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Scouts meet their leader Photo by Jim Craven Elinor Ferdon, president of Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., delights in the hundreds of area Scouts that turned out to greet her Saturday at Medford-Rogue Valley International Airport. Hundreds of area girls turn out to greet president Ellie Ferdon BY BILL KETTLER The top Girl Scout in the United States came to Medford Saturday and more than 200 girls welcomed her with flowers, songs and good wishes. Ellie Ferdon, president of Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., looked as excited as the waves of Daisies and Brownies who crowded the airport lobby to meet her. Ferdon came to the Rogue Valley to visit with local Girl Scout leaders during the annual meeting of the Winema Girl Scout Council. The local council serves about 1,200 girls age 5 to 17 in five counties in Southern Oregon and four in Northern California. Ferdon said Girl Scout leaders today try to help girls understand that they can "be whatever they want to be," but many people don't know that the organization has changed since the 1950s. "When you ask people what they know about Girl Scouts, they say `Cookies and camping,"' she related. "Sure we do that, but we do a whole lot more." Ferdon said Girl Scouts today study auto repair, computer science and foreign languages along with spending time at summer camp and enjoying outdoor adventures. Adult leaders also help girls survive modern problems with programs that teach them how to cope with abuse or survive having their mother in jail. "We're looking at more contemporary issues," said Kimberly Martinez Ward, executive director of the Winema Council. "Things like eating disorders, smoking, and teen pregnancy." Ferdon said finding adult leaders to supervise Girl Scouts is one of the biggest problems the organization faces across the United States. "Everybody's busy," she said. Ward said the Winema Council now recruits childless women and older women who have raised their families to serve as Girl Scout leaders because stay-at-home moms are scarce. Girls meet with leaders when it's convenient for the adults rather than follow strict meeting schedules, Ward said. "Our biggest emphasis," said Ward, "is inviting adults to give their time and talent in the way they can give it." Ward said Girl Scouting's goal is to give girls "a continual learning experience. If they want an outdoor experience we provide that. If a girl wants a career, we mentor her up with a woman in that profession." Ferdon's visit marked the first time the national president of the Girl Scouts has traveled to the Winema Council. She visits local councils to encourage local volunteers, promote the organization's visibility, and be a mentor to girls who meet her. "Just being here is a powerful thing," she said. There are about 2.8 million girls in the United States involved in Girl Scouting today, and 850,000 adult leaders organized in 319 local councils. Ferdon said membership grew 1.5 percent in 1998 and 3.5 percent in 1997 and stands at a 26-year high. She attributed the increase to an aggressive effort to reach out to girls in minority communities that formerly did not have access to Girl Scouting. Ward noted the Winema Council has brought Girl Scouting to Hispanic girls in Malin, in Klamath County, in conjunction with the outreach program. "America's face is changing," said Ferdon, "and we need to help girls understand that." Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1998, Medford, Oregon USA