Travel Opportunities for Volunteers
Girls aren’t the only ones who can explore the world in Girl Scouting! Often, there are opportunities for adults to travel with girls as chaperones on a destinations adventure, educational travel opportunities, and adventure groups that come together from time to time. We will be highlighting here any chances for travel that we are made aware of, so please check back often!
Mama Boots: Queen of the Appalachian Trail
It all started around 1970 or 1971. Resident Camp was in session for Camp Shantituck and volunteer Mary Sands was determined to lead a unit of girls on a hike covering a section of the Appalachian Trail. Soon after, Mary decided that she wanted to hike the entire Trail, but she wanted to make sure she had some company. Thus, Mary Sands became Mama Boots and began offering Appalachian Trail events to Girl Scouts and adults who were interested in hiking with her.
Mama Boots completed the 1,200 mile Trail, which runs from northern Georgia to New York state, 16 years later by taking one segment at a time. During this journey, many Girl Scouts and 
adults have accompanied Mama Boots on her quest. In fact, her legacy lives on through other adults who have been involved in Girl Scouting as well. There are women who still get together to trek where Mama Boots has trekked. If you are interested in hiking the Appalachian Trail or other adventure activities (such as canoeing, high ropes and rappelling, and caving), please contact Linda Ivey at lsivey@aol.com or Karen Cavin-Brown at kbrown@kyanags.org
Mama Boots even wrote a book about her experiences called Appalachian Trail in Bits and Pieces. To order this book, click on the title to go to Amazon.com or write: Appalachian Trail Conf., PO Box 807, Dept. SD, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425-0807 (Book #547, $16.50 [$14.00 members] plus $3.00 shipping)(by phone: 888-AT-STORE, fax: 304-535-2667, web: www.atconf.org (search for title of book), email: sales@atconf.org) Today, Mama Boots enjoys quilting and sharing her Appalachian stories with visitors.
Want more information on the Appalachian Trail? Check out trailplace.com!
I recommend the Journal of Mary Ann Church.