Nearly 800 Girl Scouts and their families spent April 29 enjoying Girl Fest at the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach. A highlight of the event was watching three skydivers descend over the museum’s airfield as SaraBeth, a country singer and songwriter from Nashville, performed the national anthem.

Nicole Condrey, Morgan Oswald and Stephanie Walker from Skydive Suffolk were the three jumpers who landed at Girl Fest. Condrey jumped with an American flag tethered to her harness and landed last, just as the national anthem was ending. All three women were excited to make such a grand entrance and be a part of Girl Fest, as they were all members of Girl Scouts while growing up.

Walker joined Girl Scouts as a Girl Scout Daisy. She has fond memories of camping and outdoor activities with her troop, as well as having a dining room packed floor to ceiling with cookies the year her mom was the “Cookie Mom” for her Girl Scout troop.

“Along with my parents, Girl Scouts helped foster my fascination with nature and passion for outdoor activities,” Walker said. “I’m sure it had at least a little to do with my short but amazing time working for the National Park Service.”

After landing, Condrey, Oswald and Walker excitedly shared their passion for skydiving with the Girl Scouts. Walker started skydiving in college, and 19 years and 2,500 jumps later, she still gets a thrill every time she jumps from a plane.

Oswald, who grew up in Oregon, remembers a family hike she took with Girl Scouts at a local park. She began skydiving her junior year in the U.S. Naval Academy, and she now has 375 skydives under her belt.

In addition to the skydivers and concert, at Girl Fest, Girl Scouts and their families toured the museum’s aircraft collection and learned about the prominent role innovative and risk-taking women have played in the history of aviation. They also had the chance to visit community partner exhibits and take part in science, technology, engineering and math activities. They enjoyed launching paper rockets with members of the Civil Air Patrol, sitting in the pilot’s seat and learning about navigation with Epix Aviation, building LEGO creations with BrickHeadz and taking part in science experiments with Mad Science of Hampton Roads.

Also during Girl Fest, Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast held a ceremonial cookie donation in honor of the 24,001 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies that local girls sold to donate to the USO this year. Paula Moran, president and chief executive officer of the USO of Hampton Roads and Central Virginia, attended Girl Fest to thank the girls for their hard work and share how much soldiers enjoy a taste of home when they receive a shipment of Girl Scout Cookies while stationed overseas.

Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast hosts events for Girl Scouts of all ages throughout the year. For more information, visit www.gsccc.org.