According to Girl Scout Megan Merbach, Girl Scouts goes beyond cookies, camping and crafts. "It's a shame it's all that people think about when they hear Girl Scouts,'" said Megan. "It's just a way that we get to do our amazing things. We sell cookies to fund our programs. It means much more to the girls living it and doing it."

The Gloucester County Times reports that Megan and her fellow troop mates are just a snapshot of local girls heading to the 2011 Girl Leadership Summit taking place at Middlesex County College in New Jersey.

At the event, girls in grades 9 through 12 have the opportunity to network with more than 35 professional women and attend two of seven workshops. The seminars College 101, Interview Savvy, Learn it - Lead it!, Social Justice, Reach Out, Stress Less and Healthy Living aim to cultivate individual leadership, entrepreneurship, creativity, communication and life skills.

Megan, who studies Allied Health and Medical Science, hopes College 101 will give her valuable insight to achieve her goals. "I really don't have a clue what direction I want to go in except the health care field in general. I love math and science," said Megan.

Samantha, 14, a freshman pursuing culinary arts, said she's excited for the workshops she signed up for: Learn it - Lead it!, Healthy Living and Reach Out. "I signed up for the leadership workshop because I think everyone should have a good understanding of what leadership is," Samantha said. "I'd also like to either become a chef or nurse, so I'm also interested in Healthy Living so I can have a better understanding of nutrition." Samantha said Girl Scouts has had a positive impact on her life. Since she started in second grade, she admits it has boosted her confidence.

According to Leah O'Connor, Girl Scout Fund Development Specialist, the Leadership Summit partners the girls with 35 professional women who are experts in their fields. The partnerships show the girls who real role models are, and gives a wealth of information about what they can aspire to in their own futures.
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The Girl Leadership Summit is open to both Girl Scout members and non-Girl Scouts. Registration fees are for $15 for current members and $27 for non-members. Transportation will also be made available from GCSCNJ's Cherry Hill and Newfield offices.

This sounds like a really awesome opportunity! If you are in the area, definitely check it out and report back on your experience.