Wednesday, September 2, 2026 n www.TheObserver.com n Volume CXXXIX, Issue No. 17 w
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BELLEVILLE n BLOOMFIELD n EAST NEWARK n HARRISON n KEARNY n LYNDHURST n NORTH ARLINGTON n NUTLEY
Kearny Girl Scout Troop hosting open house for possible new members Troop 2771 begins 21st year looking to expand reach around West Hudson By Kevin A. Canessa Jr. kc@theobserver.com
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eady to enter its 21st year, Girl Scout Troop No. 2771 of Kearny is hosting an open house for girls who are or who could be interested in the program. The event takes place Saturday, Sept. 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Girl Scout House, 635 Kearny Ave., and any girl, aged 5 to 18, is welcome to swing by. Parents and guardians are, too. But just in case you might be thinking, “What do the Girl Scouts of this troop do?” we’re here to give you a rundown of what a new scout might expect. Marybeth Kennedy — who most know from her work with the Scouts, the United Irish, and some of the many other organizations she belongs to — has run the Kearny Girl Scout operation for the last 20 year as its founder. And to say things have evolved since then would be an understatement as it has all grown from its original, small roots to an organization of currently consisting of 18 girls —with a total of 74 who have passed through the program in the last two decades. “Five have also gone on to be leaders in the troop,” Kennedy says. In looking for new members, Kennedy says she wants all the girls who might join to know there is something for every girl, despite any possible preconceived notions. “We want the girls to have a true sense of purpose, of community,” Kennedy says. “We hope they learn to be leaders in the community with that sense of purpose. The Girl Scouts teach the girls confidence and a sense of pride. Too often, girls don’t get
See SCOUTS, Page 14
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