Retro St. Patrick’s Scout Chorus Line

March 15, 2022 Elaine Van Develde

Girl Scouts of Fair Haven entertain in Irish spirit at Knollwood School circa late 1960s
Photo/Jack Croft via Mary Croft

Shamrock-topped scout chorus line? Not quite, but close.

The popular 70s Broadway show hadn’t even been conceived of yet, after all. But, somehow, this group of Fair Haven scouts, or rather, their leaders, had the idea when it wasn’t even an idea, much less staged. Add to that some spirit o’ the Irish. Voila — A Scouting Chorus Line … or something.

Do they need this job, as the show’s song goes? Na. We know one thing: This late 1960s gem epitomizes the true spirit of the St. Patrick’s Day season from, of all things, a Girl Scouts perspective. Then there’s that staged line-up.

What’s the show? Well, they’re lined up, in those green outfits (even though you can’t tell in this classic 60s black-and-white print) with green shamrocks atop their green beret heads, first of all. But, no, they’re not holding head shots that they will flip over to reveal, as in the 70s musical. Nope. They, instead, are doing something much more tame.

Though, the girls on one end definitely look like they’re ready to flip that head shot. No, they’re singing Irish songs. Which songs, no one remembers. But, they didn’t know the words, because that’s sheet music they’re holding — or some semblance of that. And they’re on stage at Knollwood School circa the late 1960s. And, apparently, there’s no kick line to go with it or even Irish step or river dancing. No, these Irish spirit revelers just donned the green and the song.

These singin’ scouts would be what they refer to as junior Girl Scouts nowadays. They’re a tad too old to be Brownies. The outfit is jibes with that one rung up in scouting variety clothes. There’s no tie as in Brownies. The cap is more like a flouncy beret, whereas Brownies had what looked more like a beanie back then.

What matters most, though, is that they’re all about this performance and the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day festivities. These days, scouts are marching in that Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade, but that’s a new area tradition. They stuck with staging the lucky charm of a performance back in the day.

Just one thing: What’s that below the stage? A flock of nurses? Nuns? Leprechauns? Anyone? Your favorite retro St. Pat’s celebration activity? Always after your lucky charm, leprechaun!