She has many fond memories from the past 37 years * of whitewater rafting, kayaking and the camping trips she has shared with the girls as scout leader, and Hall has made leading the Girl Scouts of Santa Clara County her career. Her daughter was in her troop, and her granddaughter will be in her troop next year.

She meets with the troop—middle school students in grades seven, eight and nine—every Tuesday evening at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Willow Glen. They also have some weekend sleepovers, campouts and summer "treks."

On campouts the girls learn to pitch tents, start fires and map. They plan the entire trip, including where they will eat. In the past few decades Hall has taken girls, along with other chaperones, to the East Coast, Disneyland, Wyoming, Alaska and Canada. Kate Williamson, 14, is currently in Hall's troop and is excited about this summer's trip to Victoria, Canada for one month.

This troop has a history of extended travel and is one of the largest surviving troops because of parental support, Hall says.

"Diane is unusual, with her willingness to go on such long trips," says Christy Baker, who graduated from Hall's troop in 1986. "She goes above and beyond other leaders. Diane is such a wonderful leader and amazing woman. She works wonderfully with the junior high age level and sets high standards for them."

In 2001, Hall saw the fruit of her labor during a 35-year anniversary reunion celebration. Graduates from each of her troops dating back to 1966 gathered at St. Francis Episcopal Church to share memories and refreshments.

Before arriving the former troop members filled out a survey about where they live now, where they attended college, what career they chose, the number of children they have, their interests and their favorite memories from scouting.

Baker says she gained important skills like camping skills and marksmanship. She now works in the nonprofit sector because Girl Scouts taught her about value, commitment and community service, she says.

"I gained confidence, high self-esteem and strong leadership skills," says Baker, who has also served as a Girl Scout volunteer for 25 years.

The badges earned by troop members have changed and modernized over the years, Hall says. But even though there are badges associated with computer activities, the troop is still very traditional, she says. Members learn about outdoor survival skills, emergency preparedness, earthquake safety and career preparation.

Hall says that because of a unique troop 779 badge for rifle marksmanship, one graduate got a National Geographic grant to study bears in Yosemite and Glacier National Park. She used her rifle shooting skills to sedate bears. The troop created this voluntary badge, which girls can earn by practicing shooting at a municipal range.

Stephanie McCain, 14, who graduates the Cadette troop this year, says Hall is "just what Girl Scouts needs. She is a very fun, creative and outdoorsy type of person. In Girl Scouts I learn leadership skills and how to set up a tent. I've also made a lot of nice friends."