Local Girl Scouts going gaga in Hampton
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A gaga pit is coming to the Hampton Township Community Park, thanks to the hard work of Girl Scout Troop 53245.
The Scouts worked together to plan, raise funds and build the “pit” for the recreational activity as a way to bring the community together and earn their Silver Award in the process, the second highest level of accomplishment in the Girl Scouts, according to troop member Kate Baker, 13.
She and fellow scouts Abi Green, 13, Lucy Modlin, 13, and Anna Weisbrode, 14, approached Hampton council last year for permission to construct a pit. All of the girls are on the project’s “build team” and are Hampton students.
They returned at an April council meeting to provide an update to the process. They’ve been working with the township’s Department of Community Services, too.
A gaga pit is a “octagonal structure used to play a variation of dodgeball,” according to Baker, who is working on the communications team for the troop.
This past weekend, they were out leading a group of volunteers in constructing the pit.
Alex Zarenko, director of community services for Hampton , said the troop did a lot of the work.
“It’s at no cost to Hampton Township except for future maintenance. They’ll cover expenses,” said Zarenko.
Another component of the project includes teaching the community on how to use it which they’ll do via a booth on the July 3 celebration, according to Jess Green, Girl Scout troop leader.
Donations came from their efforts at Hampton ’s holiday event as well as at their cookie sales booths. Montgomery and Rust Inc. donated the plans and equipment, 84 Lumber donated the lumber and Home Depot donated some of the hardware.
“The girls always play gaga at scout camp, and they love it. We were talking about how nice it is to have a game that can be played by all ages and ability levels with no experience needed. They wanted there to be an activity at the community park that was accessible to everyone and was able to be played competitively across generations and ability levels,” said Jess.
They will also host an opening party and rules will be posted on the structure. The troop is planning a presentation on Hampton’s Third of July celebration. It will be located between the pavilion by the tennis courts and new basketball courts.