CARTERVILLE - They're not just about cookies and camp anymore, said Kristi Hettenhausen, program specialist for the Girl Scouts of Shagbark Council.

About 85 adolescent girls affiliated with the Shagbark Council were at John A. Logan College on Saturday to learn about health.

They were also participating in the start of a series of interest-driven monthly activities that is meant to put the Girl Scout agenda in the hands of the girls.

"We're trying to make it more girl-driven," Hettenhausen said. "We want to see what they want to do."

Hettenhausen said there is a noticeable drop-off in membership as girls hit junior high. She said at that age, they lose interest in the almost stereotypical Girl Scout meeting of snack and craft.

"Unless they have a really cool leader and they get to do things, we see them dropping off," she said. "We're trying to make it hipper and more relevant."

Part of the updated image includes Studio 2B, a new, more individualized approach to scouting for older girls. Hettenhausen said the goal isn't to replace Girl Scouts, but the Studio 2B logos are more in use for the older set than the Girl Scouts logos. Even the traditional badges and banner have been replaced with charms and a bracelet.

The JALC event was funded by a $12,000 grant from the national Girl Scout organization. The purpose is to teach girls about health. Hettenhausen said the conference set-up was the first of the events. Most of the girls were there individually or with some of the girls from their troop - but not as an in-uniform, troop activity.

The conference hit the highlights of modern health issues, from such groovy girl necessities as body image, skin care, cosmetology and hygiene to more generally applicable topics like nutrition, career overviews and smoking prevention.

Future monthly activities will be determined by what the girls decide can be considered under the general heading of health. Hettenhausen said one troop is going to a gymnastics and dance academy to learn about hip-hop aerobics - a trendy way to get fit.

Pam Hays and Julie Horecker, nursing instructors at the college, said they got their nursing students involved as part of their community nursing training. The instructors helped come up with appropriate topics and were available as advisors. The presentation of healthy living techniques, though, was left up to the students.

Hays said it was a good learning experience for her students to tailor health presentations for a younger crowd than they typically get in the required community nursing classes.

"It's a fun day for our students," she said. "In the hospital, we end up with a lot of older people or chronic problems. This is prevention and a younger group."

"It gives us more experience," said nursing student Amanda Sweet, who described how to cut calories in half by making different choices even at a fast food restaurant. "We've dealt more with the elderly and this was our first time to deal with younger people. It's really cool that they are so interested in health. They are still learning and they ask a lot of questions."

Sweet said the students enjoyed making their presentations young-person friendly. They focused on issues that affect adolescent girls on a daily basis, she said.

Horecker said hosting the conference is good for JALC. The girls who might be interested in nursing careers are able to talk to nursing students and learn what the college can do for them. Even those who aren't looking for a career in health get to come to the campus and have fun learning - which can translate into considering the college later when they are ready to graduate from high school.

Hailey Kennedy, 14, from Carlyle, said she attended the conference with a girl from a different troop than her own. Most of her troop was involved in volleyball on that day, but Kennedy said the health conference was more relevant for her since she wants to be a nurse.

"I job shadowed a nurse the other day," she said, adding that coming to the college was helping her get a feel for her career choice.

Hettenhausen said the Girl Scouts are always looking for volunteers. With the new Studio 2B project, she said the troops are open to any suggestions that can some way be tied to health issues. To volunteer or learn more, call Hettenhausen toll free at (888) 317-6853.

andrea.hahn@thesouthern.com

618-529-5454 x5076