Girls Outdoor Exploring Club Begins In Elmhurst

ELMHURST, IL — A new Scouting unit in Elmhurst will encourage girls to learn and practice the same outdoor and leadership skills taught in the Boy Scout program, according to a release from Elmhurst Scouts. It is the first group for sixth through eighth grade girls of its kind in Elmhurst.

The G.O. Exploring Club #1 boasts six founding members who are all middle schoolers. G.O. Exploring, or Girls Outdoor Exploring is a pilot program housed under the co-ed Exploring division of the Boy Scouts of America, according to a release.

The program encourages outdoor exploration and prepares girls to join the BSA’s co-ed, high adventure program called Venturing when they turn 14.

According to a release, the young women in this club are learning valuable skills such as overnight camping, first aid, and emergency response. The program also promotes participatory citizenship, community service, and career exploration and preparation.

“We wanted to give girls the same opportunities for outdoor adventure and learning as the boys,” John Lothian, a volunteer adult leader with the club and a former Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 117-- based out of Christ United Methodist Church, said in a release.

“The Exploring club allows us to open up the world of Scouting to girls with the same trained leaders and program,” Lothian said in a release. “We also wanted to welcome a steady pool of girls to help grow our local Venturing program and the club experience helps prepare them for the rigors of high adventure.”

Many of the six G.O. Exploring Club girls are also Girl Scouts, and some of the club activities will help them in their work toward their Girl Scout achievement levels.

Lothian said the club is based out of the Christ United Methodist Church. In addition to Lothian, leaders also include Vanessa Clohessy and Germaine Yang.

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