Photos by Marie Mccolm Three girls from Girl Scouts BSA Troop 1307G learned how to weld and earn merit badges. The Girl Scouts met on Tuesday, Feb. 15, at the Formation Ag building in Monte Vista.

MONTE VISTA — Three girls from Girl Scouts BSA Troop 1307G — Emily Cook, Austin Hoopy, and Abby Adams — were excited to learn how to weld and earn merit badges. The Girl Scouts met on Tuesday, Feb. 15, at the Formation Ag building in Monte Vista. 

The BSA Troop 1307G, is registered with Boy Scouts of America, and is commissioned through the Church of Christ in Monte Vista. The Girl Scouts troop is independent and holds its own governance from the boy’s troop. Scouts BSA is a governing program, that helps develop leadership training and citizenship training, with a focus on character growth, through mental and physical strength. 

Scoutmaster Amber Baker was at the meeting along with Welding Badge Counselor Dan Baker. All three Girl Scouts sat down at a table, and first spoke about welding techniques and safety precautions with Baker, before they began welding. 

Baker asked the girls various questions regarding welding, including the basics of welding and what was needed to stay safe while welding. Each of the scouts were also told that they would be required to use various types of welding techniques on the welding plates they were given. Each scout would be required to complete the techniques to earn their merit badges, in a ceremony that would take place later in the year. 

The girls answered many questions for Baker, and he also assisted the girls in properly putting on their safety gear, which included hats, a welding helmet, safety glasses, a long-sleeved shirt, an overcoat and a special pair of large gloves. 

Once the scouts were wearing their safety gear, they were taken to the back of the Formation Ag building to start welding.

Baker put on a Welding helmet and showed the scouts one by one various techniques in the welding process. All three scouts completed all their individual tasks.

Amber and Dan Baker thanked Formation Ag International for hosting the troop for the Welding Merit Badge.

Amber Baker said, “Without the sponsorships of Formation Ag, we wouldn’t have been able to offer this opportunity to the scouts.”

For more information on the local troop, contact Amber Baker directly at [email protected].