Recently in Programs Category

"Have you ever felt bad about being different?" Parton asks Girl Scouts. "I'll bet you have, but you shouldn't--being different is what makes you special!"

Parton immortalized her coat of many colors in her 1971 song of the same name. Parton's mother sewed the now famous garment from rags. Young Dolly proudly wore the coat to school, only to find classmates making fun of it.

Parton turned the devastating experience into a signature song; now, through Tanasi Council, the "Coat of Many Colors" is a patch program helping Girl Scouts develop self-esteem and compassion for others.

The first 450 girls who earned the patch were from Parton's native East Tennessee, and she honored them at her Dollywood theme park Saturday, June 13 with colorful patches and huge hugs.  She also performed the legendary song, weaving a strong connection with an audience a generation apart in age, but strongly united in spirit.

Parton became a lifetime member of Girl Scouts in 2007 and wore her own Girl Scout uniform, complete with patches representing her own lifetime of accomplishments, for the celebration.

"Now, I think twice before saying something to someone who looks or seems different; I don't want to hurt their feelings," says Girl Scout Melia Killion. "Plus, you can be rich without having a lot of money, as long as you have people who love you ... And I am rich!"

The Coat of Many Colors patch is now available to all councils.  Please note, however, that the patch is on order and it will be approximately 4-6 weeks before the patch is actually in their store.  The cost is $1.50 per patch.

Each year we look for creative ways to thank our Girl Scout families.  This year we want you to design a thank you patch for our 2009 Family Partnership Campaign. 

Any registered Girl Scout can submit artwork with the theme of giving or sharing on an 8 1/2 x 11 piece of white paper.  Include your name, address, phone number, age, troop number and town on a separate sheet of paper attached to your drawing.   

Entries will be judged on originality and creativity; the winning entry will be used as the official thank you patch for the 2009 Family Partnership Campaign.  Entries become the property of GSSA and may be used for promotional purposes. Questions? Call Tonya Howard at 800-239-6636, ext:2802.

The deadline for entries is Friday, June 5, 2009. Mail entries to GSSA, 145 Coliseum Blvd, Montgomery, AL 36109, Attn: Tonya Howard.  

It's that special time of year again!  Time to honor the many accomplishments of our older girls at the Older Girl Recognition Banquet.  This special event will take place at the First United Methodist Church (note: the location has changed!) in Montgomery on March 28 at 4:30 p.m.  We will present many girl awards, have dinner and enjoy a special speaker, Dr. Susan Diamond.  Dr. Diamond, minister at First Christian Church, is a recent Women of Distinction honoree and an engaging speaker who will talk to girls about her leadership journey. Registration ends March 15, so send your registration in today.

9^th -12^th grade Girl Scouts are invited to "Rap on Relationships" March 13 6-8 in the Davidson High School Lecture Room. Teens from the Youth Congress of South Alabama along with Lifeline Family Counseling  will lead the program.

Don't miss this opportunity to get some ANSWERS!

Youth Forum 2009: Rap on Relationships

Davidson High School Lecture Room

March 13, 2009; 6 - 8 pm

9^th  - 12^th grade students

Group discussions with Lifelines Family Counseling

Music, Fun, Door Prizes, Free Food & Drinks

Drawing for FREE tickets to Kappa League Step Show

Register by March 11:

Email program@communityendowment.com with your name, grade and school name; or go to http://www.communityendowment.org/news/EventRegistration.htm

Questions? Call The Community Foundation of South Alabama 438-5591.

The volunteers will have just as much fun as the runners at the Thin Mint Sprint!  Passing out water, setting up tables, face-painting and many other opportunities are available to support and enjoy the festivities!

Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama is hosting a 5K run and 1 mile fun run and family fun festival in partnership with the Port City Pacers on February 28 at Langan Municipal Park in Mobile. Make your commitment to a healthy lifestyle by registering now for the run at www.active.com.

Volunteers make a difference!  With your help, the Thin Mint Sprint 5K Race and Fun Run/Family Fun Festival can become one of the most successful events in Southern Alabama.  We need approximately 40 volunteers for race day.  There are a wide range of needs and we can use volunteers middle school ages and up.  This is a great community service opportunity for your older Girl Scouts.  All volunteers will receive the official Thin Mint T-shirt.

To volunteer, please contact Molly Smart or Tonya Howard at 251-344-3330 or e-mail communications@girlscoutssa.org.

It's Lily from Troop 8369, here to tell you about our Service Unit's Battleship Overnight!

My troop got to the Battleship on Friday after school and had dinner while we waited to get on the ship.  While we waited, we sang and played games.  When we got on the ship, we picked our bunks--they hang from chains on the ceiling.

We did some detective work that gave us clues to solve.  We solved the clues by taking a tour of the whole ship.  It's really big!  It was like a floating city -- there was even a shoe shop and a ice cream store!    There was a lot of historical information and it was sort of like being in a maze.

We stayed up late and whispered when lights went out.  It was like a really cool sleepover.  My mom shined her flashlight in our faces to tell us to go to sleep.  We got up early and cleaned up.  Then we went out for beignets and hot chocolate, and then we went home and crashed.  If you get to go to the Battleship, I think you will like it. 

A destination is your chance to go somewhere new, do something different, and meet people from everywhere you can imagine.  The deadline to apply is fast approaching!  At the Studio2B website, you'll find:

·         Things to Know: Getting started

·         Find out if you're ready to go on a destination

·         Click, Pick, and Go: Choosing top destination choices

·         Between the Pick and Go: Completing the application process

·         A destination Match: There are 6 categories of destinations.  Find out which one is right for you.

Contact:  Applications should be sent to Mary Anne Brutkiewicz in the Mobile Service Center (3483 Springhill Avenue, Mobile, 36608)

Deadline:  Applications must be postmarked by Nov. 21.

Application Form: http://www.studio2b.org/escape/destinations/destinations_girl_application_2009.pdf

:) Hi everyone!

My name's Ann Claire, and I am a Junior Girl Scout, but, I am about to fly up to a Cadette. I live in Sweet Home Mobile, Alabama, and my troop has been together for 6 years!  Now, since you know all the basics about me I'll tell you about my experience at Dauphin Island!

First we arrived at Dauphin Island, and drove to the dormitory. The building was so cool because it was pink!(My favorite color) The building right next to it was lime green, which was cool too, just not as cool as pink. We settled in, and then headed to dinner. After dinner, we went to make name tags. They were made of Styrofoam and beads, and were very hard to make. Then we went on a night hike on the beach, and were assigned buddies from another troop. My buddy was Jasmine, and she could make an awesome goat sound! I also met her friends, and she met all my friends. Then we got a worry rock to rub if we got scared.

On the beach, the winds were howling and it was hard to hear, but we pretended we were animals trying to find food in the night, and we sniffed all sorts of herbs and things. Then we played a game (keep in mind this is all happening in the pitch black night), and then headed back. We hung out and then went to bed.

The next day we woke up, had breakfast, and then headed to class. There we met Greg, who taught us interesting things about Dauphin Island's water environment. Then we talked about trash, and headed out to the beach with our partners to collect trash. We picked up quite a bit. Then we had lunch, and then got on our bathing suits and water shoes on, and got ready to head out to the marsh! He told us about all the animals in the marsh, and then we headed out. In the mud hole (it is literally a mud hole), we caught all the permanent residents, such as this tiny snail you find all over the mud hole.

Then we went to the part along the bay and went seining and crabbing. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!!! Then we came back and had a Hawaiian luau, then made fake leis. The next day Greg talked more and we held dead sea animals!! Ew times 10! But, it was actually pretty cool. Then we dissected a squid! Ew times a million!!! We had a boy squid. It was nasty! But cool at the same time. Then we tasted squid, and it was so good! (calamari) Then, sadly, we went home :(. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN! 

               ~luv ya!

                Ann Claire