Girl Scouts of Nassau County Girlfriends June 2023

Girlfriends

Girlfriends is a publication of Girl Scouts of Nassau County

What a Fabulous Girl Scout Year We Have Had!

We continue to be innovative with our girl programming, volunteer support, and organizational strategy. We are working together to overcome obstacles and thrive on learning new things. It almost feels like the world has opened its arms a little wider for us and we are destined for amazing possibilities ahead. As we approach summer, one question we get asked is “What can my Girl Scout do over the summer?”

Girl Scouts of Nassau County continues to expand summer program options for all girls and their families. The obvious option is heading off to Camp Blue Bay in East Hampton. Blue Bay is near and dear to all of us and I can guarantee not only will it be a good time, but you will come back with a little extra knowledge, courage, and lots of new friends. The summer is a great time to work on starting or finishing a Girl Scout highest award (Bronze, Silver, or Gold) or to do another Take Action project or community service. Girl Scouts can also explore additional program offerings in Spring/Summer Possibilities, participate in the GSNC kickball league, or complete the GSNC summer bucket list challenge. This summer, you will also find our Traveling Trefoil out and about, bringing the Girl Scout Leadership Experience to girls at parks, libraries, and other outdoor venues. We hope to see you there! No matter how you chose to stay involved this summer— Girl Scouts will be there. Summer is a great time to explore a new interest and get outside. Look for QR codes throughout Girlfriends for more information on camp, Possibilities, kickball, and the Traveling Trefoil.

New Girl Scout Badges for Spring and Summer Activities:

Girl Scouts are interested in opportunities that allow them to try new things, develop their skills, and create lasting memories. We are excited to share that four new Girl Scout badges are launching ahead of the 2023-2024 Girl Scout year!

l Animal Observer (Daisy level)

l Art & Design (Daisy, Brownie, and Junior levels)

Possibilities

l Craft & Tinker (Daisy, Brownie, and Junior levels)

l Create & Innovate (Daisy, Brownie, and Junior levels)

These new badges include hands-on, age-appropriate activities that include a variety of choices and allow for flexibility. Troop co-leaders and parents/caregivers of Girl Scout Juliettes can find the requirements for these badges and more on the Volunteer Toolkit (VTK).

Check out these new badges! These are great ideas for volunteers planning activities to keep Girl Scouts engaged and get them outdoors in the summertime. Need help navigating the VTK? Contact customercare@gsnc.org.

Important: All Journey leader guides and girl books will be switching to the Volunteer Toolkit (VTK) only. Printed books are available at the GSNC Shop while supplies last.

Troop Click

Troop 2324 took part in a “Nailed It” challenge at Bites Galore Sweets boutique where they learned some decorating techniques, about colored frosting, and had a cake-off to see who “Nailed It” better. The best part, they got to eat the results!

The Traveling Trefoil Is on the go...

The Traveling Trefoil

is fueled up, stocked up, and ready to roll up to any event in the Nassau County area! The Traveling Trefoil is a resource available free of charge, thanks to the grant from the Town of Hempstead. This activity van brings interactive experiences, fun supplies, and Girl Scouts of Nassau County staff to communities around Nassau County so everyone can have the Girl Scout experience. The Traveling Trefoil has multi-level activities in the areas of STEM, crafts, SWAPS, cooking, and much more!

The Traveling Trefoil has made appearances at events such as the Roosevelt Fall Festival of 2022, Elmont Fall Festival of 2022, and Legacy Brunch of 2023.

Any volunteers, troop leaders, or local organizations that are interested in collaborating with the Girls Scouts of Nassau County Traveling Trefoil activity van, please scan the QR code to submit your request:

Upcoming Events:

l Hempstead Library Event: July 7, July 21, August 4, and August 18 from 10:30 am-2:00 pm @ Hempstead Public Library; 115 James A. Garner Way, Hempstead, NY 11550

l National Night Out: August 1 from 3:00 pm-5:00 pm @ Whitney Pond Park in Manhasset; 133 Valley Rd, Manhasset, NY 11030

l Fall Festival: September 30 from 12:00 pm-5:00 pm @ North Hempstead Beach Park in Port Washington; 175 W Shore Rd, Port Washington, NY 11050

l Making Strides Breast Cancer Walk: October 15 from 7:00 am-10:30 am @ Jones Beach Park- Field 5

Check Out the Volunteer Connections Podcast!

Tune in to learn about Girl Scout planning resources, special Council opportunities, hear interviews with GSNC volunteers and staff, and much more to make your Girl Scout experience the best it can be!

The podcast episodes go live on the last Thursday of each month. You can access the episodes on demand when it fits your schedule!

Listen here: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher: bit.ly/gsnc-vol-conections-podcast

Questions? Please email customercare@gsnc.org

Girl Scouts of Nassau County is proud to partner with Project C/ National Grid to teach our girls how to strengthen our neighborhoods from the ground up. Girl Scouts of all levels will have the opportunity to earn all four patches by learning about the four pillars of Project C/National Grid: Clean Energy and Sustainability; Environmental Justice and Social Equity; Neighborhood Development and Community Engagement; and Workforce Development.

Girl Scout leaders Katherine and Deborah recently introduced this council patch program to her troop at Freeport Memorial Library.

Savannah Speedway 2023 Season Highlights

Girl Scouts from 15 different service units competed in the 2023 Savannah Speedway races! Applying science, math, design, and woodworking skills, girls built their racecars from a simple block of wood. By the time cars reach the starting gate, they were transformed into unique designs such as; a box of Girl Scout Cookies, paint palettes, and watermelon slices. Some cars even had rubber ducks at the wheel. Girl Scouts were awarded 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for how fast their car raced down the track, as well as design awards for Most Bling, Most Girl Scout Themed Car, Best Use of Materials, and more.

What makes for a successful Savannah Speedway? Every pit crew knows graphite, weights, and other art mediums are useful, but what fuels Savannah Speedway is our members’ enthusiasm for this annual event. Service unit volunteers immerse all racers in an atmosphere of checkerboard flags, car tunes, no speed limits, and friendly competition. Proud Girl Scouts of all levels attentively watch their car that was once just an idea, cross the finish line while still admiring the creativity of their sister Girl Scouts.

The Savannah Speedway Championship held on April 29 in Merrick concluded the 2023 season. Thank you to everyone who participated and congratulations to all of our winners!

Photo left: Our first place winner Jade. Above: Congrats to Jiya for being awarded “Most Girl Scout Themed Car!” Below: Girl Scout Cookie Car.

Summer Camp Registration is Open!

Camp Blue Bay offers 1- and 2-week sessions for Girl Scouts in grades 3-11. Visit gsnc.org/camp to learn more.

Do you know an Ambassador Girl Scout or alum looking for a summer job? Camp Blue Bay is hiring for Girl Scouts 18+.

Looking To Get Outdoor Trained? Visit Camp Blue

Novice Camper Weekend: October 13-15

SAVE

Girl Scouts Love State Parks Day September 9, 2023 at Jones Beach State Park Nature Center. Close off the summer with a visit to the beach.

Visit gsnc.org to learn more!

First GS Alum Takeover at Our Second Annual Legacy

Brunch was a Success!

On Thursday, May 4, adult Girl Scout alums came together for a fun and competitive evening of trivia at Il Pozzo Wine Bar and Kitchen in Lynbrook for our first ever Girl Scout Alum Takeover! It was a perfect evening of mixing, mingling, and playing catch-up with both old and new friends, all while supporting our mission to ensure more girls throughout Nassau County can become Girl Scouts.

All guests enjoyed delicious food and drink, while trying their hand at trivia to win various prizes or be the lucky winner of the 50/50 raffle. In addition, GSNC CEO Rande Bynum and Lynbrook social influencer Gina Piombo

Lee took over guest bartending duties throughout the event. A fun time was had by all!

Be on the lookout as additional GS Alum events are being planned for 2023.

GSNC Shop Updates: Summer 2023

Retiring Badges

l Brownie-Potter, Inventor, Painting

l Junior-Jeweler, Drawing, Product Designer

l Cadette-Entrepreneur

l Senior-Social Innovator

Retiring Books

l Cadette and Senior Girl Guides to Girl Scouting

All Journey leader guides and girl books will be switching to the Volunteer Toolkit (VTK) only. Printed books are available at the GSNC Shop while supplies last.

Girl Scouts of Nassau County hosted its second annual Legacy Brunch on March 30, 2023, at the Heritage House at Bethpage. Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who took the time to attend this special day. Girl Scouts were on full display throughout this event, and we would like to extend a very special thank you to Ambassador Girl Scouts Allie and Gabby for their amazing energy as mistresses of ceremony. Our deepest gratitude to our Legacy Brunch sponsors below, whose support and commitment to our girls is instrumental to the success and continuation of our mission.

We also want to extend Girl Scout congratulations to our Legacy Award Honoree Valerie T. Terzano, PhD, RN, NEA-B, who left us inspired with your heartfelt words, along with our Impact Award Honorees: Deandra Denton, Elizabeth Garcia, and Melanie Sinesi. Your strong presence and pledge to girls was felt by all, and we cannot wait to see what each of you do next!

Community Underwriter

Legacy Sponsors

Impact Sponsors

Daisy Sponsors

Spencer Davidson Thank you To Our Legacy Brunch Sponsors

Highest Awards Corner

GSNC is happy to report we have 56 Gold Award Girl Scouts in the 2023 Gold Award Class! We will be honoring them at our Gold Award Ceremony at Adelphi University on Tuesday, June 6, 2023.

The Girl Scout Gold Award is the mark of the truly remarkable. Girl Scouts who earn the Gold Award tackle issues of need and concern in their communities to drive lasting change.

Madeline’s Silver Award Project

Girl Scout Cadette Madeline identified that many new pet owners do not know how to train or care for their animals. When people are unaware of the responsibilities of owning a pet, many animals are returned to shelters.

l 85% say it gave them skills to help in daily life

l 87% say it gave them skills to help succeed professionally

l 75% say it helped them get into a college or graduate program

l 72% say it helped them get a scholarship

l 57% say it helped them get a job

l 44% say it inspired their career choice

l 38% said it inspired their choice of a college major

l 11% allowed for military enlistment at a higher pay grade

Gold Award

Madeline hosted a community event to educate about the importance of healthy food options, finding a vet, and the importance of pet insurance. She prepared supplies, organized a volunteer list, and invited a veterinarian and pet handler to attend. The event even fulfilled the requirements for Girl Scout Brownies to earn their pet badges and helped Girl Scout Daisies to fulfill the “look ahead” requirement for bridging!

Gold Award Girl Scout

Girl Scouts are more likely to exhibit positive life outcomes than non-alums, and are more likely to have a positive self-image, hold positive values, and exhibit confidence and courage compared to non-alums. Way to go, Gold Award Girl Scouts!

“I think one of the reasons why I am where I am is because the interviewer knew what the Gold Award was and appreciated the value of it.”

Gold Award Girl Scout

Madeline assembled new pet kits to donate to the Babylon Animal Shelter. The kits include toys made from socks, a toothbrush, a pet ID tag, and treats for cats and dogs. There is also a QR code that links to a pet care presentation. The kits are now available for new owners to take after adopting a pet!

Madeline’s project has helped educate new pet owners so more animals can spend the rest of their lives happy in their “fur-ever” homes. Madeline is working with her service unit to continue the event each year and create more pet kits to be donated to the shelter.

Here’s what Gold Award Girl Scouts say they attain from earning their Gold Award:

“Now that I am higher up in a leadership position in my career, I’ve noticed that many of the skills I learned and things that came naturally to me because I had this experience have been real big career builders.”

TRIBUTE FUND

In memory of:

Suzanne Firmbach (Hempstead Lifetime Member) —Charles Firmbach

Dates to Remember

Juneteenth Observed Council office closed

Family Appreciation Night: United Skates of America, 80’s Night

Independence Day Holiday Council office closed

76th Season of Camp Blue Bay begins

National S’mores Day

Kickball begins on July 11.

Daisies play: Tuesdays July 11-25

Brownies play: Wednesdays July 12-26

Juniors play: Thursdays, July 13-July 27

Celebrate Your Dedication with Lifetime Membership!

Available at a special 50% discount for current Girl Scout volunteers with ten or more years of service. Become a member for life—and you’ll be a champion of girls for years to come.

Lifetime membership is available to any individual who:

l Accepts the principles and beliefs of the Girl Scout Movement

l Pays the one-time lifetime membership fee

l Is at least 18 years old (or a high school graduate or equivalent)

A Girl Scout lifetime membership costs $400. For alums under age 30 and currently registered volunteers with ten or more years of service, the cost is $200.

Your lifetime membership donation is tax-deductible as allowed by law.