Tumbleson giving back with job at Girl Scouts

LIMA - About 20 little girls (and a few boys) streamed in, mostly with their moms, some with dads and grandparents.

In an hour's time, they had heard a book read to them, colored, played a game, made a craft, enjoyed a snack and hopefully learned a few things along the way. It was all free, which "is always a good thing," said Catherine Tumbleson, the woman behind the programming sponsored by Girl Scouts of Western Ohio and Lima Public Library.

This summer a reading program is focusing on bugs, so this week it was "Miss Spider's Tea Party." Other programs will feature caterpillars and fireflies.

Tumbleson, a Lima native, is a membership executive for the regional Girl Scouts, which means she's in charge of bringing in new girls and volunteers and providing support for about 120 troops. But that's only half of her job; the other half is spent in activities like the one at the library.

The programs are recruiting tools, and more. The hour included reading, science and social lessons. "Miss Spider" tries to have a tea party, but initially no one comes because she's different. Later, children learned about real spiders and their role in nature. The library provided a table full of spider and tea party books so children could borrow them.

"It's a way to show Girl Scouts is fun," Tumbleson said. "It's more than cookies and crafts. It's experiential learning, which is the best part about it. Parents have to come, so they see I can take a book, and it's really easy, and I can do this with my kid. ‘If she can do it, I can do it' kind of thing."

Tumbleson began with scouts in the sixth grade. Being an adult scout and working for the organization was an "easy choice" she made about a year ago.

"Girl scouting changed my life. I had awesome leaders who believed in me. I wouldn't have gone to college without it," she said. "You see the posting and say, ‘Wow, that would be a great way to give back.' To come to work every day knowing you can change girls' lives: It's a no-brainer."