Results tagged “events” from GSSA Leader Blog: The Virtual Volunteer

It's not too late to register to "Adopt A Distinguished Young Woman" for this year. Formerly known as Adopt an America's Junior Miss, this program allows Girl Scout troops to interact with contestants at 4 events over the time that they are in Mobile for the national finals, June 17-27. 

We've all been focused on 100th Anniversary events, but this annual event, unique to Mobile, is one of the highlights of the GSSA girl scout calendar. It is so rewarding for our girls to meet high-achieving young women whose ambitions and dreams can inspire them to  dream big for their own lives!    See what great role models  your girls can interact with if you participate in this program. 

Check out the Be Your Best Self patch program. If your troop completes the patch program by June 12, your troop will be recognized in a special ceremony at one of the events. 

Be sure when you turn in your Event Registration Form to list which states you would like to adopt.  The young women who are coming are really impressive!

"Where will you be when the lights go out?"

Girl Scouts are invited by ARC Energy Consulting and Hampstead Institute Downtown Farm to join hundreds of millions of people across the globe in switching off the lights for one hour - Earth Hour!  Here's the event poster -- it looks great!

By taking part in this event, Girl Scouts will earn the GSUSA's 100^th Anniversary Forever Green Patch.  The Celebration lasts from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.  At 8:30 p.m. we will all turn out the lights!

We are looking for troops to facilitate and provide the activities.  If you would like your troop to lead a game, a craft, or hand out Forever Green stickers, please call (334)272-9164 ext 2205 or email Amy Farrar at afarrar@girlscoutssa.org   We are looking for energetic and enthusiastic girls who don't mind teaching and leading younger kids in activities.

This is a great opportunity to earn the100th Anniversary Forever Green Patch.  Girls will learn responsibility of their environment as well as all of the different ways they can help the planet!

Here's the link to the program details.

We've got an amazing 100^th Anniversary celebration planned! "Girl Scouts Rock Mobile!" will take place March 24-25. Girls will spend two days in beautiful downtown Mobile making our presence known and celebrating in true Girl Scout style! Girls will visit historical and cultural sites, view our own history exhibit at the Museum of Mobile, take an " Eco Cruise" of Mobile Bay, attend an eco-fair, make "green" crafts, participate in a "Flash  Mob", special activities for older girls, and much more!  Click here for the details.

Part of our celebration will be a 100^th Anniversary Art Contest, open to all troops.  Your can participate by creating a 3-D "100" art project, which will be on display during the "Rock Mobile Weekend.  Click here for more info.

March 1 is the deadline for both the "Girl Scouts Rock Mobile!" event and the 100th Anniversary Art Contest, so make plans to join the fun. It's gonna be great!

Don't miss the celebration that only comes once every 100 years!  GSSA's Centennial Celebration will be Saturday, October 29, 2011, at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery. Come out and celebrate this special occasion with us. This event is open to the public and starts promptly at 8:30 a.m., lasting until 12:30 p.m. Bring your girls (and their friends!) to join in on the fun as we celebrate 100 years of building girls of courage, confidence and character!

Also, don't forget to pre-order your GSSA centennial cookbook while they're still $10. This is the last week for this price. They make awesome gifts, and the recipes are great! Orders can be emailed, faxed or mailed in (MUST be postmarked no later than October 29). Cookbooks will cost $12 after that date. Click here to order yours today!

Presented by Girl Scout Troop 9302

ACTIVITIES:  
*Making Snow       
*Building a Geyser  
*Making Slime 
*Fingerprint Identification       
*Optical Illusions        
*Penny Adhesion  
             
EXHIBITS/MODELS: 
*Butterfly Collection       
*Static-Electricity Ball 
*Insect Collection      
*Animal Skeleton              
*Fossil Collection

                                               

Saturday, October 22, 2011

TIME/PLACE: 9:00 a.m. to Noon
Zion Chapel School Science Lab located on Highway 87 in Jack, AL
 
COST: $10.00 per girl
Open to all GS levels with a minimum of 20 and maximum of 30 total
 
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: September 25, 2011
checks made payable to GSSA Troop 9302 and mailed with event registration form to GSSA Troop 9302 c/o Marsha Jordan, 150 County Road 223, New Brockton, AL 36351.  Please indicate the number of fun patches your troop will need
 

It's not too late to register to "Adopt A Distinguished Young Woman" for this year. Formerly known as Adopt an America's Junior Miss, this program allows Girl Scout troops to interact with contestants over the time that they are in Mobile for the national finals, June 12-25.

At this point, we still have 19 out of the 50 girls without troops. We want this to be a great experience for all of the girls. We've extended the deadline (again) until May 20, 2011.

If your troop can host, please contact Jeannie Napper at 251-344-3330, ext. 1202.

Check out the Be Your Best Self patch program. If your troop completes the patch program by June 12, your troop will be recognized in a special ceremony at one of the events.

Be sure when you turn in your Event Registration Form to list which states you would like to adopt. Keep in mind, 31 of the states have already been assigned. The young women who are coming are really impressive! See what great role models your girls can interact with if you participate in this program.

Still aren't sold? Look at the photos from last year's program, and we're sure you'll adopt a Distinguished Young Woman!

Back by popular demand! Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama is planning a mini-Destination to Huntsville, Alabama and the Space and Rocket Center and it is not for the faint of heart!  This action packed trip offers something for everyone!

 

Friday, June 10: Destination Huntsville begins Friday evening at the Sci-Quest Museum. Enjoy the 100+ interactive programs and complete the Spa Science Program. More info:  http://www.sci-quest.org/index/php

Saturday, June 11: Breakfast at the Sci-Quest Museum and then off to the Botanical Gardens for a visit. Enjoy the nation's largest seasonal butterfly house and a unique children's garden as part of "Wings, Warts, and Wonders". More info: http://www.hsvbg.org/index/php

 

After enjoying the gardens, travel to the U. S. Space and Rocket Center for the 2-day New Horizons program. Features include hands on Science lab a 3D movie, build and launch a rocket, a trip in the Mars Simulator, the Space Shot and the G Force Accelerator. More info: http://www.spacecamp.com/museum/groups/newhorizons

 

Sunday, June 12: Our destination ends at 2:00 PM and troops are free to do more exploring or head home!

 

This all -girl trip is open to rising Juniors -Ambassadors, leaders, and moms (Sorry, no men or tagalongs).  All participants must be registered and adults must be registered and approved. Troops must furnish sufficient adults to meet the ration of two per: 16 Juniors, 20 Cadettes, 24 Older girls. Individual members may register with their moms.

 

The $160 fee (may use Cookie Bucks) covers all programs  and admissions, five meals( Saturday  breakfast-Sunday lunch), overnight on the floor at the Sci-Quest, overnight in the Habitat (bed and shower) at the USSRC, IMAX movie, event t-shirt, event patch, and the services of two experienced council leaders. Not included: transportation and dinner Friday night.

 

To reserve your place, send an Event Registration Form and $25 non-refundable deposit to the Mobile Service Center by January 14, 2011. The remainder of the money will be due April 1, 2011. All monies are non-refundable. This is based on 50 minimum participants and 100 maximum participants. Questions? Contact Mary Anne Brutkiewicz at extension 1202.

Carrie Underwood is coming to the Mobile Civic Center October 23, as part of her "Play On" tour.  Pretty awesome, right?  But what does that have to do with Girl Scouts?

 

Well...Carrie Underwood would like for Girl Scouts to attend her concert!  We have a limited number of tickets, and you can get them for only $2 per ticket.

 

Who is eligible to receive tickets?  Any registered Girl Scout!  You can purchase three tickets per family.  All you need is one registered Girl Scout (ages 5-18), and your family can purchase up to three tickets.

 

How do you get them?  It's easy!  We're doing this on a first-come, first-served basis by date and time each e-mail is received.  So, be sure to register quickly.  Simply e-mail the Event Registration Form to communications@girlscoutssa.org, and we'll let you know if we have tickets for you.

 

After that, we will let you know when we have the tickets available for pick up.  The concert is nine days away, so there won't be enough time to mail out any tickets.  Tickets will be available for pick up (once we receive them) at the Mobile and Montgomery Service Centers between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.  Tickets will not be available for pick up on the day of the concert, so be sure you can come by one of the offices before that time.

 

We will keep a waiting list for any tickets that don't get picked up by noon on Friday, Oct. 22.

 

We knew Carrie is an American Idol, but we think she's a Girl Scout Idol, too!

 

The Kappa Delta's have announced the badge offerings for this year's event. Since we are late offering these choices, we are extending the registration deadline (with no late fee) until September 30. KD Badge Day is a very popular program where Brownies and Juniors earn two badges and older girls earn one IP. The Junior choices for this year will be: Global Awareness, Healthy Relationships, Car Sense, A Healthier You, Weather Watch, Earth Connections, Finding Your Way, Drawing and Painting, Dance, and Outdoor Cooking. Older girl choices will be: Women's Health, From Stress to Success, Just Jewelry, and Your Own Business. Brownie offerings will be available next week; contact Mary Anne Brutkiewicz, ext. 1202, to find out which badges will be offered.

Want to avoid delays in the processing of your event and training registrations?  See below for a few helpful hints.

 

Event Registrations: When registering for council events, the Event Registration form should be sent to the appropriate person or the Service Center indicated in the event announcement. If you're not sure who that is, you can always e-mail it to programs@girlscoutssa.org.

 

Late Registrations: To avoid further delays when registering after the deadline has passed, include the late fee (10%).

 

Adult Training: Use the Adult Learning Registration form when registering for the adult training courses, sending those to the appropriate person or Service Center indicated in the announcement.

 

If you have questions, contact Volunteer Services Liaison, Cheryl Miller, ext. 2302

 

Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama now requires girls and adults to sign a hold harmless agreement prior to participating in council events or using council property.  We suggest that you have each member of your troop and their parents to sign this agreement and send it to the council office closest to you now, so that we have it on file when you register for an activity.  In the future, your troop will be required to sign a hold harmless agreement at the beginning of each Girl Scout year.  If you have any questions, please contact Karlyn Edmonds, ext. 2903.

Some of the most memorable moments in a Girl Scout's life happen while attending special events and taking trips. However, there are requirements and forms to complete before you can be on your way. 

 

All trips require adherence to Safety-Wise and GSSA Policies and Procedures found in Volunteer Essentials, especially with regards to permission slips.  Permission slips and health history forms must be completed and available to responsible parties for the duration of the trip. All the necessary forms can be found on the Forms and Resources page at www.girlscoutssa.org.

 

Troops planning any overnight trip must receive permission from Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama. The Overnight Trip/Camping Application is also available on our Forms and Resources page at www.girlscoutssa.org.  This form must be completed and forwarded to Cheryl Miller at cmiller@girlscoutssa.org two to four weeks (depending on the length of trip) prior for approval.  Cheryl is also available to answer any questions you may have regarding troop trips.

 

Trips lasting three or more nights, (not including a federal holiday) require the troop to purchase additional GSUSA insurance from the council.

 

More information about planning and taking trips with your girls is available in Volunteer Essentials.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     The registration window for February - July programs opens December 15.  We already have some great programs planned and are adding new ones often.  In fact, we just added four today!  These are really cool programs that will fill up quickly, so even though it's hard to focus with the holidays upon us you might want to take a few minutes to check these out.

 

• Girl Scout Space Camp... in Mobile??
• Lego Robotics comes to Girl Scouts!
• An Old Favorite with a New Twist: Sign Language Re-visited
• *Mamma Mia! (registration deadline December 11)

Last year nearly 200 Girl Scouts from southern Alabama attended Wicked in Birmingham and raved about it.  Now, we want to offer this opportunity to those that missed out on it. Broadway Across America will present Wicked at the new Mahalia Jackson Theatre in New Orleans, and Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama will attend the matinee Saturday, April 3, 2010, at 2 p.m. We realize that this is Easter weekend; however, we have Girl Scout program conflicts the other matinee weekends.

 Winner of three Tonys, Wicked is the story of the witches of Oz before Dorothy arrived in Munchkinland. The play is appropriate for ages 8 and up, but is enjoyed by all ages on different levels.

 Ticket prices are $45 for upper balcony ($25 deposit) and $85 ($45 deposit) for lower balcony. Deposits are due November 24 and are non-refundable. Deposits will be returned if there are not sufficient registrations for this program.  Final payments are due January 8, 2010. Send event registrations and deposits to Mary Anne Brutkiewicz (ext. 1202) at the Mobile Service Center. Registrations may be mailed, faxed (251.344.4181) or e-mailed to mbrutkiewicz@girlscoutssa.org.  

 

***UPDATED 12/2/09: There are a few additional tickets for sale.  If you would like to purchase them, the full payment is due January 8.  Please contact Mary Anne Brutkiewicz if you have any questions. 

Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama hosted its 14^th Annual Women of Distinction Awards Gala on March 10, 2009 at Arrowhead Country Club.  Over 150 attendees helped celebrate the honorees accomplishments and commitments to their community. 

 Honorees included Elizabeth Braswell, Tamara Cofield, Dr. Susan Diamond, Dee Gambill, Sue Herring Groce, Joy Grodnick, Dora James, Juanita Owes, Nancy Raia, Sarah Spear, Lisa Stephens and Virginia Thompson.  Young Women of Distinction honorees included Barbara B., Maria B., Haley E. and Leah N.  Girl Scout Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Yvonne Lee.

Highlights from the evening included a reception and silent auction before the awards dinner.  Ellen Brooks, board chair and longtime Girl Scout delivered the keynote address.  The mistress of ceremonies was WSFA-12 news anchor Tonya Terry.  The fabulous evening also included a live auction conducted by Auctioneer Johnny Mullins.   

Proceeds from the event support our Girl Leadership Development Program and provide financial assistance for girls who would not normally have the opportunity to participate. 

Special thanks to all our sponsors and volunteers who helped make the night a success!  See our special events page to view all the sponsors and the committee members who put on this wonderful event.

Need a reason to stay on track during the holiday season? Take a bite out of your holiday indulgences by getting ready for the Thin Mint Sprint!

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 at www.active.com.

Registration forms are also available at McCoy Outdoors and the Girl Scout offices.

Remember watching Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood?  My favorite part was the factory tours: from crayon manufacture to a bread-making production line, I love a tour!

Hyundai Motors in Montgomery offers group tours!  What a great way for our girls to learn about manufacturing and Alabama industry. 

Tour info is found at www.hmmausa.com; tours are offered on Monday, Wednesday, & Friday during the day and Thursday evening.  Ages are 3rd grade and up.   Reservations are required, call 334 387-8019 for more information.

Back to Mr. Rogers.  Did you notice that he NEVER put his lace-up shoes back on at the end of the show?  That always concerned me. 

Girls have a great time at our yearly Cookie Celebrations!  And this year's empowering theme of "Imagine If...We Could Change The World"  creates an opportunity for a fabulous Celebration. 

The Cookie Imagination Celebration is just the event to kick off the cookie sale and get your girls excited about the changes they can make to help the world be a better place! 

Girls will make switch plates as reminders to turn out the lights, participate in cookie relays and use their imaginations on how to make the world a better place.

The date and location are Sat, Jan 10 morning at the Rachel Patterson Elementary School in Atmore.  See the program calendar or call Mary Anne Brutkiewicz at 251-344-3330 for more information!

Did you know that 22 astronauts were Girl Scouts?

Girl Scouts from around the country are invited to participate in the annual "Salute to Girl Scouts" on December 6, 2008 at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, a day filled with adventure and activities designed to inspire the next generation of space explorers.  This year's activities focus on NASA's Constellation Program to send human explorers back to the moon and then on to Mars.  Salute to Girl Scouts weekend also includes a brand new group activity themed around the International Space Station Truss System.

 

Participants will have full access to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex shows and exhibits, take a tour of Kennedy Space Center, enjoy a 3D IMAX space film, tour the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, attend a private, interactive briefing about NASA's latest mission and meet an astronaut with a special message to scouts.

 

Admission to "Salute to Girl Scouts Weekend" is $31.50 per person plus tax and includes activities from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and lunch plus a second day of admission to explore Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.  For more information or to register please call (321) 449-4400 or visit www.KennedySpaceCenter.com.  

One of our many Council patches centers around the Mobile International Festival, being held on Nov. 22.  Girl Scouts attending the festival can earn many of the requirements for the International Friendship Patch available on our council's website. Girls advance diversity in a multicultural world by learning to appreciate the international cultures represented at the festival.  They also have a GREAT time watching dances, eating food and seeing craft demonstrations from around the world!

You can order tickets using this form: http://mobileinternationalfestival.org/MIF/scouts/08girlscoutorderform.doc

Is there an activity or historical site near you that is "patch-worthy"?  We welcome leaders to develop patches that focus on the rich history and diversity of our area.  Contact Mary Anne Brutkiewicz (mbrutkiewicz@girlscoutssa.org) at 251-344-3330 more information on creating patches.