FLORENCE -- Girl Scout Troop 429 is one of the first troops to join the Boy Scouts in Kentucky.
It doesn't hurt that members of both groups seek high adventure on both land and water.
In September 1996, Troop 429 became one of the few Girl Scout troops from the Licking Valley Girl Scout Council to officially become members of a Boy Scout troop. Joining Boy Scout Troop 721, they now make up the High Adventure Explorer Post 96 from Northern Kentucky.
Troop leader Pam Schierberg still enforces the Girl Scout traditions, scheduled meetings and uniform styles. All they needed to do was live by the exploring code outlined by the Dan Beard Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
The High Adventure Explorer Post is a family affair for the Schierberg family.
Aside from the position as troop leader of the Girl Scout troop, Mrs. Schierberg also has two sons in the Boy Scout troop -- Jimmy, an Eagle Scout, and Nick, a Life Scout. She serves as the committee chairwoman for the Boy Scout troop. Her daughter, Angela, is a Gold Award recipient for the Girl Scout troop.
Mrs. Schierberg, a recreation and safety supervisor for the Drawbridge Inn in Fort Mitchell, said that since showing the girls videos and pictures of the trips the boys were taking, the girls have been hooked on adventure.
"They really loved it. From the very beginning they wanted to take part in the enthusiasm involved in the Boy Scout High Adventure Program," said Mrs. Schierberg.
Most of these young women, who are 14-21, come from Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties and from as far as Fleming County to attend. Together they travel to national forests and parks all over the country using money raised by their parents and fund-raisers to enjoy whitewater rafting, mountain biking, sailing, canoeing, rappeling and rock climbing.
"Not taking anything away from Girl Scouting, which is still our passion and the reason we're together, I believe it's good for both boys and girls to do things in a group -- watching them grow and learning to respect each other," Mrs. Schierberg said.
This August they'll be taking money earned from fund-raisers to travel to Mexico City for a weeklong journey, visiting pyramids and museums.
"What a unique way to spend time with all of my children. There's no doubt I enjoy it as much as they do," Mrs. Schierberg said.
