Volunteer Appreciation Month is all about the people who make Girl Scouts what it is! Our volunteers are the ones who show up, pitch in, and create spaces where girls can grow, try new things, and discover who they are.
On average, each Girl Scout volunteer gives 100+ hours every year mentoring, guiding, and supporting girls. That is a lot of time, but it is also so much more than that. It is patience, encouragement, and a real belief in what girls can do.
With more than 1,800 volunteers across Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida, that impact adds up in a big way. Because of them, girls get to go to camp, explore new interests, take on leadership roles, and build skills that stay with them long after their Girl Scout days. Whether they are leading troops, running programs, helping at events, or supporting behind the scenes, our volunteers are the reason all of this happens.
This month, we are highlighting three volunteers who each represent a different part of what makes the Girl Scout experience so special.
Sandy Clutter: The Steady Foundation of Outdoor Adventures and Girl Scout Traditions
Sandy Clutter has been part of Girl Scouts for more than 30 years, and for a lot of people in our Council, it is hard to imagine Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida without her!
A Lifetime Member and Gold Award Girl Scout, Sandy has spent decades as a Troop Leader and is currently leading Troop 20441, a multi-level troop for middle and high school girls. Her impact goes far beyond her own Troop.
Certified in small watercraft and archery, she serves as an outdoor trainer, helping other leaders feel confident taking their girls camping. She also serves as a Gold Award Advisor, guiding girls as they work toward one of the highest accomplishments in Girl Scouts.
“I have actually never known Girl Scouts without Sandy,” said CEO Lisa Johnson. “For the last 25 years I have watched her share her passion for Girl Scouts with so many girls and adults.”
Over the years, Sandy has received numerous recognitions, including our 2022 Lifetime Service Award, the Thanks Badge, and the Thanks Badge II. What really stands out is the number of girls she has impacted. Thousands of girls have experienced the outdoors, built confidence, and created lasting memories in Girl Scouts because of her.
Carolyn “Ocean” Friedman: The Community Troop Builder
Carolyn “Ocean” Friedman is one of those volunteers who seems to do a little bit of everything and always shows up for others along the way.
She has served as a Troop Leader, trainer, and mentor, with a special love for working with Daisy Girl Scouts and helping them get started. She also spends a lot of time supporting other volunteers by leading orientations, sharing what she has learned, and making sure new leaders feel ready and supported.
Ocean is known for creating experiences that girls do not forget, like her Fire Circles. These programs bring girls together to learn fire safety, go on night hikes, sing songs, and spend time outdoors, building confidence and connection.
“We are so fortunate to experience the outcomes of extraordinary volunteers, like Ocean, who give, and give, and give to Girl Scouts,” said CEO Lisa Johnson.
She has been recognized with the Volunteer of Excellence Award, the Thanks Badge, the Thanks Badge II, and our 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award, but what really drives her is seeing the impact Girl Scouts has on girls.
“I always knew Girl Scouts was an organization I wanted my daughters to be part of,” she said, “but I never imagined how much it would become a part of me.”
Through her work, she has helped girls grow into confident leaders and has built a stronger community of volunteers along the way.
Barbara McGrogan: The Heart of Mentorship
For Barbara McGrogan, Girl Scouts is all about passing it on.
Over the past 13 years, she has volunteered across multiple councils, led five troops of her own and impacted around 100 girls, supported several more, and continues to mentor new leaders every single week. She is currently leading two troops and serving as a Service Unit Volunteer Manager, which gives her a wide reach across the community.
What stands out most is how much she cares about helping others succeed. She believes in what Girl Scouts teaches, including being kind, respectful, independent, and willing to try again when something does not go as planned.
“I love that it is a place for girls to have fun and learn new things,” she shared. “I try to teach the girls that you can do anything you set your mind to, even if it takes a few tries.”
She has helped girls create incredible memories, from traditions like Kidnap Breakfast and Mall Madness to big adventures like trips to Savannah, a European cruise, and even South Korea. For her, the best part is seeing it all come together after the girls put in the work.
She also puts a lot of energy into mentoring new leaders, making sure they know what is possible and feel confident building something meaningful for their own troops.
The Power Behind It All
Volunteers like Sandy, Ocean, and Barbara are a big part of what makes Girl Scouts so impactful. They show up, share what they know, and create opportunities for girls to grow into who they are meant to be.
Across our Council, volunteers are making an impact every single day in troop meetings, at camp, during events, and in the quiet moments behind the scenes that matter just as much. Because of them, girls are building confidence, making connections, and discovering what they are capable of.
And that is something that lasts a lifetime.