At 95, they're still as girlish as ever.

Girl Scouts are celebrating a milestone this week as the 3.7 million-member organization marks its 95th anniversary. Though much has changed since Girl Scouting was founded on March 12, 1912, supporters say the leadership development organization for girls never grows old.

"It's really fun," said 9-year-old Lacy Ellen Wicher, a member of Troop 673. "It's not really old-fashioned."

Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low assembled the first group in Savannah, Ga., with the goal of bringing girls out of isolated home environments. The first 18 girls hiked, played basketball, went on camping trips, learned how to tell time by the stars and studied first aid.

Deborah Brady of the Girl Scout Council of Coastal Carolina said today's Girl Scouts continue to embrace the traditions of the organization's founder. But the experience has been expanded to accommodate modern-day members.

"We still do all the same things that we used to do," Brady said. "We just do a lot more."

Along with cooking, sewing and camping, today's Girl Scouts may learn computer skills, kayaking and jewelry making.

"Our focus is 'girl power,' in the sense of helping girls learn how to build healthy relationships with each other and their communities," said Girl Scout Troop Leader Carolyn Reed.

"Yes, we make s'mores and sew, but we've made s'mores with solar cookers and sewn with the residents of Cypress Glen (retirement community) as a part of recognizing how much we can learn from local senior citizens."

Brady said community service remains a cornerstone of the organization. Even Girl Scouts' famous cookie sales have become service projects as troops have held "Cookies for Your Courage" sales drives to send Girl Scout cookies to military personnel overseas.

In honor of the 95th anniversary, Girl Scouts have designated this week as "Make the World a Better Place Week," to launch projects across the country, including a nationwide tree-planting initiative this spring.

Thousands of girls ages 8 to 14 have earned their Girl Scout Bronze or Silver Award for their efforts to improve their communities. The Gold Award — the highest award in Girl Scouting — requires 70 hours of community service.

"We are actively involved in our communities," said Christy King, a senior Girl Scout with Troop 786 who received her Gold Award for a project she completed at the Pitt County Boys and Girls Club.

Michele Usala, also a senior Girl Scout with Troop 786, earned her Gold Award for redesigning and replanting the butterfly and herb gardens at River Park North. Along with fellow Girl Scout Kara Hayslip, Michele consulted with local plant experts about restoring the gardens, which were destroyed by Hurricane Floyd in 1999.

"I know that I would not be the person I am today without these experiences which have forced me to step outside of myself and become an active member of my community," Michele said.

Wanda Needell, in her sixth year serving as leader for Troop 673, said as they earn their badges, girls are developing skills designed to help them become leaders.

"Even girls who are not natural-born leaders, or who are not comfortable with leadership roles, come to realize they, too, have something to contribute," Needell said.

In Girl Scouting, even the youngest members are expected to do their part. Caroline Doherty, 8, a Brownie in Troop 823, has sold 200 boxes of cookies this year. She has also written letters to a Pitt County woman serving in Iraq.

Doherty was initially hesitant to join the same organization her mother had been part of as a child.

"I thought it would probably be we were just in this little room ... and we'd just sit there and talk," she said.

"I thought there would be only one camping trip in the whole season. I didn't want to be a Girl Scout, but now I do. I'm glad I am."

Troop 673 member Bridget Demery, 12, didn't know what to expect from Girl Scouting. Neither her mother nor her older sister were part of the organization.

"A lot of my friends were in it when I was in second grade," Bridget said. "I really just kind of joined because I wanted to be with them. Then I just never wanted to stop."

Contact Kim Grizzard at 329-9578 or kgrizzard@coxnc.com.