“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.
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!
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 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:
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!
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!
Wadiliacha – A fun song of made-up words! The hand motions that go with it add another level of learning to the fun!
The Bear – It isn’t a repetitive song but is interactive and full of storytelling. In short, a blast to sing with your troop.
Princess Pat – A call and answer song following Princess Pat and her journey sailing with a “rick-a-bamboo!”
I’m a Little Piece of Tin – A fun tune with motions, and girls can challenge themselves to sing it faster and faster.
Black Socks – Best sung in rounds. A great way to learn about rounds and fun to teach girls of all ages.
Jamie Boy – A slower song, this is best when sung in rounds and is great for older girls who love to sing.
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!
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!
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:
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.
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.”
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):
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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!
Many things have gone virtual this past year – like movie releases and healthcare appointments–and Broadway productions. In fact, a Broadway production was performed virtually for the first time, and one of our Girl Scouts had the opportunity to be part of it.
Amber Chan, a Junior in Troop 3835, has been a Girl Scout since kindergarten and has been a young actor for a few years. This past year she auditioned and gained a role in the world’s first 100% live and virtual full-length off-Broadway musical, Newsies. For this production, Actors Technique NY (ATNY) theatre company used proprietary technology developed by the director, Broadway veteran Carl Anthony Tramon, to make the production as seamless as possible.
While she’s not auditioning for roles, Amber is busy studying and Girl Scouting. She’s participating in this year’s Girl Scout Cookie Program with plans to sell 560 boxes. To learn about how Girl Scouting has impacted her career on stage, she takes us behind the scenes in this interview!
Tell us a little about the off-Broadway production and your character’s role.
Newsies is a well-known musical based on the 1899 Newsboy Strike, in which a ragtag group of boys and girls shut down the most powerful newspapers in New York City in their quest for higher wages and better working conditions. Like Girl Scouts, they wanted to make the world a better place. I played Spot Colon, the leader of the Brooklyn newsies.
What was unique to this production, and how did you prepare for it?
This was the world’s very first 100% live, entirely virtual production. There have been streaming “virtual musicals” before, but they have all either been live streams of a theatre company on stage together, or the actors film their scenes on their own at home and send them in for editing to produce a “virtual show” that is then viewed at specific times. ATNY’s Newsies was completely live and virtual, with all actors broadcasting from their own homes worldwide. We performed in front of a green screen in our living rooms, so each performance was unique, subject to all the whims of live theatre because it was live theatre. The proprietary software helped sync the music, voices, and dancing. Have you ever tried to sing over Zoom? Here’s an experiment – sing “Happy Birthday” with a few friends. It’s hilariously awful, but that’s why a live virtual production had never been tried before.
How has Girl Scouting helped in your Broadway career/experience?
Girl Scouting has taught me to take risks and try new things. The great thing about theatre is that you can be whoever you want and create a new character with each show. Being in Girl Scouts has given me the confidence to go out on stage and give it my all, as well as take risks like auditioning in a nationwide casting call and broadcasting a full-length musical from my living room.
What are some of your favorite Girl Scouting memories?
My favorite memory was getting to speak in the Rose Garden of the Arizona Capitol at a press conference about the bill my troop had inspired to ban the intentional release of balloons.
Now that it’s cookie season, how has performing helped your Girl Scout Cookie business?
Being in shows has taught me to think quickly, and like the cookie program, it has made me more outgoing, which is essential when speaking with customers.
What do you/your troop plan to do with the proceeds?
Right now, we’re working on our Bronze Award to raise awareness of the dangers of releasing balloons into the atmosphere. We had planned to take a trip to California this summer to celebrate the end of elementary school and bridging to Cadettes, but we will put that off until next year now. And hopefully, we’ll do something even bigger and better.
(SCOTTSDALE, Ariz – April 26, 2021) – Fiesta Bowl Charities has awarded Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council (GSACPC) $100,000 to support the organization’s newly created mountain biking program for Girl Scouts across central and northern Arizona. The grant will support the purchase of a trailer for supporting and transporting the mountain bikes, a truck to pull the trailer, and all the equipment for the girls to hit the Arizona trails.
“We are extremely grateful to Fiesta Bowl Charities for providing funds to expand our program offerings which include giving girls access and resources for new outdoor experiences,” said Tamara Woodbury, CEO of GSACPC. “Over the lifetime of the bikes, we’ll be able to provide tens of thousands of girls the opportunity to experience outdoor adventures while also learning the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and learning new skills.”
GSACPC was among 44 nonprofit organizations across the state of Arizona that benefited from Fiesta Bowl Charities grant funding in the 2020-21 season. Through the PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl and various community events throughout the year, Fiesta Bowl Charities has granted $16 million in charitable giving for the past five years alone.
“We are committed to enhancing the lives of Arizonans, and by supporting GSACPC and their amazing grassroots efforts, we are collectively making a meaningful difference,” said Patrick Barkley, chair of the Fiesta Bowl board of directors. “Giving back to the Arizona community has been core to the Fiesta Bowl mission since we were founded 50 years ago, from our board of directors to Yellow Jacket committee, volunteers and staff.”
Through Girl Scouts, local female leaders of tomorrow practice essential life skills and develop the confidence they need to create their own success, whatever that looks like to them. They receive support and mentorship from an inclusive network of girls and women who champion every girl’s potential to do amazing things. Girl Scouts helps girls thrive in five key ways as they:
Develop a strong sense of self
Seek challenge and learn from setbacks
Display positive values
Form and maintain healthy relationships
Identify and solve problems in their communities
The grant will allow GSACPC to further its proven Girl Scout Leadership Experience – a one-of-a-kind leadership development program (and the largest in the world!) focused on helping girls:
Engage in healthy activities
Explore the great outdoors
Learn the foundations of the sport through bike safety, maintence knowledge, and skill development
Participate in hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skill-building
Take risks in a safe, all-girl environment
Develop confidence and grit
Take the lead in her own life and the world
“The last year has been incredibly challenging for us all, and that is why it is imperative that the Fiesta Bowl still deliver these necessary funds to Arizona Cactus-Pine Girl Scouts,” said Fiesta Bowl executive director Mike Nealy. “The heroes are nonprofits like Girl Scouts across Arizona who use these funds to improve people’s lives, specifically girl’s lives, right where they need it. We are part of this community, and it’s our mission to give back to the community.”
Quick facts about Fiesta Bowl Charities:
$5.5 million given in charitable giving for 2020-21 season
44 nonprofits benefit from Fiesta Bowl Charities’ grant cycle in 2020-21
$16 million in charitable giving over last five years
$21 million in charitable giving over last 10 years
Fiesta Bowl gives more in annual charitable giving than any college bowl organization
More than 1 million people served in 2020-21
3,723,570 meals served in 2020-21
50,000 PPE face masks distributed in 2020-21
ABOUT GIRL SCOUTS–ARIZONA CACTUS-PINE COUNCIL (GSACPC)
In partnership with 6,000 adult volunteers, GSACPC serves 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. Girl Scouts grow courageous and strong through girl-driven programs, ranging from summer camp to troop activities and product sales. For more information, visit www.girlscoutsaz.org, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Instagram.
ABOUT THE FIESTA BOWL
Since 1971, the Fiesta Bowl is a world-class community organization that executes innovative experiences, drives economic growth and champions charitable causes, inspiring pride in all Arizonans during and outside of college football bowl season. As a nonprofit organization, it is driven by its vision for the importance of community outreach and service. Through the PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl, Guaranteed Rate Bowl and its year-round events, such as the Desert Financial Fiesta Bowl Parade, corporate partnerships and numerous community events throughout the year, the organization provides charitable giving to enhance Arizona nonprofit organizations that serve communities through youth, sports and education. Learn more at www.FiestaBowl.org and @Fiesta_Bowl on Twitter and Instagram.
Ceremonies help Girl Scouts mark special events throughout the year, such as bridging to another level, earning a National Leadership Journey award, or getting a Girl Scout pin.
Ceremonies can commemorate accomplishments or add something special to the beginning or end of a group’s meeting. Girls can plan a ceremony around a theme, such as friendship or nature, and express themselves in words or songs. Whatever its purpose, every Girl Scout ceremony helps girls share in Girl Scout history and traditions—and create special memories.
Whether you’re a new or seasoned leader, we put together this guide of Girl Scout Ceremonies to help you plan and get familiar with the traditions.
Let’s start with a quick guide on important Girl Scout Ceremonies:
Hosting a Bridging Ceremony? Check out this guide to planning your first Girl Scout Bridging Ceremony! It covers the basics and outlines some tips and key program pieces to make it traditional and unique. This ceremony is typically hosted in May or June.
A Fly-Up is a bridging ceremony for Girl Scout Brownies bridging to Girl Scout Juniors. Girls receive the Girl Scout pin along with their Brownie wings.
Founder’s Day or Juliette Gordon Low’s Birthday, October 31, is a time to remember the vital role Juliette Low played in the founding and growth of the Girl Scout Movement in the United States.
Girl Scout Birthday Ceremonies can be held on or near March 12, the date Juliette Gordon Low started Girl Scouting in the United States.
A Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award Ceremony honors Girl Scouts who have earned these special awards and is usually held at the troop/group level or combined with the annual Council event.
Girl Scouts’ Own is a girl-planned program that lets girls explore their feelings around a topic, such as friendship or the Girl Scout Promise and Law, using spoken word, favorite songs, poetry, or other forms of expression. It is never a religious ceremony.
Investiture welcomes new members—girls and adults—into the Girl Scout family for the first time. Girls receive their Girl Scout, Girl Scout Brownie, or Girl Scout Daisy pin at this time.
Journey Ceremonies honor Girl Scouts who have earned the final award along a Journey. The ceremonies are usually held at the troop/group level and invite girls to develop a themed celebration of their Journey, often including friends and family.
Court of Awards is a special ceremony recognizing girls’ accomplishments. Girls are presented with their badges, year pins, and other recognitions earned during the year. Volunteers may also be recognized during the ceremony. The Court of Awards can be held anytime during the year, at any location, and as often as the troop wants.
Opening Ceremonies start a Girl Scout meeting.
Pinning Ceremonies help celebrate when girls receive grade-level Girl Scout pins.
Rededication Ceremonies are an opportunity for girls and adults to renew their commitment to the Girl Scout Promise and Law.
You might find yourself asking, “How do I plan this Ceremony?” As a Troop Leader, your job is to guide the girls in an age-appropriate way as THEY plan their celebration. Walk your Girl Scouts through the ceremony one step at a time. Listen to your girls’ ideas and be open to help them create the ceremony in a meaningful way. With younger Girl Scouts, you might consider giving them simple choices to make, such as choosing a theme for the event or having them pick the songs they want to sing. If your girls want to make bracelets or hold a daisy flower, for example, honor their decision-making skills and include their ideas in the ceremony.
Offer the opportunity for girls to express how important this ceremony is to them by allowing them to create invitations, ceremony programs, and decorations. When it comes time for preparation, call on your troop parents for support to help make this celebration come to life. As your girls get older, you’ll be able to turn over additional responsibilities in the planning and execution of the ceremony – keeping in mind that their ideas will change over time. Before you know it, you’ll be sitting back and watching the girl-led, learning-by-doing process unfold, leaving you with a feeling of honor and pride.
Written by Rocky – Shadow Rim Ranch Camp Director/Manager
Oh, hello there! Thinking about working at one of our four Arizona camp properties? We want to share a few reasons why being a camp staff member could fulfill many of your personal and professional goals.
Working at camp as a Counselor in Training (CIT) or as camp staff will give you more experience than you realize. Regardless of what career you have ahead, a role at one of our camps offers you an opportunity to develop skills that are sure to make you stand out on all future job applications.
Who you are:
A young adult over 18 years of age
An outdoor enthusiast who loves nature and spending time outdoors
A leader and team player who communicates well with others
Excited to lead campers through weeks of fun, skill-building, and learning
Does this sound like you? Then keep scrolling!
If you’re considering working at camp, you might be at a pivotal moment in your life. You might have just finished high school or are three years into college. Decisions about how to spend your time are getting harder. You want to make sure you’re investing time in a place that will help you learn different skills and prepare for your career, and other goals – a job at summer camp can support precisely this!
Just imagine your answers to these interview questions after a summer at camp:
Are you a leader? Yeah, you’ve managed and been a role model for 20 campers at once.
Can you be flexible? Oh yeah, you should have seen when a monsoon came rolling in, and we came up with a Rube Goldberg challenge utilizing only cabin items.
How organized are you? Well, you’ve planned eight weeks of session schedules, multiple activities and mapped out the programs themselves. So, very organized!
If that wasn’t convincing enough….here are some other skills and benefits you can experience by joining our team!
Communication
A huge part of camp is realizing how vital communication skills are! Camp roles will teach you the many ways to communicate. You’ll be communicating with campers, learning to communicate well with the camp leadership team, and engaging with parents. Other counselors, parents, campers, your camp director…everyone will be asking you questions and expecting answers. Your communication skills will flourish during your summer at camp.
Live and work in the great outdoors
You have a whole life ahead of you to choose a career path. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to take a job where you work and live in the great outdoors. The sunsets, the connection to nature, the shooting stars, the storms…. oh, and did we mention the summer tan? Spend the summer not tied to a desk.
Camp friends
You’ll be housed with your colleagues for over two months and will bond with them in a way that is different from anywhere else. These friendships will last you a lifetime. The end of summer will be the hardest goodbye you’ve had in a long time.
Work attire? How does tie-dye sound?
Camp is outdoors! So, don’t expect to wear slacks! Instead, how about jeans and a camp t-shirt? Or maybe a tie-dyed camp t-shirt? Best. Dress. Code. Ever.
New experiences
Camp counselors are trained to do multiple things during the summer. You’ll get First Aid/CPR certification. Next, you could be in archery instructor training or learning to run the zipline! Whatever it is, we can guarantee you’ll get to experience what campers sign up for.
You will carry a tradition
The Girl Scout Camp experience is bigger than all of us. Some camp traditions predate all of us. Each camp is unique in its traditions, and you can be someone who shepherds them forward, preserving history for the next round of campers.
The campers are the best
Working with kids will be the most rewarding job you’ll ever have. You’ll become an older sibling to your campers. You’ll lead them in activities and be a role model. They’ll ask you for advice, tell you funny stories, and sing their hearts out when you start camp songs like “Little Red Wagon.” Best of all, you’ll find it rewarding knowing you’re creating memorable experiences for Girl Scouts.
New Mindset
Camp has a profound effect on everyone who emerges after their first summer. You’ll be more confident in your abilities, open with communication, and perhaps have a new sense of purpose that follows you out of the gates. Camp opens us up to who we are as people, and you’ll be surprised at how happy that can make you.
Living and Commuting to Camp
Camp staff working at one of our three Northern Arizona camps (Camp Maripai, Willow Springs, and Shadow Rim Ranch) will reside on-site for the entire camp season, late May through early August. Staff will receive a two-hour daily break, a 24-hour weekly break, and will be provided lodging and meals.
Camp staff working at our Phoenix day-camp (Parsons Leadership Center) have the option to reside at camp or commute daily to the property, providing a flexible opportunity for metro Phoenix candidates. Commuting staff will receive breakfast and lunch, and resident staff will receive lodging and meals. When applying, please specify which option interests you.
Learn more and apply for our current summer camp positions at one of our four beautiful Girl Scout camp properties located in Phoenix, Prescott, and Payson.
Arizona Cactus-Pine Girl Scouts Sell Over 2,000,000 Million Boxes of Cookies During Enhanced Cookie Season Program Amid COVID-19
(PHOENIX – March 19, 2021) — Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council (GSACPC) is celebrating a successful cookie season. From Jan. 18 to Feb. 28, participating Girl Scouts across central and northern Arizona summoned their inner G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader) ™ as they sold nearly 2.1 million boxes of delicious cookies, building essential financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills imperative to leadership and future success along the way.
Despite COVID-19, GSACPC Cookie Bosses kicked off the cookie selling in creative, socially distant, and contact-free ways to keep themselves and their customers safe. Even in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, girls adapted their sales methods to share the joy of Girl Scout Cookies through the largest girl-led entrepreneurship program. Their strategies include opening the Digital Cookie app early on Jan. 4 and offering drive-thru cookie booth locations throughout the Valley.
The funds raised through the cookie program will allow local girls to take part in a variety of programs, community outreach projects, and enrichment over the next year, including:
Help girls fund their Take Action projects for the community and amazing girl-led adventures for troops.
Girl Scouts use their proceeds to fund High Award projects or projects that impact the community, like hosting a camp for youth, donating to those in need, and improving community parks.
In 2020, many Girl Scouts sewed masks and made care packages to donate to essential workers, including physicians and hospital staff, grocery store staff, and first responders.
Cover the cost of running the Girl Scout Cookie Program, including the costs of cookies, materials, and logistics.
Help our Council provide Girl Scout programs in STEM, the outdoors, life skills, entrepreneurship, camps, leadership training, and more!
Maintain and improve our four camp properties and the financial assistance that keeps Girl Scouting available and affordable for all girls.
Girl Scout Cookie Entreprenurs also earn rewards on their individual sales. They can choose to receive incentive prices or “Program Credits” that can be used to help pay for summer camp, membership dues, Girl Scout travel, and other programs and events.
The Girl Scout Cookie Program helps Girl Scouts earn money for these fun, educational activities and community projects and plays an important role in helping girls learn essential life skills like decision-making, money management, people skills, business ethics, and goal setting. All proceeds from the cookie program stay local and support Arizona’s Girl Scouts.
How the cookies crumbled, by the numbers:
6,492 girls in central and northern Arizona sold 2,082,122 packages of cookies
The Per Girl Average was 320 boxes each, up from 176 boxes each in 2020
The top cookie seller, Jordyn Talahytewa, an IGM from the Hopi Lands, sold 10,813 boxes of cookies
The top troop, Troop 558 in Peoria, sold 34,468 boxes of cookies
Troop 1892 in Lake Havasu sold 18,720 boxes of cookies
Troop 203 in Tempe sold 17,512 boxes of cookies
17 girls sold over 5,000 boxes each
Over 657,700 packages were sold online through its Digital Cookie platform, that’s more than double the sales through this platform compared to last year
The most popular cookie sold was Thin Mints
The success of this year’s cookie program was possible only with the support of the community.
Girl Scouts were still able to sell at some booths this year, thanks to:
Fry’s Food Stores
Bashas’ Family of Stores (Bashas’, Food City, A.J.’s)
Walmart
YAM Properties
Real-estate brokerage Homie partnered with the Council on the “Tiny Cookie Castle,” which was designed and built by Girl Scout Cadette Maija Kaprosy. Each Sunday in February, cookie fans were able to visit The Shops at Norterra to tour the 13-foot by 13-foot by 9-foot castle made almost entirely out of Girl Scout Cookie boxes!
The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation generously invested in girls once again through a $665,000 grant in support of the cookie program. It included purchasing one dozen boxes of cookies from every girl who participated. At nearly 80,000 boxes, this was the single largest cookie purchase ever made in Arizona.
All funds raised stay in Arizona, ensuring girls will have the resources they need to develop into tomorrow’s leaders.
This blog is written by The Authentic Leadership Community (“ALC”). 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.”
You did it! You completed the 2021 Girl Scout Cookie season! Whether this was your first or your twentieth, this year was just…different. Cookie season can be exciting, stressful, and challenging in a typical year, but a pandemic? You deserve extra kudos.
There is so much that gets put to the side while you focus on making sure your girls have enough Thin Mints on hand that you may not take time to recharge once it’s over. Before you shift your focus onto all the other stuff calling for your attention, we invite (and gently remind) you to take time to practice some post-cookie season self-care.
“Ha! Who has time for that? Life is too busy!”
Well, grab a glass of milk (or other favorite beverage) and a Do-Si-Do or two that you stashed away, and we’ll share why it’s essential for you and your girls.
First, self-care is a form of self-respect, which is an essential part of the Girl Scout Law (”I will do my best to be…considerate and caring….and to respect myself”).
Second, according to a survey done by the American Psychological Association in 2020, Americans reported significantly increased stress levels during the pandemic. Stress can have a significant impact on our mind and body, contributing to sleep problems, brain fog, fatigue, depression, anxiety, weakened immune system, heart disease, and even stubborn weight gain (and this is just a shortlist). This means that self-care is critical to surmounting these stressors and maintaining your health.
Well, I still don’t have time for “self-care,” so how can I fit it in?
Self -care is more than bubble baths and spa days (although that would be amazing too!). It can be as simple as allowing yourself to pause and breathe deeply for a minute or two. Here are five ways you can practice post-cookie self-care that will benefit yourself and your troop:
Deep breathing.
Get outside. Walk, hike, garden, or simply sit and enjoy the sun.
Put on some of your favorite tunes and dance.
Journal. Reflect on what went well this cookie season, what lessons were learned, how did you feel this year compared to prior years.
Celebrate. Celebration is contagious! When we celebrate our wins – no matter how big or small – it creates a positive momentum that motivates and energizes.
And so you know, everyone here at GSACPC and ALC celebrates YOU. Let us know how you de-stress by sending us a message.
Please note this content is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
(PHOENIX – March 8, 2020) – Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council (GSACPC) is pleased to award its most prestigious honor, the Gold Award, to 18 local girls this year. This distinguished award, considered the most difficult to earn, challenges Girl Scouts in grades 9-12 to take action in their communities by tackling an issue they are passionate about and developing sustainable solutions to local, national, and global challenges.
“Recipients of Girl Scouts’ highest honor are part of an elite group of Girl Scouts who have distinguished themselves as prominent leaders in their communities and as true change-makers,” said Tamara Woodbury, CEO for GSACPC.
Gold Award Girl Scouts are visionary leaders, and this year’s awardees have tackled prominent issues by sharing the importance of bees to our ecosystem, educating the community about climate changes and sustainability, helping eliminate the stigma around mental health, teaching self-defense to individuals with and without Autism, creating libraries and activity stations for seniors in assisted living, creating a space to properly retire American Flags, and so much more.
The Gold Award calls Girl Scouts to develop their collaboration and problem-solving skills, while gaining confidence and lifelong leadership capabilities as well as leaving a positive impact.
“In addition, Gold Award Girl Scouts are proven to show significantly higher success in life reaching their goals in education, career, and volunteer work, compared to non-alums,” says Woodbury.
With the Gold Award, girls can take advantage of unique scholarship opportunities, be entitled to enlist at a higher pay grade when they join the military, and distinguish themselves among the competition in the college admissions process and when entering the workforce.
To protect the health and safety of this year’s recipients, their families, and GSACPC volunteers and staff, the 2021 Gold Award ceremony will be held virtually on Saturday, March 27.
This year’s recipients, who have been working hard to become Gold Award Girl Scouts for the better part of two years, and their impactful projects are:
Hannah Barsema, Mesa Peanut Butter and Jelly Back to School Drive Having donated to her local community food bank, Extended Hands Food Bank in Fountain Hills, Hannah was familiar with the types of food donations they received. She realized how some foods might not be kid-oriented, so she decided to lead an annual donation drive to collect foods that kids enjoy eating, like peanut butter and jelly. She held two successful drives in 2019 and 2020 that brought in many jars of peanut butter, jelly, and other food items. She also created a video to explain the purpose and impact of the food drives and worked with a school club that will help continue this effort in the future. Through this process, Hannah learned how to be more confident in herself and advocate for causes she is passionate about. Hannah has been a Girl Scout for ten years and currently attends Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She is majoring in global security and intelligence studies.
Emily Blink, Flagstaff Just Bee Understanding the importance bees play in our ecosystem, Emily wanted to educate others and set up some safe spaces for bees around her community. She built four bee houses and installed them at Riordan Mansion, The Pioneer Museum, and GSACPC’s Shadow Rim Ranch. To raise awareness, Emily successfully led an in-person presentation for nearly 1,000 kids before the pandemic and hosted a presentation for her troop. Her presentation covered the importance of pollinating bees, the different species, and how to help protect them. She used all this information plus other resources and learning activity ideas and created a website. Emily said the pandemic caused her to canceled a couple of her events but it taught her patience. She also grew in confidence, learned leadership skills, and how to stand up for herself. She has been a Girl Scout for 13 years and plans to attend Northern Arizona University to study biology.
Alina Boorse, Phoenix Ecolytical Alina was inspired by the recent efforts of climate change, wildfires, and pollution. She was compelled to educate others about sustainability and urge the next generation to think and act sustainably. She developed a curriculum around recycling, water conservation, climate change and led virtual presentations to youth and adults. In total, she hosted 20 workshops and uploaded videos to YouTube and Instagram. Before the pandemic, Alina hosted a few in-person workshops where she asked kids to make a commitment to the earth on a paper leaf and add it to a tree to be displayed. Alina said this activity would remind kids of their commitments and be more conscious of environmental issues. She hopes the next generation is aware of how they can help restore or protect our planet. Through Girl Scouts, she learned to be strong and that there is power in her voice. Alina has been a Girl Scout for 12 years and plans to major in kinesiology and minor in environmental science.
Robin Bozik, Chandler Stigma Ends Here The stigma around mental health has almost always been visible to Robin, as she has close friends with mental illnesses or disabilities. This is why she created a website to address and educate others about mental health, mental illnesses, locating resources, getting help, or helping others. Her goal was to raise awareness that mental health is nothing to be ashamed of and something every person should monitor closely. Her message and website were shared in an email forum at MIT, reaching students and alumni. Robin shares that the pandemic placed restrictions on meeting others and added stress to the planning. Despite that, she learned how to dig deep and find the motivation within herself and a new love for doing research. She has been a Girl Scout for nine years and is currently attending Clark University. She is studying English and biology with plans to become a genetic counselor ultimately.
Cara Curran, Scottsdale Self-Defense for Those on the Autism Spectrum An experienced martial artist, practicing for 13 years and teaching for six, Cara wanted to introduce a new audience to self-defense. Having many friends and family members on the autism spectrum, she wanted to use her self-defense knowledge to prepare for uncertain situations. Due to the pandemic, Cara couldn’t host in-person classes, so she created a series of easily digestible YouTube videos that taught mental and physical self-defense for people with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder. In her 12 years of being a Girl Scout, she said this project made her realize her love for teaching and helped her grow in her confidence and compassion. She credits Girl Scouting with helping her figure out who she wants to be and what she’d like to pursue in the future. She is pursuing business marketing with a focus in international business at Paradise Valley Community College, with plans to transfer to Loyola Marymount University.
Cayton Hale, Chandler Beat the Heat Project Riding horses since she was a kindergartener, Cayton has long been involved in the local equestrian community. Having spent many summers training in the Arizona heat, she wanted to create awareness of the dangers that the high summer temperatures present to riders and horses. She developed a heat safety poster to be shared at her barn and other locations in the Valley. She shared them on social media and with the Interscholastic Equestrian Association. In addition, Cayton transformed an empty casita space on the property into a cool-down area where horses and riders can safely escape the heat while training. Since then, she’s noticed the space utilized daily during the summer and as a community space throughout the year. “I learned that I really have the ability to be a leader,” says Cayton. She has been a Girl Scout for 13 years and plans to attend college this year.
Jade Knight, Woodruff Navajo County The Dying Art of Sewing Having observed a decline in the ability or interest in sewing among her peers, Jade’s long family history and knowledge on this topic inspired her to pass this skill onto others. When COVID-19 hit, her plans changed; instead of teaching an in-person class on sewing and preparing quilts, she quickly transitioned to hosting online classes that taught girls how to sew masks for essential workers. In addition to helping 15 girls build competency in using sewing machines, she donated over 400 masks to doctor’s offices, schools, grocery stores, and other businesses in her community. She bolstered her people skills and learned a lot about patience while teaching others and doing so in a virtual space. Jade credits Girl Scouts for giving her a safe environment to explore her passions and how to do the right thing even when it’s hard. Jade has been a Girl Scout for 12 years and plans to study medical laboratory sciences at the University of New Mexico.
Kathryn Neumann, Phoenix Students for Sustainability Kathryn’s passion for the environment inspired her Gold Award, which involved founding the Sustainability for Students club at her high school to educate and mobilize her peers as well as reduce the waste output by the school. She made significant gains in driving awareness and a deeper understanding of recycling. She noticed a drastic change in attitudes over the five years working with the club, shown by an increase in volunteer support, as well as the school administration’s moves to support awareness efforts and a formal recycling program. Kathryn says her Gold Award taught her about effective communication, compromise, and learning to assess and listen to advice objectively. She says the Girl Scouts community fosters love and growth, and has imparted a call to service. She was a Girl Scout for 13 years and plans to attend university to major in environmental engineering to pursue a cleaner, greener world.
Nia Richardson, Scottsdale Angel Adult Day Center Little Library Originally Nia planned to install and organize a “free little library” at a local youth center but after spending some time with her grandmother who suffers from dementia, she was inspired to change the her location to Angel Adult Day Center. It was especially meaningful for Nia since her grandmother had been a school librarian. To collect books, Nia hosted an in-person drop off and virtual book donation drive accepting books appropriate for dementia patients. After receiving donations, she installed a library space at the center, introducing a new activity and shared responsibility for the seniors. “I gained first-hand skills in project planning and I also realized the importance of having a sense of purpose is essential to our mental well-being,” says Nia. She also said that her 10 years of Girl Scouting provided a constant source of friendships and opportunities for growth. In the future, she plans to attend college and major in environmental science.
Rhiannon Ridley, Gilbert Giving Care to Memory While visiting her grandmother at a memory care facility, she learned that center had been missing some hands-on activity stations. This has impacted the residents’ daily routines, and Rhiannon wanted to ensure the residents and her grandmother stayed engaged. Using some of her cookie proceeds and donations, she installed several activity stations and painted a few pictures to hang up around the facility. The stations included a baby station where residents can take care of baby dolls, a pet care station, and a dress up station complete with dresses and ties and hats. The residents have expressed how much joy this brought them and its positive impact on their mental health. A lesson Rhiannon learned during this process was being patient and that anything can achieved with hard work and time. And a lesson she had learned in her 12 years of being a Girl Scout is “to be kind and respectful to everyone no matter who they are, how they are, or how they act.” After graduating from Mesquite High School, she plans to attend an in-state college or the Air Force Academy.
Gabrielle Roman, Scottsdale Be the Change Club Through volunteering and becoming aware of inequalities in society, Gabrielle decided to mobilize her peers with consistent and accessible volunteer opportunities through her Gold Award. She created the nonprofit Be the Change club at her school, which takes the initiative to help people and address issues they see around them. The club began by engaging low-income students in STEM and the arts and providing funding for Title I schools. Gabrielle then linked the club with YMCA to continue directing members to weekly volunteer opportunities. What started as 60 people in the first meeting has now become a massive presence at her school and online through the website she set up. Gabrielle has been a Girl Scout for 13 years and says she learned that with her confidence and abilities, nothing can stop her. After she graduates, she plans to attend university and major in Biomedical Engineering.
Megan Rziha, Chandler Camp Field Improvement When Megan saw the field at GSACPC’s Willow Springs –her summer home away from home– had trip hazards, insufficient grass, and an anthill, she wanted to give back to the camp and future campers by improving the field through her Gold Award. After analyzing the drainage and conducting hours of research, she mobilized a group of volunteers around her corrective action plan. Megan replaced the anthill with a garden play space, cleared the field of major rocks, spread mulch from camp across the field (to serve as a play-friendly surface and a source of nutrients for the soil), and started a test plot for a drought-resistant, non-allergenic grass seed that would be better suited for the camp field’s uses. Megan realized her strengths of organization and planning could bring about positive change, and this project improved her communication and people skills. Camp helped her grow as a person over the 13 years she was a Girl Scout. She is currently studying landscape architecture at Arizona State University.
Ainsley Snyder, Gilbert Rainwater Recycling Garden Inspired by her love for her school community, Ainsley’s Gold Award provided the Gilbert Classical Academy’s Special Education Department sustainable garden boxes and curriculum for students to develop fine motor skills through gardening. She created a gutter system to collect rainwater, designed and built the boxes, and developed the program guide to make the project sustainable. The program focuses on helping students exercise their hand-eye coordination and small muscle movements by caring for the garden. The installation of the garden has provided the opportunity for many students to develop their skills for years to come. It was very rewarding for Ainsley to provide skill-building opportunities for others for years to come. She said being a Girl Scout for 12 years gave her many opportunities she wouldn’t have had otherwise, and helped her become a well-rounded adult. Ainsley is now attending Idaho State University on a golf scholarship, studying Chemistry and Mathematics for Secondary Education.
Eileen Spahle, Scottsdale Outdoor Barbecue When she learned about a project needing some artistic and hands-on support at a local center that offers service to people with disabilities, Eileen knew this project was perfect for her. It incorporated two of her biggest passions: art and being of service to people with disabilities. In partnership with The Adaptive Recreation Center of Scottsdale, Eileen helped bring an outdoor kitchen space to life. She help remodel the area and added hand painted tiles to the space. She also wanted to bring more awareness about this center, but due to COVID-19 restrictions, she was limited on ways to do this. Despite this challenge, she learned skills like managing obstacles, project management, and communicating with a team. She has been a Girl Scout for 12 years and plans to study occupational therapy with a minor in art at the Dominican University of California.
Jane Spellman, Tempe American Flag Retirement Jane’s grandfather was a veteran and very active in the American Legion, which bolstered her love of country and inspired her Gold Award. She learned the American Legion in Ahwatukee didn’t have an American Flag Retirement dropbox, which resulted in a surplus of flags that couldn’t be retired. Many were left in garbage bags at the front desk of the Ahwatukee Recreation Center. She decided to provide a drop box for worn and tattered flags and increase awareness of how to retire flags properly. She partnered with the American Legion, organized fundraising, secured boxes to repurpose, and painted and installed them. Jane also organized neighborhood events about properly retiring natural and synthetic fiber American flags, resulting in the retirement of over 200 flags. She then created a website and posted training on YouTube to educate the community for years to come. She has been a Girl Scout for ten years and plans to become a doctor after graduating high school and completing an undergraduate degree.
Chloe Stoops, Gilbert Women in STEM Fascinated by science since a young age, as she was getting ready for college Chloe realized the lack of female representation and role models in this field. As she learned of all the challenges women face and the shocking low numbers of women in STEM, she wanted to make sure future generations of women didn’t face these. For the next few months, Chloe researched and interviewed several female STEM professionals and shared their stories on a website she built called womeninstemgoldaward.com. In addition, she shared resources for girls to help stimulate interest in these fields or to get started in one! To spread awareness, Chloe distributed business cards with her website at schools and secured a place in the ASU Chapter of Society of Women Engineers newsletter and website. “I hope this will encourage other girls, like myself. Over the course of my project I have learned that I have the ability to make a lasting impact on others,” says Chloe. She’s been a Girl Scout for 13 years and plans major in aerospace engineering and minor in astrophysics.
Victoria Thurman, Tempe Healing Art Victoria’s great-grandfather Carl was a World War II veteran, a resident of Westchester Senior Living, and the inspiration for her Gold Award. He once told her it would be nice to have pictures and memories around his residential facility to foster nostalgia and warm, calm feelings. Understanding that photography could help seniors with anxiety, depression, and mental health, Victoria decided to introduce photos to the center for residents to enjoy. She took over 1,000 photos and created photo books for three nursing homes, had 15 photo canvases made for the dementia unit, and created a website and YouTube channel that hosted videos of photography to be played as an activity for the residents. She received so much praise from the residents that they requested more! And Carl was so very proud. In her 10 years of Girl Scouting, Victoria has learned to be a leader, built her communication skills and the confidence to take on new challenges. She looks forward to attending an in-state university in the future.
Charlie Unsworth, Peoria Hope for a Future Charlie has gardened and grown produce since she was five, which has created a passion for understanding the countless benefits of eating fresh fruits and vegetables. She wanted to share this knowledge and cutting-edge skills for cultivating produce with the next generation through her Gold Award and set up hydroponic gardening systems at Lookout Mountain and Roadrunner Elementary schools. As a component of their STEM studies, the students enjoyed watching the plants grow and eagerly anticipated eating the produce. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 school closures halted the use and harvest of the gardens, but the teachers reported they intend to resume the gardens when school attendance normalizes. This experience helped Charlie develop time management skills, and she realized she wants to pursue a career in education. A Girl Scout for 13 years, Charlie says she learned how to advocate and stand up for herself. She is currently applying to colleges and hopes to attend her top choice Northern Arizona University to double major in History and English.
Becoming a Gold Award Girl Scouts
Seniors and Ambassadors who earn the Gold Award tackle issues that are dear to them and drive lasting change in their communities and beyond. Think of the Gold Award as a key that can open doors to scholarships, preferred admission tracks for college, and amazing career opportunities. Becoming a Gold Award Girl Scout means being distinguished as a leaders, change maker and allows girls to:
Higher education and career
Distinguish themselves in the college admissions process
Earn college scholarships
Enter the military one rank higher
Life skills
Be seen as a role model and distinguished leader
Master time management skills
Make the world a better place
Community
Use their vision for change
Tackle an issue, locally or globally
Establish a lifetime network
Create your community legacy with a sustainable solution to a problem
Have you ever heard the term “nosebag lunch” when going to Girl Scout camp or an outdoor program? That’s probably because the nickname dates to 1927. Here is the definition:
nosebag lunch (nōz′băg′ lŭnch)
n. A bag lunch. The term comes from when a bag of oats was placed over a horse’s muzzle to eat. Commonly carried on hikes or outings.
With that in mind, Girl Scouts took the term and applied it to bagged lunches. They applied the name to when girls packed their own personal “nose bag” in a bandana, a paper or plastic bag, etc. The term grew and was even included in the 1963 Girl Scout Brownie Handbook. The handbook stated for girls to “carry something munchy, something crunchy, something juicy, something sweet, nothing squishy, nothing squashy, nothing sticky, nothing soggy.”
The term now is used loosely across different Councils.
Want to pack your own 1963-inspired nosebag lunch? Here’s how:
Try to include a balanced meal – a protein sandwich, vegetable munchies, thirst quencher (fruit), and something sweet for a dessert. Pack heavy things on the bottom, light ones on top, and avoid “squishy” things that will ooze and/or leak. If you are traveling far or hiking for a long time, note that fragile fruits such as peaches and pears will not survive. Be aware of the weather and things that will melt. Tip: potato chips tend to have a low survival rate!
Once you have that sorted, here are some no-cook recipe and snack ideas:
(Ants) Bugs on a Log
Fill ribs of celery with peanut butter or cream cheese and top with raisins or nuts
Cereal Necklace
Using a piece of string or yarn, pipe the string with bits of cereal rings
GORP
An acronym for “good old raisins and peanuts” or trail mix, GORP is an easy and fun snack to put together. Customize it with things like salted peanuts, dried cranberries, dried fruits, granola, and different seeds or nuts!
The information above is brought to you by the GSACPC History Committee and the Barbara Anderson Girl Scout Museum. If you would like to learn more about Girl Scout history or schedule a visit to the museum, please visit girlscoutsaz.org/museum
We look forward every year to honor our Silver and Bronze Award Girl Scouts.
Did you know that for member year 2020-21 there are over 160 Silver Award Girl Scouts and about 200 Bronze Award Girl Scouts being recognized this year? Wow. We are so proud.
To ensure that each girl feels special and recognized, we’d like to share some ideas that you can do as a troop, for the troop, or for girls to mark this special achievement.
Ways to Celebrate Before Ceremony
Yard Signs – Download a printable Silver or Bronze Award sign and craft it into a yard sign to post at her house for her neighbors to see her accomplishment.
Troop Activity DIY – Create a troop poster or picture frame celebrating the achievement, highlighting the project, and how girls made an impact in the world. Have girls take turns displaying it at home!
Be part of our ceremony collage – Submit a photo and brief project description using the Story Submission Form to be featured in a mini-collage on the day of the virtual ceremony! Deadline is March 1.
Council Shop – Share with parents and browse the Council Shop’s Highest Awards gifts. From notebooks, jewelry, key chains and accessories there are all types of gifts for awardees.
Ways to Celebrate Day of Ceremony
Drop off small gift with a note to congratulate girls. Here are some ideas:
Small flower bunch with a note
Donut or snack with note
Troop photo and frame with a note
Host a pre-event troop mini-celebration! Share breakfast “together” virtually, discuss plans to make an impact and earn the next award!
Plan a color theme – Bronze and Silver Award recipients can attend the virtual meeting by coordinating a unique colored blouse or virtual background.
Have a virtual post-event troop celebration – celebrate together, dance to songs, and enjoy an after-ceremony snack!
Share Your Achievement on Social Media
Download the Silver or Bronze social media graphic and share with girls and parents so they can post on their social media pages! Be sure to use #gsacpc and tag @GSACPC in your posts!
Be Featured in Our Magazine and on GSACPC Social Media
What else has your troop been up to? Highlight your troop in the upcoming GS Connections magazines and on social by letting us know of the service projects, outdoor adventures, activities, and badges your earning by submitting a story using the Share my Story form. We want to see you in action and feature you!
This blog is written by The Authentic Leadership Community (“ALC”). ALC is centered around the idea of 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.”
The experience your girls have in Girl Scouts is directly linked to who you are as a leader. One of the challenges you might face right now (among a million other things) is how to help your girls understand and process the current political and social climate.
This election cycle was a real-life civics lesson for many Americans. And the events that happened at our nation’s capital on Jan. 6 are a reminder of the fragility of democracy.
It would be easy to shy away from the topic altogether, given all the polarization, but civic engagement is deeply embedded in Girl Scouts history and the Promise and Law. GSUSA Interim CEO, Judith Batty, reminds us of the importance, especially right now, to “encourage all girls to be informed citizens so they can become the change-makers of the future.” And to show them how they can “make a difference in their communities and country.”
Where do you even start with this?
Start with the heart. The word heart comes from the Latin word “cor” meaning core. The core essence of our democratic ideals – equality, freedom, and civic engagement – are outlined in the Declaration of Independence and the preamble to the constitution. American writer and activist Terry Tempest Williams called the human heart the “first home of democracy.” And French political philosopher and historian Alexis de Tocqueville once said, the strength of democracy depends on how well we cultivate “habits of the heart.” These habits are values that are embedded in the Girl Scout Law and mission.
Habits of the Heart, what are they?
Understanding that we are all in this together
Appreciation of the value of “otherness”: this is the core of diversity and inclusion. What makes us different also makes us special. Appreciating the value differences bring to the table.
Ability to hold tension in life-giving ways: communicate, collaborate, and compromise with one another even when we fundamentally disagree. How can we respect and seek to understand our different perspectives so that we might find solutions?
Sense of personal voice and agency: your voice matters.
Capacity to create community.
Ok, this is great, but what to do with this information? As a leader, how does one provide guidance on topics and current events that may be far outside of the comfort zone or considered controversial?
Put your oxygen mask first. Take a deep breath and a full stop moment. Check-in with your feelings (yes, those things that we don’t always want to pay attention to!). What emotions, fears, or uncertainties does this bring up for you? What opinions or biases do you have?
Ask for support. Where do you need extra help, and what kind of support do you need? Whether that support is in terms of resources and tools to support a specific subject matter or develop your lead from the heart skillset, we are here to help and support you.
You’re more ready than you think! Once you have the confidence to dive into these topics and healthily support your Girl Scouts, guide them towards earning their democracy badges. Encourage them to develop their knowledge, views, and vision to direct their own paths and answers ultimately. Help them talk about the changes they’d like to see in the schools, community, state, and world and how they can be part of that change now and in the future.
Earn a badge
Girl Scouts use their determination every day for a clean environment, racial and gender equality, safety issues, local legislation, and so much more. With the newly released Democracy badges, Girl Scouts of all ages can prepare to lead positive change in their school, town, state, and country! Badge booklets for each GS level are available and help girls learn about how the government works, the three branches, the basics of our democracy, voting, and more.
Badge booklets are available in digital format for free with purchase of the badge at the Council Shop through Feb. 26.
Get Your Girl Scout Democracy Digital Requirements in 3 Easy Steps:
Let us know which age level(s) Democracy Badge Requirements you need. You may request all six.
Your reply will include your PDF(s).
Did you know?
Nearly 6 in 10 girls say they’re interested in being a future leader through advocacy, public service, or a career as an elected official.
82% want to make a positive impact on society through their future work.
Girls who want to lead in advocacy say they care most about the environment and human rights issues/causes (e.g., girls and women’s issues, LGBTQ+ and racial equity, disability rights, poverty).
On Feb. 22 each year, Girl Scouts and Girl Guides from 150 countries celebrate World Thinking Day. (That’s one big celebration!)
This year’s theme is peacebuilding, and we’re sharing some ways you and your troop can get in on the action to celebrate. In doing so, girls can earn the World Thinking Day award (an official award that is worn on the front of the vest or sash).
Activities to earn the award are available as meeting plans in the Volunteer Toolkit or as Activity Packets at no cost online. Log in to the VTK to add the World Thinking Day Award to your year plan, or visit the GSUSA World Thinking Day webpage to learn more.
Looking for a few more ideas on how to celebrate? Here are some tips from our Program Team Member Susanne Wells.
When I was a girl, we celebrated World Thinking Day just in our troop. Each girl got to pick a country, usually a place their family has visited, or any country she wanted to represent. I always chose the Dominican Republic because I was born there. Each person made a dish from the country to share a taste with the group. Some made a display board with interesting facts about the country, taught a song or game, and shared a link to the country if it had Girl Guides. For virtual gatherings, girls can dress up and share a presentation about their country with videos, photos, and maybe even use an interactive world map to explore the different countries!
Troops can learn about World Centers in different countries.
Have your troop learn about the WAGGGS pin’s meaning and present to the girls if they do not already have one. One of my favorite websites has a blog post for a World Trefoil game and other tips for having an International themed troop meeting.
Explore Pinterest – there are a ton of crafts, games, and other activities to support girls and troops to learn about different countries – search World Thinking Day Activities.
Girl Scout Council of Maine has an excellent toolkit for planning World Thinking Day events. It could come in handy, especially if a few troops or a service team want to put together an event last minute. Even though Thinking Day is on the calendar for Feb. 22 – groups can celebrate it around that time on a weekend.
Lauren is a 2020 Gold Award Girl Scout. She has been a Girl Scout with Arizona Cactus-Pine Council for ten years and plans to attend Northern Arizona University to study business management.
By Lauren Hyland
One moment I will never forget is holding my very own bass guitar for the first time. This moment is important to me because music has always been a passion of mine. Thinking back to my first bass instrument, acquired at a yard sale, is how I identified an issue in my community and in the arts community.
Understanding the cost for quality instruments made me aware that not all students who would like to pursue music can due to cost. If schools cannot provide instruments, the financial burden is often put on the student to rent or purchase an instrument. This inequity is what inspired my Gold Award. I wanted to earn my Gold Award to make a sustainable difference in my community and showcase my leadership ability. In achieving the highest honor in Girl Scouting, I would help students and families gain equal access to quality instruments and music lessons.
Through my Gold Award, I taught guitar and bass lessons, and provided students with the chance to have a quality instrument. I even brought many of my instruments for the kids to try out and learn about them.
Then I created a website with resources so students could continue to learn on their own. I also held a raffle for these students to have the opportunity to win a guitar or bass. The last part of my project, which ended up being the most fun, was hosting two community talents shows at Mesa Community College. This aspect of the project was very gratifying; the community came together through music, and everyone seemed happy. Altogether, I coordinated 25 talent acts, hosted 73 audience members, and gifted instruments to two very delighted students.
I hope that my project’s impact will last a lifetime in the hearts and minds of those involved. Earning my Gold Award taught me more than I could have imagined! I learned to stay focused even if things got messy and be patient because things usually work out in the end. I also learned a lot about coordinating large groups of people, and more importantly, Girl Scouting has taught me leadership skills, developed my confidence, and has shown me how to step out of my comfort zone.
Overall, I am incredibly grateful for everything Girl Scouting has taught me, and as I prepare for the future, I do so as a proud lifetime member.
Temporada de Galletas de Girl Scout – El Programa de Emprendimiento dirigido por niñas más grande del mundo – Se lleva al cabo del 18-ene. al 28-feb. en el centro y norte de Arizona
(PHOENIX – 5 de enero, 2021). Cada año, durante seis semanas, Girl Scouts en Arizona participan en el programa de emprendimiento dirigido por niñas más grande del mundo: El Programa de Galletas de Girl Scout. Este año, la temporada de galletas de Girl Scouts-Arizona Cactus-Pine Council (GSACPC) se llevará al cabo del 18-enero al 28-febrero, 2021. Como en años anteriores, todas las ganancias de la temporada de galletas se quedarán locales.
Así es como se ve la temporada de galletas:
Alineación de galletas de GSACPC
Lemon-Ups: (introducidas en 2020): Crujientes galletas de limón horneadas con inspiradores mensajes. $5
Thin Mints: Mentas cubiertas de un delicioso chocolate. Veganas. $5
Tagalongs: Capas de mantequilla de cacahuate cubiertas de un rico chocolate. $5
Samoas: Galletas de caramelo cubiertas con coco tostado. $5
Trefoils: Icónicas y deliciosas galletas de mantequilla. $5
Do-si-dos: Crujiente avena por fuera y cremosa mantequilla de cacahuate por dentro. $5
Girl Scout S’mores: Sándwiches de galleta crujiente con relleno de chocolate cremoso y malvavisco. $6
Toffee-tastics: Galletas de mantequilla (sin gluten) con piezas de crujiente caramelo dorado. $6
“Debido a COVID-19, GSACPC ha desarrollado nuevos escenarios para que las niñas puedan vender galletas de manera segura”, dice Tamara Woodbury, Directora Ejecutiva de GSACPC. “Estamos extremadamente orgullosas de poder ofrecer a nuestras niñas un sentido de normalidad en casi un año que ha sido todo excepto normal, así como un medio para ayudarlas a desarrollar su negocio, a hablar en público, finanzas y otras habilidades a través de nuestro programa de galletas modificado.
¡NUEVO! La aplicación de galleta “Digital Cookie” se abre con anticipación
De acuerdo con Woodbury, la aplicación de galleta digital, “Digital Cookie” ya está disponible (desde el 4 de enero, 2021), para que las niñas puedan tomar ordenes en línea para clientes anteriores, amigos y familia. A través de esta plataforma de venta digital, las niñas crean un página personalizada, y después invitan a amigos y familiares a comprar galletas a través de un correo electrónico, con la opción de que las galletas sean enviadas y las puedan recoger sin tener ningún contacto o enviadas directamente a su domicilio. Las niñas también pueden usar al Aplicación Móvil de “Digital Cookie” para aceptar pagos con tarjeta de crédito.
“Nuestra aplicación ‘Digital Cookie’ introduce lecciones sobre mercadotecnia en línea, el uso de la aplicación y eCommerce para las Girl Scouts al crear su página de internet y administrar sus ventas virtuales”, dice Woodbury.
¡NUEVO! Puestos de Auto-Servicio
Además de la “Digital Cookie”, las tropas locales de Girl Scout también estarán coordinando puestos de auto servicio en 2021, sin usar dinero en efectivo. Los puestos de auto servicio estarán en estacionamientos que permitan suficiente distancia y espacio para las niñas y sus padres. Los carros tendrán la oportunidad de formarse, hacer sus pedidos (se requiere cubre bocas para hacer el pedido), y poder recoger sus galletas sin tener contacto físico, de la misma forma que lo harían en un puesto tradicional. Habrá padres en cada puesto con productos desinfectantes para lograr una máxima seguridad y monitorear la transferencia de las galletas a los carros.
“Las niñas no solo venderán en estos lugares, también se anunciarán usando señales y otras promociones, permitiendo que las niñas ejerciten su creatividad y comunicación de una nueva forma,” dice Woodbury.
¡NUEVO! Visite un Castillo de Galletas…con un Propósito
Girl Scouts y Homie, una firma de bienes raíces, se han asociado para construir un tipo de propiedad especial esta temporada – un “castillo” hecho de cajas de galletas de Girl Scouts. Las familias y fans de las galletas de Girl Scouts, pueden visitar el castillo de 13 pies por 9 pies adornado con cajas de galletas. La niña que construyó la casa de este año escogió el tema “tu casa es tu castillo”. Las paredes de adentro mostrarán una historia visual de las Galletas de Girl Scout en Arizona. Estará abierto todos los domingos de febrero (7, 14, 21, y 28) en The Shops at Norterra, el cual está ubicado al norte de Phoenix en 2450 W. Happy Valley Road.
“Además de visitar el castillo, los fans de las galletas y los asistentes podrán comprar galletas de Girl Scout en un sitio local de Girl Scout, y cada uno contará con cubre bocas y proporcionará transacciones con distanciamiento social con contacto físico limitado o sin contacto,” dice Woodbury. “Este primer año del programa es especial gracias a Homie así como a Maija, una miembro independiente de Phoenix, que vendió 578 cajas de galletas el año pasado, así como a su familia que trabajó sin descanso para lograr este proyecto especial.
Los Señores Bob y Renee Parsons, que siempre han apoyado a Girl Scouts, les han proporcionado el espacio comercial en The Shops at Norterra para esta oportunidad única de venta en puestos.
Puestos
Con el permiso y siguiendo las pautas recomendadas por el CDC, incluyendo el uso de cubre bocas y el distanciamiento social, las niñas instalarán una tienda temporal enfrente de comercios locales proporcionando a los clientes la opción de distanciamiento social para comprar galletas. Este año la ubicación de los puestos incluye lugares que han apoyado desde hace mucho tiempo, Fry’s Food Stores, Bashas’ Family of Stores (Bashas, Food City, AJ’s Fine Foods), Walmart, y otras cadenas y pequeños negocios.
“Nuestros socios son muy importante en el éxito de la experiencia de nuestro programa, proporcionando lugares para los puestos para nuestras emprendedoras de Galletas de Girl Scouts. Este año han reforzado el apoyo, proporcionando lugares tradicionales para los puestos, así como otras opciones por todo el Valle. Verdaderamente agradecemos su apoyo,” dice Woodbury.
Aplicación “Cookie Finder”
Los clientes pueden encontrar galletas cercanas fácilmente al visitar www.girlscoutsaz.org/cookiefinder. Es simple – ingresa tu código postal y escoge de la lista de ubicaciones. Además el 1 de febrero, GSUSA lanzará un enlace nacional de galletas donde los clientes a nivel nacional podrán comprar galletas directamente de tropas locales al ingresar el código postal. Los pedidos ingresados desde este enlace, serán enviados directamente al cliente, y las ganancias se irán directamente a esa tropa.
A dónde se va el dinero de las galletas
¿Sabías que el 100% de las ganancias de las galletas de GSACPC se quedan localmente para beneficiar a Girl Scouts de Arizona?
Las ganancias de las Galletas de Girl Scout:
Ayudan a las niñas a financiar los proyectos locales de Girl Scout para la comunidad y las aventuras dirigidas por niñas de las tropas.
Financian los proyectos “High Award” que impactan la comunidad, como organizar un campamento para las jóvenes, donar a la gente necesitada, y mejorar los parques comunitarios. En 2020, muchas Girl Scouts hicieron cubre bocas y paquetes para el cuidado personal para donar a los trabajadores esenciales, incluyendo doctores y personal de los hospitales, personal de las tiendas de comestibles, y de emergencias.
Cubren los costos del Programa de Galletas de Girl Scout, incluyendo los costos de galletas, materiales y logística.
Ayudan a GSACPC a proporcionar programas en STEM, al aire libre, habilidades de vida, de emprendimiento, campamentos, y entrenamiento de liderazgo a todas las niñas, sin importar su situación financiera.
Mantener y mejorar las cuatro propiedades de campamentos y la asistencia financiera que mantiene a Girl Scout disponible y accesible a todas las niñas.
“Cookie Fast Pitch”
El año pasado, 25 de los líderes y Directores Ejecutivos de las mejores compañías del Valle, incluyendo Diane Veres, Lisa Urias, y Ray Roberts, se unieron a más de 100 niñas locales para el primer “Cookie Fast Pitch” en la historia. Debido a su éxito, GSACPC, se complace en presentar nuevamente el evento por segundo año consecutivo, aunque este año será en formato virtual. El evento, que se llevará al cabo el 23 de enero, incluirá nuevamente líderes empresariales clave.
Las niñas participantes presentarán su discurso de venta de galletas a uno de los Directores Ejecutivos locales o a los ejecutivos corporativos que asistan.
A cambio, ellos proporcionarán retroalimentación de su discurso y les enseñarán cómo sentirse más seguras en sus sesiones de entrenamiento individuales.
Al final del evento, las niñas aplicarán las estrategias que aprendieron y presentarán su mejor discurso a sus mentores.
Todos los Directores Ejecutivos mentores planean apoyar a las jefas de galletas haciendo una compra de $500
¡EN ESPERA! Desafío del Postre de Galletas
Debido al COVID-19, el esperado Desafío Postre de Galletas, conosido como “Girl Scout Dessert Challenge,” estará en pausa en 2021, pero ya están en marcha los planes de llevarlo al cabo más grande y mejor que nunca en 2022.
“Sabemos que nuestra comunidad de restaurantes de Arizona ha sido impactada por la pandemia y les deseamos lo mejor. Estamos agradecidos por su apoyo y esperamos pronto regresar al Desafío de Galletas en 2022,” dice Woodbury.
IMPORTANTE: Aclaraciones de las Galletas
Confusión de Panadería: Hay dos panaderos comerciales autorizados por Girl Scouts of the USA para producir las Galletas de Girl Scout. Por lo cual, la variedad de galletas varía por concilio. La panadería de GSACPC es Little Brownie Bakers.
Los concilios cuya panadería es ABC Bakers estarán vendiendo una galleta nueva este año, “Toast Yay”, la cual no estará disponible en Arizona.
Thin Mints son veganas.
Toffee-tastics se venderán a $6 por caja. Solo las tropas que han aceptado vender esta galleta las podrán tener, así que estarán disponibles en cantidades limitadas solamente.
Girl Scout S’mores también cuestan $6 por caja. Todos los otros sabores cuestan $5 por caja.
Nuestras galletas no tienen jarabe alto en fructosa de maíz, ni aceites parcialmente hidrogenados (PHOs), tampoco tienen grasas trans, y utilizan aceite de palma certificado RSPO (Balance de Masa).
A cerca de Girl Scouts
Somos la mejor experiencia para niñas del mundo. Todo comenzó hace más de cien años con una mujer, Juliette Gordon “Daisy” Low, quien creyó en el poder de cada G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader, por sus siglas en inglés)TM para cambiar el mundo. Hoy, continuamos su visión a través de la Experiencia de Liderazgo de Girl Scouts, la cual ayuda a las niñas a descubrir y desarrollar su potencial a través de actividades de ciencia y tecnología, conocimiento en economía y negocios, y conciencia del medio ambiente, a descubrir sus valores, habilidades, y el mundo que las rodea, a conectarse con otras en un entorno multicultural; y a ponerse en acción para hacer una diferencia en el mundo. Y con experiencia práctica, dirigida por niñas, aprendizaje cooperativo, cada G.I.R.L. tiene la oportunidad de hacer algo grandioso.
A cerca de Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council (GSACPC)
En sociedad con 9,000 adultos voluntarios, GSACPC atiende a 20,000 niñas en los grados K-12 en más de 90 comunidades en el centro y norte de Arizona. Desde 1936, GSACPC ha ayudado a las niñas a desarrollar sus habilidades de liderazgo y herramientas para el éxito en un entorno que cambia rápidamente. Sabemos que al darles la oportunidad, cada niña puede ser una líder, usa sus valores con confianza y se conecta con su comunidad. Las Girl Scouts crecen valientes y fuertes con los programas dirigidos por niñas, que van de campamentos de verano a actividades de la tropa y venta de productos. Para más información, visita www.girlscoutsaz.org, dale me gusta en Facebook o síguenos en Instagram.
For more than 80 years, Girl Scouts in Arizona have sold cookies–and had fun, developed valuable life skills, and made their communities a better place every step of the way. Did you know that it was around 1940 that GSACPC had their first cookie sale? Take a guess which original flavor is still part of today’s line up and continue reading to find out if your guess is correct!
The First Girl Scout Cookie Sale in Arizona
Girl Scout Cookies had their earliest beginnings in the kitchens and ovens of our girl members, with moms volunteering as technical advisers. Selling cookies to finance troop activities began as early as 1917, five years after Juliette Gordon Low started Girl Scouts in the United States. The Mistletoe Troop in Muskogee, Oklahoma, baked cookies and sold them in its high school cafeteria as a service project.
It was in the 1920s that Girl Scouts across the nation baked and sold cookies. A sugar recipe had been shared from a sister council that allowed girls to bake simple sugar cookies, keeping their costs low. With the help of cookie volunteers and parents, girls baked these cookies, packaged them in wax paper bags, sealed them with a sticker, and sold them door to door for 25 to 35 cents per dozen, does this sale strategy sound familiar?
Fast forward to the 1930s in Arizona – a Charter from National Girl Scouts (not yet called GSUSA) was recorded for the Maricopa Girl Scouts Council (now known as Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council or GSACPC) in 1937, with seven troops and 143 girls.
Even though National Girl Scouts suggested cookie sales raised money, our local board voted against selling cookies in 1938 and 1939 and continued fundraising with bridge luncheons, teas, and garden parties that were deemed more sociable.
It wasn’t until 1940 that GSACPC had its first Girl Scout Cookie sale! They used Dolly Madison Cake Company that charged the Council $450 for 3,750 sugar cookies. That’s $0.12 a cookie. There was a total of 364 girls from 19 troops that sold cookies for 20 cents a box, generating a total of $928.57 in sales. It was a huge success for the girls! The three highest selling troops were given a bonus of one cent per box sold.
Girl Scout Cookies continued to be sold by local councils around the country until World War II, when sugar, flour, and butter shortages led Girl Scouts to sell the first Girl Scout calendars in 1944 as a socially-conscious alternative.
After the war, cookie sales increased, and by 1948, 29 bakers were licensed to bake Girl Scout Cookies.
In 1951, Girl Scout Cookies came in three varieties: Sandwich, Shortbread, and Chocolate Mints (now known as Thin Mints). With the advent of the suburbs, girls at tables in shopping malls began selling Girl Scout Cookies.
During the 1960s, when Baby Boomers expanded Girl Scout membership, cookie sales increased significantly. Fourteen licensed bakers were mixing batter for thousands upon thousands of Girl Scout Cookies annually. And those bakers began wrapping Girl Scout Cookie boxes in printed aluminum foil or cellophane to protect the cookies and preserve their freshness.
In 1978, the number of bakers was streamlined to four to ensure lower prices, uniform quality, packaging, and distribution. For the first time in history, all cookie boxes—regardless of the baker—featured the same designs and depicted scenes of Girl Scouts in action, including hiking and canoeing. And in 1979, the brand-new, Saul Bass-created Girl Scout logo appeared on cookie boxes, which became even more creative and began promoting the benefits of Girl Scouting.
In the early 1990s, two licensed bakers supplied local Girl Scout Councils with cookies for girls to sell, and by 1998, this number had grown again to three. Eight cookie varieties were available, including low-fat and sugar-free selections.
Early in the twenty-first century, every Girl Scout Cookie had a mission. New cookie box designs, introduced in the fall of 2000, were bold and bright, capturing the spirit of Girl Scouting. Two licensed bakers produced a maximum of eight varieties, including three mandatory (Thin Mints®, Peanut Butter Sandwich/Do-si-dos®, and Shortbread/Trefoils®). All cookies were kosher. And, much to the excitement of the youngest Girl Scouts, Daisies started selling cookies!
The Girl Scout Cookie Program Today
Two licensed bakers are serving all 111 councils. The baker of choice to both Councils in Arizona in Little Brownie Bakers, offering Thin Mints®, Samoas®, Tagalongs®, Do-si-dos®, Trefoils®, Lemon-Ups™, Girl Scout S’mores®, and Toffee-tastics®.
And Girl Scout Cookies are SO much more than just a sale, a sweet treat, a fundraiser. That’s right. It’s a research-backed, outcomes-based entrepreneurial and financial literacy program. Every box helps power enriching experiences for the awesome girls who sell them—it also provides the opportunity to learn essential life skills, soar in confidence, and quickly discover the leader within.
Bake the 1922 Girl Scout Sugar Cookie
1 cup of butter, or substitute
1 cup of sugar
2 tablespoons of milk
2 eggs
1 teaspoon of vanilla
2 cups of flour
2 teaspoons of baking powder
Cream butter and sugar; add well-beaten eggs, then milk, flavoring, flour, and baking powder. Roll thin and sprinkle sugar on top. This amount makes six to seven dozen.
Modern-day tips (not part of the original recipe): Refrigerate batter for at least one hour before rolling and cutting cookies. Bake in a quick oven (375°) for approximately 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges begin to brown.
The information above is brought to you by the GSACPC History Committee and the Barbara Anderson Girl Scout Museum. If you would like to learn more about Girl Scout history or schedule a visit to the museum, please visit girlscoutsaz.org/museum.
girlscoutsaz.blog 