Winter 2025 SOAR Magazine

S tanding next to a body of water among Girl Scout friends, 9th grade Girl Scout Evie Walker, reflects on how she came to this moment. This is the first time she has ever completed a high-intensity challenge, and her nerves are beginning to take over. As Evie takes that first step into the water, she repeats all the instructions one more time. She double-checks her gear and is now ready to dive. But, she takes one more deep breath and tells herself, “There are no such things as failure; there are only such things as learning.” Evie is a proud member of the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri Extreme Adventures team,

a program series offered to Girl Scouts in grades 6-12, that presents

Girl Scouts with unique outdoor related challenges, such as

“

After completing an Extreme Adventures program, I feel great inside and out knowing that women can accomplish these types of things and not be judged for it.

mountain biking, wild caving, rock climbing, underground

kayaking and scuba diving. Since the program

began in 2023, more than 98 girls have been inspired to sign up and discover what they are capable of accomplishing. “I would recommend Extreme Adventures to other Girl Scouts,” said Evie. “While you may not be comfortable taking that step and walking out of your comfort zone, it’s very important to do so because if you spend your whole life staying in your comfort zone, you’re going nowhere.”

-Evie, Girl Scout Senior

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