"This is the first year in a while that we've had a Junior level, which is great because we are growing and girls are staying in the program," said Katie Knaub, who leads Girl Scout troops 70520 and 70521 in the Pequea Valley area with Mel Infantolino.

On Aug. 8, a number of girls in the troops bridged to the next level, using the bridge at Denlinger Pond, adjacent to the Paradise Township Building on Route 30, Paradise. Knaub noted that although not all the girls bridged to another level, they all participated in the celebration by receiving their end-of-year awards. Girls participating in the ceremony were Chloe Wilson, Ellie Knaub, Juliana Fieldsa, Cora Knaub, Keiryn Shaffer, Kailey Lee, Morgan Roten, and Riley Infantolino.

This is Knaub's fourth year overseeing the troops. Currently, Knaub works with Troop 70520 made up of Daisies, who are in kindergarten and first grades, and Brownies, who are in second and third grade. Her troop meets on Tuesday evenings at the Girl Scout Cabin in Paradise Park, 6 London Vale Road. Infantolino works with Troop 70521 consisting of Juniors, who are in fourth and fifth grades, and Cadettes, girls in sixth grade, on Monday evenings at the cabin. Knaub said that multi-level troops allow Scouting organizations to utilize the volunteers they have more efficiently.

Knaub plans for her group to participate in programs with the Lancaster County Parks Department. Badges she hopes to focus on will concern ecology and hiking.

Girls who have reached the Junior and Cadette levels work with their leaders to plan their own path. "They will be brainstorming their own activities," said Knaub. "Girls Scouts have just come out with new badges," she added, noting that Math in Nature is one of those. "They might have interest in exploring new badge opportunities," she said.

In addition, the troops will take part in a special event with other troops from the surrounding areas. "Our service unit, which is a conglomeration of troops in Conestoga Valley and Garden Spot, along with Pequea Valley, will hold a camping day in Paradise Park at the end of October," said Knaub, who noted that activities will include the basics of setting up tents, starting fires, and knowing what to take along. "We typically plan a large encampment, but that was canceled," explained Knaub, who added that leaders wanted to give the girls a taste of what real camping is like.

The troops invite girls who are interested in learning more about Scouting, along with their families, to an information night in the Girl Scout Cabin on Monday, Sept. 27, at 6:30 p.m.