What about way too much to eat, relatives
under foot, wrapping paper, kids with lots of time on their hands? It is always interesting when we look forward
to the holidays, but we are also happy when we can return to our routine.
In this time between various holiday activities, we want to
take stock of 2012. I believe it is
good to be grateful for every day and each year. GSSA has had an excellent 2012! The cookie program was strong last year, with
500 more girls involved in the program.
The per girl cookie sale average increased, which translates additional
funds to fix deferred maintenance, make new purchases, and build new
things. We addressed a number of
leaking roofs, those of us in the Mobile Service Center are especially grateful
for a new roof on both buildings, so it no longer leaks in. We bought more stand-up paddle boards for
both Kamp Kiwanis and Scoutshire Woods, so girls can hone their skills on
those. We built zip lines for the girls
at Scoutshire Woods and Kamp Kiwanis, complete with helmets, harnesses, and
trolleys for the girls to ride on.
There was a new dock at the island in the lake at Scoutshire Woods, and
we built another new dock for the mariners at Kamp Kiwanis. The horse ring at Scoutshire Woods has a new
deluxe restroom, which is a prototype of more restrooms to come at this
property. It is constructed of concrete
block, so in case there is a storm, girls would have a more substantial
building to go to. This is a partial
list of the opportunities we were able to offer the girls because of a strong
cookie program.
The girl programs for the 100th anniversary were
outstanding. In the early spring we
were able to offer Girls Rock Mobile for 600 girls. What a weekend that was, with an overnight
at the Mobile Convention Center. It
included a boat ride so girls understand the port and issues confronting the
port with litter. There were
exhibitors, and a great scavenger hunt through the city streets.
GSSA also took two buses to Rock the Mall, the 100th
anniversary rock concert on the Washington Monument mall, over 250,000 girls
and adults attended that day. Many
other girls used their hard- earned cookie rewards to visit Savannah or take
other trips they had been saving for.
The Heritage Committee put together an excellent exhibit
highlighting the 100 years of Girl Scouts.
The History Museum of Mobile hosted a wonderful reception for the
exhibit opening, so many got to celebrate 100 years of girls learning to become
leaders. This exhibit continues to tour
the council and has been enjoyed by many.
We started having Girl Scout Alumnae events at different camps in the council and are working to reconnect with those who have gone before us, celebrating their involvement with girls creating leaders. We continue to schedule those events throughout the council.
All of this happened while every week many of you meet with
your girls, sing songs, build skills, and teach girls how to become leaders in
their community through Discover, Connect, and Take Action. We appreciate all you do to make the world a
better place. We are grateful for an
excellent 2012 and have high hopes for an even better 2013!
