In This Issue:
MARCH
2025
p3 – Spring Renewal Starts April 1st!!!
p4 – 2025 Dessert First and Cookie Crush Events
p7 - Introducing the Inaugural Class of the GSHS Super Sellers Club
p8 – GSHS Community Troop Engagement and Activities
p9 – Upcoming Travel & Program Opportunities
p10 – Quarterly Council Program Highlights
p12 – 2025 Resident Camp Session Lineup
p13 – Upcoming Trefoil Trunk Sales!
p16 – Troop Tales
Cover Photo: Members of our Stokes Beard Community Troop 70245 had fun flexing their super-sleuthing skills by discovering hidden messages as they worked on their Detective Badges!
We're committed to making Girl Scouts accessible to all!
At Girl Scouts Heart of the South, we believe that every girl deserves the chance to be a Girl Scout. We believe that every girl deserves the chance to experience the growth, adventure, and leadership that comes with being a Girl Scout—no matter her financial situation. We’re proud to offer financial assistance to help ensure that all girls can participate in our programs, camp, and activities. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we are able to provide scholarships that remove financial barriers and open doors for all girls to get involved.
Our application process has been streamlined to make it easy for families to apply for assistance, whether it’s for membership dues assistance, camp, programs, travel, or any other Girl Scout activities. We’re here to support you, and we’re committed to making sure every girl can be part of Girl Scouts and experience the incredible journey that lies ahead. For more information regarding our various financial assistance offerings and to apply, I invite you to visit the new Financial Aid Opportunities page on our website.
In addition to introducing our enhanced financial assistance program, I'm thrilled to share all of the exciting things that have been going on in our council with you in this second edition of The Promise Quarterly! This issue is brimming with pictures of smiling faces from all across our council area! GSHS has been hard at work over the past quarter bringing tons of fun and inspiring programming to girls from the Mississippi Delta to Jackson, TN and everywhere in between. I want to thank our amazing Community Partners - especially our friends at Vitalant - for their continued support and the outstanding program content they provide for our girls. You can learn more about Vitalant and their inspiring "Girl Power" event on page 10.
And our girls have been hard at work this quarter bringing smiles to happy cookie customers all across the council area, too! While the 2025 Girl Scout Cookie Season isn't finished just yet, we already have some amazing Cookie Bosses with impressive totals to share, and we're proud to announce our first class of GSHS Super Sellers! You won't believe how many boxes of cookies these outstanding girls have sold! You can find out more about all of these amazing cookie entrepreneurs on pages 6 & 7!
As always, to all of our supporters and to all of our amazing volunteers, thank you for all the love and dedication you pour into Girl Scouts and to our girls every day. We say it often, but it bears repeating - Girl Scouts could not be Girl Scouts without you. Thank you.
All the Best, Venus
VENUS CHANEY Chief Executive Officer Girl Scouts Heart of the South
Thank you to the following individuals and organizations who donated to Girl Scouts Heart of the South for the very first time during this past quarter:
Rachell Anderson
Tiffany Blankenship
Heather Culturi
Dress for Success
Mckinley Hood
Julia Hurwitz
Isom Place
Amber Joyner
Essence Partlow
Virginia Sanders
Debra West
Manuel Zepeda
Your generosity is helping to provide life-changing experiences for girls all across our council.
Thank you.
▶ left: GSHS CEO Venus Chaney visited with members of Troop 30358 at the Mississippi Delta Area Cookiepalooza event held at the LeFlore County Civic Center on January 18, 2025!
Get Ready, Early Birds!!! Spring Renewal Time will BE HERE SOON!
Mark your calendars to renew your membership on either TUESDAY, APRIL 1st or WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2nd and receive a $20 DISCOUNT ON MY26 GIRL MEMBERSHIP DUES,* an invitation to our Early Bird Camporee,** AND an awesome FUN PATCH!
*To take advantage of the $20 girl membership dues discount, USE PROMO CODE MY2620 at checkout.
Girls who complete their renewals April 3 - April 15 will receive the invitation to the Early Bird Camporee** (September 26-27, 2025 at Camp Fisherville) and the free fun patch.
**The Early Bird Camporee is a deeply discounted, overnight camp experience for girls and one accompanying adult.**
Girls who complete their renewals April 16 - April 30 will receive the free fun patch ONLY.
Parents/Caregivers and troop leaders should get together and determine who will be completing renewal for each member. LINKED BELOW ARE STEP-BY-STEP GUIDES TO HELP DIRECT YOU THROUGH THE MY26 RENEWAL PROCESS INCLUDING HOW TO APPLY THE PROMO CODE FOR THE $20 MEMBERSHIP DUES DISCOUNT AND HOW TO RENEW USING PASSPORT BUCKS OR MEMBERSHIPS EARNED THROUGH COOKIE SALES.
Parents/Caregivers do not need to spend time familiarizing themselves with the Renewal Registration Guide for Families unless their troop leader has confirmed that they will not be renewing members of their household or unless they are unsure about the troop leader’s plans for renewal.
RENEWAL
MEMBERSHIPS PURCHASED THROUGH MEMBERSHIP DUES ASSISTANCE ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR EARLY BIRD RENEWAL INCENTIVES.
All Lifetime Members who are active volunteers are encouraged to log in during the Spring Renewal period and renew their positions for the upcoming year. Girl Scouts across our council benefit in countless ways each day from the lifetime of experience you bring to the Movement. Words cannot express how much your continued support and dedication mean to our organization. Thank you.
Need more help renewing yourself, your family, or your troop?
Troop leaders have access to the "GSUSA Managing My Troops from My Account" course in gsLearn, that will guide leaders through the renewal process in our updated membership system. Log in to gsLearn and then click HERE to go straight to the course. For assistance with renewing yourself, your family, or your troop, please contact a member of our Council Care team at info@girlscoutshs.org or 800-624-4185. They’re always happy to help!
On February 13th, Girl Scouts Heart of the South's annual Dessert First fundraiser was held once again at the beautiful GumTree Museum of Art in Downtown Tupelo. Each year at this popular event, sponsors and attendees get to sample tasty, tiny treats prepared by local chefs and restaurants. Participating vendors choose a Girl Scout Cookie variety to inspire their creation and attendees flock to sample and select their favorite! This year, Brick & Spoon restaurant was selected as the People’s Choice Award recipient for their amazing Samoas-inspired cheesecake. Additional participating restaurants and caterers were: Bar-BQue by Jim, Fairpark Grill, Forklift, Krisha Mims Catering, Pizza Doctor, and Slim Chickens.
Participants also enjoyed live music performed by local musician Eden Rose and an exciting silent auction! Girl Scouts Heart of the South is grateful to our event sponsors: CREATE Foundation, Rotary Club of Tupelo, TRI Inc. Realtors, GumTree Museum of Art, Cadence Bank, Stafford Developments, CB&S Bank, and Watkins Uiberall.
On Feburary 11th at Ducks Unlimited, Girl Scouts Heart of the South hosted our first "Cookie Crush" event to thank our amazing donors and wonderful board members for their continued support and dedication to Girl Scouts. This event, much like Dessert First, brought together local restaurants and caterers who each chose a Girl Scout Cookie variety to inspire a tasty creation (or creations) of their own!
Attendees were treated to an amazing array of delicious goodies including fantastic brisket sliders provided by A Moveable Feast Catering/Hog Wild, delightful Thin Mintinspired bownies from Char, amazing Samoas-influenced cheesecake bites from Lucy J’s, and an outstanding variety of Girl Scout cookie flavor-derived desserts including cupcakes and individual small tasting treats provided by Cake Me Cryssy. They were all simply delicious!
At the event, participants also engaged in hands-on activities that demonstrated the 4 Pillars of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience: Entrepreneurship, Life Skills, Outdoor and STEM. Attendees not only got to taste some delightful treats but also got a true taste of just how their support is helping Girl Scouts build more girls of courage, confidence, and character each and every day! Thank you to everyone who come out to this exciting inaugural event. We can't wait to see you at Cookie Crush 2026!
With only two weekends remaining in the 2025 Girl Scout Cookie Season, we're excited to offer our TAKE 5 - GET 1 promotion aimed to give girls an extra boost to reach their 2025 Cookie Goals!!!
Through March 30, for every five case of cookies a troop picks up from the available council cupboard locations, they will receive one case of cookies for FREE! THE 5+1 CASES MUST BE INCLUDED IN A SINGLE TRANSACTION FROM THE CUPBOARD.
All rewards, and proceeds remain the same until the end of the Cookie Program on Sunday, March 30, PLUS the troop gets to keep the ENTIRE PROCEEDS ($72) from the FREE case! At the end of the program, Troop Cookie Managers will see a transaction on their final sales report crediting the troop for the free case(s).
FREE CASES EARNED THROUGH THE "TAKE 5 - GET 1" PROMOTION WILL NOT APPLY to the 30 cases required to qualify for the "30 for $30 for $300" promotion outlined below.
All troops that pick up 30 cases of cookies** from one of the available council cupboard locations through March 30th will receive a voucher for a FREE MY26 ADULT MEMBERSHIP (a $30 value).
THESE 30 CASES DO NOT HAVE TO BE INCLUDED IN A SINGLE TRANSACTION FROM THE CUPBOARD. TROOPS WILL QUALIFY FOR THIS PROMOTION BASED UPON THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE CASES** PICKED UP THROUGHOUT THE EXTENDED PERIOD (3/10-3/30/25).
In addition to the free adult membership voucher, each troop that picks up 30 cases of cookies** during the extended period will also be entered into a drawing to receive $300 towards a troop experience OF THEIR CHOICE.* 10 (TEN) $300 TROOP EXPERIENCE PRIZES WILL BE DRAWN.
This reward is cumulative, so if the troop picks up 60 cases of cookies** during the extended period, they will receive TWO free MY26 Adult Membership vouchers and be entered into the drawing 2 times, 3 for 90, etc. However, a troop can only WIN ONE $300 troop experience prize.
*For example, if your troop wants to go to the zoo, or have a movie night, or go to a professional sports event, the council will contribute $300 toward the cost of that experience. These are simply a few examples of the many things your troop might want to do! Let the girls lead the way! The choice is up to them!
Emily Duncan Troop 13922
51,683 boxes sold
Jasmine Tolbert Troop 10339C7
47,910 boxes sold
Micahya Brown Troop 10121
30,942 boxes sold
Makayla Tolbert Troop 10339J5
Madison Baker Troop 13922
Girl Scouts Heart of the South is proud to introduce the inaugural members of the
GSHS SUPER SELLERS CLUB!
This SUPER status is achieved by girls who have sold at least TWENTY THOUSAND BOXES OF COOKIES – throughout their years as active Girl Scouts. This is quite an accomplishment! To put that number in perspective, a girl would have to sell an average of FIFTEEN HUNDRED AND THIRTY EIGHT (and a half) BOXES OF COOKIES every year from kindergarten through 12th grade. That’s a LOT of cookies!
As of the end of the 2024 Cookie Sale, these seven girls had all reached this outstanding goal – and EXCEEDED IT – and they’re not done yet! Each of these excellent young entrepreneurs is an active participant in the 2025 Cookie Season, too, so there’s no telling just how high their totals will climb!
In order to achieve this outstanding goal, these girls have spent YEARS mastering the 5 Essential Skills of the Girl Scout Cookie Program: Goal Setting, Decision Making, Money Management, People Skills, and Business Ethics. Skills that are essential to leadership, success, and to life!
To reach the 20,000 boxes-sold goal to achieve Super Seller status – let alone the jaw-dropping totals each of these girls has achieved - requires an exceptional amount of drive, determination, and dedication – not just from these impressive girls, but also from their parents and troop leaders. We KNOW how hard you have worked to help your girls reach this amazing milestone.
GSHS congratulates ALL of you, and we want thank each and every one of you for the time and effort you pour into these girls and for your unwavering support in helping them achieve their goals. They could not do this without you. They know that and so do we!
27,130 boxes sold
Morgaan Butler Troop 13366
24,755 boxes sold
24,965 boxes sold
Genesis Bonner Troop 13137
24,159 boxes sold*
Congratulations, to ALL of you on a job VERY well done! We can’t wait to introduce the next group of inductees into the Girl Scouts Heart of the South Super Sellers Club! We know there are girls out there selling who just might be next – stay tuned!
Girls achieving this outstanding milestone will be recognized at the 2025 GSHS Annual Meeting and will receive both an exclusive GSHS Super Sellers logo enamel pin and a personalized, green, Girl Scout varsity-style jacket just like the one our CEO, Venus Chaney, is wearing in the photo on page 2!
oftheSouth COMMUNITY TROOPS
Over the past few months, our amazing Community Troop girls dove head-first into learning about Girl Scout Cookies and STEM! In December, they took flight with Rosie Revere, Engineer, where they explored the wonders of aviation and even created their own airplanes.
In January, they had tons of fun unlocking clues and solving mysteries as they worked towards earning their Detective Badge. The girls became true super-sleuths as they decoded secret messages and learned about fingerprint patterns. They also got to experience the fun world of physics while working on their Roller Coaster Science Badge! They harnessed their “inner engineer” and designed their own marble runs using cardstock, tape, and scissors. These fun, handson activities taught them all about potential and kinetic energy in a way no other program can!
Our Community Troops also participated in the 2025 Girl Scout Cookie Program. Prior to the start of the sale, they learned all about the cookie varieties we offer, how to create their own businesses, and the entrepreneurial skills that make Girl Scouts so special. As you can see from the pictures on this page, they had a great time sharing Girl Scout Cookies and smiles with happy customers everywhere! We are so proud of our Community Troop Girl Scouts for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to making a difference!
As we end the 2025 Cookie Season and welcome in spring, the girls will be working on their My Best Self and Confidence Badges, both of which encourage and teach girls to take care of themselves physically and mentally! Our Community Troop program continues to grow and we’re filled with excitement for what the future holds for these girls and for many more girls to come!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO AND TO REGISTER
Attention Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors, Ambassadors, and Volunteers!
8:00 AM Friday, June 20 - 4:00 PM Monday, June 23, 2025
$625 per GSHS registered member
Get ready for an unforgettable Girl Scout trip to Branson, Missouri, where adventure and fun await! We'll dive into excitement at White Water water park, cool off on thrilling water slides, and enjoy a day filled with splash-tastic fun. At Silver Dollar City, we'll explore thrilling rides and discover hands-on activities that blend excitement with learning. Our journey will also take us underground to the stunning Talking Rocks Cavern, where we'll explore breathtaking rock formations and learn about the area's natural history. With plenty of time for bonding and making new memories, this trip promises to be an exciting mix of adventure and discovery! Registration ENDS at Midnight, Thursday, May 1, 2025.
MINIMUM: 10 MAX # GIRLS: 20 MAX # ADULTS: 5
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO AND TO REGISTER
Attention Girls of All Ages!
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Saturday, April 12, 2025
$10 per GSHS girl member
$5 per accompanying male chaperone
Get ready for a fun day of outdoor exploration and hands-on learning with Ducks Unlimited and Girl Scouts! This exciting event is designed to introduce Girl Scouts to the world of wildlife conservation, outdoor sports, and environmental stewardship through fun activities such as fishing and archery. Girls and their favorite guy role model will learn how to do a duck call and watch a hunting dog demo. Whether you're a seasoned outdoor enthusiast or trying something new, this event has something for everyone! This event includes a custom Ducks Unlimited Patch!
MIN # GIRLS: 20 MAX # GIRLS: 50 MAX # ADULTS: 50
Click the image at left to view the most recent issue of "Program Possibilities" - our bi-weekly Programs & Events newsletter.
For the most up-to-date information on our Programs & Events offerings, visit our Activities Calendar.
Girl Power: Saving Lives Through the Science of Blood Donation
Saturday, December 7, 2024
QUARTERLY COUNCIL PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
On Saturday, December 7, our friends at Vitalant invited Girl Scouts to join the ranks of reallife superheroes and taught them all about how to save lives through blood donation! From understanding the donation process to learning how blood is tested, stored, and transported to hospitals, this experience showed girls the vital role donors play in healthcare. Click play on the thumbnail image (above) to view an amazing video Vitalant produced documenting this awesome event. The Girl Power Program also won the National Spirit of Innovation Award from Vitalant which will be presented at their national conference in Scottsdale, AZ this coming summer!
The GumDROP: Extreme Gingerbread House Decorating Contest 2024
Saturday, December 14, 2024
On Saturday, December 14, GSHS was thrilled to host our always-popular GumDROP event! While participating in this exciting, annual event, girls learned about the basic principles of engineering including structural balance and support. Through the festive art of building gingerbread houses, girls learned how to design a structure that could endure the forces of nature and about the engineering process as a whole. They also explored the science behind earthquakes which emphasized the importance of building strong structures. Girls even got to take their gingerbread houses home to show off and add to their own holiday decor!
Dream Big in STEM
Saturday, March 8, 2025
On Saturday, March 8, Girl Scouts got to dive into STEM careers through hands-on activities! They coded robots, engineered their own gravity tracks, built a mini circuit light to take home, and earned their STEM Career Exploration Badge. In celebration of Women's History Month, girls also learned about inspiring women in STEM careers who were trailblazers in their fields! It was a fun-filled day of inspiration, learning, creativity and exploration in the world of science, technology, engineering, and math.
Girl Scout Day on the Hill
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
On Tuesday, March 11, GSHS Girl Scouts joined Girl Scouts from all across Tennessee for a fun day in Nashville, TN. Girls got the opportunity to see their local government in action. From meeting local representatives to learning about state history, this day was full of exciting opportunities to explore the world of state and local government! Girls toured the state capitol building, met with local legislators, sat in on a committee meeting, learned how girls can engage with government, and also learned about the history women in Tennessee played during the Women's suffrage movement. Girls checked off steps for the Democracy badges, earned the Women's Suffrage Patch from the GSCSA council, and received a GS Day on the Hill fun patch (pictured above)!
Throughout the month of January, GSHS hosted our annual Cookiepalooza Cookie Rally events - in-person for the first time in several years - in four different locations around the council! This free come and go event offered something for every age and every girl. Girls got to make cookie-themed crafts, met the mascot, taste tested cookies, built their own booths, sang karaoke, and MORE! All activities at Cookiepalooza were geared to help girls learn more about the upcoming Girl Scout Cookie Season and to give them all the excitement, encouragement, and confidence they needed to make their cookie dreams (and goals!) come true!
Daring Daisies
June 8th, 2025 2:00PM - June 10th, 2025 2:00PM
Members - $200 ◾ OOC - $275 ◾ Non-Members - $275
1: June 8-13, 2025
Adults - $75
Age Level: 1st* & Adults
Going into first grade? Interested in camp? Wanna give it a try but not ready to go alone? Grab your favorite female adult and come enjoy a two-night, three-day stay at camp!
Bold Brownies
June 11th, 2025 2:00PM - June 13th, 2025 2:00PM
Members - $200 ◾ OOC - $275 ◾ Non-Members - $275
Adults - $75
Age Level: 2-3rd* & Adults
Are you excited about summer camp? Wanna give it a try but not ready to go alone? Grab your favorite female adult and come enjoy a two-night, three-day stay at camp!
Camp Sampler
June 8th, 2025 2:00PM - June 10th, 2025 2:00PM
Members - $200 ◾ OOC - $275 ◾ Non-Members-$275
Age Level: 4-5th*
Frolicking Foals 1
June 8th, 2025 2:00PM - June 10th, 2025 2:00PM
Age Levels: 4-5th*
Members - $250 ◾ OOC - $325 ◾ Non-Members - $325
If you are new, not sure, or just want to give horseback riding a try, then this unit is for you! Enjoy a two-night, three-day stay at camp.
Frolicking Foals 2
June 11th, 2025 2:00PM - June 13th, 2025 2:00PM
Members - $250 ◾ OOC - $325 ◾ Non-Members - $325
Age Levels: 6-8th*
If you are new, not sure, or just want to give horseback riding a try, then this unit is for you! Enjoy a two-night, three-day stay at camp.
Want to go to camp? Not ready to spend a week away from home? Come enjoy this two-night, three-day stay at camp to get a sample of all the fun!!
Counselor-In-Training I
June 8th, 2025 10:00AM - July 4th, 2025 2:00PM
Members - $500 ◾ OOC - $575 ◾ Non-Members - $575
Age Levels: 11-12th*
Are you an older girl looking to move into a leadership role? The CIT I training program is excellent for older girls who are ready to expand their leadership skills!
Horsin' Around
June 8th, 2025 2:00PM - June 13th, 2025 2:00PM
Members - $500 ◾ OOC - $575 ◾ Non-Members - $575
Age Levels: 9-12th*
Are you an older girl who wants to get more time riding at camp? Join us for this unit and let's ride!
Counselor-In-Training II
June 8th, 2025 10:00AM - July 4th, 2025 2:00PM
Members - $0 ◾ Non-Members - $0
Age Level: 12th*
You've completed CIT I, now it's time to graduate, by completing your CIT II training!
WEEK 2:
June 15-20, 2025
Glitter, Glue, Paint
June 15th, 2025 2:00PM - June 20th, 2025 2:00PM
Members - $400 ◾ OOC - $475 ◾ Non-Members - $475
Age Levels: 1-3rd*
Get creative this summer making all different kinds of art!
Birds of Prey
June 15th, 2025 2:00PM - June 20th, 2025 2:00PM
Members - $425 ◾ OOC - $500 ◾ Non-Members - $500
Age Levels: 6-8th*
This week is all about birds of prey! Campers will even take a day trip to Memphis to visit a raptor center!
Bits and Pieces
June 15th, 2025 2:00PM - June 20th, 2025 2:00PM
Members - $500 ◾ OOC - $575 ◾ Non-Members - $575
Age Levels: 4-5th*
Are you ready for an opportunity to saddle up and ride this summer? We're calling girls to come earn the Horseback Riding Badge, and have fun with us!
Hoofprints
June 15th, 2025 2:00PM - June 20th, 2025 2:00PM
Members - $500 ◾ OOC - $575 ◾ Non-Members - $575
Age Levels: 6-8th*
Alright now! Come make some tracks and join us this summer to ride and learn all about horses.
WEEK 4: June 29 -July 4, 2025
S.T.E.A.M.
June 29, 2025 2:00 PM - July 4th, 2025 2:00PM
Members - $400 ◾ OOC - $475 ◾ Non-Members - $475
Age Levels: 2-5th*
Get your S.T.E.A.M. on! Enjoy all the Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math that camp has to offer.
Read, Relax, Rejuvenate
June 29, 2025 2:00 PM - July 4th, 2025 2:00PM
Members - $400 ◾ OOC - $475 ◾ Non-Members - $475
Age Levels: 6-8th*
Lay in a hammock, read a book, relax by the pool, make some lipgloss, and enjoy a week of reading, relaxing and rejuvenating.
Cowgirl Up!
June 29, 2025 2:00 PM - July 4th, 2025 2:00PM
Members - $500 ◾ OOC - $575 ◾ Non-Members - $575
Age Levels: 4-5th*
Love horses? Wanna ride? Then Cowgirl up and join us at camp!
*Indicates grade levels girls will be entering in Fall 2025.
WEEK 3: June 22-27, 2025
Cabin Camper
June 22nd, 2025 2:00PM - June 27, 2025 2:00 PM
Members - $400 ◾ OOC - $475 ◾ Non-Members - $475
Age Levels: 2-3rd*
Spend the week working on and earning your Cabin Camper Badge! Learn how to cook outdoors, work on learning some knots, take a hike, sing silly songs, go swimming, and so much more!
Wild Ones
June 22nd, 2025 2:00PM - June 27, 2025 2:00 PM
Members - $400 ◾ OOC - $475 ◾ Non-Members - $475
Age Levels: 4-5th*
Spend the week living in a platform tent! Learn different outdoor skills from outdoor cooking to Leave No Trace all while still enjoying the fun that summer camp has to offer.
Saddlin' UP!
SESSION IS FULL - WAITLIST IS OPEN
June 22nd, 2025 2:00PM - June 27, 2025 2:00 PM
Members - $500 ◾ OOC - $575 ◾ Non-Members - $575
Age Levels: 6-8th*
What's better than getting to ride horses and working on your outdoor skills? Ride horses, sleep under the stars for a night, cook outdoors, and so much more.
Junior Counselor-In-Training
SESSION IS FULL - WAITLIST IS OPEN
June 22nd, 2025 2:00PM - July 4th, 2025 2:00PM
Members - $500 ◾ OOC - $575 ◾ Non-Members - $575 Age Levels: 9-10th*
Are you interested in leadership, but not old enough to be a CIT? Join us in the JCIT program. These Junior CITs get a little more leadership experience, but also still get to do the fun activities around camp during this popular 2-week session!
Elizabeth Gwin Special Session
7/7/2025 1:00 PM - 7/12/2025 10:00 AM
$175
Age Levels: Boys & Girls - K- 12th,* Adults
Are you looking for a safe, outdoor camping experience for your special needs child? The Elizabeth Gwin Special Session gives your child a world of outdoor opportunities!
Let's All Play!!
7/7/2025, 1:00 PM - July 12, 2025 10:00 AM
$175
Age Levels: Boys & Girls - 6-10th*
Give back and grow this summer by attending the Let's All Play! Session. For nearly 50 years, Girl Scouts Heart of the South has hosted the Elizabeth Gwin Special Session, an inspiring resident camp program that allows children with special needs to experience and explore their capabilities in the great outdoors.
Let's All Play! immerses campers of all abilities in a meaningful week of fun and learning as they connect with children participating in the EG Session.
Get Girls Outdoors
Tabitha was nervous and excited. She had checked her packing list for the third time, just to make sure she had everything. She couldn’t wait to be at Girl Scout resident camp. It’s her favorite summer activity. Campfires. Swimming. Canoes. Singing. Games. New friends and old.
Her mom had listened to Tabitha chatter on and on about all the things she was looking forward to. As a mom, she knows camp builds Tabitha’s confidence, teaches independence, and brings her out of her comfort zone to try new things. What Tabitha didn’t know was camp almost didn’t happen that year. Family finances just weren’t enough, and her mom requested assistance through the Girl Scouts Heart of the South campership fund. Thankfully, Tabitha didn’t miss resident camp that year – and that was the summer she overcame her fear of heights and made it to the top of the climbing tower!
If you believe in the value of resident camp because you or your daughter learned something new, made new friends, or became more confident, please help ensure girls like Tabitha get to experience camp this summer. Girl Scouts Heart of the South camperships are available to ensure every girl can go to resident camp. Donate to our campership fund by visiting www.girlscoutshs.org/donate or mail your check to Girl Scouts Heart of the South – Campership Fund, 825 Valleybrook Dr, Suite 102, Memphis, TN 38120.
We ask families to pay what they can, so a donation of any amount will help a girl have a resident camp experience. However, for those who cannot afford camp at all, a mini camp session costs $200 per girl; it’s $400 for a week-long session; $500 for a one-week horse session; and our Elizabeth Gwin Special Session for children with special needs is $175 for a one-week session. See pages 12 & 13 to learn more about our camp sessions or click HERE for even more detailed information!
Camperships are awarded in early May. Don’t let a girl miss camp this summer. Donate today!
Thank you for helping girls get outdoors!
E F O I L T R U N K T
DON'T FORGET!
Girl Scouts Heart of the South's heat press services are available year-round at our Memphis Trefoil Trunk location!
BRIDGING KITS AVAILABLE SOON!!!
COMING MAY 2025
Spend $50 (before tax) on a MY GS KIT* (regular $60) and get a FREE bag! *Uniform Piece Insignia Books Badge Requirements T-Shirts
T R E F O I L T R E M O N T H
Troop Tales
▲ above: Members of Troops 13137 marched in the Whitehaven (Memphis, TN) Holiday Parade!
▼ below: Columbus, MS Girl Scouts - and our amazing Cookie Mascot! - participated in the Columbus, MS Holiday Parade!
▲ above: Members of Troop 40037 got in the festive sprit and donned their cookie gear to march in the Alamo, TN Holiday Parade!
▼ below: Troop 40212 dressed in their cookie costumesand coats! - and rode on a fantastic gingerbread-themed float they created for the Jackson, TN Holiday Parade!
◀ left (above & below): Members of Troop 20381 packed boxes for Operation Christmas Child.
▼below left: GSHS Cookie Super Seller Emily Duncan wished good luck and gave advice to the new cookie entrepreneurs of Daisy Troop 10634!
▼below right: Girls from our Hickory Ridge Community Troop had a great time selling cookies with ladies from Rhodes College Kappa Delta!
Girl Scouts are more likely than non-Girl Scouts to meet Leadership Outcomes:
Have a strong sense of self (80% vs. 68%)
Have positive values (75% vs. 59%)
Seek challenges and learn from setbacks (62% vs. 42%)
Develop and maintain healthy relationships (60% vs. 43%)
Exhibit community problem-solving skills (57% vs. 28%)
FACT SHEET
Our Mission
Girl Scouts builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.
W h o W e A r e
Through activities in science and technology, business and economic literacy, and outdoor and environmental awareness, Girl Scouting provides girls with opportunities for fun and friendship while fostering the development of leadership skills and self-esteem.
Girl Scouts Heart of the South serves over 5,100 girls in grades K-12, and over 2,100 adults in 59 counties in West Tennessee, North Mississippi, and Crittenden County, Arkansas with 30+ dedicated full-time staff members, three camping facilities and three owned or leased leadership centers. The headquarters are located at our leadership center in Memphis, Tennessee at 825 Valleybrook Drive. Girl Scouts Heart of the South’s two other leadership centers are located in Tupelo, MS (1140 West Main Street) and Jackson, TN (1007 Old Humboldt Road).
Youth who develop these outcomes are happier, healthier, and more engaged in school, are less likely to engage in problem behaviors, are stronger job applicants, and are more likely to pursue a college education.
W h a t W e D o
Girl Scouts offers girls and young women the world’s premier personal growth and leadership development experience. Programs and girl-led community service opportunities engage girls in discovering their talents, connecting with others, and taking action to make the world a better place.
In Girl Scouts, girls participate in programs that are age-appropriate, girl-driven, teach life skills, and reflect the interests and needs of today’s girls. Through enriching experiences, girls grow courageous and strong. Girl Scouts helps girls develop their full potential; relate to others with increased understanding and respect; develop values to guide their actions; and contribute to the improvement of society.
In addition to supporting and providing resources for the full complement of Girl Scout experiences such as badge earning opportunities and Girl Scout Journeys, Girl Scouts Heart of the South partners with other local businesses and organizations throughout the year to offer unique programming and events for our girls. Some of our current partners include:
Daisies ` Grades K-1
Brownies ` Grades 2-3
Juniors ` Grades 4-5
Cadettes ` Grades 6-8
Seniors ` Grades 9-10
Ambassadors ` Grades 11-12
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5,364 Girl Scouts in grades K-12 2,177 adults, volunteers, & lifetime members C
Venus Chaney
C o n t a c t U s
825 Valleybrook Drive, Ste. 102 Memphis, TN 38120 (800) 624-4185 www.girlscoutshs.org
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i n k s Facebook.com/girlscoutshs Youtube.com/user/girlscoutshs Instagram.com/girlscoutshs Twitter.com/girlscoutshs
t t e n d e n C o u n t y , A R W e s t
e n n e s s e e N o r t h M i s s i s s i p p i
G S H S P r o g r a m s & I n i t i a t i v e s
• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
• Outdoor Adventure
• Healthy Living & Life Skills
• Entrepreneurship & Career Exploration
• Invent It, Build It
• She Leads!
• GSHS Community Troops
• Annual Volunteer Leadership Summit
• Girl Scout Higher Awards (Bronze, Silver, Gold)
• Totally Trefoil
• HERo Day
• Toyota Mobile STEAM Lab
Proudly supported by C
r l S c o u t L a w I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout. M e e t t
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Owner,RoadshowBMW/Mini,Memphis,TN
V i c e C h a i r , S h a r o n Y o u n g e r President,Younger&Associates,Memphis,TN
2 n d V i c e C h a i r , J i l G r e e n e VicePresident,ChiefHumanResourcesOfficerSVPHR& CSR,ParadiesLagardereRetail,Memphis,TN
S e c r e t a r y , R e a g a n T a y l o r F o n d r e n AssistantUSAttorneyfortheWesternDistrictofTennessee, Memphis,TN
T r e a s u r e r / F i n a n c e C h a i r , N a n c y C o c h r a n Consultant,BurleighConsultingGroup
B o a r d D e v e l o p m e n t C o m m i t t e e C h a i r , D e s i F r a n k l i n Sr.VP,AssistantGeneralCounsel,FirstHorizon Corporation/FirstHorizonBank, Memphis,TN
M e m b e r s A t L a r g e : N e k i C a t r o n GlobalCommunityEngagementandInclusion&Diversity Manager,Sylvamo,Memphis,TN
A m a n d a C h i l d Paralegal,InternationalPaper,Memphis,TN
G i r l S c o u t P r o m i s e
On my honor, I will try:
To serve God and my country,
To help people at all times, And to live by the Girl Scout Law
S y d n e y D i a v u a AssistantVicePresident,CommunityDevelopmentatthe FederalReserveBankofSt.Louis,Memphis,TN
D r . P a m e l a E v a n s PhysicianOBGyn,InspireWomen’sHealth,Jackson,TN
R o s e m a r i e F a i r Owner,OneSourceCommercial,Inc.andExecutiveVice PresidentBrightonBank,Memphis,TN
T r a c e y Z e r w i g - F o r d DirectorofCommunityEngagement,HutchisonSchool, Memphis,TN
K e i t h F u l c h e r President,CommunityFoundationofNorthwestMississippi, Hernando,MS
B i s h o p P h o e b e R o a f EpiscopalDioceseofWestTennessee, Memphis,TN
L a n a S u i t e DirectorofResearch,YoungerAssociates,Inc.,Jackson,TN
D r . M i c h e l l e T a y l o r DivisionDirector/HealthOfficer,ShelbyCountyHealth Department,Memphis,TN
D r . M i c h a l y n E a s t e r - T h o m a s MemphisCityCouncil,CityofMemphis,Memphis,TN
D r . D e b r a W e s t Chancellor,ArkansasStateUniversityMid-South, WestMemphis,AR