2011 R.E.A.L. Girl Fashion Show Launch Party!

Tune in tomorrow, September 1, at 2:00 p.m. EST, for a webcast of the 2011 R.E.A.L. Girl Fashion Show Launch Party! Register early by clicking here.

Girl Scouts of the USA has partnered with Justine Magazine to celebrate the launch of the 2011 R.E.A.L. (Remarkable. Energetic. Aspirational. Leader) Girl contest, open only to current Girl Scout members, ages 13-19, during the launch party being held at the Girl Scout Headquarters in New York City. Watch the latest Girl Scout trends - modeled on the runway by Girl Scouts, a special guest appearance by the hot new country-singing sensation Katie Armiger, and a book panel discussion featuring teen issue authors, Dr. Robyn Silverman, Good Girls Don’t Get Fat; Sarah Mlynowski, Gimme A Call, and more.

Tune in on tomorrow, September 1 at 2:00 p.m. EST and learn how to be the next R.E.A.L. girl winner. You’ll also get a chance to win an exclusive prize only available to our online viewers during the live webcast! Again, register early by clicking here.

A Gift of More Than a Million

Pam Lund, Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho announced today that a generous gift of $1.7M was received from Ed Schweitzer, SEL founder and President, and his wife
Beatriz Schweitzer in Pullman, WA.

The donation will fund the building of a new lodge facility at Camp Four Echoes. For 70 years the current Girl Scouts Camp Four Echoes lodge, located on Lake Coeur d’ Alene, has been serving girls, ages 5 to 17. The lodge was originally built by the Spokane Lions Club in 1940 and has had multiple additions in order to continue serving the increasing volume of girls enrolled in Girl Scout camp activities. In addition, the gift supports Girl Scout programs in science, technology, engineering and math to provide young women a lens to see what careers might be available to them in the future. Awesome! Have you ever been to Lake Coeur d’ Alene? It looks beautiful.

Massachusetts Girl Scouts go Gold!

Last week, Daily Hampshire Gazette ran an excellent run-down of five Hampshire County Girl Scouts who recently earned the Girl Scout Gold Award. From fostering animal shelter kittens, establishing health center recycling programs to building a therapeutic riding trail - these projects put sustainable systems in place to improve their communities.

Definitely read the entire article! Are there Girl Scout Gold Award stories you would like to share?

Vacation

Hello!

Summer is winding down and so am I. In order to stay sane, I am going to be away from the office for a couple of weeks. There will still be postings on the Blog - but not at the current frequency. I hope everyone has had a wonderful time this Summer!

Cheers, Joshua

Two Governor Hopefuls, Two Former Girl Scouts

In Oklahoma, The Moore American reports that when the next governor of Oklahoma takes the oath of office in January, she will be bringing with her the words from another oath - The Girl Scout Promise and Law. Both candidates for Oklahoma’s governor this year are Girl Scouts, and both said the leadership skills they learned to get them to this important moment in the state’s history can be traced directly to the experiences they had as a Girl Scout. Cathy Stackpole, CEO for Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma states:

“The fact that we have two distinguished women running for the top leadership position in our state who also were Girl Scouts is a testament to the power of the leadership experience of Girl Scouts.”

Lt. Gov. Jari Askins, Democrat, and Congresswoman Mary Fallin, Republican, are proud of their own Girl Scout experiences and both remain active in the organization today. Fallin is a member of Troop Capitol Hill, an honorary Girl Scout Troop comprised of women serving in Congress. Askins is a member of the local Juliette Low Leadership Society, which supports Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma and is an adult member of the local council.

Leadership in action - definitely a fantastic example. Check out the entire article here. How many women in governance do you think were Girl Scouts?

Park Girls PSA! What Did You Do Today?

Take a look at the new 30 second PSA titled Park Girls - illustrating a life without Girl Scouting vs. a life with Girl Scouting. For more Girl Scout Videos, go here!

CEO Lidia Soto-Harmon of Nation's Capital

Today, the President of the Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital, Diane Tipton, announced the appointment of Lidia Soto-Harmon as the organization’s CEO. Soto-Harmon will lead the organization, which serves 90,000 members, in the Greater Washington Region - covering the District of Columbia and 25 counties in Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia.

Of greatest importance to Soto-Harmon is the development of a strong membership, inclusive of all girls and reflective of the racial and socio-economic diversity in her region. She states:

“Girl Scouting makes a tremendous difference in the lives of girls and adults...
By being a part of Girl Scouts, countless generations of young women develop the
leadership skills and the spirit of service that will help them bring positive
change to our world. I am honored to take on this new role and to continue
serving this organization that I love.”

It's not all talk either - Soto-Harmon has done some pretty amazing things. For the past six years, she served as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the Council. She has been charged with growing membership, engaging and developing adult volunteers, creating innovative girl programs, reaching out to girls in underserved communities and ensuring the inclusion of girls with physical and cognitive disabilities. During her tenure as COO she developed an annual conference that reached young Latinas with a message of leadership called Encuentro de Chicas Latinasde las Girl Scouts. She also developed a leadership conference for high school girls who are residents of the District of Columbia and Prince George’s County through a partnership with Howard University called Your Turn to Lead.

Prior to joining Girl Scouts, Soto-Harmon spent 25 years in leadership positions in the corporate, nonprofit and government sectors. As Senior Vice President of First Book, she helped increase access to new books for children from low-income households across the country. At the US Department of State, she served as Deputy Director of the President’s Inter agency Council on Women, traveling across the world to develop policies aimed at benefiting women and children. The accomplishment list on Soto-Harmon goes on and on. Needless to say, we are thrilled to have her on board - Congrats to her and to The Girl Scout Council of Nation's Capital!

Growing Artemisia Annua for the Gold

In Nebraska, The Columbus Telegram has a fascinating look into the Girl Scout Gold Award Project of Baily Bond. Bond, 15, is working with Horticulturist Harlan Hamernik to cultivate artemisia annua, a plant that cures malaria. Bond has taken on the task of coordinating nearly 30 volunteers who range in age from 12-18 in the effort to help Hamernik germinate, propagate, cultivate and harvest the nearly 45,000 artemisia annua plants. Moreso, she is working in the hopes that UNICEF will come on board to assist with the shipping and distribution of the first harvest of the malaria plant. Bond will continue the project this summer and she hopes into next summer when she will receive credit for the project to be applied toward her Gold Award. Very impressive indeed.

Definitely check out the entire article. Are there any Girl Scout Gold Award Projects you would like to share?

Are You a R.E.A.L. Girl?

On Wednesday, September 1, at 2:00 p.m. EST, join us for a webcast of the 2011 R.E.A.L. Girl Fashion Show Launch Party! Register early by clicking here.

Girl Scouts of the USA has partnered with Justine Magazine to celebrate the launch of the 2011 R.E.A.L. (Remarkable. Energetic. Aspirational. Leader) Girl contest, open only to current Girl Scout members, ages 13-19, during the launch party being held at the Girl Scout Headquarters in New York City. Watch the latest Girl Scout trends - modeled on the runway by Girl Scouts, a special guest appearance by the hot new country-singing sensation Katie Armiger, and a book panel discussion featuring teen issue authors, Dr. Robyn Silverman, Good Girls Don’t Get Fat; Sarah Mlynowski, Gimme A Call, and more.

Tune in on September 1 at 2:00 p.m. EST and learn how to be the next R.E.A.L. girl winner. You’ll also get a chance to win an exclusive prize only available to our online viewers during the live webcast! Again, register early by clicking here.

Another Life Saving Girl Scout!

Colorado's KREX News Channel 5 has an awesome story about Amelia Watson - a Girl Scout who was recently awarded top honors on Saturday, after saving her grandmother's life when a fire burned down their home. Watson was presented with the National Girl Scout Bronze Cross Life Saving Award.

Back in January, a fire stated in her grandma’s bedroom and Amelia helped rescue her from the house and called 911. Once outside, she wrapped her grandma in a blanket to prevent shock. Amelia says she’s honored to receive the Girl Scout award. Kudos to everyone involved!

Destination Savannah

Today, The Miami Herald has a traveler's guide to Savannah, GA - the birthplace of Juliette Gordon Low. The article pinpoints many sights to see in Savannah, including both The Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace and The Girl Scout Museum. The Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace was saved from destruction by the Girl Scouts, who raised $60,000 in three years through their Dimes for Daisy initiative. The house, owned by the Girl Scouts of the USA, was the first National Historic Landmark in the city and is staffed by grown-up Girl Scouts. Built in 1821, the house has been elegantly restored to reflect the 1880s and furnished with many original Gordon family pieces, including artwork by Juliette Gordon Low.

I spent a large amount of my childhood in Savannah and have always thought it to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Have you ever been to The Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace?

Weekend Run-Down

As many people ramp up for the beginning of the school year - Girl Scouts are out and about:

• Georgia's Athens Banner-Herald has a fantastic story about a group of Girl Scouts that just returned from England, where they toured London and celebrated the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts' 100-year anniversary at a week long camp in Yorkshire.
• In Virginia, The Suffolk News-Herald has an article about Girl Scouts collecting items for foster children.
• In Kansas, The Salina Journal reports that Girl Scouts are teaming up with the Rolling Hills Zoo.
• The Chicago Reader has a rewiew of Troop 1500: and Girl Scouts Beyond Bars.
• Northern California's Times-Standard has an article about a Girl Scout Cadette's Silver Award project promoting fitness awareness.
• In Oklahoma, both The Tulsa-World and The Alva Review-Courier have stories on the changes going on in Girl Scouting.

Enjoy!

Ten Years Kentuckiana

Earlier this month, Kentucky's WHAS News 11 reported on nine members of Girl Scout Troop 97 who have been together as Girl Scouts since they were young girls. They’ve now grown into young women, but they haven’t outgrown being a Girl Scout. Check it out!

Building Homes with Cookie Cash

The Long Island Herald has a fantastic and extensive article about Valley Stream Girl Scout Troop 2053, who recently spent a week working for Habitat for Humanity in Salem, N.J. After years together as a troop, the girls decided that they wanted to do something meaningful as a group before they went their separate ways, and with everyone entering either college, or senior year of high school, this would be their last chance. They decided that after years of cookie sales, they wanted to do something with their money that would introduce them to a new experience while helping those in need at the same time.

The article relates that Habitat for Humanity was the obvious choice as it offered a great life experience as well as important lessons in home improvement, and gave the girls an opportunity to see their work materialized in the form of a house for a single mother of two young children. Definitely read the entire article!

Also, when I was reading this article and looking through the pictures, I was reminded of our new Brand Campaign - specifically the ad about building homes. Cool stuff indeed.

What did You do Today?

Nature's Green is Gold

Please excuse the Robert Frost
reference - I had to. Regardless, it does relate to a story in Minnesota's Woodbury Bulletin about a couple of Girl Scouts who recently earned their Girl Scout Gold Awards by building a natural play area at a local nature center. More than a year ago, Laura Chandler and Sarah Mittelstadt began discussing what type of project they wanted to do for their Gold Award when their troop was approached by the Friends of Maplewood Nature with the idea of building something on the nature center property. Barbara Kroll, director of Friends of Maplewood Nature, said the center wanted something constructed on the nature center property because they wanted to attract more people to the area. Chandler and Mittelstadt said they’re excited with how the project has turned out and hope some kids will come out to play. Read the entire article to learn more about their process. Kudos to all involved!

Do you have any Girl Scout Gold Award stories you would like to share?

Girl Scouts With Guitars

Earlier this month, Daisy Rock Girl Guitars - the original girl guitar company - presented a girl guitar day to Girl Scouts during the week long Musicpalooza camp held at the Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad, CA.

The girl guitar day began in the Daisy Rock Girl Guitar museum exhibit with Daisy Rock Founder and President, Tish Ciravolo, showing the Girl Scouts her signature Daisy electric guitar that was inducted in 2006 as a landmark, culture-changing music product innovation. The campers learned about what makes the guitar a “girl guitar” - the “Slim & Narrow” neck that fits girls hands and is easier to play, the lightweight design that makes the guitar easier for girls to hold and play, and colorful inspiring designs. Campers then gathered around tables to draw their very own girl guitars. Sounds totally awesome to me!

More awesome is the evidence illustrating the positive effects children can gain from participating in music oriented programs. In an analysis of U.S. Department of Education data on more than 25,000 secondary school students, researchers found that students who report consistent high levels of involvement in instrumental music over the middle and high school years show "significantly higher levels of mathematics proficiency by grade 12." This observation holds regardless of students' socio-economic status, and differences in those who are involved with instrumental music vs. those who are not is more significant over time. For an in depth compilation of music related data, check out this run-down provided by The Children's Music Wokshop.

In other news, my favorite female rocker is Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth (pictured above) - Who is yours?

Girl Scouts are Hometown Heros: Project 8.9.10

Check out this awesome story on Dallas-Fort Worth's Fox 4 about Girl Scouts doing great things on the community level. Are there activities like this in your community?

What Did You Do Today?

Today in Video World, let's look at the new Girl Scout Brand Video video - It asks the question "What will you do today?" - and explores many possibilities. For more Girl Scout Videos, go here!

Weekend Run-Down

Much ado about Girl Scouting over the weekend:

• In California, The Press-Enterprise has an article about over 600 Girl Scouts learning to garden this summer at Camp Garden. The hope is that the Orange County girls will go home and plant.
• In Blount County, TN, The Daily Times reports that Girl Scout Junior Troop 20939 recently visited Savannah, Ga., to visit the home of organization founder Juliette Gordon Low.
• The Girl Scouts of Central Illinois recently recognized George, Jeff and Theresa Spear for their contributions to the Quincy area. Read more in The Quincy Herald-Whig.
• Kentucky's WKYT reports that Girl Scouts is undergoing a makeover.
• In Murfreesboro, TN, The Daily News Journal reports that Girl Scouts honored a local physician for her fundraising efforts.
• Missouri's News-Leader has an article relaying that Girl Scouts deserves support. Similar sentiments can be found in New York's Times Union.

Enjoy!

Girl Scout Skills Save Lives!

A Texas family on vacation in Alaska recently lived through an incredible deadly situation. The Lantz family survived four days in a blizzard on a remote glacier after their sightseeing plane crashed. Mary Jan Lantz, 52, her husband, Fred Lantz, 60, and their two sons, survived for nearly three days in brutal conditions on the 5-mile-wide Knik Glacier at the northern edge of the rugged Chugach Mountains. Today on Good Morning America, Mary Jan Lantz credited her Girl Scout past with providing her the life saving skills necessary to overcome such a harrowing situation - Check it out!

Bringing Music for the Gold

California's Thousand Oaks Acorn has a story about Girl Scout Erica Williams, who is bringing her love of music to low income children as part of her quest for a Girl Scout Gold award. The high school senior-to-be knows she would not be the person she is if she hadn’t participated in music programs since elementary school. The article points out the money needed to fund such extracurricular activities is increasingly scarce, denying the next generation of students the same opportunities she enjoyed.

Fulfilling a project that’s been two years in the making, Williams has brought together three local nonprofit agencies to teach music to kids from lower-income families in Thousand Oaks. Definitely read the entire article! Are there any Gold Award projects you would like to share?

Troop 200

In Illinois, Chicago's WLS-TV 7 has a story on Girl Scout Troop 200, comprised of girls 7-to-17 years old with different disabilities. Even though they follow the Girl Scout way, some of the activities are modified to meet their needs. Twice a month, Troop 200 meets at the Sportsman Lodge in Naperville. Leader Kathy Riehs started this group in the spring of 2008 because of her daughter Emma's autism.

Members of Troop 200 are expected to follow Girl Scouts guidelines for earning patches, providing community services and attending events together as a group. With 13 members - the troop is looking to expand. According to the article, Western DuPage Recreation Association is the organization to contact for more information. Kudos to everyone involved!

Quinceañera Party in Miami, California Pushes for Latina Members

As briefly mentioned before, California's Modesto Bee recently took a fantastic look at the Hispanic-Latina Initiative rolled out by The Girl Scouts Heart of Central California. It highlights the benefits of girls getting to see their Spanish-speaking moms in leadership positions, so they can better visualize themselves heading everything from Girl Scout troops to companies in the future. There is also a cool slide show including pictures of Girl Scouts making eggshell mosaics of things that pertain to various aspects of their Hispanic culture. Definitely check it out!

The Miami Herald has an article about Girl Scouts throwing quinceañera parties for South Miami-Dade teens. In Hispanic cultures, the quinceañera coming-of-age ceremony marks the transition from girl to womanhood. The Girl Scout Council of Tropical Florida recently organized a grand quinceañera celebration for a group of young ladies enrolled in the Girl Scouts' Uniquely ME! self-esteem program. The six-week program is designed for girls ages 14 to 16, with activities like community service, and lessons in goal-setting, etiquette, personal hygiene, health and nutrition, and cultural traditions. The Fiesta de Quiceañera, in its third year, also symbolizes graduation from the program. Held at a ballroom this year, the reception featured music, Mexican food, cake, flower arrangements and professional photography. The girls wore traditional princess dresses, tiaras and pink tennis shoes. They later slipped into high heels with the help of their parents, a typical component of quince ceremonies. Sounds pretty awesome to me! Do you have similar stories that you would like to share?

Take Part in the Conversation Today!

Reminder!! Join us for an engaging discussion with ambitious young women who are leading in their communities and advocating for what they believe in. These leaders are starting their own non-profits, participating in local government, and connecting youth around the world.

Panel discussion will be moderated by the Girl Scout Research Institute on Wednesday, August 11, 2010, 1:30 PM–3 PM. The event will be available on USTREAM - if you are in the neighborhood (NYC) and would like to join, please RSVP to:

whatifgirlsrantheworld@girlscouts.org

Frances Walker Loved Adventure, Taught Girl Scouts to Sail and Backpack

Tennessee's Commercial Appeal has an astonishing account on the life of Frances Walker - all around awesome human being.

The article relates that Walker had an extremely full life. She rafted down the Colorado River. She marched for equal pay for women in Washington. Early in life she lived in Brazil. Later she taught English as a second language. She learned to fly a plane. She earned two degrees in psychology. She taught backpacking and sailing to Girl Scouts. Scouting was a passion for Walker. She had been a Girl Scout as a youngster in New Orleans. She maintained her membership and almost everywhere she lived, volunteered to help with scouting activities.

California's Future CEO's Convene at Camp

Let's check in with Marina Park, CEO of Girl Scouts of Northern California, who writes fantastic op-eds for The San Francisco Chronicle. This past week fifty teen girls from under served communities throughout Northern California joined twenty women business executives and Camp Sugar Pine staff for Camp CEO, where through fun, adventure and serious conversations the girls discovered how they can become "chief executive officers" of their own lives. Camp CEO is by far, one of my favorite Girl Scout Initiatives to write about. Definitely read the entire article, wherein Park gives seven reasons why she is happy that she joined the Girl Scouts as CEO.

Vote for a Volunteer!

Congratulations to Girl Scout volunteer, Jennifer May-Dennis, who has been selected as one of five Women on their Way Award finalists for WE TV's Volunteer Do Good Awards. If elected as the award winner, Jennifer has pledged the grand prize of $10,000 to Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas - Awesome!

The Women on their Way Award will recognize a woman who is making a measurable impact both in her career and in her charitable efforts. May-Davis is currently balancing work, life, and community service. Professionally, Jennifer May-Dennis is Bank Director of Operational Support at USAA. She is an active volunteer for Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas at all levels of the organization, and spends more than 1,000 hours per year guiding girls and other adult volunteers on their unique leadership journeys.

Read more about Jennifer May-Dennis and vote for her today - Kudos to her!

Weekend Run-Down

From interviews to brand news - definitely no shortage of stories to highlight in today's Weekend Run-Down:

• The Green Bay Press-Gazette has an extensive and excellent interview with Gail McNutt, CEO of Girls Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes.
• In Indiana, Fort Wayne's News-Sentinel reports that Sherri Weidman's recent retirement caps 50 years in Girl Scouts.
• News of our new brand ran in Nebraska's Lincoln Journal Star, Portada and Fort Wayne's News-Sentinel.
• The Pocono Record, PA, has a heart felt letter from the mother of a Girl Scout Gold Award recipient.
• In September, Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois will be hosting a Thin Mint Sprint.

Enjoy!

35 Year Camp Volunteer Retires

The West Seattle Herald has an article on Sandy Beaucage, a 35-year volunteer at Girl Scout Camp Long and a life long Girl Scout - she is retiring. A tribute was made to Beaucage, whose camp name was "Sunny." Her granddaughters made speeches in front of over 100 girl scouts, plus parents and other volunteers.

Kudos to Sandy Beaucage. Are there any volunteers you would like to pay tribute to?

Girl Scout City in Chicago

In news of the totally incredible, Girl Scouts Greater Chicago and NW Indiana recently added a facility called Journey World, made up of two floors in a Near North Side office complex with two different programs.

The first is a mini- city with businesses, organizations and a city hall the girls run. On the other floor, called It's Your Planet, Love It, girls learn environmental awareness. Check out this video aired on Chicago's ABC News 7.

Discovering FaB Factor and Inner Fabulousness

Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts is ushering in a new program, FaB Factor, which aims to give girls between the ages of 5 and 17 years old a way to discover their “inner fabulousness.” Awesome title! FaB Factor is being introduced in communities that are experiencing problems from high drop out rates to accelerated teen pregnancy rates and was developed as a means for girls to learn how to be confident in themselves and the decisions they make.

An article in The Bay State Banner relates that recently, a FaB Factor group met and worked on an activity promoting self-esteem. The group of about 20 was initially separated into four smaller groups and each table of girls was responsible for drawing the shell of a girl. They were then instructed to write words that describe a positive role model on the inside of the shell and negative attributes on the outside. Are there similar activities in your communities?

Girl Scouts Introduce Tech Careers With Summer Camp

Take a look at a fantastic story on Tampa's NBC News Channel 8 about a recent summer camp called 'Minds for Design' where Girl Scouts were building electrical circuits for devices like a doorbell or electric fan. Only 27% of current STEM-related jobs are held by women, and the Girl Scouts is hoping to increase that number by highlighting female role models who have already blazed a path in these careers.

The text of the article highlights the fact that leaders of the Girl Scouts feel that as the largest organization serving girls in the country, they have an opportunity to influence the next generation of leaders. As the STEM careers continue to increase, they want Girl Scouts to be prepared and be confident. Definitely read the entire article.

Real World Experiences

Today in Video World, let's look at a Spanish Language video - It is a PSA illustrating the real world experiences of a Girl Scout vs the alternative. For more Girl Scout Videos, go here!

What if Girls Ran the World?

Join us for an engaging discussion with ambitious young women who are leading in their communities and advocating for what they believe in.These leaders are starting their own non-profits, participating in local government, and connecting youth around the world.

Panel discussion will be moderated by the Girl Scout Research Institute on Wednesday, August 11, 2010, 1:30 PM–3 PM. The event will be available on USTREAM - if you are in the neighborhood (NYC) and would like to join, please RSVP to:

whatifgirlsrantheworld@girlscouts.org

Leave your full name and affiliation by August 5.

The Changing Face of Fashion is a Hit!

As previously reported, earlier this summer, Girl Scouts of the USA enlisted models from Wilhelmina Curve to be featured in The Changing Face of Fashion, a set of videos exploring self-esteem and personal empowerment from the perspectives of plus-size models Lizzie Miller, Anansa Sims, Leona Palmer and Julie Henderson. The Changing Face of Fashion was directed and shot by lifestyle and beauty photographer Cathrine Westergaard. As a part of a new initiative at Girl Scouts to address the image of girls in the media, The Changing Face of Fashion is supported by Beauty Redefined: Girls and Body Image Survey (2010), a study conducted by The Girl Scout Research Institute.




So far the video has been picked up and broadcast at Seventeen, Tonic, Mom Logic, StyleList, The Cotillion, Strollerderby, Daily Venus Diva and many more. While many people understandably struggle with the term 'plus size', others appreciate the exposure girls will get to sizes larger than zero. One very interesting and telling article from iVillage points out an actual Girl Scout's comments from another Blog:

“You want a story? Come look at my troop. We're a group of girls from ages
11 to 18, and we can do anything. We have faced everything together. Divorces,
cancer, a girl in a three-week coma, breakups and all the bumps and scrapes of
teenage life. In high school, we have 18 girls in our troop. That's more
impressive when you consider there are 350 girls in my high school, and we're
not the only troop. We have girls going off to Ivy League schools and girls
going to community college, girls of every weight, color, religion. Girls who
have rebuilt playgrounds, raised spina bifida awareness, rebuilt hiking trails,
created award winning websites, and collected hundreds of thousands of coats for
children with HIV. We are mighty. We go bellydancing, bowling, white water
rafting, spelunking, and rock climbing. We learn from Ren Faire actors,
occupational therapists, police women, pharmacists, and more. We support
soldiers in overseas hospitals with care packages and homemade quilts, cards and
DVDs. We CHANGE THE WORLD. Us, ourselves. Don't look a gift horse in the
mouth...a positive message for girls is a positive message, no matter who it
comes from, and we need more of that.”

I certainly could not have made a better case than that!

Weekend Run-Down

A busy summer for many Girl Scouts - Let's investigate:

• Nebraska's York News Times has an awesome story about a group of Girl Scouts who saved money and traveled 4,300 miles across 16 different states, from Nebraska to Savannah, Georgia, Washington DC and Niagara Falls, NY.
• Ohio's Bucyrus Telegraph Forum ran an op-ed explaining how much more there is to Girl Scouting than selling cookies.
• Human Resource Executive reports that leaders at the Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council decided that a change in work environment was the right move for their workforce. It created organizational trust, resulted in more meaningful performance evaluations and increased worker initiative.
• The Denville Neighborhood News, NJ, reports that Operation Cookie is still alive and well this summer - supplying cookies to US Troops abroad.
• In California, The Santa Clarita Valley Signal reports that two Girl Scouts recently earned the prestigious Girl Scout Silver Award by making the front of the Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center more attractive.

Enjoy!

Girl Scouts in The New York Times

On Saturday, The New York Times ran a story highlighting all of the changes going on in Girl Scouting. From the re-brand to new programming intended to bolster girls’ self-esteem and decision-making, the article covers quite a bit - definitely check it out.