Thousands of girls throughout the country, including Syosset's local Girl Scout Troop #3419, will be participating in a new program this year¬initiated by the Girl Scouts of the USA¬called GirlSports 2000, from January 1 through December 31. These girls will participate in a series of sporting activities in their respective Girl Scout troops/groups.

"This program will provide an opportunity for girls and adult volunteers to participate in sports, regardless of their age or skill level," said Linda Gruskiewicz, executive director of the Girl Scouts of Nassau County, Inc. "It will enable the girls to create and nurture lifelong values of health and fitness."

Recently Troop #3419 from the Syosset Association of Girl Scouts just completed its GirlSports 2000 day on Jan. 18. More than 19 girls, under the coordination of Leader Kathy Banos, participated in the program, joining the ice skating program. Girls received special GirlSports 2000 T-shirts along with a GirlSports 2000 patch as recognition of their participation.

As part of the GirlSports 2000 initiative, Girls Scouts of Nassau County will host Choices and Challenges Sports Day 1999. The event will be held on Saturday, May 8 at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow and will include sports clinics and workshops on health and fitness. The Long Island Lady Riders professional women's soccer team will be on hand, signing autographs and teaching girls about soccer.

Girl Scouts is the world's largest preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls and young women, ages 5 - 17. Girls Scouts of Nassau County serves more than 19,000 girls with the support of over 4,800 adults. The Girl Scout experience¬which touches 1 in 5 girls in Nassau County¬provides girls with learning opportunities, empowering them to realize their full potential and have fun with their peers in a supportive environment.

For more information about GirlsSports 2000, call Randell Bynum, director, Program Development, Girl Scouts of Nassau County, at 741-2550, ext. 217.