Wing Scouts in Northern California
In 1959, Girl Scout Council in North San Mateo County was presented with an offer from United Airlines San Francisco Management Club President J. L. Burnside to start an aviation program for Senior Girl Scouts.
At that time, the council had been in search of a program that would challenge the interest of Senior Girl Scouts.
- "We felt this high caliber type program assistance merited more than our own local girls, so we invited girls from surrounding councils to join us. This afforaded us the opportunity of working not only with the Central San Mateo County Council with whom were about to merge; but also San Carlos, Redwood City, San Francisco, and Alameda. ... When girls from Fremont, Livermore, Walnut Creak, Pinole, and Sacramento came -- we felt very rewarded; and that our far reaching goals were justified and had been reached. The program received recognition Nationally, in the Leader Magazine. As a result, we received inquires from many Councils, including one from a Council just outside of Washington D.C., concerning our procedure plans."
- --personal recollection
One of the highlights of the Wing Scout program was the courtesy flight provide to Senior Girl Scouts using United Airlines' jets. For many of the girls, this was the first time they had flown in a plane.
The Wing Scout program was not for show, participating girls took it very seriously. As a result of their proficient training and ability, Senior Girl Scouts who had been in the program for three years were given the opportunity to take over the controls during flight in a small aircraft.
The program continued into the 1970s, when it was discontinued after United Airlines experienced financial setbacks.
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