G.I.R.L.
talk
FALL 2018
Welcome back to Girl Scouts and our third issue of G.I.R.L. TALK My name is Marie Reger, and I am the new CEO at Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson, Inc. Even though I have only been in this position since April, Girl Scouts has always had a place in my heart.
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From my grandmother to my daughter, Girl Scouts has always been in my life, so I am honored to be a part of an organization that means so much to me. I am excited to be in a position where I can help girls from the present and future generations have the same opportunities I did, and so much more. I have worked with other mission driven organizations in the past, but I believe they pale in comparison to the importance of the future of the girls and the young women in our communities. Girl Scouts truly is the best girl leadership organization in the world. We believe strongly in the importance of the all-girl, girl-led environment, which creates a safe space for girls to learn and thrive.
Girl Scouts offers a one-of-a-kind experience for girls with a program that is tailored specifically to their unique developmental needs. We have heard from you, the parents, guardians, troop leaders, and the girls, that being in a singlegender environment has been amazing, and I agree. Please continue to look at our website and our communications for exciting programs during the upcoming year. I look forward to meeting many of you during this membership year! Yours in Girl Scouting,
Marie Reger CEO
what’s happening
GSHH offers programs for Girl Scouts with their troops or individually. Find information about council programs at girlscoutshh.org/activities.
October 5-6 5 6 6 7 9 11 13 13 13 13 18 19 24 25 26-27 27-28 30
Haunted Science Lab Overnight at Rock Hill Camp Sing Around the Campfire at Tuckahoe/Eastchester Girl Scout House Archery—Juniors Take Aim at Camp Addisone Boyce Archery—Cadette Badge at Camp Addisone Boyce Introduction to Geocaching at Camp Addisone Boyce Strive for Silver Webinar Going for Gold at Pleasantville Progressive Rock Wall & Archery Challenge at Camp Wendy (9am - 2pm) Progressive Rock Wall & Archery Challenge at Camp Wendy (1pm - 6pm) Ropes, Climbing Wall and Archery Challenge at Camp Wendy (9am - 2pm) Ropes, Climbing Wall and Archery Challenge at Camp Wendy (1pm - 6pm) Teddy Bear Tea at Pleasantville Going for Gold Webinar Trees Badge at Rock Hill Camp Design, Build, Test: Environmental Engineering at Pleasantville Haunted Science Lab Overnight at Rock Hill Camp Camping 101 Weekend at Camp Ludington Girl Scout Founder’s Day at Montgomery
November 3 3 3 3 5 7 8 9 9 10 12 15 30 30-1
Progressive Rock Wall & Archery Challenge at Camp Wendy (9am - 2pm) Progressive Rock Wall & Archery Challenge at Camp Wendy (1pm - 6pm) Ropes, Climbing Wall and Archery Challenge at Camp Wendy (9am - 2pm) Ropes, Climbing Wall and Archery Challenge at Camp Wendy (1pm - 6pm) Mini Artist at Montgomery Robotics Badge for Juniors—”Designing Robots” at Palisades Mall Teddy Bear Tea at Tuckahoe/Eastchester Girl Scout House Sing Around the Campfire at Camp Addisone Boyce Strive for Silver Webinar Design, Build, Test: Aerospace Engineering at Rock Hill Camp First Aid at Fanny Fay Girl Scout House Mini Bakers at Pleasantville Going for Gold Webinar aMAZE! Journey Overnight at Rock Hill Camp
December 4 4 6 8 12 14 15 18 29-30
Archery—Indoor Blast at Rock Hill Camp Snacks Badge at Betty Taubert Girl Scout House Robotics Badge for Juniors—”Designing Robots” at Montgomery Secret Agent Challenge at Rock Hill Camp Mini Scientists at Pleasantville Strive for Silver Webinar Design, Build, Test: Chemical Engineering at Red Hook High School Going for Gold Webinar Rock Hill Camp Reunion Overnight at Rock Hill Camp
Learn more
at
girlscoutshh .org/ badges
Girl Scouts Introduces 30 New Badges to Power Girl Leadership
G
irl Scouts released 30 new badges and two new Journeys exclusively for girls ages 5 – 18 in Environmental Stewardship, Space Science, Robotics, and more to help girls create positive change in their communities—and beyond.
Girls in grades K–5 can now earn badges in Cybersecurity, Space Science, and Mechanical Engineering. The new programming for girls in grades 6–12 includes the Think Like a Programmer Journey, Stewardship badges, Robotics badges, The College Knowledge badge, and the Think Like an Engineer Journey.
Enhancing Girl Scouts’ proven girl-led programming, these new badges and Journeys will set girls up for a lifetime of leadership and success, and prepare them to take action to make the world a better, greener, and more equitable place for us all.
Fund Her Success thank you for your Campaign We continued support! • 100 girls received Camperships and
G
irl Scouts Heart of the Hudson (GSHH) believes every girl deserves the chance to unleash her inner G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™! With your support, we are making this a reality. Last year, GSHH provided:
• 4,472 girls with the best all-girl,
girl-led leadership opportunities with financial assistance for programming, membership dues, and uniforms.
were able to attend summer camp, which is a great way for girls to explore leadership, build skills, and develop a deep appreciation for nature.
• 1 new nature center at Rock Hill
Resident camp. GSHH was able to repurpose an older structure at Rock Hill and convert it to a one-of-a-kind nature center with an enclosed porch, a human sized bird nest and an interactive turtle shell. Construction for the Nature Center is currently underway.
For more information, please visit girlscoutshh.org/donate or call Deb Bogdanski at 914-747-3080 ext. 495.
How to be Part of Your Girl Scout’s Experience When you are not the Leader
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our Girl Scout is fortunate to have a committed Troop Leader and Co-Leader, but parents/guardians can be part of the fun as well. There are many ways you can be part of your girl(s) Girl Scout experience:
• Look through the GSHH
CONNECTIONS Program Guide (available on our website at girlscoutshh.org/Connections). Take your Girl Scout to a GSHH program or event that interests you both!
• Set up access to the new and
improved Volunteer Tool Kit (VTK). In the VTK, you can see what your
girl’s troop is doing (i.e. meeting information, trip activities, which awards, badges, and Journeys they are working on). To access the VTK, go to girlscoutshh.org and click on My GS in the upper right-hand corner.
• Volunteer to be the additional adult when the troop goes on a trip.
• Renew her membership AND
register yourself as an Adult Girl Scout. This will assist your Girl Scout’s Troop Leader when another registered adult is needed on short notice and will ensure the fun continues!
• Sit with your Girl Scout and talk
about things she likes to do. Is there a higher award or a badge she wants to earn, outside of her troop? The VTK is a great resource.
• Be a part of your Girl Scout’s early
entrepreneurial experience during the Cookie Program. Go door to door with her, you’ll be surprised how happy your neighbors will be to see you.
• Along with your Girl Scout, plan a
special (it doesn’t have to be big at all) “Thank You” for her Girl Scout Leaders.
• Stay connected through GSHH’s social media channels, monthly emails and our website.
• Subscribe to the GSUSA’s
Raising Awesome Girls blog at: girlscouts.org/raising-girls.
When girls participate in Girl Scouts, they benefit in 5 important ways:
STRONG SENSE OF SELF Girls have confidence in themselves and their abilities, and form positive identities.
Why Girl Scouting Matters
POSITIVE VALUES Girls act ethically, honestly, and responsibly, and show concern for others.
CHALLENGE SEEKING Girls take appropriate risks, try things even if they might fail, and learn from mistakes.
HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS Girls develop and maintain healthy relationships by communicating their feelings directly and resolving conflicts constructively.
COMMUNITY PROBLEM SOLVING Girls desire to contribute to the world in purposeful and meaningful ways, learn how to identify problems in the community, and create “action plans” to solve them.
Shop News! GSHH Mobile Shop is available for large Girl Scouts Events! The GSHH Mobile Shop is available to bring uniforms, badges, books, sportswear, and more to an event near you! We’ll gladly work with your requests for specialized merchandise. For the Mobile Shop, a minimum of 75 or more participants is required at your event. To make a reservation, please contact Customer Care at customercare@girlscoutshh.org. In the email, please provide us with: • Event Name/ Description • Date • Time • Location • Number of people registered Please contact us at least four weeks in advance of your event.
GET A FREE
$25
GIFT CARD! Take a quick survey by October 31st and you’ll be entered into a drawing to win a $25 gift certificate for the GSHH Retail Store.
VISIT
surveymonkey.com/r/GIRL_TALK
We look forward to seeing you at your next event!
Starter Kits Starter Kits are great for new and bridging Girl Scouts! Each Kit comes with the Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting, an Insignia Tab, the American Flag Patch, the World Trefoil Pin, and the Membership Pin. Select your Official Uniform Item, Journey Book, Troop Numerals, Council Identification Set, and your choice of a free pink or black bag!
STEM Fun Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson is ready for every girl to embrace her Innovator this fall with new STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) items in our shops. From adding circuitry and switches to your art, to mixing oozing concoctions in the slime lab, we have the activities that will inspire you to discover more about your world.
Please note: All items can be purchased separately; kits are available while supplies last.
NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
WHITE PLAINS, NY PERMIT NO. 7020
Central Administrative Office 2 Great Oak Lane Pleasantville, NY 10570
NUTS+MAGS Program
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tart the new Girl Scout year with money to start planning their new adventure.
The Girl Scout Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards are the highest awards a girl can earn in Girl Scouts.
The NUTS+MAGS program is a great way for girls to learn goal setting, teamwork, presentation skills, customer service, and money management, all while having fun, earning recognitions for themselves, and it is a great way for troops to increase their funds early in the membership year. Troop proceeds add up quickly: $1 for each nut and chocolate item (paper nut order card or online) and $2 for each magazine subscription or renewal. From October 1st – October 31st, registered Girl Scouts will have the opportunity to sell nuts and magazines to their friends and family in-person or online. NOTE: Online orders are open through December 10th. Each girl can customize her online NUTS+MAGS shop, by adding a video with her voice, following her progress in a series of rooms and games, and /or sending emails to her friends and family to ask them to buy from her.
Demystifying Girl Scouts’ Highest Awards • Before you get started: Complete
the age-level Journey requirement(s)
• Review the award guidelines:
Available in the appropriate age-level Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting
• Participate in a GSHH information
session: Strive for Silver or Going for Gold. Visit girlscoutshh.org/programs for information
• Pick a topic: She will earn cool stuff like customizable Avatar patches, a special NUTS+MAGS Cookie Crossover patch, and have the chance to earn a Care to Share patch for donations of Nuts made to the Military. If you S.O.S. (Save One Subscription), you will start your Girl Scout year off with money in the bank!
For more information and details on how the Rewards program works, please visit our website girlscoutshh.org/NutsMags.
Start by exploring your community: keep your eyes open for ways you can make a positive change
• Create a plan: Now that you’ve chosen an idea, it’s time to create a plan.
• Build your team: Girls need people
to support them on their higher award journey. Silver or Gold Award projects will need a project advisor and mentor. GSHH has a list to support you
• Start the paperwork: The Silver
and Gold Award both require girls to complete a proposal and final report
• Complete your project: Receive final approval
For more information about the Highest Awards, visit girlscoutshh.org/highest