It isn’t just cookies and camping for the Girl Scouts at Iowa State University.

The group, formed in April, offers many opportunities for leadership and community involvement.

President Lana Hollenberg and Vice President Andrea Janssen joined to form the ISU chapter. Campus Girl Scouts are part of campus life all over the United States, and now they are a part of Iowa State. They were represented at the 2001 ClubFest, which helped the club gain exposure.

Hollenberg, junior in advertising, said the club expects around 30 prospective new members from ClubFest.

“There is a fine line between adult and high school Girl Scouts,” Hollenberg said. “We are trying to provide a venue for the transfer period and create a nice way for people to get involved.”

One doesn’t need to be a current Girl Scout to join, Hollenberg said – or even a girl, for that matter.

Steve Simpson of Ames is a sponsor for the Campus Girl Scouts. He is the second man to be a Girl Scout leader in the Ames/Gilbert service unit, which is in charge of this area. Simpson became involved because he was a Boy Scout as a child. He said it is important for fathers to be involved with their children and to be a role model.

The benefits for girls joining are “to learn about the roles of girls and women in our society,” Simpson said. “It’s important they grow up knowing they are leaders.”

Although Hollenberg was a Girl Scout growing up, Janssen, junior in elementary education, is new to the group.

“[I joined Girl Scouts] to start working with kids and to get a feel of what children are like,” Janssen said. “I’ve been able to get into a leadership role, which is good for my major.”

Jana Stenback, adviser for the troop and assistant scientist for botany, said joining campus Girl Scouts is “a way to continue bonds that were formed when younger.”

The Girl Scouts are active within the community and within their troop.

Hollenberg went to the National Girl Scouts Convention in Washington D.C. this summer. This year, they hope to plan a local event with an art theme, she said.

Last year, Campus Girl Scouts at other universities sponsored a program in which younger scouts could visit and get a taste of college life.

Hollenberg said she would like to see Iowa State participate in a similar program in the future.

“If it weren’t for Girl Scouts I wouldn’t be who I am today,” she said.

“Because of leadership opportunities it really affects your life. Half of me was missing [at college] before I became involved.”