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Who Was Caryl McNeill?
Caryl McNeill taught her troops to put their hearts into the Girl Scout program and to always follow their dreams. In 1967, Philadelphia Council presented her with the William Penn Award.She remained active until her conditioned worsened. Her last role was as Advisor of Senior Troop 364. She died on November 20, 1969. At 39 years old, she left behind a legacy because of the many lives she touched. The Caryl McNeill Service Unit was established in her honor in 1976 because of her enthusiasm, inspiration and dedication. Many consider Caryl McNeill their Girl Scout hero.
Caryl and her neighbor began a Brownie troop for their daughters and the neighborhood girls, which met at the Somerton Methodist Chuch. As the girls got older, new troops were added. She taught her scouts about leadership, equality and community responsibility. She loved primitive camping and the outdoors in all seasons. Caryl had a very talented voice also. She and her husband often volunteered as week-end site directors at Camp Laughing Waters. Her husband, Bill, was one of the dads who helped build the famous DoDad Bridge.
Caryl McNeill started off as an assistant brownie leader in the Frankford section of Philadelphia. Soon after their first child was born, in 1951, Caryl was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. She decided that the disease was not going to control her life. In 1955, after the unexplained death of their seven-week old son, they moved to the Somerton section of Philadelphia. She and her husband loved children so much that they fostered many children and even adopted a little boy in 1959. In 1962, Caryl gave birth to their second daughter.
Service Unit Patch
To find out more about Caryl McNeill
Information for your troop to earn the Caryl McNeill Patch
