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It's time to start planning those camporees for the fall of 2010 and the spring of 2011.  The council will begin taking reservations on June 1, and as usual, we anticipate that slots will fill up quickly.  To reserve Camp Sid or Camp Scoutshire Woods, contact Barbara Davis (extension 1902), and for Kamp Kiwanis and Camp Humming Hills, contact Nina Davis (extension 2902).  Please note, there is a $50 deposit required to reserve camp for a camporee.

Information and reservation forms for each of our camps is on our Camps and Properties page.  The Camporee Book has information on all the camps, as well as great recommendations for planning a camping trip.

Troops planning overnight trips or camping excursions (on non-council property) need to complete the Overnight Trip/Camping Application form. 

And, don't forget that ALL adults who chaperone, drive or stay overnight must be registered members and have an approved Volunteer Application on file with the council.

Questions? Contact Cheryl Miller at 800.239.6636, ext.2302, or cmiller@girlscoutssa.org.

Inspired by the best-selling book from Pulitzer-prize winning journalists Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, Half the Sky LIVE will feature musical performances, celebrity commentary, and the world premiere of Woineshet, a powerful short film directed by Academy Award® Winner Marisa Tomei.

With Half the Sky LIVE, audiences can watch the pages of Half the Sky come to life onscreen as Woineshet chronicles the story of a teenaged Ethiopian girl who struggles with and ultimately triumphs over sexual violence and discrimination. To learn more about the film, find your local theater, and purchase tickets go to Half the Sky Live (www.halftheskylive.com.)  This is showing in Mobile!

• In honor of International Women's Day, CARE will present Half the Sky LIVE on Thursday, March 4, 2010 at 7:30p.m., in select movie theaters nationwide.
• Volunteers with older girls (13-18) can celebrate International Women's Day by taking them to watch Half The Sky LIVE. CARE, in partnership with Girl Scouts, will be providing an accompanying discussion guide for leaders to use for post discussion.

The first Girl Scout meeting in the United States was on March 12, 1912. To recognize this special event in Girl Scout history, the week including March 12 is known as Girl Scout week. The Saturday and Sunday of this week are known as Girl Scout Sabbath and Girl Scout Sunday. This week is an opportunity for girls to make a special effort to celebrate Girl Scouts.

Your troop can recognize scouting by asking your religious organization to place the Girl Scout bulletin insert on Girl Scout Sunday or Sabbath. This year Girl Scout Sunday is March 7 and Girl Scout Sabbath is March 13. The inserts are free, but supplies are limited, so put your order in quickly to ensure you have enough for your organization. 

This year's insert (pictured right) was designed by Cadette Girl Scout Abbie R. of Troop 8184.  The back of the insert has the Girl Scout Promise and Law, and GSSA contact information.

Order forms can be e-mailed to communications@girlscoutssa.org, faxed or mailed to either service center. The inserts can be put in service unit boxes for the service unit meetings in March or they can be picked up at the council.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     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)

Most of you have worked with a Girl Scout Field Executive at some point in your volunteer career.  Judging by the number of questions we receive, I would venture to guess you may not know what these ladies do every day.  Let me share what you can expect from your Field Executive:

1.    First and foremost, she recruits girls to be Girl Scouts and adults to be troop leaders.  She does this by scheduling roundups, Girl Scout nights and other fun events.

2.    She coordinates new leader trainings with staff and volunteer trainers.

3.    She attends many, but not all, service unit meetings.  Field Executives have up to nine different service units and as many as seven counties.

4.    She supports new leaders/troops by answering questions and offering guidance.

5.    She cultivates relationships with key leaders in her community.

As you can see, the Field Executives are very busy, but we are always happy to help!

Lindsey S. Milam

Director of Membership Development

Did you know that GSUSA has insurance for accidents that may occur during council sponsored activities?  The amount covered for some of the benefits has increased.  (These are not all of the benefits, just the ones with increased amounts).

Mutual of Omaha is pleased to announce increased benefit amounts within the GSUSA basic activity accident and optional insurance plans effective Oct. 1, 2009. In all plans, the maximum allowable expense will increase for the following benefits:

• Surface Ambulance - from $2,500 to $3,000
• Air Ambulance - from $4,000 to $5,000
• Counseling Services - from $1,500 to $2,500

For more information on activity insurance, please call your troop leader or field executive.

The holiday season is upon us and that means parades!  We have received several inquiries lately about Girl Scout participation in Christmas parades. Girl Scouts are allowed (and encouraged!) to participate in parades. Do keep in mind the appropriateness of the organization sponsoring the parade and the readiness of your girls. If you wish to participate in a parade, please notify Mary Anne Brutkiewicz (extension 1202) and include the date, time, place, purpose, and grade level participating. As always, be sure and follow the rules of Safety Wise:

·         Make sure that floats drawn by trucks and automobiles are covered by automobile insurance in the name of the vehicle owners.

·         Float construction is safe and secured to the body of the float and vehicle.

·         Riders have a secure handhold or safety harness if standing or secure seating.

·         Floats are not overcrowded.

·         Participants do not walk close to moving floats.

·         An adult accompanies girls on any moving float.

·         Girls are not allowed to distribute anything to onlookers from the float: no throws.

Girl Scouting is now officially recognizing two special weeks in the calendar year to commemorate volunteer service--"Make a Difference Week" and "Volunteer Appreciation Week."

Many people around the nation celebrate Make a Difference Day--"America's largest day of doing good." Held on the fourth Saturday in October, the day highlights how people engaged in public service have the power to transform their communities and our world. Girl Scouting is now instituting it as a week-long event.

In addition, several countries around the world participate in National Volunteer Week celebrations--and Girl Scouting will continue to join in on the fun.  During National Volunteer Week, which includes National Girl Scout Leaders Day (April 22), Girl Scouts of the USA pays tribute to innovative volunteers for making a difference. For 2010, National Volunteer Week will be celebrated Sunday, April 20 through Friday, April 25.

For more information on special dates in Girl Scouting, visit: www.girlscouts.org. And, to learn about products you can purchase in support of Girl Scouting, check out your local Girl Scout council store or visit the GSSA Shop on-line: shop.girlscoutssa.org.

Find all of the top picks for Leaders and Volunteers on our Online Shop!