CLARKS SUMMIT — Local Girl Scouts used their “passports” to “visit” eight countries in one day. They didn’t need any luggage, though, because they traveled only to the Fellowship Hall of Clarks Green Assembly of God March 25.

The Girl Scouts of Heritage Trail Community 511, which encompasses local school districts including Abington Heights, Lackawanna Trail, and Tunkhannock Area, celebrated World Thinking Day. It is a day, in which Girl Scouts from about 150 countries perform global-themed activities. The Scouts belong to the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGS). Heritage Trail started this celebration last year.

“This is our second year,” said Samantha Pasternak, community lead of Heritage Trail and troop leader of Clarks Summit Troop 50797. “We hope to keep it an annual event.”

The 50797 troop holds its meetings at the Clarks Green Assembly of God, hence the event’s location.

Eight troops of Heritage Trail researched a country of their choosing. They made and displayed educational displays and memorabilia of that country that were set on tables at the hall. The Scouts visited each stand to learn about the country represented in each troop’s stand.

Pasternak’s daughter Anna, is a member of Brownie Troop 50797.

“I like that we get to learn about different countries,” Anne said. “And that we get to be with our friends.”

Anna and the rest of Troop 50797’s Scouts made a display to represent Russia. They chose this country because two of the Scouts who attend Clarks Summit Elementary School have an immigrant friend from there. Also, one of the Scout’s friends has a father originally from Russia.

The girls taught their fellow Scouts how to make ballerinas out of popsicle sticks and cupcake liners. They also had matrushka dolls decorated as Russian leaders.

Troop 50504 from Tunkhannock, which include sisters Crystalynn and Grace Richter, brought shortbread cookies called mantecados to represent Spain.

“We decided to pick something cool and different,” Grace said about Spain.

The educational display consisted of a few Spanish phrases, including ‘Hola’ and ‘Adios’; national dishes including gazpacho (vegetable soup) and cochinillo asada (roast suckling pig); monuments such as The Alhambra and Majorca Cathedral. Crystalynn drew flowers on the passports of the Scouts who visited their country.

Mehoopany’s Troop 50506’s Peruvian exhibit had llama dolls made with real fur. The Scouts of this troop taught visitors how to make panpipes, a wind instrument popular in Peru.

Scout Violet Holgate, wearing an Ireland shirt and a green necklace, explored her Irish roots with her Ireland display. She explained the history of Irish soda bread while handing out samples.

Troop 51003 of Nicholson elected the Bahamas as its country because the Scouts liked the photos and sea shells brought by troop leader Sue Fisher, who recently vacationed there. She also brought a tablecloth (used for the display) made by Androsia, a clothing company which follows an Indonesian technique.

World Thinking Day event was kicked off by a candlelight ceremony, which celebrates Girl Scouts and Girl Guides around the world.

“I light this candle in friendship for all the people who are older or younger, taller or smaller, richer or poorer than me,” Samantha Pasternak recited. It ended with Freyja Fisher, a Daisy from Troop 51003 of Nicholson, reciting, “I light this candle for me, for I am unique and special.”

Troop leader of Clarks Summit’s Troop 50797 Samantha Pasternak, far left, leads a candlelight ceremony in honor of people around the world. From left, are Emily Wojnarski, Angelie Ayala, Anna Pasternak, Ella Long and Freyja Fisher.

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Troop leader of Clarks Summit’s Troop 50797 Samantha Pasternak, far left, leads a candlelight ceremony in honor of people around the world. From left, are Emily Wojnarski, Angelie Ayala, Anna Pasternak, Ella Long and Freyja Fisher.

Crystalynn Richter, right, of Tunkhannock’s Troop 50504 marks a ‘passport’ for Violet Holgate, of Clarks Summit’s Troop 50075, by drawing flowers on it.
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_20170325_135117-2.jpg.optimal.jpgCrystalynn Richter, right, of Tunkhannock’s Troop 50504 marks a ‘passport’ for Violet Holgate, of Clarks Summit’s Troop 50075, by drawing flowers on it.

Brownie Scouts from Clarks Summit’s Troop 50797, far right, who represented Russia, show other Girl Scouts how to make little ballerinas. From left, front row, Josie Grieshop, Macey Ramsey and Anna Pasternak.

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Brownie Scouts from Clarks Summit’s Troop 50797, far right, who represented Russia, show other Girl Scouts how to make little ballerinas. From left, front row, Josie Grieshop, Macey Ramsey and Anna Pasternak.

Daisy Scout Freyja Fisher, of Nicholson’s Troop 51003, tries her luck throwing coins in the pot of gold at Troop 50075’s display of Ireland.
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_20170325_143131-2.jpg.optimal.jpgDaisy Scout Freyja Fisher, of Nicholson’s Troop 51003, tries her luck throwing coins in the pot of gold at Troop 50075’s display of Ireland.

Scouts from Clarks Summit’s Troop 51050 with their display representing South Korea. From left, first row, Sophia Evans, Kara Rillstone, Fiona Long, Madison Melan, and Brandi Dominano. Second row, Samantha Butler, Ella Long, and Abby Pilchesky.

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Scouts from Clarks Summit’s Troop 51050 with their display representing South Korea. From left, first row, Sophia Evans, Kara Rillstone, Fiona Long, Madison Melan, and Brandi Dominano. Second row, Samantha Butler, Ella Long, and Abby Pilchesky.

Girl Scouts from Nicholson’s Troop 51003 are, from left, Hannah Wells, Izabell Davis, Stella Minick, Keelyn Wildenstein, Freyja Fisher and Ally Truitt.
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_20170325_144610.jpg.optimal.jpgGirl Scouts from Nicholson’s Troop 51003 are, from left, Hannah Wells, Izabell Davis, Stella Minick, Keelyn Wildenstein, Freyja Fisher and Ally Truitt.

By Ben Freda

For Abington Journal

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