Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama

Thankful Thursday

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 14:06:43 -0600

What are you thankful for? That special volunteer who goes the extra mile every time you need her or the business owner who always buys that extra case of cookies? Now, you have the opportunity to put the spotlight on extra special people like this!

This week, the council would like to thank volunteer Liz Carnahan for taking on the tedious task of data entry. She really helped us meet a deadline for membership registrations!

Each week on "Thankful Thursday" we invite you to join us in highlighting the work of these individuals.

Troop 8380: School Supplies and Uniforms Drive

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 07:41:44 -0600

Spanish Fort United Methodist Church, located in Baldwin County, operates a Uniform Closet that distributes gently used and new uniforms and school supplies to children in need. On July 26, they had their largest distribution ever and were able to assist 403 children before the supplies were depleted. Parents and children began lining up at 2:00 am to receive these uniforms and supplies. According to Jill Arnott, director of the Uniform Closet, there is a huge need in the rural areas of Baldwin County for these items.

After hearing about this, Junior Troop 8380 decided to conduct several uniform drives this year to help replenish the closet. This drive, among other things, will count toward their Bronze Award and they need your help. As your child returns to school this month, please bring their old uniforms to either the Montgomery or Mobile service centers. Staff will make sure they get to the troop. Donations can be dropped off at Spanish Fort United Methodist Church (just mention they are for the Girl Scout drive).

Items needed are:

· Uniform bottoms in Khaki or Navy Blue

· Uniform tops in White or Navy Blue

· Back packs

· Lunch boxes

· Coats and Sweaters

· School Supplies (paper, pencil, notebooks, etc.)

If you have any questions, please contact Alicia Spencer.

Cookies, Cookies, Cookies

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 12:43:57 -0600

A great deal of our time is spent with cookies. This year I watched the cookie sale that had some extraordinary elements and some issues that just didn't work. There is still volunteer frustration from girls who sold cookies who do not yet have their incentives. I certainly understand how a girl would be frustrated to receive an incentive four or more months later. These things are meant to motivate, and rapid feedback is an important element.
We also had delivery issues in some areas of the council. This is frustrating when you have a booth sale and none of the customers' favorite cookies available. We are working to have a better sale this coming year. In an effort to have a great sale in 2009, we have asked both cookie bakers in for additional information and opportunities.
I would like to know how we can improve the sale. Changing cookie bakers is a part of what is being considered. I recognize parts of the council are accustomed to the current baker, while others have used both. I would like your feedback on how to make the 2009 sale successful. I'm interested in the top 3 issues from your perspective and ideas on how to best address them.

How important is a quick delivery of girl incentives?
Did you have concerns with delivery of cookies in your area?
How important is the ease of use of the online recording keeping?
How important is online training?

Please send your suggestions as soon as possible to lbrent@girlscoutssa.org.
Thank you for your work on behalf of the GIRLS OF SOUTHERN ALABAMA!

Liz Brent, Ph.D.

CEO

Girl Scout Cub Reporter

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:15:00 -0600

Below is an article Cadette Girl Scout, Savannah, from Troop 7098 in Auburn wrote and had published in the Opelika-Auburn newspaper. Savannah is a cub reporter for the newspaper. She will have articles on the sea turtles every week until they are due to hatch.

The Journey Of An Alabama Sea Turtle

I went to Gulf Shores with my family for summer vacation. We were tired from the four hour drive on Sunday. We decided to hang out with our neighbors by the pool. Normally, we would have been on the beach that evening looking for crabs. Little did we know that a rare sea turtle had swum ashore to lay its eggs in the canopy right next to ours. Early Monday morning as my Mimi and Papa Ronny walked the beach they saw the Bon Secour Wildlife Rescue people examining what they believed to be where a sea turtle had come and laid its eggs. Sure enough, as they began to dig the Bon Secour Wildlife Rescue people found 128 round eggs in the shape of ping-pong balls. They believe that the turtle that laid the eggs is an endangered species called the Kemp Ridley sea turtle. There are only 1,000 females that are known left of this species. The Bon Secour Wildlife Rescue people carefully moved the eggs to a safer spot. They were only able to move 126 because two of the eggs were broken. The area on the beach where the eggs have been moved is now posted. There is a $100,000 fine and time in jail if the eggs are harmed in any way.
If you would like to follow or adopt this nest you can go to: http://www.alabamaseaturtles.com and visit the nesting season statistics. The ID number is C-1 and the date found is 6/9/08 on West Beach 2. I will continue to have weekly follow-ups on this sea turtle and will have more interesting information on the Kemp Ridley sea turtle.

To read more of Savannah's series: The Journey of An Alabama Sea Turtle, visit http://www.gulfeast.com/index.php/OAN_Cub_Reporter/.

The Faces of Courage

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:16:27 -0600

The theme of the 2007-08 Girl Scout year was courage. We had a number of contests for girls and troops centered around courage. We had good results and were pleased with it. The annual report was done around the theme of courage. It was well done and illustrated what courage can mean. We were proud of this accomplishment... and then, there was an accident and I got to see the real faces of courage.

I had my summer planned. I wanted to spend the entire summer working from one resident camp and then the next. What could be more perfect than a job where you get to spend the entire summer at camp with the girls? But sometimes the best laid plans don't come true. However, sometimes you find some of what you were looking for in a place you did not anticipate.

There was a bad accident. And because of that accident I spent the summer visiting the hospital. I visited two girls in the hospital who were courageous. I don't think they meant to be courageous, that wasn't part of their summer plan.

One of the girl's summer plan was the same as mine; be at camp with the girls all summer, something she had done many times before. This girl is incredibly special. For her high school graduation gift, she asked for a lifetime membership to the Girl Scouts. This girl has spent most of her summers at Girl Scout camp, both as a camper and then as a staff person. She has a lot of friends and a very special boyfriend. She's popular with her sorority sisters and she's herself first and foremost a Girl Scout. This girl typifies what the Girl Scout programs are about. She is a leader, she is confident and this summer she has had to have courage every day.

The other girl is a very active girl, not as old. At first she was very quiet with me. She didn't know me or understand why I was around. My first three visits I didn't think she could talk. And she hurt; she didn't need to talk to me. I saw the worry in her mother's face, the concern etched. Something a mother cannot hide. As I got to know this girl I found she is very good-tempered. She loves to laugh, play, have fun and can be quite a joker. Daily she exhibits courage because what she does is hard and it hurts. But she exudes a spunk and spirit which is amazing and she's only eleven. Clearly, this is not what she had in mind for her summer. She wants to go to Costa Rica and explore the world. Her mother has explored the world and she has the same sense of adventure, despite the accident.

The mothers of these girls also exhibited courage every time I talked to them. Both knew this was going to be a hard summer, one they had not envisioned. They put on their very best face for those who visited them, but what made them remarkable is how grateful they always were for the visitors, gifts and concern for their daughter. It was clear that each of those special girls also had courageous mothers. They spent quality time, they encouraged their daughter and they taught them how to be girls of courage, confidence, and character.

I did not expect to spend part of my summer coming to see the faces of courage the way I did. It was not my plan. But I had the opportunity to see what Girl Scouts have to offer through the faces of two girls and their mothers who exhibit courage. Their summer, like mine, was not what was planned. But it provided an opportunity for growth, self understanding, and a chance for me to see what courage is like in the face of adversity.

Both girls are now out of the hospital and recovering at home. They want to thank everyone for all of the thoughts, cards and well wishes they received from their Girl Scout family.

Get Well Soon II

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:27:41 -0600

Dear Friends,

I would like to provide a brief update on the condition of those involved in the car accident on June 4. We had an opportunity to visit with the staff counselor Friday morning, and she looked good. She was about to be moved to a regular room and will not require any additional surgery, although her recovery will take a number of weeks.

The camper will undergo surgery again tomorrow as a follow up to what was done on Wednesday night. She looked much improved from yesterday.
We shared with both your wishes for a speedy recovery from the council blog. Those thoughts were much appreciated, as will subsequent wishes and comments on their speedy recovery.

Two of the campers involved in the accident returned to camp on Thursday to finish out the camp session. We also provided an opportunity for conversation with the campers on what happened with one of our staff who has a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. These can be teachable moments for our girls, so we worked to shape that opportunity.

We appreciate your comments for those involved. This type of response across the council illustrates the power of support in the healing process.

Sincerely,

Liz Brent, Ph.D.
CEO

Get Well Soon

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:59:38 -0600

Dear Parents, Leaders and Friends,

On Wednesday, June 4, one of our Camp Scoutshire Woods resident camp units took an adventure kayaking trip. On their drive home, one of the vehicles was involved in a serious traffic accident. Girls and staff were transported to area hospitals for treatment. Five of those involved were evaluated, treated and released. Two others remain hospitalized.

Our main concern is always the health and safety of the girls in our care. Our hearts go out to those injured, their families and loved ones. As you can imagine, this type of incident is of concern to everyone at camp and those involved in our many programs and activities. We are always cognizant and careful to assure the health and safety of the lives we are entrusted with.

We invite you to send those who remain hospitalized get well wishes by posting a comment to this post. To post a comment, click on the comment tab above.

Sincerely,

Liz Brent, Ph.D.
CEO

Dauphin Island Sea Lab

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:06:39 -0600

:) 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

Just starting this new blog...

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:53:14 -0600

Hey everybody!

I'm Leah, a Senior Scout from Satsuma. I've been a Girl Scout for 11 years, and recently earned my Gold Award. This is my first post, so I'm hoping some other girls will help me out, and post some interesting stuff!

So, has anyone ever heard of Satsuma? .. didn't think so. Satsuma is a small town, north of Mobile. Satsuma High School has around 1,500 students. In Satsuma, football (mainly) and baseball are the sports of choice. A lot of the students don't put as much emphasis on academics as they should. Well, as much as I think they should. I'm a dork I guess you could say. I play soccer, which is another one of those little-emphasized sports, and most of my friends are basically dorks too. In a school that isn't focused on what I am, I'm sure I'm not the only one counting down the days until college.

For me, college is a chance to live somewhere that is totally focused on the same things I am. I'm hoping to get a scholarship to Auburn University and study pharmacy.

Surely there are other girls out there who feel the same way I do. I'd like to hear your story.