Girl Scout Cookies for the Soldiers

Thousands of Girl Scout Cookies were donated during this year's cookie season and are now on their way to soldiers overseas. Girl Scout troops like 2030 have worked hard to encourage people from the community to purchase cookies as a donation to the troops overseas because two of the girls in the GS troop have brothers in the war. Many of the cookie boxes donated had hand written messages on them, and the council had a place on the web site to write a message to be placed on the cookie boxes. During the cookie season GS troops from the council area sold boxes of cookies to people who donated them to the soldiers. These boxes were recently picked up by the National Guard who ensured they were shipped out.

Thank you to everyone who donated cookies to the soldiers during this cookie season and all the troops and troop leaders that worked so hard.

Cookies - They're Back!

I was driving through Citrus Heights this week and stopped at a red light behind an RT bus. On the back of the bus was the Girl Scout Cookie advertisement “They’re Back!” It made me smile. I love Girl Scout Cookies! I love everything about them! It’s no surprise that I’m the cookie manager for our troop. I’m also the mother of twin Brownies who typically want to sell a total of about 500 boxes to earn their desired incentive. At our house, early January through mid-March is all about Girl Scout Cookies!

At the beginning of January, we had a cookie kickoff party. We started our meeting by watching the Bakery Tour video from the ABC Smart Cookie website. This is a great video that showcases how Girl Scout cookies are made while sharing interesting facts and statistics about those cookies. After the video, I talked to the girls about safe selling. They gave me lots of good answers about staying safe while selling cookies. The ABC Smart Cookie website has a Cookie Activity Safety Guidelines flyer under the Volunteers-Training section of their website that is very helpful in teaching the girls that safety is the first priority.

In the spirit of all things cookie – we had a frosting party from Cookie Connection at the end of our meeting. Each girl got a plain sugar cookie and was able to frost and decorate it with her choice of colors and toppings. While the girls were busy creating their masterpieces, I went over the important details and paperwork with their parents.

At our troop meeting last Sunday our girls brainstormed to come up with ideas of how they’d like to spend the cookie money they earn this year. Some of their ideas included: a dinosaur museum, resident camp, Disneyland, ice skating, San Francisco, a fish hatchery, Six Flags and Apple Hill. After ruling out the ideas that were similar to things we had already done or were already in the works for the future, we settled on a trip to the snow!

I encourage our girls to set a personal goal based on the incentive they want to earn. Those incentives do a great job motivating our girls! The most desired incentives for our troop are the sitting plush frog, a movie ticket and the peace sign necklace! Additionally, I give each girl her sales number from last year to help set her goal for 2010. I encourage each girl to set a goal for herself that is a little higher than what she did last year.

The last thing our girls have to do this month (as far as cookies go) is complete the Catch GOALS! activity on the ABC Smart Cookie website. My daughters entered their personal sales goals and used online marketing tools to send e-mails to family & friends. Just a note, if your girl enters her goal by the end of January then updates it before cookie sales are over, she can earn a special patch!

We’re looking forward Mega Drop cookie pick up event on February 13th! In the meantime, we’re still taking orders and working towards our personal and troop goals!

~MM

Girl Scout Cookie Song

The ideas for this song came about when my daughter, D'Auna, and I were discussing her sales pitch for the 2010 Girl Scout Cookie campaign. She is a bit shy but she loves to sing, so I thought she would be less apprehensive about singing her sales pitch. D'Auna and I brainstormed ideas for a while, and then a light bulb came on. As we stared at the pictures of the various Girl Scout Cookies we figured out a way to creatively fit the names of the cookies into a song and thus the Girl Scout Cookie Song/Poem was born!

D'Auna preformed the song for various family members and friends as her sales pitch. She sold 256 boxes during pre-sales this year! She is still selling cookies with this song and is becoming more comfortable preforming and speaking in front of a crowd. My little Daisy Scout is proud to have sold so many boxes of Girl Scout Cookies during her first cookie season. I am proud of the fact that she is developing confidence and public speaking skills that will have a lasting influence on her life, all thanks to Girl Scouts...and a cute little song!

Guest Blogger Sylvia

Events! - Getting Greener - Are You?

Hi all! I didn't get a post in last Friday as I was at a phenomenal womens' conference most of the weekend! (Feel free to ask me about it anytime.) Sunday our troop enjoyed a performance of The Nutcracker by the Placer Theatre Ballet. One of our very own girls performed the part of an angel. Today I woke up to the surprise of snow at our home outside of Sacramento. My girls were thrilled and proceeded to pelt me with snowballs before leaving for school. Now it's time to get caught up with the business at hand!

Did you know that the average American uses enough paper and wood products each year to equal a 100-foot-tall Douglas fir tree? (www.epa.gov) Considering the US population is upwards of 300 million people, we’re cutting down a lot of trees every year! Why does it matter? Trees make our planet habitable. They absorb carbon dioxide and turn it into oxygen that we can breathe. They also provide habitat for innumerable insects, birds and other animal species. In addition, trees provide shade, which lowers our energy use by keeping buildings cooler. So how can we decrease the demand for trees? It’s simple – use less paper and switch from virgin paper products to recycled paper products.

Girl Scouts Heart of Central California is “Going Green” and doing its part to save paper by decreasing the size of the Events! calendar and putting more of the details online. You can now find all the information you need about the activities being offered for your girl or troop at the GSHCC website. Once you access the website you can easily search for an event by the month it’s scheduled, alphabetically by event name, or by age level. Simply use the search categories featured on the left side of the page. All the information you need to know is listed in the event details including eligible age, date, time, location, fee, capacity and billing date. At the end of each event description is a pink “Register Now” button. All you have to do is click this link to sign up for your chosen event.

Do you have older girls in your troop? What is an “older girl” you ask? It varies by class but typically starts with girls that have completed at least 6th or 7th grade. The full year’s Older Girl Training calendar is at your fingertips online! Classes such as Program Aide, L.I.T., First Aide, Silver & Gold Awards, Backpacking and Leave No Trace are available! As with the events, all the pertinent details are included in the online description. Take advantage of these great opportunities for your girls to learn new leadership skills that will empower them to succeed!

Think you’ve got it all figured out? Don’t forget that things change! Make sure you check out the Special Events tab once in a while (bottom left)! Often events come up with short notice and they don’t make the regular calendar listing. They’ll be listed here with all of the important information. What’s coming up soon?

Dec 15 & 17: Camp Menzies Parent Information Night (various locations)
Jan 12, 14, 19 & 21: Camp Menzies Parent Information Night (various locations)

Start a conversation with your troop about their impact on the environment and how they can make changes. Need some ideas to start your girls talking? Check out the Environmental Protection Agency’s website. To point out just a few related links that you’ll find there: Pick 5 for the Environment; Protect the Environment; and For Youth - this takes you to an age targeted page which opens an array of topics and activities your girls could enjoy!

“Today’s Vision – Tomorrow’s World” (1972)

~MM

Splurges, Steals and Holiday Deals!

Are you looking for the perfect gift for your special Girl Scout? How about a holiday appreciation gift for your tireless co-leader or parent volunteer? It’s time to visit our Girl Scout Shop. You don’t even have to get off the couch to get there! Get cozy in your PJs, grab a mug of hot cocoa and logon to the Girl Scouts Heart of Central California website.

Are you looking to splurge on something extra special? How about a Juliette Low Limoges Box? These boxes have been treasured collectibles since 1771. Made by Artoria Limoges and measuring 2”x3”, this extra special box retails for $220.00. Do you need a classy gift to adorn your recipient? The beautiful Legacy Silk Scarf designed by former Girl Scout and New York designer Marisol Deluna may be just the right gift. Add a silver trefoil scarf slide and you have the perfect pair. The scarf retails for $75.00 and the slide retails for $14.00. Is your gift recipient a career girl? She’ll love the new Girl Scout briefcase. Made of stylish black microfiber with a striking fuchsia interior, it features a padded laptop compartment, a removable key fob and cell phone case, a side wall zip pocket, pocket organizers and more. There are additional zipper compartments on the front and back exterior. Measuring 26”x20”x16” and retailing for $60.00, this is the ultimate work tote! Still shopping? Check out the Distinctive Gifts flyer for more ideas.

How about a shopping “steal” instead? After you click the “Shop Now!” button, choose “Shop Specials” from the list of categories. You’ll find great markdowns under “Close-outs” and featured deals under “Monthly Specials”. Is there a scrap booker on your list? There are 10 sticker flip-it kits and scrapbooking sets on clearance - some for half price ($4.99-$9.99)! You’ll also find five swap pins on sale that any girl would love to receive in her holiday goodie bag. Made of enamel and 1” in size, each pin is only $1.50! A classic World Trefoil Charm for only $2.50 also makes an economical gift for any Girl Scout on your list! If you’re looking for something a little cozier, check out the fleece vest featured in the Monthly Specials. Available in red or blue, this vest will chase away the winter chills for only $19.99!

Looking for something with holiday flair? Check out the Capture the Holiday Season flyer. There are several new ornaments this year: Girl Scout Pewter Ornament, Girl Scout Traditional Logo Ornament, Girl Scout Heart Ornament, Girl Scout Daisy Tin Ornament, Brownie Elf Tin Ornament, Girl Scout Junior Tin Ornament and Snow Globe Embroidered Ornament ($3-$18.00). Select your favorite and start a new holiday tradition with your favorite Girl Scout. Need stocking stuffers? There are lots of other new items! Choose from pencils, pins, patches, pens, or the new charm bracelet ($.50-$8.00). If you want to add a cute and cuddly friend to your holiday celebration make sure you check out Snowball, Patches and Petals. They’re sure to bring a smile to any Girl Scout young or old ($20-$22.00)!

By now your basket should be full and your mug should be empty! If you need a little help, contact the shop at girlscoutshop@girlscoutshcc.org or (800) 578-0276/(916) 669-3232. Have the items shipped to your house or visit the shop in person to pick them up. Then sit back and enjoy the holiday cheer as your favorite Girl Scout enjoys her special gift.

~MM

*Shop products and prices are current as of this posting and are subject to change without notice.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope this day finds you and your loved ones happy & healthy! May you enjoy a wonderful day!

~MM

uniquely ME!

“What’s New” is finally new again! So is the grant that our council received from the Dove Self-Esteem Fund’s “Thank You for Making a Difference” campaign. The grant will finance the uniquely ME! program designed to encourage Girl Scouts in 4th-12th grade to become self-confident leaders.

Why do we need such a program you ask? Dove commissioned a national report on self-esteem entitled “Real Girls, Real Pressure” and the results are distressing. They discovered that 62% of girls nationwide feel insecure. This includes feeling that their appearance isn’t stylish or trendy enough, that they aren’t pretty enough, and that they’re overweight. 75% of these girls admit to participating in harmful activities such as cutting, bullying, smoking, drinking and disordered eating. The report also revealed that as they transition into the teenage years, fewer girls turn to their parents as a self-esteem resource. (You can read all of the key highlights by visiting Dove’s website and clicking the Campaign for Real Beauty link.)

In response to this need, Girl Scouts Heart of Central California has created over 130 activity boxes with all the supplies you need to complete the uniquely ME! activities with your troop or service unit. The boxes are segmented for Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors & Ambassadors. All materials costs as well as any additional fees for a location and staff members are completely and generously covered by the grant from Dove! This is a great opportunity for you to help your girls discover their positive attributes and to encourage them to develop leadership skills that will give them greater self confidence for the future.

Did you know that several of the most successful women in our country were Girl Scouts? Can you name a few? Think Laura Bush, Hillary Clinton, Madeleine Albright, Sandra Day O’Connor and Katie Couric. Is one of your girls the next national leader? Is she destined to be a future role model for other teen girls? Empower her today with the skills that will make her successful tomorrow! To learn more or order your uniquely ME! activity box contact Liz Williams, Assistant Vice President of Program and Adult Development at 916-669-4475 or by e-mail at liz.williams@girlscoutshcc.org.

"Girl Scouts Today - Leaders Tomorrow" (1937)

~MM