One of our Girl Scouts and Alumni Ambassadors, Mary Frost, gives an insight into what it feels like to be Cacique on course. A Cacique is the leader of a community, and each participant on our courses experience what it’s like to lead a group for a day. This is Mary’s story…
The Day I Was Cacique
Being cacique for a day forced me to step out of my shell.
I will never forget waking up that morning in a sweat, knowing everyone was going to depend on me. The day my outlook on life changed forever. The day I was Cacique.
There were fifteen roles for each of the fifteen girls on the OBCR trip with me varying from Trapo (someone who cleans up after meals) to Cacique. Cacique was the job every girl dreaded for the added weight in responsibility. Each of the fifteen girls had to be on task and punctual at all times, and if they were not, Cacique was to blame. Cacique also made the decisions on behalf of the whole group, and, sometimes, by the end of day, was the one girl everyone was a little tired of hearing. Cacique was our leader.
I began to voice my once silent opinions.
I used to think of myself as the opposite of a leader. I believed I had good ideas, but I always kept them to myself to avoid any external conflict or confrontation. Being Cacique for a day forced me to step out of my shell and make decisions for not only myself, but for girls that I cared for like family.
Although I had dreaded being Cacique for days, once I asserted myself, my confidence grew. Additionally, leadership activities the girls and I practiced on Panamanian beaches allowed me to grow into the leader I am today. I began to voice my once silent opinions and genuinely made a difference in the efficiency of our group. I realized that being a leader is not about silencing others, but rather representing them and being a role model for peers.
While OBCR allowed me to experience unfamiliar cultures, meet some of my best friends, and create unforgettable memories, they also helped me explore and learn more about myself in ways I would have never imagined.
Interested in a course with us?
Surf, hike, raft, scuba dive, kayak, and more on a Summer, Custom, Girl Scout Destination or Gap Year & Semester course in Costa Rica and Panama.
Contact our Enrollment Manager at 1 (800) 676-2018 or by emailing [email protected].
