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Clarendon Hills mom enjoys second go-around with Girl Scouts
Karen Brosius stands with her 16-year-old daughter Emily and her 7-year-old daughter Sarah in the backyard of their Clarendon Hills home. Brosius recently received an Outstanding Leader Award from the Girl Scouts. | Michelle LaVigne~Sun-Times Media
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Name: Karen Brosius
Favorite Girl Scout cookie: Tagalongs
Previous job: computer programmer
Favorite candy: M&M’s
Favorite music: country
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Updated: September 10, 2012 6:14AM
CLARENDON HILLS — Emily and Sarah Brosius aren’t the only members of their Clarendon Hills family who became involved with Girl Scouts because their mother, Karen, has such fond memories of her childhood days in the organization.
Karen Brosius wanted her daughters to at least try being in Girl Scouts because she thought they might enjoy it, just as she did.
And when Emily, now 16, joined Girl Scouts as a kindergarten student, her mom volunteered as a parent helper. By the time Emily was in second grade, her mom had quit her full-time job in Chicago and took over as a co-leader for Emily’s Girl Scout troop.
Karen Brosius has remained involved in Girls Scouts as a troop leader. Emily left the troop after she started high school at Hinsdale Central in 2010, but younger sister, Sarah, 7, joined up.
“I was in Girl Scouts for six years when I was a kid, and I really loved it,” Brosius said. “I got away from it for a long time, but I always wanted my daughters to be involved, at least try it. I thought they also would enjoy the camping and friendships, just like I did.”
Both Emily and Sarah have nothing but positive things to say about their experiences in Girl Scouts and having their mom as a troop leader. And others have plenty of great things to say about Brosius, too.
Troop co-leader Sarah McCabe, along with some of the girls in their troop, and their parents, wrote letters to the Girls Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana, commending Brosius for her outstanding service.
And the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana responded by awarding Brosius with the Outstanding Leader Pin. The award recognizes adults in leadership roles who do an outstanding job of working with girls.
“I’m very honored,” Brosius said. “I love the Girl Scouts, and this has been a wonderful experience for me. It’s been a great way for me to stay involved with Girl Scouts and with my daughters.”
Emily said her mom does a wonderful job as leader.
“She always gets everyone involved,” Emily said. “She’s so easy to talk to for everyone. When we would go camping, I felt more secure because my mom was around. I also went to a lot more events because my mom pretty much goes to everything as a troop leader, and I would go with, which I enjoyed.”
Sarah also gives her mom high marks as a scout leader.
“She always wants to go out and try new things,” Sarah said. “I really have loved being in Girl Scouts, too, because you get to make new friends.”
Brosius said she plans to remain involved as a troop leader for a while. Sarah is starting second grade at Holmes School and has another seven years in Girl Scouts if she also stays through eighth grade.
“It’s a lot of work, but I still enjoy it,” Brosius said. “I’ve thought about staying involved, even after Sarah is out of it. That is a possibility, but it will depend a lot of the family situation at that time.”
