• Business Section • Business Live Online Transcripts • Talk: Business and Tech news message boards • Live Online Transcripts

Women in Business: Camp CEO
With Patricia McGuire
President of Trinity College
Thursday, Aug. 8, 2002; 2 p.m. EDT

Since 1999 the Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital (GSCNC) have hosted Camp CEO which gives girls a chance to spend a week with the area's most successful women executives. Through talks and interactive activities the teens learn how women have made successful decisions in corporate and academic circles and about the business world in general.

Patricia McGuire, President of Trinity College, a Washington, D.C. college for women, was online live from the camp to take questions and comments on the program, its impact and women in executive positions.

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.

Hyattsville, Md.: Is there an advantage to interacting with girls in a camping environment? What do the CEOs get out of the experience?

Patricia McGuire: Hi, thanks for asking! I think all of the women CEOs here at Camp CEO would agree that having the opportunity to spend several days with the rising generation of young women leaders --- students in junior high and high school ---- is really an uplifting experience for us 'veteran' women. The girls have such a remarkably fresh approach to many of today's challenges and issues. It's great to have this kind of interaction in this relaxed environment.

Arlington, Va.: What lessons do the young women learn from the CEOs?

Patricia McGuire: How to be versatile, to balance work and family life, to have broad horizons about preparing for professional life.

Washington, D.C.: As a CEO, what is your view of the Enron, WorldCom, et. al. scandals? What ethical values can you impart to young women -- Girl Scouts -- about being a responsible and moral leader?

Patricia McGuire: Just today at 'book club' at Camp CEO we were talking with the girls about many ethical and social issues --- it's a great opportunity to reflect on the need to conduct work life and personal life with a deep sense of moral values and ethical concern.

Ashburn, Va.: Can you explain how the women executives are selected to participate? Is there a formal application process? Thank you.

Patricia McGuire: We're always looking for new women CEO's to participate .... if you're interested please get in touch with the Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital.... Public Relations Dept. 202-237-1670.....

There's really no formal application process. The women in this program (now 5 years old!) come from a wide variety of professional backgrounds.... banking and finance, telecommunications, public relations, law, management services, accounting companies, media, real estate, education and many other professional fields. The one thing we share in common is a love of Girl Scouting, helping to teach the girls and learning from them! Also, we love to sing together...... and showing the girls how to be well-rounded individuals ....

Silver Spring, Md.: Hi President McGuire:

I have heard a great deal recently about the importance and value of athletics in girls lives, benefits that include higher self-esteem, confidence and greater teammwork skills to name a few. Do you believe that sports contribute to the future successes of women? How has athletics influenced your life and other women in executive positions you might know?

Patricia McGuire: Wow, what a great question!!! The revolution in women's sports in the last 30 years --- thanks to Title IX --- has also opened up fabulous new horizons for women in all walks of life. Many studies show that women who are active in organized sports as young girls and in high school and college do better in school, have better lifelong health, tend to be less involved with negative behaviors like drugs or teenage pregnancy, and also exhibit strong leadership skills.

Camp CEO exhibits some of these benefits --- the girls right now are heading to the waterfront where they have mastered skills in windsurfing, kayaking and sailing.

At Trinity College, we are so commited to the positive values of women's sports that we are nearing completion of the construction of a $20 million Center for Women and Girls in Sports, and we'll be working with our partners like the Girl Scouts and the Women's Sports Foundation on programming in the Center.

Personally, I was always involved in athletics.... but I played basketball back in the 'old days' when women were not allowed to run around as much as men. Today, the rules are just like men's sports, and the game today is fabulous. I'm jealous of young women athletes today, they have so many opportunities!!

Washington, D.C.: What types of questions do the girls ask you and the other CEOs? What do they want to know most?

Patricia McGuire: The girls really want to know about how to balance work and family --- this is a really important area for young women to know about today. They also are curious about what kinds of educational preparation they may need for certain career fields --- and we stress the need to get a strong, broad liberal arts foundation as well as depth in their chosen major field.

The girls also like to hear about the times in our lives when we might have had challenges, maybe we didn't get all the jobs we wanted --- or dates to the prom! Understanding that women of achievement also have had to struggle at times in their lives makes the achievement of leadership in the workplace seem more 'real' to younger women.

Annandale, Va.: When I was in Girl Scouts for a brief amount of time, all we did was make dopey things out of popsicle sticks. This program sounds like the Girl Scouts are really different today -- working to prepare women for the world -- careers, family, community. What is your view of what the Girl Scouts does for girls and young women today?

Patricia McGuire: Good heavens, things have changed!! Come back to Girl Scouting... it's really different ... You can get involved as a volunteer ... call the Girl Scouts office at 202-237-1670... www.gscnc.org....

Some of the great new activities include this sailing camp at Camp Coles Trip (where we're having Camp CEO), extensive math, science and technology programs --- the Girl Scouts just finished a space camp program with NASA -- fabulous arts programs and other significant learning experiences for the girls.

Popsicle sticks? Only if they can help launch rockets!!!

Thomasville, Ga.: How old are the girls? Do they need to do any prep before attending?

Patricia McGuire: The girls are ages 13-17, about 9th through 12th grade.... They must be Girl Scouts in troops of the Girl Scouts of the Nation's Capitol.... and they should love what scouting has to offer.... other than that, the only other preparation is to read the book we select for the book club. This year's book was great --- "Having Our Say" by the Delaney Sisters.

Cheverly, Md.: Why Camp CEO? How do the outdoors and an executive lifestyle mix?

Patricia McGuire: This is the perfect blend of professional experience and youthful exuberance in a setting that lets everyone relax and really be herself. The setting here on Aquia Creek is just beautiful. The women can really connect with the girls when we leave our business suits at home and come in our T-shirts and shorts, and let the girls see us as 'normal' people who also sleep in tents, use the latrines, and eat the camp food.....

Washington, D.C.: I remember camp as fun and relaxing, where we were grubby most of the time. Is Camp CEO like that? How do the CEOs "let down their hair" during the week?

Patricia McGuire: Well, you should see us now...... I don't think anybody here has had a hairdo for quite some time.... and the manicures are going south fast..... We're not 'grubby' just 'real'....

Bowie, Md.: Mentoring seems like such a buzz word these days. How important was mentoring in your life? How do you see it impacting the lives of the girls and women at Camp CEO?

Patricia McGuire: Bzzzzz..... well, actually, we are not doing this just to be trendy. "Mentoring" and "networking" and words like that only make sense when the women and girls really connect and follow-up... I've been doing Camp CEO for five years now and I find that all through the school year I get calls and emails from girls I've met in camp, and when I'm really able to help them --- advice about college scholarships, career advice, etc. --- that's when 'mentoring' really takes on meaning.

Rockville, Md.: How is the food in the mess hall? Must be quite a change for those of you CEOs who are used to, shall we say, more sophisticated cuisine!

Patricia McGuire: Are you kidding? This is much better than what I make for myself at home.... The food is great!! And there's nothing better than eating it with these girls.... All of the CEO's here agree that we're pretty 'fed-up' with the rubber chicken circuit we have to be on most of the time.... Today's lunch included salads and quesadillas and fresh fruit and dinners always include wonderful creations from the kitchen!

Of course, we live for s'mores!

California, Md.: How many professional women are attending this week or from what areas do they come?

Patricia McGuire: We have 26 CEO's here this week from throughout the Washington region.

Rosslyn, Va.: My daughter's a Girl Scout, but has enough of a learning disability that she will probably never be a "CEO." Would applying for this particular camp be beneficial for her in the next few years or is it full of "Type A", gifted and talented Girl Scouts?

Patricia McGuire: This experience is not about turning all of the girls into CEO's, nor are all the girls here the stereotypical "type A" girls.... I'd say that if you'd like to know more about whether your daughter would enjoy this experience, you should call the Girl Scouts office, 202-237-1670 and talk with one of the great staff members who can help you select the right camp for your daughter.

Columbia, Md.: Trinity is a women's college, right? What's the value of a women's college in today's world? Aren't they a bit old fashioned and outdated?

Patricia McGuire: Yes, Trinity's undergraduate program still includes our historic women's college.... but old fashioned? Hardly! Women's colleges today are some of the most cutting-edge places for young women heading into higher education -- and our graduates are still making headlines, like Nancy Pelosi, a Trinity alumna who is now the highest ranking woman in Congress....

Women's colleges, just like the Girl Scouts and other organizations that serve women, are places that support and advance women's leadership and women's opportunities, and this creates a network that serves our graduates far into the future. Our success is clear each day in the very successful and satisfied lives of our graduates.

Centreville, Va.: Hi President McGuire,
The girls must be keeping very busy; my daughter is at Camp CEO and we still haven't received a letter! Can you tell us some activities in a typical day?

Patricia McGuire: Hi, Mom, I'm sure your daughter is one of the wonderful young women who are, right now, either windsurfing at the waterfront or making beautiful crafts at the Craft House. These girls are going from dawn to dusk.... no wonder she hasn't been calling or writing!! Today, we started the day with 'book club'.... some of the girls (and women) had to stay up last night finishing the reading... After "book club" we did "dreaming your future" which is a time when the CEO's tell their stories... after this afternoon's activities the girls will come back to their tents and get ready for the "formal" dinner for which they will be creating amazing costumes from leaves and sheets and sticks... and then on to the talent show and ice cream social... whew, I'm tired just thinking about the rest of the day! But it's great fun. We'll tell her you said Hi!

Washington, D.C.: I imagine that it would be difficult for CEOs to find time to take from their daily lives to go to camp. Is there a time requirement for the CEOs to participate? Do they stay for an entire week? A couple of days?

Patricia McGuire: Being CEO's, we usually have control over our own schedules and so we block off these days for "very important business" out here at Camp Coles Trip! The Girl Scouts ask that the CEO's spend at least 36 hours (at least one overnight) here at the camp.... some of us spend two or three days, and once in a while, someone does spend an entire week. Everyone agrees that it's well worth the time we put in to come!

Reston, Va.: With all of you CEOs at camp, who's minding the store?

Patricia McGuire: I know that my staff is just delighted that I'm here at camp....

Being good CEO's, our first job is to build a great team so that we can go away and no one knows!!!

The CEO's are roaring with laughter behind me now...

Fairfax Station, Va.: In light of the age gap, what would you say is the most enlightening thing you learn from the girls -- are they swinging back to wanting families and marriage? Or wanting it all? What are they saying these days?

Patricia McGuire: I think we can't stereotype the whole group at all. Some of the girls are very interested in how to have great careers and also balance family life. Other girls have grown up in households where the balance has already been natural, and they're not concerned about balance. Most of them are quite confident that they will be working throughout their lives, and that they can do whatever they want to do in their careers.

Today they talked about discrimination in the workplace in relation to their reading "Having Our Say" by the Delaney sisters. The responses of the girls were very interesting, clearly reflecting the rising generation who are aware of discrimination in many places, but who have also attended well integrated schools and who are very comfortable with a wide range of people and backgrounds.

The girls are also very astute about current events. Some of today's discussion focused on current political events, about why mostly white men are the president and major cabinet officials (except Condoleeza Rice and Colin Powell) and whether young women of color or from diverse backgrounds could ever think of becoming the U.S. President or a cabinet officer. Their discussion clearly indicated that they don't see any barriers that they can't conquer.

Washington, D.C.: How many girls are at this camp? How many CEOs participate?

Patricia McGuire: There are 33 girls at the camp all week and 26 CEO's coming and going during this time.

Washington, D.C.: As a perk, do you get to take a few boxes of girl scout cookies home at the end of camp?

Patricia McGuire: Actually, the cookies are all gone.... but we get to take home our Camp CEO hat and T-shirt, and even better, our memories of these wonderful days with exciting young women....

Washington, D.C.: Hi,

I'm a 20-something who was a Brownie as a girl (never made it to the Girl Scouts) and I am wondering what I can do now to get involved and support these girls. Donate money? Time? Thanks!

Patricia McGuire: We have something in common..... I, too, was a Brownie, but I never made it to Girl Scouts, either... but then I got back involved at Age 42... thanks to Jan Verhage, the great Executive Director of the Girl Scouts of the Nation's Capital who recruited me to participate in Girl Scout activities here in Washington... So, take it from me, it's never too late?

In answer to your question, please get involved! Yes, of course, we'd love to have your financial support!! Also, your time is very valuable to the Girl Scouts. You could even become a troop leader! Please get in touch with the Girl Scouts office --- go to their website www.gscnc.org or call them at 202-237-1670...

Washington, D.C.: Who are the women who have influenced your life the most?

Patricia McGuire: Jan Verhage is certainly top of the list! She's the executive director of the Girl Scouts of the Nation's Capital.

After Jan.... I would have to say that certainly through the years I've had a wonderful group of women mentors --- teachers, other educators and business leaders I've come to know. My colleagues at Trinity have also been great inspirations!

Of course, my mother is really at the top of the list.... as is true for the girls here at camp!

Centreville, Va.: What is the most intriguing or unexpected question you've received from the girls?

Patricia McGuire: What I'm most intrigued by is the sense of self-possession and high ambition that these girls exhibit --- they have a wide range of talents and personalities, but to a person they are very engaged with the whole idea of Camp CEO, which is a chance to talk with the women leaders and reflect on their lives. Some of the young women are convinced that they are going to be on a steady pathway through top universities, law or med schools, and into the executive suite. Others are not so sure, but that's ok... we assure all of them that the most important thing right now is to be open to all of the possibilities, to have high ambition, and to get a solid education.

Oakton, Va.: Given the current environment in the business world, have the girls at camp been asking questions about the ethics and integrity of CEOs today?

Patricia McGuire: While I have not heard a specific question on this, the girls are very interested in how we manage our businesses, and in those discussions this topic comes up in a number of ways. Certainly being able to manage the financial sides of our businesses is something that each of us has addressed when we talk about what we do as CEO's... also managing people successfully. We have discussed some of the challenges we face in the workplace, from handling discrimination to managing a major merger of large corporations. The idea of ethics and integrity flows through all of these conversations.

Washington, D.C.: I work in a non-profit organization that works on women's issues. Most women CEO's tend to shy away from a lot of political issues(that we work on) I guess because controversy is often bad for business.

Has there been any discussion about political issues that face women at the camp? Things like the wage-gap, the lack of women CEO's, the glass ceiling, etc.?

I think these are great topics and things that young women and CEO's need to think about and address.

Thanks and I applaud your efforts to build young women's leadership.

Patricia McGuire: We haven't noticed any hestitation here! The conversations have been about women's rights and empowerment, how to overcome discrimination and how to make a difference... the girls are very politically aware and some have already been involved with candidates or political causes... it's a real natural discussion and very strong....

Centreville, Va.: I think it's a great idea to combine the normal activies associated with Girl Scout Camp -- swimming, kayaking, hiking, etc., with an opportunity to interact with women who are successful in the business world. I'm sure it will inspire and motivate some girls to do more now in terms of schoolwork and summer/part-time jobs than they otherwise might.

However, could you tell my camper/daughter Jennifer that even future CEO's write to their parents from camp once in a while?

Patricia McGuire: Dear Jennifer's Mom, I'm sitting here with Jan & all the counselors and they're on the hunt for Jennifer now.... she'll write to you tonight!! Thanks!

Virginia: To begin, I am 100 percent behind Camp CEO and the positive impact the Girl Scouts have made, but is there a conscious effort at Camp CEO to not pressure the girls into believing that a career path is the only way to be a "full" adult woman? I am a little concerned that the pendulum has swung so much that we are raising girls who now see full-time motherhood and childbearing as being a stigma to be avoided. Thank you.

Patricia McGuire: I think we spend most of our time here talking about balance, focus and the joys of a full life, whatever the life choices may be. Many of not most of the women leaders here are also mothers and have wonderful families, and they talk a lot about the importance, indeed, the centrality of family in their lives. Some have talked about walking away from opportunities in order to spend more time with their children. Changing the course of careers and even whole businesses to focus more on family is a frequent topic of conversation.

We are really interested in helping the girls to think seriously about life choices, and about how to see the big picture. We also encourage them to know that the choices are theirs --- they should not feel peer pressure to do one thing or another.

Washington, D.C.: Not to be too blunt, but are most of the kids from households with two upper middle class working-parent families? Are you preaching to the choir?

Patricia McGuire: Absolutely not. This group of girls is about as diverse in all ways as any group I've ever worked with.

Washington, D.C.: Do you have an opportunity to get to know a few Girl Scouts very well leading to future mentoring relationships? Is continued mentoring encouraged?

Patricia McGuire: Yes, and the girls have the opportunity to stay in touch with us after camp if they want more information about what we do.

Clifton, Va.: I think your school may be a good match for my tenth grade daughter. I remember you were offering scholarships for gold award recipients. Where can I get info on these scholarships?

Patricia McGuire: We do award scholarships for Girl Scouts, including special scholarships for gold awards. Please contact Trinity's Admissions office at 202-884-9400, www.trinitydc.edu

Burtonsville, Md,: This sounds very cool. Is this your first time? Is it just fun or do you take on serious business?

Patricia McGuire: This is fun... and serious business...which is why we all love it, combining everything we like to do.

It's my 5th year...

washingtonpost.com:

That wraps up today's show. Thanks to everyone who joined the discussion.

   |      |