Hitting the century mark makes for quite a milestone, one reached by few organizations. One hundred years of staying power doesn't simply happen.

Founded in Savannah, Ga., by Juliette Gordon Low in February 1912, Girl Scouts of the USA aims to build good citizens with solid values, learned through the leadership of women who give their time and talents to the next generation.

Without volunteer troop leaders assisting top-notch professional staff, Girl Scouts would not be around to celebrate its 100th birthday. These women leaders deserve much of the credit for bringing the Girl Scouts to its centennial year.

Once the exclusive realm of stay-at-home moms, troop leadership has evolved with the times, just as the Girl Scout organization has done. Practical skills learned on camping trips and in first-aid training haven't disappeared from Girl Scouts, but the organization's awards and rewards program has morphed to offer girls nearly limitless opportunities to study and learn about contemporary subjects.

From the beginning, however, Girl Scouts has kept a core focus on what really matters in life: a sound spiritual belief; good citizenship; helpfulness; honesty and fairness; compassion; courage and strength; self-responsibility in word and deed; self-respect; respect for others; making the world a better place.

The Girl Scout motto ("Be Prepared") and slogan ("Do a good turn daily") offer sound advice for a life well-lived, whether in 1912 or 2012.

Whether you are a Girl Scout or a former Girl Scout, or if you know someone who was, is or might be a Girl Scout, it's worth a visit to walk down memory lane and learn about the impact of Girl Scouts on your hometown.

Along the way, you'll probably find out first-hand what fun today's Girl Scouts have. You might even luck into a batch of tasty S'mores, a lip-smacking staple of Girl Scouting over many years.

Speaking of lip-smacking ...

February is the month when Girl Scouts everywhere sell their signature cookies, raising money for the programs that keep the organization going strong year after year. Make sure to buy plenty of cookies. They taste great — and the programs the cookie money supports are sure to continue helping girls grow into solid members of society this year and for years to come.

Happy Anniversary, Girl Scouts!

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