Toyota's Amazing Girl Scout Race reaches finish line
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"It wasn't about the prize," said Janet Bliden of Portage, who participated with her daughters Katie and Mary. "It was about doing fun things with friends." Rounding out the winning team were the Blidens' former neighbors, Debbie and Emma Rasegan of South Lyon.
Participants came from all points on the Lower Peninsula to participate in the program that was jointly organized by Girl Scouts from across Michigan with sponsorship from Toyota.
"We're very grateful to Toyota for sponsoring this challenge," said Arlene. M. Robinson, Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scout of Metro Detroit. "Toyota has been a terrific partner in our effort to share gems of Michigan's culture and history with Girl Scouts from across the state."
The race began Friday, July 25 in Harrison, Michigan at Camp Deer Trails, which is operated by Girl Scouts of Michigan Capital Council. Teams were equipped with a $100 gas card, tee shirts, and tote bags, plus special items they would need to meet challenges and solve clues on their journey.
The day's highlights included a mini boat race in Bay City, hosted by the Saginaw Bay Community Sailing Association, and a search for a gazelle in the gardens of the Midland Center for the Arts.
Following a sleepover at the Dow Museum, the teams headed down I-75 and back in time for an afternoon at Historic Fort Wayne, where a member of each team was sent to the stockade while her teammates performed tasks including shining the guards' boots and making the beds military style. (The "imprisoned" member could gain her freedom by solving a math puzzle.)
Teams spent the night at the Boll Family YMCA in downtown Detroit, where they swam and enjoyed their only opportunity to shower during the three-day event.
Sunday's challenges brought the teams to Detroit's Cultural Center in search of clues to their final destination. Teams explored the sculpture garden at College for Creative studies and were challenged to replicate select works of art using Play Doh.
An orienteering exercise guided teams to the Detroit Science Center, where they crossed the "mini-Mac," an 80-foot pedestrian bridge inspired by the Mackinac Bridge.
Having symbolically covered both of Michigan's peninsulas, participants rallied at Ford Field in Dearborn, where they crossed the "finish line" using tricycles and Matchbox cars.
While the judges compiled the teams' statistics, participants enjoyed a picnic lunch and had the opportunity to explore the features of a 2009 Toyota Matrix that had accompanied them for a portion of the race. The winning team was photographed alongside the vehicle, proudly holding the First Prize envelope that contained certificates for a stay at a Best Western Inn with an indoor water park plus a visit to their choice of The Detroit Zoo or Henry Ford Museum.
"These girls and their parents showed great courage, confidence, and character as they met a variety of physical and mental challenges," Robinson said. "Everywhere they traveled, they broadened their own horizons in true Girl Scout spirit. We are very proud of all of them."
