Rio Rancho Girl Scout troop has 's'more fun' at recruiting event

RIO RANCHO — Move over, Thin Mints and Samoas! The Girl Scouts of New Mexico Trails have another treat in store: s’mores.

During a “Back-to-Troop” recruiting event for Desert Rose Service Unit 152 at Community of Joy Lutheran Church Aug. 10, prospective Girl Scouts made the popular campfire dessert using a fire pit and roasting sticks. The food — and the event itself — was free, but the organization accepted donations.

Girl Scout Joplin Montoya noted that the term “s’mores” was coined by her counterparts generations ago and still has resonance today — not only as a food, but for the event, which took place on National S’mores Day.

“That’s why we have these events; we’re recruiting some more (Girl Scouts),” Montoya said.

Christi Boomer, service manager of unit 152, noted the timing of the event with a day honoring the timeless treat consisting of graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate bars.

“(There’s) nothing like sitting around a campfire, singing songs and enjoying s’mores, so we brought out a bunch of different activities that are s’mores related,” Boomer said.

The event included “S’Mor(s)e Code,” which included Montoya teaching girls about coding by deciphering “Juliette Gordon Low,” the founder of Girl Scouts, with Morse Code.

“We’re just teaching them to translate in the future if they have to, but it’s a fun thing for them to learn about coding,” Montoya said.

Girls also built structures and competed in challenges using marshmallows in an activity called “S’More Engineering.”

“S’more Bingo” was the troop’s take on the popular game with terms related to Girl Scout traditions in place of the alphabet.

In a community service project, “Help S’more” saw girls color and write messages for Meals on Wheels recipients.

As part of the Girl Scout tradition, some girls made a SWAP (Special Whatchamacallit Affectionately Pinned) as a memento to take home with them.

With s’mores exclusive activities, Boomer said the hope for the event was for families to “think about (the Girl Scouts) and have some more fun” with the organization.

The troop aims to have at least three recruitment events a year, but volunteers also go out into the community and recruit at other events, such as back-to-school night, according to Boomer.

“We try to get girls all year round. They’re welcome to join anytime, from kindergarten through high school,” she said.

The Clearwater family had Girl Scouts on their mind Sunday shortly following their move from Aztec to Bernalillo. Amanda Clearwater and her husband, Dave Kuka, brought their children Quinn, 12, and Alia, 9, to gauge their interest in the organization after hearing about the event through a homeschool Facebook group.

Clearwater said what attracted her to Girl Scouts is a variety of activities, from outdoor camping to indoor crafts.

“Something where they could try to meet new friends and maybe figure out what their interests are,” Clearwater said. “I can see the variety of approaches they have, even through the activities at this event.”

Quinn said she is excited about the potential for being a Girl Scout.

“At first, I was concerned because I didn’t know a lot about it,” she said. “But I think after checking everything out, I think it would be really fun because there are so many things to do — and I don’t really have any hobbies. So maybe it would help me find one and make new friends.”

Aside from finding a hobby and making friends, Quinn said she wants to join Girl Scouts to learn more about cooking.

“Sometimes, I make pasta and meatballs for everyone in the family,” Quinn said, adding she also likes making grilled cheese and cookies.

She hopes Girl Scouts will increase her social skills.

“I think it would be good practice to talk to new people,” Quinn said.

She confessed that out of all the activities at the event, she just liked making s’mores and eating them.