Program Resources Pen Pals
Techbridge Kits
Connecting with girls in other parts of Connecticut increases girls’ literacy skills and helps them learn more about our state! Submit a Pen Pal Request form found in the Resource and Form Library at gsofct.org, and our Pen Pal volunteer will do their best to find a Connecticut match for you. One of the best things about having Connecticut pen pals is that girls have more opportunities to meet in person.
Techbridge Kits provide hands-on exploration of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and related careers. Each box contains a guide and materials for the activities, and may be rented for a fee. Most kits are geared for Juniors and older. The five topic themes include: Power it Up, Design Time, Make it Green, Engineers to the Rescue, and Thrill Builders. To help facilitators become familiar with the activities and concepts, there are online instructional video clips. For more information visit the Participate tab of gsofct.org, or contact Dani Lachance at dlachance@gsofct.org. New this year, A Techbridge patch and rocker “gear patches” for each kit.
Letterboxing Join in on the fun of letterboxing! This is a combination of scavenger hunt, map reading, and a hike. Follow clues to find a “planted” letterbox at one of our Outdoor Program Centers. Once you find the box, you can mark your logbook with the stamp found inside, stamp the logbook with your personal stamp, and return it to the box. General information about letterboxing can be found at letterboxing.org. For more information about letterboxing at one of our sites, contact program@gsofct.org. Remember to look for letterboxing events in this book as well!
Braille Books A generous grant provided GSOFCT with Braille copies of all The Girl’s Guides to Girl Scouting, Badge sets, Journey adult guides, and Girl Journey books. We have lending sets available at each Service Center. For more information, contact program@gsofct.org.
Grief and Loss Program-in-a-Box Helpful when there is a loss in a family or group, the Grief and Loss box contains ideas to help girls develop loss awareness through literature, art, and interactive activities. Books include storybooks for younger girls, teen appropriate books, as well as informational books for adults working with youth. Grief and Loss boxes are located in each of our service centers, and are available at no cost. Contact program@gsofct.org.
62 | Girl Scouts of Connecticut
Gold Award Scholarships Girls who have earned the Girl Scout Gold Award by April 1 of their high school senior year and are entering college as a freshman the following fall, or who have earned the Gold Award after April 1 before their college freshman year and are entering as a college sophomore, may apply for the following $1,000 scholarships. The Bea Okwu and the Emily Chaison scholarship forms may be found in the Gold section of the Participate tab at gsofct.org. The Connecticut Elks also offer a scholarship. The application for this is usually posted in the same area by February 1. All applications are due on April 1. Girls are also encouraged to visit the GSUSA website for a national Gold Award scholarship search engine.
Gold Award Grants Through the support of donors, GSOFCT is able to offer a very limited number of $100 Gold Award mini grants for approved projects. Contact your Gold Award Mentor for more information.
Troop and Service Unit Program Support Found in the Resource and Form Library, you’ll find the Heart Sisters, a complete plan for a healthy living event. While the Program Department can’t come run an event for a service unit, we’re happy to share our experience and help guide older girls and/ or volunteers in their event planning. The Program Department will also do their best to attend a service unit meeting to discuss Girl Scout programming. Contact program@gsofct.org for more information.