Author Archives: marcomgirlscoutsazorg

Troop Leader Spotlight: Sarah O’Connell

Coyote Plains Service Unit 

Troop 6455 (Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors)

Years as a Troop Leader: 4 

What inspired you to become a Troop Leader?

My Troop Leader story started with a love of Girl Scout Cookies! My husband is a huge fan, and during cookie season, he would sometimes struggle to find a booth. Those cookie hunts sparked an interest in Girl Scouts as a whole. 

What kind of activities do you do with your troop? What is their favorite thing to do?

My troop loves spending time together and being their genuine selves. However, our community service events and summer camp are the two areas that really excite us! 

What kind of service projects have you done with your troop?

Some of the projects my troop has completed include: 

  • Trash pick-ups 
  • Animal supply drive 
  • Community food drive 
  • Crafted holiday cards for a local nursing home 
  • Collected and donated books 
  • Made water conservation bookmarks for a library
  • Donated computers to schools 
  • Packing food for Feed My Starving Children 

Tell us about a volunteer moment that stands out to you.

I attended the end-of-the-year meeting and was able to see how successful our Council is; it was inspiring. The commitment displayed by each employee, volunteer, partner, and board member has allowed GSACPC to expand the opportunities available to girls with each passing year. Our Council’s success really makes the difference, and in my opinion, we are doing a great job in securing a future for many generations of Girl Scouts to come. 

What advice would you give other Troop Leaders?

Communication is the key to everything, especially in Girl Scouts. Don’t be afraid to connect with other leaders in your Service Unit to get advice, suggestions for fun activities, and most of all – perspective. Ask yourself, “what do the girls want?” Their voices and opinions matter. 

What do you wish someone had told you as a new Troop Leader?

I wish someone had told me that every troop is different, and the dynamic can change over time. There is no template for what a troop should look or act like; the girls will ultimately decide how the troop will be run and how they interact. Every possibility is the right possibility. 

What would you like others to know about volunteer opportunities with the Girl Scouts?

Volunteering with Girl Scouts is an excellent opportunity for someone to grow their professional skills. Pull any job posting, and you’ll see how being a part of Girl Scouts aligns! Team building, creating a growth strategy, networking, financial bookkeeping, and so much more. Whatever area in which a person is looking to grow, a volunteer opportunity within Girl Scouts can fit their personal and professional goals. 

Does your troop sell cookies? If yes, please tell us why it is important to participate in the GS Cookie Program?

My troop always participates in any fundraising opportunities, especially cookies. With each year that the girls get older, they gain more independence in handling the details of the cookie program. The program is a highly engaging experience for all troop members as they experience the value of running a business in real-time. They can see how vital product, timing, location, and commitment are to making their goals. Fall Product Program is a great entrepreneurial tool for preparing the girls for cookie season. I highly recommend not passing up either of these opportunities with your troop. 

What are your troop’s cookie-selling tips and tricks?

My tips for cookie season are as follows: 

  1. Keep calm, it’s only cookies. Things can get stressful around this time of year, but it is essential to stay grounded and remember to have fun! 
  2. Support is a plus – getting parents to sign on as volunteers are the key.
  3. Timing is essential when it comes to sales. Think about the dates and times when choosing your cookie booths. 
  4. A good partnership with a local business for self-scheduled booths is priceless. 

What is the most inspiring moment you have experienced as a Troop Leader?

Camping with my troop is the absolute best! Watching how independent they are is so inspiring as both a volunteer and a parent. The way they engage during camp activities and how their eyes light up as they take in nature’s beauty warms my heart. 

How You Make THE Difference – Growing Your Impact!

It takes an exceptional person to be a Girl Scout Volunteer. The saying goes, “our volunteers are the lifeblood of our organization.” Girl Scout Volunteers are essential to building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place and have a tremendous impact on the girls we serve. Now more than ever, we are reminded of our volunteers’ unique qualities, and we want to express just how deeply your efforts are appreciated. Throughout the pandemic, you’ve provided spaces for girls to connect in so many ways, and continuing to do so keeps the Girl Scout Movement alive. 

It is no secret that the pandemic created significant challenges for our volunteers and staff. Many troops and Service Units have had difficulties finding meeting spaces and have been navigating the presence of reentry anxiety. With the ever-changing environment, now is an excellent time to look at how you can grow your impact if you desire to do so.

Some Service Unit teams have experienced vacancies in critical positions. If you love leading your troop and would like to help make a difference on a larger scale, consider having a conversation with the Service Unit Team and your Member Support Executive to see where you can offer your skills and talents. 

Another way you can grow your impact is to encourage the girls in your troop (Juniors and up) to plan and host an event for your Service Unit. You will be amazed at the ideas your girls come up with, and helping to bring their vision to life will give you a sense of pride and purpose. Reference Covid-19 protocols when planning. 

Finally, consider finding out if your employer offers funds for volunteer hours or if they will donate to your charity of choice. To find out if your employer offers this opportunity, connect with your Human Resources Department. If your employer does have this possibility, consider having them donate to Girl Scouts! More on how to handle donations can be found in the Troop Money Management Guide.  

Devin Booker Suprises Arizona Girl Scouts with $100,000 Donation

This post originally appeared at nba.com.

Phoenix Suns All-Star Devin Booker likes to surprise people, particularly when he’s handing out $2.5M in grant money from his Devin Booker Starting Five program.

On Wednesday, after the Suns preseason game with the Portland Trail Blazers, Booker may have struck a new enthusiasm level when Girl Scouts from the Arizona Cactus-Pine Council unexpectedly met their favorite player and then were gifted $100,000 by him.

The Girl Scouts were initially excited by the invitation to attend Game 2 of the WNBA Finals between the Phoenix Mercury and Chicago Sky at Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix. They had no idea what awaited them.

Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council consist of more than 20,000 from more than 90 communities, including Indian Reservations and military installations across 75,000 miles in central and northern Arizona.

The $100,000 grant officially tips off the 2021-22 class of the Devin Booker Starting Five – a $2.5 million commitment made by Booker in 2019 to grant $100,000 each to five nonprofits each season over five years. The remaining nonprofits of this year’s class will be announced soon.

The transformative funds from the Devin Booker Starting Five will help the Girl Scouts, among other things, replace their mini-bus necessary to transport youth to and from educational and character-building activities and experiences. Due to vandalism and theft, the nonprofit is without a functioning vehicle to support Girl Scouts served across the state of Arizona.

For Christina Spicer, interim Co-CEO of Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council, the funds could not have come at a better time as the nonprofit returns to in-person camps and day trips.

“The Devin Booker Starting Five grant will provide an incredible resource for our girls,” said Spicer. “Having our bus need fully funded will allow our girls more access to girl-scouting and will be a huge gift for us. The fact that Book is supporting our girls and standing for women and girls is an enormous gift.”

Booker has excelled on the court for the Suns over the past six seasons, becoming a two-time All-Star and led his team through an exciting run to the NBA Finals for the first time in his career. But his dedication off the court has been equally important to the city of Phoenix. For the past several years, Booker has treated youth from around The Valley to holiday shopping sprees, pledged more than $100,000 to Phoenix Suns Charities in 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and is a Special Olympics Global Ambassador promoting inclusion through sport, especially opportunities involving basketball.

Authentic Girl Scout Leadership: Guide to Deeper Conversations

The Authentic Leadership Community (ALC) is now visiting Service Units with a brand-new workshop series on Authentic Girl Scout Leadership! 

What is Authentic Girl Scout Leadership and how does it impact you? 

  • Join us and discover Authentic Girl Scout Leadership principles and practices.
  • Explore deeper into bridging perspectives and traditions with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. 
  • Enhance your Girl Scout toolkit and take action to strengthen your leadership, communication, and relationships. 

Complete this form to set up a visit with the ALC. All Service Units will receive a 30-minute demonstration of the workshop with instructions on how to successfully complete it at their monthly meetings. Service Units who complete the entire workshop will receive a special gift from ALC. 

Check out the new Authentic Girl Scout Leadership Book!

Questions? Email volunteerlearning@girlscoutsaz.org.

Recharging Your Compassion Battery

You know it when you feel it. The world seems to be resting on your shoulders, and you are stretched so thin that you seem as sturdy as the tattered pages of your jam-packed planner. Throughout the day, you’ll continue to give and give to those you care about, but it may feel less fulfilling. This is known as compassion fatigue. 

Think about it; a cord plugged into an outlet can still light the lamp to which it’s connected, even if it’s a bit ragged with wires poking through the plastic covering. Would we consider this lamp cord to be efficient? What if the cord was not plugged into a lamp but instead into rows of hospital beds to provide power for heart monitors and life-saving equipment? 

When serving others, there are profound effects that can present themselves as burnout over time. Burnout typically occurs from continuously being overwhelmed by responsibilities and the amount of them. Compassion fatigue can be seen as a type of burnout; it’s the feeling that you have no more empathy to give. When individuals witness trauma or learn of suffering, the emotions that follow can build over long periods. If left unattended, they can increase and ultimately separate individuals from their ability to care for themselves and others. 

Compassion fatigue builds slowly and is influenced by what we observe, read, and the duties we perform. It can progress until an individual is exhausted of energy and needs a lifestyle or career change in extreme cases. 

Feelings associated with compassion fatigue:

  • Exhausted psychologically and physically
  • Feeling helpless, hopeless, or powerless
  • Irritable, sadness, or numbness
  • Detachment or decreased pleasure in activities
  • Connecting to the suffering of others and feeling anger towards events or people causing it
  • Blame towards yourself and having thoughts of not having done enough to help people
  • A decreased sense of personal and professional accomplishment

Taking time out of your day to practice self-care can make all this difference. This could be taking planned breaks from work, exercising regularly, being present in your emotions, taking a step back when feeling overwhelmed, or seeking professional help. Here are some additional ways to maintain wellness and improve self-care:

  • Follow healthy routines, such as reserving time for sleep and rest, enjoying nutritious meals, being active, and connecting more with friends. Activities should replenish and rejuvenate you.
  • Avoid “information overload.” Pay attention to how stressful or traumatic information affects you.
  • Be in the present moment and practice gratitude towards positive things, relationships, and opportunities. 
  • Focus on what’s in your control and build awareness of unrealistic expectations about changing something beyond your control.

Becoming aware of the signs of symptoms associated with compassion fatigue, getting support, and taking action to inform others can improve the wellness of our communities. We are all working towards a common goal, but to move forward efficiently, we must prioritize self-preservation. 

GSACPC’s Authentic Leadership Community (ALC) appreciates the compassion that resonates throughout our Girl Scout network and always provides support and resources. We invite you to learn more and be part of this group that can introduce you to self-care tactics for Girl Scouts and personally.

We hope these tips help you become aware of compassion fatigue and help you rejuvenate yourself or anyone in your care. For professional support and help, reach out to your doctor. 

Source: Thurrott, Stephanie. 2021. Watch for These Key Warning Signs of Compassion Fatigue. Banner Health Teach Me. 

Welcome the Fall Season by Giving Back!

By: Janey Kurtz

With the fall weather approaching, now is a great time to start talking to the girls in your troop about community service and Take Action Projects. Giving back is work of the heart; it brings smiles to our faces and is a core component of the Girl Scout experience. Giving girls an opportunity to choose how they would like to give back shows them that their voice matters and focuses on issues they are passionate about. It helps girls eliminate the word “can’t” from their vocabulary, learn leadership skills, and deal with failure through critical thinking and accepting responsibility. 

Here are a few ideas you can share with your troop when discussing how they’d like to give back and make an impact:

Spruce up a neighborhood park – Work with your town/city and see if a local park could use some TLC.  Working with your girls, show them how cleaning up a neighborhood park can bring joy to the community.

Bring treats to First Responders – Have your girls earn their cooking badges by making snacks or a meal for First Responders. Or think of another way to show gratitude for everything they do for our community. Seeing how much they are appreciated will brighten their day.  

Random act of kindness – Have the girls do a brainstorming session and then use the app Goosechase to create a “Random Act of Kindness Scavenger Hunt race!” Tape popcorn to a Redbox, drop off quarters at a laundromat, pay for someone’s ice cream, or help shoppers carry groceries to their car. The sky is the limit! 

Participate in Make a Difference Day – Girl Scouts are always making a difference in the world. Explore different activities that will help your troop make an impact on Make a Difference Day on Oct. 23. 

Re-stock a free library – Have girls ask their friends and families to donate their gently used books and locate little free libraries around the community to re-stock. (Make sure to get permission from the library owner). 

There are so many great ideas for the girls to choose from! Whatever you do, tell our Council Staff and the world – don’t forget to submit all of your photos and reflections using our stories form!

Troop Leader Spotlight: Pamela Meade

Navajo Nation Service Unit 

Troop 1430 (Daisies-Ambassadors) 

Years as a Troop Leader: 9 

What inspired you to become a Troop Leader? 

I feel strongly about the role we, as trusted adults, play in girls’ lives, helping create a safe and fun place for them to support each other.

When my daughter entered kindergarten, her teacher started a Girl Scouts troop. I immediately got involved and volunteered as a cookie mom and led activities. When her teacher left the district, I decided to take over as their Troop Leader! I thought that if I was starting a troop for one grade, I might as well expand to all grades! We do not have many resources here in the Navajo Nation, so I knew I would need to take it on if I wanted Girl Scouts to continue in our community. I received a grant and partnered with the local school district to offer Girl Scouts to all elementary grades, and over the years, we went from six to over a hundred girls! 

What kind of activities do you do with your troop? What is their favorite thing to do? 

Our troop loves earning badges and planning group trips. Our goal is to have weekly meetings as part of the after-school program and participate in summer trips together. Recently, however, our school has been entirely virtual since March of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We decided to keep running our program weekly on Zoom for the 20-21 school year. And while it has been a challenge, we still could earn badges and connect with other Girl Scout troops across the country! We like using Google JamBoard and having fun online to stay connected. It’s challenged us to be creative in this new space – for example, we even had a Zoom sleepover where we watched a movie together and shared fun TikTok videos! 

What kind of service projects have you done with your troop? 

We’ve supported local community efforts with coat drives, community clean-ups and worked with our elders. During the pandemic, Troop 1430 collected and distributed pet food, PPE, and cleaning products. We gave a mini-PPE kit with gloves and masks to all 1,400 post office box holders in our community!

Tell us about a volunteer moment that stands out to you. 

I love taking my Girl Scouts to the GSACPC Annual Meeting because it is a great place to experience the Movement from an overarching and more formal lens. It also allows me to take the 5th grade girls in our troop to see the fantastic girl-led activities – especially since they will be transitioning into middle school. This event is important because I want them to know the leadership skills that Girl Scouts can offer them. 

Another moment that stands out to me was when we participated in the Parsons Leadership Center dedication. I felt so honored. Here, our girls had the opportunity to recite the Girl Scout Promise and Law in the Navajo Language!

What advice would you give other Troop Leaders? 

There are so many resources available to Troop Leaders and so many ideas and paths that you can do with your troop. Every year I feel like we accomplished so much yet, there was much more that we could have done. It can be hard to do everything offered and provide all the experiences; it is overwhelming. Just focus on what your girls want to do and know that being there for them is what’s important.

What do you wish someone had told you as a new Troop Leader? 

I wish someone had told me to get parents on board and involved early – be sure to connect and engage them! Also, don’t be afraid to accept help and delegate – I am still working on that one.

What would you like others to know about volunteer opportunities with the Girl Scouts? 

Any help is appreciated! Leading a troop is a big commitment, but there are so many other jobs and positions where you can offer support. The opportunities are flexible with time and welcome many special skills and talents as well!

Why is it important to participate in the cookie program? 

The Girl Scout Cookie Program is a great way to connect with your girls’ family members. Especially with our program offered after school, we send the girls home on the bus and do not connect with the parents as often. During the cookie season and Fall Product Program, I get to build relationships with the families. It is also a fun project where our troops can work together to host a cookie booth across all ages. I also feel that learning to communicate and work on people skills is a HUGE benefit for our girls, and that is something girls can learn in both product programs.

What are your troop’s cookie-selling tips and tricks? 

The good and the bad part about being in a small community is that there are not too many other troops selling cookies. Everyone gets very excited about buying early, but then everyone gets “cookie’d out”! We try to schedule a trip to set up a booth in the Phoenix area along with a badge earning activity or camp to make the most of it and provide more boothing opportunities for our cookie entrepreneurs.

What is the most inspiring moment you have experienced as a Troop Leader? 

I am so proud of all the youth I work with. I always tell girls the famous phrase, “Once a Girl Scout, always a Girl Scout!” Even if a girl takes time off and is not active, she still thinks of me as her Troop Leader, and I think of her as one of my girls. Even if I only have a hundred active Girl Scouts, there are many more girls I have worked with over the last ten years, and they are all special and forever part of our sisterhood.  

Each moment spent helping them succeed, witnessing them achieve their goals, and growing their confidence is what inspires me. 

Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council Celebrates $2 Million Now is the Moment Grant from Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust

(PHOENIX – Sept. 14, 2021) – Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council (GSACPC) is delighted to announce the receipt of a $2 million grant from Trustees of Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust. Announced on Monday, Sept. 13, the Now is the Moment Grants Commemoration awarded a total of $123 million to 71 nonprofit organizations across Maricopa County in one day. The grant, which will be used to support GSACPC’s programs and volunteer training and increase access to Girl Scouting for more girls in Arizona, is the Council’s second-largest single gift ever and the most significant one-time gift from Piper Trust, a long-time supporter. 

Despite a tumultuous year due to the global health crisis caused by COVID-19 and economic uncertainty across all sectors, many individuals and institutions with large investments in the stock market experienced extraordinary growth in the value of their holdings. Piper Trust reported its endowment grew by $123 million in the 15 months following the start of the pandemic. With these two opposing forces at work, and as stewards of the Trust’s founder, Virginia Galvin Piper, Trustees felt compelled to share all of the earnings with the community. 

“We are deeply grateful to the Trustees of Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust and their ongoing support of and belief in our efforts to introduce more girls to Girl Scouting,” said Tamara Woodbury, CEO of GSACPC. “Every girl deserves the opportunity to be a Girl Scout, which we know is proven to have a positive impact in girls’ lives and their surrounding communities.”

“Girl Scouts has been a consistent force for good in our community for many years and for our resilience through this pandemic. The program impacts our community in ways that matter today and tomorrow,” said Mary Jane Rynd, President and CEO of Piper Trust.  

“Everything girls do in Girl Scouting is designed to help them grow into well-rounded adults prepared to meet the future successfully,” says Woodbury. “Girl Scouts helps girls navigate our changing world and build the futures they want to see. Through collaborative, experiential learning, access to caring adults and mentors, badge experiences and activities and service programs, girls build essential skills, explore and connect with their community, and become leaders who take action to make a positive difference in their communities.”

According to Woodbury, amid seismic shifts in technology and culture brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Girl Scouts are constantly evolving and innovating their programs and offerings to address girls’ evolving needs and interests in ways that resonate with them. 

“Girl Scouts has been a source of connection, support, and joy for girls throughout the pandemic and is addressing current issues girls, parents, and caregivers care about,” says Woodbury. 

With some girls back to school, some girls still learning from home and others doing a hybrid of both, the Council is innovating ways to make Girl Scouting flexible and accessible at every level and turnkey for parents and caregivers to take part in, leading their girl through the experience in whatever way works best for them. This grant will directly support this mission. 

“We love the work GSACPC does in our community and are proud to invest in the future of Arizona. Girl Scouts represent the next generation of social, civic, philanthropic, and economic leaders,” says Rynd. 

To celebrate what is quickly becoming one of the most significant years in our Council’s history, GSACPC is actively recruiting new Troop Leaders and forming new troops to allow more girls to participate throughout the region. Joining the movement today is easier than ever. Girls can join a troop this new school year – right now! – and entire families can be part of the Girl Scout experience. Even dads/male caregivers! GSACPC is hosting fun, free events and programs for families new to Girl Scouts or who have not yet joined but want to learn more through the end of the year. Among the free virtual and in-person events are: 

  • Make New Friends, a four-part online series designed to boost your girl’s social skills and self-confidence while she learns to focus and thrive in a virtual group setting. 
  • Animal Dance Parties, an interactive Zoom party for girls to have fun, meet new friends, and learn about Girl Scouts. After the physical dance party ends, the girls are encouraged to work on an independent activity. During this time, grown-ups are invited to join us for a quick overview of Girl Scouts. 
  • Robot Building Parties, an interactive Zoom party for girls to work together – albeit virtually – on “building their own robot at home” while learning about all of the other adventures, science experiments, and outdoor activities they can participate in as Girl Scouts.
  • In-Person Events throughout the Valley and northern Arizona, families are invited to learn more about Girl Scouts at one of the local open-houses-style events closest to them. View the interactive map and calendar to find a location and time that works best for you. 

For more information, visit www.girlscoutsaz.org/join. 

We Are Girl Scouts

Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Through programs from coast to coast, Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges—whether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike or advocate for climate justice, or make their first best friends. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them. To join us, volunteer, reconnect, or donate, visit girlscouts.org. 

About Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council (GSACPC)

In partnership with 6,000 adult volunteers, GSACPC serves over 11,000 girls grades K-12 in more than 90 communities across central and northern Arizona. Since 1936, GSACPC has helped girls develop leadership skills and tools for success in a rapidly changing environment. We know that given the opportunity, every girl can become a leader, act confidently on her values, and connect with her community. For more information, visit www.girlscoutsaz.org, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Instagram. 

About Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust

Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust supports organizations that enrich health, well-being, and opportunity for the people of Maricopa County, Arizona. Since it began awarding grants in 2000, Piper Trust has invested more than $644 million in local nonprofits and programs. Piper Trust grantmaking areas are healthcare and medical research, children, older adults, arts and culture, education, and religious organizations.. For more information about Piper Trust, visit pipertrust.org and/or its Piper Fellows program, visit pipertrust.org/piperfellows.  @PiperTrust | Facebook.

Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council and Girl Scouts of the USA Unveil New Cookie; Adventurefuls Will Join the Nationwide Lineup for the 2022 Girl Scout Cookie Season Across Arizona

(PHOENIX – Aug. 17, 2021) – Today, Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council (GSACPC) and Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) are pleased to announce that a new cookie – Adventurefuls – will join the nationwide lineup for the 2022 Girl Scout Cookie season. An indulgent brownie-inspired cookie with caramel-flavored crème and a hint of sea salt, Adventurefuls take cookie lovers on a delicious taste adventure just like Girl Scouts go on amazing adventures through the program. Girl Scouts in central and northern Arizona and across the United States will offer the Adventurefuls cookie next season alongside favorites like Thin Mints® and Samoas®. 

The Girl Scout Cookie Program, which will take place across central and northern Arizona from Jan. 17 to Feb. 27, 2022, helps girls develop skills in five areas: Goal Setting, Decision Making, Money Management, People Skills, and Business Ethics. These are essential skills needed to successfully navigate life—whether working on a high school science project team, running a household, becoming a project manager, or a company CEO. 

“Every purchase of Adventurefuls, and the whole portfolio of iconic cookies, during cookie season, fuels local Girl Scouts’ adventures throughout the year: exploring what interests them, discovering their passions, and taking action on issues they care about,” says said Tamara Woodbury, CEO of GSACPC. “Whether they’re using their STEM skills to solve a problem, changing a law to help their community, having a courageous outdoor experience, or starting an innovative nonprofit, Girl Scouts build a better future for themselves and the world.”

Also new this year, GSUSA recently announced new Cookie Business badges that help girls think like entrepreneurs as they run their own cookie businesses and incorporate online sales via the Digital Cookie® platform. The badges progress from goal setting and effective sales-pitching in person and online to market research, creating business plans, and implementing digital marketing campaigns.

Consumers can visit www.girlscoutcookies.org to sign up to be notified as soon as cookies are available in the area, and can visit www.girlscouts.org/join to join the movement as a Girl Scout, Girl Scout Volunteer, or Troop Leader today. 

We Are Girl Scouts

Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Through programs from coast to coast, Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges—whether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike or advocate for climate justice, or make their first best friends. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them. To join us, volunteer, reconnect or donate, visit girlscouts.org. 

About Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council (GSACPC)

In partnership with 6,000 adult volunteers, GSACPC serves over 11,000 girls grades K-12 in more than 90 communities across central and northern Arizona. Since 1936, GSACPC has helped girls develop leadership skills and tools for success in a rapidly changing environment. We know that given the opportunity, every girl can become a leader, act confidently on her values, and connect with her community. For more information, visit www.girlscoutsaz.org, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Instagram. 

About the Girl Scout Cookie Program

It’s more than money. It’s the lifelong skills that girls learn by doing and the confidence they build doing it. The Girl Scout Cookie Program helps girls develop skills in five areas: Goal Setting, Decision Making, Money Management, People Skills, and Business Ethics. These are essential skills needed to successfully navigate life—whether working on a high-school science project team, running a household, becoming a project manager, or a company CEO. Not many organizations offer these essential business skills to girls. Girl Scouting does, with the largest girl-led business in the world!

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Incorporating DEI and Growth Mindset Techniques to Create an Inclusive Troop Environment

Over the last several years, GSACPC has been committed to the vital work of researching, evaluating, and implementing the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the organization.

In that spirit, the Authentic Leadership Community (ALC) worked together to revise and update the Leadership from the Inside Out booklets, incorporating the principles of DEI.  DEI refers to the practice of intentional inclusion regardless of one’s background or circumstances. 

We’ll review how to add simple techniques that emphasize the concepts of communication, growth mindset, goal setting and more in your troop meetings to support inclusivity through a discover, connect, and take-action process. 

Discover

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a person with a disability as “a person who has a physical or mental impairment, or a history of one, that substantially limits one or more life activities; or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment.” 

The Social Security Administration reports that more than 1 in 6 American children are living with disabilities. Most common among school-age was Attention-Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder, next Autism Spectrum Disorder, then learning disabilities, and mental health illness. This means that around 20% of girls ages 5-17 are living with a mental or physical disability. 

However, not all disabilities are visible or physical. Cognitive disabilities and/or mental conditions, especially those with learning differences1 and neurodiversity2, may not be apparent just by looking at or talking to someone.

A part of making Girl Scouts a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization is thinking about how the policy applies to this subset of our population. The umbrella term of “differently wired,”3 allows us to center on creating ways to make what we do inclusive for all girls. Often, when we make changes for inclusion, it benefits all.

Understanding the foundation of DEI is only the first step in achieving an inclusive troop environment. To ensure that all girls are given a safe space regardless of disability or background we must incorporate techniques which prioritize acceptance, joy, and celebration of self. 

Fixed vs. Growth Mindset

Researcher Carol Dweck coined two terms when working around students’ attitudes about failure. 

  1. Fixed mindset refers to one’s belief that intellect and ability are stagnant -“I can’t recite the GS Promise and Law!” 
  2. Growth mindset refers to one’s belief in their ability to learn and develop skills – “It may take some time, but I’ll learn to recite the GS Promise and Law!”  

As you can imagine adopting either of these mindsets can impact achievement throughout someone’s life.

Incorporating Growth Mindset

The power of “yet”

When girls say they “can’t” do something, simply add the word “yet” to their statement. This gives them the power to believe in themselves, which in turn activates the growth mindset. 

Example: “I can’t tie my shoelaces…yet.”

KWL chart or similar visuals

One tool that can be used to incorporate the growth mindset is a KWL chart. Here is how you can utilize this during a troop activity: 

  • Create a chart with three columns: One labeled K for “Know,” W for “Want to know,” and L for “Learned.”   
  • At the start of an activity, ask girls what they already know about the topic and put it in the K column.
  • Write any questions regarding the topic in the W column. 
  • After completing the activity, have the girls reflect and write what they learned in the L column. 

This can be a great way to organize ideas while working on a take-action project.  

Connect

One of the greatest gifts you can give girls is helping them attain self-knowledge – learning who they are, how their brain works, and what they need to do to create the life they want. You can empower them to understand this and feel good about who they are. All girls can use this knowledge to connect with others from different and varied histories, life stories, physical and/or developmental abilities.

Especially important to this discovery is the way you communicate with girls. Here are some suggestions of how to lead conversations, adapted from the novel Differently Wired:

Check your thoughts/beliefs. When faced with a challenge, identify the thoughts/beliefs that could influence the message you give your troop. Modeling authenticity, honesty, and transparency could be beneficial for your girls.  

Make open and honest communication a core value and work towards it constantly. Commit to prioritizing this and create a safe place for sharing and discussing relevant topics; your girls get to choose what and how much to share. This is something that could be incorporated as a check-in at the beginning of meetings or events.

Make conversations about strengths AND challenges a part of the experience. Create a closing ritual to end meetings/events by asking, “What went well today and what was hard today?”

Don’t shy away from difficult conversations. Keep in mind how to talk with your girls in an age-appropriate manner but aim to have discussions that help them feel respected and seen. This will help them feel secure in coming to you when challenging topics/issues come up.

Within all of this, parents/guardians can be your best source of how to approach working with the challenges their child experiences; you don’t have to do it all alone.

Set girl-led troop goals. Connect what is learned (reference the KWL chart) to future goals. This can help the girls figure out what they would like to accomplish. A good example is product sales and what to do with the proceeds.  

Use girls’ strengths to improve weaknesses. You can help your girls grow by using one of their strengths to support a weakness. Say a girl in your troop enjoys math but is unsure how to talk to others; they can collect money from a customer at a cookie booth to help strengthen their conversational skills. When your girl ventures outside of her comfort zone to grow, make a point to acknowledge it. They may not be aware of this accomplishment until you point it out!

Take Action

The above information and suggestions are non-specific. How you apply them will depend on the level of girls you’re working with, where they want to go, and what they want to accomplish.

This blog is written by Rebecca Oakes. Rebecca Oakes holds a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling. She has been sharing her authentic self as a GSACPC volunteer for 14+ years, including various troop capacities, and seven years with our Authentic Leadership Community  (ALC) group. Rebecca is also the mother of two neurodivergent children. 

ALC is centered around Authentic Girl Scout Leadership principles, formerly known as Leadership from the Inside Out. “We are committed to helping you discover, unlock and develop your leadership superpowers so that you can guide and empower your girls as they grow into leaders themselves.” 

Links to Explore

Have any questions or comments? Email volunteerlearning@girlscoutsaz.org.

1 Such as three “D’s” – Dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia

2 Variations in brain development such as autism or ADHD 

3 Used by Deborah Reber, author of the book Differently Wired.

Back to Troop!

School is back in session, and Girl Scouts across Arizona are getting ready to begin the new member year! Whether you’re a new or seasoned troop, here are a few tips to ensure a great start to your year.

Start with the GSLE (Girl Scout Leadership Experience) in mind! Hold an age-appropriate planning meeting to capture what kinds of activities and programming your troop would like to accomplish and participate in:

  • Badges and Journeys
    • Don’t forget GSUSA just announced 28 New Program Badges focused on entrepreneurship, math in nature, and digital leadership that emboldens girls to navigate a changing society and build the futures they want for themselves and the world.
    • Council’s Own Badges and Patches include badges/patches like South Mountain Trails and the Wild Wonders Outdoor Experience patch program.
    • Journeys  
  • Service projects and Take-Action projects
  • Field trips
  • High Awards
    • Additional Awards – In addition to the High Awards, Girl Scouts can earn other awards like Community Service Bars, Counselor in Training, faith-based, and teen mentor awards.  
  • Product Programs
    • Fall Product Program – gives girls the chance to step up and shine and earn rewards along the way. Build entrepreneurial skills, teamwork, and raise troop proceeds for the year. Sign up soon!
      • Girl Scout Cookie Program – get ready for the iconic Girl Scout Cookie Program and be the first to sell the newest cookie, the Girl Scout Adventurefuls! 

Once the girls have done their planning, hold a parent meeting to set the expectations and have everyone begin the year on the same page.

Hold a parent meeting. Use this meeting to build your Troop Committee for the year. This parent committee identifies support roles for parents and their responsibilities for the troop year. Ask parents to share talents and skills that can be helpful for the year and provide support by signing up for specific tasks. 

Re-commit to the Promise and Law. Plan an investiture and rededication ceremony at the beginning of the new troop year to welcome any new Girl Scouts and have returning Girl Scouts re-commit themselves to the Promise and Law. 

Reconnect with each other by planning some team-building activities and games. For example, have the girls create a troop mural that captures their troop’s personality. Use the mural as a background for the troop to create their kaper chart. 

Take a moment to read the Authentic Girl Scout Leadership booklet and use the information to discover how to lead from the inside out. Discover the magic of circles, the wisdom of reflection, the rites of passage ceremonies can provide, the value of co-generational communities, and DEI principles in Girl Scouts.

Troop Leader Spotlight: Natasha Neal

Desert Sunset Service Unit 

Troops 6185 & 494 (Brownies-Ambassadors) 

Years as a Troop Leader: 7

What inspired you to become a Troop Leader? 

I enrolled my oldest daughter a few years back as a Girl Scout. After witnessing the wonderful opportunities and experiences she had, I was inspired to learn more about becoming a Troop Leader. I wasn’t a Girl Scout growing up, so this was a new experience for the both of us. My daughter’s confidence and personal development grew immensely, and the experience opened a whole new world of opportunities for both of us. As a mother of three, I wanted the same for my younger girls too, so I knew I wanted to become a Troop Leader for them as well. 

What kind of activities do you do with your troop? What is their favorite thing to do? 

Our troop loves to do anything that involves the outdoors. Some activities we have done with the older girls include camping, encampments, attending Jamboree, overnight trips out of state, horseback riding, hiking, and a ton of other activities. 

We are a troop that values badge earning, completing Journeys, and working towards High Awards – this is the first year my girls will be working towards becoming Gold Award Girl Scouts. 

My Brownie troop also enjoys earning a variety of badges. Before the pandemic, they participated in an overnight camp experience at Parsons Leadership Center and continued to meet virtually to complete badges through February 2021. They really enjoy camping experiences, so this was an exciting activity and something they look forward to doing more of!   

They currently like hands-on activities and recently just completed their Home Scientist Badge. They enjoy connecting and socializing at the park after their meetings. 

What kind of service projects have you done with your troop? 

Community service and giving back is very important to my troops. Here are some of the projects we have completed over the years: 

  • Revitalized a garden at a local community resource center
  • Supported families by providing diapers and food
  • Volunteered at a local food bank
  • Volunteered at Special Olympics events
  • Participated with the Operation Christmas Child
  • Served as flag bearers at an annual 911 memorial
  • Installed lending libraries at preschool centers
  • Volunteered with Feed My Starving Children 
  • Installed a sensory wall at Aimee’s Animal Sanctuary

These are only a few of the many community service projects in which we have participated. Through these experiences, I hope the girls have developed a heart of giving and a lifelong commitment to service.

Tell us about a volunteer moment that stands out to you. 

One of the many moments that stand out was a couple of years ago when we adopted a family during the Christmas holiday. Our troop family rallied together to provide Christmas decorations, Christmas dinner, gifts, and furniture to a family in need. We delivered everything to their home, and their humbleness and appreciation were immeasurable. What stood out to me most was how the kindness of the family moved our entire troop, leaders, and girls. That experience is something I will always carry in my heart.

What advice would you give other Troop Leaders? 

My best advice for other Troop Leaders is always to remember why you were inspired to be a Girl Scout leader. Stay present, maintain your wellness, and don’t beat yourself up by comparing yourself to other leaders. Just like the girls in our troop, we all have unique gifts and talents!

What do you wish someone had told you as a new Troop Leader? 

Most importantly, don’t sweat the small things, and always be flexible in your planning! Remember to enjoy every special moment as the years will go by way too fast!

What would you like others to know about volunteer opportunities with the Girl Scouts? 

I would want others to know that there are many ways to volunteer with Girls Scouts besides being a Troop Leader. I would recommend that interested volunteers reach out to their Council and ask about service unit opportunities. There is a great need for a variety of skills and talents at all levels of Girl Scouts. Many potential volunteers don’t know you don’t have to work directly with a troop, that you can provide services that make a large contribution to the Girl Scouts experience through other part-time and flexible volunteer opportunities.

Why is it important to participate in the Cookie Program? 

Yes, we participate every year! It is important to participate because it teaches girls how hard work leads to future rewards. What better way for girls to gain customer service, public speaking, money management, and entrepreneurial skills? Recently my oldest daughter interviewed for her first job, and she specifically used her Girl Scout Cookie-selling experiences to showcase her customer service skills.

What are your troop’s cookie-selling tips and tricks? 

Our best cookie-selling tip is that there is ALWAYS an opportunity to sell cookies. When selling, always present your best self, wear your uniform, have your best attitude, and most importantly, have fun working with your Girl Scout sisters!

What is the most inspiring moment you have experienced as a Troop Leader? 

Recently I have been inspired by my Brownies’ confidence to either share or speak up about subjects and topics that often adults find difficult to discuss. When we started meeting in person again, the girls asked questions on why “God” is in the Promise, why we start meetings with the Pledge of Allegiance, and why it isn’t appropriate to describe a person only by their race. At first, I was taken aback because I thought these subjects were beyond their years to understand, much less have an opinion about them. The girls answered these questions on their own and showed such empathy and compassion that truly touched my heart. Given the social environment, the topics that tend to make adults uncomfortable, they answered confidently and easily. I am proud that through Girl Scouts, I have given them a space where they can be comfortable expressing themselves.

Authenticity & Opportunity – What Girl Scouts Has Taught Me

This blog is written by Girl Scout Volunteer, Troop Leader, and Authentic Leadership Community (ALC) member Bobbie Legg. ALC is centered around the principles of Authentic Girl Scout Leadership, formerly known as Leadership from the Inside Out. “We are committed to helping you discover, unlock and develop your leadership superpowers so that you can guide and empower your girls as they grow into leaders themselves.” 

“So do Girl Scouts only do crafts and sell cookies?” Some version of this question is the most common inquiry I get when someone hears I was, and am, a Girl Scout. It falls on my ears with the same ease as putting your foot in a hand glove. 

I started Girl Scouts later than other girls in my elementary school—I desperately wanted to join as a first grader but was told that I couldn’t participate if my parents couldn’t volunteer some hours. I waited patiently.

It was finally here. In grade 4, Girl Scouts started for me at Camp May Flather in Mount Solon, Virginia. To support my membership, my mom required me to save up money to pay for my fees. I was nine. I was scared. 

I didn’t know a soul. But in a moment, there, my life changed. One vibrant and confident camp counselor heard my feisty, fearless humor and quickly took me under her wing and gave me the camp name Spunkie. My strengths were seen, and I felt like I belonged.  

In the years to come, I paddled down rivers, climbed, rappelled, spelunked, and backpacked at camp. Then I found a troop that was open to new members. I was twelve years old, and they were saving up money to go to Our Chalet. 

Our Chalet is an international Girl Scout / Girl Guide centre and one of five Wold Centres of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, located in Bernese Oberland in Switzerland. You can imagine how thrilled I was!

I’d never been on a plane and scarcely even been in a motel. But the idea of traveling abroad lit me up with excitement. Eighteen months later, we arrived in Switzerland. Within the picturesque Alps, sleeping on the attic floor at Our Chalet, I found the magic of international friendships through Girl Scouting.  

During the next four years of Girl Scouting, I built up skills and confidence and found myself working in the halls of Congress. I greeted dignitaries at the Presidential Inaugural Ball. I traveled as part of the GSUSA delegation to Austria and Hungary to witness scouts from eastern block countries join troops that had been closed off to them for decades. In Girl Scouting, I learned about myself, what I valued in life, and what career I wanted to pursue. I earned scholarships to college—directly from Girl Scouting. 

I double-majored in social work and camping & recreation (yes, that is an actual degree!), then I went back to Switzerland and served as part of the summer staff at Our Chalet. It was a full-circle moment for me.

Due to Girl Scouts, I found my voice. I discovered my strengths, and I found my path. I work in international humanitarian care in Africa and South Asia and am passionate about serving children and adolescents who lack needed resources. 

When I moved to Phoenix, I found a Girl Scouting home in the GSACPC Authentic Leadership Community. Much like Juliette Gordon Low said, I found lifelong sisterhood in this circle of friendship united by our ideals. The Authentic Leadership Community offers resources, support, and transformative experiences for YOU to learn, grow, thrive, and be true to your authentic self.

Girl Scouts, it’s so much more than crafts and cookies.

Girl Scouts love to travel—from the field trips they take as Brownies to the global adventures they go on as teens. If you love exploring different places and cultures, then Girl Scouts is the place for you.

Check out Girl Scout Destinations, the ultimate adventure program for girls ages 11 and older. With a ton of different trips to apply for every year—from surfing camp on the east coast and breathtaking hikes out west to the crazy-cool wonder of new cultures abroad—there’s something amazing for everyone to experience, just like I did.

Traveling builds life skills and allows you to make friends with people all over the country, see and learn new things, and pack your bags full of inspiring life-changing experiences and memories, which I hope you too get to experience. 

Find your trip today!

Get Outdoors…In the Dark!

Girls love to be outdoors, but daytime temperatures rise quickly, as we know too well here in the desert. So how can we engage girls outdoors during the summer? 

Consider having a night meeting with Girl Scout skill-building and traditions. Do your girls love to learn about the stars? Would your troop love a Songs “n” S’mores event? Maybe your girls are old enough to learn how to build a campfire, or perhaps they might like to learn some yummy Dutch Oven Recipes. Here are some ideas for you to take the fun outside and under the night sky! 

Safety Tip: Don’t forget, campfire activities require a TCC2 certified adult to be present! 

National S’mores Day – Aug.   10

This classic campfire treat has been popular with Girl Scouts for generations. In 1927, Girl Scouts published a recipe for “Some More” in Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts. Over the years, the recipe name has been shortened to s’more. Check out this 2019 Girl Scout blog for some delicious variation options that you can make with your troop. 

Skits

Skits are a fun form of entertainment that brings laughter. Skits are also a way to teach girls how to be comfortable speaking in front of a group. Girls enjoy watching each other and leaders perform skits. Here are two skits that your troop can do that are sure to brighten your day and make you smile.

Songs

Songs are a wonderful tradition. Many of our Girl Scout songs have been passed down from one Girl Scout generation to another. They bring about a sense of unity when we hear and sing them. Here is a list of 10 favorites for you to learn or share with other Girl Scouts:

  1. Percy the Pale-faced Polar Bear – Percy is one of our all-time favorite repetitive songs! It is easy to memorize and participate in, and girls love the funny hand gestures that go along with this song. Besides, who wouldn’t love a pale-faced polar bear?…GRRR! 
  2. Hermie the Worm – Great to teach younger girls because it is a “repeat after me” song. This song has been one of the go-to songs, and the girls love little Hermie!
  3. Wadiliacha – A fun song of made-up words! The hand motions that go with it add another level of learning to the fun!
  4. The Bear – It isn’t a repetitive song but is interactive and full of storytelling. In short, a blast to sing with your troop. 
  5. Princess Pat – A call and answer song following Princess Pat and her journey sailing with a “rick-a-bamboo!”  
  6. I’m a Little Piece of Tin – A fun tune with motions, and girls can challenge themselves to sing it faster and faster. 
  7. Black Socks – Best sung in rounds. A great way to learn about rounds and fun to teach girls of all ages. 
  8. Jamie Boy – A slower song, this is best when sung in rounds and is great for older girls who love to sing. 
  9. Rose, Hey Ho, Ah Poor Bird – As girls get older, they can learn how to combine songs into rounds. These three songs are a great start! 
  10. On My Honor – This reflection song expresses our purpose as Girl Scouts and is known around the world. 

Don’t forget, the Girl Scout Shop has CDs and songbooks available for purchase. 

Movie Night

Take the movie-watching experience outdoors by setting up a TV in the backyard. You can make the experience more fun by setting up pillow cushions and ask girls to bring snacks and drinks to share. 

Night Hike Fundana

Order these Night Hike Fundanas (bandanas) as a keepsake and guide to a night full of adventures. Challenge your Girl Scouts to complete all the challenges on the bandana, like identifying nocturnal animals and fining the north star!

Troop Leader Spotlight: Melanie Callahan

Mesa Service Unit

Troops 2195, 3555, 3095 (Brownies – Cadettes)

Years as a Troop Leader: 19

What inspired you to become a Troop Leader?

I loved Girl Scouts as a child and have many fond memories. I was inspired to become a Leader because I have first-hand experienced the benefits of being in Girl Scouts. The skills I learned in my youth have served me well throughout my life. As time went on and I had my daughters, who were also in Girl Scouts, and who then had their daughters, I knew I wanted them to have a Girl Scouting experience. Being their Troop Leader has been rewarding, and I am excited to be in their lives this way.

What kind of activities do you do with your troop? What is their favorite thing to do?

Our troop likes to participate in a plethora of activities. Some of their favorite things involve camping and going on field trips. They also enjoy learning new skills and helping others learn. Our troop has helped host World Thinking Day celebrations for our Service Unit in 2019 and 2020.

Lastly, our troop enjoys giving back. Many of our girls have earned their Summit Awards, two girls earned their Bronze Award, and four have earned their Silver Award. Plus, eight of our girls are currently working on their projects to become Silver or Bronze awards Girl Scouts!

What kind of service projects have you done with your troop?

Our troop LOVES giving back whenever we can. Here are some of the things we have done to give back to our community that can maybe serve as ideas to other troops:

  • Participated in the Goodwill drives collecting shoes or gently used clothing and other items
  • Collected and donated to local causes and food banks
  • Made blankets during the holiday season
  • Donated cookies to our military troops, frontline workers, teachers, and food banks
  • Donated water to the Mesa’s Hydration campaign
  • Collected books for Mesa United Way’s 12 Book program
  • Collected socks and donated them to a local shelter
  • Volunteered at a memory care unit by leading residents in different activities and performing Christmas songs
  • Volunteered at an Alzheimer’s benefit walk and handed out water to participants
  • Volunteered and cleaned up several community parks and roadways
  • Planted a garden at a local elementary school
  • Crafted and distributed “love rocks,” which are hand-painted rocks with positive messages on them for local teachers

Tell us about a volunteer moment that stands out to you.

Watching my granddaughters be Girl Scouts and have their own experiences has pulled at my heartstrings. As a volunteer, it has also been a privilege to honor my Cadettes as Silver Award Girl Scouts. Seeing them dedicate so much time and work and being the one to acknowledge their success in that way was amazing!

The experience to also see your Girl Scouts grow is an honor. For most of the girls in our troops, I have been their Leader since kindergarten and have been blessed to see them grow into beautiful, kind, and caring young ladies.

What advice would you give other Troop Leaders?

My advice is quite simple, learn and live by the Girl Scout law, share materials and resources, and don’t take on more than you can handle.

What do you wish someone had told you as a new Troop Leader?

I want all new leaders to continue to be strong and remember as often as possible that they are making a difference in girls’ lives. I also recommend new leaders build a support system or have another adult to share the experience with. You’ll always need help, and many people want to lend a hand.

What would you like others to know about volunteer opportunities with the Girl Scouts?

The girls make it worth your time and effort – they are AMAZING!

Does your troop sell cookies?

Yes, and it’s a program that we look forward to. Participating in the program helps us fund our activities throughout the year but more importantly, it teaches so many important life and business skills. They learn to set goals, interact with customers, work as a team, and handle money, just to name a few.

What are your troop’s cookie-selling tips and tricks?

Our tips to other troops participating in the Girl Scout Cookie Program would be to smile, have fun, and compliment people whether or not they buy cookies.

What is the most inspiring moment you have experienced as a Troop Leader?

One of the most inspiring moments I can think of is when my daughter was a Girl Scout, and I was one of her leaders (25 years ago). We did a troop exchange with a troop in Hawaii and had such a wonderful experience. The other troop and their families were so welcoming and genuinely exemplified the values of Girl Scouting that it made our trip that much more memorable.

To this day, my daughter and I are still close friends with her host family and their daughter. Every year, our Hawaiian Girl Scout Sisters buy a case of cookies from each of my granddaughters – that’s a true Girl Scout Sisterhood.

Labyrinths 101

Labyrinth at Camp Maripai, Prescott

 What is a labyrinth?

Many cultures have used labyrinths as meditation and prayer tools for over 4,000 years. They are recognized as ancient symbols that relate to self-discovery and wholeness. The design of a labyrinth combines both the circle and the spiral into a meandering but purposeful path. The Labyrinth represents a journey to our center and back again into the world. 

Did you know?

Each one of our Girl Scout Camps has at least one labyrinth on the property! Girl Scouts can even contact camp directors to do a service project involving the labyrinths, or they can create one of their own! In addition, several troops from our council, including Troop 151 from Holbrook, AZ, have taken action to design and construct community labyrinths while earning a badge or completing a High Award.  

Labyrinths that are open to the public can be found all over the state as well. Here are some links to help you find one (or several) near you:

Why should I use a labyrinth? 

Having time and space for reflection has many benefits! Whether you walk solo or in a small group, you can use a labyrinth experience to reduce stress, establish a sense of living in the present, and embrace your personal journey. Group labyrinth walks can build a stronger sense of community and deeper relationships because walking together requires a foundation of trust and respect. If you are seeking new ways to emphasize self-awareness, practice decision-making skills, and develop an enhanced connection to our earth and others, you may enjoy visiting a labyrinth.

A Leader’s Labyrinth Story: JoDee Turner

Sometimes I think a labyrinth walk is just what is needed to ground us.

My first time experiencing a labyrinth was very moving for me. I felt like I had the weight of the world on my shoulders and took to the journey of the labyrinth. I was told that I should walk in with the thoughts weighing heavy on my mind and soul, go to the center, leave them there, and then walk the path out with lighter energy. I felt tears roll down my face as I approached the center. I took a moment at the center, left all my worries there, and started back the way I had entered but not as the same person that had entered. I was stunned that something so small as walking the labyrinth could change my life forever. I learned that if I embraced the calm and looked into myself, I would find my path within Girl Scouts and life.

I have experienced labyrinths at three of our camps, plus a retreat. I think out of all my walks, two stand out to me for bringing peace and making my heart warm. Both were night walks and included music.  One was at Willow Springs. It was candlelit, with wooden flutes playing while everyone took on their journey. The only lighting was stars in the sky and the tealights throughout the labyrinth. The music echoed through the trees and wrapped me in a warm blanket. One of my other favorite night walks was at a retreat with my fellow Girl Scouts. We had spent a couple of days deep-diving into Leadership from the Inside Out. We ended one of our sessions with a night walk. All of us bonded together through our experience and shared an even deeper connection. We sang in unison, walked in sync, and wound our way in and out of the labyrinth.  

I have taken these deep connections and tried to share them with my Girl Scouts to experience it too. I am honored that I have the opportunity to help guide our young girls and teach them about the wonders of the labyrinth. I am also excited these young girls are learning and experiencing the outdoors at an early age in this introspective way.

Getting Your Girls Involved – Badge Connections

We invite leaders and families to explore Arizona and find a labyrinth near you. Girl Scouts offers many outdoor badges where you can incorporate a labyrinth into the experience. Girls can use their surroundings to create a labyrinth by including rocks from the region to set the center and to line the borders of their pathways. They can set the mood by listening to their surroundings and embrace nature in their walk, and create miniature ones on the go.

Here are some of the badges you can incorporate labyrinths into:

  • Daisies Use Resources Wisely Petal – Practice being resourceful and design a labyrinth using the materials that girls have available.  While most labyrinths are constructed from local stones, girls can also create a labyrinth utilizing pillows, blankets, and even stuffed animals! This is a great way to encourage creativity with untraditional resources. 
  • Brownie Letterboxing & Hiker Badges – Have fun hiking and hiding a family letterbox near a labyrinth site to encourage more girls to visit the labyrinths located in your area. Find more details on Letterboxing on our council website, including instructions for logging your letterbox location and clues.
  • Junior Gardener Badge – Labyrinths are a traditional feature in garden sites and are a creative way to incorporate hardscape design within a green space.  Explore a local labyrinth in a garden near you and enjoy the opportunity to walk and smell the roses! 
  • Cadette aMAZE Journey – Life is a maze of relationships, and this Journey has girls maneuvering through all its twists and turns to find true friendships, plenty of confidence, and maybe even peace.  Visiting a labyrinth can represent the challenges girls have encountered and provide a safe space for reflection as girls begin, or a symbolic way to celebrate completing the Journey.
  • Senior Outdoor Art Expert Badge – Explore a labyrinth to gather creative inspiration and use the opportunity to also observe and tune into nature all around you. Girls can capture their experience through music, visual arts, or digitally and may also decide to design their labyrinth outdoors. 
  • Ambassador Outdoor Art Master Badge – Teens can bring art and the outdoors together by experiencing a labyrinth.  Together, get inspired by the beauty in nature and the connections made when walking the paths as a group. 

How to Draw a Labyrinth

You can create labyrinths in many ways. For example, you can draw them with chalk outside, on a paper plate (using your finger to “walk” the path), you could mow one (if you have grass), or use molding clay.

Use this guide to help you draw your own!

This blog is written by JoDee Turner and Jenny Sharbaugh. ALC is centered around the principles of Authentic Girl Scout Leadership, formerly known as Leadership from the Inside Out. “We are committed to helping you discover, unlock and develop your leadership superpowers so that you can guide and empower your girls as they grow into leaders themselves.” 

Things To-Do with Your Troop This Summer

Hey, GSACPC! Summer is a time to make memories with new friends and your current Girl Scout Sisters! As you get ready for the new school year, we encourage you to try some new activities, learn something, and get together with your troop/group at least once a month!

Here are some ideas to try (that also offer a cool reprieve from summer temps):

  1. Get Ahead with Summer Badge Work
    For those troops who choose not to pause their Girl Scout experience until fall, approach every potential activity with a Girl Scout mindset, and you are bound to find a way to earn a badge! You can use Badge Explorer to find badge ideas for all levels.
     
  2. Beat the Heat Activity
    Consider a fun day at a roller-skating rink or indoor ice-skating rink. Have your girls been to the bowling alley or watched a movie at the drive-in theatre lately? There are a variety of venues and attractions to visit indoors! 
  3. Experience Local Museums and Art Exhibits
    Have you heard about Wonderspaces, an immersive art museum with rotating installations? Museums are a cool place to enjoy a day of fun exploration and learning. Some of our program partners, such as the i.d.e.a. Museum (Arizona Museum for Youth), Arizona Science Center, and the Musical Instrument Museum, have some great Girl Scout Badge activity opportunities as well. 
  4. Learn a New Skill
    Learning a new skill is in the “threadwork” of Girl Scouting. For example, sewing is a life skill that all Girl Scouts can learn, and then they can be responsible for sewing their badges and patches on their uniforms! Teaching skills like this can be simple, with plenty of online resources like these sewing practice sheets.
  5. Get Active
    For those who don’t want to pick up their needle, complete a service project. Idea: make environmentally friendly reusable bags and have the girls make or collect items to donate to a shelter! Girls can create DIY positivity notes or host a drive to collect personal care items – the ways to give back are endless!

    Host monthly wellness-inspired virtual or in-person get-togethers! Check the Activities Calendar for upcoming events or host your own. You can do yoga or another exercise online or in an outdoor space, or even learn some mindfulness techniques together.

    Other skills are fun to learn outdoors. Have you tried Kick-the-Can-Ice Cream or DIY chalk with your troop? Both activities guarantee instant fun during and once the activity is complete!
  6. Water Fun & Games 
    During the Phoenix summer, what could be better than exploring and playing with water? Do your girls want to spend a day having fun at Hurricane Harbor? Perhaps a field trip to Arizona Falls where girls can learn about the transformation of a historic waterfall into a hydroelectric plant would be the choice for your troop? Girls can enjoy interacting and reflecting on the three waterfalls, and all the wonders water brings. Make plans to visit or take a virtual tour.   

    If you are looking for a creative water activity idea for a troop meeting rather than a field trip, look no further! Try making this glowing rainbow water, or maybe the girls would like to make their very own waterfall wall out of recycled materials! 

    Who doesn’t love games? Add a little water to ‘em and just wait for the laughter and cheers! Check out these water game ideas, and see how you can connect them to water-themed badges and Journeys!   

We hope you have a safe and fun-filled summer! Please make sure to review the Safety Activity Checkpoints and follow COVID-19 guidelines while planning for any activity. 

Troop Leader Spotlight: Tiffany McGee

Cactus Patch Service Unit

Troop 761, Cadettes

Years as a Troop Leader: 9

What inspired you to become a Troop Leader?

I first became a parent volunteer when my daughter, Em, was a Girl Scout Daisy. In one meeting, our wonderful Troop Leader, Jennifer, asked me if I could take on the Girl Scout Brownie level in our troop since their level leader could not continue. That’s when I stepped in, and since the start, both Jenn and Em continue to inspire me to be the best leader I can be.

What kind of activities do you do with your troop? What is their favorite thing to do?

Our troop enjoys working on Girl Scout Badges, Journeys, and completing service projects. We also enjoy art-inspired activities as well. We have made our own t-shirts to wear during the Girl Scout Cookie Program, and created kindness rocks and positivity chalkboards. One of my troop’s favorite thing to do is Journey in a Day programming. I also enjoy getting outdoors and teaching archery to all our fellow Girl Scouts.

What kind of service projects have you done with your troop?

We’ve completed a few service projects! Over the years 2014-15, my Girl Scout Brownies collected pencils and donated them to schools in Avondale and Goodyear. In 2017, my Juniors made blankets and hosted a kitten adoption event. Then in 2018, my Juniors created positivity stones for our local church to use for parishioners who needed a bit of sunshine. 

In 2019, my daughter also continued the pencil donation and collected over 20,000 pencils. She donated them to schools in Arizona, Texas, and New York! She was even featured on the news!  

This year we’re working on two projects. One is supporting a free library in the City of Goodyear, and the other is making pet blankets and beds for a no-kill animal shelter. There are always ways to give back, and we enjoy doing so! ❤ 

Tell us about a volunteer moment that stands out to you.

I have volunteered for a lot of Council events, from girl events to product delivery events. I have also hosted several events like “Badge in a Day, Journey in a Day,” to mother/daughter tea parties. But, of all these events, what stands out most to me, is the extraordinary support from our Service Unit (a.k.a., designated neighborhood group). We may be small, but we all pitch in to help each other out. No woman or volunteer stands alone. We help, sometimes even without asking, and simply show up! It is truly what our Girl Scout Sisterhood is about – supporting our Sistas! 

Overall it is just great to be a part of this sisterhood, movement, and community. When you volunteer, not only do the girls create friendships and a support team, but we adult volunteers do too. 

What advice would you give other Troop Leaders?

Don’t be idle, and don’t wait for some to ask you to join them. Step up! There are so many ways you can help your troop, your neighborhood, and all Girl Scouts! You can share your passions and be an active, positive influence in the lives of so many girls, women, and other adult volunteers!

What do you wish someone had told you as a new Troop Leader?

It’s ok to step back and take a breath. Don’t strive for perfection.

What would you like others to know about volunteer opportunities with the Girl Scouts?

No role is small. Everything you do counts and makes a difference. Becoming a volunteer gives you the opportunity to get to know your Girl Scouts on a deep level. You’ll be the person they come to when they need that boost to keep on moving forward or need advice. So, it’s enriching to be that for girls. 

It also is a great time to solidify your bond with your daughter… this journey is twice as rewarding when you share it with your daughter.

Does your troop sell cookies?  

Yes, every year. The Fall Product and Girl Scout Cookie program is such a rewarding program. It teaches girls business and life skills like inventory management and reconciliation, forecasting sales, reconciliation of funds, and accounting skills. All these skills girls will get to apply later in their personal and professional lives.

What are your troop’s cookie-selling tips and tricks?

A tip from our troop would be to create your own cookie booth table cloth. We like to decorate our booth in a way that shows who we are as salespeople and apply that as our marketing strategy. That unique look can entice prospective buyers and open a line of communication even for the shyest of young Girl Scouts.

What is the most inspiring moment you have experienced as a Troop Leader?

My Girl Scouts always inspire me. They are independent thinkers always striving to help others. They always want to donate their hard-earned cookie proceeds to local womens’ shelters and no-kill animal shelters and volunteer their time at local food banks. They inspire me to be a better, kinder, more generous person and leader.

Troop Leader Spotlight: Jennifer Van Zilen

Sinagua Service Unit

Troop 3182, Cadettes

Years as a Troop Leader: 6

What inspired you to become a Troop Leader? 

My daughter’s troop was disbanding, and I saw how much Girl Scouting benefited her and the other girls. I didn’t want them to miss out, so I decided to step up and become a volunteer.

I’m so glad I did because it’s been such an incredible experience. I learn as much from them as they learn from me.

What kind of activities do you do with your troop? What is their favorite thing to do?

We have done fun and educational trips around our state. Our troop has enjoyed tie-dying arts and crafts, painting kindness rocks, camping, and horseback riding. We’ve even gone to several state parks and earned our Junior Ranger badges!

Especially during this past year, our troop has realized how important it is for us to stay connected. Once we were given the okay to meet in person, any face-to-face meeting we could have has been our favorite thing to do. This past year has been hard for everyone, but it was hard not to see our Girl Scout Sisters regularly. We’re applying all the recommended guidelines so our troop stays safe and healthy and so we can continue to plan in-person meetings. 

What kind of service projects have you done with your troop?

Our troop enjoyed giving back to the community regularly. We’ve volunteered with a couple of different animal rescue sanctuaries to help feed, walk, bathe dogs and puppies. We’ve also volunteered at our community senior center and made blankets for babies in the hospital, which we enjoyed. 

Each year we also look forward to our neighborhood hosting a community Turkey Dinner, where all our troops help serve our community members dinner.

Our troop recently installed a Little Free Library at a local park to help our community have access to books. Our local paper, The Verde Valley Independent & Camp Verde Bugle, even wrote an article about us! 

Tell us about a volunteer moment that stands out to you. 

My favorite thing about being a volunteer is seeing these girls grow over the years.

Some were very shy and introverted when we started, and I’ve seen them blossom into strong, confident young leaders.

What advice would you give other Troop Leaders?

Stick with it. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming, but it’s so rewarding in the long run. You don’t have to have elaborate meetings every time. Sometimes it’s good for the girls to get together and play a game. Sometimes that’s when the best memories are made.

What do you wish someone had told you as a new Troop Leader?

Don’t hesitate to ask for help, and don’t try to do everything on your own. It’s okay to delegate tasks and get help from your parent volunteers! You’d be surprised that they are willing and want to help!

What would you like others to know about volunteer opportunities with Girl Scouts?

It’s so worthwhile! If you’re considering it, I can tell you firsthand that it’s worth pursuing!

Why is it important to participate in the GS Cookie Program? 

We sell cookies every year not only to help fund our troop activities but for the girls to learn essential life skills.

They’ve learned business skills and money management, how to be confident, and strong communication skills. It’s such a well-rounded program in regards. 

What are your troop’s cookie-selling tips and tricks? 

This year we weren’t sure how things would go due to COVID-19, so we used the Digital Cookie site. And guess what? We wound up having one of our best years ever! Our customers loved our free local delivery offering and how they could press an online order through the girls’ and troop Digital Cookie websites. 

I highly recommend that all troops enroll in Digital Cookie to offer this option to customers and so girls can learn other skills like e-commerce and digital marketing.

What is the most inspiring moment you have experienced as a Troop Leader?

I think I’ve been most inspired by my Girl Scouts when I see them work together to problem-solve and overcome challenges.

When we went to encampment with our neighborhood, one of my troop members was terrified to the point of tears by the rock climbing wall, but all our neighborhood Girl Scout Sisters built her up and encouraged her. She was able to complete the course! Girl Scouts is the ideal space for girls to support one another and thrive. 

Make This Summer Untamed – Summer Activities

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Girl Scouts is excited to partner with DreamWorks Animation’s Spirit Untamed to celebrate the power of girls. 

Your girls might go to a movie together, do a fun summer service project or go on an exciting adventure. Whatever it is, getting together over the summer will help girls stay engaged and excited about being in Girl Scouts. Continue reading to get fun summer activity ideas, plus, learn more about Spirit Untamed Activity Book and how to enter for a chance to win a DreamWorks swag bag! 

As summer break approaches, now is a good time to introduce girls to the planning process of Girl Scout Activities. 

Start by introducing the Preparing for Activities page in an age-appropriate manner and have girls vote on and plan at least one troop activity a month over the summer. 

  • Give earning badges and patches a fun flair – whether it’s taking a road trip along Route 66, exploring Kartchner Caverns, or visiting Riordan Mansion State Park. 
  • Explore our Council’s Own Patches and patches as summer fun options. 
  • Participate in the Get Outdoors Challenge and get your girls outside. 
  • Take part in a Community Service Project – part of the Girl Scout experience is giving back. Help girls consider taking part in a community service project this summer. Either locally or nationally, there are a plethora of options available. Here are just a few:
    • Ronald McDonald House Patch Program – Girls feel connected to their communities by learning about the Ronald McDonald House and contributing to the House through tab collection and service projects.
    • Arizona Humane Society Service Project – Girls can join us in this Council-wide service project by making homemade pet supplies that can be donated to the Arizona Humane Society.
    • Have you seen our national mission to protect the planet from the effects of climate change? This is a great opportunity to talk to your girls about how they can make a difference in protecting our planet. If your girls are interested, show them how they can be a part of the Girl Scout Tree Promise – to plant, protect and honor 5 million trees by 2026! Make sure to consult the Safety Activity Checkpoints when planning this project!
  • Spirit Untamed: Start making your own wildest dreams come true with Girl Scouts’ and Dreamworks Animation’sSpirit Untamed Activity Book (PDF). Alongside your favorite characters from the movie, you’ll go on a scavenger hunt, unleash your creativity, and more.
    • After completing the activities in the book, head to the Girl Scout Shop to get a free, limited-edition Spirit Untamed fun patch! Simply use the code SPIRIT at checkout to claim yours. *Limited supply available, based on first-come, first-served basis.
    • Enter for a chance to win a DreamWorks Animation’s Spirit Untamed Swag Bag. To celebrate the spirit of Girl Scouts, 25 girls will win swag bags filled with DreamWorks Animation’s Spirit Untamed goodies plus four Fandango gift codes (valued at $125). To enter the sweepstakes, comment on this post, tag two friends, then share the post to your stories with #GirlScoutSpiritPromo. No purchase necessary to enter or win. Read the official rules.

Lastly, don’t forget our Program Partners! Our “More Stuff To Do” page has many options to consider! 

Artwork: DreamWorks Spirit Untamed © DreamWorks Animation LLC. All Rights Reserved.