Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Oct 25/02) - Twenty-five excited girls sang songs, hopped up and down, played games and made their pledges at the Bompas school gym Monday night.

With many of their parents looking on in enthusiasm, the girls enrolled in Brownies and Sparks.

The large group of five- and six-year-old sSarks held up their right hands and gleefully repeated, "I promise to share and be a friend." It was just as the motto on their new T-shirts read. They then received pins from the unit leaders.

The Brownies' pledge was a little longer, but the promise made by the seven- and eight-year-olds obliged them to do their best, be true to themselves and help other people.

The girls, who will meet every Monday, will occasionally have sleepovers and parties and participate in parades, but they will focus weekly on attaining badges, unit leader Terri Walsh said. There are badges for crafts, dance, astronomy, outdoor activities and many other spheres.

Walsh, a Brownie leader in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, wanted to start a unit locally and found support from Stephanie Sibbeston, Leah Keats and Susan Sibbeston, who also have experience with brownies and girl guides. April Bell has also offered to help out.

Susan Sibbeston, whose daughter, Sarah, enrolled in Sparks, said she can remember making the Brownie promise when she was a girl. She described the organization as a "good, positive" way for youngsters to spend their time.

"It's fun, but they also learn a bit of responsibility too ... and to socialize," Sibbeston said.

There was plenty of socializing taking place on Monday night as the brownies and sparks bounded around the gym.

"We play games like Duck, Duck, Goose," said Sara-Louise Amundson, 6.

Chantal Cazon, 8, said, "It's fun. You get to sing songs."