For Red Level’s Linda Castleberry, involvement in the Girl Scouts is a family affair.

To the Andalusia and Red Level communities, Castleberry is known as one of the faces of the local Sherwin-Williams store. Now she’s retired, but what most may not know is that she’s also the face of the Red Level Girl Scout troop.

For the last five days, Castleberry has assisted with the first-ever Girl Scout camp. Her two granddaughters – Taylor Lawson, 7, and Laken Steele, 14, were by her side.

It’s a family tradition started more than 20 years ago with the girls’ mother. It’s also one that Castleberry plans to continue for all girls from kindergarten to sixth grade in Red Level.

“The great thing about Girl Scouts is that any girl can do it,” Castleberry said. “They don’t have to be a cheerleader or a great ball player or play an instrument to be involved. Girl Scouts is open to all girls.

“Plus, by participating, they learn valuable life skills,” she said. “This is a group that teaches girls how to interact with each other and how to communicate while giving them practical skills like sewing and first aid.”

Throughout the week, girls participating in the camps have worked on those skills, all while having a great time, they said Friday.

Castleberry said once school begins, she will assume the role of troop leader at Red Level Elementary School.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” she said. “While I worked at Sherwin-Williams, the guys gave me one day off a month to do Girl Scouts. I’ve sold a many a box of cookies, I tell you.

“I can’t wait to get started with these girls and get a new batch of Girl Scouts going,” she said.

Brandy Nelson, field executive with the Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama, said Friday, letters will be sent home after the start of school announcing plans to form Girl Scout troops in all parts of the county. For more information about Girl Scouts, email Nelson at bnelson@girlscoutssa.org.