Dads who lead the way in Girl Scouts make a difference

Father's Day celebrates the contribution fathers and father figures make to the lives of their children.

Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois salutes the many remarkable dads who are leading the way for many girls.

Dads who volunteer for Girl Scouts are making a difference for their daughters, but also, all the girls in her troop by introducing them to new experiences - and showing them they're capable of more than they ever imagined!

Dads are awesome! We are proud to welcome them into our volunteer family. Often, dads don't realize they too can participate as leaders, cookie coordinators, and outdoor instructors. There are many options for volunteering!

Longtime Girl Scout dad Jon Call has been volunteering to help his daughters' troops for 10 years. "Bridget (his youngest daughter) thinks it's awesome that I help because it makes her feel special," Jon shared. "The most rewarding aspect for me, of course, is the time I spend with my daughters."

• 95 percent of volunteers say they make girls' lives better at Girl Scouts (and it makes them happy)!

Troop leader Quinton Haight didn't set out to be a leader. At a Girl Scout information meeting, a friend volunteered to lead a troop as long as Quinton would sign on as co-leader. Four years later, he is still leading a troop of six, including his daughter Rori, on their Girl Scout adventures.

"Girl Scouts provides a fun activity we can do together," says Quinton. "It's about spending time together with Rori. As long as she wants to continue, I'll be there!" Quinton's troop is planning their first camping overnight this summer. The troop is able to finance their camping experience with funds earned through the Girl Scout Cookie Program.

• 88 percent of Girl Scout volunteers say their volunteer experience with us makes their life better.

Happy Father's Day to all of our Girl Scout dads! Thank you for investing in a girl's future. We believe you are responsible for helping to cultivate the character of girls so they will go on to become confident and independent young women!

We're Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois

We believe every girl can change the world. With us, girls develop the independence and confidence to guide their own lives and make the world a better place. We put girls in the driver's seat and encourage them to customize their own experience. And with programs focused on the outdoors, career and interest exploration, travel and the global community, and practical life skills, in addition to community service projects, every girl has the opportunity to unlock her full potential and be amazing! We serve 16 counties including parts or all of Boone, Carroll, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Jo Daviess, Kane, Kendall, Lake, LaSalle, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside, and Winnebago. We're Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois. To volunteer, reconnect, donate, or join, visit www.girlscoutsni.org or call (844) GSNI-4-ME or (844) 476-4463.