LETTER: Girl Scouts honor Waterbury Volunteer of Excellence

September 3, 2024

Barbara Cote, left, receives the Volunteer of Excellence Award at Camp Twin Hills from Cassandra Jillson on June 21. Courtesy photo

To the Community: 

Whether she’s assisting a Girl Scout troop, teaching camp skills, or just cleaning up at an event, Barbara Cote is eager to help. In just three years as a Girl Scout volunteer, she has shown herself to be a valuable member of the council. Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains, the council serving Vermont and New Hampshire, honored her as a Volunteer of Excellence at Camp Twin Hills on June 21.

Cote, 59, of Waterbury, has held a number of positions in her role as a volunteer. She has been a troop helper, assists at the Burlington cookie cupboard, and aids the council with many outdoor programs.

Belle Pfeiffer, who runs the cookie cupboard with Cote, said, “Barbara’s attention to detail and willingness to help with whatever needs to be done has been a great support for keeping the cupboard running smoothly for our cookie program.”

“Barbara signs up, shows up, and does the work,” said Pamela “Flask” Gude. “She’s often on hand to help teach fire building or tarp slinging. She comes to local and council events and keeps the time, holds the agenda, sets out the supplies, and does a lot of the less flashy work that makes an event run smoothly and look professional. Barb shows up when we need her, stays until the work is done, and she takes initiative to make the events she is part of run smoothly.”

Cote also helps with many events and trainings the Girl Scout Council runs. She is helpful in setting up quickly, is organized, and always participates in the cleanup before even being asked.

She helped run Advanced Outdoor Living Skills in the middle of winter, assists with teaching many of the outdoor skills and other council-run programs such as Enchanted Forest. According to Cassandra Jillson, program lead for the council, “Barbara is extremely diligent and helps our programs to be a great success.”

Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains serves girls throughout New Hampshire and Vermont through volunteer-run troops, events, and virtual programs. Visit girlscoutsgwm.org to learn more.

Ginger Kozlowski

Communications and Public Relations Manager

Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains