Girl Scouts Magazine - Fall 2023

Girl Scouts ❤ the Z!

Zeiders American Dream Theater is a professional, non-profit theater that introduces new works and emerging artists, presents unique artistic experiences, and inspires creative growth in the Hampton Roads Community.

OCTOBER

www.thez.org

4509 Commerce Street, Virginia Beach, VA

Discover the rich history of Norfolk, Virginia through our engaging tours and interactive exhibits. Step back in time and explore the lifestyle of the past!

https://www.hunterhousemuseum.org/

Tracy Keller Chief Executive Officer

Back to Girl Scouts

As we begin the back-to-school season, with some of our school systems starting early and opening before Labor Day, we are looking forward to another year where our girls will be learning, socializing and getting involved in extracurricular activities like Girl Scouting. We hope you have already renewed your membership and are ready to “Take the Journey With Her!” (www.gsccc.org/journey) As a volunteer or caregiver, we invite you to be a girl champion this year. Mentor a Girl Scout while she works on a special award or guide her through cookie season so she can reach her goal. Or, you can work with other adults to provide the kind of behind-thescenes support that makes it possible for every girl to make amazing new memories at Girl Scouts. You can lead workshops, be an outdoor facilitator or chaperone an international trip. Whether you can give a few hours, a few weeks, or a few months, volunteering with Girl Scouts offers something for everyone.

For many families being challenged with today’s economic climate, they are making hard decisions about family priorities. I am thrilled that so many of you continue to see all the value Girl Scouting offers and consider it worthy of family resources. I want to stress that every girl deserves the opportunity to be a Girl Scout, regardless of a family’s circumstances. (If your family is experiencing economic anxiety or hardship, please request financial aid during the registration process. Financial aid status is kept entirely confidential.)

Girl Scouting is more important than ever, for every girl, everywhere. Being a Girl Scout provides girls opportunities to be with other girls and explore their interests in a safe place, have fun, and gain critical life skills. In addition to being a touch point with other girls, our one-of-a-kind leadership development program has proven results. Every activity we offer is based on time-tested methods and research-backed programming that helps girls take the lead — in their own lives and in the world. The experiences girls have in Girl Scouting are proven to cultivate values, social conscience, self-esteem, and resiliency while teaching critical life skills that will help them into adulthood.

Girl Scouts is well prepared to offer girls a community of friendship and leadership, both virtually and in person. Girls may join a troop or be involved as an individual girl member — we are here to accommodate family schedules!

Please help us reach out to others and let them know that there is something for them at Girl Scouts! Visit our Marketing Resources page at www.gsccc.org/marketing for fun downloads and helpful information, or to submit a testimonial — we’d love to share your story!

Sincerely,

Tracy Keller Chief Executive Officer, GSCCC

56th National Council Session

Six delegates and two alternates representing Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast traveled to Orlando Florida in July to the 56th National Council Session, The NCS is the national business meeting where delegates from every council across the nation and USA Girl Scouts Overseas meet to discuss, debate, and vote on issues important to the Girl Scout Movement and elect national leaders for the next triennium. While there, delegates had an opportunity to attend a special Juliette Gordon Low Society reception with co-founders Dianne Belk and her husband Lawrence Calder.

Widen Your Girl Scout Circle!

Make a dream come true. Help every girl who dreams of being a Girl Scout become one! Here’s a check list to get started.

• List your troop in the Troop Opportunity Catalog.

• Be visible at your community’s schools.

• Share troop openings on social media. Think of your most frequently used social touchpoints— maybe you’re part of a Google group for neighborhood parents or on special Facebook groups. Consider writing a short post about the troop and let friends know that there’s room for girls to explore their interests in your troop.

• Use word-of-mouth tactics to share inspiring stories. As helpful as social media and other apps are, word of mouth can be the actual proof that gets families excited about Girl Scouting. “Just wearing their Girl Scout uniforms to school on meeting days is a way to start conversations about Girl Scouts with their peers and can lead to a new girl being a member,” says Lindsey Gibson, troop leader of Troop 510.

• Host a bring-a-friend night! Bring-a-friend events are a favorite among troop leaders and girls alike.

Following the National Council Session, a girl event, Phenom, a national girl event, Girl Scouts of all ages explored hands-on activities in the Hall of Experiences and Fun Zone and had opportunities to be part of discussion sessions on the future of Girl Scouting. Of course, many visitors also took this time to enjoy Disney World! Two of GSCCC’s national delegates, Girl Scout Ambassadors Maureen Keller and Taylor Westbrook, both agreed that the entire experience was amazing. From participating in governance to attending unique workshops to help GSUSA leadership chart out the future of Girl Scouting, their days were filled with once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Their time there also included special educational programs at Disney’s Epcot!

View a summary of the proposals and outcomes, plus stories and videos!

• Recognize the role your girls play in growing their troop. Consider giving the girls who helped bring new members to your troop a small token of thanks—a new patch, certificate, or personal thank-you note from your council.

Earn the “Recruiter” patch!

Complete three activities on the checklist and earn a free patch.

It’s that simple!

Volunteer

• Volunteer at a recruitment event

• Work with your troop to host a recruitment

Show your Girl Scout Love at School

• Wear your Girl Scout T-shirt or uniform to school

• Create a poster about what Girl Scouts means to you and display it at school

Spread the Word

• Hang up a Girl Scout flyer on three community bulletin boards. Flyers available at www.gsccc.org/marketing

• Use social media to spread the word about Girl Scouts! Work with your parents/ caregivers to use their social media accounts to share a picture of you doing your favorite Girl Scout activity and a message about why you enjoy being a Girl Scout. Link to our Council website, www.gsccc.org/blog

In addition to GSCCC National Delegates, there were many GSCCC guests, including Girl Scout Cadette Abbey Fox from Virginia Beach, who traveled to Florida to be with thousands of other Girl Scouts for a magical experience.

Bring a Friend

• Talk to your leader to make sure your troop is accepting new members. If so, invite a non-Girl Scout friend to your next meeting, so she can learn about joining.

• Work with your troop to host a bring-a-friend party, with games, snacks, and Girl Scout fun.

GSCCC National Delegates Maureen Keller and Taylor Westbrook met Juliette Gordon Low’s great-great niece Margot Iwanchuck who spoke with them about Juliette’s items on exhibit.

2023 Fall Product Program!

During the Fall Product Program, Girl Scouts participate in selling nuts, candies and magazines, all of which go a long way to help with troop start-up funds. The Fall Product Program is a simple, fun introduction to Girl Scout product programs!

2023 Fall Product FAQs!

Can can my Girl Scout participate by selling online?

Yes, visit www.gsnutsandmags.com/gscolonialcoast to get started.

My Girl Scout is not in a troop, can she still participate?

Yes, contact customercare@gsccc.org to be put in touch with the Service Unit Fall Product Coordinator who can get you started.

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GSCCC Girl Scouts Shone Brightly through the 2023 Girl Scout Cookie Program!

Top Ten Cookie Entrepreneurs and Boxes Sold

Maureen Keller Troop 359 6,600 boxes

Ellie Wilcox Troop 1013 4,543 boxes

Sophia Hart IRM 4,502 boxes

Alexa Richardson Troop 782 4,412 boxes

Sceva Jenkins Troop 1333 4,193 boxes

Abigael Selkirk Troop 235 3,700 boxes

Lexie Bohrer IRM 3,605 boxes

Amiyah Snagg Troop 40 3,514 boxes

Alexis Vann Troop 628 3,509 boxes

Lillian Willis Troop 53 3,150 boxes

a trip to the National Aquarium

In honor of this year’s cookie mascot, Coral the dolphin, the girls traveled with GSCCC CEO Tracy Keller and the Council’s Product Program Team to the National Aquarium in Baltimore, one of the finest facilities of its kind in the world!

It was a fun and educational day where girls learned about invasive jellyfish, listened to an educational talk on dolphins, and learned about the dolphin pod from one of the trainers. Each Girl Scout received a National Aquarium fun patch, a Top Cookie Entrepreneur certificate and a drawstring goodie bag with dolphin stickers, a dolphin pop socket key chain and some candies!

Gift of Caring

Girl Scout Ambassador Maureen Keller from Chesapeake was able to put a smile on ICSN Craig James’ face when she gave him a donation of nine cases of Girl Scout Cookies for his ship, the USS Bataan. Maureen was super excited to give this donation to a family friend while also supporting military members. Heather James, Craig’s mom, was her Girl Scout Junior leader while the family was stationed in Hampton Roads. The family relocated to California five years ago.

Girl Scout Maureen Keller and ICSN Craig James

GSCCC Top Cookie Entrepreneurs were treated to

in Baltimore

Troop News

Spreading the Love for the Homeless

Girl Scouts from Troop 322 tackled the problem of homelessness. Along with doing a blanket collection, they handmade blankets for distribution. These were donated to the People in Need (PIN) Ministries.

Girl Scout Cadettes Sarah Williams and Daphne Reed

Elizabeth River Trail Little Free Library

Currituck Animal Shelter

Girl Scout Troop 723 displaying donation items.

Through team work on a Girl Scout Junior Bronze Award project, Girl Scout Juniors from Troop 723 in Moyock, NC, collected $1,200 in donations which they used to purchase new items for the Currituck Animal Shelter. They also asked their friends and families for gently used towels, blankets, and pillows. They created more than 300 cat and dog toys and 10 snuffle mats to donate.

Squirrels Need Homes, Too

Troop 45 and many others worked along the Elizabeth River Trail.

Girl Scouts from Troop 45 helped paint and install a Little Free Library along the Elizabeth River Trail in Norfolk (1614 Lovitt Ave.). They also provided books for the library.

Friendship Your Year of

✓ ✓ ✓ Renew Today!

Cheer on your squad’s successes.

Bond during a troop sleepover.

Find new ways to spread joy.

Girl Scouts from Troop 256 partnered with Evelyn’s Wildlife Refuge to help animals. They learned that the refuge needed more squirrel nesting boxes to help the baby squirrels grow before they were set free in the wild. Through donations, the girls were able to gather the supplies to make three nesting

Attention Girl Scout animal lovers! Use your compassion for wildlife of all shapes and sizes to earn a badge from the new Animal Badge line!

CHKD Receives Girl Scout Love

Girl Scout Makes CHKD Teddy Bears for Children

Girl Scout Cadette Grace Simmons from Troop 322 loves doing crafts and sewing. She paired her love for sewing with a Take Action project. She created 100 teddy bears for the children served by the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters.

Activity Booklets for CHKD Urgent Care Patients

A Pollinator Garden for Natasha House

Girl Scouts from Troop 1036 created a pollinator garden for Natasha House, a haven that helps women with children in crisis get back on their feet. The girls researched plants, collected plants, mulch and other bedding supplies through donations, created labels, and then did the actual planting and landscaping. The girls also added garden pathways using donated blocks, pavers and bricks. The last step was creating a booklet about pollination that the girls gave to Natasha House. The girls installed three beds of native plants to create a pollinator garden. The girls each took a leadership role.

Girl Scout Cadettes from Troop 86, Sofia Sutterluety, Megan Schloss, Campbell Haynes, and Kourtney Connor, took action to help children who are patients at Children’s Hospital of King’s Daughters Urgent Care. They created a 16-page activity book that included pages for drawings and doing mazes and other puzzles. They made several copies and delivered them to the hospital’s community director along with 1,000 packs of crayons and an easel for the urgent care waiting room.

Banned Book Awareness

Girl Scout Cadette Abra Hardman of Yorktown believes literature should be recognized as a right and freedom for all. She took action through her Girl Scout Silver Award project to raise awareness on the First Amendment and issues surrounding banned books. She created bookmarks that could be colored in as children read different banned books that the York County libraries offer for check out, such as The Story of Ferdinand and Charlotte’s Web, and she collected feedback from different children and teenagers who read some of these books. She included the feedback in a presentation to the York County Library Board.

Girl Scout Troops 223 and 671 participate in Norfolk Botanical Garden’s challenge to create unique bird houses for the garden.

Several Girl Scout Brownies and Juniors from Troop 223 let their creativity shine as they answered a call out for the community’s participation in Norfolk Botanical Garden’s 2023 “Beakitecture” exhibit. Architects, organizations, local artists, students and individuals were invited to apply to have their wildest bird house creations on display. Girl Scout Junior Velina Dimitrova built the houses with her dad and then each of the Brownies painted their own. When hung together, the 10 houses spelled GIRL SCOUTS. Julia Farrell, a Girl Scout Cadette in troop 671 and daughter of volunteer leader of Troop 223, Kacey Farre1l, also designed and built a bird house that joined the others in the summer display.

Attention Girl Scouts! Use your arts and crafts skills to earn the new Craft and Tinker badge!

Earn the Explore Norfolk Botanical Garden patch!

To book a Girl Scout program, or for more information on options for your Girl Scout or troop, give NGB a call at (757)441-5830 ext. 463, or email them at youthed@nbgs.org

L to R: Girl Scouts Sarah Schmuck, Sophia Sorensen, Madea Hendrix and Carly Sharp

Girl Scout Cadettes L to R: Sofia Sutterluety, Kourtney Connor and Megan Schloss with their Girl Scout Silver Award Certificates.

Norfolk Botanical Garden’s Beakitecture Exhibit

All About Rockets

During a STEM event, All About Rockets, hosted by GSCCC and supported by members of SERVA and NASA, Girl Scout Daisies, Brownies and Juniors had fun learning about lift and thrust using nerf rockets, and Cadettes and Seniors built and launched model rockets.

Flag Ceremony Instruction

Girl Scout Troop 538 from Chesapeake was asked to assist VFW post 4411 in Franklin with their annual flag retirement ceremony. VFW Post members spoke to the girls about the importance of the ceremony which retires damaged or worn flags in a dignified, respectful manner. The girls were very proud to be there and are anxious to help with future ceremonies.

While partnering with VFW is an excellent way to retire flags, troops can conduct damaged flag collections and plan a ceremony during a troop camp trip or a service unit encampment. You can find information from the U.S. Department of Defense on how to dispose of a flag properly.

On June 10 in honor of National Flag Day Chesapeake Girl Scouts led by volunteers Carolyn Engler and Kevin Wilkinson participated in a flag retiring ceremony with American Legion Post 280.

Save the date for our upcoming event, “How to Host a Proper Flag Ceremony” on October 22 at A Place for Girls in Chesapeake. Registration is opening soon!

A Year in the Life of JGL Patch Program

Each month, a new themed event was held as part of the Year in the Life of Juliette Patch program during the 2022-23 membership year. Fabulous Fashion was an event held in May where girls viewed vintage Girl Scout uniforms, did fun games to learn about Girl Scout history, and worked on design projects.

Girl Scout Juniors from Troops 40 & 41 worked together to create The Little Food Pantry to support Miles Memorial Methodist Church in Norfolk. They built a pantry using learned woodworking skills. They planned a Movie Night and a Lock In to collect non-perishable food items for the pantry!

Download the free Girl Scout Family Connection publication on our website’s Family Connections page! A great resource, especially for those new to Girl Scouts!

2022-2023

Family Connection

Girl Scouts

Your

Girl Scout Juniors of Troop 726 hosted a Thinking Day event for their service unit, presenting information on the Girl Scout Tree Promise and water conservation. They chose Ukraine as the country to learn about. The girls invited a UkrainianRussian immigrant who spoke about Voices of Children, a project which supports a therapy and art camp for children impacted by the war.

Start making your plans for World Thinking Day 2024!

Theme: “Our World, Our Thriving Future, The Environment and Global Poverty.” Activity guides coming soon!

Girl Scouts Build a Bridge to Bridge

October 31st is Juliette’s Birthday!

During a challenging time in 1914, Juliette Gordon Low, founder of Girl Scouts, sold her precious strand of pearls to help pay the rent for the Girl Scout National Office in Washington, DC. She was quoted as saying, “Jewels are not important, but my Girl Scouts are. They need the money more than I need pearls.” To celebrate our founder’s birthday this year, make a SWAPS of Juliette’s Pearls to be reminded of Juliette’s sacrifices to ensure Girl Scouts continued to grow. Then, make plans to meet up with a fellow Girl Scout friend, your troop, and maybe even your sister troop, and enjoy some time together and present your SWAPS! Don’t forget to send photos to marcomm@gsccc.org.

You can read about Juliette Gordon Low’s history and legacy at girlscouts.org.

Girl Scout Juniors L to R: Nora Finnegan, Makenzie Broberg and Rekinley Brown

Girl Scouts in Troop 778 built a small, easy to take apart and store bridge to donate to their service unit for troop bridging ceremonies. They learned how to read assembly directions and were able to get experience using basic tools. They presented their project and information about the tradition of bridging to the leaders in the service unit at a monthly leader meeting.

Many troops hold their bridging ceremony in May or June. Be sure to plan ahead and prepare a ceremony the girls won’t forget! Find resources here.

Use Resources Wisely

Using resources wisely and making the world a better place is an essential part of what it means to be a Girl Scout. Did you know that there are environmental badges and Journeys available through Girl Scout programming to teach girls about the environment and ways to protect it? Plus, girls can choose environmental issues to address to earn the highest awards in their grade levels like the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver and Gold awards!

Girl Scouts, register for the It’s Your World, Change It! - Journey

December 2; 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Location: Virginia Wesleyan University Campus

Levels: All; Cost: $30; Register by: 11/17

Whether it’s planting a garden, painting a mural, or launching a letter-writing campaign, this Journey helps girls understand what it means to be a leader who makes a difference in the world through unique leadership and advocacy challenges.

Community Garden, Rain Barrel and Compost

Gold Award Girl Scouts Morgan Lynch and Emmy Hundley also had an opportunity to share their Girl Scout leadership journey with Kiggans.

Girl Scout Cadette Lillian Thompson from Troop 1993 in Virginia Beach cares about the environment and dedicated her Girl Scout Silver Award project to making a difference at Fort Story. She installed gutters and rain barrels at Fort Story’s community garden. She also rebuilt two compost bins and attached signs to them, letting residents know where to place compost and information about her project. Girl Scout Cadette Lillian Thompson (far right) was one of the go-getters who met with Congresswoman Jen Kiggans during GSCCC’s Advocacy visit. Congresswoman Kiggans, a proud Girl Scout alum, serves as the Vice Chair of the House Natural Resources Committee. She was eager to hear about Lillian’s environmental project.

How Long Until It’s Gone?

Girl Scout Cadette Kiara Manion from Troop 1445 in Williamsburg educated others about the long-lasting effects of litter on the environment through her Girl Scout Silver Award project, How Long Until it’s Gone. She built and placed a wooden display at Camp Skimino with educational material on how long it takes items to decompose in the environment. She also included information on how to build a compost pile. When visiting Camp Skimino, be sure to check it out!

World of Girls Journey

Girl Scout Brownies with Troop 305 completed their World of Girls Journey. They did this with the help of some teen leaders from Teens with a Purpose. The girls seeded, watered, and helped with other gardening tasks at a community garden located at Purpose Park, a park located in Norfolk and supported by the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority. They also used some of their cookie proceeds to purchase gardening equipment for the program and helped stock the park’s little library about powerful girls.

L to R: Ellie Tomberlin, Zoe Morgan, Zoe Sims, Ava Brazier, Annika Quaintance, and Emi Hiyama

Lillian Thompson

Solar Flower at APFG

GSCCC has just gotten a little more green! We are now the new home of a SmartFlower—a solar flower that will help produce power for A Place for Girls, the Council’s regional headquarters and program center. It will also become a teaching tool to introduce engineering and environmental sciences to girls of all ages and be a model for energy sustainability. It is only the second one in Hampton Roads. The flower, named Daisy in honor of our founder Juliette Gordon Low, who was fondly nicknamed Daisy, was unpacked and placed on a permanent platform in early summer with the wiring and system activation done in July. We give a big thank you to the donors and supporters who made this possible. They include Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation, U.S. Department of Energy through support from Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, and The Blocker Foundation.

Stay tuned for more information and to watch Daisy’s progress!

Axe Throwing Camp Apasus Craft House

Did you know that GSCCC has two axe-throwing ranges for great outdoor fun? One is at Camp Darden and another at Camp Apasus. GSCCC provides training for facilitators and adults who are ready to help troops and service units add the activity to their camping experience. JoAn Berry is one of those adults. In addition to axe throwing, she is skilled in canoeing, archery and outdoor skill building.

“Girl Scouts must be a Cadette, Senior or Ambassador to participate,” JoAn said. “Before including this activity in a troop’s outing, the troop leaders should identify and recognize the ability of each girl, so no one is attempting the activity beyond their ability.” A certified instructor is required.

Rules to follow at a GSCCC

Axe Throwing Range:

Girl Scout Cadettes from Troop 256 in Norfolk dedicated their Girl Scout Silver Award project, “Project Art,” to helping camp. They gave some TLC to the Craft House at Camp Apasus by updating supplies and cleaning and organizing the craft shelves. The tables were also decorated with old found patches and the walls were cleaned. They added a personal touch by painting the title of their project on one of the walls!

1. Secure a perimeter around the throwing area.

2. Store throwing devices in a secure location when not in use.

3. Make sure adult supervision is provided at all times.

4. Create a safety line at least 10 feet behind the throwing line

5. Hold the axe safely when not throwing.

Want to become a facilitator of an outdoor activity? Email customercare@gsccc.org and someone will reach out to you to provide details.

Thank you, Rotary Club!

Many thanks to Great Bridge Rotary Club and Rotary District 7600 for a gift to fund a floating dock in The Outback! We also had Rotary members come out in June to clear trails and prepare the nature area for summer camp.

Thank you Girl Scouts Morgan Harrison, Lilly Metzcus, Zoe Miller, Peyton Scott and Alexis Tasber!

Teen Leadership

As a Cadette, Senior, or Ambassador, Girls Scouts have opportunities to become amazing leaders in their troops and communities as well as earn awards, help younger Girl Scouts, travel with Girl Scouts from around the country, and serve on special council committees or even the Board of Directors! As an older Girl Scout, girls can build a solid foundation for the future or take the next steps in their Girl Scout leadership by earning Leadership in Action (LiA), Counselor in Training (CIT), Program Aide (PA), Volunteer in Training (VIT), or Girl Scout Highest Awards!

Girl Scouts learn from Newport News Civil General District Court Judge Rian Lewis.

Travel!

The following Destinations are open to rising 9-12 graders and those who have just graduated at the time of travel. All include a full-time tour director and organized sightseeing tours. Expect round-trip flights and overnights in hotels with private bathrooms, plus European breakfast and dinner daily.

Girl Scouts from Troop 1539 in Newport News hosted a very special guest and Girl Scout alum, Newport News Civil General District Court Judge Rian Lewis. During her time with the girls, she discussed her background and schooling as a lawyer, as well as her journey to the judgeship appointment. She also answered questions about the different courts over which she presides and what a day in court looks like. Judge Lewis was a great addition to the girls’ work toward the Democracy for Cadettes badge!

Kappa Deltas at ODU Welcome Girl Scouts

The Bell’Italia Destination will take place June 23 to July 5, 2024. Discover the regional traditions, the unique sights and the vibrant culture of Italy. Entrances to Doge’s Palace; Glass-blowing demonstration; Duomo; Basilica of St. Francis; Sistine Chapel; St. Peter’s Basilica; Colosseum; Roman Forum; Pompeii Roman Ruins; and a Capri boat cruise. Announcing our 2025 Destination, travel to the capitals of the British Isles plus Paris, including Paris Disney from June 25 to July 8, 2025. You’ll love seeing the Book of Kells at Trinity College; St. Patrick’s Cathedral; Titanic Belfast; Giant’s Causeway; Edinburgh Castle; Museum of London; the Louvre; Notre Dame Cathedral and Paris Disney.

Interested? Contact the Destinations Coordinator at gscccdestinations@gmail.com

Kappa Deltas led Girl Scouts in a confidence-building exercise where girls looked at themselves in a mirror, and instead of being critical, they appreciated all they were and all they accomplished.

Kappa Delta Sororities at Old Dominion University and the College of William and Mary have supported Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast for nearly twenty years! Kappa Deltas serve as mentors and volunteers, host confidence-building programs, educational events, campus tours and other activities with Girl Scouts in their communities. At a spring event hosted by ODU Kappas, girls did confidence-building activities with college women that included making confidence-building “flower” mirrors and holding discussions on your inner beauty. The girls also created spring flower pots.

L to R: Cadettes Grace Trout, Martha-Ann Wells, Judge Rian Lewis, Cadettes Claire Domzal and Cailin Houlihan.

There were six Girl Scouts and three adults from GSCCC who traveled on the Curtain Time to London Destination. Girl Scouts Marissa DeSimas, Claire Pittman, Madison Roush, Maureen Keller, Lacey Hickman and Erin Kelley packed in a full trip that included seeing Stonehenge.

L to R: Gold Award Girl Scout and alum Claire Pittman and Maureen Keller.

Kindness is Synonymous with Being a Girl Scout.

The word means to possess the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate— traits all found within the Girl Scout Promise and Law. There are so many simple ways to practice kindness as you participate in Girl Scout activities.

Here are some activities to get you started and ways you can cultivate kindness.

❤ A Smile Can Change Someone’s Day. Sounds too simple, right? But sometimes the simple gestures that cost you nothing to give away have the biggest impacts.

❤ Use Kind Words. Kids learn how to speak to others and what to say by watching those around them. Make it a point to display kindness with your words.

❤ Do a Good Turn Daily. The Girl Scout slogan is “Do a good turn daily.” This means doing something every single day that can make a difference in the world.

❤ Reflect on Good Turns. Completing an act of kindness by doing a “good turn” is great, but to make sure the lesson sticks encourage your girl members to reflect on the impact their good turn had on someone. Make it a part of the opening of every troop meeting for girls to share one good turn and how it made someone else’s day better.

❤ Be a Role Model. And finally, be the kindness role model your children need. Kids mimic the behavior they see. Take a deep breath and respond in tough moments with kindness; your girl will see that as well and remember how you reacted. While you are one of many adults in their lives, you just might be the one to make this lesson stick. Practice it often!

Community Partners for Spread Kindness Peanut Butter Collection

This year, GSCCC is introducing a new patch, Spread Kindness, that will help give Girl Scouts some fun Discover, Connect and Take Action activities. Among the suggested activities is to hold a peanut butter collection at your school, church or meeting place, or drop off peanut butter donations during September— National Hunger Awareness Month — at any Mid-Atlantic Dairy Queen with in-store dining.

After you complete the activities, fill out a form which can be found on GSCCC’s website by March 31, 2024 and place your order for patches. You’ll be notified when they come into GSCCC’s shop at A Place for Girls for pick up and payment.

Follow the QR code for more information.

Speaking of being kind... Girl Scouts at the Nato Festival Parade

Girl Scout volunteer Jeanette Rincon, leader of Troop 916, and a few of her troop members helped represent North Macedonia’s 2023 float in the NATO parade. North Macedonia is the second newest nation to join NATO. It is the size of New Jersey filled with beautiful scenery, the worlds largest observatory, and is the birthplace of Mother Theresa. Many thanks to Girl Scout volunteer Mara Bates from Chesapeake who leads organizing GSCCC’s presence at the parade each year.

Next year’s NATOFEST will be held April 18-21, 2024. If you’re interested in marching with a float sponsored by Girl Scouts, email marinemara@yahoo.com Troops may also want to get involved in the Veterans Day Parade! Register at gsccc.org/events.

Troop Creates a Peace Pole

L to R: Girl Scouts Brooke Kral, Arizona Phelps, Elgin Raymond, and Morgan Ramsey.

Girl Scouts Brooke Kral from Troop 141, Arizona Phelps from 1055, Elgin Raymond, an individual girl member, and Morgan Ramsey from Troop 477 spent time together to create a Peace Pole for Camp Outback. They hope other girls will learn about the history of Peace Poles and take action to create and place one in their communities.

2024

Outdoor Fun Starts With Girls Scouts!

12!

Art-rageous Adventures

What would camp be without crafts! Girl Scout Daisies Ellie Salpeter and Aria Hicks made pinecone birdfeeders with their unit.

Girl Scouts from several different troops served by GSCCC’s Community Troop Team had fun at “Art-rageous Adventures,” a summer event held at Camp Apasus. Among them were 26 Girl Scouts from newly formed Troop 5454, a multi-level troop that meets at For Kids Inc., a nonprofit in Suffolk. Girls were able to have outdoor experiences that included canoeing, archery, and fire safety. Traditional activities like arts and crafts were also on the schedule. Girls made tie-dyed T-shirts, sand art, and created lanyards.

“I honestly surprised myself by getting in the boat,” said Virginia Holman, a volunteer with Troop 5454. “Once the girls were smiling and ready to go, I knew I wanted to go, too. I love that they have opportunities like this for the girls and the adults.”

Funding to support community troops comes from various sources; the Suffolk Foundation supports Troop 5454’s programming. Girls take part in engaging, challenging, and fun activities like earning badges, traveling, selling cookies, exploring science, getting outdoors, and doing community service projects — all part of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience!

It’s Your World, Change It!

Gold Award Girl Scout alum Dr. Wendy Scott, hosted an event, It’s Your World, Change It!, at Virginia Wesleyan College. Girl Scouts were able to have a day on campus and learn from Wendy who is the founder and director of Tidewater Collegiate Academy, an innovative homeschool program with a mission to facilitate the development of global citizens ready to make the world a better place. Activities included a craft project where girls made pine cone birdseed feeders with the help from the Cape Henry Woman’s Club. Later, they brainstormed other ways they could make an impact on the environment and wrote letters of appreciation to organizations doing good work to help the environment. They also picked up litter on campus and created posters to bring awareness to these issues. The day ended with a celebration that included fun games led by Wendy!

Rapelling at Camp Fury Norfolk

Canoeing in Camp Skimino Pond

Summer Camp Early Bird Registration Begins February

Fun on low-ropes course at Camp Skimino!

Campers honored the colors. Raising the flag and retiring it was part of each camp session.

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. Find details on the events page at www.gsccc.org/events

Program Events ~ September 2023-September 2024

Grandparents Day & Grand Pals Celebration

September 23; 1:30-3 p.m.

Location: Bayside of Poquoson Health and Rehab; Levels: J/C/S/A

Cost: $3 for Community Service Rocker Register by: 9/5

Join us at a local retirement community to provide manicures for the ladies and build race cars with the men, then come together as a group to play a game of bingo for some fun prizes!

Tree Planting

October 1; 10 a.m. - Noon

Location: Camelot Park, Chesapeake

Careers in STEM: Women in Business

October 28; 10 a.m.-Noon;

Location: William & Mary; Cost: $12

Levels: C/S/A; Register by: 10/18

The Kappa Delta sorority invites you to the campus of William & Mary for a fun morning of educational networking with local community women in STEM careers.

Catch The King Tide

October 28; 9-11 a.m.; Location: Mapping is coordinated by parent and participants

Levels: All; Cost: $4; Register by: 10/7

Register on our Events page for Badge-in-a-Box programs! Each kit comes with directions and all materials needed to earn a badge for your Girl Scout level. Kits are $15 each and may be picked up from APFG, or can be mailed for an additional $10/kit.

• Girl Scout Daisy Safety Award

• Girl Scout Brownie Safety Award

• Girl Scout Daisy Eco Learner Badge

• Girl Scout Brownie Eco Friend Badge

• Girl Scout Daisy Board Game Badge

• Girl Scout Brownie Fair Play Badge

American Red Cross Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED Training

October 13

Noon - 3:30 p.m.; Cost: $70

Levels: C/S/A + Adults

Location: APFG Fun Room

This blended learning course equips you to recognize and care for a variety of first aid breathing and cardiac emergencies involving adults, children, and infants.

A certificate for Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED is issued upon successful completion.

More First Aid and additional facilitator trainings are available throughout the year. See the schedule at www.gsccc.org/events.

Levels: C/S/A; Cost: $6; Register by: 9/18 Tree planting provides habitat for wildlife, creates shade on hot summer days, cleans water, and removes air pollution. Come plant a few dozen trees with us as part of the Girl Scout Tree Promise, and earn your patch!

Family Fun “National Everything Day”

October 7 - Rain Date October 8

Noon-3 p.m.; Location: Chesapeake City Park; Levels: All; Cost: $10; Register by: 9/30

Join us for this special, back-to-troop family fun day — we’re going to observe as many “National Day of” celebrations for October in one day as we can, like National Outdoors Play Day, National Mad Hatter Day, and National Chocolate Covered Pretzel Day!

The Science of Golf

October 15; 10 a.m.

Location: Topgolf, Virginia Beach

Levels: All; Cost: $25; Register by: 10/1 Take a day trip to Topgolf Virginia Beach and learn all the basics of teeing off. Get hands-on experience with the science of golf from professional coaches and then have some interactive play time with your Girl Scout friends!

How to Host a Proper Flag Ceremony

October 22; 10-11:30 a.m.

Location: APFG; Levels: D/B/J

Cost: $3; Register by: 10/1

A flag ceremony honors the American flag as the symbol of our country and all the hopes, dreams, and people it represents. Do you know how a flag ceremony should go? Learn the importance of flag etiquette, meet a special guest and hear the story of our American flag.

Tide-mapping returns! The annual Catch the King event, hosted by Wetlands Watch, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, and Old Dominion University, recruits volunteers to collect flooding data from the highest tides of the year.

Year in the Life of a Girl Scout: Founder’s Birthday Cupcake Wars!

October 29; 10- 11:30 a.m. D/B/J

Noon-1:30 p.m.- C/S/A

Location: APFG; Cost: $12; Register by: 10/1

Have fun with creative designs, show off your skills, and engage in some friendly competition with your cupcake-making in honor of Juliette Gordon Low. We’ll also learn a little bit about the Science of Happiness along the way.

Year in the Life of a Girl Scout: Entrepreneurship

November 5; 10 a.m.-Noon; Levels: J/C/S/A

Location: APFG; Cost: $25; Register by: 11/1

Let’s have some fun learning how to build our own businesses. We’ll go over all the basics, work on original, creative designs and so much more. (Entrepreneurship Kit and Badge included.)

Veterans Day Parade

November 11; 8-11 a.m.; Location: Virginia Beach

Oceanfront; Levels: All; Cost: $3; Register by: 11/1

Join GSCCC in honoring our military veterans by participating in the Tidewater Veterans Day Parade in Virginia Beach.

Costume Fun Run: She Can Do Anything!

November 12; 9 a.m. - Noon

Location: ODU Campus; Levels: D/B/J

Cost: $12; Register by: 10/10

Join the ODU Kappa Deltas and your Girl Scout sisters for a fun run on campus! We will also be celebrating health and nutrition, enjoying some fun seasonal activities, and holding a costume contest.

International Girls Day: Robotics at The College of William & Mary

November 12; 10 a.m.-Noon D/B/J

1 -3 p.m. C/S/A

Location: William & Mary; Cost: $40

Register by: 11/1

Girl Scouts of all grades are invited to get some hands-on experience and work in teams to earn all three Robotics badges for your grade level at this fun event!

Careers in STEM: Women in Business

November 18; 10a.m.-12:30p.m.

Location: Town Center Virginia Beach

Levels: C/S/A; Cost: $10; Register by: 11/1

Take a tour of commercial real estate companies in Town Center and meet local women from CREW Coastal Virginia. Lunch is included, and all activities will go towards requirements for your level’s STEM Career Exploration Badge!

NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet

November 26; 2 p.m.

Location: The Sandler Center, Virginia Beach

Levels: All; Cost: $38; Register by: 11/1

Gather your loved ones for the warm-glownostalgia of this traditional tale performed by an extraordinary international cast. Be transported by the magic of jaw-dropping acrobatics, larger-thanlife puppets, and stunning hand-crafted sets and costumes.

It’s Your World, Change It! - Journey

December 2; 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Location: Virginia Wesleyan University

Levels: All; Cost: $30; Register by: 11/17

Whether it’s planting a garden, painting a mural, or launching a letter-writing campaign, this Journey helps girls understand what it means to be a leader who makes a difference in the world through unique leadership and advocacy challenges.

Year in the Life of a Girl Scout: Cookie Business December 3; 10-11:30 a.m. D/B/J

Noon-1:30 p.m. C/S/A

Location: Camp Skimino; Levels: All

Cost: $12; Register by: 11/17

Let’s get ready for a great cookie season together! We’ll learn the 5 Cookie Skills: Goal Setting, Decision Making, Money Management, People Skills, and Business Ethics.

Cookie Kickoff

December 16; 6-8 p.m.; Location: Children’s Museum of Virginia, Portsmouth

Levels: All; Cost: $17; Register by: 11/17

Discover how to “Own Your Magic” at this year’s Cookie Kickoff celebration. Join us for a great day of fun and complete all of the steps needed to become a CEO—that’s a Cookie Entrepreneur Officer!

Cookie Classic Run

January 13, 2024; 9 a.m.

Location: Dismal Swamp Trail, Chesapeake Levels: All; Cost: $45: Register by: 12/27

Participants of all abilities and ages, including adaptive athletes, run, walk, or roll the 10K, 5K and/or 1 mile.

Year in the Life of a Girl Scout: Holidays

January 6, 2024; 10-11:30 a.m. D/B/J

Noon-1:30 p.m. C/S/A

Location: TBD; Cost: $12; Register by: 12/11 We will explore special observances and customs, taste holiday treats from different cultures, create unique ornaments, and learn how we can be mindful of others at these festive times.

STEM Club: Automotive Engineering

January 13, 2024; 10a.m.-Noon D/B/J

12:30 -2:30 p.m. C/S/A

Location: Virginia Enmeier Program Center, Camp Skimino; Cost $40; Register by: 1/5

Find out how automotive designers come up with ideas for new vehicles. Then, take the wheel and design your own! Includes all three Automotive badge kits for Girl Scout Daisies, Brownies and Juniors (older girls will receive three patches).

STEM Club: Robotics

January 14, 2024; 10 a.m.-Noon D/B/J

12:30-2:30 p.m. C/S/A

Location: Virginia Enmeier Program Center, Camp Skimino; Cost: $40 Register by: 1/5

Work in teams, like engineers, to design a robot that solves an everyday problem. Plan and build a prototype of your robot that actually moves! Includes all three Robotics badges for your grade level.

Baby Shower

January 20, 2024; 10 a.m.-Noon

Location: APFG; Levels: All Cost: $8; Register by: 1/1

Everyone loves a party, and baby showers have the best games to play. We’ll hear how Virginia’s Comprehensive Health Investment Project supports families in need and then have our own baby shower themed party!

National Girl Scout Bank

January 27, 2024; 10-11:30 a.m.

Location: Thalia UMC, Virginia Beach

Levels: D/B/J; Cost: $5; Register by: 1/4

Ready to earn some financial badges? Our community partners in banking will show you the ins and outs of money, savings and budgeting. Then you can shop until your money runs out!

Diversity Awareness Event

February 3, 2024; 10 a.m. - Noon

Location: Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center, Newport News; Cost $15

Levels: C/S/A; Register by: 1/17

Join us to participate in fun, thoughtful activities to earn a special patch. Deepen your understanding of people who may be different from you, and learn how to better relate to others. This is how we live the Girl Scout Law!

Random Acts of Kindness

February 10, 2024; 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.

Levels: All; Location: William & Mary

Cost: $12; Register by: 1/22

Campus Girl Scouts and the Kappa Delta Sisters will share their ideas on how to make the world a better place. Girls will participate in hands-on activities, complete a community service project, and more.

STEM Club: Mechanical Engineering

February 11, 2024; 10-11:30 a.m. D/B/J

Noon-1:30 p.m. C/S/A

Location: Elizabeth City Center; Cost: $40 Register by: 2/1

Mechanical engineers create all types of machines, from batteries to refrigerators. Let’s explore this STEM-focused career together! Includes all three Mechanical Engineering badge kits for Girl Scout Daisies, Brownies and Juniors (older girls will receive three patches).

Year in the Life of a Girl Scout: World Thinking Day

February 17, 2024; 10-11:30 a.m. D/B/J

Noon-1:30 p.m. C/S/A

Location: TBD; Cost: $12; Register by: 2/1

At this event, we will honor the global Girl Scout and Girl Guide community by doing activities around this year’s special World Thinking Day theme, “Our World, Our Thriving Future: The environment and global poverty.”

Exploring Our Universe

February 24, 2024; 10-11:30 a.m.

Location: Michael and Kimthanh Lê

Digital Theater and Planetarium at ODU

Levels: All; Cost: $10; Register by: 1/15

See the stars, planets, and constellations in all their splendor, learn to read a star map, and view the upcoming solar eclipse of 2024. Then enjoy a physics demo on waves with a laser light show!

It’s Your Story, Tell It! - Journey

March 2, 2024; 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Location: Virginia Wesleyan University

Levels: All; Cost $30 Register by: 2/14 Diversity Dialogue Day: in order to grow into adults who can successfully live and work in an increasingly global community, we require environments that promote respect, inclusiveness and civility. This work is at the heart of making the world a better place!

Year in the Life of a Girl Scout: Spirituality and Faith

March 9, 2024; 10-11:30 a.m. D/B/J Noon -1:30 p.m. C/S/A

Location: APFG; Cost: $20; Register by: 3/1 Girl Scouts is welcoming and inclusive to members of all faiths. Every March, during the week of Girl Scouts’ birthday, girls also celebrate Faith Week. See how you can connect your faith with Girl Scouting activities and come learn about other faiths!

Teen Soirée

March 23, 2024; 1-3:30 p.m.; Location: APFG

Levels: C/S/A; Cost: $20; Register by: 3/1

Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors: it’s time to party! We’ll split up into groups to prepare special courses to share, then change into fancy dress to enjoy our luncheon soirée together.

Think Like A Citizen Scientist

March 30, 2024; 10-11:30 a.m. D/B/J

Noon -2 p.m. C/S/A

Cost: $30; Register by: 3/20

Practice making scientific observations and collecting data, participate in a citizen science project, and do a Take Action project to address an issue in your community. Includes the badges to be earned and everything you need to complete the Journey!

Are You Sorority Ready?

April 6, 2024; 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Location: William and Mary; Levels: All

Cost: $12; Register by: 3/18

Much like Girl Scouts, these campus organizations offer young women opportuntities for leadership development, community service, and friendship, while encouraging academic success.

Cookies on Ice with The Norfolk Admirals

April 6, 2024; 6 p.m.; Location: Norfolk Scope

Levels: All; Cost: $20; Register by: 3/18

It’s Girl Scout night for hockey fans and their families! Join us for fun pre-game activities starting at 5:30 p.m., and then get ready to watch the Norfolk Admirals. Patch included!

Year in the Life of a Girl Scout: Awards & Appreciation

April 13, 2024; 10-11:30 a.m. D/B/J

2-1:30 p.m. C/S/A

Location: APFG; Cost: $12; Register by: 3/27

You may already know about the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards, but do you know about the Buck Harris award, the Congressional Award, the President’s Volunteers Service Award, or the Community Service Bar? We’ll cover all these as well as Volunteer Appreciation Month!

Project Impact: Defenders of the Sea

April 20, 2024; 10 a.m.- Noon

Location: Virginia Beach Oceanfront

Levels: All; Cost: $3; Register by: 4/8

Want to take action and make an impact?

Join us for “Defenders of the Sea; Keeping Our Oceans Plastic Free” and share your project ideas. (More details will be provided to complete activities before the event.)

Line Dancing

April 27, 2024; 10-11:30 a.m. D/B/J

Noon -2 p.m. C/S/A

Location: Deep Creek Ruritan Club, Chesapeake; Cost: $15; Register by: 4/1

Let’s get steppin’! Join us for some line dancing — don’t forget your dancing shoes. The troop with the highest number of registered participants will win a private dance class!

It’s Your Planet, Love It! - Journey May 4, 2024; 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Location: Virginia Wesleyan University

Campus; Levels: All; Cost: $30 Register by: 4/15

Learn about how and where food is grown, harvested, processed, distributed, and consumed, and why that matters. Tidewater Collegiate Academy staff will be on hand to teach girls the importance of caring for our planet from earth to sky!

Girls Night Out with the Tides

Date: TBD; 6 p.m.; Location: Harbor Park Levels: All; Cost: $18, $6 extra for overnight Register by: May TBD

Join your sister Girl Scouts for a fun night of baseball with the Norfolk Tides at Harbor Park. Optional extra: Spend the night under the stars after the game!

Year in the Life of a Girl Scout: Summer Camp May 18, 2024; 10-11:30 a.m. D/B/J

Noon-1:30 p.m. C/S/A

Location: Camp Apasus, Norfolk

Levels: All; Cost: $12; Register by: 5/1

You’re a force of nature, Girl Scout, and every outdoor adventure grows your “I’ve got this” attitude. Are you thinking about attending summer camp this year? Let’s go over some summer camp FAQs.

Think Like an Engineer Journey

May 19, 2024; 10-11:30 a.m. D/B/J

Noon-1:30 p.m. C/S/A

Location: Camp Apasus, Norfolk

Levels: All; Cost: $30; Register by: 5/2 How do engineers use design thinking to solve problems? Complete hands-on design challenges powered by solar energy, and plan a Take Action project that helps others. Includes the badges to be earned and everything you need to complete the Journey!

Year in the Life of a Girl Scout: Outdoor Challenge

June 1, 2024; 10-11:30 a.m. D/B/J

Noon-1:30 p.m. C/S/A

Location: Camp Skimino; Cost: $12

Register by: 5/20

Enjoy some time in nature as we work towards earning the “Girl Scouts Love the Outdoors” patch. You will discover fun surprises, learn a new outdoor skill, and find items to create a fairy home for your new elf friends!

Think Like a Programmer Journey

June 8, 2024; 10-11:30 a.m. D/B/J

Noon-1:30 p.m. C/S/A

Location: APFG; Cost: $30

How do programmers use computational thinking to solve problems? Complete fun, computational thinking activities with hands-on materials for experimentation. Includes the badges to be earned and everything you need to complete the Journey!

Year in the Life of a Girl Scout: Outdoor STEM

July 13, 2024; 10-11:30 a.m. D/B/J

Noon-1:30 p.m. C/S/A

Location: APFG; Cost: $12

Register by: 6/24

Let’s have fun with outdoor STEM, where we can get messy and play with new ideas for improving the environment. Learn how to create an outdoor pulley system, build an ant farm, and more!

Year in the Life of a Girl Scout: Outdoor Fun

August 10, 2024; 10-11:30 a.m. D/B/J

Noon-1:30 p.m. C/S/A

Location: Camp Skimino; Cost: $12

Register by: 7/12

Go on a canoeing adventure with your caregiver, complete exciting physical challenges and create new memories as you spend some quality time enjoying nature at Camp Skimino.

Year in the Life of a Girl Scout: Back To Troop

September 7, 2024; 10-11:30 a.m. D/B/J

Noon-1:30 p.m. C/S/A

Location: APFG; Cost: $18

Register by: 8/19

Did you know? Four out of five Girl Scouts say they have a best friend in their troop! We’ll go over troop basics, including kaper charts, troop crests, and what is expected of you as a troop member.

creative and earn your Explore the Chrysler Museum patch. Self-guided tours to help you earn the patch. FREE for groups of all sizes. Want a bit more? $50 per group (up to 10 girls and three adults) for a 60-minute program on November 11 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Outdoor Adventures!

A Day by the Pond

AIM

October 14

Location: Camp Skimino

9:30-11:30 a.m. B; 12:30-2:30 p.m. J

3-5 p.m. C/S/A; Cost: $16; Deadline: 9/28

OR

October 22;

Location: Camp Apasus

9:30-11:30 a.m. B; 12:30-2:30 p.m. J

3-5 p.m. C/S/A; Cost: $16; Register by: 10/13

Aim for your archery patch: line up your bow and arrow, stand straight and shoot! With some practice and instructor’s coaching, you may become the next archery champion.

Hanging Out

October 1 or October 29

Location: Virginia Beach Adventure Park

10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Levels: B/J/C/S/A

Cost: $42; Register by: 9/25 or 10/23

The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium presents Girl Scouts of Colonial Coast Day. With 17 treetop trails to explore, Hanging Out offers challenges for beginners as well as experienced climbers. Bring a piece of your Girl Scout uniform and receive a special patch!

Axe Throwing

October 21

Location: Camp Apasus

9:30-11:30 a.m.; 12:30-2:30 p.m.; 3-5 p.m.

Levels: C/S/A; Cost: $16; Register by: 10/13

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

Outdoor Fun Days for D/B/J

October 15

Location: Camp Skimino

9-10:30 a.m. Daisies

Noon-2 p.m. Brownies

3-5 p.m. Juniors

Cost: $14; Register by: 10/23

OR

November 11; Location: APFG

9-10:30 a.m. Daisies

Noon-2 p.m. Brownies

3-5 p.m. Juniors

Cost: $14; Register by: 10/26

Let’s enjoy an outdoor fun day at camp! We’ll go over what you need to take on a day hike, talk about what it means to “Leave No Trace” and see what kinds of plants and animals we can identify as we go.

First Aid

November 4

Location: Camp Apasus

9-10:30 a.m. Brownies

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Juniors

1-2:30 p.m. C/S/A; Cost: $15 Register by: 10/20

Be prepared for the unexpected with some basic first aid skills. Girl Scouts will learn how to help people when they’re ill or injured and understand how to respond during an emergency.

Climbing Fun

November 11

Location: Latitude, Virginia Beach

9:30-11:30 a.m. B/J

1-3 p.m. B/J/C

3:30-5:30 p.m. C/S/A

Cost: $25; Register by: 10/26

Join our community partner Latitude at their facility in Virginia Beach for some indoor climbing fun. Cost includes shoe rental and pass to stay for the remainder of the day, plus an event patch!

Knot Tying

December 2

Location: APFG

9-10:30 a.m. Daisies

11-12:30 p.m. Brownies

1:30-3 p.m. Juniors

3-5 p.m. C/S/A

Cost: $14; Register by: 11/16

Join our Outdoor Adventure Manager to learn some knot-tying skills! Knots can be used to tie tent flaps or secure camping gear, to connect a boat to a dock, and for lots of cool crafts and games.

Cracks, Crevices and Crawlways

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Location: Enmeier Center, Camp Skimino

9 a.m.- 2p.m.

Levels: J/C/S/A; Cost: $15

Register by: 1/4/24

Join the Colonial Coast Girl Scout Cavers for a day of climbing, crawling, and scooting through our artificial caves. Plus, we’ll enjoy teambuilding exercises, games, and songs about the high adventure sport of caving!

Saturday, March 23; 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Location: Burke’s Mill Pond

Levels: B/J/C/S/A; Cost: $15

Register by: 3/7

Grab a paddle and enjoy some time on the water with the Blazing Blue Herons Canoe Team as they share their paddling passion and skills with you. Enjoy other outdoor activities as well, including art and archery!

Catch The King Tide

Participate in Wetlands Watch’s citizen science event, Catch the King! Each Fall, the highest tide of the year (the “king tide” brings high water and flooding to coastal neighborhoods, and your help is needed! Help collect data using the Sea Level Rise app - details on how to use it at wetlandswatch. org/app-faqs Join a team or venture on your own from October 27th-29th. Meet requirements for the Citizen Scientist Journey and Good Neighbor badge! Registration opens in September. You can get info on GSCCC’s Events page. Questions? Reach out to Catch the King’s Coordinator Gab Kinney at gabi.kinney@wetlandswatch.org.

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NASA Opens the Door to Girl Scouts

By Southern Van Auken

Girl Scouts were mentored throughout the day at a spring event hosted by NASA Langley Research Center. In addition to navigating a moon-landing during an exciting STEM challenge, entering an inflatable habitat, and watching engineers at work in the wind tunnel, girls were introduced to another powerful force at work: the women of NASA, most of whom were Girl Scout alumna. A surprise highlight of the day was a glimpse into the Navigation Center, one of NASA’s creative work spaces, complete with library shelves full of books for researching and white boards for brainstorming big ideas.

Dr. Kimberly Brush, Langley’s Director of STEM Education, told the girls, “Every one of us believes your story could be here, too.” Her sentiment was certainly true for Girl Scout Senior Jocelynn and Girl Scout Cadette Sophie, winners of the “To the Moon and Back” essay contest. Both girls were honored by Lisa Ziehmann, Langley’s Associate Director, who presented them with Space Science badges that had actually been to the moon on NASA’s Artemis I mission. Kris Brown, Deputy Associate Administrator for STEM Engagement, encouraged the girls to “Be open to possibilities and dream big. The universe is literally out there waiting for you.”

Sleeping Under the Stars

Hampton Service Unit planned an overnight program at the Virginia Air and Space Museum where girls earned STEM badges, including the Space Science badges. They built rockets, did hands-on activities, toured the museum and watched the film “A Beautiful Planet” in the IMAX theater. Consider booking a program or an overnight stay at the Virginia Air and Space Museum!

Go Out and Explore Your World!

Patches are a great way to explore your interests while having fun! Whether you want to tour our council’s cities, discover a love for animals at the Living Museum, learn more about the Armed Forces, or conquer challenges on the Fitness Trail, you can find a patch program perfect for you!

We offer many engaging and educational patches for girls in grades K-12 to wear on the back of their vests or sashes to show off all of their fun adventures! These patch programs were created for our Council, and were developed to provide girls at any level a variety of activities and experiences. Any Girl Scout from any Council can complete the Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast’s patch programs.

• Explore Hunter House Victorian Museum

• Explore Jamestown

• Explore The Mariners’ Museum

• Explore Norfolk Botanical Garden

• Explore the Thoroughgood House

• Explore Virginia Living Museum

• Explore the Virginia Zoo

Girl Scouts Sophia Burgess and Jocelynn Garcia, two of GSCCC’s essay winners, enjoyed being at the event with GSCCC Board Vice-Chair Carolyn Pittman who is also Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer of Maxar Technologies, a company with experience building communication and Earth observation satellites.

National Gold Award Scholarship

Congratulations to Emerson Hundley, the 2023 GSUSA National Gold Award Scholarship recipient from GSCCC. She took action to tackle the prevalence of food insecurity in her own community. Emerson set a goal of reorganizing and revitalizing a pre-existing food pantry at Saint Michael’s Lutheran Church in Virginia Beach with new ideas designed to offer simplicity of access and dignity to guests. Emerson implemented a method for “shoppers” at the church’s food panty that is similar to a typical grocery store experience, more so than guests might usually experience at a food pantry. At Saint Michael’s, guests are given a shopping bag and are able to browse the “store” and select items of their choosing, at no cost to them.

“I hope I am helping in a way that makes people feel valued and respected. I cannot solve the issue of food insecurity, but I can help by offering the community a sustainable source of assistance.”

The Power of Girls

On June 4, 2023, more than 300 guests attended the girl awards event, “The Power of Girls,” held at Norfolk Collegiate School to celebrate girl leadership. Proud parents, fellow troop members, volunteers, and friends all applauded the award recipients in attendance that included those who earned Summit Awards, Bronze Awards, Silver Awards, and Gold Awards. Gold Award Girl Scout alum Marisa Beck, who owns and operates Latitude Climbing + Fitness, a climbing gym with three Hampton Roads locations, emceed the event.

In addition to the recognition of highest awards, several Girl Scouts received special Council awards and scholarships. Each graduating Gold Award Girl Scout received a Girl Scout lifetime membership thanks to the Helen Kattwinkel Lifetime Membership Endowment and the Duffy family in memory of their daughter, Gold Award Girl Scout Kaitlyn Duffy.

We extend a big thank you to Norfolk Collegiate School for generously opening their facility to Girl Scouts and to those who made the day exceptional, including Girl Scout Cadettes from Troop 874 who conducted the opening flag ceremony, Bella Waite for performing the National Anthem and Norfolk City Council woman Courtney Doyle who officially welcomed guests.

The Power of Girls Awards Celebration booklet is available for view on GSCCC website’s Publication page.

Adults with Gold Award Girl Scouts: (L to R) Gold Award Committee Members Trish Armstrong and Cheryl McGrenra and Board Chair Marisa Porto and CEO Tracy Keller.

Buck Harris Award

Maylea Brockington Beasley Love and Laughter Scholarship

Girl Scout Junior Peyton Grubbs-Walker from Troop 2109 was recognized with the 2023 Buck Harris Award, a Council award named after Buck Harris who served as executive director of Virginia Tidewater Girl Scout Council from 1937 to 1963. To honor Buck, who was an outdoor enthusiast, the recipient received a week at a GSCCC summer camp. Peyton was nominated by her troop members for inspiring them to be the best they can be through her role modeling of the Girl Scout Promise and Law. She is a troop helper who arrives early to help set up and leaves late after clean up. Peyton is known as that go-to person in the troop if you need a helping hand. Spending time outdoors is one of Peyton’s favorite things to do!

Plan ahead and have your troop or Girl Scout nominate someone for the 2024 Buck Harris Award. Deadline is January 15, 2024.

Gold Award Girl Scout Morgan Lynch was awarded the 2023 Maylea Brockington Beasley Love and Laughter Scholarship. Morgan’s Gold Award Project, “The Ability Garden,” helped the residents of St. Mary’s Home for Children by creating an outdoor space for them to enjoy. The garden included four ADA-approved raised garden beds, a sensory play box and an indoor succulent garden built on a rolling cart for residents who are unable to get outdoors. She also wrote and published a book on the use of herbs from the garden. Being awarded this scholarship was very special to Morgan who knew Maylea through Girl Scout activities. Maylea was a member of Girl Scout Troop 475 and a Gold Award Girl Scout who lost her life in a tragic accident when she was struck by a motorcyclist while attending James Madison University. It was her family’s wish to recognize a Gold Award Girl Scout with a scholarship as a way to honor Maylea’s commitment to making the world a better place.

Morgan was also selected as the 2023 Scout of the Year by VFW Post 392 in Virginia Beach, and she was honored as a Top 20 Under 20 by the Hampton Roads Workforce Council! Congratulations, Morgan!

Scout of the Year applications are due by March 1. You must be a Gold Award Girl Scout to apply.

She Believes She Can, So She Does Scholarship

This scholarship was created with the help of Girl Scout alum Kate Godby who continues to generously give support. The scholarship helps girls pursuing higher education opportunities, including vocational training and undergraduate education. The two recipients for the 2023 She Believes She Can, So She Does scholarship are Gold Award Girl Scouts Brianna Orosco and Lauren Simms. Both received a scholarship gift of $1,000.

Brianna joined Girl Scouts as a Daisy and has earned all three highest awards, Bronze, Silver and Gold. In 2022, she was dually enrolled as a high school student and at College of the Albemarle. This year, she is attending the University of North Carolina at Asheville and plans to pursue a Bachelor in Fine Arts and New Media.

“I have been given many opportunities to step out of my comfort zone through Girl Scouts,” Brianna said. “I have been asked to be part of flag ceremonies, give speeches, and attend events as a council representative. It was not easy for me as a person with anxiety and ADHD, but I realized being uncomfortable is not the end of the world and I was proud of myself for trying. I have grown more confident in myself because of Girl Scouts.”

Lauren joined Girl Scouts as a Girl Scout Junior and, she too, has earned all the highest awards. Lauren also participated in GSCCC’s Legislative Day. She is attending North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, where she is preparing for a health career in Kinesiology.

“Before I joined Girl Scouts in the 4th grade I was afraid of everything,” Lauren said. “Never would I ever have imagined going camping, ziplining through the trees, going on high ropes courses, ghost hunting, hiking, canoeing, kayaking tours, or marsh tours catching hermit crabs. Girl Scouts has also expanded my knowledge greatly.”

Brianna Orosco

Lauren Simms

Girl Scout Junior Peyton Grubbs-Walker receives the Buck Harris Award. The award was presented by past recipient Morgan Lynch.

Morgan Lynch

The Virginia Enmeier Program

Center Receives a Lot of TLC!

Igniting a lifelong love of the outdoors is at the core of Girl Scouting—and every Girl Scout deserves the opportunity to challenge herself as she explores her world. That exploration includes time at Girl Scout camp! Here at Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast, many Girl Scouts have a special place for Camp Skimino located in Williamsburg. At the heart of the camp is the Virginia Enmeier Program Center that serves as the camp’s dining hall and a facility for both small and large group activities, including overnight accommodations. Last spring, hidden damage compromising the center was discovered during maintenance care and a campaign was created to help raise funds for repairs. Estimated cost for repairs came to over $300,000. We thank TowneBank for starting the campaign with a gift of $100,000! With their leadership support, immediate repairs restored the center’s structural integrity. Other donations followed their lead. The Alison J. and Ella W. Parsons Fund donated $25,000 through the Hampton Roads Community Foundation. Many of our service units, troops, parents, and alums also answered our call for help.

What Lies Below the Ocean Surface

by Lakelyn Woodcook

Girl Scouts had some nautical fun exploring maritime STEM at Jennette’s Pier in North Carolina. More than 50 girls attended “Investigation and Discovery: What Lies Beneath the Ocean’s Surface,” a summer event. They had an opportunity to discover the allure and mystery of North Carolina’s coastal waterways and aquatic life. As the fog rose in the morning, the girls enjoyed looking out over the Atlantic before being divided into two groups for the day’s activities. The Cadettes were guided through a session on the sounds of the ocean, listening to the music made by local marine life. Later, they investigated the form and function of squids through hands-on dissection. Younger Girl Scouts created model airboats to learn about renewable energy. They also gathered water samples full of plankton and microorganisms from the sea and used microscopes to see a whole new world come alive. While Girl Scout STEM days are always fun at Jennette’s Pier, troops and families are welcome at any time. Visit their website and get details and information on special events.

Save the Date – May 3, 2024 Busch Gardens Sleepover

Thanks to many troops in Lynnhaven Shores Service Unit 250, more than $10,000 was donated. Troop 1014 gave $200.00 to the cause. “The girls had a great time at their first Service Unit encampment last June at Camp Skimino and wanted to help when they heard about the urgent repairs,” Susan Ramsland the Lynnhaven Service Unit Director said. “They unanimously voted to make a donation from their cookie proceeds to help. These Girl Scouts took action to ensure that all girls in our council have the opportunity to enjoy the camp as much as they did!”

The end of the campaign is in sight. After summer camp concludes, the final phase will complete the reconstruction with new flooring and bathroom improvements, at an additional cost of $120,000. If you would like to make a donation toward the completion of the Virginia Enmeier Program Center campaign, visit our website’s campaign page or email philanthropy@gsccc.org.

Meet Girl Scout Senior Alexis Vann

Alexis’

Cookie Selling Tips:

• Be kind and show all customers good old-fashion manners and respect!!!

During Girl Scout cookie season, you’ll rarely see Alexis Vann without cookies in hand. They’re in the family’s dining room, car trunk, Second Baptist Union Church sound room where Alexis and her family attends services, and even in Alexis’ back pack while at school! While she has many marketing tips for Girl Scouts who want to join her as a top seller, she says having the product ready to sell has been the key to her success. This strategy and Alexis’ other marketing skills have helped her be on the Top 10 Cookie Seller list for two years, selling 3,509 boxes in 2023. In addition, she has also ranked as Top Seller for the Roanoke-Chowan Service Unit 410 each year while in the Girl Scout program.

This budding entrepreneur from Troop 628 in Ahoskie, North Carolina, has been in Girl Scouts for 11 years, joining as a Girl Scout Daisy. Her mom, Wendy, has been involved as a supportive troop parent from the start and stepped up to be the troop’s co-leader two years ago, along with Beth Wilson. The troop meets at First Baptist Church in Ahoskie for their bi-weekly meetings.

In addition to being a go-getter in Girl Scouts, Alexis is a high-achieving student who attends the prestigious Hertford County Early College High School. Alexis works extra hard to keep her grades above average while participating in extra-curricular activities such as volleyball and Battle of the Books.

Within her community, she also takes the lead. She serves on the Ahoskie Youth Council where she has taken action to plan and carry out several community service projects such as Ahoskie Clean Up Day. “Why do I stay in Girl Scouts? Because it’s fun!” she said. “I love the activities, especially selling cookies, and I’ve met some great friends. It has also given me confidence and leadership skills that I use every day.”

• Smile a lot and be excited about the delicious cookies!!!

• Say, “Thank You” to every customer whether they buy 1 box or a case; or no boxes!!!

• Network with family and friends, near and far; build loyal customers!!!

• Always remember your loyal customers and their favorite cookies, and deliver their cookies ASAP!!!

• Take care of your cookies to avoid any product damages.

• Ask everyone you meet to support the GS cookie program.

• Be a blessing to others and give away some boxes to Senior Citizens and toddlers!!!

• Talk about GS cookies year round and show your passion for the delicious treats!!!

In addition to selling cookies, she has enjoyed camping at Camp Darden and is looking forward to a trip to Florida next December, a trip being fueled by cookie proceeds. Her goal for this Girl Scout membership year is to reach the Top 10 Cookie Seller level again, to dedicate time to planning a Girl Scout Gold Award Project and applying to serve on GSCCC’s Board of Directors as a girl member!

“As a parent, I think Girl Scouting is important because the program truly delivers on its mission to build girls of courage, confidence and character,” Wendy said. “I have witnessed all these traits bloom within my daughter and other girls in our troop over the years.”

Dorothy Barber Lifetime Achievement Award

Volunteer Tool Kit

The Volunteer Toolkit (VTK) is a digital planning tool that helps you set up, customize and track your troop activities and achievements. Want to add your own meeting plans? Perfect. Everything in the Volunteer Toolkit is fully customizable.

You can add your own troop activities and change their order with a quick drag-and-drop. You can also report on troop finances, access your girl and family roster and track your girls’ achievements and attendance. From Daisy to Ambassador, the Volunteer Toolkit features new badges and Journeys.

Girl Scout alum Susan Ramsland from Virginia Beach received the Council’s highest award, the Dorothy Barber Lifetime Achievement Award. She is the Lynnhaven Shores Service Unit Director and is a lead member on the GSCCC Gold Award Committee. With her guidance and dedication, many girls have completed amazing projects and made lasting change in their communities. Susan also led an initiative to create the Helen Kattwinkel Fund, in honor of the founder of the GSCCC Gold Award Committee, which awards lifetime memberships to Gold Award Girl Scouts.

Eileen Livick, a lifetime Girl Scout member who oversees GSCCC’s travel program, received the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Volunteer Service which recognizes 4,000+ hours of volunteer service.

Learn more about these awards and the different categories of recognition.

Girl Scout Alums Write Book Together

Don’t forget to nominate someone you know for a Girl Scout award! Nominations are due by June 1, 2024. The information on awards and how to nominate can be found on our website at www.gsccc.org.

You can read about all the outstanding volunteers who were recognized this year in the Shine Bright Awards Program.

“Meet the Authors” event on Sunday, November 12.

Two Girl Scout alums who have been honored as GSCCC Famous Formers in the past, Sylvia Weinstein, publisher and editor of Oyster Pointer newspaper, and Dr. Lisa Spiller, distinguished professor of marketing at Christopher Newport University, teamed up to write a book on: Platinum Rules for Enjoying Life. The book provides priceless advice on how to slow down, spend time wisely, build strong relationships, and look after your physical and mental health. It’s a road map on how to live a balanced life through kindness to oneself and others, covering principles found in the Girl Scout Promise and Law. Sylvia says that most of the content contained in Platinum Rules for Enjoying Life was extracted from decades of previously published columns appearing in Oyster Pointer, columns that Lisa enjoyed reading and drew so much from for her own daily living. It seemed natural that the best friends and “Girl Scout sisters” would work together to create this good read! The book’s release date is October 17 with pre-order options on several sites including Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com and Target.com. Alum, save the date!

Details in upcoming Council communications.

L to R: GSCCC Board Chair Marisa Porto, Susan Ramsland and Janice Johnson

NOTE: Updated Cadette and Senior Handbooks

Start exploring badges and awards—and a world of possibility. Visit GSUSA’s website to download updated Award Logs and Badge Charts for each grade level. Print these out for reference and replace the older versions in The Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting.

Nine new life skill badges!

Inspired by the popular Craft badges.

Girls can use a wide variety of mediums to earn these new badges! Badges that are being phased out by October 2023 are: Potter; Painting; Inventor; Jeweler; Drawing; Product Designer; Entrepreneur; and Social Innovator.

New Animal Badge Line – badges now available from Daisy to Seniors!

GSUSA has discontinued Cadette and Senior Girl’s Guides and separated the handbook and badge booklets.

Buy a Brick or Bench!

Girl Scouts can show their love for animals and the outdoors by earning these high-performing badges!

GSCCC offers you a way to commemorate your Girl Scout journey, pay tribute to someone special, or memorialize a loved one that has passed away through Bricks and Benches of Honor. When you purchase a brick to be placed at A Place for Girls, it is a memory that will last forever and will literally be “etched in stone.”

Each year, a celebration is held to unveil the bricks purchased during that membership year. If you are purchasing as a gift or tribute, a card can also be sent on your behalf. You can also consider the purchase of a bench as a beautiful way to honor.

This year, Girl Scout Teresa Sperry was remembered with a memorial brick. Teresa died from complications from COVID-19 in 2021. She was a fifth-grade Girl Scout Junior who was always ready to make the world a better place.

GSCCC Council Shop

For questions, contact philanthropy@gsccc.org.

Supporting the United Way Helps Support Girl Scouts!

Teresa Sperry holding a certificate from winning the Suffolk Library’s reading challenge.

GSCCC Philanthropy Director, Sally Swanson, presented a daisy bouquet in honor of a new brick addition.

New Mental Wellness Patch Program

The challenges of today’s world don’t only affect grownups. Young people—especially girls—are facing a mental health crisis of their own. Last year, GSUSA took action on the issue and introduced the patch, “Resilient. Ready. Strong.” The patch is for all age levels and aims to help girls learn socialemotional skills. Girls learn that simple acts can go a long way to help them and others, from showing kindness to their family and friends to celebrating differences and making others feel included. GSUSA continues to create programs to support mental well-being with a new series introduced this membership year!

Developed in partnership with experts from HCA Healthcare Foundation and the National Alliance of Mental Illness, these patch programs provide age appropriate activities in mental wellness, behavioral issues and healthy habits.

Rocks for Mental Health

Girl Scout Cadette Kinsley Hemphill from Troop 322 chose to help others find happiness through her Girl Scout Silver Award project, “Rocks for Mental Health.”

She helped revitalize the Season of Non-Violence parklet in Virginia Beach with the support of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Coastal Virginia. Kinsley painted rocks with inspirational messages that were placed around the park, and she helped with the upkeep of the parklet’s garden beds.

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