GSCCC Magazine Winter/Spring 2016

GIRL SCOUTSNews and Program Information from Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast

Cookies 2016Celebrating 80 years of the Girl Scout Cookie Program

Cookies 2016

Winter/Spring 2016

Camp at a Glance Registration opens February 29, 2016!

Fun Activities and Events offered by GSCCC

Upcoming Event: 8th Annual Samoa Soiree

Troop News

Celebrating 80 years of the Girl Scout Cookie Program

G i r l Scout Days with Hur rah P layers

i nc lude: Theatre Workshop

Theatre Patch Backstage Tour

Performance Ticket Meet & Greet the Cast

RESERVE YOUR TROOP TODAY!*

*Please reserve at least 4 weeks prior to event. Troops must have a minimum of 10 participants.

757-627-5437 [email protected]

JULY 30, 2016 FEBRUARY 13, 2016

AUGUST 20, 2016 MARCH 12, 2016

PLAN YOUR VISIT WITH US: [email protected] | 800.368.7432 | 4HCENTER.ORG

Let’s plan a monumental trip for your scouts! As an extension of 4-H, a non-profit focused on youth development, National 4-H Conference Center is a hotel designed for young people and their leaders.

Features of National 4-H Conference Center:• Lively-fun, hotel near DC’s monuments and museums• Hotel rooms for 800+ with two or four beds per room• All-you-can-eat dining buffet and boxed meals to-go• Educational guided tours of Washington, DC and workshops that align

with many merit badges• Complimentary parking and WiFi• Outdoor basketball and volleyball court• Indoor recreation with arcade games• Evening activities like movie nights and pizza parties• Professional 24-hour security and parental controls on TVs and internet

access

Chair of the Board Cheryle Mack

Chief Executive Officer Tracy Keller

Secretary Sunny Smith

Vice Chair Carolene Goodwyn-Harris

Treasurer Catherine Magill Members at Large: Rhonda Barbosa Francina Harrison Stacey Hugo Ashley McLeod Maria Mills Lara Overy Jennifer Palestrant

GIRL SCOUTSNews & Program Information from Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast Contents

FEATURES9 Invest in Girl Scouts

11 Welcome to the 2016 Girl Scout Cookie Program

14 It’s Time for a Camp Open House

DEPARTMENTS4 From the CEO, Tracy Keller

5 Troop News

10 Meet Megan Poppe

15 Camp at a Glance

19 Program Opportunities

26 Gold Award Centennial

9

1411

Carolyn Pittman Marisa Porto Ellis Pretlow Marsha Riibner-Cady Scott Taylor Barbara Tierney Marie Vesely

ON THE COVER

Alicia Decastro-Baxter is a second-year Girl Scout Daisy with Troop 68. She’s looking forward to taking part in the 2016 Girl Scout Cookie Program and has already set a cookie goal! In October, Alicia and a few of her troop members attended the Design Divas workshop at A Place for Girls where girls had an opportunity to explore and discover the fun of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). As Girl Scout Daisies, they dabbled in chemistry to make lip gloss and did a show-and-tell with the older girls. Girl Scout Brownies learned about oil spills through a simulated experiment using household items. Girl Scout Juniors constructed model cars and learned about fulcrums and kinetic energy by building catapults. While Alicia may find some activities challenging as a child with Spina Bifida, she’s always ready to try new things and knows Girl Scouts is a place for her to grow. After the workshop, she enjoyed taking a walk with troop friends on the Outback boardwalk, part of the nature area that lies behind A Place for Girls. Way to go Alicia!

Peninsula Service Center 894 J. Clyde Morris Blvd. Newport News, VA 23601

Elizabeth City Field Center 214 N. Dyer St. Elizabeth City, NC 27909

A Place for Girls 912 Cedar Road Chesapeake, VA 23322 757-547-4405800-77SCOUT

Kitty Hawk Field Center 3852 N. Croatan Hwy. Kitty Hawk, NC 27949

GIRL FOCUSED

Girl Led

Girl Scouts

4 Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast

Saturday, February 6, 2016Chesapeake Convention Center700 Conference Center Drive, Chesapeake

Tickets available online at gsccc.org

Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast invites you to attend the

2016 Annual Council Meeting and Awards Luncheon

Annual Council Meeting and

Awards Luncheon

Welcome to Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast Magazine! I hope volunteers, parents and donors will enjoy this new read. We’ve combined our former newsletters and catalogs into a one-stop publication. In this magazine you’ll

read articles about extraordinary things girls are doing in Girl Scouts, the volunteers who help make it happen and upcoming program events at a glance. You’ll also get tips that can help you in your parent and volunteer role.

You’ll also learn about Council events and opportunities, such as the Annual Council Meeting and Awards Luncheon taking place on February 6 at the Chesapeake Conference Center. One of our recent Girl Scout graduates and Gold Awardee, Lauren Prox, will be our guest speaker. Lauren was invited last year to the White House Science Fair and had some other amazing experiences that she’ll share with us. I hope as many of our members as possible will attend and be inspired about all that we accomplish together.

At our Annual Council Meeting, you’ll hear about our new customer engagement initiative, a new way of work for Girl Scouts that focuses on aligning people, processes and systems to effectively ensure that both recruitment and service/retention functions are providing a quality, customer-centric experience. We know this initiative will result in an increase in girl and volunteer satisfaction! You can read about the new Volunteer Toolkit that is part of the initiative on page 24. Exciting new things are coming in the near future!

As we move along in this 2015-16 Girl Scout year, I want to say thanks to our partners, to the volunteers who lead troops, groups and special efforts, and to the parents who believe in what we do and who make room for Girl Scouts in their busy family schedules. Together, we will make sure girls continue to have a place to grow into the strong and reliant women we want them to become!

Sincerely,

Tracy Keller Chief Executive Officer

5 Winter | Spring

Each year, over 100 sea turtles are rescued in the Hampton Roads area after being hooked on fishing lines or stranded on the shorelines. With the help of the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Team, many of these endangered animals are rehabilitated and returned to their home in the ocean. Through the Stranding Response Program, marine animals have hooks removed from their throats, fishing line untangled from their fins and are given antibiotics for infections. Without care, stranded marine animals often do not survive. That’s why Girl Scout Troop 468 took action.

Their troop meets less than a mile from the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, and the girls in the troop share a love for animals. This year, when it came time to decide how they would give back to their community with their cookie money, their thoughts turned to their ocean and the marine life in their backyards.

The girls purchased a hoop net to be used on the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier. In cases where sea turtles are accidentally hooked on fishing lines, people can use the hoop net to safely move the sea turtle from the water without further lodging the hook in its mouth or throat. Near the hoop net, there is an instructional sign about pulling sea turtles from the water, along with contact information for the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Team. The sign stresses the importance of contacting the team instead of removing hooks on their own.

In June, the members of Troop 468 were invited by the Virginia Aquarium to be a part of the release of seven turtles back into the ocean. At the release, the troop members got to show off the hoop net and educate people about the importance of using it to help save sea turtles.

TROOP NEWSGirl Scouts of the Colonial Coast

During the summer, members of Girl Scout Troop 468 were invited by the Virginia Aquarium to take part in a sea turtle release at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. The girls displayed a hoop net used to save sea turtles caught on fishing lines and explained how Girl Scout Cookies helped them purchase the new net to help turtles in their community.

“The release was a wonderful experience for the girls to see their cookie efforts in action. Watching seven turtles go back into the ocean healthy was amazing! The girls enjoy giving back and seeing the difference they can make in the world.” – Nicole Newsome, Leader of Troop 468

How to submit your troop news and photos!To submit your troop story for

consideration to be featured by GSCCC, submit stories and photos to

[email protected]. Please verify photo permission for each girl in the

photos before submitting for troop news.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Cookie Dough Used to Help Release Sea Turtles

Once a Girl Scout, Always a Girl ScoutNo matter their age, all current Girl Scouts and alumnae share a common bond. They’ve hiked trails and camped out under the stars. They’ve learned what it means to be a leader and honed their business skills as cookie entrepreneurs. They’ve taken a common pledge—the Girl Scout Law— to be civically engaged and help others. Recognizing the impact of the organization, Girl Scout Troop 598 in Virginia Beach hosted a special reunion for Girl Scout alumnae who live in the retirement community at Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay last month.

The seven members of Troop 598 organized an afternoon of fun for the Westminster-Canterbury residents to reminisce about their

Girl Scout days. From Girl Scout-themed cookie decorating to bingo games, fun was had by all. The girls also set up an archive display with vintage Girl Scout handbooks and uniforms, and some of the residents brought photos from their days as a Girl Scout to share.

“I joined Girl Scouts as a second grader in 1940 in upstate New York,” Marietta Connor, a Westminster-Canterbury resident, shared. “Being a Girl Scout shaped my personality and made me a better person.”

As guests shared their Girl Scout experiences from around the country, they echoed common sentiments—they made wonderful friends, were given opportunities they would not have had otherwise and they all had fond memories of camping trips. They also talked about the different varieties of Girl Scout Cookies that they sold through the years. The members of Troop 598 enjoyed hearing about activities that the women took part in to earn badges years ago.

Martha Beale, a resident at Westminster- Canterbury, grew up in Norfolk and was a member of Troop 4 in

TROOP NEWSGirl Scouts can do anything!


The members of Girl Scout Troop 598 near the archive display they set up for the Girl Scout reunion they hosted for their Girl Scout Silver Award project. Pictured left to right: Jessica Miller, Allyson Palalay, Sydney Correll, Caityln Custer and Benvenuta Berberi in the back row. Anastasia Breid and Grace Payne in the front row.

the Larchmont area of the city. She shared memories of camping at Camp Apasus, a property still used for day camp and overnight troop camping trips today. She also spent time at Camp Matoaka, a former Girl Scout camp in Suffolk.

The reunion hosted by Troop 598 was the culminating event of a project the girls have been working on for months to earn the Girl Scout Silver Award, the second highest award a girl can earn in Girl Scouting and the highest award earned by Girl Scouts in middle school.

Troop 2119 Gets Moving!The Girl Scout Juniors in Troop 2119 from Camden, NC, are currently working on earning their Get Moving Journey. They’ve been learning about all types of energy and put their own energy to the test in October. The Juniors and some of their fellow troop members participated in the fourth annual Dismal Dash 5k at the Dismal Swamp Welcome Center in South Mills, NC. All of the girls in the troop completed the entire course, and they are eagerly awaiting next year’s event, which will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the North Carolina State Parks.

At the reunion, Grace Payne from Troop 598 had the opportunity to hear about Westminster-Canterbury resident Martha Beale’s favorite Girl Scout memories. Beale was a member of Troop 4 in Norfolk and talked about her outdoor experiences at Camp Apasus and Camp Matoaka.

7 Winter | Spring

Girls from left to right: Ellie Sherman, Sophie Sherman, Noelle Myrick, Krystina Brook, Pagie Taylor and Katelyn Koendarfer

Soaring to New HeightsIn September, members of Girl Scout Troops 4077 and 1577 from Chesapeake went to the NAS Oceana Air Show in Virginia Beach. There, they met United States Marine Corps Captain Katie Higgins, the first female pilot to be a member of the Blue Angels in the 69-year history of the team. The girls were excited to learn that Captain Higgins is a Girl Scout alumna!

Operation School SuppliesMei Stukes is a Girl Scout leader from Hampton who believes in community service. So much so, that she makes sure the girls in her troop participate in a community service project monthly – sometimes more! This summer, several girls in her troop helped at an Operation School Supplies collection site sponsored by WAVY-TV and Farm Fresh. Thousands of items were donated! The girls collected and sorted the donations. The girls also volunteered on September 19 at the International Coastal Cleanup Day at Buckroe Beach in Hampton.

“I can’t imagine not helping people because this comes natural to me. As for my troop, I can safely say, they feel exactly the same way. They have been true examples of what Girl Scouting is all about: community service. They have provided needed service hours at our local senior homes, WAVY’s project Stuff the Bus, Goodwill clothing drives, community food drives, CHKD health fairs, and more.” - Mei Stukes

Mei Stukes (far right) with Hampton Girl Scouts and The Hampton Road Show host Luana Munoz (center)

STEMWomen in

DAYEnjoy a fun-filled day of Science,

Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) activities, meet-n-greet career

professionals, and more! Attending Girl Scouts can also complete requirements

to earn an Explore Nauticus patch!

DEADLINE TO REGISTERMarch 14, 2016

SPECIAL GIRL SCOUT/GIRL FOCUSED GROUP RATE:

REGISTRATION:Please contact Susie Hill at 757-664-1041

or [email protected]

SAT., MARCH 19, 2016 • 10AM-5PM

$12/Scout $14/Adult

On the Downtown Norfolk WaterfrontNAUTICUS.ORG | 757-664-1000


What it Means to Invest in Girl Scouts

9 Winter | Spring

Capital Group funds Adult Volunteer Training for second year in a rowFor the second year in a row, Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast has received grant funding from the Capital Group Charitable Giving Programs. Christine Mueller, an outstanding Girl Scout volunteer and Capital Group employee, advised the Council of the opportunity to receive grant funding last year and has been involved every step of the way to ensure funding.

As a Girl Scout volunteer, Christine suggested that the Council request funding to support volunteer training. Adult volunteers introduce girls to new experiences that show them they are capable of more than they ever imagined. These adults are cheerleaders, guides and mentors, helping girls develop skills and confidence that will last long after the meeting is over. Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast has over 6,000 adult volunteers who help turn girls into strong, confident leaders every day.

Connection to positive role models is a critical aspect of helping kids. In addition to teaching mentors how to build these connections, required training provides adult volunteers with resources so they can inspire girls to strive for more. Because volunteers give so much of their time, talents and expertise, the Council strives to keep their out-of-pocket costs for screening, onboarding and training to a minimum. The $6,000 grant award from the Capital Group will help make that possible.

Verizon recognizes volunteers who give their timeDid you know that some of the businesses you work for recognize volunteer hours and will make cash contributions based on the number of volunteer hours you work? Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast knows how critical volunteers are to supporting girl programs and we know that you give of yourselves asking nothing in return. Luckily, thanks to companies like Verizon, volunteering pays.

The Verizon Volunteer Grant Program provides opportunities for employees who volunteer 50 or more hours in the current calendar year with the same eligible U.S. or international nonprofit organizations, public and private schools, and accredited colleges and universities to request a $750 grant from the Verizon Foundation on behalf of that organization or educational institution. Aquarius Brickhouse, Andrea Jones, and Deneen Stephens all work for Verizon and submitted their volunteer hours. Verizon, in turn, made a cash contribution through the Verizon Foundation to the nonprofit where they volunteered. This year the Verizon Foundation made a contribution of $2,250 to Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast and these funds were forwarded directly to Troop 1117.

There are countless other businesses who will either make contributions for volunteer hours or match an employee’s contribution to a non profit. United Parcel Service, Bank of America, Norfolk Southern, and Norfolk Naval Shipyard are just a few of the businesses who make contributions to Girl Scouts based on your support. To learn more about employer matching grants, contact your Human Resources Department.

Girl Scout volunteer and Capital Group employee Christine Mueller with her daughter Madelyn , a Girl Scout Junior.


Megan Poppe is the Controller at Old Point National Bank in Hampton, Virginia. She serves

on the Finance and Audit committees of the Board of the Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast. Megan gives monthly to Girl Scouts because she is committed to helping girls have the chance to try new things within the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.

How did you become involved in Girl Scouts?My friend, Melissa Burroughs, introduced me to Girl Scouts. She encouraged me to become more involved so that I could understand the impact Girl Scouting has on a girl’s life. I have served for four years on both committees and I know how important my committee service is to the girls and the overall movement.

Why do you feel it is important to invest in Girl Scouts?I feel that Girl Scouts provides a girl with the opportunity to step forward

and lean in. I believe that the mission of Girl Scouts builds girls of courage, confidence and character so that she can make a difference in her own future. In a lot of places, women are at a disadvantage and I hope through Girl Scouts, a girl can feel free to step forward and try something new while opening doors for other girls like her.

Why do you give monthly to Girl Scouts?Because it’s easy! I feel like every month I am helping a girl become a Girl Scout, attend camp, or have an experience that she wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford. Plus, Girl Scouts needs

2015 Girl Scout Famous FormersSix area women leaders were honored as Girl Scout Famous Formers at the Council’s annual luncheon held on Thursday, October 29th at the Norfolk Yacht and Country Club. The women join a distinguished group of more than 50 women who have received this recognition since the tradition began in 2012. This annual

event puts the spotlight on women who continue to support the Girl Scout mission and serve as role models for today’s girls. Secretary of Administration for Virginia Nancy Rodrigues, a Girl Scout alumna who earned the Girl Scout First Class award as a girl, was the guest speaker.

An interview with Megan Poppe

From left to right: Peggy Birkemeier, retired senior associate with the North Carolina Community Foundation; Barbara Hamm Lee, executive director and host of Another View and managing director of SkillsOnline at WHRO Public Media; Khadijah H. Sellers, senior operations analyst at Enspyr, LLC; Emma Jean Brady, retired branch manager with the Blackwater Regional Library; Sylvia S. Weinstein, publisher and editor of the Oyster Pointer newspaper; and Susan Colpitts, founder and chief of client engagement at Signature Family Wealth Advisors.

Want to give monthly like Megan? Monthly giving is easy at the Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast. You can make a pledge of any size and split your payments over a period of 12 months. Contact the Philanthropy department at 757-547-4405 or [email protected] for more information.

my support whether it’s monthly, bi-annually or yearly. With my donation, Girl Scouts doesn’t have to turn a girl away from a leadership experience.

Secretary of Administration for Virginia Nancy Rodrigues with Girl Scout Julia Rochester who also spoke at the Girl Scout Famous Former Luncheon.

• Why is this goal important to you?• What are some important steps you

need to think about to reach this goal?• How much time do you think

it will take to reach this goal? • What is the most interesting part of

this goal? • How will this goal help you?

11 Winter | Spring

SETTING G OA L S > > >

Goal setting is for everyone. Whether you’re five or fifty-five (or more), you can benefit from

knowing how to set goals. The process can be as simple as planning a trip and having a goal for that journey. It doesn’t have to be torturous work! It just takes time and giving yourself some room to grow.

The process of setting goals helps you choose what you want to accomplish, both short term and long term. By knowing precisely what you want to achieve, you know where you have to concentrate your efforts. Maybe it’s a Girl Scout Brownie troop planning their first camping overnight, or an older girl troop planning to travel abroad, all need to set and assess their objectives. For parents and volunteers, one piece of advice, always respect a girl’s goal and never say it’s impossible.

When working with girls – at home or in the troop – goal setting starts with a discussion that relies on parents and volunteers to be good listeners. Look beyond the girl’s words and find the goal she is trying to convey with some constructive questioning. This can be tough for some of us who want to add a judgement or opinion that imposes our perspectives, but it will allow a deeper conversation to take place. Try to ask open-ended questions.

As a leader and as a mom, I’ve found that many times girl’s will start very big and have goals that need to be broken down.

As a Girl Scout facilitator, I’ve been taught to have SMART goals. That’s an acronym for goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely. Using SMART goals is an effective way to help girls (and adults) break down their goals so they are doable.

Girl Scout Gold awardee Charlotte Miner with her mom, troop leader DeLevay Miner.

DeLevay Miner has been a Girl Scout for over 25 years. She started her journey with Girl Scouts as a troop leader. Her experience and love for teaching led her to become a Girl Scout trainer and mentor. DeLevay has provided training in a number of subjects, including Program Basics, PB and J (Proficiency Badges and Journeys) and Outdoor I. She also mentors Girl Scout Silver and Gold Award candidates.

by DeLevay Miner

Help them create a manageable plan.Specific: Have enough details about the need and what is available to you, so know what exactly should be done.

Measurable: To have evidence that it is completed, you’ll need to have something to measure, such as running one mile nonstop for a physical fitness goal.

Attainable: Set goals that can be achieved. This might require breaking it down to a few goals that are smaller.

Realistic: Set goals that a girl or you are likely to stick to by having goals that are relevant and important in her or your life.

Timely: Have a deadline! Everyone works better when they know there is an end in sight. Fuzzy ideas of what constitutes the finish line can be confusing and distracting to achievement. Make sure the end goal can be assessed by using a definition of what the end will look like.

How Girl Scout Troop 2504 used their cookie dough to help their community!

When you buy Girl Scout Cookies, you’re doing more than a money exchange for a quick sweet treat. You’re helping a girl build self-confidence, and you can see it when she looks into your eyes with a smile that says thank you! Wow, that’s the

beginning of building important business skills. Selling cookies teaches goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics - aspects essential to leadership, to success and to life.

And there are more skills that girls gain from interacting directly with you - the customer, the parent or volunteer. It’s about the experience of running her own cookie business and working with others.

Visit us at gsccc.org to find out what YOU can do to help that budding young business woman and to get all the details on Girl Scout Cookies - important dates, recipes, activities, history and more!

Gift of CaringThrough Gift of Caring, customers may purchase Girl Scout Cookies and donate them to a special cause while supporting Girl Scouts! Girl Scout troops decide on a charitable organization or service group they would like to support with cookie donations. These organizations range from shelters and food banks, to special causes such as the Ronald McDonald House or the USO. For the 2016 cookie season, GSCCC is proud to announce that Soldiers’ Angels is the Council-sponsored Gift of Caring charity. Soldiers’ Angels will distribute the cookies to an active duty overseas military or domestic veteran audience.

Visit our Cookie Page at gsccc.org for details.

Welcome to the 2016 Girl Scout Cookie Program.

Members of Girl Scout Troop 2504 with the 35 care packages they put together to be shipped to military families living overseas. Troop members pictured: Alexis Tulli, Madison Morgan, Alison Morgan, Kaylee Ogea, Rachel Belue, Courtney Morgan, Tiffany Cunningham and Caitlyn Ferretti. Not pictured: Alexis Lamb, Sommer Freesmeier and Mimi Shields.

Girl Scout Troop 2504 made their way to the Norfolk International Airport over the summer, where they visited the USO Welcome Center and put together 35 care packages to send to military families living overseas. The girls spent months

collecting items for the packages and also used cookie money to purchase supplies. Supporting the troops is a cause that hits close to home for Troop 2504, as many of the troop members are part of military families, and one troop member even lived overseas in Ethiopia.

It’s never been easier for a girl to become involved in the Girl Scout Cookie Program. Digital Cookie makes it a snap! It allows Girl Scouts to set up their own personalized sales pages, take credit card payments and ship directly to their customers.

All the net proceeds from cookie sales remain with the Girl Scouts to supply essential services to girls. Together, girls decide how to spend their troop cookie money and reinvest it back into their neighborhoods through community service projects, travel opportunities and learning experiences.

Find fun games, craft ideas and tips at

www.littlebrowniebaker.com


13 Winter | Spring

Get ready for a “swinging” time this year at the

An Adult-Only Tasting EventSoiréeSamoa8th Annual

Entertainment by

Saturday, March 5, 2016 6 -10 p.m.Half Moone Cruise & Celebration Center Norfolk, VA$60 each, $500 Table (10) by 2|19$75 each, $600 Table (10) after 2|19Tickets available at gsccc.org

Top chefs in Hampton Roads create unique desserts and appetizers using Girl Scout cookies as key ingredients.

Girl Scout Cookie Rewards CEO Luncheon! Sell 1,000+ boxes of cookies and attend a special luncheon hosted by GSCCC CEO Tracy Keller! Each girl who attends will have the opportunity to share her super seller tips by making suggestions for the 2017 cookie program, and helping the Product Sales Team select the 2017 cookie rewards. Girls will receive a CEO gift along with personalized business cards.

The luncheon is a girl only event, that will be scheduled for May 2016.

Sponsored by

Daisy Belle Cow Plush 300+ boxes

Paisley Super Tote 500+ boxes

Mint 2 Be T-Shirt 175+ boxes

Sunday, March 6, 12 - 3 p.m.Camp Skimino Williamsburg, VASaturday, March 19, 1 - 3 p.m.Camp OutbackA Place for Girls, Chesapeake, VASaturday, March 26, 12 - 3 p.m. Camp Darden

Franklin, VASaturday, April 2, 12 - 3 p.m.Camp Apasus

Norfolk, VA

Open Houses


Want to see what attending camp is like? Check out our camps before summer begins. Bring your family and a picnic lunch to see it all—the tents, cabins, waterfront, and more as you explore camp! Staff will be on hand to answer your questions and help you select the perfect session. Registration is not required but encouraged. A confirmation packet with directions to the camp will be sent to all registered participants.

Camp Director Ms. Pickles says when

a girl goes to one of our camps…

She will grow in self-confidence and know that

her voice will count.

She will learn the importance in supporting

others and be supported.

She will increase her circle of friends, lead a

group, follow others, compromise, and make

decisions for herself. Along with other girls, she

will create a community that values differences.

She will discover that anything is possible and be

supported by a “can do” attitude. Memories will be

made. AND most of all, she’ll have FUN!

Come on out and meet our very own Ms. Pickles,

Outdoor Adventure Manager, at Girl Scouts of the

Colonial Coast. She’s a barrel of fun!

Summer

To register for GSCCC Summer Camp visit ebiz.gsccc.org

Camp at a Glance - Registration opens February 29, 2016!

More

RESIDENT CAMPDARDEN - FRANKLIN SESSION GRADE June 19-24 Wonderful, Water, Wonders 3-6 Weird & Wacky, Water Wonders 4-8 Buddies, Bits and Bridles 6-12 Horse Handler-Helping Hands-PA/CIT 9-12 (must have riding experience)

June 26- July 1 Horse Lovers, just like horsing around 4-5 Adrenaline Pumping Adventure 4-6 Wonderful, Water, Wonders 5-7 Buddies, Bits and Bridles 6-12 Horse Handler-PA/CIT 9-12 (must have riding experience)

Fun, Friendship

and Wow!15 Winter | Spring

Reasons Why Girls Should Go to Girl Scout Camp!

GSCCC CampsDay Camp Outback Chesapeake, VA

Camp Fury Chesapeake and Hampton

Resident Camp Darden Franklin, VA

Resident Camp SkiminoDay Camp Skimino Williamsburg, VA

Day Camp Apasus Norfolk, VA

Make friends – Camp is the place where girls make their very best friends. Free from the social expectations pressuring them at school, camp encourages girls to relax and take challenges to learn new things with the encouragement of other girls. It’s about singing, laughing, talking and playing together in a supportive all-girl environment!

Explore nature – Camp equals outdoors and that equation enriches girls’ perceptions of the world. Girls get to spend their days being outdoors and physically active – a study from the Girl Scout Research Institute, More Than S’mores, reports girls spend way too much time indoors and inactive. Camp gets them running, swimming, jumping, hiking, and climbing! Girl Scout camp is all about action!

Learn social skills – Camp is a community where girls learn to cooperate and respect each other – it’s about team work. Working together they share “kapers” or small chores, resolve disagreements and see firsthand the importance of healthy communication.

Have free time to just “be” – Free from schedules and routines, life at camp can be full of the unexpected that helps new talents and interests emerge. Girls can relax, laugh and, at the end of the day, contemplate on the great things they did and learned.

Grow more independent – Camp is the perfect place for girls to practice making decisions. They are in charge of managing their choices in a safe and caring environment.

Develop life-long skills – Camp time comes equipped to give your daughter instructions in many areas that will enhance her life. There are a variety of activities to be found at camp that makes it easy for girls to discover and develop. It expands their abilities!

Unplug from technology – Camp gives girls a break from TV, cell phones and the Internet. At camp they rediscover their creative powers and engage the real world.

Gain confidence – Camp encourages girls to try new things and gives them ways to be successful, each and every step along the way. Proud moments are the norm at Girl Scout camp. With its noncompetitive activities and diverse opportunities to succeed, camp life is a real boost for young people. There’s accomplishment every day.

For details on all sessions see

our digital camp book online at

gsccc.org starting February 15.

Camp at a Glance


RESIDENT CAMP SESSION THEME GRADESKIMINO July 6-8 Stars and Stripes 2-12(3 day/night) (along with a guardian) Canoe for Two-Part I 4-12

July 10-15 Broadway-Lights, Camera, Action 2-5 Canoe for Two-Part II 4-12 Broadway or Bust 6-12

July 17-22 Beach Party 2-8 Games Galore-Part I 2-8 Skimino Island-Survivor 4-12

July 24-29 More than S’mores in the Outdoors 2-8 Games Galore-Part II 2-8 Bows, Bikes & Boats 6-12 Camp Fury-Hampton 6-12

DAY CAMP SESSION THEME GRADESKIMINO

July 6-8 Stars and Stripes 2-5(3 day) (along with a guardian) Just Us Girls! 1-8

July 11-15 Once Upon a Time K*-3 Broadway-Lights, Camera Action 2-5 Broadway or Bust 6-12

July 18-22 Beach Party K*-8 On Your Mark, Get Set, Go! 1-8 Welcome to Skimino Island 4-12July 25-29 More than S’mores in the Outdoors K*-5 Who Done It? 1-8 Bows, Boats & Buddies 4-8 Camp Fury-Hampton 6-12

DAY CAMP SESSION THEME GRADEOUTBACK

June 20-24 Outdoor Adventures & Specialty Programs K*-5

June 27 - July 1 Outdoor Adventures & Specialty Programs 6-12

August 1-5 Fairy Tales K*-3 Crazy Cookin’-Part I 4-8 Shark Tank 4-8

August 8-12 Dance Party at The Outback K*-8 Crazy Cookin’-Part II 4-8 Let Your Voice be Heard 6-12 Camp Fury-Chesapeake 6-12

August 15-19 Crazy Cookin-Part III 4-8 Weird & Wacky Water Wonders 2-8 Casting Call K*-8

August 22-26 Once Upon a Time K*-4 Beach Party K*-8 Crazy Cookin-Part IV 4-8

DAY CAMP SESSION THEME GRADEAPASUS

August 1-5 More than S’mores in the Outdoors K*-5 Beach Party K*-8 Welcome to Apasus Island 6-8

August 8-12 Time to Take Center Stage K*-5 Wonderful World of Water K*-8 Apasus Island-Survivor 6-8

Life is better at Girl Scout Camp!Visit the online camp book to plan a summer of fun, friendship and WOW!

www.gsccc.org

* Kindergarten girls who have completed kindergarten in the 2015-16 school year.

There will be Program Aide, CIT I and CIT II sessions offered throughout the summer. Updated information will be on gsccc.org.

BallyshannonEquestrian Center

757-562-5353 30117 Camp Parkway Courtland, VA 23837

www.ballyshannonec.com

Maura Britt757-556-5384 (cell)[email protected]

Archery Badges Are Here! by Michelle Klausmeier

When you spend time in the outdoors, you can get in touch with nature, get in some exercise, relieve stress, and have fun with friends and family. There’s loads of activities to

do in the outdoors. One of my favorites is archery. Have you ever wished you could use a bow like Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games or Princess Merida in Disney’s Brave? Well, you can – thanks to Girl Scouts! Until just recently, Girl Scouts were only able to receive participation badges for archery, but now Girl Scout Cadettes can earn a skill badge for archery. Once they earn this badge, girls will be able to do demonstrations for younger girls, volunteer to work on an archery range at a camp or archery range, or help offer classes for kids who are differently-abled. There’s three easy steps to earning the badge that take time, commitment and an interest in having fun!

Get to know archery equipmentLearn the parts and types of bows. Know the difference between a long bow, compound bow, and recurve bow.Learn the parts and types of arrows. What are the different types and what they are used for.Learn about the kind of gear you will need to wear. Find out about protective wear - arm guard, finger tabs, and a chest protector to keep clothing out of the way.Learn archery equipment maintenance and care. Find out how to store, care for, and repair bows and arrows; learn to wax a bow-string and tighten strings; understand why you need spare strings and arrows, and learn how to test the tension on your bowstring.Know proper terms. Nock (place arrow on string); Set (get your position in place); Set-up (raise bow arm and drawing arm to nose level); Draw (pull bowstring back); Anchor (place drawing hand in position on face, mouth, or jaw); Transfer (move all the power to your back); Aim and expand (align arrow to target); Release (let go of arrow); Follow through (maintain upper body muscles after releasing the string). Learn about archery safetyRange rules. Every range has its own guidelines, but they all ask that you never stand in front of a person with a loaded bow!Whistles and voice commands. Know what your range leader or instructor means when he/she blows a whistle or shouts a command. One whistle means OK to shoot, two whistles means to approach the shooting line, three whistles means OK to retrieve arrows, and four or more whistles means to stop shooting immediately.

17 Winter | Spring

Range-safe attire. What should or shouldn’t you wear? Avoid rings, bracelets, dangling earrings, loose clothing, scarves, hoodies and anything else that might get caught while shooting. Tie long hair back so it’s out of your face.

Practice before you go on a rangeHow to have good form. Without using arrows, take your bow and practice your grip, pullback and your firing stance.How to shoot accurately. Practice target-less shooting with a rubber band. Draw a bull’s-eye on a sheet of paper or set up a target like a water bottle. Hook one end of a rubber band around your thumb, point it at the target you set up, then with your other hand pull the rubber band back as far as it will go and release! How to score. Learn how to score your own target practice.

So, now you’ve finished the badge work and know the safety, rules and proper equipment of archery. You’ve learned some lingo and have done some practice. Next stop, head for the range! You can consider taking a class on a range at your area recreational facility or take part in archery at a Girl Scout camp or at a Girl Scout outdoor event. Whatever you do, have fun and keep building your skill level!

Michelle has been a Girl Scout volunteer for 20 years and has served in many roles. She is currently a lead volunteer with the Council’s Outdoor Adventure Team. She recently retired from Micro Labs, where she was a production manager for 33 years. She plans to fill her days caring for her first grandchild, Lillian Grace, and as a supportive wife to her husband Kevin of 34 years.

February 6th and March 5thBook today to guarantee your spot!

VAStage.org | [email protected]

Stage Door Saturdays!


Board member Marisa Porto is the vice president of content for The Daily Press Media Group in Newport News. While growing up in West Palm Beach, Fla., she was a Girl Scout with her sister, Celeste. Her late mother served as troop leader.

Her Girl Scout Experience: I did it all, the cookies, the camping and the badges. Type A personalities do a lot of badges. It was a great experience.

Why serve on the GSCCC Board? When I took this job, I was told that I needed to be on a board to help connect with the community. With my position in the news business, some boards may have been controversial. My way of giving back to a great organization that helped me so much was to serve on the Girl Scout board.

How did Girl Scouts help you in your career? I learned how to manage money. I learned project management and being able to follow through on a project. I also learned how to be mission driven. Most of all, I learned about social interaction. Those skills are required for this job. I also know I would not be in this position today if it were not for my Girl Scout experience.

What is your biggest take away from your Girl Scout experience? Being a good friend. I ended up with some deep friendships that to this day, I still have. There were girls from various socio-economic backgrounds in my group. I saw the parents (who could) work to help them with everything from rides to and from meetings and in other ways. They got us involved with that as well. Down the road, that taught me to take care of the community.

Introducing Board Member Marisa Porto by Susan Acker

Susan Smigielski Acker is aFreelance Journalist, Editor and Writer. She is also a former Girl Scout and mother to Julia Acker, Cadette in Newport News Troop 1539.

What is your most cherished Girl Scout memory? We went camping and stayed in a cabin. We all stayed up all night. All we did was talk and laugh. That was a great experience with that group.

How do you feel Girl Scouts make a difference for girls today? We are more than just cookies even though selling cookies develops skills such as money management and talking with people. Our culture is such that girls need more support and encouragement. In my position and industry, I find we are still talking about gender bias and women in leadership. It is important that girls get the emotional support they need to succeed in this environment.

Girl Scout Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors, join us for our interactive workshops! Expand your artistic horizons and learn theatre techniques that translate into life skills.

19 Winter | Spring

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO TODAY? Program Opportunities

NEW! Go for Gold Workshop

GRADES: 9-12Minimum: 10 Maximum: 40The online portion must be

completed before you attend the face-to-face training.

Content questions: [email protected]

$5GIRL

Go for Gold training is divided into two training components. The first required training is an interactive online module that girls can complete any time prior to attending the second module. The online module covers the nuts and bolts of Going for Gold. Girls can start and stop this training as needed and can even go back to reference information. The online portion will cover the seven steps to Girl Scout Gold, the pre-requisites for the Girl Scout Gold Award, and how to complete the proposal and final report paperwork.

The second training will be a workshop style training that will help girls brain-storm ideas for a successful Girl Scout Gold Award project. Girls will learn:• how to identify a Girl Scout Gold Award project• the difference between a community service project and a Girl Scout

Gold Award project• how to identify the root cause of an issue in her community and how to build

a successful Girl Scout Gold Award project to address that issueTo register: ebiz.gsccc.org | Need Assistance? Email: [email protected]

January 30, 20163-5 p.m.Camden County Library Deadline: January 15, 2016February 7, 20162-4 p.m.A Place for Girls Deadline: January 25, 2016March 19, 201610 a.m.-noonThalia United Methodist Church Deadline: February 26, 2016April 30, 20163-5 p.m.Camden County Library Deadline: April 15, 2016

FREEADULT

Grade levels are listed and color coded for quick reference. K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

STEMagination Expo!

GRADES: 4-8Minimum: 50 Maximum: 150


$12GIRL

Come see the many sides to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). Join us for an open house STEMagination day. Explore the many stations being offered by community partners, consultants and the Girl Advisory Board (GAB) group activities from Techbridge. Price includes event patch.

This is a girl and adult event. Both pay to attend. No tagalongs.Adults will learn about Techbridge.

To register: ebiz.gsccc.org Need Assistance? Email: [email protected]

January 24, 20161 – 3:30 p.m.

(open house style)A Place for Girls

ChesapeakeDeadline: January 6, 2016

$12ADULT

Newport News • 757-595-9135 • thevlm.org

ToursCamp-ins

Science Safaris

Explorer PatchAnimal & Astro

Fun Patches

Discover wild places at theVirginia Living Museum


I CAN’T WAIT TO... Program Opportunities

Techbridge Training

ADULTS ONLY Minimum: 5 Maximum: 20


What is Techbridge? Founded in 2000, Techbridge has served over 5,000 girls in after-school and summer programs. Techbridge introduces girls to hands-on projects and career exploration activities to spark an interest in science, technology, engineering and math. During this training, volunteers will review materials and complete sample activities for each program box. What are Programs-in-a-Box? Techbridge projects come in boxes and include all the materials needed for your Girl Scout troop activity or event. Program boxes come complete with 10 (2-hour) activities on several STEM topics that include: Make It Green, Design Time, Power It Up, Thrill Builders and Engineers to the Rescue. To register: ebiz.gsccc.org Need Assistance? Email: [email protected]

February 12, 2016 A Place for Girls Chesapeake6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Deadline: February 7, 2016

FREEADULT

Sewing For Children- Community Service



$5GIRL

The Tidewater Quilters’ Guild will be present to help girls sew items that will be donated to St. Mary’s Home. Girl Scout Brownies and Juniors will make bib alternatives (bandana scarves). Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors will make infinity scarves and fidget quilts. If you have an interest in sewing, this day is for you to learn from the experts and help others. This is a girl event. One adult may stay with their troop to meet ratios but does not pay. To register: ebiz.gsccc.org | Need Assistance? Email: [email protected]

February 13, 2016 10 a.m. - noon BR/JR 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. CD/SR/AB A Place for Girls ChesapeakeDeadline: February 8, 2016

Save-the-Date! More information to come in our next issue of Girl Scout Magazine.Booz Allen Hamilton Day May 7Norfolk Tides May 13STEM in OBX May 14Gear Up for Girls Golf May 21

This program teaches about the elements required to provide riding lessons for individuals with special needs, including:• the types and qualities of therapy horses• specialty equipment• trained volunteer support

New! Therapeutic Horsemanship BadgeHorsemanship Badge and/or previous

experience with horse required.

2626 Heritage Park DriveVirginia Beach, VA 23456757-721-7350equikids.org|[email protected]

The Barn Life offers the NEW Girl Scout Junior Horse Badge program along with The Barn Life patch for all levels of Girl Scouts.

Schedule your troop event TODAY!

The Horse Lovers Forever Saddle Club welcomes beginner through advanced riders

starting age four through adult to enjoy riding lessons.

Girl Scouting and the Religious

Community Working TOGETHER

Visit gsccc.org for ideas on how to celebrate this

important tradition.

Good FAITHGirl Scout Week - starts with

Girl Scout Sunday on March 6 ending with the Girl Scout Sabbath

on March 12

ALL IN

Tools of the Trade with NAWIC



$12GIRL

The Greater Tidewater Chapter #137 of the National Association of Women in Construction will host a Tools of the Trade and Project Build program. Girls will be instructed on how to use a set of basic tools and their functions, such as a hammer, tape measure, drill and screwdriver. Girls will also learn the necessary safety tips on how to use them and some inside tips on how their design can make them easier to use on the job. We will end the session by girls building a small project they can take home. This is a girl only event. No tagalongs. To register: ebiz.gsccc.org Need Assistance? Email: [email protected]

March 12, 2016 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.A Place for Girls ChesapeakeDeadline: March 1, 2016

Cookies On Ice

GRADES: K-12Minimum: 50 Maximum: 1,000


Show your Girl Scout pride by wearing your Girl Scout uniform or shirt to the Admirals hockey game! If you wish to have your troop seated together, list your troop number when placing your order. This is a girl and adult event. Tagalongs welcome. All must pay to attend.

To order tickets online visit: https://www.norfolkadmirals.com/group_sales

April 9, 20165:30 - 6:30 p.m.Deadline: March 15, 2016 Cookie donation to Soldiers’ Angels on the Plaza7:15 p.m. Game plus: • National Anthem• Color Guard• Ceremonial Puck Drop$15

GIRL$15

ADULT

21 Winter | Spring

Helping Hands Food Drive

GRADES: K-12


The 2016 Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast Helping Hands Food Drive will be held as a month-long community service project in April, a time when local food banks have the biggest need. Girl Scouts can collect food in many ways. Consider a food drive competition in your neighborhood, at your school, meeting place, or local business. Bring the food you’ve collected to the food bank location nearest you. Enter the Pounds and Pounds contest! The troop who has the most pounds per girl collected will win a Movie Night Basket for the entire troop to enjoy. Best of luck, have fun with it and remember you are part of a tradition of Girl Scouts giving back to their community!

April 2016Visit the Helping Hands Food Drive web page at gsccc.org for these helpful items:• door hangers • thank you cards • flier • links to the food bank

websites with lists of food bank partner agencies.

• information on working with the We Feed app to collect food

FREE

Harlem Globetrotters!

GRADES: K-12

Plan to attend the Harlem Globetrotters game and a bullying prevention presentation. Price includes admission ticket, a patch and attendance to the ABC’s of a Bully Prevention Presentation.

This presentation was designed in coordination with the National Campaign to Stop Violence and is for youth 6-12 years of age. All ages are welcome to attend.

Tickets may be purchased at the Constant Center Box Office. Use the promotion code ABC, or go to ynottix.com/promo.

Ticket price incudes event patch. Groups of 10 or more call Todd McKeating at 757-683-7087.

February 28, 20163 p.m.Ted Contant Center Norfolk

$19GIRL

$19ADULT


I CAN’T WAIT TO... Program Opportunities

Explore Old Coast Guard Station in

Virginia Beach

GRADES: K-12Minimum: 20 Maximum: 100


$11GIRL

Come learn about one of the oldest buildings on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, The Old Coast Guard Station. Built in 1903, the station was home to surfmen who worked for the United States Life-Saving Service. Learn all about the Life-Saving Service, the precursor to the Coast Guard, and the surfmen who served. You’ll get the opportunity to try your hand at some of the skills our surfmen would use during their heroic rescues, such as semaphore and knot tying. Girls will have the opportunity to make their own surf check to take home and will participate in story time, offered throughout the day. During the event, girls will have the opportunity to complete the Explore The Old Coast Guard Station patch program. This is a girl and adult event. No tagalongs. Adults may be asked to stay onsite to assist. To register: ebiz.gsccc.org | Need Assistance? Email: [email protected]

April 23, 201610:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.-DS/BR12:30 - 2:30 p.m.-JR 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.- CD/SR/AB2401 Atlantic Ave. Virginia BeachDeadline: April 1, 2016Note: Girl Scout Ambassadors and Seniors wishing to help during the Girl Scout Daisy and Brownie time to earn Girl Scout community service hours, may contact Donna at [email protected].

Colonial Food, Fun and Badge Day at

Roanoke Island Festival Park, Manteo, NC

GRADES: K-12

Minimum: 100 Maximum: 500Content questions: [email protected]

This year, the Roanoke Island Festival Park is celebrating England’s first colony in North America. The site includes a 16th century representative ship, a settlement site with a blacksmith shop, hands-on wood working display, an American Indian town, and an indoor adventure museum facility. During the event girls will be able to work on their Explore Roanoke Island Festival Park patch as well as work on activities from the following Girl Scout badges: Brownie Bugs; Brownie Potter; Brownie Fair Play; Junior Playing in the Past; Junior Flowers; Cadette New Cuisines; Cadette Trees and Cadette Wood Worker.This is a girl and adult event. Both pay to attend. Tagalongs under 5 are free. Note: Bring a bag lunch to eat on the green or visit a restaurant in Manteo.

To register: ebiz.gsccc.orgTicket price includes an explore patch. Need Assistance? Email: [email protected]

April 30, 20169:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Roanoke Island Festival ParkManteo, NCDeadline: April 20, 2016

$15GIRL

$15ADULT

Earth Day

GRADES: K-12Content questions:

[email protected]

FREE GIRL

An event the entire family can enjoy and an opportunity for community service. Say goodbye to those granola stereotypes of the environmentally conscious. Refresh your approach to making our world a better place. Crafts and supplies will be provided. Girls are needed to help explain and show how to create these crafts.

Troops and girls interested in helping create earth-friendly craft projects in the children’s area can contact: [email protected]

April 23, 2016 (Rain date April 24, 2016)11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Mount Trashmore Virginia Beach

April 16, 20169 a.m. – noon Horizon Flight Center at Chesapeake Regional AirportDeadline: April 1, 2016

Girl Scouts Fly! A STEM Program in Aviation Education



Join the Hampton Road’s Chapter of The Ninety-Nines for a fun aviation seminar! This program is designed to introduce girls to flight and ignite dreams of a future in aviation. Girls will learn how airplanes fly, sit in an airplane as Pilot in Command and learn exciting facts about Amelia Earhart, the founder of The Ninety-Nines! Price includes event patch.

To register: ebiz.gsccc.orgNeed Assistance? Email: [email protected]

$15GIRL

$2.50ADULT

Girl ScoutHigh Adventures!

23 Winter | Spring

BLUE: Register through: [email protected]: Register through: [email protected]: Register through: eBIZ at gsccc.org PURPLE: Register through: ccgscavers.org

Cycling - False Cape State Park April 30, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost: $10 Ages: J,C,S,AGroup size: Min. 4; Max. 12 Any bike will do but you must have a helmet. Meet ODAT at the Little Island Park parking lot. Bring bike, helmet, bag lunch, water bottle, bug spray, day pack and sunscreen.

Cycling- First Landing State Park January 9 or April 2, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost: $10 Ages: J,C,S,AGroup size: Min. 4; Max. 12Meet ODAT behind Food Lion at the Cape Henry Shopping Center. (Bring the same items as listed above.)

DC Bike Ride DayMay 1, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Cost: $25 Ages: C,S,AGroup size: Min. 7; Max. 14Caravan will leave from GSCCC Camp Skimino. Bike ride to see the outdoor Mall monuments. Bring $5 for lunch (hot dog vendor) and $15 for dinner at the Watergate.

Hiking - Old Rag Mountain January 10 or April 9, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Cost: $30 Ages: C,S,AGroup size: Min. 7; Max. 10Caravan will leave from GSCCC Camp Skimino. Wear closed toed shoes. Bring water bottle, bag lunch, book or electronics for the trip, and a pillow and blanket for napping on the ride. Includes food bar afterwards.

Rock Climbing & Rappelling Belle Isle, Richmond March 20, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.Cost: $30 Ages: C,S,AGroup size: Min. 7; Max 14 Bring a bag lunch, water bottle, bug spray, sunscreen and wear comfortable shoes.

Hiking- Belle Isle, Richmond April 24, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.Cost: $10 Ages: C,S,A Group size: Min. 4; Max 12 Same details above.

Tree Climbing Riverside Outfitter in Richmond April 23, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.Cost: $35 Ages: J, C, S, AGroup Size: Min. 15; Max. 20 Caravan will leave from GSCCC Camp Skimino.

Manchester Wall (Advanced Climbing)March 26, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost: $30 Ages: C,S,AGroup Size: Min. 4; Max. 12Caravan from GSCCC Camp Skimino. An advanced climb to 60 feet. Bring bag lunch, water bottle, bug spray, sunscreen and wear comfortable shoes. Prerequisite: Must have attended an ODAT climbing event at Belle Isle or Peak Experience.

Overnight Lock-In at PEAK Experience February 6, 8:45 p.m. check-inCost: $40 for all climbers ($5 for adults not climbing) Ages: J,C,S,AGroup Size: Min: 24; Max. 60Cost includes food and snack. Helmets will be provided and are required. A parent packet will be emailed once registration is received.

Sandy River Aerial AdventureRice, Virginia April 3, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.Cost: $40 Ages: J,C,S,AGroup Size: Min. 15; Max. 25Caravan from Haygood Shopping Center in Virginia Beach. All equipment provided to have adventure on this 54-obstacle ropes course.

Canoe at Burkes Mill Pond April 16, 1 to 2:30 or 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Cost: $8 Ages: B,J,C,S,AIncludes snacks, a craft and a patch. Wear clothes and shoes that can get wet. Information regarding canoeing contact Heather Comer at heatherand [email protected]

Archery - Aim IGSCCC Camp ApasusApril 16, (two sessions: 10 a.m. to noon or 1-3 p.m.) Cost: $10 Ages: J,C,S,A Group Size: Min. 10; Max. 20Deadline: 2 weeks prior to event Wear clothing that is not baggy. Long hair pulled back, closed top shoes. All equipment will be provided.

Archery - Aim II GSCCC Camp ApasusJanuary 17 and April 17, (two sessions: 10 a.m. to noon or 1-3 p.m.) Cost: $10 Ages: J,C,S,AGroup Size: Min. 10; Max. 20Prerequisite: Aim 1 Deadline: 2 weeks prior to event(Information same as above.)

Cracks, Crevices and CrawlwaysJanuary 30 or 31, 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Cost: $6 w/o patch $8 w/patch Ages: B,J,C,S,AGroup size: Min. 75; Max 175 Sat.Group size: Min. 75; Max 130 Sun.Deadline: January 15Join the Colonial Coast Girl Scout Cavers for this indoor caving event at the Enmeier Center at Camp Skimino. Bring a bag lunch, drink and your health form. Parents/Chaperones must stay with girls.

Spring Caving TripApril 14-17, Departing 5:30 p.m., Crossways Commerce Center II and from Camp SkiminoOrgan Cave, WVCost: $90 Girls and first time adults $40 for adult facilitatorsAges: J,C,S,AGroup size: Min. 12; Max 24Deadline: March 19All first time girl cavers must attend the Ropes & Initiatives Course on March 20, at 9 a.m. at Camp Skimino.Questions: Theresa Wiggs (757) 482-7146 or Theresa [email protected]

For more information on activity details and opportunities for parents to volunteer or chaperone, contact: Michelle Klausmeier: [email protected]. Deadines are two weeks prior to event.

January to April Adventures

Registered GS adults are welcome to sign up & participate!


Investing in Opportunities for

Girls and Recruitment of Adults


Girl Scouts is introducing new techniques to recruit and train adult volunteers and provide more opportunities for girls. The new technology will fix a problem of not having the right resources to attract, retain and service customers.

“We have to keep up with how society seeks out information and services,” Tracy Keller the Council’s CEO said. “ We’ve had a drop of membership within the Council and nationwide that was a wakeup call for us to access business practices and services. While we know it isn’t all about technology, certainly the residual effects of the 2008 financial crisis impacted us as well, we do know it is time to act and become more proactive. There’s a lot of competition for girls’ time. We want to get the message out that Girl Scouting is very different from other extra curricular activities. We still remain an all-girl environment dedicated to helping girls become leaders.”

In addition to the increased competition, there is a lack of adult volunteers to lead troops and deliver programming. With girls on waiting lists, it is clear girls’ interest in joining the organization remains high but there is declining time and interest on the part of potential adult volunteers to serve as troop leaders and in other capacities.

More sophisticated social media campaigns and a first-ever online resource for volunteers, called the Volunteer Toolkit, are among the new strategies Girl Scouts of the USA has been investing in to assist in recruiting more adult volunteers. The development of the Volunteer Toolkit is revolutionary for Girl Scouts of the USA, as it will ease the on-boarding process for new volunteers, and troop leaders will be able to plan an entire year of meetings and activities in one online visit. The mobile-friendly toolkit will provide easy access and constant support for on-the-go volunteers. Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast is in the onboarding process for the new technology which they will be introducing by mid spring 2016. “We’re also changing our training for adult volunteers and offering more online training, ” Tracy said. “Research shows that adults want volunteer opportunities that are more accommodating of their time, and who doesn’t want the flexibility of doing a course online in the comfort of

their home.”

We know there are many women who are Girl Scout alumnae who would love to get back involved. With our new resources, it will make it easier for that to happen!

INVITE Your Friends to Experience the Fun of

Girl Scouts AND Earn the Add-A-Girl Patch!

It’s easy! If a friend you invite joins Girl Scouts you earn the Add-A-Girl patch! If three or more friends join,

the whole troop gets patches!Start inviting today! Offer is from

February 1 - March 31 only.Find more details at gsccc.org.

“Our new customer engagement initiative that brings more resources to adults and more opportunities to join for girls, will be a boost to our Girl Scout movement.” -Tracy Keller

Be the role model she’ll remember.

Volunteer now!

New, Flexible Learning Options Available for Volunteers by Christine Duer, Volunteer Services Director

Volunteer Recognition

Each year, Girl Scout volunteers are recognized for their dedication on Girl Scout Leader’s Day that takes place on Aprill 22. Each troop leader will receive a gift of appreciation from Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast during that time. Many volunteers will also be recognized with the Volunteer of Excellence award. This is a great way to show troop leaders and support team volunteers how much they are appreciated. Anyone can submit a nomination to recognize volunteers who have contributed outstanding service while partnering directly with girls or who have contributed outstanding service in support of the Council’s mission delivery to girl and adult members. The submission deadline is February 28, 2016, and information can be found at gsccc.org.

Visit the Girl Scout Shop at A Place for Girls in Chesapeake!

A great place to find thoughtful gifts for your favorite Girl Scout or volunteer!

Visit gsccc.org to get started today!

Check gsccc.org often! More classes and resources are under development all the time!

Girl Scouting 101 introduces new volunteers to Girl Scouts’ inspiring national leadership experience.

Welcome to Colonial Coast is an introduction to Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast and the resources available to you as a volunteer.

Getting Your Troop Started guides a new troop volunteer through the ins and outs of starting a new troop.

Risk Management provides an overview of Girl Scout safety guidelines.

Out and About reviews the GSUSA and GSCCC guidelines for planning age-appropriate day or overnight trips away from a troop or group’s scheduled meeting place.

Getting started as a Girl Scout Volunteer is as easy as 1, 2,3, 4! 1 > Register as a member2 > Complete a volunteer application & screening3 > Sign a volunteer agreement4 > Take the online orientation

These are just a few of the online classes and resources available at: http://gsccc.org/Adult-Learning.aspx

Girl Scout volunteers are busy. With online training, volunteers can now complete many of the Girl Scout courses they need at their own pace and when they need them. Online training will enable new leaders to get their troops started faster, get Girl Scouts outdoors sooner, and

make plans to earn those highest awards earlier!

While there is much value in attending traditional in-person classes, like the ability to network and ask questions, research shows that learners who have access to resources that they can review at their own pace improve their learning by 25-60 percent over traditional, instructor-led learning experiences. Content that is delivered in smaller units that are easier to access gives learners much more control of their learning, which improves understanding of the material being presented.

Moving more volunteer training to online modules allows us to offer an improved, positive volunteer experience and provide a broader delivery of our Girl Scout programming. We can “use our resources wisely” by delivering more content with less financial cost and create more dynamic content that can be updated quickly and easily. Ultimately, we can increase the number of volunteers accessing required training and enrichment resources.

25 Winter | Spring

Going for the GoldOver the last century, young women have

honed their leadership skills to earn the highest award in Girl Scouts. While this

award has gone by many names—starting as the Golden Eaglet of Merit in 1916 and becoming the Gold Award in 1980—it’s always recognized girls who take action to make our world a better place. Today, less than 6 percent of girls in Girl Scouts earn this prestigious award. It requires nearly 80 hours of community service projects that must be sustainable. From creating projects that help in their neighborhoods and community to those that have global impact, girls reaching for the Gold are making a difference in their lives and the lives of others! Visit gsccc.org to view a GSCCC digital book celebrating the Gold Award and read about some local Girl Scouts who have been recognized.

It’s time to celebrate the Gold Award Centennial—and we want you to join us!Throughout the next Girl Scout membership year, we’ll throw parties and offer special activities for everyone to get involved. Here are just a few ways you can join the fun …

For everyone: The Gold Award Centennial Patch is available for purchase. However, it will only be available during the 2015-16 Girl Scout year!

For Juniors-Ambassadors: Earn a Highest Award. If you earn your Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award this year, you’ll also receive a special centennial certificate!

For 2016 Gold Awardees: Plan to attend the 2016 Gold Award Celebration. This invitation-only event will include an award ceremony. Family members and friends may attend and help recognize these outstanding girls. Sunday, June 5, 2016 from 3 - 5 p.m., Virginia Wesleyan College, Boyd Dining Room-Shafer Room.

For Girl Scout Alumnae: Join Us at an Event! Did you earn the Gold Award, First Class, Curved Bar, or Golden Eaglet? Share your story by emailing [email protected]. Visit our Alumnae page on our website for information on alumnae events to celebrate this great year.

Gold Award Centennial Year Merchandise

Coin 1.5 “ Round - $18

Ornament 3” - $42 Gift Box

Embroidered Patch $6.75 3.5’ x 4”

Brooch 1 3/8” $30 Gift Box

Charm 3/4” $15 Gift Box

Pin 7/8” $20 Gift Box

Items can be purchased at the GSCCC shop.

[Insert copy about event] samus et ducimus qui blanditiis praesentium

[Event name] Nam libero tempore, cum soluta nobis est eligendi optio cumque nihil impedit quo minus id quod maxime placeat.

Nam libero tempore, cum soluta nobis est eligendi optio cumque nihil impedit quo minus id quod maxime placeat.

Where? [Insert location and address]

When? [Insert date and time]

Questions? [Insert contact info like name, email, phone number]

You’reInvited

[Optional: Insert caption for Gold AwardRecipient photo above]

Celebrating 100 years of Changing the World!

History of the Gold Awards

Golden Eagle of Merit 1916-1919Golden Eaglet 1919-1939First Class 1939-1940

Curved Bar 1940-1963First Class 1963-1980Gold Award 1980







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You’reInvited



- Girl Scout Alumna

Gold Award Project

Results in Learning App

by Girl Scout Ambassador Darden Purrington

My name is Darden Purrington. I am a senior at Norfolk Collegiate School in Virginia, an avid sailor and a four- year captain of my school’s sailing team. I have been

a Girl Scout for 10 years and believe that there are a great number of people with potential in the world. And because of Girl Scouts, I believe I have great potential! I think I demonstrated this with my Gold Award project. I developed an app to include sailing plays and the rules of sailing as an interactive way for sailors to train. The app allows sailors to spend time learning the plays on their own time, instead of during valuable time on the water.

I actually came up with my Gold Award project years before I ever dreamed of making it a reality. When I was in eighth grade I was drafted up to my school’s Varsity Sailing Team after a wave of seniors graduated. There was a big push to learn the basics of one of the types of racing called team racing quickly. For those unfamiliar with sailing, imagine football on the water. We had intricate plays to learn in a very short period of time. After a long practice of trying to memorize these plays I got the idea that somebody had probably made a game out of this tedious exercise in memorization, I mean, the world is full of ingenuitive people and the internet has made it that much easier to share ideas.

I went looking for this game but couldn’t find what I was looking for. I talked to my dad, who works in information technology, about it and did some more searching but still found nothing. Maybe

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I could make something like that? But I didn’t. I was an eighth grader who needed to learn those plays yesterday, so I made do with what I had and moved on. A few years later I was helping teach the younger kids on the team how to team race and it occurred to me again that a game would be a good way to keep their attention, facilitate quicker learning, and not waste the precious hours we had set aside for on water practice. That winter I took a programming class after school and learned the basics of what I needed to do. I realized that what I wanted to do was not impossible, it was in fact far from it, and less than two years later I had a working first version of my application – an app to help people learn what they needed to know to sail!

Girl Scouts has always been a place where I have found challenges and ways to grow. I’ve learned valuable lessons like how to camp in tents and live without electricity and running water, as well as how to handle money and cookie sales. I’ve had a ton of great experiences as a Girl Scout. My troop and I have done everything from the classic trip to Savannah, Georgia, to visiting NYC twice, to tent camping, to rock climbing, and high ropes courses. Every year, we clean the Grace Sherwood Statue in Virginia Beach in front of the Bayside Hospital and have been dubbed “Gracie’s Girls.” We also volunteer with the Salvation Army and do an annual clean the beach at the Croatan Beach. I know that Girl Scouting will always be a part of my life.

Darden Purrington is a Girl Scout Ambassador and Gold Awardee.


Saturday, April 16, 2016Mill Point Park u 10am-5pm

DOWNTOWN HAMPTON

Homeschooling and Girl Scouting Was a Good Fit For This Alumna by Courtney Herrick

Kathleen Copeland-Fish, a natural resource interpreter for False Cape State Park and a Girl Scout alumna, displayed the many benefits of having an outdoor job at the Council’s Step Outside recruitment event held at A Place for Girls on

Nov. 7. Though the rain put a damper on attendance, Kathleen did not let a little wet weather stop her from showing up with her exhibit to talk to girls about the benefit of the great outdoors.

Kathleen was homeschooled and spent 10 years in Girl Scouts. Some of her time as a Girl Scout was spent being a member of a Norfolk Girl Scout troop specifically for girls who are homeschooled. During her time as a Girl Scout, she earned the several top Girl Scout awards – Bronze, Silver and Gold! She’s proud of the fact that she still has her Girl Scout awards and pins.

“We merged a lot of things together,” Kathleen said when she reflected on how homeschooling impacted her Girl Scouting experience.

Since she was able to combine the Girl Scout experience with her academics, it gave her the chance to be outside a lot. She was constantly studying things in nature to earn various awards and badges for Girl Scouts all while learning things for school as well.

Courtney Herrick is a GSCCC Communications Intern and registered Girl Scout volunteer.

“Girl Scouts is the reason I am outside and working in a state park.”

- Kathleen Copeland-Fish

And your scouts will love the opportunity to explore the great outdoors in your nearest Virginia State Park. Whether its guided hikes, kayak tours, history or environmental programs your park can tailor an outing for your troop. Call a nearby state park directly to plan your stay. And ask about the park’s overnight cabin and camping options.

Belle Isle 804-462-5030 Chippokes Plantation 757-294-3728 False Cape 757-426-7128 First Landing 757-412-2300 Kiptopeke 757-331-2267 Pocahontas 804-796-4255 York River 757-566-3036

800-933-PARK (7275) | www.virginiastateparks.gov

VSP_SM_GirlScoutGo_ad_FINAL.indd 1 11/10/2014 3:53:08 PM

757-294-3728

Homeschooling and Girl Scouting Was a Good Fit For This Alumna by Courtney Herrick

Learn more by picking up a copy of the Girl Scout Cadette MEdia Journey that can be found in our Council shops. Many activities give girls a chance to reshape negative messages into positive ones by re-writing hurtful song lyrics, starting a blog about movies, or using social media to combat stereotypes.

MEDIA LITERACY A MUST FOR TEEN GIRLS

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Rio Ziegler, who works as a social media account coordinator for a local digital marketing agency, led the first GSCCC Media Girls workshop. Rio shared her experience in the fields of public relations, marketing, journalism and as a radio personality with the 23 Girl Scouts who attended the event.

If you are a parent, it may come as no surprise to learn that children spend, on average, seven hours a day on

entertainment media, including television, computers, phones and tablets. With all sorts of images, stories and videos coming across the screens they are watching, it is important to understand the impact media has on the healthy development of children.

Content analysis of television programming reveals that 92 percent of the 50 most-watched television shows by children age two to 11 include incidents of social aggression. Furthermore, nearly nine out of 10 of these shows portray bad behavior. Parents should not only be aware of what their children are watching, but use the situations that their children witness to teach them about courtesy, responsibility and the negative effects of bullying.

Outside of the home, Girl Scouts offers Journey activities and badge work for girls at all levels to explore the world of media literacy. Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast takes it a step further by offering specially designed workshops where girls learn to look critically at media messaging and images. One of those workshops, Media Girls, took place at A Place for Girls at the end of the summer. Media

Girls, which was hosted by the Council’s Communications Department, covered topics on media literacy and placed girls in the spotlight to prepare them for media interviews. During the workshop, girls practiced being on camera and went through a friendly critique session. They learned important life skills too—including how to make a good first impression by confidently introducing themselves.

A portion of the workshop was dedicated to an open discussion about social media. Girls talked about their thoughts on what would be appropriate to post in public forums and were given some eye-opening statistics about social media by Rio Ziegler, a social media account coordinator, who led the workshop.

“Since representing Girl Scouts means displaying appropriate behavior both on and off camera, it’s important to think about what you share with others on social media,” Ziegler told the girls.

Whether it is through participation in a Girl Scout Journey, a workshop or a special camp session, Girl Scouts can develop media skills that will allow them to better navigate today’s information-based society. The experience of analyzing and discussing the messages they see in

the media can help girls become healthy consumers of media who do not allow it to distort their values, standards of beauty or what they can achieve in life.


The Blazing Blue Herons by Edwina Gonzalez

From the early years of Girl Scouts, girls have been taking to the water to swim and canoe. It’s about having fun and having a bit of adventure. Girl Scout volunteer Edwina Gonzalez says that’s why she got started and why she is one of the key volunteers leading the Blazing Blue Herons, a GSCCC canoe team. They’ve been together since 2010 and have been most active the

last three years getting involved in canoe races. Any teen girl can join the group, but must understand it requires participating in practices and skill-building activities weekly in the spring and bimonthly in the fall. Most of their training takes place at Camp Apasus, a Council property located in Norfolk that has waterfront on Mason Creek. The group participated in the General Clinton Canoe Regatta last Memorial Day and walked away taking fourth place in the Junior Division 5 Mile Sprint. Also, one team member, Baille McGowan, paired with a member from the Rhode Island team to place 1st in the 5 Mile Open Sprint and another tandem competed in the 15 mile endurance race for the first time. They also participated in the American Canoe Association sponsored Scout Races at the Great Rappahannock Whitewater Canoe Race in Fredericksburg and the Beaverdam Canoe Jam in Gloucester. The team stopped meeting in mid-November but will resume again in March to prepare for the 40th Anniversary Scout Races at the General Clinton Canoe Regatta in Bainbridge, New York. If you want to experience firsthand the beauty of a river, take a physical challenge and have a positive outdoor experience, consider joining the Blazing

Blue Herons! Whether you are having a fun afternoon at a practice session or undertake a hardcore week-long journey, you’ll gain a great feeling of accomplishment and confidence that can prevail long after the experience and help you tackle life’s complexities.

“It definitely requires teamwork and communication,”Edwina said. “Take two girls, put them in a canoe and ask them to paddle together around some obstacles, with the common goal of getting safely and skillfully down a river as fast as you can and you’ll see teamwork in action. It builds special bonds amongst tandems and the team as a whole. Girls have so much fun and are so exhilarated by the adventure of being on the water. Sometimes it’s experiencing nature in action as you watch an osprey dive into the waters in front of you only to emerge and fly off with a fish in its talons. On another day, it’s making a practice run down a stretch of river you’ve never been on and learning to read what lies ahead so that the butterflies aren’t too fluttery in your stomach the next day for the competition.” - Edwina Gonzalez

Do you love the water? Do you enjoy friendly competition?

Even if you have never canoed before, the Blazing Blue Herons canoe team is looking for you. We invite 11-18 year old Girl Scouts to practice and compete in the fall and spring. Check out our webpage at: http://ki4bbl.wix.com/blazingblueherons

Questions? Contact Heather Comer at: [email protected]

Join the Girl Scout canoe team-Blazing Blue Herons!

Come out and canoe

with us!From left to right: Tabitha Kate Moore; Ainsley Doughty; Grace Zirkle and

Henna Sefak

Edwina ( back row) and some of the Blazing Blue Herons helped at the Step Outside recruitment event held at the Farmer’s Market in Virginia Beach. They also had a canoe and photos on exhibit.

www.VirginiaMOCA.org2200 Parks Ave | Virginia Beach | 757-425-0000

MOCA explorer patch & visual badge workshops

Hands-on art-making for Brownies and Juniors. Contact Rebecca Davidson: [email protected].

www.norfolknatofestival.org 757-282-2801

Norfolk NATO Festival Saturday, April 23, 2016

Explore 28 Countries at the Norfolk NATO Festival! Cultural performances, international food & Booths of each NATO Country! Stop by the Girl Scout Tent to pick up your Passport and get a stamp from each NATO Country Booth — Earn a Festival Patch!

Parade of Nations - 10:00AM Downtown Norfolk

NATOFest - 11:30AM to 3:30PM Town Point Park

Free and Open to the Public

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To register and for more information, visit MarinersMuseum.org/Scouts or call (757) 591-7745

Girl Scout Daisies:• 5 Flowers, 4 Stories, 3 Cheers for Animals

Girl Scout Brownies:• Home Scientist • Hiker

Girl Scout Juniors:• Musician• Detective • Playing the Past

We offer programs for the following badges:

Innovative,Educational and Fun!

Girl Scout Cadettes:• Special Agent

Girl Scout Seniors:• Textile Designer

and Park

Saturday, February 610:00 am - 3:00 pm

Join The Mariners' Museum for a day of storytelling. Girl Scouts will enjoy hearing stories told in the galleries and will

have the opportunity to tell their own stories through

presentation and art.

"It's Your Story" Storytelling Day

at The Mariners’ Museum in Newport News, VA

912 Cedar Road Chesapeake, VA 23322

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID

Norfolk, VA Permit No. 150

Visit us on the web @ www.gsccc.orgWe are supported in part by

Peninsula Service Center 894 J. Clyde Morris Blvd. Newport News, VA 23601

Elizabeth City Field Center 214 N. Dyer St. Elizabeth City, NC 27909

A Place for Girls 912 Cedar Road Chesapeake, VA 23322 757-547-4405800-77SCOUT

The GSCCC Magazine is published by Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast for parents, registered adult members and donors. Production is made possible through the generosity of United Way, contributors, product sales and adult donors.If your household has received duplicate mailings, please accept our apologies. Send your address corrections (with mailing labels) to the GSCCC address listed above or call 757-547-4405.

Saturday, April 9, 20165:30 - 6:30 p.m. 7:15 p.m. Game Time!Norfolk Scope, NorfolkGirl Scouts will be participating in presenting the:

National AnthemColor GuardCeremonial Puck Drop

Tickets: $15 per person

Cookies on IceCookie Donation to Soldiers Angels on the Plaza!

Show your Girl Scout pride by wearing your Girl Scout uniform or shirt!

April 2016 A month-long community service project that helps local food banks when they have

the biggest need. Food Drive patches available.

Help the Girl Scouts help those in need!

Upcoming events at Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast

Deadline to register:

March 15, 2016

Visit the Helping Hands Food Drive

web page at gsccc.org for more

information. Hockey Game

Kitty Hawk Field Center 3852 N. Croatan Hwy. Kitty Hawk, NC 27949

Documents

GSCCC Magazine Winter/Spring 2016