By MICHELLE ADAMS / Community Columnist  

Over 100 years ago, Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low gathered 18 girls together for the first Girl Scouts meeting.

Believing that girls should have opportunities to develop skills not necessarily related to domestic duties, she led women in community service, outdoor activities and the study of first aid.

Today, the Girl Scouts organization continues Low’s mission outfitted for the 21st century.

In addition to camping adventures and cookie sales, girls gain financial literacy, learn of ways to protect the environment, complete projects related to the arts and gain greater understanding for science and technology.

Montevallo’s Girl Scout Troop 224, comprised of 10 girls ranging from first grade to sixth grade, focus on fulfilling the Girl Scout mission to build girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place.

Led by Pamela Smith, the troop has actively worked in the community on a variety of service projects.

“Girl Scouts offers life experiences in line with the current issues of today,” Smith said. “Girls still learn scouting skills like cooking, sewing and camping, as well as issues young girls are faced with today like understanding social media and online safety, and participating in energy conservation and planet preservation.”

Troop 224 has completed projects recently such as performing an energy audit, planting flowers for a local preschool, donating Easter-themed items to Shelby Emergency Assistance and collecting Girl Scout Cookies for the military.

Girl Scouts continue to earn badges and awards for their service and learning.

The Journeys program offered through the organization provides a curriculum with health and physical education, language arts, math, science and social studies standards.

“Our troop has earned several badges, one of which is the Star Gazer Badge,” Smith said. “We enjoyed a visit to the University of Montevallo’s James Wylie Shepherd Observatory. Other activities we have participated in include horseback riding, the Montevallo Christmas parade, a scout program at the Tennessee Aquarium, as well as touring the local fire station, police station and city hall.”

This active troop will continue to be busy in 2015 with plans to learn about small business ownership and a visit to a safari park to study wildlife conservation.

Of course, cookie sales remain a focus early in the year as the girls set goals, manage money and enhance their people skills to build sales.

Look to purchase a box of your favorite Girl Scout cookies from Troop 224 throughout February at Regions Bank, Tractor Supply Store, Montevallo Drug and Eclipse Coffee & Books.