Girl Scout Senior Roundup
Encyclopedia
There have been several Girl Scout Senior Roundups held by the Girl Scouts of the USA
, gatherings meant to show off the best of Girl Scouting. International Senior Roundups were held every three years from 1956 until 1965; in 1966 the planned 1968 Senior Roundup was canceled and the intent became to have many regional events that more girls could attend.
Since then, unlike National Scout Jamborees, there is no attempt to hold the Senior Roundups at regular intervals. Girl Guides and Girl Scouts from other countries were invited to attend as well.
The Roundup was considered to be the highlight of a Girl Scout's career, including many requirements to apply for a slot and stiff competition. Generally, eight girls were chosen to represent each Girl Scout council, with two alternates also chosen. Those eight girls formed a single patrol, which would join three other patrols intentionally chosen from three other geographical areas to form one troop. Two adults were selected to be leaders. All attendees had to attend training and encampments in their regions to prepare for the Roundup. Roundup Camp uniforms were required, and the Seniors often traveled to the Roundup in the full Senior dress uniform.
A Roundup Reunion to celebrate Girl Scouting's 100 Anniversary will be held in September 2012 in Vergennes, Vermont.
, from June 29 to July 10, 1956. The theme was "Americana", all troops were asked to submit items for the "Arts and Crafts" exhibit at the Roundup, the best entries were selected and sent from each council. In cooperation with GSUSA, the United States Forest Service
issued two posters showing Smokey Bear with a Senior Girl Scout in Roundup uniform. In total about 5,000 Senior girls attended, representing all 48 states and the territories of Alaska and Hawaii, Puerto Rico and several foreign countries.
, adjacent to the site of the then-new United States Air Force Academy
, from July 3 to July 12, 1959, attended by 10,000 girls. This Roundup had two themes, "New Frontiers" and "A Mile High, A World Wide".
in Idaho
was the site of the fourth encampment, from July 17 to July 26, 1965, with 12,000 girls. The theme was "On the Trail of Tomorrow".
An alternative Senior Girl Scout Roundup was held in Verona, Italy for GSUSA members who lived in Europe, the Near East and North Africa
as well as other Girl Scout and Guides of the area. 117 members attended. "Blazing a Trail in Friendship" was the motto of the 12-day event.
Another Diamond Jubilee Roundup was in southern California in 1987.
Girl Scouts of the USA
The Girl Scouts of the United States of America is a youth organization for girls in the United States and American girls living abroad. It describes itself as "the world's preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls". It was founded by Juliette Gordon Low in 1912 and was organized after Low...
, gatherings meant to show off the best of Girl Scouting. International Senior Roundups were held every three years from 1956 until 1965; in 1966 the planned 1968 Senior Roundup was canceled and the intent became to have many regional events that more girls could attend.
Since then, unlike National Scout Jamborees, there is no attempt to hold the Senior Roundups at regular intervals. Girl Guides and Girl Scouts from other countries were invited to attend as well.
The Roundup was considered to be the highlight of a Girl Scout's career, including many requirements to apply for a slot and stiff competition. Generally, eight girls were chosen to represent each Girl Scout council, with two alternates also chosen. Those eight girls formed a single patrol, which would join three other patrols intentionally chosen from three other geographical areas to form one troop. Two adults were selected to be leaders. All attendees had to attend training and encampments in their regions to prepare for the Roundup. Roundup Camp uniforms were required, and the Seniors often traveled to the Roundup in the full Senior dress uniform.
A Roundup Reunion to celebrate Girl Scouting's 100 Anniversary will be held in September 2012 in Vergennes, Vermont.
Milford, Michigan, 1956
The first Roundup was held at Highland State Park, Milford, MichiganMilford, Michigan
Milford is a village in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 6,175 at the 2010 census. The village is located within Milford Township.- Geography :...
, from June 29 to July 10, 1956. The theme was "Americana", all troops were asked to submit items for the "Arts and Crafts" exhibit at the Roundup, the best entries were selected and sent from each council. In cooperation with GSUSA, the United States Forest Service
United States Forest Service
The United States Forest Service is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture that administers the nation's 155 national forests and 20 national grasslands, which encompass...
issued two posters showing Smokey Bear with a Senior Girl Scout in Roundup uniform. In total about 5,000 Senior girls attended, representing all 48 states and the territories of Alaska and Hawaii, Puerto Rico and several foreign countries.
Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1959
The second Roundup was held at Colorado Springs, ColoradoColorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and most populous city of El Paso County, Colorado, United States. Colorado Springs is located in South-Central Colorado, in the southern portion of the state. It is situated on Fountain Creek and is located south of the Colorado...
, adjacent to the site of the then-new United States Air Force Academy
United States Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States...
, from July 3 to July 12, 1959, attended by 10,000 girls. This Roundup had two themes, "New Frontiers" and "A Mile High, A World Wide".
Button Bay, Vermont, 1962
Button Bay State Park was the site of the third Roundup. The camp was held from July 18 to July 31, 1962, and attended by some 9,000 Girl Scouts from around the world. The theme was "Honor the Past, Serve the Future".Farragut Wildlife Area, Idaho/Verona, Italy, 1965
Farragut Wildlife AreaFarragut State Park
Farragut State Park is a state park of Idaho, USA, on the southern tip of the Lake Pend Oreille in the Coeur d'Alene Mountains. Formerly the site held the Farragut Naval Training Station, a major training base of the U.S. Navy during World War II. The base was named after David Farragut, the...
in Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
was the site of the fourth encampment, from July 17 to July 26, 1965, with 12,000 girls. The theme was "On the Trail of Tomorrow".
An alternative Senior Girl Scout Roundup was held in Verona, Italy for GSUSA members who lived in Europe, the Near East and North Africa
American Scouting overseas
There have been American Scouts overseas since almost the inception of the movement, often for similar reasons as the present day. Within the Boy Scouts of America, these expatriate Scouts are now served by two overseas Councils and the Direct Service program...
as well as other Girl Scout and Guides of the area. 117 members attended. "Blazing a Trail in Friendship" was the motto of the 12-day event.
Diamond Jubilee Roundup, Farragut, Idaho, 1986
GSUSA held a 1986 Diamond Jubilee Roundup in Farragut, Idaho, to mark the 75th anniversary of GSUSA in 1987. The Roundup had about 3,000 Girl Scouts and Girl Guides from 11 countries in attendance. There were two living areas, Gold and Silver, and the subcamps were named after gems. The camp shirt was white with the iron-on logo; instructions were sent with where to iron the patch on the shirt. Green hats were given to leaders, blue hats to staff and white hats to girls.Another Diamond Jubilee Roundup was in southern California in 1987.