Bright splashes of color and lots of laughter filled a troop leader’s backyard Sunday morning as Lovelock Girl Scout Troop 242 gathered for its fourth annual summer tie-dye event, continuing a colorful tradition that celebrates creativity and friendship.
Founded in 2025, Troop 242 includes eight Daisy and Brownie Girl Scouts from kindergarten through third grade.
Co-leader Trina Pritchard said the annual tie-dye event grew out of a monthly craft group she organized and ran with her husband, Zach, for several years.
When Troop 242 was formed, the monthly craft group transitioned into the Girl Scout troop, and the annual tie-dye activity remained one of its favorite summer traditions.
“It represented a way to expand our monthly craft group and for my child to make new friends,” Pritchard said.
Co-leader Bobbie Roybal said the troop focuses on helping girls develop confidence, leadership skills and lifelong friendships.
“I wanted to raise a generation of strong girls that know how important they are, that can be proud to be women,” Roybal said. “A sisterhood of girls that will always support each other and be kind.”
Roybal also has a personal connection to Troop 242. Her mother, Susan Wright, led Troop 242 when Roybal was a Girl Scout, making the current troop a continuation of a family tradition.
Although the girls carefully folded, twisted and dyed their shirts Sunday, they won’t see the finished designs until Monday after the dye has had time to set.
“I like all tie-dyes, so I’m sure they’re amazing,” Roybal said. “They’re all different, and no matter what you do, they always turn out amazing.”
She added that the project is about much more than making colorful T-shirts. Activities like tie-dye encourage creativity, individuality, self-expression and the ability to follow directions.
Throughout the year, the troop participates in hands-on learning activities. Each girl also hosts a monthly dinner where troop members learn basic cooking skills together.
The girls enjoy trips to the movies, the swimming pool and ceramics classes in Reno. One of the highlights of the year is the annual August campout, featuring water games, pools, a barbecue, s’mores and an outdoor movie.
Community service is another important part of the program. The troop regularly participates in cleanups and other service projects throughout the year. Its next public event will be a lemonade sale at Lovelock City Park beginning at 1 p.m. July 25.
Families interested in learning more about Troop 242 are encouraged to contact the troop through its Facebook page. Troop 242 currently has openings for two Brownie Girl Scouts in the third or fourth grade.
Among the girls participating Sunday was Evie, who said the best part of being a Girl Scout is “helping people and having good friends.”
She filled her shirt with rainbow-inspired colors.
“Red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple,” she said. “I picked those colors because I love the rainbow.”
When asked to name her favorite Girl Scout activity, Evie couldn’t choose just one.
“I love everything,” she said, listing friendship bracelets, tie-dye, movies, the annual campout and s’mores among her favorites.
Looking ahead, she’s especially excited for an upcoming tea party the troop earned by reading books throughout the summer.
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