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GREENBURGH, N.Y. On a day dedicated to celebrating the children, hundreds of Westchester Girl Scouts and their parents enjoyed a day in the park.
On Saturday, Hispanic families celebrated El Día de los Niños, or the Day of the Children. In Elmsfords Deluca Park, the Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson Inc. used the occasion as a platform for Westchester County's second annual family festival.
From science experiments to campfires, young girls were given an introduction to life as a Scout.
We hope to expose children and parents to what the Girl Scouts are all about, said Pam Anderson, CEO of Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson.
For four hours the children got a workshop in Latin dancing, took turns swinging at a piñata and sang campfire songs in the event targeted toward the Hispanic and Latin community.
Its an opportunity to reach out to the Latin community and make them feel welcome in Girl Scouts, said longtime Girl Scout volunteer Harriet Mendl.
Children were also presented with a brief introduction to an education in STEM science, technology, engineering and mathematics. STEM learning has become a focus of the Girl Scout program throughout the past few years, organizers said.
Scientists from Regeneron, a biopharmaceutical company in Tarrytown, showed children how to extract DNA from a strawberry and make their own Silly Putty, and gave them a lesson on the ins and outs of neutrons.
I love it. Its awesome, said Greenburgh Girl Scout Savannah Herbert, 9, holding up her pink Silly Putty.
Her fellow troop member Eva Johnson said the chance to see so many exhibits and activities was exciting.
I like trying new things, she said.
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