Olympic athletes aren’t the only ones celebrating new world records.
More than 300 Medford Girl Scouts were recently notified that their attempt to break a Guinness World Record was successful. After reviewing an inch thick stack of documentation, the Guinness judges declared the girls successfully set a new world record for most people to blow out candles simultaneously.
The record-setting Medford event was held March 11 in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts. The final official count was 378 Medford Girl Scouts, which broke the previous record of 250 set in New York City at a corporate event in 2011.
“The Big Birthday Blowout” was held at the township’s Freedom Park as the sun set on the first 100 years of Girl Scouts USA. Girl Scouts was established March 12, 1912 in Savannah, Ga.
The windy March weather did not deter the scouts, who also used the occasion to collect 425 pounds of food for the Food Bank of Southern New Jersey as part of their historic event.
Medford Mayor Randy Pace and Medford Fire Chief Thomas Thorn served as official witnesses along with seven other compliance monitors, to ensure that all Guinness requirements were met.
“It was an historic occasion, and we wanted to do something memorable. What better way to celebrate a birthday than by blowing out candles?” said Stephanie Runner, manager of the Medford Girl Scout service unit. “We also wanted to show the girls they can set goals and accomplish really great things.”
The Medford Girl Scouts kicked off their year-long centennial celebration last fall with a second-place winning Halloween parade float, “Ghoul Scouts — 100 Years of Monstrous Fun!” They also promoted Earth Hour as a 100th anniversary “Forever Green” environmental advocacy project, and chartered a bus to attend the national Girl Scout celebration in Washington D.C. in June.
Girl Scouts year-round collect food, clothing, books, and toys for children in need, plant community trees and flowers, clean parks and beaches, help younger scouts learn new skills, make “baby bundles” for needy mothers, learn leadership skills, go camping, rock climbing and kayaking, enjoy arts and crafts, music and theater and make lasting friendships.
Troops are open to girls in K-12 and are forming now. To join a Medford troop, contact the Medford troop registrar at jennifer.rimback@gmail.com.
