GSNWGL Powering Our Promise - Volume 2

Linda Levin and Kay MacGregor are dedicated and passionate volunteers who wholeheartedly bring the joy of camp and outdoor adventures to so many Girl Scouts, enriching their lives with unforgettable experiences! >>>

POWERING OUR PROMISE

LINDA LEVIN

(MURPHY)

Appreciation Pin - 1985

Hall of Fame - 1987

Peninsula Pin - 1988

Honor Pin - 1992

Thanks Badge - 1994

Thanks Badge II - 2003

Volunteer of Excellence - 2014

A special kind of magic from Linda Levin and Kay MacGregor resonates throughout our council. Anyone who has spent time with them will tell you there is a gravitational pull to share in their passion for Girl Scouting and all this movement encompasses.

Last October, Linda and Kay made an unexpected announcement. They shared their dream of a high ropes adventure for campers at Camp Birch Trails in Irma, WI, and then, to our surprise, they pledged a gift of $100,000 to bring this dream to reality. On the eve of announcing our council’s property vision, this gesture was a sign of trust in our council and a commitment to the future of our Girl Scouts.

Everything Murphy and Stretch do is for our kids, whether to give them a leader in their life that will make a lasting impression, adventure-filled challenges that will increase confidence and collaboration, or the simplicity of sharing in a song, in laughter, in the moment.

Having them serve as our 2023 Northeast Community Champions is an honor. They treasure all that Girl Scouting embodies and have inspired and captured so many of our hearts, just as you can see through the testimonials of kids, volunteers, and staff throughout this issue of Powering Our Promise.

Celebrate the magic of Murphy and Stretch with a donation today. Please direct your gift to the GSNWGL Financial Assistance Program so more kids can experience camp, leadership programming, and be part of the Girl Scout movement. With your support, the sky is the limit for our kiddos.

KAY MACGREGOR (STRETCH)

Honor Pin - 2017

Thanks Badge - 2023

Nesbit is not just a camp. It’s a family. Once a camper or staff member joins us at Camp Nesbit, they become part of our Summer Thing family.

We strive to share the history and magic of camp with everyone who joins us. We continue to build an amazing legacy for Girl Scouts. As our song goes, “Summer Thing gives us wings to fly, and we do!”

The magic of Nesbit is the kids! They are why 28 volunteers come together every summer. The staff looks forward to it as much as the kids. It’s therapy for some, a two-week vacation, and a family reunion for others. It's pretty special that our volunteers choose to spend their time off work with us!

Camp Nesbit is an incredible option for Girl Scouts in our council. Our volunteer-run camp helps fill a need for accessible outdoor programming. Accessible for many reasons like affordability, location, and design. Camp Nesbit is also a draw for Girl Scouts wanting to experience other resident camp options within the council. With our volunteers, we can help execute the success of Girl Scout programming. Camp Nesbit volunteers bring a wealth of experience, knowledge, and connection from our council and beyond. Together, we can deliver the outdoor experience to all Girl Scouts!

- Stretch

CAMP NESBIT

Summer Thing

“Iwanttosharehowmuch gratitudewehaveforthe staffofCampNesbit Our childrenhavelearnedtrue acceptanceabove anywhereelsetheyhave been.Theybothhave grownandchangedforthe positive.Thankyouso muchforwhatyoudo."

-camperparent

“I feel like I can do anything at this camp! Like being brave.”

- Emily

“I really wanted to try new things at camp, and my list is getting done. I’m not sure if I can do archery, but thank you for letting me try.”

- Sonja

- Apollo's Philosophy -

"I will work to create a safe and healthy environment, both mentally and physically, while still promoting growth. I will be the adult I needed as a child."

“As a former camper and counselor, I forget the value of having structure in my day. Wake up early, work with cabinmates to clean your space, wait in line for meals, etc. It taught me that in the midst of outdoor adventures and spontaneous fun, there's an underlying structure keeping the magic of each day alive."

- Kate Corey

"When Juliette Gordon Low founded Girl Scouts in 1912, she understood that dedicated and dynamic leaders and role models were vital to helping girls develop their full potential. She had this vision of guiding girls so that they, too, became role models for future generations. Not every role model has this vision to create more role models, which is why Stretch and Murphy are so special. They embody everything that Girl Scouts has always been, right down to the original vision that Juliette Gordon Low had. To this day, even as an adult, I often think, "What would Stretch and Murphy say?" or "What would they do in this scenario?". I wish I had more words to stress how important these two individuals are! They have been the best teachers and leaders and friends that I have ever had in my entire life."

Tank - camp counselor

-

"Linda and Kay share their deep passion for empowering young Girl Scouts and adults and genuinely live the Girl Scout motto. Their passion has created many leaders in the Girl Scout community, especially the summer camp community. Whether it is tie-dying hundreds of t-shirts with campers, being a listening ear to issues or problems, or simply working with the girls of their troop to make the world a better place. Linda and Kay know from firsthand experience what it means to be accepting, honest, fair, friendly, helpful, and more to everyone they come in contact with. As a young camp director, I leaned on Linda as I worked through the final resident camp at Camp Nawakwa. She was always willing to help and jump in wherever needed."

You can

help Girl Scouts navigate the pathway to success too!

AninvestmentinGirlScouts isaninvestmentinmaking ourcommunitybetter, stronger,andbrighter

Plus e er dollar ougi e

Your gift will be used to ensure local Girl Scouts gain the skills and confidence needed to accept challenges, overcome obstacles, and become leaders.

Before a Girl Scout sails around the world or designs their own fashion line, they need to believe they can do it. Invest in our local Girl Scouts and make those dreams a reality. Then watch as they discover new interests and chase their dreams with the pride of knowing you helped make it possible.

gsnwgl.org/donate

- Lisa Freeman (Puck)

When Girl Scout founder Juliette Gordon Low needed money to help pay the rent for the national headquarters, she took off her pearls, understanding that the real jewels were the girls her organization served. Her generous gift inspired our council’s Pearl Challenge, a girl-led initiative that raises money for our Financial Assistance Fund.

Girls who accept the Pearl Challenge help build equity into the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE) by raising the money it takes to make a year of Girl Scouting accessible, inclusive, and affordable.

They pledge to raise $115 between October 1 and December 31, 2023, to offset troop dues, programming, and uniforms costs. Financial assistance also offsets fees for day camps and residential camps, helping alleviate the pressure families feel and eliminating the invisible barriers many girls face when they want to pursue big adventures.

Last membership year, we distributed $210,406 in financial assistance to Girl Scout families in need across our council—a 14% increase from the previous year. We estimate that 90% of Girl Scouts benefiting from our financial assistance program are from low- to moderate-income families.

As an alum and supporter of the Girl Scout Movement, you know that the GSLE is more valuable than any strand of pearls, which is why we hope you’ll consider serving as a Pacesetter for this year’s Pearl Challenge by donating $115 by September 30, 2023. You’ll inspire current Girl Scouts as they fundraise to make troops equitable, expanding opportunities for all girls to build the courage, confidence, and character they need to become successful adults.

On behalf of the Girl Scouts our council serves, thank you for sharing the luster of your life with us and for inspiring current Girl Scouts to shine as they discover their intrinsic value and transform into bright, brilliant women who make a difference in their communities.

B E A P A C E S E T T E R

Girl Scouts has undeniably helped to shape me into who I am today. I could point to several skills I have developed as a Girl Scout, but the most remarkable is leadership. Girl Scouts taught me the power of my voice and the impact of collaboration. I learned how to be a strong, confident, and capable leader, and I’m grateful for the foundation Girl Scouts provided.

I’m thankful to be part of an organization opening doors and encouraging girls to take the lead. I'm incredibly grateful to my fellow Girl Scouts for looking out for one another and taking on this year's Pearl Challenge.

- Sandy Brierton, GSNWGL Girl Advisory Board Chair