Four years ago, 9-year-old Reba Meserve of Standish watched while her younger sister Shawna as she went camping, earned special badges, and participated in community service, as a member of the Girl Scouts in Standish.

Feeling like she was missing out, Reba joined the troop and has since been an active Scout earning her own badges and donating her time to the community.

“My sister seemed like she was always having fun,” said Meserve, now 13. “It made me want to join. We do a lot of stuff and have a lot of fun together.”

One of Reba’s favorite experiences was earning her Performing Arts badge.

“I had to make up a dance that I performed with my dance class,” said Meserve. “I also had to make up a music game, I think that had to be the best one.”

For Elizabeth Newberry, earning her Horse Lovers badge was more fun than earning any other badge.

“I love horses,” said Newberry, a fifth-grader at George E. Jack Elementary. “I was able to learn all about horses; it was really fun.”

Although earning badges is a main component for Girl Scouts, it is only a portion of what they do.

Founded in Savannah, Georgia in 1912, the Girl Scouts aimed to create stronger women in the community by encouraging friendships, service within the community, courage and character. Values that the girls of Troop 1763 are very familiar with.

“These girls have learned to give back to the community,” said Troop Leader Annette Newberry. “As a troop, we wanted to do a little more community service this year, and I think we accomplished that.”

Troop 1763 has participated in many community events this year including baking for the Standish Ice Rink fundraisers, playing elves for Santa’s breakfast at Bonny Eagle High School. Recently, they helped organize a spaghetti dinner to raise funds for a Standish child stricken with cancer.

“They were great at the dinner,” said Newberry. “They set up, served, and helped with the cleanup. They just worked really hard.”

The troop regularly assists the Standish Food Pantry on Oak Hill Road, by collecting, donating, and handing out food to the community’s needy families.

“They have helped a great deal,” said Pantry Coordinator Debbie Lapointe. “Three times this year they brought about a trunk-and-a-half of groceries and helped pass them out to families.”

Giving back to the community is the very reason Shawna Meserve joined the Scouts.

“I was interested in doing things for the community,” said Meserve. “I am able to do that with my friends and that makes it fun and helpful.”

Next up for the troop is getting their sailing badge which they should have by the end of May.

“We are working with the Portland Yacht Club and participating in a real regatta,” said Newberry. “I think we are all going to have a lot of fun with that.”

Even though the Girl Scouts only meet during the school year, the troop often gets together throughout the summer.

“They spend a lot of time at my house, even in the summer,” said Newberry. “These girls don’t just hang out when we are doing troop things, they like to be together and have fun whenever they can. These girls have become real friends.”