November 30 was a day history was made around the world. It was a worldwide day of action known simply as N30 – its purpose to bring awareness to the climate meetings held in Copenhagan, Denmark, in December.

People around the planet were holding events and taking action to do their part to help stop global warming. Among those countless citizens were the Girl Scouts of Ashe County. And of the thousands of events held around the globe, they arguably may have had the most fun of any!

“A lot of time, planning and effort went into this event, but in the end, it was all totally worth it,” said Vicki Randolph, event planner. “The girls all had such a blast and, at the same time, they learned so much! I truly think there will be a lot more energy conservation happening around the High Country – thanks to these great girls and, undoubtedly, their families who will all be getting an earful of helpful hints from now on.”

The girls were able to visit a dozen different stations throughout the evening. “There was face painting, kid’s tattoos, and games (including the Recycle Relay, the Polar Bear Iceberg Challenge, and Pin-the-Nose-on-the-Polar-Bear),” explains Randolph. “We also had several craft stations, including a polar bear holding a thermometer that said, ‘Just Chill.’ We even had ‘green’ tunes playing in the background.”

Although fun and games were a big part of the festival, opportunities for education were evident. All girls in attendance received a top-ten list of things they can do to help stop global warming. They (and their parents) received a Green Gift Giving Guide for buying or making greener Christmas gifts. The girls were encouraged to check out a funny, but informative, Web site called www.Green-Santa.com.

Brian Crutchfield, Director of Sustainable Development for Blue Ridge Electric, presented each girl an energy saving compact fluorescent light bulb, aka CFL. He also gave everyone energy saving tips and the girls’ parents received coupons for additional CFLs and energy saving kits for their homes.  

U.S. Representative Virginia Foxx was in attendance and appeared to have fun as she mingled with the girls, made a snow globe out of a recycled baby food jar, and posed for pictures with the scouts. In her address to the Girl Scouts, she encouraged them for their efforts. The girls were honored by her presence and the chance to talk to her one-on-one, “especially since she’s a girl,” one said with pride.

Representative Cullie Tarleton and his wife, Sylvia, also accepted an invitation to attend and participate. Rep. Tarleton met many of the girls and shared some of the hot topics currently receiving legislative attention regarding the reduction of greenhouse gases and future creation of green jobs in Ashe County.  He enjoyed sampling a rice crispy Earth treat.

NC Senator Steve Goss, unable to attend due to meetings in Raleigh, sent a message of support and best regards to the Girl Scouts and their leaders.

There were several information stations set up with tips on how to conserve energy, save on electric bills, and help lower carbon emissions. Every girl participating earned an official Girl Scout patch, which sports a polar bear saying, "Stop global warming."

 “All in all, the N30 Girl Scout Climate Action Festival was a great success. There were about one hundred people who came out on a cold, rainy, Monday night. I believe, even if the younger girls have no idea what a ‘carbon emission’ is, they still learned easy, practical tips for things they can do to help the planet,” said Randolph. “Even as young girls, they have the ability to change the world!”