Troop Leader Spotlight: Charity Cordova

Service Unit: Meadowlark

Troop 3218

Years as a troop leader: 3

What inspired you to become a troop leader?

I was a Girl Scout in the 80s and loved it. I went to Day Camp for two summers with my aunt who was a troop leader in another town. I loved being outdoors and “squish hiking” in the Wolf River near New London, Wisconsin. I went to Chalk Hills Camp on the Wisconsin Michigan border with my troop and then went there for a week the summer between 6th and 7th grade in the summer of 1987. I am still friends with my tent mates to this day, one of them now buys cookies from my daughter. I have such fond memories of being a Girl Scout, that I wanted the same experiences for my daughter. After Covid and with a move, it was hard making friends in our new neighborhood. We joined an amazing troop in our neighborhood, but my daughter was the only girl to bridge, which is when I signed up to start a troop.

What kind of service projects have you done with your troop?

Our troop earned their Bronze Award last spring by collected pounds of clothing and textiles that would otherwise go in the landfill. We delivered them to Phoenix Fibers where they recycle them into insulation and other materials. Some of our girls also helped an older sister of a troop member paint a mural at a food bank as part of her Gold Award project.

What advice would you give other troop leaders?

It takes a village; therefore, you need to have parents who are willing to help. Building a community with parents and families is important. I am lucky to have a wonderful co-leader, Melissa Jamshidi, and parents that have since become friends and family to us. I’d also remind troop leaders that the Girl Scout experience is supposed to be fun for everyone, including them.

What would you like others to know about volunteer opportunities with the Girl Scouts?

I would like others to know that we have fun, and these experiences build a lifetime of memories and skills for our girls. If you have a skill, share it!

What is the most inspiring moment you have experienced as a troop leader?

It’s inspiring to see friendships form and grow outside of the troop. I think the girls are growing and learning together and it makes me proud of them and proud to be one of their leaders.