Did 18th century Girl Scouts sell cookies, too?

St Augustine will play host to 45 members of the Girl Scouts of Gateway Council who have been selected and trained to participate in a 1740’s “San Agustin Reenactment Encampment” taking place from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Saturday in the Colonial Spanish Quarter Museum located at 29 St George Street.

The 6th grade scouts, dressed in period clothing, will travel back in time to 18th century St Augustine then walk in the footsteps of young women of the 1740’s.

The girls will be demonstrating heritage craftwork such as making cord using a lucet, basket weaving and pottery, drop spinning, wool carding, and broom making using palmetto frons. Thin mints not included.

Historic City News readers in St Augustine are welcome to come and visit. The public is welcome to tour the encampment, the exhibits and the houses within the museum conducted by the girls participating in the scout encampment.

Admission to the Colonial Spanish Quarter Museum for this special event is $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for ages 6-15, 6 and under free.

Two colonial-era game zones will be set up; one area will feature tarp games of ball and hoop, cup and ball, and a dominoes-like game. The active game area will feature graces, marbles, and Pele.

On Saturday evening, after the encampment breaks, beginning at 7:00 p.m., the participants will relocate to the Gazebo on the downtown Plaza for a public performance of favorite Girl Scout songs. Admission to the sing-along is free.

ABOUT THE GIRLS:

Girl Scouts of Gateway Council, Inc. serves approximately 25,000 girls and adults in 16 north Florida counties, from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean.

In order to be selected to participate in the San Agustin Reenactment Encampment, each of the participating Girl Scouts has passed a rigorous application and audition process, plus a full weekend of training earlier this year.

Once selected, the girls were required to construct their own 1700’s clothing of period-correct fabrics using brown paper patterns copied from handed-down originals before attending Saturday’s San Agustin Reenactment Encampment.

“These Girl Scouts were chosen for their proven leadership skills, historical interests, public speaking ability, displays of grace and etiquette, and the quality of being able to work in a group while following directions and paying attention to safety,” Director of Public Affairs for the City of St Augustine, Paul Williamson, told reporters.

“Girl Scouts provides an accepting and nurturing environment where, in partnership with committed adults, girls develop assets that will serve them all their lives: leadership, decision-making skills, and social conscience,” A spokesperson for Girl Scouts of Gateway Council told Historic City News. “Through activities that are fun and personally challenging, girls develop self-esteem based on achievement. Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place.”