BY CINDY SCHROEDER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
COVINGTON -- As a young girl growing up on Covington's Eastside, Paddy Castleman wanted to join the Girl Scouts, but couldn't because there wasn't a nearby troop.
Today, Ms. Castleman presides over her own troop -- formed three years ago to fill a void in her community.
Based at the Northern Kentucky Community Center, Troop 553 draws its membership from some of Covington's poorest neighborhoods. Ms. Castleman hasn't let lack of funds get in the way.
When some of the girls' parents indicated that they didn't have money for uniforms, the longtime seamstress made them herself with funds raised from last year's cookie sales.
When some parents had trouble picking up or dropping off their daughters for meetings, Ms. Castleman served as the girls' unofficial chauffeur, packing her young charges into her compact car, so that they wouldn't miss any of the troop's activities.
The troop is one of four started at the Northern Kentucky Community Center within the last three to four years. Together, the troops have 35 to 40 members.
Leaders -- all of whom are originally from the neighborhood -- say scouting promotes responsibility and goal setting. Participants learn that there are many opportunities outside of their immediate community.
"The girls need something to do in this area, besides hanging out on street corners," said Ms. Castleman, herself a high school dropout who earned her GED 10 years ago. "All of the activities are geared toward boys. I see too many girls young and pregnant." Troop 553's activities have included everything from marching in Covington's Memorial Day parade to singing Christmas carols with senior citizens to visiting the Center of Science and Industry in Columbus, Ohio.
Recently, the 8- to 11-year-old girls met at the community center to decorate its Christmas tree with colorful homemade ornaments -- everything from red and white crepe paper chains to pink snowflakes and glittery snowmen.
"I like the games and the field trips," said 10-year-old Tiara Higgs, who admits she'd "probably be at home sleeping," if she weren't at Girl Scout meetings.
"I joined last year, after a friend told me about it," said 12-year-old Razine Copeland. "You get to paint shirts and go on field trips."
Parents and grandparents are involved in the troops' activities. Ms. Castleman lets them know straight out that Girl Scouting is not a babysitting service. Adults in the girls' lives are pressed into helping with everything from notifying troop members of meetings or special events, to car pools.
"People like to say there's nothing for kids to do," Ms. Castleman said. "There's plenty for them to do, but we need people to help them do it."
Nancy Rogers, program manager for the Licking Valley Girl Scout Council, said it's the dedication of troop leaders, such as Ms. Castleman, Cincinnati resident Willa Ronne, and Pam Walker, who opened a 3-day-a-week library at the community center, that make the troops a success.
"Even though they don't live in the community anymore, they felt it was important enough to form these troops and get the girls involved," Ms. Rogers said.
"That's where all of these leaders are coming from, the concern for the community and the well-being of people," Ms. Rogers said. "Girl Scouting can be very flexible, and adjust to whatever the community needs."
