The lives of young people today are much different than even a decade ago, and Girls Scouts is melding technology, empowerment and the trademark Scout honor in an effort to stay relevant to the newest generation of girls.

“They are always wanting the higher adventure … the more exciting opportunity,” said Jeanine Richter, a training volunteer for Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys, a recently consolidated council that serves about 49,000 girls ages 5-18 in 49 counties in southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

“They want to learn the technology,” Richter said during leader training Saturday at St. Edward Catholic Church.

Thirteen new and long-time leaders from Austin, Adams, Lanesboro and Spring Valley learned how to transition girls from beginners’ level camping, like in the backyard, to advanced outings, like the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. They also were shown how to make an “Edible Fire,” a campfire-making lesson and indoor treat.

“Family dynamics are changing,” Richter said, explaining that education like home economics is no longer offered in some schools. Scouts may be the only way girls will learn their way around a kitchen, she said.

“We want to keep up with the times,” Richter said.

With a focus on teaching girls and then encouraging them to take the helm on projects, programming is evolving to meet Scouts’ needs.

“If we let them do the planning, they are planning the stuff they want to do,” she said.

One leader, Paula Mortenson of Adams, said Saturday she is bringing seven Cadets (eighth-graders) to the Boundary Waters for a week visiting state parks, staying in cabins, camping on an island and portaging canoes.

A second-year leader of the new troop, Mortenson said Adams has exceptional support of the Girl Scouts program.

“There’s an amazing couple leaders,” she said.

Also Saturday, about 40 girls participated in a Cookie Rally, which included six stations featuring activities like cookie bingo, face painting and cookie taste-testing to boost excitement about their most popular and lucrative fundraiser of the year.

Leaders are always in demand for the Girl Scouts, both men and women.

There are alternatives available for those who would like to help but may not have enough time, like special interest leaders, assistants, cookie managers and mentors.

“If you care enough to come join the Girl Scouts, we need willing adults,” said Mary Goetz, membership specialist for Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys.

Many options are also available to start a troop; churches and businesses are encouraged to sponsor or host troops.

Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys has nearly 20,000 volunteers and owns 11 camping properties across southern Minnesota, including Houston, Rochester and Medford.

Girls Scouts is not affiliated with Boy Scouts of America.

For more information about Girl Scouts, call Goetz at 440-4207 or visit www.girlscoutsrv.org.