Far beyond just cookie purveyors, after 112 years, the Girl Scouts of America are still mentoring young girls and women up to 12th grade into adulthood. Girl Scouts San Diego is our regional council of the national organization, serving girls in San Diego and Imperial counties through troop activities, outdoor adventures, travel, entrepreneurship (that’s where the beloved cookies come in), STEM programs, and community service projects.
Locally, there are two Girl Scouts summer camps, Camps Winacka and Whispering Oaks, near Julian. We checked in with one of the local council’s longest-running volunteers, troop leader Jeni Barajas, to see what it’s like to live and breathe Girl Scouts.
Also, a friendly reminder that Girl Scouts San Diego’s fundraiser, Urban Campout: Fortune Favors the Bold, is on Friday, Sept. 13 if you’d like to join the fun.
What do your GSSD volunteer duties entail?
I have been a Girl Scouts San Diego (GSSD) troop leader for 12 years, and I am just now “bridging” my first two graduating seniors into adulthood. Our troop has eight Ambassador Girl Scouts who will bridge into adulthood next year. Last year, I started a new Girl Scout Daisy troop of 12 kindergarteners whom I hope to have throughout their entire youth, too.
I became connected with the GSSD Volunteer Engagement Team and became a volunteer learning facilitator. I onboard Girl Scout volunteers with introductions to the Girl Scout Leadership Experience and empower adults to foster a youth-led experience to engage and retain Girl Scouts. I also train adults to lead youth in planning outdoor skills like camping, outdoor cooking, archery, orienteering, and pretty much anything that involves getting youth outside to explore, learn, and take action.
I also volunteer as one of two Cookie Coordinators in my service unit (AKA a Girl Scout community in our region), overseeing our largest youth-led entrepreneur program…the Girl Scout Cookie Program. We train over 100 adult volunteer cookie program managers and leaders in our area to support more than 900 Girl Scouts in all things Girl Scout Cookies.
As a volunteer, I have been selected as a National Delegate (2017-2020 term) and have traveled to connect and engage with adult Girl Scouts and Girl Guides all over the world. I will always seek opportunities to support Girl Scouts locally, nationally, and globally.
Can you describe your favorite or most memorable experience while volunteering?
This summer, my Girl Scout Ambassador troop traveled to Italy together. We planned the trip together, knowing we would say goodbye to two of our girls as they moved on to college and adulthood. We chose to “bridge” them from Girl Scouts to adulthood over the Rialto Bridge in Venice. As we walked to the bridge together one evening, we were all emotional knowing what our ceremony represented. We have all grown up together. All nine of us wore matching scarves and our Girl Scout pins. As each of us shared a favorite memory and wish for the future of our bridging Girl Scouts, a violinist played Enya’s “Only Time” in the background. This was a fun, well-timed, meaningful coincidence we all giggled at through tears.
The fact that I have such a large troop of high school youth who have been with our group for so long blows my mind. I felt such gratitude, joy, and pride in those moments on that bridge. This was a trip that we planned for together, raised money to get there together, and wanted to make those memories together. And after those two Girl Scouts bridged, they said, “You aren’t kicking us out, Ms. Jeni,” and I said, “Never!” They both will renew as Girl Scout Lifetime Members to remain part of Troop 4069 and Girl Scouts San Diego as volunteers. What more could I have hoped for in this summer trip and this side hustle as their volunteer Girl Scout leader?
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced?
One challenge I have faced is finding more time so I can play…er, “volunteer” as much as I really want to. HA! That is the truth, though.
Any advice for someone considering volunteering as a way to give back?
My advice for someone who is considering volunteering as a way to give back is that it is easy if you find something you are passionate about. Sometimes our society may think that the best or easiest “giving” to an organization means donating money. That is not true. Time is incredibly valuable. Volunteering any time is gratifying because you support a mission you believe in. I’d suggest starting small and then adding time as you get comfortable. There may be opportunities to help do things behind the scenes from home or during times that best suit your schedule. Every task helps.
What made you want to volunteer for GSSD?
I started as a volunteer Girl Scout troop leader when my daughter asked to be a Girl Scout 12 years ago. As I reacquainted myself as a leader, I quickly sought more opportunities to connect with and support the organization that was a beacon of hope and joy in my childhood. I was a Girl Scout here in San Diego. At home, when I was younger, I lacked physical and psychological safety. As I look back, Girl Scouts was my safety. The meetings, camping, and leadership opportunities helped build me into who I am today. Giving back to GSSD was an easy choice…it was and is definitely my passion. I started by walking through new opportunities to give, and very quickly, I ran for as much volunteering as I could fit into my schedule.
