We're making plans for the 2010 Cookie Sale, and we need your input! Please encourage your girls to take our quick survey to help decide which recognitions to offer during the Cookie Sale. We want your input, too!

All the recognitions are fun and cute, so check them out and let us know your favorites!

"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.

Sunday, June 14

Today was really fun.  The girls in my cabin are funny and nice but sometimes annoying.  I was in the cabin with Tara, Sabrina, and Beth.  Our counselors are Duchess and Wendy. When we went to swim for the swim test there were three places to swim.  Me and Sabrina got a yellow cap.  That means we get to swim  the middle section.  Beans, the life guard said I was a really good swimmer and asked if I wanted to be in the yellow section.  Once we finished swimming we went straight to dinner.  We had pizza and salad.  My job was sweeper.  When I got done I found the other girls and we went to get our medicine.  Then we went to the opening camp fire. 

After the campfire we had cake and ice cream.  Sabrina and I got showers last.  It was fun because she controlled my shower and I controlled hers.  For a while the girls in our cabin were so loud that I couldn't get to sleep.  Finally I did and then "Crash!". One of the girls lights fell and the top flew off of it.   My boot fell on top of it. It shattered into a million pieces.  We finally found all the pieces.  Now I am trying to get to sleep again because we have to get up at 7:00 in the morning.

Monday, June 15

Mixed up Mosh Monday

It was really fun today.  For breakfast we had biscuits and sausage.  I mostly had sausage.  After breakfast we went to archery.  We had to shoot a takedown bow.  It was much heavier than the bow I shoot at home.  I thought I was going to miss but I didn't. 

Then we went to ride the horses.  I rode a horse named Chase.  They said that he was stubborn  and likes to roll in the sand.  Chase is white and he sweats a lot.  I like him though.

We also have a mouse who lives in our cabin.  We named it Cheddar Cheese.  It has a home over Tara's bed.  We found it tonight and decided it would be our camp pet.  We didn't touch it though.

Tuesday, June 16

For breakfast today we had grits and eggs.  Then we went to ride the horses.  First we got to muck out the stables.  It was very fun and not too disgusting.  After that we had to clean the pasture.  I really missed the air conditioning then.  Then I got to ride Chase.  He was sleepy. 

 We went to the spillway for lunch and to play.  After turtle time we went canoeing.  Yeah!!! It was so much fun.  They let us canoe barefooted.  Then we went swimming.  We were late getting there so we only got to swim for ten minutes.  After that we had a camp swim. 

The whole day was twin Tuesday but I was a triplet with Tara and Sabrina.  Finally we had a shampoo party.  The best part of that was when the counselors got hoses and used them to wash us off. 

Wednesday, June 17

For breakfast we had bacon and french toast.  Our group got to sing the blessing.  I made one up.  Then we went to ride the horses.  We got to ride first today.  Each day we got the same horse so I was on Chase.  Today they let us make the horses trot.  It was bumpy.

After that we went to the craft hut and made wind chimes.  Then we went to the trading post.  When we got there we could not get in to get ice cream so I bought a white horse and named him Chase.  Then we went to lunch.  At lunch we got to set the table and sing the Super Man blessing.  The best news is that this whole time I have not seen one snake and I get to see Pony Girl everyday too.

We swam for what seemed like hours.  I played with Mary Lee alot.  Then we went back to camp to switch into real clothes.

We made supper in camp.  I got to make the center piece.  We tried to make a horse but it didn't turn out to well.  We could have had either chicken and rice or lasagna.  I had chicken and rice.  Then we had cupcakes.  We had tryouts to decide what we were going to sing at the campfire and we decided to sing Magdelina Hagdelena.  I got teach it because only me and Sabrina knew it.  Numa and Red Bud thought it was hysterical.  Then we had s'mores and showers and went to bed.

Thursday, June 18

Today for breakfast we had grits and eggs again.  Before we went to breakfast we had to feed the horses.  While they were eating I got to help Sabrina groom Dusty.  Chase isn't good at getting in the stall so I didn't get to groom him. It was still too early to ride them so we went to breakfast.  After that we went to archery.  we got to shoot at balloons.  I think I would have hit mine if it weren't for that heavy take down bow. 

Next we went to the craft hut.  We were supposed to make baskets but we didn't have enough time so we made Father's Day cards instead. 

Then we went  for ice cream.  After turtle time we got everyone to sign our shirts.  Then we went to ride horses.  Today we went on a trail ride.  Chase kept on stopping to eat grass.  On the trail we got to trot some too.  It was really fun.  After that we went to swimming.  It seemed shorter than we thought it should.  The lake wasn't really all that gross it was just sandy.  Then we had supper and went to the closing camp fire.  Our group sang Magdelina Hagdelina and did the Pebbles skit.  The we did wish boats and the circle. 

Friday, June 19

This morning I was up early.  For breakfast we had pancakes and sausage.  Then we went to the rec hall.  We went to play games.  One game we played was called I  Love All My Girl Scout Buddies.  Then we played a game where you have to go through a hula hoop while holding hands and try to get it back where it started.  Next we went for a canoe race.  The girls on my canoe were all on one side so that when we ran into other canoes ours almost tipped over.  One canoe got disqualified because some girl stood up in it.

After that we went for a swim race on the kick boards.  Sabrina got first place and I got fifth.  Next we had a group swim.  Finally, we had turtle time and it was time to pack up to go home.  It really wasn't as hard to get all my stuff in my bag as my mom said it would be.

Also, be sure to check out the camp photos.  It's been a hot week, but that hasn't stopped the girls from having a great time!  If you haven't been to camp yet, we hope to see you there!

Includes the following for one young girl, her mother and a friend on Saturday, June 27:

·         Front row seats at the 52^nd AJM National Finals and rehearsals on Saturday, June 27

·         Backstage passes during rehearsals to see the dressing rooms, hospitality rooms, hair and makeup, VIP rooms, and other backstage areas where you'll get to enjoy food and drinks with the Junior Misses and meet some of the VIP guests (like Lindsey Brinton, America's Junior Miss 2008)

·         Early admission to the State Specialties Party, where you'll get to meet the Junior Misses, their parents and Junior Miss volunteers from all 50 states

·         Personal attention from Chelsea Fenton, Mobile County's Junior Miss 2009, as she escorts you to all of the day's events

·         Two free merchandise items of your choice - one for you and one for your friend

Enter for your chance by making a donation to America's Junior Miss at the AJM Meet and Greet at Bel Air Mall.

When: 7-9 p.m., Saturday, June 20

Where: Bel Air Mall in Mobile

Cost: $5 for 1 ticket, $10 for 3 tickets and $20 for 5 tickets

Tonight (June 10) ushers in the premiere episode of Bravo's "Top Chef Masters." In the show, big-time kitchen kings and queens compete for $100,000 in prize money for their favorite charity.

Several Girl Scouts are being featured as guest judges. Think they're push-overs? Not so much. Just ask Boston's Michael Schlow.

Swing by Bravotv.com for information, videos and more about the show!

Check out the sessions we're offering at Kamp Kiwanis and Camp Scoutshire Woods at http://www.girlscoutssa.org/properties_camps.php. 

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.  

Troop 9469 Invites You

to a TOGA Block Party

Monday, May 11

6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Montgomery Service Center

RSVP by: Friday, May 8

Cost: $3
To Register: Download the Event Registration Form and return to Karlyn Edmonds or the Montgomery Service Center.

Check out the cool ad the girls from Troop 9469 made:

Congratulations to everyone on a successful cookie sale, and thanks for all of your hard work!

Check out the top sellers, and be sure and congratulate them if you see them!

The top four council cookie sellers are:

•              Lindsay D. from Troop 8400 at 2,009 boxes

•              Corrin G. from Troop 9303 at 1,612 boxes

•              Jennalyn S. from Troop 9205 at 1,441 boxes

•              Hannah L. from Troop 9205 at 1,440 boxes 

 Troops also sold amazing numbers of cookies!

The top troops are:

Category 1-10 Girl Scouts Selling:

1.           5 Girl Scouts from Troop 8455 (SU 807) sold 337 cases of cookies (4,044 Boxes).  Troop Leader: Becky James

2.           9 Girl Scouts from Troop 8309 (SU 807) sold 299 cases of cookies (3,588 Boxes).  Troop Leader: Dana Jones

Category 11-20 Girl Scouts Selling:

1.                   20 Girl Scouts from Troop 9341 (SU 923 ) sold 554 cases of cookies (6,648 Boxes).  Troop Leader: Debbie Kasper

2.                   18 Girl Scouts from Troop 9265 (SU 923 ) sold 544 cases of cookies (6,528 Boxes).  Troop Leader: Denine Richey

Category 20+ Girl Scouts Selling:

1.                   42 Girl Scouts Troop 9351 (SU 913) sold 950 cases of cookies (11,400 Boxes).  Troop Leader: Jessie Harris

Girl Scout Brownie Troop 8547 earned their "Animals" badge recently by learning how to take good care of pets.  The girls also gathered lots of old towels, blankets, grooming supplies and toys to take to the City of Mobile Animal Shelter as a service project. 

At the animal shelter, Mrs. Jackie talked to the girls about what the animal shelter does, the importance of spaying and neutering, and the importance of taking care of pets.  She also gave the girls cat and dog training CD's, stickers and shelter information. 

In the picture from left to right: (Standing) Victoria, Olivia, Katelyn and Claire (Squatting) Kassandra, Lilly, Rachel, Keely, Mrs. Jackie, Ashleigh and Alyssa.

Feel free to forward the link to your friends who are interested in energy.  It's our Future -- let's express our opinions!

Scholarship: The foundation will award scholarships to deserving young women who have earned the Girl Scout Gold or Silver Award and who plan to or are currently pursuing a college major or minor in foreign language. This scholarship is renewable.

Grant: The foundation will provide airfare for a Silver or Gold Award Girl Scout who plans to study abroad, regardless of her major/minor. It is not necessary to be a scholarship recipient to apply for this one-time grant; nor are scholarship recipients excluded from applying. This grant is not renewable.

Application Deadline: May 15

For further information about Corinne, the foundation, or to obtain the downloadable scholarship and grant applications, visit the foundation's Web site at: http://www.cjsfoundation.org or contact by email at: dschillings@cjsfoundation.org or by phone at: 708-957-3684 or 630-886-0507.