WEST UNION — Girl Scouts is coming back to the Doddridge County area after about a one year hiatus.

According to Candace Nelson, Girl Scouts director of marketing, new troops are always a goal of the organization but particularly that part of the state needed more involvement in troops.

“We’re always looking to form new troops that bring in girls from all around the state,” Nelson said.

Previous troops in the county were disbanded for various reasons, but Nelson said people in the Doddridge community said they would like to see another troop formed.

Shannon Taylor is the membership delivery manager for several counties in West Virginia and Ohio. Taylor helped to get the ball rolling with a new troop.

“Shannon is really a go-getter and wanted to get this started for spring,” Nelson said. “She’s really been the boots on the ground to make this happen.”

Taylor decided to take on this project to bring back the involvement in the community.

“This was an area that had a void and I thought it was important for me to do what I could to fill that void,” she said. “It’s a great program.”

Being a rural county, Taylor said, troops in the Doddridge County area have unique opportunities. To help spread interest in the troop, Taylor is hosting an event Jan. 11 at Doddridge County Park from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Pizza will be provided and discussion will take place regarding the troop.

“(We’re) trying to invite everybody back that had been part of the troop in years past and letting them know that we are still here and wanting to get another troop going in Doddridge County,” Taylor said.

Nelson said being a Girl Scout teaches girls valuable skills to help them succeed in life.

“Girl Scouting is so important because it is programming specifically with girls in mind; it allows girls to gain skills to help her through life; it really is about giving her the tools necessary, all while having fun, to grow and learn and make the world a better place,” Nelson said.

Candice Black can be reached at cblack@newsandsentinel.com.