CHENANGO COUNTY – For 100 years, the Girl Scouts of America have taught girls of every age the values of working together, friendship and dedication. Monday night, girls across America lit candles and sang scouting songs to celebrate the century of tradition.

“We’re joining girls from all over the world,” Karen Banks told the combined troops at the ceremony in West Side Park in Norwich. Girls from Norwich, Sherburne, Oxford and Afton gathered on the steps of the courthouse with candles lit and smiles on their faces.

Just a dozen miles away, 30 more scouts stood in a circle just outside of Unadilla Valley Central School, taking advantage of the fair weather to add their voices to the country-wide choir.

The girls began the celebration with a silent film made by Girl Scouts nearly 50 years ago, which gave the troops a chance to see the history of the program and how the girls have changed in just a few decades.