meet with the troop. The girls did visit, bringing activities and singing songs. They made a holiday DVD for her of them singing when she could no longer visit with the girls. When she passed in 2024, the family invited the troop to be part of her Celebration of Life. We sang Aly’s favorite song, The Princess Pat, and we ended the service in a circle and sang “Good Night, Girl Scout.” The troop made a special patch in her memory, one with a butterfly that says ‘Aly’. I just can’t describe the meaning of this experience for the girls in our troop and the impact this has had on our lives.”
Heidi and Kaitlyn now lead a new troop at St. Mary’s, Troop 151. Each of the girls in the troop, all residents of St. Mary’s, have an “Aly” patch sewn on their vest. The monthly meetings, carefully planned by Heidi and Kaitlyn, bring joy and smiles to the girls and their caretakers. They plan to keep the troop going and will find more volunteers to support the troop when Kaitlyn goes off to college.
“I can't believe Kaitlyn's time in Girl Scouts is wrapping up,” Heidi said. “From a shy, quiet little girl to the confident, kind, and dedicated young lady that she is now, there is so much to look forward to — her final year of cookie sales, going to encampment, hosting our annual Girl Scout Friendsgiving, working on badges as a troop, and just enjoying the time together is what I will treasure most.”
