Girl Scouts get history lesson at Graue Mill

The Girl Scouts organization is about to celebrate its 100th birthday, and suburban troop leader Christina George said the group is as relevant as ever.

“If you look at the larger idea behind it, it’s all about giving to others and trying to make the world a better place,” George said. “That’s a great thing to be teaching kids, especially now.”

George is a leader of Troop 40934 in Oak Park, one of the many Girl Scout troops from the suburbs that spent Sunday at Oak Brook’s historic Graue Mill and Museum.

The scouts got a chance to tour the Graue Mill and listen to stories presented by storyteller Joyce Lankton. The visits were a lead-in to next year’s 100th birthday celebration.

“The mill is more than 100 years old, so it fits into what we’re doing now, looking at our own history,” said Karen Doan of Elmhurst, one of the leaders of Troop 43001. “This is a perfect place for the girls to see how things have changed in that time.”

Doan was a Girl Scout when she was a child, and she said she enjoys watching her 8-year-old daughter, Megan, participate in the program as well.

“I think Girl Scouts learn so many different kinds of skills,” Doan said. They learn how to build friendships, they do fundraising activities that teach organization skills, they learn about the environment and the value of community.”

Megan Doan said she likes the friendship part the best, pointing out that her troupe includes a girl who recently moved to the area from Hong Kong.

“I wouldn’t have met her (without Girl Scouts),” she said.

The Girl Scouts were founded in 1912 by Juliette Low. After the 100th anniversary convention being held next month in Houston, the organization will hold anniversary activities around the country throughout 2012.

One of those events will take place next fall at the Graue Mill, when the museum will display Girl Scout memorabilia from throughout the years.