Girl Scouts of Nassau County Girlfriends June 2024

June 2024

Girlfriends is a publication of Girl Scouts of Nassau County

Be a Sister to Every Girl Scout

These aren’t just words Girl Scouts say; they’re words we live by.

As a Brownie Girl Scout, I realized I could be a leader. In my family, my cousins and sibling often outvoted me on activities and snacks, but as a Girl Scout, I started to campaign for activities and snacks that were my favorite. I learned to cherish the sisterhood with the girls in my Brownie Girl Scout troop and with my best friend, Natalie. Because of that, I take the phrase “be a sister to every Girl Scout” seriously. Our Daisy Girl Scouts can earn their violet Learning Petal by being a sister to every Girl Scout. They learn that being a sister is much more than just being friendly. Being a sister means being supportive, helpful, and celebrating friends. Being a sister means sharing, understanding differences, and forgiving. It could also mean holding someone’s hand when they are scared, sending someone a card when they have achieved something, or giving someone flowers when they are sad. Teaching our Girl Scouts at a young age how to embrace this part of our Girl Scout Law is critical to their Girl Scout journey. The essence of the Girl Scout movement lies in our Promise and Law. While this is evident in our programs with the girls, it’s equally crucial in our interactions with each other. I urge us to reflect on what it truly means to be a sister to every Girl Scout. How can we embody this principle in our actions, and why is it essential for the Girl Scout movement’s vitality? If our Daisy Girl Scouts can do it, I’m confident we can too! —RMB

Share how you embody the Girl Scout

Promise and Law: Grab a sisterhood patch from our Girl Scout Shop to show you also take sisterhood seriously! bit.ly/gsnc-sisterhood-patch

To learn more about the Daisy Violet Learning Petal check out

Vi’s story here...

Troop Click

Girl Scout Promise

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. *Members may substitute for the word God in accordance with their own spiritual beliefs.

Girl Scout Law

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.

Troop 2210 recently attended Camp Blue Bay’s Brownie Slumber Party for Me & My Girl Scout! The girls built skills, created memories, and made new friends. A good time was had by all!

Community Service Leadership Initiative

Earn up to 10 hours of Community Service by

being a leader in your community. This 5-part series will be girl-led and open to all Cadettes, Seniors, Ambassadors, and non-Girl Scouts.

l Have fun while completing your requirements for community service

l Grow leadership skills for your college application and resume

l Enjoy your community service by bringing your friends

l Develop talking points for your college application essay

Information Session:

Thursday, September 12, 2024, 6:30 PM

Pizza included

Cost:

$25 for registered Girl Scouts Program includes a Community Service Leadership Initiative shirt, pin, and completion certificate.

Register now: https://bit.ly/gsnc-comm-service-2024

Post-Reality Fair

This past April, the Girl Leadership Committee (GLC) ran an event teaching Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Girl Scouts about financial literacy. With partners Morgan-Stanley, Molloy University, and GSNC staff, the girls were exposed to real-life situations; by beginning with their own profiles, this allowed them to navigate a simulation of life. It was important to the GLC that the younger girls be exposed to financial literacy as they had all experienced difficulties while navigating their own financial obstacles. The girls moved from table to table working through real-life situations like financing a house and car, having pets, donating to charity, paying off student loans, understanding credit scores, and preparing for the unexpected. At the end of the event, the girls were asked how their bios affected their financial decisions. Many enthusiastically answered about their own experiences of not being able to get a luxury car, but rather being able to pay off loans or limit the number of pets they could have. Overall, the event had a positive impact on the girls’ understanding of the financial world, and the GLC hopes that they will use these lessons in the future. A big thanks goes to the GSNC staff, CEO Rande Bynum, Morgan-Stanley, and Molloy University for helping the GLC carry out this everlasting event.

Are you a Girl Scout Senior or Ambassador? Do you want your voice heard? Are you ready to take your leadership to the council level? Do you want to play a part in the future of Girl Scouts? If you answered yes to any or all of those questions, apply to become a member of the Girl Leadership Committee. Visit gsnc.org/glc and apply today!

The GSNC Girl Leadership Committee (GLC) is one of the many leadership opportunities offered at council. As a member, you have the opportunity to use your voice to share your passions and ideas. The GLC was created to ensure that Girl Scout programming is what girls want and need.

Summer Camp Registration is Open!

Summer Camp registration is open! Camp Blue Bay offers one- and two-weeks 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 Girl Scouts 18+.

Looking to get Outdoor-Trained?

Visit Camp Blue Bay!

Novice Camper

Weekend:

October 18-20

Are you looking to experience troop camping but haven’t had the opportunity to participate in the required Outdoor Training? We have an opportunity just for you: troops can enjoy a trip to Camp Blue Bay while leaders participate in outdoor training! Over the weekend, Girl Scouts will participate in a variety of activities led by volunteers and staff as they learn all about the traditions of Girl Scout camping. Meanwhile, Outdoor Training Adults will spend the day learning everything they need to know about Troop Camping from our Outdoor Trainers.

Fall Family Festival Overnight

October 26-27

Celebrate Fall with your family at Camp Blue Bay. On Saturday morning, take part in a series of messy fun fall activities. After that, it’s time to spend some time in the great outdoors, enjoy a packed lunch on the sports field, hike to the beach, or visit a local attraction on your own. After dinner, join us for a costume dance party and s’mores around the campfire. The event can accommodate up to 200 people in platform tents. Limited indoor space (dormitory-style Troop Houses) available upon request.

Please join us... EarlyBird Pricing Available! $125 per ticket through 9/15 Purchase your tickets today! Visit bit.ly/gsnc-raise-a-glass-2024 or

to Girl Scouts of Nassau County Fall Fundraiser

Thursday, November 21, 2024

6:00 PM-9:00 PM

The Inn at New Hyde Park Tuscan Room

214 Jericho Turnpike New Hyde Park

Happy Summer!

Have some fun in the sun by earning one of these badges.

Daisy: Trail Adventure and Buddy Camper

Brownie: Trail Adventure and Bugs

Junior: Trail Adventure and Flowers

Cadette: Trail Adventure and Night Owl

Senior: Trail Adventure and Sky Ambassador: Trail Adventure and Ultimate Recreation Challenge

Registered volunteers can access the full requirements, meeting plans, and materials lists for these badges on the Volunteer Toolkit! Log into your myGS account and select the Volunteer Toolkit to get started.

A very rewarding experience!

On May 6, 2024, girls who sold 500 or more packages of Girl Scout Cookies joined the “500+ Club” and were hosted by our CEO, Rande Bynum, at a magical dinner party at the Inn at New Hyde Park.

Participants enjoyed being honored, taking photos with the CEO, dining, dancing, cheering, and capping off the night with a yummy ice cream bar.

Bonjour Girl Scouts!

Paris is hosting the 2024 Summer Olympic Games starting on July 26.

Celebrate the world’s largest international sporting event by completing the GSNC Olympic World Tour Patch Challenge. Walk 26.2 miles across all “seven continents” with your troop, family, or friends, or go solo. As you make your journey across the globe, you can earn bonus miles by completing additional activities like attending a Girl Scout program, cheering for your favorite sports teams and athletes, and staying active this summer. For more details visit the OLC

CHALLENGE DETAILS:

July 1-September 30, 2024

Open to all Girl Scout Levels

This new patch challenge is available on the OLC. Girl Scouts who complete this challenge will be able to pick up and purchase this specialty fun patch at the GSNC Shop.

“...I hope that by being a female wrestler, I can show young girls that they’re allowed to be strong, powerful, and in control of their own bodies to make decisions about how they want to be in this world.”

Girl Scout alum and Olympian Adeline Gray

Girl Scouts of Nassau County’s First Annual

Community Summit

Yes We Can Center, Westbury

On Thursday, April 18, our inaugural Community Summit at the Yes We Can Center in Westbury, NY, brought together local Nassau County legislators, School District administrators, and community members for a productive breakfast event. The Summit celebrated the outstanding work in our communities and recognized Town of Hempstead Supervisor Donald Clavin as our inaugural Community Champion. Mr. Clavin’s support has been crucial in securing funding for our Traveling Trefoil van, which extends Girl Scout programming to every corner of Nassau County. We thank all attendees for their participation and the Town of North Hempstead for graciously hosting us and fostering collaboration and meaningful discussions. Together, we’re shaping a brighter future for Nassau County’s girls. Stay tuned for more opportunities to join our journey of growth and empowerment.

Join us in welcoming one of our newest Gold Award mentors, Katie Altuz.

Awards Corner

Katie became a Gold Award mentor because she was a Girl Scout who earned her Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards and she wanted to stay connected and be active in Girl Scouts of Nassau County.

Katie believes girls should pursue their Gold Award because it challenges them to develop planning and leadership skills that they can use as adults. She believes Gold Award projects should focus on an issue the girl is passionate about so that they are fully invested in their project.

If you are a volunteer who is interested in becoming a Gold Award mentor, please email customercare@gsnc.org

Alicia T. from Lynbrook’s Troop 2168 earned her Silver Award by addressing the mental health challenges of children, teens, and adults who suffer with anxiety and depression. Recently, this stress has been amplified by social media and the pandemic. Alicia presented to the Henry Waldinger Memorial Library in Valley Stream. Her presentation included a PowerPoint, a Kahoot game on mental health (specifically stress and anxiety and how to handle it), pin-making (having students create their own pin with positive affirmations), and writing affirmations on Post-its for their positivity boards. They benefitted by seeing the positive messages and seeing themselves as they read those affirmations in their head in front of the acrylic mirror she provided.

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 quarterly with a special issue in August. Girl Scouts of Nassau County, Inc.

110 Ring Road West, Garden City, NY 11530

Periodicals Postage Paid at Garden City, NY 11530.

Andrea Elder-Howell, Esq.

President and Chief Volunteer Officer

Randell Marie Bynum

Chief Executive Officer

Cassie Colgan

Marketing and Communications Director

Anna Lenz

Senior Creative Manager

by Anna Lenz

June 19

July 4-5

July 8

July 11

August 10

Dates to Remember

Juneteenth Observed Council office closed

Independence Day Holiday Council office closed

77th Season of Camp Blue Bay begins Summer Flag Football League starts

National S’mores Day

Girlfriends

Last Chance to Get Your Early Bird Patch!

Renew before June 30, 2024 to receive this years’ Early Bird patch. Learn about additional incentives at gsnc.org/renew.

Let your Girl Scout’s curiosity lead the way to accomplish more amazing things. Don’t let her miss her chance to spend another year as a Girl Scout!

Renew today at gsnc.org/renew or contact us at customercare@gsnc.org and we will be happy to do the renewal for you.

Leaders: renew your whole troop in the same time frame and every member will receive the patch and be entered into a drawing for a free Possibilities program for your entire troop.

In honor of:

Rande Bynum (GSNC CEO)

—Andrea Bastiani Archibald

Geri Gregor (GSNC Trailblazer

Trefoil Award Recipient)

—Elizabeth Galzerano and Joan Kaplan

Jean Lee

—LaTonja Lee

Joslyn Mayers —Nyrekia White

Debbie Meek —Carrie Meek Gallagher

Joanne Meyer-Jendras (GSNC Trailblazer

Trefoil Award Recipient) —Diana O’Neill

Jane Nelson —Lynn Albers

In memory of:

Fanny Aroca (mother of GSNC staff member

Patricia Pacheco) —Ellen Palmisano

Lilly T. Buscemi (mother/grandmother) — Lifetime Members Nina, Teresa, and Maria Buscemi

Jens Franzen (husband of retired GSNC staff and JGLS member, Judy Franzen) —Ellen Palmisano

Monica Pavlidis (Herricks Leader and long-time Gold Award Mentor) —Joanne Meyer-Jendras