Good Hygiene, Good Health, Good Habits
By Tracy Rolling

Scouts and volunteers began the event by observing the Pledge of Allegiance.

What are little girls made of? Why, sugar and spice and everything nice- - and thanks to Girl Scouts of America troop leaders Mary Hopperton and Juana Papps, Ramona girls are made out of good hygiene and healthy habits.

Nearly 50 girls between the ages of 6 and 12 attended last month's 1st annual 'Putting on the Ritz.' The event was open to Ramona scouts and promoted at the November and December leadership meetings.

"Gaining powerful knowledge that will develop healthy habits to last a lifetime," said Hopperton, "is one of the reasons we put this event together."

The all-day affair was held at Dos Picos Pavilion, where demonstration tables were set up so that small groups of girls could participate in an interactive learning experience.

Parent volunteers and older Girl Scout Cadets, as well as Senior Girl Scouts, helped educate girls about the importance of establishing healthy habits early on.

Girls sit attentively ready to learn good hygiene habits from the Girl Scout Cadets.

There was a bracelet building area where girls could create their own promise bracelet from colored beads representing some of the character traits of scouting, such as honesty, courage, respect and learning.

Other stations included face cleansing, good oral hygiene, keeping clean clothes, the importance of clean hands and promoting fit and healthy lungs, followed by a jewelry table and hair accessories station.

The girls were assigned into their small groups and began rotating from one station to the next. The day concluded with a fashion show, giving the girls an opportunity to display some of the trendy tips they learned.

Junior Girl Scouts earned their "Looking Your Best" badge while Brownies earned their "Healthy Habits" badge. Cadets and Senior Scouts received community service hours for volunteering.

"The girls were giddy and full of smiles," says Hopperton, who continued, "The event was so successful, we plan to make it an annual attraction."

Right, volunteer Betsy Kramer, along with Olivia Croom and Emma Hopperton, help Junior Girl Scout Natalie Jones pick a hair accessory.

For more information on the Ramona Girls Scouts of America, visit www.ramonagirlscouts.com.

Shannon Linder of Troop 8088 and Amanda Stup of Troop 8403 are ready for a day of fun. Emily McGee of Troop 8088 and Jessica Gallegos of Troop 8469 check out the variety of bows and ribbons at the hair station. Girl Scouts pose with volunteers for the last photo of the day.