'Long live Girl Scouts'

In July 1965, in Farragut State Park, some 12,000 Girl Scouts held candles aloft to signify how much light their organization brought to the world. 

A new generation of Girl Scouts gathered in the same place on Saturday, the birthday of Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Low, to dedicate a stone commemorating the 1965 Girl Scout Senior Roundup. 

To this day, the Roundup remains the biggest ever gathering of Girl Scouts. 

"Never in our history have so many Girl Scouts been in one place," said Brian Newberry, CEO of Girl Scouts Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. "They were here." 

There to deliver special remarks was Dianne Macduff, of the Tri-Cities, Wash., who attended the event 61 years ago and still treasures the memories. 

"The spirit of Roundup has made a major difference in our lives and we all want to share it," she told the Girl Scouts in attendance. "Now it's your turn to show what it means to be a Girl Scout and blaze your own trail to tomorrow." 

Macduff recalled how all the girls, who came from all 50 states and many different countries, had learned the same songs before the Senior Roundup and sang them together during the evening program. 

"It's pretty special to hear all those voices singing together," she said. 

Erin McKindree, assistant park manager of Farragut State Park and a member of the Girl Scouts, said the Girl Scouts played a crucial role in the creation of Idaho's parks system and in helping turn the former naval base into a state park by holding their 1965 gathering at Farragut. The same year, the Idaho Legislature established the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation. 

"The state of Idaho is forever indebted to the Girl Scouts organization for positive stewardship and making the community a better place," McKindree said. 

Macduff said it was special to honor the 1965 event with young Girl Scouts. 

"Awesome seems a little simple," she said. "It was such a meaningful event to me that I'm excited to share it." 

She said she hopes the girl stay active with the organization and carry the lessons they learn as Girl Scouts with them throughout their lives. 

"It's something you don't have to grow out of," she said. 

After unveiling a stone carved with an inscription describing the 1965 event, the Girl Scouts raised their voices in song and cheered for the future of their organization. 

"Long live Girl Scouts," they chanted. 

    Dianne Macduff attended the 1965 Girl Scout Senior Roundup at Farragut.
  

    Erin McKindree tells a gathered group of Girl Scouts how their organization impacted the creation of Idaho's parks system.