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Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama joins Girl Scouts around the country to make the world a better place as we celebrate Girl Scout Week and the 98^th anniversary of Girl Scouts from March 7-13. More than 3 million girls in the United States and more than 9,000 girls in southern Alabama are discovering their path to leadership through Girl Scouts.

Self-discovery and community service were core values that Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Low sought to instill in girls from the earliest days. When the organization was founded in 1912, many girls' paths in life were limited and Low's vision was to establish an organization where any American girl could expand her personal horizon by having fun while exploring new interests and contributing to society. Low was determined to help expand opportunities and learning for the average American girl, and founded Girl Scouts on March 12, 1912.

Join other girls and leaders from around our council on our "Heritage Trip" to the birthplace of Girl Scouting!  Take advantage of President's Day and Mardi Gras holidays and go on a once in a lifetime trip this Feb. 12-16, 2010.

Savannah is a fascinating city and there are many things to do, see and eat!  Just a few of the activities will be the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace Program, a dolphin cruise, a tour of some reportedly haunted places the city and a visit to Paula Dean's renowned Lady and Sons restaurant.

The "hold your space" deposit of $50 is due August 31, which is half refundable.

All of the details including cost, payment schedule and the itinerary are on the Heritage Trip flyer.  If you have questions, please contact Mary Anne Brutkiewicz (extension 1202).

This is the first article in a series by our public relations intern, Evie.  She's new to Girl Scouting, and as she participates in different Girl Scout activities, she'll share her fresh perspective with us.  Evie is an unpaid intern, and this her last class before she graduates from Auburn University in August.  We appreciate all that Evie (pictured with Tatyana from Camp Sunshine) is doing for Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama. 

The ironic thing about working for the Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama is that I was never a Girl Scout. I didn't know the different between Brownies and Cadettes, or that they sold anything other than Girl Scout cookies.  

           My first real "Girl Scout" experience was attending two days of Camp Sunshine.  Camp Sunshine is a week-long day camp for 75 girls who live in the Montgomery Public Housing Communities.  Each day there are planned activities for the girls giving them the opportunity to do things they normally wouldn't.

                Monday, June 1, the girls went to the Montgomery Zoo and picnicked outside.  Wednesday, June 3, the girls visited the Alabama Shakespeare Festival to learn about acting and to try on costumes. They also attended a basketball camp one day, had various arts and crafts sessions and spent Thursday night at Kamp Kiwanis.

                Accompanying these girls and watching them have these wonderful experiences made me wish that I had become a Girl Scout when I was younger.  I believe becoming a Girl Scout is a very important growing experience that every girl should try. Or at least think about.  Not only do they make lifelong friends, but they get to go to the coolest places and do the coolest things.  Not many people can say they've tried on costumes with three talented young actors!

                Besides doing some pretty exciting things, the girls learn important life skills and have good role models to look up to.  I am looking forward to spending more time with the Girl Scouts this summer and hope that I can enjoy the privilege of being a Girl Scout through their experiences.

One of the ways we celebrate Girl Scout Week (March 8-14 this year) is to offer our appreciation to the many of you in our communities who've given your time, talent and financial donations so that we may continue with the Girl Scout legacy of service to others. 

During this special week, we hope your religious organization chooses to celebrate Girl Scout Week by including this year's bulletin insert during Girl Scout Week. We have inserts for bulletins (5.5 by 8.5 inches) that are free of charge.  We have several thousand and will give them out until they are gone.  Ask your church or synagogue to place these inserts in their bulletins during Girl Scout Week, and let us know how many you need by filling out this form.  Don't hesitate if you need 500 or more inserts! 

Every year, a local Girl Scout designs the artwork for the insert.  The back of the insert has the Girl Scout promise, the Girl Scout law, and the address and web site of the council.  Click here to see the full size 2009 insert.

Some religious organizations also choose to let the Girl Scout troops attend services in uniform and take part in the service by taking up the offering or presenting the colors.  Make it a special day and help continue to make Girl Scouting relevant for the next 97 years and beyond!