This blog was started by three Girl Scouts as a way to document their travels (particularly their trip to the Girls' World Forum in Chicago, Illinois) and share their thoughts and experiences with others.
So why the name Little Ships Under Full Sail?
When Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of Girl Scouts, was a little girl, she loved hearing stories about her great-grandmother, Eleanor Lytle McKillip Kinzie. As the story goes, little Eleanor was held captive by Native Americans. An energetic and adventurous child, Eleanor was adopted by the Seneca chief Cornplanter, who nicknamed her "Little-Ship-Under-Full-Sail." Eleanor lived with the Native Americans for four years but was later returned to her family. Some say that Cornplanter promised Eleanor one wish for her birthday, and she asked to go home. Juliette's personality was much like her great-grandmother's, so as tribute, her family began to call her "Little Ship."
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| Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of Girl Scouts |
This isn't the only time nautical imagery shows up in scouting. Here are the lyrics to the popular camping song, "Barges":
Out of my window, looking through the night
I can see the barges’ flickering light.
Silently flows the river to the sea,
And the barges, they go silently.
Barges, I would like to go with you,
I would like to sail the ocean blue.
Barges, have you treasures in your hold?
Do you fight with pirates brave and bold?
Silently flows the river to the sea,
And the barges, they go silently.
Barges, I would like to go with you,
I would like to sail the ocean blue.
Barges, have you treasures in your hold?
Do you fight with pirates brave and bold?
Out of my window, looking through the night,
I can see the barges’ flickering light.
Starboard shines green and port is glowing red,
You can see them flickering far ahead.
I can see the barges’ flickering light.
Starboard shines green and port is glowing red,
You can see them flickering far ahead.
Chorus
One of these days, and it will not be long,
You will look for me and I’ll be gone.
Face to the wind, far out upon the sea
Where the whales and dolphins sing to me.
You will look for me and I’ll be gone.
Face to the wind, far out upon the sea
Where the whales and dolphins sing to me.
Chorus
So out of my window, looking through the night,
I can see the barges’ flickering light.
Silently flows the river to the sea,
And the barges they go silently.
I can see the barges’ flickering light.
Silently flows the river to the sea,
And the barges they go silently.
Chorus
We hope that we, too, can be adventurous little ships. As for treasures and pirates--we'll keep you posted.
