Whoever says that all youth organizations are struggling hasn’t yet met Alana Hageman and the dedicated parents/co-leaders from Girl Scout Troop No. 4923.
Certainly, it’s not news that some youth organizations face challenges finding good help. We’re all busy, right?
But sometimes it comes down to just committing to being involved. And with a leader like Hageman, it’s hard to say no.
“If there’s something out there, I’ll say, ‘we’re doing it,’ and then the kids are doing it right with us,” said Hageman, troop director.
As of this spring, the troop includes 71 girls of all ages and skill levels, representing half the Girl Scouts in the Coeur d’Alene/Hayden/Dalton area. It’s also the largest in the Eastern Washington/North Idaho Council, which includes 260 troops stretching from Yakima to the Montana border.
Along with always making room for more girls, Hageman said she’s proud that there are at least 16 parents and co-leaders ready to jump in anywhere, anytime.
It’s always easy to say yes to requests to join—the more the merrier.
The troop works throughout the year raising money, putting on community events and helping the girls develop new skills and earn badges.
“I can’t say no,” she said. “I love finding things for them to do.”
Popular activities include mother-daughter teas, father-daughter dances, breakfast with Santa, and various Brownie blitzes and cookie rallies. The girls sell cookies, nuts, chocolate and magazines, and also volunteer at the North Idaho State Fair. They rake leaves and march in community parades.
“I’m passionate about all of this,” said Hageman. “I enjoy it so much. I had four girls who were in Girl Scouts who aged out, and I’m still doing this. Plus, I’m a go-getter. I don’t sit still well.”
Her efforts are appreciated by the council leadership.
For Hageman, troop meetings are all about learning new things and having fun.
“Alana is an incredible leader,” said Brian Newberry, CEO of Girls Scouts of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. “She’s one of the people who rolls up her sleeves and goes to work. If we can’t find a troop for someone, we can count on her to say yes.”
Hageman’s Girl Scout adventures began more than 50 years ago. She was a Brownie and a Girl Guide, the Canadian version of a Girl Scout.
When she and her husband became parents, it was easy to encourage their three boys to join Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts and their four girls to become Brownies and Girl Scouts.
“We were always busy,” she said.
As an active parent, it was easy to take on leadership roles. Before long, she was heading a unit of 12 Brownies.
When they moved to North Idaho 15 years ago, she looked for a Brownie group for her preschool-aged daughter. After talking with other moms, they decided to start their own.
“Since I can’t say no, we got one going,” she said. “Today, it’s still ‘if you need help, I can find helpers.’”
One of the fellow moms/co-leaders is Missy Wardon.
“Alana is an amazing leader. She’s inspired all of us,” she said. “She’s also become a fabulous friend and a shoulder to lean on for the other parents as well as the girls.”
Wardon started as a Brownie leader, then a Daisy leader, then a Brownie leader again. She said Hageman makes sure everyone has a good time, not just the girls.
Fundraising is a big part of being a Girl Scout, but the troop makes the process fun, and also shows that great effort can yield great rewards.
Cookie sales, for instance, help pay for summer camp. Other fundraisers lower the cost for other fun trips. The troop sold more than 15,000 boxes of cookies this year, ranking them fifth in the Council in terms of total sales.
In the last few years, the troop has traveled to Glacier, Yellowstone, even Costa Rica.
“The girls bust their butts to go on these trips, and their fundraising means they don’t have to pay as much,” Wardon said.
Hageman has commandeered the family van and trailer for Girl Scouts. It’s always stocked with tents, fishing poles and other supplies.
Other co-leaders have similarly loaded vans.
Newberry said he loves seeing the girls from “Team Alana” out in the community.
“She doesn’t travel light—when you see her at community events, it’s not just a few Scouts that show up with her, but all 70 of them,” he said. “We’re all inspired by her.”
Going back to the original challenge of getting girls and parents involved, Hageman said neither is easy.
There’s usually a dip when girls hit middle school age. But the troop does its best to find activities to keep older girls occupied.
Hageman is not one to turn away a prospective girl scout. The more the merrier is her motto.
She and other leaders work hard to keep all parents informed and active. This encourages them to be more involved as well as lets everyone know the value of scouting.
Tirzah Curry, council troop support manager, said Hageman is eager to help others.
“She’s retired, so is able to pour all of her free time into this, but she’s always willing to mentor other volunteers, especially new troop leaders, and show them the ropes,” she said.
She also is great about inviting Scouts and parents from other area troops to community events.
Wardon said parents can have a role in nudging their Scouts or Brownies to honor their commitments.
“If your kid doesn’t feel like she wants to go to a meeting or an activity, consider pushing them a little to give it another try, or see if they can find another activity they might be into,” she said. “Parents shouldn’t let their kids give up as easily as they want to sometimes. If they stick to it, they’ll learn more.”
Hageman likes the values that Girl Scouts teach: courage, confidence and character.
Even when a girl ‘ages out,’ they still have the memories, experiences, and values all their life. She’s seen it in her daughters, who continue to be involved in Scouting.
“Girl Scouts will always be a safe place for girls, and girls only,” she said. “We are bringing up tomorrow’s leaders.” N
As seen in the 2024 Summer/Fall edition
By: Joe Butler
Photography By: Joel Riner