2022 Winter Girl Scout Magazine

Share Your Story

Keller Chief Executive Officer

The Adventure Begins!

This year, our marketing campaign slogan is Press Play. It’s a message about the adventure every girl can find in Girl Scouts. Exciting and bold experiences, and, yes, sometimes risky ones, because we are in the business of helping girls grow. Having the opportunity to have adventure is what kept my interest in Girl Scouts as a teen. Backpacking on the Appalachian Trail was empowering. Going through the planning process with others as a team, then seeing the trip unfold, together. It was physically and mentally challenging. I remember feeling so afraid, yet doing it anyways. The rewards were plentiful, the view of a beautiful waterfall after a tough climb, or the knowledge that you conquered a fear when you hung your food in a bear bag before climbing into your small tent for the night.

Adventure is, and always has been, part of Girl Scouting. For me, the prospect of adventure has kept me curious and eager to experience new things. In 2012, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts, our Council hosted an international travel to New Zealand and Australia. I loved being immersed in other cultures, trying new foods, walking on the left versus the right, and taking public transportation. Spending time on Bondi Beach and seeing an opera at the Sydney Opera House were highlights. Walking out onto the Sydney Harbor Bridge was a bit frightening, but incredible. The picture of the moon over the opera house was 100% worth all the fear.

All of these adventures and many, many more came to me as a Girl Scout. Adventures, whether it is travel to another country or to a GSCCC camp to canoe for the first time, help you gain skills and knowledge, which you can put to good use later in life. More important, accepting the challenge of an adventure and overcoming fears makes you feel better on the inside and outside. Put simply, it makes you happy! There couldn’t have been a better name for our new Girl Scout Cookie this year than AdventurefulsTM!

As Girl Scouts, we know that having an adventure doesn’t always include packing a bag. It can mean becoming resilient in the face of challenge or learning a new skill such as baking bread from scratch, star-gazing or creating a balloon car to race.

So, don’t wait any longer, find a way to have an adventure this year as a Girl Scout. You’ll find many opportunities in the events listed in this issue of our magazine, or you can follow the girls and see where they lead you.

Sincerely,

Tracy Keller Chief Executive Officer, GSCCC

Tracy

Are We There Yet?

Eileen Livick is a go-getter who wears many Girl Scout volunteer hats. She leads a Girl Scout Ambassador troop, is a GSCCC National Delegate, serves on the GSCCC Board’s Sustainability Task Group, is a Delegate representative on the Board, is an outdoor facilitator and organizes all GSCCC-hosted Destinations travel! She’s been the “travel queen” for more than a decade and has taken girls on Girl Scout Destinations to Germany, Switzerland, England, France, Greece, Italy, Spain and a few other international locations. She works closely with EF Tours, an organization that works directly with Girl Scouts of the USA and other youth-serving organizations to arrange international and domestic travel experiences, hands-on learning, and lasting cultural connections for both youth and adults. Eileen has served as the experienced group leader on several training tours for EF Tours and was spotlighted in their magazine.

Eileen began her journey in Girl Scouts in the San Diego Imperial Girl Scout Council, now known as Girl Scouts San Diego. As an adult, she became a volunteer and used her talents to help girls have awesome experiences that included travel.

“I believe the travel bug came very early in my life,” she said. “Growing up in a military family I was fortunate to be able to see much of the United States during our many moves. My parents taught us to read a map, find landmarks, suggest a route to drive, and pinpoint our location which answered our own question of “are we there yet?”

She believes girls should consider traveling as Girl Scouts because “It’s a place to be a problem solver, a navigator, and a time manager, a chance to get out of their comfort zone, to practice a new language and try new foods while interacting in a new and different culture,” she said. “I want girls to look beyond being a tourist and become a traveler, to never minimize the value of a detour as it is part of the journey.”

Eileen has five tips for leaders interested in taking a troop trip:

1. Remember, this trip is for the girls. Get and keep them involved in every step of the planning process.

2. After making plan A... make plans B, C & D.

3. Do your research: Learn as much as you can in advance of your travel destination. Know the customs, language, currency, dress code, transportation and food options, to list a few.

4. Learn to pack light. Know it’s okay to re-wear your clothing & practice packing before you go.

5. Be flexible and most of all have fun!

Girl Scout Destinations are the ultimate adventure for individual Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Girl Scouts! Make friends from all over the country as you travel with Girl Scouts from different states. There’s a unique, life-changing experience for every girl.

(Not a Girl Scout yet? Just join!)

Apply now for 2022 Destinations! Our early application period has closed, and applications are now being accepted on a rolling basis. Trips may fill up quickly, so apply today to lock in your place!

Upcoming Trips!

June 2023 England Ireland & Wales Adventure

Open to girls entering 7th, 8th or 9th grade at the time of travel. Transport your group back in time and experience the old- world wonders of England and Ireland. Kiss the Blarney Stone outside of Cork, marvel at the Gothic spires of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, and explore the bustling streets of London. From 16th-century Shakespearean works to the modern-day Harry Potter saga, it’s no wonder this corner of the world is rich in literary tradition. Also, make a special visit to Pax Lodge in Hampstead where you will participate in unique Girl Scout programming.

June 2024 Italy Adventure

Open to girls 14-18 at the time of travel. Bell’Italia; Venice, Florence, Rome & Sorento. Consider the deeper meaning of “Beautiful Italy” as you travel to Italy to enjoy its art, history and culture. In Venice, cars and roads give way to gondolas and canals, redefining what a city can be. Girls will experience both the art & flavors of Italy on a guided tour of Florence. In Rome, tour the Vatican where girls will see Michelangelo’s take on creation at the Sistine Chapel and they’ll retrace the footsteps of ancient Romans at the Colosseum. Take a selfie in Pisa with the iconic leaning tower, attend a Gladiator School Experience and explore the underground Roman Catacombs. Complete your Italian adventure by touring the ruins of Pompeii and a boat cruise to Capri.

You can learn more about other Destination opportunities hosted by GSUSA at girlscouts.org

Countryside in Wales Vatican City

Troop News

Girl Scout Troop 228 Visits the Chrysler Museum Founder’s Day

Troop 1205 of Yorktown celebrated Founder’s Day by learning about Juliette Gordon Low’s life’s journey. They also did fun outdoor activities, decorated troop T-shirts and canvas bags, and welcomed new Girl Scouts to their troop with an investiture ceremony.

leader

Girl Scouts had fun at the Everything is Beautiful event hosted by the Chrysler Museum of Art. They visited the Perry Glass Studio and toured the Egyptian Gallery along with the fall exhibit, In Exaltation of Flowers. You, too, can schedule a free visit and earn your Explore Chrysler Museum Patch! You can schedule in-person visits or do a virtual tour. Virtual learning opportunities can be found on the museum’s website. For patch details, visit www.gsccc.org

Girl Scouts Help the USO!

Girl Scout Cadettes Avianna Jefferson and Maggie Beachum read “Here Come the Girl Scouts,” a book by Shana Corey about Juliette Gordon Low’s journey of founding Girl Scouts to their troop.

Troop 228, Kristina Thompson,

Girl Scouts of

Colonial Coast

The USO asked friends in the community for help stuffing bags for service members who will be staying in the barracks over the holidays and Girl Scout Troop 125 answered the call! They collected items, made cards, and stuffed 64 bags during their Veteran’s Day meeting celebration.

Balloon Race Anyone?

Although women make up more than half of the U.S. workforce, they comprise less than a quarter of STEM jobs. Research has found that girls and boys do not differ in their math and science abilities, but they do differ in their interest and confidence in STEM subjects. Girl Scouts aim to change that by helping ignite girls’ interest in STEM through fun, hands-on activities in a safe and nurturing environment.

Kiptopeke State Park Gets a Cleanup!

Cadette and Senior Troop 505 celebrated National Public Lands Day on September 25 with a trail cleanup at Kiptopeke State Park. They spent the weekend camping and cooking and earning their Night Owl and Sky Badges.

Mats from Recycled Plastic Bags!

Twenty-four teen Girl Scouts gathered to learn how to make mats for the homeless using recycled plastic bags. This was one of several Council-led community service projects offered during the fall.

Amazing Floats for Holiday Parades!

Great job Girl Scouts!

Stockings to Salvation Army

Girl Scout troops of Service Unit 250 worked together to stuff and donate 200 stockings to give to the Salvation Army for distribution to families in need. Service Unit 250 has been participating in this particular community service project in cooperation with the Salvation Army for over 20 years!

Girl Scouts Charlotte Shumate and Sophie Birkel on the job!

Girl Scouts Alyvia Perry, Maia Mack, Ryan Wall, and Ava Harris used their innovator spirt at a November STEM Club activity at A Place for Girls to build balloon racing cars.

Troop’s 1123 winning float from the Williamsburg Holiday Parade. Beautiful job Girl Scouts!

Pictured is Savannah Stewart, member of Girl Scout Brownie Troop 343, helping to deliver the service unit’s filled stockings to the Salvation Army’s Christmas Depot.

Girl Scout Brownie Troop 2702 participated in the annual Ahoskie area parade! Check out their awesome Girl Scout Cookie inspired float!

Troop News

Skills Learned Through Cookie Program!

Girl Scout Junior Arianna of Troop 118 is doing amazing things as a young entrepreneur. Arianna officially started her business Pickles Pastries, two years ago and named it after her rescue dog, Pickles. She carefully crafts dog treats with wholesome ingredients, even hand grinding her own oat flour to ensure quality. Where did she get all that entrepreneurship know-how? Girl Scouts– in particular, the Girl Scout Cookie Program. Arianna has been a Girl Scout since she started as a first-year Daisy and has been on the fast track to earning badges and being involved in the Cookie Program ever since. Arianna has a community spirit and uses some of her profits to purchase items off of the local rescue wish lists. She also helps in her community with the Kindness Garden and Affirmations Wall at Ocean Lakes Elementary.

Halter Boxes

Girl Scout Cadettes Allison, Charlotte, Norah, and Riley of Troop 716 took action to support Untamed Spirit, a program offered at Forward Motion Farm in Virginia Beach, with their Silver Award project titled, “Operation Halter Boxes.” The program offers workshops to educate the public about equine-assisted programs and activities. The girls learned that while there is an increase of people needing counseling, Forward Motion Farm was having difficulty serving their special counseling program due to the pandemic lockdown. Thus the facility was suffering, not able to receive income or donations for upkeep and operations. The girls decided to step in and give a hand. It was perfect. It combined their love for volunteering and horses. The Girl Scouts agreed to build new halter boxes, eight in total, to replace the old boxes and add new ones where needed on the farm. The girls agreed this project was a good choice because it was completed outdoors and allowed the troop to follow Girl Scout protocols for safely working together. In the end, the girls chose to put an inspirational message on each halter box to give encouragement to clients during their therapy at the farm!

Girl Scout Cadettes Allison Skarbek, Charlotte Haynie, Norah Everhart and Riley Erwin

Meet Teen Girl Scouts Who Serve on the GSCCC Board

Congratulations Girl Scouts Ambassadors Morgan Lynch, Claire Pittman and Sarah Sass were appointed to serve as Girl Representatives on the Board of Directors where they use their voices to represent the girls of our Council! Morgan recently helped produce a short video on how to use your voice for advocacy. You can view it on our website’s Civics page. Morgan has earned the Girl Scout Bronze and Silver awards and is working on earning the Gold Award. Claire Pittman, too, is working to earn the Gold Award. She unveiled her Gold Award project, “The Discovery Garden“ at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Peake Childhood Center in Hampton. She created a garden and an outdoor classroom that has a cooking theme for preschool aged children.

Before coming on the GSCCC Board as a Girl Representative, Sarah Sass had experience as an Alternate National Delegate! She participated virtually in the last Girl Scout National Council Meeting. She has earned the Girl Scout Bronze Award and has gone through Counselor-in-Training (CIT) at camp.

Claire Pittman Sarah Sass

Morgan Lynch

Girl Scout Junior Arianna Hayes

We can’t wait to see what this Girl Scout does next!

Girl Scout Ambassador

Victoria Martin of Troop

534 earned her Gold Award through a project titled, “Battling Period Poverty.” The project focused on the accessibility of feminine hygiene products and the sustainability of those products on the environment.

“All around my community, my country, and my planet, there are women who suffer from period poverty,” Victoria said. “Many women and young girls can not attend school or work because they cannot afford menstrual products.”

Victoria addressed the luxury tax on feminine hygiene care and the tough decisions that some families have to make to afford the necessities, like choosing between food and hygiene products. She enlisted a team of volunteers from her church who created and distributed more than 150 sustainable and reusable sanitary pads in 20 kits to women in the community. The donation came with care instructions. Victoria’s pad design is machine or hand washable and can be used for years and years with proper care. To make a larger impact, Victoria created a website with a PDF template of her sanitary pad design with a how-to video and instructions for others to use.

GSUSA National Board Member and retired CEO of NUVIS, an international landscape architecture firm, Leslee Temple, took time to visit GSCCC in December. Leslee serves on several national committees and task groups that include property, philanthropy and Gold Award. Her visit started on Friday at A Place for Girls, where she toured our headquarters and met a few of our girl members to hear about their Girl Scout experiences. Then, on Saturday, it was off to Camp Skimino where she had a chance to meet more amazing GSCCC girls. A group of 80 older girls from three different Virginia councils were at camp working on three different Journeys! Also at camp to do archery, were girls from Hampton Service Unit 120. On Sunday, Leslee was hosted by GSCCC Board Chair Marisa Porto and attended one of the Council’s largest, annual events – Cookie Kickoff. This alum who has been a Girl Scout for 62 years was very impressed and said visiting GSCCC was definitely a memorable experience for her scrapbook.

Girl Scout Ambassador Victoria Martin

Girl Scout Regan Baker from Troop 1026 with top cookie CEO Girl Scout Ambassador Makiyah Murray.

Cookie Kickoff at Busch Gardens!

GSCCC Board Chair Marisa Porto, 2021 top Cookie CEO Makiyah Murray, and National Board Member Leslee Temple

Troop News

Ready, Set, Play!

Girl Scout Ambassador Gabriella Gonzalez took action to connect people in her community through her Gold Award project, “Ready, Set, Play!” She recognized that many families were facing social isolation and wanted to offer a safe outdoor space in her community that was inviting for families to get out of their homes while involving her interest in tennis.

“Because tennis doesn’t require any direct person-toperson contact, players can enjoy the many physical and mental benefits that tennis offers in a safe environment,” Gabriella said. “Open spaces for activity provide many advantages including the preservation of nature, places for physical activity, and an escape from stress to reconnect with family and friends.”

She worked with John Ruggerio of Norfolk Parks and Recreation to assess the needs of Larchmont Tennis Courts and to determine ways she could make an impact and reinvigorate the property. She went on to update the space by doing landscaping, creating a mural, and replacing signage at the facility. Gabriella hosted tennis clinics with the help of volunteers named “Ready, Set, Play!” at the tennis court where the community was invited to experience the space and invited to learn about playing tennis and the importance of physical and mental health.

R.E.A.D. (red-defining, environmental, attitude, development)

Girl Scout Ambassador Jasmine Barbour-Bassett has a busy schedule these days as she finishes up her last year in high school and last year as a girl member in Girl Scouts. As part of finishing her Gold Award project, R.E.A.D. (red-defining, environmental, attitude, development), she hosted an event to educate friends in her community on recycling. She recruited several groups to be part of the event, including the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the Williamsburg Regional Library, and the Green Club at Williamsburg Classical Academy – a club she started as her Girl Scout Silver Award project. Guests learned how to re-purpose books, what happens to trash, such as books that are thrown away, and the impact of oil spills.

Since science is one of her favorite subjects, and why she decided to “go green” with her Gold project, Jasmine has also attended GSCCC STEM Club events. “At the STEM program, we assembled robots from items supplied to us,” she said. “Through this activity, girls learned how to follow directions, connect wires, use tools such as screwdrivers and wire cutters. If the robot didn’t function based on plans, we would trouble shoot and make improvements. This was a really good program where I was able to get more time building mechanical skills.”

Find 2022 Girl Scout Gold Award Proposal Deadlines and Virtual Interview Dates at gsccc.org

Girl Scouts introduced a new patch program in 2021 – the Girl Scout Multicultural Community Celebration patch. It is designed to celebrate the countless contributions that diverse communities have made and continue to make in the United States. Girl Scouts of all levels and their leaders have plenty of activities to choose from to earn each segment of this fun patch. We encourage girls from all ethnic backgrounds to participate, they are sure to learn interesting new things. Find details at www.girlscouts.org

Girl Scout Ambassador Gabriella Gonzalez in front of her mural

Girl Scout Ambassador Jasmine Barbour-Bassett

Raining with Care Project

Girl Scout Ambassador Virginia Britt from Willimasburg recently earned the Gold Award by completing a project she titled, “Raining with Care.”

Virginia worked with Community Growers in Williamsburg to understand the needs of an existing garden maintained by the organization. After hearing about the garden status, she took action and organized plans to make an addition. The garden is divided into several sections including a beekeeping garden, a teaching garden, a berry patch, family maintained plots, and a greenhouse with community education and sustainment as the focus of all sections.

Virginia designed a gardenscape that uses rainwater collection and pipes to encourage irrigation as a main component of its design. She also made a kiosk to educate visitors about the possibilities of irrigation, explain the design, and how rainwater collection can be used to improve a garden’s sustainability. Following the completion of her garden, she created a virtual “field trip” video tour of the garden for local elementary school students that could be shared with parents or in a class setting.

“I think it is especially important to aid our community through the conservation of resources,” Virginia said. “This is how we will be able to have enough to provide for the community and its later generations.”

Self Love Spread Love Curriculum

Life can be tough for teens, especially during these challenging times. That’s why Girl Scout Ambassador Veronica Armstrong took action to help teens address low selfesteem through her Gold Award project, “Self Love Spread Love Curriculum.” Veronica found that teens are faced with many stresses but often lack the skills and education needed to cope in healthy ways. She found the most common causes of low self-esteem and stress for children 11-14 and developed a plan to make a difference by spreading education in the form of a middle school curriculum hosted online for easy accessibility. On the website she created, you can find 45-minute lesson plans that can be done in a class setting or at home –a perfect program resource for Girl Scouts! Visit her site at https://bit.ly/3osAyUY

“I researched what causes low self-esteem in teens and the topics I felt I could conquer were negative self-talk patterns, toxic friendships, comparison, and setting unrealistic goals,” she said. “Learning about these topics and understanding ways they can boost their own self-esteem will help teens be more resilient when facing challenges.”

Annual International Day of the Girl with the Kappa Deltas

Members from the Kappa Delta Sorority at The College of William and Mary hosted Girl Scouts for their annual International Day of the Girl on November 21st. Girls learned about influential women from six different countries. These women ranged from an engineer, astronaut, soccer player, musician, fashion designer to First Lady. They participated in creating an oil painting, Australian bingo, a jenga game and origami.

If you missed this year’s event, here are some Kappa Delta suggested activities:

• Alone or with your friends, take some time to think about your goals. What kind of career would you like to pursue? How can you have an impact on your community and the world? Ask some women you know to share their goals, why they chose their careers, how they are active in the community.

• Visit your state capital or your town’s city hall. Talk to the mayor or other political leaders about what they do. Ask what steps they took to get where they are.

• Take some time, either individually or as a group of girls, to learn about the lives of girls in other countries, especially those that don’t have the opportunities that you have.

Kappa Deltas with Girl Scouts from GSCCC

Girl Scout Ambassador Virginia Britt

Girl Scout Ambassador Veronica Armstrong

Year Number Two for Boo-Bags!

More Troop News!

A COVID-19 Memorial

Girl Scout Junior

Girl Scouts from Troop 1659 with boxes of Boo-Bags ready for delivery.

For a second year, the York-Poquoson Girl Scouts put together nearly 500 “Boo-Bags” (Halloween candy and non-edibles) and donated them to the Poquoson Food Pantry and St Luke’s Food Pantry for distribution prior to Halloween. The troops had so much fun with this project in 2020 when all trick-or-treating was cancelled due to the pandemic, they chose to repeat it this year. Nearly 80 girls participated; 10 troops and one Juliette (individually registered member).

Congratulations to all Girl Scouts for a record-breaking 2021 Fall Product Program!

Sales Goal Met and Exceeded

• Goal - $264, 663

• Current - $451,241

Girl Participation Goal Met & Exceeded

• Participating Goal – 1,190

• Current Girls Participating – 1,373

• Current Girls with Sales – 1,332

Top 5 Sellers - These girls enjoyed A Night at the Admirals on December 4.

• Girl Scout Daisy Ellie Boyd IRM, $2,715.00

• Girl Scout Cadette Anastasia Livermore, Troop 723

$2,488.00

Top sellers from the Fall Product Program were invited to a Norfolk Admiral’s hockey game where they were thanked by the USO of Hampton Roads and Central Virginia for their participation in Gift of Caring that resulted in thousands of product items to be donated. In the photo from left to right, Girl Scout Kenleigh Yates, who was there to celebrate, top sellers Alexis Pittman, Ellie Boyd and GSCCC CEO Tracy

• Girl Scout Junior Alexis Pittman, Troop 521,

• Girl Scout Daisy Katheryn Ray, IRM, $1,861.00

• Girl Scout Senior Mackenzie Costello, Troop 491, $1,841.00

Cora Lanz of Troop 762 recently earned her Bronze Award by creating a COVID-19 Memorial at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center. Cora corresponded with Chesapeake Regional Health Foundation staff and leadership, based inside the Medical Center, to discuss her project idea and find the perfect location for the memorial project. Cora contacted Carters Country Corner garden center in Chesapeake, VA and they graciously donated a purple Rose of Sharon for her project.

“I engraved a sign to commemorate all those that were lost, all that suffered and those that helped the victims of COVID-19,” Cora said. She went on to give a speech to the hospital administration and staff in a small outdoor ceremony before placing the rose.

Girl Scout Leader Appreciation Day is April 22!

Each year, National Girl Scout Leader’s Day on April 22 recognizes the thousands of leaders who volunteer their time and share their experiences with youth across the country.

Let the GSCCC shop help you with a gift that says THANK YOU!

$2,249.00

Keller.

Girl Scout Junior Cora Lanz

2022 Cookie Classic Run

Many thanks to Girl Scout volunteers Mara Bates and Lisa McIvor for organizing the 2022 Cookie Classic Run. These outstanding volunteers who started the run have stayed with it and each year come up with more ways to make it exciting.

Girl Scout Makayda Bates has participated in the Cookie Classic Run since it began eight years ago. “Each year I go, I am amazed at the community spirit around this event,” Makayda said. “I started participating when I was seven. It’s inspiring to be with so many other Girl Scouts at this event which has become a tradition.”

Congratulations to Girl Scout Brownie Emma Ainsley, Troop 399, the winner of the Mug Coloring contest! Well done to all the talented Girl Scouts who submitted an entry.

Girl Scout Juniors Riley Gilreath, Ida Bennet, Madeline Head and Sarah Schwartz Girl Scout Juniors from Troop 2573 took action to help their local SPCA with a Bronze project titled, “SPCA Brochure.” The girls created an informational brochure that helps patrons of the Dare County SPCA learn how to care for their adopted furry friends. The girls also created and donated homemade dog toys as well as purchased pet toys, food and treats that they donated to the Dare County SPCA.

We know girls love doing service and helping out our furry friends, and that why our Council’s Membership team has partnered with many SPCA’s and shelters to do area recruitments. Girls and their families can learn about Girl Scouts and take part in a community service as their first Girl Scout experience!

Recruiter Spotlight

Girl Scout volunteer Frederica Snagg-Atkinson stepped up to lead a troop in 2019, and soon after she found herself helping out with Council recruitments. She grew up on the island of Grenada and didn’t have an opportunity to experience Girl Scouting as a girl, but is is thrilled to be a Girl Scout now and going through the journey with her daughter, Amiyah Snagg.

Frederica has some tips for others who, like her, love Girl Scouts and are eager to get more girls and adults involved, “Lots of girls (families) see Girl Scouts as only selling cookies, so I share my knowledge and acquaint them to what we do as a troop, including the fun trips we take she said.” I also share my personal experiences with prospective troop members/ parents. I love showing them our Girl Scout resources, too.”

Earn the GSCCC Recruiter patch by helping at a recruitment! Email customercare@gsccc.org for details.

Girl Scout volunteer Frederica Snagg-Atkinson with her Troop 40.

Girl Scout Cookie Program

Begins: January 8

National Girl Scout Cookie

Weekend: February 18-20

Cookie Booths begin:

February 20

Cookie Program Ends:

March 27

Girl Scout Cookie Finder

Enter your zip code into the Girl Scout Cookie Finder at girlscoutcookies.org. You will be given a choice to visit a cookie booth or buy online from a local troop. Purchase from a local Girl Scout troop online for shipment to your door or to donate cookies to the USO!

2022 Girl Scout Cookie Program

Did you know the Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world? It’s true—and it’s pretty amazing!

When you buy delicious Girl Scout Cookies, you’re helping girls fund life-changing programs, experiences, and learning for themselves and their troops all year long. These experiences broaden their worlds, teach them essential skills, and launch them into a lifetime of success— whatever that means to her.

And guess what? Proceeds stay local!

That means you’re not only supporting girls’ success but also the success of your community, all while helping build the next generation of female entrepreneurs—that’s game-changing! The Girl Scout Cookie Program, much like her overall Girl Scout experience, gives her the tools she needs to help others and keep her community at the center of everything she does. It’s the Girl Scout way!

Meet AdventurefulsTM!

An indulgent brownie-inspired cookie with caramel-flavored crème and a hint of sea salt, Adventurefuls take cookie lovers on a delicious taste adventure just like Girl Scouts go on their own amazing adventures all year long. Girl Scouts across the United States will offer Adventurefuls cookies this cookie season alongside favorites like Thin Mints® and Samoas®.

New Cookie Business Badges!

Daisy: My First Cookie Business; Cookie Goal Setter

Brownie: My Cookie Customers; Cookie Decision Maker

Junior: My Cookie Team; Cookie Collaborator

Cadette: My Cookie Venture; Cookie Market Researcher; Cookie Innovator

Senior: My Cookie Network; Cookie Boss

Ambassador: My Cookie Business Resume; Cookie Influencer

Climbing Goals!

Super Seller Club 900+ Boxes

Girls earn points based on the number of boxes sold. These points are redeemable for AWESOME rewards that GIRLS get to choose!

Cookie Entrepreneur Officer 1,250+ Boxes

Enjoy a day out at Latitude Climbing and Fitness in Virginia Beach.

1,750+ Boxes

A FREE* week of 2022 Resident or Day Camp at GSCCC or a Lifetime membership for graduating Girl Scout Seniors. *Does not include the camp deposit.

2022 Guide Go. Do. Discover.

Top 10 Seller Reward Day Trip to the National Zoo in DC

Spend the day at the zoo with our CEO, Tracy Keller.

216+ Gift of Caring Boxes Night with Norfolk Tides Girls will get together for a fun-filled night at Harbor Park.

Top 10 Digital Cookie Sellers & Top Seller at each Girl Scout level

Celebrate your success with a unique hoodie!

We’re on DoorDash!

Starting in February 2022, there will exclusive delivery and pick-up options for customers purchasing Girl Scout Cookies through the DoorDash app in certain zip codes. Customers who already take advantage of a DashPass subscription can enjoy no delivery fee on their Girl Scout Cookie orders* through March. *Free delivery available at most participating locations. Delivery fee calculated at checkout.

Digital Girls...

get ready to add Digital Cookie to your business plan!

Girls will use personalized cookie websites to place Digital Order Cards for Digital Cookie sales. They can also send e-cards with links to their customers! Digital Cookie’s mobile app has been enhanced with QRC scanning. Girls will be able to scan a customer’s credit card to accept payment for cookies in hand, cookies to be delivered or cookies to be shipped/donated.

Gift of Caring

As a Council-wide effort, we’ve chosen to support the USO of Hampton Roads and Central Virginia as our Gift of Caring agency. Customers may buy an extra box to donate – or donate their entire purchase to the USO. Last year, 51,009 Gift of Caring boxes were donated. Girls earn a patch when they participate in Gift of Caring.

The year-by-year Cookie Entrepreneur Family pin collection supports the Girl Scout Cookie Program. It’s never been easier to support your girl as she develops business skills, makes amazing memories, and earns a different pin for her uniform every cookie season. The simple, age-specific guidelines have been tailored for her developing skill set, making success a snap.

Get details on girlscouts.org on the All About Cookies page.

Please send your cookie stories to us!

We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. You’ll find a handy link to send photos and stories at gsccc.org or you can email customercare@gsccc.org.

World Thinking Day 2022

Making the world a better place is Girl Scout Law, so it’s no surprise we have a holiday dedicated to doing just that. Each February 22, Girl Scouts and Girl Guides across 150 countries celebrate World Thinking Day. It’s a day of international friendship and a time to stand up for causes that could improve the lives of girls around the globe. And while the holiday itself comes in February, the World Thinking Day Award can be earned at any time of year. In 2022, the theme is “Our World: Our Equal Future: The Environment and Gender Equality.” To earn your World Thinking Day Award, you’ll explore how girls and women are disproportionately affected by climate change and participate in the Girl Scout Tree Promise. Use QR code to find more World Thinking Day details and activities.

Program Information ~ February-August 2022

Celebrate National Women’s History Month

March 14; 6:30 p.m.; Virtual

Levels: All grades; Cost: Free Registration deadline: March 1

Celebrate resilient girls and women every day.

National Sun Safety Awareness

May 16; 6:30 p.m.; Virtual

Levels: All grades; Cost: Free Registration deadline: May 1

Let’s learn about sun protection, skin health and early acne. This Goodness Knowledge Program was developed in 2013 with the goal of educating youth about skin, hair and nail conditions to eradicate stigma and raise self-esteem.

It’s Your World—Change It!

February 12; Location: APFG

D/B/J: 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; C/S/A: 1-4 p.m.

Cost: $17; Registration deadline 1/20

Whether it’s planting a garden, painting a mural, or launching a letter-writing campaign, Girl Scouts of all ages experience unique advocacy challenges, complete Take Action projects, and discover what it means to be a leader who makes a difference in the world.

Work Like A Girl

March 8; 5-7:30 p.m.

Location: Chesapeake Central Library

Levels: J/C/S/A; Cost: Free

Registration deadline: 3/1

Spend an evening with the Chesapeake Public Library’s panel of esteemed professional women and find out what it means to “Work like a Girl.” Participate in some hands-on activities; then stick around for our keynote presentation by NFL Referee Maia Chaka, the first African American female referee for the National Football League!

Dress For Mess Paint Party!

March 11, 2022; 6:30-8 p.m.

Location: APFG; Levels: J/C; Cost: $15

Registration deadline: 2/21

Come and paint with us and create an art piece of your very own! Local artist Hailey George will teach you step-by-step how to paint a beautiful 10x10 canvas art piece.

Map It!: Protecting Our Waterways

March 12; 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Location: Camp Apasus; Levels: J/C

Cost: $20; Registration deadline: 3/1

Virtual opportunities are a great way to earn a badge from your own home! After registration you can proceed at your own pace. The online workshops do require computers and costs may vary depending on grade level.

Celebrate World Thinking Day

February 21; Virtual; 6:30 p.m.

Levels: All grades; Cost: Free

Registration deadline: February 1

On February 22 of each year, Girl Scouts and Girl Guides from 150 countries celebrate World Thinking Day.

Cooking Around the World

March 2 or March 30; 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Virtual; Levels: All grades; Cost: $24

Registration deadline: February 21

Come to our cooking class and see what foods are enjoyed in other countries. With our Now You’re Cooking Chef Dedra, we will learn how to create new dishes every week from different countries.

College Knowledge

February 13, 2022; 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Location: Virginia Beach

Levels: Ambassador Grades 11-12; Cost: $8; Registration deadline: 2/1

From test prep to financial aid, explore the ins and outs of the college admissions process. When you’ve earned this badge, you’ll understand the steps in the college admission process.

Dress For Mess Paint Party!

March 4, 2022; 6:30 - 8 p.m.

Location: APFG; Levels: D/B; Cost: $15

Registration deadline: 2/14

Come and paint with us and create an art piece of your very own! Local artist Hailey George will teach you step-by-step how to paint a beautiful 10x10 canvas art piece.

Become a map-making boss. Learn hands-on skills with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) scientists in acquiring your own data to make nautical charts, tide readings, plotting your course (think orienteering but on the water), and the symbols to use on your chart. All participants must meet girl-adult ratios for their group. Individual girls must be accompanied by a registered adult.

Black Light Paint Party!

March 18; 6:30-8 p.m.

Location: APFG; Levels: S/A; Cost: $15

Registration deadline: 2/28

Come and paint with us and create an art piece of your very own! Local artist Hailey George will teach you step-by-step how to paint a beautiful 10x10 canvas art piece.

First Aid

March 19; D/B: 10-11 a.m.

Junior: 11:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.; Cadette: 1-2 p.m.

S/A: 2:30-4 p.m.; Location: APFG

Cost: $11; Registration deadline: 3/4

From the basic fundamentals of calling 911 and bandaging to learning the symptoms of shock and how to treat it. Each girl will make a first aid kit.

March 26; 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Location: APFG; Levels: All grades; Cost: $17; Registration deadline: 3/7

Diversity Dialogue Day offers anti-bias programs for a better community. In collaboration with educators, administrators, youth and families it will focus on the development of an inclusive culture and respectful climate by addressing issues of bias.

Astronomy Club Space Science

April 2, 7-8:30 p.m.

Location: ODU Pretlow Planitarium

Level: D/B/J; Cost: $15;

Registration deadline: 3/21

Includes a planetarium show and hands-on activities. Dress for outdoor weather while viewing the stars.

Hockey 101

April 16, 4 p.m. event workshops 6:30 p.m. game; Location: Norfolk Scope Arena;

Levels: All grades; Cost: $17

Registration deadline: 4/14

Want to learn all about the game of hockey?

Join us for a Hockey 101 event! This event will include stations about hockey game rules, what gear is needed and possibly meeting some players and practicing hockey before the game.

It’s Your Planet Love It!

April 23; 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Location: Chesapeake, Arboretum

Levels: All grades; Cost: $17

Registration deadline: 4/8

Learn about how and where food is grown, harvested, processed, distributed and consumed, and why that matters. Plan a Take Action Project to share your knowledge with others. Arboretum staff and local farmers will be on hand to teach girls the importance of caring for our planet from Earth to Sky!

Girls Night out with the Tides

May 13, 2022, 6:30 p.m.

Location: Harbor Park, Norfolk

Levels: All grades; Cost: $16

Registration deadline: 4/18

Join us for a fun night of baseball with the Norfolk Tides at Harbor Park. Price includes hot dog, drink and patch.

GSCCC Outdoor Adventures

Axe-Throwing

February 26, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Location: Camp Darden; Levels: C/S/A;

Cost: $12; Registration deadline: 2/24

Join us on the axe-throwing range at Camp Darden and learn the skills to hit the bullseye!

Geo Caching

February 26, 1:30-3 p.m.

Location: Camp Darden; Level: Junior

Cost: $15; Registration deadline: 2/24

Search for hidden treasures around camp using a GPS unit! At the end of the session, the group will learn how to set up their own cache for others to find!

Daisy Challenge

March 5, Noon-1:30 p.m.

Location: Camp Skimino

Level: Daisy; Cost: $15

Registration deadline: 3/3

Take on new heights as you challenge yourself and cheer on other Girl Scouts while on the Daisy Challenge Course at Camp Skimino.

Geo Caching

March 5, 2-4 p.m.

Location: Camp Skimino

Level: Junior; Cost: $15

Registration deadline: 3/3

Search for hidden treasures around camp using a GPS unit! Look high and low to find caches hidden throughout camp. At the end of the session, the group will learn how to set up their own cache for others to find!

Daisy/Brownie Adventures

March 12, Noon-1:30 p.m.

Location: Camp Apasus

Levels: D/B; Cost: $13

Registration deadline: 3/10

Join the outdoor adventures manager at Camp Apasus where you will learn about trees, animals and some basic hiking preparedness!

Letterboxing

March 12; 2-3:15 p.m.

Location: Camp Apasus

Level: Brownie; Cost: $13

Registration deadline: 3/10

Make your own stamp and learn all you need to know about letterboxing during this event. You’ll also get a chance to make clues for other Girl Scouts to discover your letterbox. One Girl Scout registered adult may be asked to stay to meet ratios but does not pay.

Lou Henry Hoover Patch Program

March 19; Noon-1:15

Location: Camp Outback

Levels: D/B; Cost: $12

Registration deadline: 3/17

Join the outdoor adventures manager in the Outback as your earn your Lou Henry Hoover Explore Patch!

A Day by the Pond

March 26; 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Location: Burke’s Mill Pond

Levels: B/J/C/S/A

Registration deadline: 3/13

Grab a paddle and enjoy some time with the Blazing Blue Herons Canoe Team as they share their paddling passion and skills with you. Notes: Please pack your own lunch; snacks will be provided.

Aim April 2; B/J: 9-11 a.m.

J/C/S/A: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Location: Camp Apasus

Cost: $16; Registration deadline: 3/31

Line up your bow and arrow, stand straight and shoot! With some practice and instructor’s coaching, you may become the next archery champion! All equipment will be provided.

Spring Break Math in Nature

April 5; 9 a.m.-Noon

Levels: D/B/J; Location: Camp Skimino

Cost: $22; Registration deadline: 3/28

Earn all three of your Math in Nature badges in one morning! Come to Camp Skimino during Spring Break and spend some time with us outdoors (rain or shine).

Spring Break Archery

April 5; 1-3 p.m.

Levels: B/J/C; Location: Camp Skimino

Cost: $18; Registration deadline: 3/28

Join us during Spring Break for some time on the archery range! You will get plenty of time to work on your aim, and maybe play a game or two.

Spring Break Outdoor Art

April 6; 9-11:30 a.m.

Levels: B/J/C; Location: Camp Apasus

Cost: $16; Registration deadline: 3/28

Earn your Outdoor Art Badge over Spring Break with us at Camp Apasus. Plan to get dirty and artsy in the outdoors, rain or shine!

Spring Break Outdoor Art

April 12; 9-11:30 a.m.

Levels: B/J/C; Location: APFG

Cost: $16; Registration deadline: 4/4

Earn your Outdoor Art Badge over Spring Break with us at Camp Apasus. Plan to get dirty and artsy in the outdoors, rain or shine!

Spring Break Archery (session 1)

April 13; 9-11 a.m.

Levels: B/J/C; Location: Camp Apasus

Cost: $18; Registration deadline: 4/4

Join us during Spring Break for some time on the archery range! You will get plenty of time to work on your aim, and maybe play a game or two.

Spring Break Archery (session 2)

April 13; 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Levels: B/J/C; Location: Camp Apasus

Cost: $18; Registration deadline: 4/4

Join us during Spring Break for some time on the archery range! You will get plenty of time to work on your aim, and maybe play a game or two.

More events on page 36!

Troop 1205 Conducts Opening Flag Ceremony

Girl Scouts from Troop 1205 in Yorktown conducted an opening flag ceremony to officially open the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce’s Power of Women event held on Thursday, November 4, 2021, at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown Victory Center. The girls were excited to meet the event’s keynote speaker, Christy Coleman, the executive director for the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation and a Girl Scout alum. Coleman did a talk on how women are still under-represented in many sectors of the workforce and only make up 18% of head leadership at museums.

“The girls were really inspired by Christy’s storytelling,” Girl Scout volunteer Christine Simonsen said. “In an hour, she was able to tell a story of her life from girlhood to present, showing them how her spirit to succeed and make a difference started at a young age and continued – even through adversity.”

There’s no perfect recipe for a flag ceremony but the one thing they all have in common is respect for the flag. Flag ceremonies are added to almost every Girl Scout event or function, including World Thinking Day celebrations in February and Girl Scout Week festivities. Here’s what you need to know:

Flag Ceremony Terms to Know

· Color Bearer: The color bearer is the person who carries the flag and places it on the pole or in the stand. There is one color bearer for each flag used in the ceremony. The color bearer should hold the staff (pole) at 30° angle in front of body, or hold folded flag (with point away from body) in front of body at waist level.

· Color Guard: The color guard is a team that guards and protects the flags. Any even number of guards may be used, but usually four or six girls are sufficient. Because this requires full attention, the members do not participate in any part of the flag ceremony (singing, speaking, etc.), but stand silently “At Attention”

· Caller: The caller is a designated Girl Scout who announces or calls each command or part of the ceremony.

· Line Leader: Usually part of an outdoor color guard, the line leader will lead the audience into/out of the desired formation (usually a horseshoe shape in Girl Scouts).

Partners in Faith!

Girls of all Girl Scout grade levels can earn the My Promise, My Faith pin, which complements existing religious recognitions and allows girls to further strengthen the connection between their faith and Girl Scouts. Once each year, a girl can earn the My Promise, My Faith pin by carefully examining the Girl Scout Law and tying it directly to tenets of her faith. You can find details on how to earn the pin and other religious recognitions on our website’s Partners in Faith page.

If you have earned the pin this year, we’d love to hear from you. Email Marcomm@gsccc.org

Left to right: Girl Scout Cadette Miranda Simonsen, Girl Scout Junior Norah Simonsen, Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation Ex. Dir. Christy Coleman, and Girl Scout Cadettes Charis Lipscomb and Avyonah Jefferson.

Happy GirlBirthdayScouts!

Wednesday, March 9: Girl Scout Spirit Day

It’s time to show off your Girl Scout pride. Wear your uniform or favorite GS shirt wherever you go.

Thursday, March 10: Girl Scouting Around the World

Learn about a country and prepare a traditional meal, or begin writing letters to a faraway pen pal!

Friday, March 11: Get Active & Outdoors

Happy Friday! Girl Scout Week is wrapping up, so let’s get outdoors today and explore the natural world with family and friends!

Saturday, March 12: Girl Scout Sabbath—Happy 110th Bithday to Us! Have a Girl Scout birthday party with your troop.

March 6th, Girl Scout Sunday –free sundae for all Girl Scouts!

March 12th, Girl Scout Birthday – free Blizzard for all Girl Scouts! (Girls only and must be in uniform.)

See our Girl Scout Week page for details and locations, BOGO deals from more community partners and Girl Scout Week activity ideas.

Celebrate Girl Scout Week by Fighting Hunger!

As Girl Scouts think about how to give back, they can make a big difference in their communities—by supporting hunger relief efforts. Here’s how your troop can get started:

Lead your girls in a conversation about food insecurity, keeping in mind that they could be experiencing food insecurity themselves.

Ask your girls how they want to make an impact. You may choose to collect food for your local food bank, write thank-you notes to food bank workers, or volunteer at a drive-thru food pantry.

Find details on this and other national service projects at girlscouts.org

View the 2022 Camp Guide at gsccc.org!

Who can go to camp?

• Resident camp is for Girl Scouts entering grades 2-12. Leadership opportunities are offered for those entering grades 9-12.

• Day camp is for Girl Scouts entering grades 1-6. Leadership opportunities for those entering grades 7-12.

• All experience levels are welcome. If you are currently a non-Girl Scout, you are welcome to attend, too! Simply pay the annual $25 membership fee, in addition to the camp fee, to become a registered Girl Scout member.

Camp registration/payment and paperwork deadlines:

• Registration Opens: December 15

• Early Bird Deadline: on or before February 1

• Darden Session 1: May 29

• Darden Session 2: June 5

• Darden Session 3: June 12

• Skimino Week 1: June 19

• Skimino Week 2: June 26

• Skimino Week 3: July 3

• Apasus/Outback Week 1: July 10

• Apasus/Outback Week 2: July 17

• Apasus/Outback Week 3: July 24

• Last day to purchase care packages: May 1

• Last day to purchase camp bucks: 3 weeks before session starts.

Open Houses:

Early Bird Incentives:

Anyone who registers for camp on or before Feb. 1, 2022 will receive a $15 per session discount for any summer camp, that is accompanied by the required non-refundable $50 deposit. Discount does not apply to CIT, Program Aide, Spring Break or Camp Sampler Weekends. Campers will be entered to win a FREE WEEK OF CAMP in 2023. *Free week does not include Camp Fury or Speciality Camps.*

Resident Camp

Each week of Resident Camp we will have an overall theme. We will host a theme dinner and All Camp activities for everyone to enjoy. You can send your camper with a costume but they will also have time during the week to make their own creations!

StaffNeeded!

You love the outdoors. You love hiking, boating and campfires. Plus, your friends say you’re great with kids. Does this describe you? If so, the perfect job is waiting for you at Girl Scout camp! We offer invaluable skill-building, leadership, training and enrichment opportunities that can’t be found anywhere else! If you are looking for a summer of fun, excitement and out of the ordinary experiences, learn more to see what you could be doing this summer.

· Learn, play and work in the great outdoors

· Training is provided prior to working with campers and participants

· Competitive salaries

· Experience all of our camp locations in one summer

· Meals and lodging provided

· Make new friends—even from other countries

· Become a girl’s hero

· Earn college credit—check with your advisor to see if you qualify

To learn more about camp employment, camp dates, and how to apply online TODAY, visit our website at www.gsccc.org or call Tammy Carlson, Human Resources Director, with questions at 757-548-4743. I hope to see you this summer!

Dear Caregivers,

Whether your Girl Scouts are first-time campers or experienced outdoor enthusiasts, Girl Scout camp is the best place for them to unleash their talents and find their inner leader. Their time in the outdoors will nudge them to step outside of their comfort zone, where they will develop leadership skills that will last a lifetime.

As a Gold Award Girl Scout and a product of Girl Scout camp, I know the camp experience we offer Girl Scouts is superior and unmatched. It provides a safe space for campers to build courage, confidence and character. It’s a place where campers will build leadership skills in so many areas, such as team work and decision-making. They will learn how to problemsolve, make social adjustments to new and different people, learn responsibility, and gain new skills to increase their self-confidence. Best of all, they will have fun!

We invite you and your Girl Scout to join us at one or more of our Camp Open House events where you can meet the camp director, get details of camp offerings, and tour properties.

See you outside!

Leigh Whaley

chAquita (Camp Nickname)

Outdoor Adventures Manager/Camp Director

A few FAQs! Complete Camp Guide is online at gsccc.org

WILL MY DAUGHTER EARN BADGES AT CAMP?

Yes, at the end of each week if a badge or award was completed, the girls will receive them.

WHAT ARE KAPERS?

Kapers are chores, important in Girl Scouting, to learn that everyone must do their share.

ARE ELECTRONICS ALLOWED AT CAMP?

No. At Girl Scout camp, we believe we are visitors in the great outdoors.

WHAT ARE THE MEALS LIKE?

There is nothing like activity and fresh air to make a girl HUNGRY! Camp meals and snacks are healthy and are foods kids like.

DO CAMPERS GET TO CHOOSE THEIR ACTIVITIES?

Yes, each unit program offers specialized activities that campers will participate in.

CAN MY CAMPER ATTEND CAMP WITH A BUDDY/FRIEND?

During registration, a buddy’s name can be listed. Buddies must be in the same grade and must register for the same session.

CAMP AT A GLANCE

*Register your Girl Scout for the grade level they will be in the fall*

Two Go-getter Troop Leaders - Whose Troops Are Always Open for More Girls!

Wallis Quaintance, leader of multi-level Troop 305 with more than 30 girls has been volunteering for five years. She started when her daughter was a first grade Daisy; she’s now a 5th grade Junior. She says that running a multi-level troop is challenging but rewarding.

“Thankfully, I have a team of amazing level leaders, and a fantastic product sales coordinator who do the lion’s share of planning meeting activities while I oversee the whole troop and do most of the admin,” she said.

“It’s fun to see the girls grow and evolve over time and begin to take ownership of running the troop. We have Cadettes this year who started as Brownies and it’s been great where their interests have led them. I’m volunteering because my daughter loves the program, and I believe in the values and skills girls learn in Girl Scouts.”

Jennifer Byrd from Ahoskie, North Carolina, is a lifetime Girl Scout, 12 years as a girl in the program and 24 as an adult. She is eager to follow in her mother’s, Kay Byrd, footsteps. Like Kay, she wants to ensure her daughter receives the Girl Scout experience and enjoy years of Girl Scouting with her. As a girl, Jennifer and her nine sister Girl Scouts from Troop 702 earned their Girl Scout Gold Awards. Jennifer is now a leader for Brownie Troop 2702 and loves spending time in the troop with her daughter – just like she did with her mom.

“Camp Darden was always a favorite when I was a girl and continues to be now,” she said.

“Through the years my troop (Troop 702) went on many adventures and formed lasting friendship bonds that we still have today. We went on trips to Bahamas, Washington DC where we toured the White House, New York and Universal Studios, just to name a few. I look forward to taking similar adventures with Troop 2702 in the future! We are also looking forward to doing community service, something we feel is important, especially since we live in a small town and are very connected.”

Jennifer says it has been challenging to give her troop the same Girl Scout experience she had as a girl. “My co leader, Ashley Jenkins, and I worked together when the pandemic started to adapt the program to the situation. We created badge bags with activities that were packed individually to allow us to work with the girls virtually. We porch delivered these bags to each girl. They had all of the materials to use as we talked about it over our zoom meetings. Now we are blessed with a meeting space that we are able to spread out and meet safely together and we’re taking trips to camp and events such as Girl Fest to keep it exciting!”

The troop always starts their meetings with the Girl Scout Promise and Law.

Brownie Troop 2702 from Ahoskie

Meet Volunteer Judy Lorenson

Judy Lorensen is a native of Hampton Roads and has been in Girl Scouts since joining Junior Troop 491 in 1964. The troop met at a church in the Oceanview section of Norfolk. She recalls how proud she was to have her mom, Nora, as the troop leader. Some of Judy’s best memories are from camping at Camp Apasus in Norfolk as a girl. Judy stayed in Girl Scouts until she was in 11th grade. Several years would pass before she got involved in Girl Scouts again.

“When my oldest daughter was in second grade, I registered her and became a parent volunteer,” she said. “As they say, that’s all she wrote. I’ve been a volunteer ever since. I have five daughters and each has been a Girl Scout and earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award a girl may earn in Girl Scouts.”

From parent volunteer to leader, Judy has given countless hours to Girl Scouting—making a difference in girls’ lives. She has led multi-level Troop 256 for more than a decade and says the best is seeing the girls learn or do something new, witnessing the “aha” moment when they realize they can do something on their own.

“When our troop went to Camp Skimino to do the challenge course, one of the Daisies was scared to do the “rock wall/ rope” section, she recalled, “We had to talk her through it. A year and a half later, we returned and she went right over to it without any fear. It was fabulous. All the girls in the troop support each other; it’s great to see.”

Over the years, Judy has helped many girls build courage, confidence and character. From helping them to overcome shyness to giving them opportunities they may not have otherwise, Judy opens doors. This year, she was thrilled to help Girl Scout Junior Anesha Nixon go on a troop camping trip. Anesha, a fifth-grader who uses a wheelchair, was excited to travel to camp. It was like having an extra birthday, gifts and all.

“Anesha has loved Girl Scouts from the moment she joined,” Judy said. “Now, she’s just one of the girls. None of the girls treat Anesha any different from any other girl in the troop. This camping trip was special, with her mother’s help, we were able to give Anesha a canoeing experience. She absolutely loved it.”

Within each Girl Scout troop or group is a world of diversity and a wide variety of talents and abilities. No matter their abilities, every girl can benefit from Girl Scouting and engage with her inner leader. Consider making a donation to give a promising future to more girls.

Judy is an outdoor facilitator and is trained to help with axethrowing and the low ropes course.

Girl Scout Junior Anesha Nixon canoeing with her mom, Latoshia Wilson.

As a volunteer, you may have noticed that each girl in your troop or group functions according to her individual ability in a particular area. Each girl’s level of skill will be located at a certain point on a continuum. Five major continuums are important to the Girl Scout leader:

1. Learning: the ability to understand new ideas and to master new skills.

2. Communication: the ability to read, understand, and convey ideas through speaking and writing.

3. Motor and physical ability: the ability to move about, use tools, and manipulate objects.

4. Emotional adjustment: the ability to accept personal strengths and weaknesses and to react to situations in a socially appropriate manner.

5. Sensory abilities: the capacity to hear, feel, see, smell and taste. For example, girls who have difficulty using their hands are placed at the low end of the continuum on sewing and writing. However, these same girls may be able to speak in public very well and could be placed at the high end of the continuum when public speaking is the skill under consideration.

To help ensure all girls have a good experience, consider modifying activities, such as changes in the content, standards, expectations and other aspects of Girl Scout program. For instance, a girl may be challenged with the writing portion of the haiku activity in the Brownie Quest Journey, but she may do very well helping to prepare the healthy recipes included in the same Journey. All girls in your troop or group should be provided with multiple options to explore Girl Scout activities, as well as to demonstrate their strengths and what they’ve learned. By providing the needed support, the Girl Scout troop or group can include all girls no matter their abilities!

GSUSA Welcomes New CEO

Welcome Sofia Chang, the new CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA! She is an accomplished business executive, an advocate for women and diversity, and a champion for girls and the mission of Girl Scouts. As the mother of a Girl Scout Junior, a parent volunteer, Lifetime Member, and member of the JGL Society, Sofia joins Girl Scouts after three decades of experience in the private sector, becoming the organiza-tion’s first AAPI CEO. During her 20-year tenure at Warner Media, Sofia led the successful global transformation of several businesses, developed high-performing teams, and advocated for women and diversity. Her leadership was built on her strategic vision, authenticity, and inclusiveness. Sofia will bring her legacy of leadership and advocacy to propel Girl Scouts into its next chapter by working to reach more girls who can create an outsized impact in their communities, and around the world.

Badge in a Box!

Badge in a Box is designed to make earning a Girl Scout badge stress-free. It has almost everything you need to complete a badge- with easy to follow instructions, supplies, and even ways to make the experience girl-led!

February Badge-in-a-Box, Order: Feb. 1- Feb. 20

Levels/Badges: Daisy-Toy Business, Brownie-Fair Play, Junior-Crane Design, Cadette-Outdoor Art

Where: On your own | Shipping cost: $6 girl/$18 troop

Free pick-up choices: APFG (Wednesdays) or Skimino during shop hours (scheduled 1x or 2x a month)

GSUSA CEO Sofia Chang

Meet Girl Scout Alum Camille Birdsong

Camille Birdsong, a senior at Hampton University majoring in Journalism and minoring in Leadership, grew up through the Girl Scout ranks. She had no doubt she would continue as a young adult to be part of the movement. As a lifetime Girl Scout, she is still finding ways to stay connected to her local council, Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast.

Camille is proud that she earned all the top awards as a Girl Scout, the Bronze as a Junior, Silver as a Cadette, and the highest award, Gold, during her final years. Her Gold Award project, “Camille’s Melodious Music Program,” was designed for children affected by domestic abuse. “I created a music curriculum that explained music genres, instruments, and theory,” Camille said, “and I taught lessons to the children at the HER Shelter, a shelter that houses mothers and their children who are trying to get back on their feet after suffering from domestic violence and abuse. It was a rewarding project, and I know it made a difference in many of the children’s lives. I was able to recruit volunteer helpers who continued the work of the project.”

Camille said she continues to tap leadership skills honed in Girl Scouts. “There are two things that I took away from my Girl Scout experience,” Camille said. “The first is a drive for success. Every time I am writing an article for Her Campus or producing a news story for WHOV-TV News, I am always reminded to work hard towards great results. I think of the times when there was a badge to work towards or a project to complete with my troop. I remained steadfast in what I was aiming for and strived for success.”

As a Girl Scout alum, she has helped with a few advocacy projects and this fall Camille worked on a student capstone project that entailed creating a video and article on the participation of African Americans in Girl Scouts. Camille is on track to graduate Hampton University in May of 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications. She has already interned with the TODAY Show and the Weekend TODAY Show and hopes to work after graduation with NBC in New York or an affiliate news station in Washington D.C. as a producer, creating and developing stories to share with her community and making a difference – just as she did as a Girl Scout!

Meet GSCCC’s New Board Chair Marisa Porto

Marisa Porto was officially installed as the Council’s Board Chair at the Board’s Annual Meeting held on September 30, 2021. She brings with her experience as a Girl Scout, growing up in Florida and rising through the Girl Scout ranks. She earned her Girl Scout First Class Award in the late 70s—the highest award at the time that was later renamed as the Gold Award. She fondly recalls canoeing while as a Girl Scout and going on outings with her sister, Celeste, and her mom who served as her troop leader for years. She also recalls earning a lot of badges and selling cookies. “I did it all, the cookies, the camping and the badges,” she said. “Type A personalities work on a lot of badges. It was a great experience.”

As a Girl Scout alum, she has been involved as well. She has hosted Media Girls at her place of work and supported many Council events. She has served on GSCCC’s Board of Directors, starting as a member-at-large for six years before becoming a vice chair and now board chair. When not at the helm of GSCCC governance, she is the assistant dean for the Scripps Howard School of Journalism at Hampton University. Before joining the university, she had a lengthy career in journalism which concluded with her role as business and news leader of Tribune Publishing’s Virginia Media operations, which included more than 10 publications from Richmond, Va., to Morehead City, N.C. The organization’s largest publications are The Virginian-Pilot and the Daily Press.

Marisa proudly states that her experiences have helped her become the professional she is today, “I learned how to manage money. I learned project management and being able to follow through on a project. I also learned how to be mission driven. Most of all, I learned social interaction. Those skills are required for this job and I know I would not be in this position today if it were not for my Girl Scout experience.”

GSCCC Board Chair Marisa Porto

Girl Scout Alum Camille Birdsong

Meet Marisa and get her CEO Board Chair patch!

Girl Scouts Runs in the Family

Bloodlines truly run green in some families, as the Girl Scout tradition is passed down from mother to daughter, aunt to niece, in every combination of family. The role of family is always important in Girl Scouting, but it’s in the multi-generational Girl Scout family that one truly sees the power and benefit of the Girl Scout experience—an experience we are eager to see more families share. For the House family, it did not look as if the tradition would keep going until they met Tameika Hopkins, manager of the Community Troop Team at Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast Council (GSCCC), during an event hosted at a Norfolk parks and recreation center. Lylian House, a typical third-grader in love with life, had tagged along that day with her grandmother, full of anticipation. While Lylian already had a busy schedule with dance class, singing at church, riding her bike, and hanging out with friends, she was eager to be a Girl Scout. After hearing the Girl Scout camping stories told countless times by her mother and grandmother, she was ready.

“I was a Girl Scout Brownie when I was a girl,” Jan House, Lylian’s grandmother said. “It was a troop sponsored by my church in the Lamberts Point area in Norfolk during the 60s. I became a leader many years later so my daughter, Ernecia, could have the Girl Scout experience. I co-led with my sister, Ordean Bond, and we led 50 girls in Troop 5050 in the mid-1990s. We camped at Camp Apasus, helped the girls earn many, many badges and even took a trip to Disney with our cookie proceeds. We chartered buses, and parents and girls traveled to Florida and we had no problems at all, because we were Girl Scouts and followed the Girl Scout Promise and Law. The Girl Scout law was something we in the House family lived by. Honesty, truthfulness, being a sister to every other Girl Scout, and using resources wisely. These are values I want for Lylian to learn to recite and understand as a Girl Scout.”

Ernecia, Lylian’s mother, also recalls fond memories of her time as a Girl Scout. She started as a Girl Scout Daisy and continued into her high school years. She was recognized with one of the Council’s highest awards, the Buck Harris Award.

After registering, Lylian’s first experience as a Girl Scout was through virtual troop meetings. The meetings were led by a Community Troop Team staff member and activities were aimed at badge work completion. Within a few weeks, Lylian had earned the Animal Habitat Badge and was working on the Flowers Badge. Then a call came that a troop was starting in their area at Camp Apasus. While Lylian had enjoyed the virtual events, attending an in-person meeting with sister Girl Scouts was what she had been waiting for, ever since she saw her mother’s Girl Scout photo album. The three generations of Girl Scouts—grandmother, mother, and a wide-smiling third-grader—were thrilled to visit Camp Apasus for Lylian’s first troop meeting!

Thanks to support from our partners, donors and friends, we are helping parents and caregivers navigate today’s unique challenges and find family-friendly solutions. Girl Scouting can be a new tradition that helps families ensure all girls have a chance to make their dreams come true!

Ernecia House with her mom, Jan House, and daughter Girl Scout Junior Lylian House.

A 1980 vintage uniform, one from her mom’s Girl Scout era.

A Year in Review

2020-2021 GSCCC Membership Year

There is no better program than Girl Scouts to provide girls with the skills needed to become the exceptional women they were born to be and to make a difference in the world! Here at Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast (GSCCC), one of 111 councils in the nation, we offer girls an all-girl, safe place to build leadership - even during a time of tremendous challenges. Although the pandemic created a “new way of being,” we continued to pivot in 2021 to be part of the new state of being. We moved from an all in-person service delivery mode before the pandemic, to one that is now a mix of virtual and in-person. This allowed us to meet our mission and meet the needs of girls and their families. Our virtual Science of Happiness workshop was one of our most popular offerings and met an important need.

Along with virtual workshops and programs, we introduced popular subjects, such as STEM and life skills through our Badge-in-a-Box program. Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Design, Inventor, and Space Science Researcher were but a few of the badges distributed to girls through Badge-in-a-Box. More than 4,000 Badge-in-a-Box kits were distributed in 2021 and included kits to girls living in less resourced areas who are served by our Community Troop Team.

Girl Members

6,973

Adult Volunteers

4,137

Community partners, such as colleges, universities, businesses and other nonprofits, were important in how we engaged girls. They supplied the expertise and knowledge needed to enhance badge work and connected girls to the real world. Thanks to partners, we’ve been able to bring subjects such as cyber security and coding to girls, helping them understand online risks and become aware of the wealth of STEM careers open to women.

Community Troop Team was able to distribute Badge-in-a-Box kits through the help of partner agencies. The kits included many STEM badge activities that allowed girls to do hands-on fun at home where they made things such as their own sun dials.

Program Events

4,504 Girls Served

A partnership with Dairy Queen allowed GSCCC to host seven Meet & Treat events and connect with new Girl Scouts.

Girl Scouts of

Colonial Coast

Community Troop 5018 from Thurgood Marshall Elementary had a special day at the Zoo for their bridging ceremony.

The Girl Scout 2021 Cookie Program gave girls opportunities to learn important skills such as goal-setting, decision-making, budgeting, communications and business ethics.

1,140,370 Boxes

GSCCC’s #1 Top Cookie CEO, Makiyah Murray from Hampton, who sold more than 7,000 boxes of cookies, enjoyed an afternoon of fun at Triple R’ Ranch with other top sellers.

Media partners, such as WTKR, helped promote new aspects of the 2021 Cookie Program, such as the addition of Grub Hub for delivery.

Gift of Caring

51,009 Boxes Sold

Girl Scouts and the outdoors has been a long standing tradition since Juliette Gordon Low established the organization in 1912. From horseback riding to campfire cooking and high adventure, girls can experience the outdoors in so many ways. In 2021, girls were anxious to get back outdoors and be with friends. We surpassed our day camp attendance goal and filled every outdoor event offering!

We were, and remain, steadfast in providing stability and consistency to our Girl Scout families during this unprecedented time. We especially acknowledge the contribution of our dedicated volunteers, more than 4,000 adults whose hard work in this critical time ensures that thousands of girls have access to the Girl Scout movement.

Looking to the future, we will continue our Girl Scouts mission to build girls of courage, confidence, and character. We invite more friends in the community to connect with us, to become the volunteers we need to lead troops, facilitate adult classes, and govern the council, to be program partners we need to access expertise and knowledge for enhanced programming, and to be the supporters we need to gain critical resources to fund and support our council’s work. Together we will provide the tools to girls to be leaders today and into the future.

1,033 Girls

Riding lessons at Camp Darden.

The USO of Hampton Roads and Central Virginia thank Girl Scouts for their Gift of Caring cookie donations. Pictured: GSCCC CEO Tracy Keller, Girl Scouts Amiyah Snagg, Madilyn Liddle, Claire Pittman, Kailie Bein, Liberty Shoemaker and Executive Director at USO of Hampton Roads and Central Virginia Paula Moran.

DONOR RECOGNITION

October 1, 2020 – September 30, 2021

GSCCC donors invested in essential activities including properties/camp projects, financial assistance, girl programs, and annual support. The following donor list aggregates all types of annual contributions with the exception of other funds separately listed in this report. Thank you for your belief in the power of girls!

If you would like for your name to be represented differently in future reports, please contact philanthropy@gsccc.org.

$25,000 - $99,999

Beazley Foundation, Inc.

Girl Scouts of the USA

United Way of South Hampton Roads

United Way of the Virginia Peninsula

$10,000 - $24,999

Anonymous

The Benevity Community Impact Fund

Camp Foundation

City of Chesapeake

City of Elizabeth City

Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation

Newport News Shipbuilding

Ruth Camp Campbell Foundation

Sertoma Club of Norfolk

Frank and Barbara Tierney

Townebank Foundation

Walmart

The Warfield Foundation Inc.

$5,000 - $9,999

Albemarle Area United Way

Charles Constant and Ruth Hastings

Skinner Memorial Trust

Estate of Norman J. Knott

Franklin-Southampton Area United Way

GEICO Philanthropic Foundation

Hampton Roads Community Foundation

Langley for Families Foundations

Marion Kaurup (D)

Dan and Tracy Keller

Rotary Club of Norfolk

The Suffolk Foundation

Townebank

Virginia Natural Gas

$1,000 - $4,999

Albemarle Community Trust

Anonymous (2)

Apogee Engineering, LLC

Atlantic Bay Mortgage Company

Bernadine Fransiscan Sisters Foundation

The Blackbaud Giving Fund

Susan Blake

Deborah H. Butler

Tammy Carlson

Rafael Collado

Cox Communications

Amy Coyne

Sharon E. Durrette-Hunt

Enterprise Holdings Foundation

Luis Estrada

Facebook

Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund

Kathryn Godby

Tricia Hudson

Wayne Jordan

Lucinda Klevecz

Linda S. Linke

Catherine Magill

Laura Morgan

North Carolina Community Foundation, Inc.

Michelle Penn-Marshall

Dawn Peters

Carolyn Pittman

Marisa Porto

Doug and Susan Ramsland

Rotary Club of Great Bridge

Laura and Barry Sass

Service Unit 250 - Lynnhaven Shores

Service Unit 260 - Princess Anne Service Unit 340 - Southern Chesapeake

Service Unit 380 - Oceanview

Service Unit 410 - Roanoke/ Chowan

Rich and Sunny Smith

Southeast Virginia Community Foundation

Ann E. Stenberg

Anonymous

Sally Swanson

Robert Jeffrey Thomas

Tidewater Community College

The J. Edwin Treakle Foundation

April Van Skiver

Wall, Einhorn & Chernitzer, P.C.

Walmart - Franklin Store #2705

Wegmans

Claire Winiarek

$500 - $999

Anonymous (3)

Nelson Beale

Bertie Hertford Community Trust

Tim Best

Angela Bright

Melissa Burroughs

The Capital Group Companies Charitable Foundation

David A Carver

Marshaye O. Cooke

Ray Cooper

Cheran Cordell Ivery

Dina K. Crewe

Kim Curtis

Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation

Frontstream

Marcy Germanotta

Top Guard Security

Terri Hancock

Amanda Howie

Knotts Island Ruritan Club

Kimberly Lincoln

Lions Club of Norfolk Foundation

Constance Liu

Lara Overy

Rotary Club of Williamsburg

Rotary Club of Portsmouth

Samaritan House

Schwab Charitable

Troop 523

Nancy Welch

Cassidy Wright

WVEC-TV 13

$100 - $499

Beth Aberth

Carolyn Abron-McCadden

Adam Thoroughgood Chapter - DAR

AmazonSmile Foundation

Mary Kate Andris

Anonymous (19)

Lauralyn Ballengee

Bank of America

Anne Barclay

Sandy Beall

Janice Beaverson

Shirley Bergstrom

BidKit

Andrea Bonner

Michael Brewington

Bridgeman Civil, Inc.

Jacqueline Brooks

Tonya Byrd

Ben F. Cake (D)

Janelle Campbell

Centerville Waterway Marina

Charities Aid Foundation of America (CAF)

Chartway Federal Credit Union

Charles Claxton

Lynn B. Clements

J D. Coogan

Minette Cooper

Alan Coyne

Kathy Crist

Evelyn M. Cullipher

Laurie Cumming

Patrick Cvitanovich

Jennifer Daniels

Shannon Daugherty

Lila R. Davis

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority

Martha P. Donoghue

Erica Hoffmann

Mike Evans

Donna L. Farnham

Anna Faulkenberry

First Baptist Church

Claudia Flowers

Fort Nelson DAR

Judy Franz

Owen Gallagher

Frank Gallion

Suzanne Garcia

Lucy Gibney

GLazenfyre

Dawn S. Glynn

Amy Godby

Sarah Golden

Governor’s Lane Garden Club

Shanise Harris

Daun S. Hester

Tameika Hopkins

Jake Jacklich

Jody A. Kaurup

Peter Kaurup

Vickie Kearn

Jerry Kent

Angela Kerns

Sonia Kessler

Cathy S. Kilcoyne

Lorraine Lees

Thomas Linke

The Links, Inc. Elizabeth City Chapter

Jay Livingood

Mary Ellen Maxwell

Danielle K. McBride

Pansy McKenzie-Morton

Kirsten T. Misfeldt

Maria Nissen

Stacy Nixon

Norfolk Botanical Garden

Grace & Fred Parkinson

Planet Home Lending

Thanos Polizos

Ellis H. Pretlow

Kyle Price

Bonita Price

Pungo Pizza & Ice Cream

Bonnie Purefoy

Charlotte Purkey

Chris M. Ramos-Smith

Janet Roach

Heather R. Robinson

Martha Rollins

Kathleen Sandy

Linda Sheldone

Kathy Spradlin

Michael Spradling

Claire Starke

Carole K. Stockberger

Christopher G. Stuart

The Suffolk Rotary Club

Tax Executives Institute - Virginia

Toni N. Taylor

Total Home Improvements, Inc.

Troop 140

Troop 229

Troop 255

Troop 324

Troop 371

Troop 946

Zechariah Turner Trust

UBS Financial Services, Inc.

United Way of Greater Milwaukee

Kaye Vickerman

Virginia Beach Garden Club

Virginia Bluebird Society

Martha Whalen

Judith A. Winters

Michelle Woodcook

York River District United Methodist Men

YourCause, LLC

In-Kind Donations

$10,000 - $24,999

Endurance IT Services

Mid-Atlantic Dairy Queen

Mini Me Events

Within Interior Designs, Inc.

$5,000 - $9,999

13 News Now

$1,000 - $4,999

Campostella Builders Supply

Google

The Shopper, Inc.

Vulcan Materials Company

$500 - $999

4Imprint

Marc Leishman

Eileen Livick

Mid-Atlantic Paddlers Association

Talent Curve, LLC

$100 - $499

Baker’s Crust Greenbrier

Marisa Beck

Cady CPR Solutions

Fairfield Inn Williamsburg

Amy Gary

Glenn Hawker

Amanda Howie

Inlet Fitness

Kaufman & Canoles

Susan Meek

Michelle Penn-Marshall

Georgie Raymond

REI

Sandra Leigh Photography

SeaHill Spa at The Cavalier Service Unit 260 - Princess Anne

Smoothie Stop Café

Staybridge Suites Charlotte

Amy Stevens

STIHL, Inc.

Task Force Dagger Organization

The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium

Tidewater Family Plus

Margaret Wolfe

GSCCC Leadership Endowment

Golden Circle

Deb Amatulli

Paula T. Ambrose

Deborah H. Butler

Kim Curtis

Barbara A. Sutelan

Terri Washington

Silver Circle

Kate Brennan

Sunny Smith

Jessica Woodyard

Bronze Circle

Trish Armstrong

JoAn M. Berry

Rita Bowker

Shannon Carter

Lila R. Davis

Ashley Downey

Christine Duer

Laura Farmer

Bronze Circle continued

Elise Gore

Elizabeth Hundley

Deneen M. Keegan

Jennifer G. Lynch

Brittany Orosco

Paul F. Reins

Stevon C. Remson

Angela F. Salerno

Susan Scheessele

George W. Schmidt

Carole K. Stockberger

Trinity Woodson

Tribute Maylea Beasley

Sunny Smith

Nancy Welch

Barbara Mettler Fund

Elizabeth A. Kessler

Helen Kattwinkel Endowment

Helen M. Kattwinkel

Buck Harris Endowment

Anonymous

Help a Girl Fund

Anonymous

Ginna Bauhan

JoAn M. Berry

Birdsong Peanuts

Jacqueline F. Bontemps

Alvene W. Buckley

Girl Scouts of the USA

Susan K. McKee

Sharon Ogden

Marsha Riibner-Cady

William Rodner

Lauren Rucker

Martha Stewart

Carletta Waddler

Jennifer Wenrich

She Believes She Can so She Does

Carri Adcock

Josephine Bergstrom

Julia Dozier

Jackie Durocher

Enterprise Holdings Foundation

Amy Godby

Kathryn Godby

Katie Hennessy

Anna Jenkins

Ann Laczko

Evette Langham

Barbie Maniscalco

Sherry Smith

Troop 457

Carletta Waddler

Nancy Weaver

Jessica Woodyard

Juliette Gordon Low Society

Anonymous (3)

Deborah Amatulli

Erik and Eva Andersen

Girl Scout Movement-wide

Challenge Planned Gift

Dianne Belk and Lawrence Calder

Girl Scout Movement-wide Challenge Planned Gift

JoAn Berry

Melissa Burroughs

Amy Coyne

Dina Crewe

Lila Davis

Sandra Deloatch (D)

Luis Estrada

Claudia Flowers

Amy Godby

Kate Godby

Carolene Goodwyn-Harris

Amanda Howie

Tricia Hudson

Helen Kattwinkel

Dan Keller

Tracy Keller

Elizabeth Kessler

Sonia Kessler

Andrea Kinnear

Lu Ann Klevecz

Lorraine Lees

Anna Lee Liverman (D)

Eileen Livick

Cheryle Mack

Dale McClure

Cheryl McGrena

Ashley McLeod

Susan Meek

Michael Mendelsohn

Jennifer Moose

Stacy Nixon

Camile Peter

Amy Reineri

William Rodner

Rich and Sunny Smith

Keith Snyder

Tesi Strickland

Toni Taylor

Barbara Tierney

Zachariah and Anna Goode Turner (D)

Deborah Verhofstadt

Dr. Melissa Warfield (D)

Nancy Welch

Claire Winiarek

Beth Yates (Deceased)

Thanks to supporters such as TowneBank, a new pavilion was added to Camp Skimino in 2021!

Women’s History Month Idea for Girls

Here at Girl Scouts, we love Women’s History Month! It’s a time to celebrate the women who fought for equality, who’ve broken barriers. To remember the women who have made discoveries and put in the hard work to make the world a better place. This of course brings to mind the fearless and visionary women who appear in history books—women like Amelia Earhart, Madam C.J. Walker, and naturally the great Juliette Gordon Low, who founded Girl Scouts over 110 years ago. Think about it: In 1912, long before American women could vote or attend most Ivy League colleges, Juliette knew girls were natural-born leaders, and dedicated her life to helping as many girls as possible reach their potential. Join us on social media this March as we celebrate those incredible trailblazers alongside many others who’ve carved their own paths in history. For a fun activity, interview a Girl Scout alum from within your family, your troop or a woman in the community. Record their answers in a notebook and then write an article. Send it and a photo of you and the alum to Marcomm@gsccc.org for possible publication. Share the story with your troop and/or family. Here are some suggested questions to get you started, but plan to create your own questions as well:

Q: Who are the women – today or historical – you most wanted to be like?

Q: Is there a woman who made either your life or the lives of girls and other women better? Tell me about what she did—it can be anything, little or big!

Q: If your friends and family were to describe you with three words, which words would you hope they’d use?

Q: What is your big hope for my generation of girls?

Congratulations to Girl Scout Cadette Addison Rice! She was selected to be a Page in the Virginia House of Delegates. Among other things, Pages deliver documents throughout the Capitol complex and perform errands for members and staff of the House of Delegates during each day’s floor session and at committee meetings. Addison has been a Girl Scout since joining in first grade. She has earned the Girl Scout Bronze Award and is working on the Silver Award. She loves camping and was able to come that with community service, hosting a SWAPS workshop for Daisies at her service unit’s fall encampment. Addison is also taking outdoor adventure to the next step and will be traveling to Galapagos Islands as part of the Council travel group. She is looking forward to earning Girl Scout Civic badges and learning more about government in her Page role.

Date: Sunday, March 13

Time: 3 p.m.

Sandler Center for the Performing Arts

Benjamin Rous, conductor

For Girl Scout discount, use code GIRLSCOUTS

Boldly go where no concertgoer has gone before when the Virginia Symphony Orchestra travels into hyperspace with the Bay Youth Symphony Orchestra in this side-by-side concert.

Journey to the stars with music from Holst’s The Planets and selections from John Williams’ score to the Star Wars movies. NASA-provided projections will accompany the music, giving young audiences a chance to experience breathtaking images of our solar system.

Join us in the lobby at 2 p.m. for activities for all ages!

Civic Badge

GSCCC will be offering members and friends in the community an opportunity to support the Girl Scout Leadership Experience and raise funds to support camp programs and properties through an online auction. The Council will again use the ClickBid site to host the event. Event “guests” will be able to view all the awesome auction items that will include fun getaways and services.

The silent auction runs six days, from March 6, the start of Girl Scout Week, to March 12, the 110th Girl Scout birthday!

is

Camp Calling

GSCCC would like to thank the Philanthropy Committee for their work on this project, including special thanks to Camp is Calling sub-committee members: Amy Coyne, JoAn Berry, and Laura Morgan.

Your girls have access to amazing outdoor experiences at GSCCC properties across our region.

All of our properties need constant care and upkeep to maintain a safe and inviting environment for our girls.

We need your help!

Please select a project that will make a difference at your favorite property or in the project price range that will suit your budget.

Together we will maintain our beautiful properties and update them for all Girl Scouts.

For more information, contact the Philanthropy Team, 757-549-0641 or philanthropy@gsccc.org.

GSCCC’s Properties Wish List

Yurt at Camp Darden

Camp Burke’s Mill Pond Turns 50!

This year, we’re celebrating the 50th anniversary of Camp Burke’s Mill Pond, located in Gloucester, Virginia. Since first opening, it has been a camp to go to for adventure. It features two tent sites, a nature trail, a pool, a lodge (the Treakle Cabin) for indoor activities and overnights, and a pond for canoeing and sailing. A beautiful location with many historical sites nearby to visit. Thanks to Girl Scout volunteer Lorna Wass, who chaired the property committee at that time, Mr. Mason was persuaded to donate the property to Girl Scouts in 1972. After meeting with Mr. Mason to present Girl Scout needs at the time, she held a Girl Scout day camp on the property to show the girls and program in action. It worked!

By March 1, 1973, Camp Burke’s Mill Pond was open for troop camping and day camp that summer included an overnight stay, camp crafts, fishing, advanced canoeing and horseback riding. Sixty girls advanced in Red Cross swimming level that summer. It wasn’t until 1993 that the Treakle Cabin was built. The pool and deck were added in 2015. The most recent addition to the camp is a hammock camping site!

Looking for an Event Venue?

Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast facilities are on beautiful, wooded acreage and can accommodate groups of almost any size. Choose from cabins, canvas platform tents and even a yurt for overnights. For day use, we have pavilions-two with fireplaces! Our dining halls at Camp Darden and Camp Skimino offer kitchens any chef can appreciate. Reservations can be placed up to 12 months before your event date. So, the next time your family is thinking of where to hold their reunion or your business needs a unique meeting space for a retreat, reach out and get information on a GSCCC facility.

A Day at the Pond

March 26 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of this beautiful camp and enjoy learning more about its history while hiking nature trails, making s’mores, and, of course, canoeing! If you’re interested in supporting this camp with a gift to help with one of the many property projects, contact GSCCC’s Philanthropy Director Sally Swanson at sallys@gsccc.org.

for being a GSCCC Media Partner and supporting so many of our events!

Coastal Virginia Magazine, a high quality publication that offers information about restaurants, doctors, lawyers, private schools and events and more!

Learn more and subscribe here!

Blazing Blue Herons Canoe Team will share their canoeing skills!

More Events!

Become an Outdoor Leader

April 9; B/J: 9-11 a.m.

C/S/A: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Location: The Outback

Cost: $12; Registration deadline: 4/7

Look no further for a great leadership session. During this session, you will learn about general leadership styles. You will also learn more about your leadership style. Everyone will get a chance to lead your peers in an activity that can also be used when working with younger girls where you will learn to receive feedback for improvements.

Nauticus Sailing

April 23; 9-11 a.m. or 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Location: Nauticus at Waterside

Levels: J/C/S/A; Cost: $42; Registration deadline: 4/7

Become a member of the crew and learn the basics of sailing with Sail Nauticus in Norfolk. Discover what it takes to work as a team to sail in the bay.

Hanging Out

May 14; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. B/J/C/S/A

Location: Adventure Park

Cost: $42; Registration deadline: April 28

Hanging Out offers challenges for beginners as well as experienced climbers. Note: No sandals or flip flops. You must wear closed toed shoes or sneakers. Bring a reusable water bottle. Troop leader or caregiver must stay for the duration of the event.

Girl Scouts Loves the Military Community!

From Massachusetts to California and Brazil to Beijing, Girl Scouts is proud to serve military families across our country and the world. Each day, we’re inspired by the sisterhood of military-connected girls and volunteers who live and breathe our Girl Scout Promise to serve our country and continue to make a difference (and have fun!) while doing it.

That’s why this April, we’re proud to celebrate our military-based Girl Scouts who give so much to our Movement during the Month of the Military Child.

No matter where a family’s military service takes girls, Girl Scouts is at the ready with tried-and-true programming and a supportive network that allows girls to continue their unique leadership journeys; build new friendships; and enjoy a reliable, safe space of their own. How can you participate? It’s easy!

Share your story on social media! Post a picture or video on social media using #MonthoftheMilitaryChild and #BecauseOfGirlScouts, and tag @girlscouts as well as @gsccc.

Earn GSCCC’s Explore patches for each military branch. Find details on our website.

Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast is partnering with SAGE Scholars® to bring our members the Tuition Rewards Program, a unique program where member rewards can be redeemed for guaranteed minimum college scholarships, starting with freshman year, at over 430 participating SAGE Scholars® private colleges and universities.

Girl Scouts can earn Tuition Rewards Points through Girl Scout participation. Each Tuition Rewards Point represents a guaranteed minimum discount equivalent to one dollar, with a maximum discount of up to one year’s tuition, spread equally over 4 years of full-time undergraduate education.

Each Tuition Rewards Point is equivalent to one dollar in guaranteed minimum tuition discounts at participating institutions. Tuition Rewards Points never expire.

You can sign up children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other family members. Earn 500 Tuition Reward Points when you register your Tuition Rewards account! To get started, visit: tuitionrewards.com/colonialcoast.

Get more information on our Tuition Rewards page at gsccc.org.

Important Dates

Cookie Sales starts: January 8

Early Bird Camp registration by: February 1

Cookie Booths begin: February 20

World Thinking Day: February 22

Girl Scout Week: March 6-12

Camp is Calling Auction: March 6-12

Cookie Program ends: March 27

Leader Appreciation Day: April 22

Camp Starts: June 19

Great choices in the shop to say thank you to your favorite Girl Scout leader!

The GSCCC Magazine is published twice a year by Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast for our registered members and donors. You may find an online copy on gsccc.orgour website’s Publication page. If your household has received duplicate mailings, please email customercare@gsccc.org.

Editor: Marcella Germanotta; Graphic Artist: Barb Owens

We are supported in part by

Choose GSCCC when you shop on Amazon!