Volunteer Spotlight: Sandi Ayres
Co-leader of Troop 52 in Moyock, North Carolina, Sandi has been on the Girl Scout journey with her daughter for the past ten years. It is an experience that has shepherded her family through difficult times, strengthened their bonds with each other and their community, and provided invaluable personal growth opportunities for the entire troop.
Sandi’s daughter, Susie, joined Girl Scouts as a Daisy, but the troop disbanded and they struggled to find any openings in their area. It was during this time that Susie experienced what Sandi calls “a very scary medical episode” and had to be hospitalized. It was then that the family was informed that their daughter had been silently struggling. “During that hospital stay, we learned that Susie, who appeared perfectly healthy to everyone else, was really dealing with severe anxiety, food aversions, and OCD tendencies,” Sandi shared. The road ahead was difficult, but at the end of it there was a different kind of hope. “Once she received the help she needed, I knew she needed Girl Scouts again.”
Finding a troop was still challenging, but a troop leader named Crissy Pittman saved the day — and changed Sandi’s life. “Even though Crissy’s troop was well over 35 girls at the time, she opened up her heart and her troop to us. Then she recruited me to become a leader!”
Susie began to thrive and the multi-level troop continued to grow. Five years ago, they decided it had gotten too big, so the troop split; the younger girls stayed with Crissy, while the older girls joined Sandi and her co-leader, Carolyn Morgan. “Carolyn and I know each other’s strengths and weaknesses and we make the best team,” Sandi said. “She is the camping expert — she loves everything about it! Me, not so much; I love the planning and organizing. We just complement each other so well.” The two co-leaders also reached out to parents when they needed more hands on deck or a different kind of expertise, and the community always responded. Sandi was full of praise and gratitude for their help. “Let’s talk about our parent volunteers! If we ever need anything, they all step up! We are a family, that’s for sure.”
Managing a troop of Girl Scouts as they transition from middle to high school was a learning curve for Sandi and Carolyn. Keeping the girls engaged while competing with increased pressures from school, sports, clubs and other activities became a lesson in letting go.
“Once our girls entered high school we totally changed how we communicated with them, how and when we met, and what projects they were going to do. It was truly girl-led,” Sandi said. “They didn’t want a formal schedule so we met when and where they wanted. They wanted to focus more on community service vs. badge earning, so we let them choose their activities. If they wanted to camp in a ‘bougie’ cabin instead of a tent, awesome, my back and knees were thankful! Our meetings were filled with their music playlists, food, and deep conversations. We gave them a space where they could let their hair down, feel relaxed, have fun. We let them tell us what they wanted to do and as long as we stayed within the Girl Scouting guidelines, we did it.” This approach allowed the girls to grow their confidence by making big decisions together, and to be there for each other in ways they might not have had access to through school, or even possibly at home. It also helped Sandi in ways she cherishes now. “These girls have taught me how to be more patient, more accepting, how to be a better friend, and that sometimes, you just have to stop what you’re doing and dance to a really good song.”
While the troop values having a good time and enjoying each other’s company, they are also serious about their work in Girl Scouts. So far, Sandi and Carolyn have mentored three girls through the Gold Award process — the most recent being Sandi’s daughter, Susie. Sandi tears up when she talks about it. “The Gold Award was where I saw the most growth in them. Watching them go from being so scared to even make a phone call to now being so confident in their own skin — it’s been my honor to watch that journey. Each of the girls spent so many years (yes, years) at my office planning and executing their projects. Watching them realize that they can do the hard stuff — wow, just wow! To say that I’m proud of them is such an understatement. My heart bursts with pride and love for each of them.”
As the calendar turns to a new year, the majority of the girls in Troop 52 will be preparing to graduate from high school and bridge to adults. The remaining Girl Scout Senior will bridge to Ambassador and move to another troop. For Sandi, the thought of not being with her girls is bittersweet. “Being a Girl Scout leader has become part of my identity. Outside of being a mom and wife, it’s been the most fulfilling role of my life. I’m not sure how to act knowing that in a few short months, this journey will be over. My dining room table is still highlighted with the markers and crayons of many art projects, my truck still hauls around old cookie boxes and tent parts. The memories of road trips, cookie booths, Halloween parties, camping adventures, s’mores, community service activities, all of it rolls through my mind like an old home movie. I hope that those same memories roll through the minds of our girls from time to time — I bet they do — and that makes my heart so happy.”
Sandi looks ahead to what her life will be like when Susie is off to college. “The plan is to see how I can be more involved in GSCCC on an adult level; I have served on the Bylaws Committee and the Adult Awards Committee. I’d also like to mentor new leaders and let them know that it’s the best thing they’ll ever do!”
When asked what advice she would give to someone who is thinking about becoming a troop leader or co-leader, she practically overflows with positivity and excitement, but the main message is just to listen. “You’re as important in their life as their teachers, and in some cases, their parents. You’re going to be the one they open up to — they will share their successes and failures, their fears, their highs and their lows. Just be there to listen to them. Be flexible and don’t force what you think they should want. It’s their experience, so make it a great one!”
She also has a promise for the journey ahead. “Sometimes it’s going to be hard. You’re going to be tired. You may not want to go camping after working all week, but you’ll do it. Because the memories you’re going to make will be the best memories of your life — and theirs.”
