Girlfriends
Girlfriends is a publication of Girl Scouts of Nassau County
Minds Matter
Girl Scouts of Nassau County continues to prioritize the health and well-being of our girls. On May 8, we hosted our second annual Mental Health Symposium at Adelphi University in partnership with Northwell Health. We were proud to continue taking the lead and courageously tackling the issues our young people face.
The event featured Dr. Vera Feuer, Medical Director of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Northwell Health, who delivered a keynote address on Stress First Aid. Dr. Feuer provided valuable insights into managing stress and fostering mental well-being. Dr. Feuer framed her presentation and the symposium’s work around five pillars of building resilience: a sense of safety, calm, connection, self-efficacy, and hope.
Fostering conversations around well-being with community stakeholders is a critical role that GSNC plays in the community. We strongly believe in this work and look forward to integrating it into our programs and including it in our partnerships with our volunteers and community partners.
For more information about what you can do to make a difference, and to learn about the action steps GSNC is committed to, check out TAKING ACTION: First Annual Mental Health Symposium Learnings and Action Items - February 2024.
Scan the QR code or visit bit.ly/gsnc-mental-health.
We invite you to join us in this important endeavor. Stay tuned for more updates and information.
The lessons from the 2024 Mental Health Symposium include:
1. Breaking the Silence have honest conversations with young people about what is going on in their lives.
2. Centering Youth Voice—make space for youth voices to be authentically heard.
3. Parallel Pathways for Youth and Adults—as adults, make sure we seek care, support, and use wellness resources.
4. Empowered Wayfinding—ensure our youth are exposed to accurate and appropriate resources so they feel empowered in their care.
5. Preventive Approaches—stay tuned for updates on preventive and innovative care and access as the mental health field evolves.
Congratulations to Melanie Sinesi, who was sworn in as the new board chair of Girl Scouts of Nassau County at our May 14th Annual Meeting. This marks a special chapter in our council’s history, as Melanie grew up as a Girl Scout in Nassau County and has stayed involved as a lifetime member. She has held numerous volunteer roles including board member, association delegate chair, national delegate, and chair and member of the board development committee. Melanie credits Girl Scouts as the first institution that taught her how to be a leader.
We are thrilled to welcome all new and returning board members who volunteer their time to help our council achieve its mission and strategic goals. We also welcome our newly elected national delegates and national delegate alternates who will represent GSNC at the 2026 National Convention in Washington D.C. next July. Finally, a heartfelt thank you goes out to all our outgoing board members who completed their term this year. We are especially grateful to our outgoing board chair, Andrea Elder-Howell, Esq., for her dedication and service to our board and council over the past 13 years.
You can read more about our new board chair, Melanie Sinesi, and our 2025 board members here
From left: Andrea Elder-Howell, Esq; Rande Bynum, CEO; and Melanie Sinesi
Dear Juliette,
Celebrating
our Girl Scout volunteers who have been blazing a trail!
I forgot to hold a bridging ceremony! Is it too late?
Dear Member,
It’s not too late! Some troops may hold their bridging ceremonies in the spring or summer, while others hold it in the fall. If you want to hold the ceremony in the fall, this could be a great way to kick off the new Girl Scout year!
Here is a short checklist to ensure your troop’s bridging ceremony goes off without a hitch:
l Talk with your troop about what bridging means, the steps to bridging, activities or traditions they would like to do at their ceremony, and then come up with a plan.
l Use the girls’ ideas to plan their ceremony.
l Earn the Girl Scout Bridging award (optional)*.
l Gather materials such as certificates, awards, patches, membership stars, or uniforms for the next Girl Scout year.
*The Girl Scout Bridging award is an earned award and is not given just for bridging. To earn this award, girls must:
Pass It On: Girls reflect on what they’ve accomplished and pass a bit of their knowledge onto younger Girl Scouts.
Look Ahead: Meet with Girl Scouts at the level they will be bridging to, gain some of their knowledge, and learn about the adventures that lie ahead!
If you have any questions about bridging ceremonies, you may schedule an appointment with our Volunteer Training and Resource Associate:
bit.ly/gsnc-vrcoffice-hours-2025
On Thursday, April 3, over 106 awards were presented to some of the most dedicated volunteers in Nassau County at the GSNC 2025 Adult Recognitions awards ceremony and dinner. It was a lovely evening as we celebrated our Girl Scout volunteers who have been blazing a trail. Congratulations to all of our recipients!
Happy Summer!
Junior: Trail Adventure and Flowers
Brownie: Trail Adventure and Bugs
Daisy: Trail Adventure and Buddy Camper
Cadette: Trail Adventure and Night Owl Senior: Trail Adventure and Sky Ambassador: Trail Adventure and Ultimate Recreation Challenge
Dear Girl Scouts, volunteers, and caregivers, What a panda-tastic Girl Scout Cookie season!
Thank you to all the Nassau County Girl Scouts who honed your entrepreneurial skills by selling cookies at cookie booths, going door-to-door, making short marketing videos, and/or sending emails. Thank you to all the volunteers and caregivers for your support and encouragement of your Girl Scouts. All that hard work will come back to your troops as proceeds, which will help your troops continue the Girl Scout journey. We appreciate you and we thank you. —The Product Program Team
FREE Birthday Patch With $15 Purchase!
Valid for any Nassau County Girl Scout with a birthday in June, July, or August. Physical coupon must be submitted at the time of purchase; this offer is valid only at the GSNC Shop and expires August 22, 2025.
My name is Sammie and I am a Girl Scout Cadette. Last year, GSNC hosted its first ever 5k race and family fun 1-mile walk called the “Thin Mint Sprint” and I was the Thin Mint Sprint event ambassador! I had the opportunity to lead the warmup stretch and kick off the start of the 5k race and 1-mile walk. Throughout the run, I got to encourage everyone to do their best.
The Thin Mint Sprint was great for individuals, troops, or families! There were so many things I loved about it—from being able to run and encourage people, to taking on a bigger role as the event ambassador!
Guess what? This year, GSNC is hosting another Thin Mint Sprint, which will be even better! I am so excited to announce that I will be leading this year’s Thin Mint Sprint again. It will take place on Sunday, September 14, 2025. If you want to have fun, run, walk, and spend quality time with family and friends—this is the event to go to! I hope to see you there!
Hey camper!
Are you interested in attending Camp Blue Bay this summer? If you’re considering it, I’d love to share my experiences with you as a former camper of four years and soon-to-be CIT (counselor-in-training).
Blue Bay is a great environment for girls who love the outdoors and want to learn more about the natural world around them. Whether I was in a troop house or a tent, my experiences at camp were nothing but fun and exciting. I made new friends from the moment I arrived, as well as reconnected with old friends.
My favorite activities at camp are sailing, interest groups, and cookouts. I love getting to bond with my friends over our shared interests, as well as getting to work on a meal with my unit at a cookout. If you ever feel like camp won’t have something of interest for you, there’s no need to worry. There are so many different engaging activities like sports, arts and crafts, water games, and even just time to talk to your friends.
In my experience, it doesn’t matter what you’re doing, but who you’re with. Some of my best memories at camp include hiking trails while singing songs with my fellow campers, or even just talking with each other in our tent.
I’m so excited that I can contribute to camp this upcoming summer as a CIT and work with my friends to make Camp Blue Bay the magical place it is (and more!).
—Your friend, Caroline
Summer Camp Registration is Open!
Summer Camp registration is open! Camp Blue Bay offers one- and two-week sessions for Girl Scouts in grades 3–11. Visit gsnc.org/camp to learn more.
Do you know a Girl Scout Ambassador or alum looking for a summer job? Camp Blue Bay is hiring for councelors 18+.
Last Chance to Get Your Early Bird Patch
Let your Girl Scout’s curiosity lead the way to accomplish more amazing things and continue their Girl Scout journey! Renew before June 30, 2025 to receive this year’s Early Bird patch.
Learn more at gsnc.org/renew.
Renew today at gsnc.org/renew, or contact us at customercare@gsnc.org and we will be happy to process the renewal for you!
We asked members of the Girl Leadership Committee (GLC) what motivates them to stay in Girl Scouting...
Isabelle D.
I continue because I enjoy the opportunities and events I get to experience by being a Girl Scout. I feel that I have access to and am aware of so many fun activities, and lots of them are catered to my interests (agriculture, environmental workshops, etc.) It also lets me experience things I had never thought of trying and makes me more well-rounded overall.
Taylor B.
I continue with Girl Scouts because of all the fun experiences and opportunities that are available. Being a Girl Scout gives me the confidence to try new things and introduces me to new ideas. I can learn public speaking, cooking, sports, selfdefense, and more through Girl Scouting, and it helps with college prep which is very helpful as a high school junior. I have made so many friends and memories, and have many more to be made. I continue with Girl Scouts because I do not have one single reason to quit.
Dahlia C.
I have continued in Girl Scouts because it has allowed me to get involved and get ahead of some of my peers in many aspects. I have learned things and experienced programming that has enriched my thinking skills in a way that school could’ve never taught me. Now in high school, I see many of my peers scrambling for service hours or looking for an opportunity at a hospital or for college information. I can rest assured that I have access to all these services through Girl Scouts. I have also been able to connect with my community, gaining interpersonal skills from cookie sales and meeting new people.
Caralinn B.
I’ve been a Girl Scout ever since I was in kindergarten. Girl Scouts provided me with so much opportunity regarding service, career-oriented experiences, and skill-building activities. There were many points of my Girl Scout journey when I wasn’t proud of being a Girl Scout because it wasn’t the “cool” thing to do. However, I now realize that all the skills I learned in Girl Scouts will have an impact on my future. One of the most important things I’ve learned through various Girl Scout projects is not to wait. There will be many times, especially when completing your Gold Award, when you are too nervous or think a step is too big to take and you have to wait for the “perfect time.” The perfect time is now, therefore don’t wait to send a cold email or set up a meeting. Don’t wait to start a project because you don’t have every step planned out. Just do it, the more consistent and persistent you are, the better the outcome.
Advice for Younger Girl Scouts from Graduating Seniors
Asha G.
Being part of this fantastic community in high school has allowed me to reach for leadership opportunities I could have never imagined, such as being part of the GLC, speaking at a Community Summit, and presenting a proposal at the GSNC annual meeting. I have met the most incredible mentors through my Gold Award and took part in inspiring career workshops in laboratories. Girl Scouts amplified my voice, and as a Girl Scout Ambassador, I am so grateful for all my experiences here. Keep on chasing your dreams, and don’t be afraid of exploring new possibilities!
Gianna W.
I have been a Girl Scout since kindergarten, and found it rewarding to be with my friends and participate in community events. When my troop disbanded in middle school, I made the decision to continue as a Juliette because I knew the value of being a Girl Scout. Since then, I have traveled with Girl Scouts to the National Convention in Florida, been a part of many groups where I have met other amazing and motivated girls, and completed my Gold Award on environmental sustainability. I believe the experiences and relationships created through Girl Scouts have strengthened my confidence and leadership skills and will stay with me in college and all my future endeavors.
Spotlight on Silver Award
Miranda T.
Troop 1483
Floral Park/Bellrose Service Unit
Be Fire Proof
Describe your project.
I conducted research and gathered statistics on fires that have occurred. I also met and interviewed our local fire chief who gave me a tour of the firehouse, and met a FDNY EMT who described what she “sees” on the job, what she felt can be most beneficial for fire victims, and how to prevent fires. I developed a PowerPoint presentation with the information gathered, put together a flyer with important fire facts and safety tips, and developed a website to make my project sustainable.
What challenges did you encounter during your project, and how did you overcome them?
Making my website was challenging as I never developed one before—I came across some glitches and technical issues but with continued effort I got it to work!
What did you learn about yourself as a result of this project?
Organizational skills are very important in every project you do! I enjoy working independently and found that creating an outline first was very helpful for me to plan out my project. I also found I am capable of reaching out to community members on my own for causes that are important to me.
To learn more about earning your Girl Scout Silver Award, visit gsnc.org/silver.
110 Ring Road West
Garden City, NY 11530
POSTMASTER:
Send address changes to Girlfriends, 110 Ring Road West, Garden City, NY 11530
Girlfriends (USPS 135-280), is published bimonthly.
Girl Scouts of Nassau County, Inc.
110 Ring Road West, Garden City, NY 11530
Periodicals Postage Paid at Garden City, NY 11530.
Melanie Sinesi
President and Chief Volunteer Officer
Randell Marie Bynum
Chief Executive Officer
Cassie Colgan
Senior Director, Marketing and Communications
Anna Lenz
Senior Creative Manager
Designed by Anna Lenz
June 19
July 3
July 4–7
August 10
August 29–September 1
September 14
In honor of:
Amanda Ieraci (GSNC Board Member, GSNC 2025 Impact Award Recipient, Ceremonial Unit Co-Leader, former National Delegate)
Dates to Remember
Juneteenth Observed Council office closed
78th Season of Camp Blue Bay Begins
Independence Day Holiday Council office closed
National S’mores Day
Labor Day Holiday Council office closed
Thin Mint Sprint Jones Beach State Park
Girlfriends
June 2025 l Issue 3
Service to Others
Community service is a big part of why we participate in Girl Scouts. Girl Scouting gives us the opportunity to learn new ideas, concepts, and lifelong skills. Community service opportunities allow us to take what we have learned and help others in our communities. We want to make the world a better place for everyone. We feel that community service allows us to do something kind for others without expecting anything in return. Our troop does a lot for our community. Our favorite community service events with our troop were the beach clean-up and when we made care packages for a local women’s and children’s shelter. We created games and activity books for the children in the shelter so they had something to do.
The GS Shop will be closed on Saturdays during the summer from 6/28–8/30/2025.
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Olawumi Babalola, Brieanna Desiderio, Kerri Scanlon from
The day we brought the books to the shelter, we also hosted an ice cream sundae party and helped serve the kids their desserts so the moms and staff could take a break. With the GSNC Community Service Leadership Initiative (CSLI), our favorite activity so far was decorating the cardboard for the food pantry. We loved the idea of being able to decorate and make the pantry nice to bring smiles to the families who use the pantry’s services, especially if they were having a hard day. We are currently working on our Girl Scout Silver Award, which is based on helping animals in shelters. If everyone in the world did one nice thing a day for someone else without looking for something in return, the world might be nicer and full of more smiles. —Mia R. and Anaya L., Troop 1395