“It’s so nice to be out in nature...we don’t get this privilege in Chicago.”
FINDING PEACE IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS Janae never imagined she would find herself here. Where the ground was muddy from melted snow. Where the air was chilly, and quiet—confusingly quiet. Where she was surrounded by tall, skinny trees, just starting to bloom. Still, she liked it. “It’s so nice to be out in nature,” she shared. “We don’t get this privilege in Chicago.” Janae was among the 140 GirlSpace Girl Scouts who camped out at Butternut Springs during the Chicago Public Schools’ spring break. Surrounded by new friends and Girl Scout sisters, she hiked 4
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through trails to participate in survivor camp. She learned how to build fires, navigate the areas using maps and compasses, and sharpened her communication and teamwork skills during a scavenger hunt. Thanks to the generous support from donors like you, GirlSpace brings Girl Scouting to 5,000 girls from underserved communities on Chicago’s South and West Side, in Proviso Township, in Joliet, and in Northwest Indiana. A free, year-round, out-of-school program, GirlSpace prioritizes the advancement of STEM, healthy living, and financial literacy through girl-led activities backed by social-emotional learning.
The school year may be winding down, but the need for an all-girl, girl-led safe space doesn’t take a summer break. Being outdoors in a safe and structured setting provides real benefits for girls. At camp, girls seek challenges, become resourceful problem-solvers, work cooperatively, and develop a strong sense of self. For GirlSpace Girl Scouts, summer camp provides crucial respite from the pressures and social anxieties they encounter in their daily life and environment. With camp season on the horizon, your generosity makes it possible for GirlSpace Girl Scouts to explore, learn, and have fun!
Inspired! Spring 2019
Newsletter
A newsletter for supporters of GCNWI who are inspired to build girls of courage, confidence, and character.
REACHING FOR THE STARS
Thanks to you, two Girl Scouts are leading GCNWI in exploring new frontiers It’s no secret that Girl Scouts reach for the stars. This summer, two Cadettes are pioneering a brand-new Girl Scout Astronomy Club for GCNWI. Mia Silvestri of Arlington Heights and Katherine Myerholtz of Winnetka were selected as the two founding members of GCNWI’s Astronomy Club, a three-year initiative to build a sustainable astronomy program for local Girl Scouts. GCNWI was one of several councils selected to pilot the astronomy program. Mia and Katherine will travel to the NASA Space Camp in Alabama for a week of training this June. They will work with other Girl Scouts who are starting Astronomy Clubs in their councils, as well as NASA scientists and Girl Scout leaders.
As founding members, the Cadettes will develop a plan and budget for the Club, which is slated to recruit members and meet at least three times each year. Working with Girl Scouts GCNWI Board Member Maureen Jamrock, and Adler Planetarium amateur astronomer Maria Weber, Mia and Katherine will develop and host two events for girls across the council to attend.
“I want to be a part of finding out what that 96 percent is. I want to see and experience what’s out there.”
“I have always been extremely interested in astronomy,” Mia said. “Space.com says that all the stars, planets, and galaxies that can be seen today make up just four percent of the universe. The other 96 percent is made of stuff astronomers can’t see, detect, or even comprehend.”
As for Katherine, she aspires to share her love of science with her Girl Scout peers.
“I want to be a part of finding out what that 96 percent is. I want to
see and experience what’s out there,” Mia added.
“I always love learning new things,” she shared. “I would love to share this information in a fun and engaging way. I am ecstatic at this opportunity to teach astronomy to girls who are passionate about science.”
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