Friday, November 29, 2013

GSSI Robotics Teams Competing in FIRST Lego League Qualifiers


Some of the girls on GSSI's Robotics Teams pose with Angie Suhre,
GSSI's Director of Program  (top right) and Villie M. Appoo, Chief Executive Officer (bottom right)



Good luck to all of GSSI’s FIRST Lego League (FLL) robotics teams at their upcoming FLL Qualifier competitions on Dec. 7 at Carriel Jr. High in O’Fallon, IL and Dec. 14 at McKendree University in Lebanon, IL.   We are so proud of the girls' hard work and grateful for the dedication of the coaches, mentors and parents who have been working with the girls for the past few months. 

Saturday, Dec. 7 -- Carriel Jr. High in O'Fallon, IL 
The Lego Divas from Effingham
The Unknowns from Belleville
The Twisters from Troy/Marine
The Robotic Gems from Washington Park
 

 Table rounds start around 10:30 and will conclude with awards at 4 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 14 -- McKendree University in Lebanon, IL
G4S4 from Ozark
The Tornado Twisters from Albers
Tornado Tech Girls from Pinckneyville
TBot 907 from Roxana
Robo Fury from Godfrey
GIR! Girls Investigating Robots from Staunton
Catastrophic Cadettes from Staunton
The Fireworks from Glen Carbon
The Purple Robot Penguins from O’Fallon 
The Shiloh Robo Bears from Shiloh
Lightning Storm from Belleville

This tournament begins around 9 a.m. and will conclude around 4 p.m.

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Amber Funaro from Stonefort Named November Pearl of the Month

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSSI) is pleased to announce that Amber Funaro from Stonefort has been named the November Pearl of the Month. The Pearl of the Month Award recognizes a Girl Scout volunteer who has delivered service beyond expectations and helped to ensure that the approximately 14,000 Girl Scouts in southern Illinois benefit from a premier Girl Scout Leadership Experience.  Nominees must meet several criteria, including completion of all required training for his or her volunteer position as well as providing outstanding service to his or her Service Unit or the Council.
Amber is the co-Service Unit Director representing the SU 66 – Shawnee, which serves Saline, Gallatin and Hardin Counties.  She has gone above and beyond what is expected to recruit new leaders in the community, filling every open position in the Service Unit.  Also, Amber made sure that every new leader had a co-leader to help them.  Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Girl Scout organization, so Amber’s role in recruiting new leaders and readily assisting current volunteers fills a vital need.
The mission of Girl Scouting states:  Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.   Girl Scouts is the world's pre-eminent organization dedicated solely to girls - all girls - where, in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build character and skills for success in the real world.  In partnership with committed adults, girls develop qualities that will serve them all their lives - like strong values, social conscience, and conviction about their own potential and self-worth.
Today’s Girl Scouts not only enjoy camping and crafts, but they also explore math and science and learn about diversity, good citizenship, leadership and teamwork.  Girl Scouting is the place where girls experience the fun, friendship and power of girls together. Girl Scouting has inspired more than 50 million girls and women since its founding in 1912. 
Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois is a not-for-profit organization supported by various United Ways throughout the region.  Girl Scouts is a Proud Partner of United Way.

Friday, November 22, 2013

Winter Camping at GSSI Camp Properties!



GSSI Camp Properties offer camping opportunities all year at the following winterized units.  Click on the camp name to see more information about that property.

Camp Cedar Point -- Makanda, IL: Sahara Lodge and Bruce Lodge both offer heat, fireplace, bathrooms, mattresses and kitchen (refrigerator/stove/microwave).  Each has a capacity of 20 campers.   

Camp Chan Ya Ta -- Worden, IL: The Lodge offers heat, fireplace, bathroom/shower, fire pit, water, tables and chairs, mattresses and kitchen (refrigerator/stove/microwave).  It is an accessible unit and has a capacity of 30 campers.  The Bunkhouse has two sections that sleep 12 people each.  There is shelter, lights, access to the showerhouse, fire pit, water and refrigerator.  Indoor cooking is not permitted.  This unit is accessible.

Camp Torqua -- Edwardsville, IL: Pumpkin Patch Unit A has a capacity of 36 campers in three heated cabins with bunkbeds and 1/2 the heated program center with heat.  Pumpkin Patch Unit B has a capacity of 24 campers in two heated cabins with bunkbeds and 1/2 the heated program center with heat.  Both Pumpkin Patch units have access to the showerhouse (two toilets and two showers), an accessible Pullman kitchen, microwave, tables and chairs, shelter with lights and fire pit. Both Tuckaway and Lisetta Units have a capacity of 30 campers and has a heated troop house, kitchen (refrigerator/stove/microwave), fireplace, tables and chairs, mattresses, shelter with lights and fire pit.  Tuckaway also has an indoor accessible bathroom.

Camp Wassatoga -- Effingham, IL: Ridimakahe Lodge has a capacity of 25 campers and offers heat, full kitchen, fireplace and bathroom with showers and mattresses. 

Camp Whispering Oaks -- Salem, IL:  Lazaretti Lodge has upper and lower levels that each have a capacity of 15.  Both have heat, fireplace, accessible bathrooms with showers, mattresses, fire pit, tv/dvd, tables & chairs and kitchen (refrigerator/stove/microwave). 

Camp Butterfly -- Farmington, MO: No winterized units are available at Camp Butterfly.  This camp is open April 1 to Oct. 31.

There open dates available for your group now!  Call Carol Ann Hering at 800.345.6858, ext. 1131. 

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

GSSI's Nut, Candy & Magazine (NCM) Program is a Huge Success




Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois’ 2013 Nut, Candy & Magazine (NCM) Program was a tremendous success as approximately 4, 200 girls sold over $550,000 of the delicious nuts, candies and magazines.  Girls who participated in the program benefit from “learning by earning” and developed five valuable life skills – goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics.  Proceeds for the NCM Program help GSSI develop leadership programs for girls, recruit and train adult volunteers, improve and maintain camp properties and provide financial assistance so Girl Scouting is available to all girls.  

“What a wonderful job our girls did during this year’s Nut, Candy & Magazine Program,” said Villie M. Appoo, GSSI Chief Executive Officer.  “The success of NCM program is due largely to the commitment from our girls, their parents, our fantastic volunteers and of course everyone who supported the girls by purchasing an item,” said Appoo. “Proceeds from Girl Scout Product Programs provide numerous opportunities for girls to help them grow into leaders for America and teaches them many valuable skills like goal setting, decision making and working together as a team.” 




See Top Sellers By Area:

Service Unit
Troop
Top Seller
Amount Sold
Hometown
Alexander County
#8562
Cheyenne Lattimore
$216
Cairo
Alton/Wood River
#130
Kaylee Melton
$665
Wood River
Belleville/Swansea
#813
Amelia Wagner
$657
Belleville
Bond County
#8802
Sydnee Godier
$520
Sorento
Bethalto
#301
Cheyenne Quartermouse
$423
Cottage Hills
Centralia
#8825
Alexis Nelson
$472
Centralia
Clark/Cumberland Counties
#2113
Anastasia Turner
$514
Marshall
Clay County
#8782
Leah Cartright
$445
Clay City
Clinton County
#8434
Avery Pingsterhaus
$456
Aviston
Collinsville
#261
Jovie Mersinger
$659
Collinsville
Columbia
#359
Alexa Glover
$443
Dupo
Crawford/Jasper Counties
#2100
Paige Sanders
$551
Robinson
East Marion
#8504
Nevaeh Bryant
$476
Centralia
East St. Louis
#874
Carrie Webster
$427
Granite City
East Williamson County
#8247
Ali Stephens
$454
Marion
Eastern Coles County
#8643
Ryellie Roberts
$584
Coles County
Edwardsville/Glen Carbon
#204
Josephine Rutledge
$704
Glen Carbon
Effingham
#2047
Brooke Evans
$690
Altamont
Fairview Heights/Caseyville
#43
Ahmani Tillman
$718
Fairview Heights
Fayette County
#8383
Olivia Rubin
$363
Vandalia
Granite City/Madison/Venice
#1247
Emily Jones
$911
Granite City
Highland
#66
Dalanee Balint
$565
Highland
Jackson County
#8811
Lily Williams
$420
Jackson County
Jefferson County
#8643
Grace Seidel
$524
Bonnie
Jersey/Calhoun Counties
#532
Katlyn Springer
$667
Godfrey
Johnson/Pope Counties
#8649
Aydrianna Simmons
$403
Buncombe
Lawrence County
#8704
Lyndsey Brunson
$354
Sumner
Massac County
#8202
Jala Williams
$278
Metropolis
New Athens/Marissa/Freeburg
#294
Zion Waddell
$555
Swansea
North Franklin County
#8925
Alexis Talbert
$509
Sesser
North Randolph County
#8319
Jacelyn Boston
$637
Sparta
O’Fallon/Shiloh
#383
Alexandra Sumida
$627
O’Fallon
Perry County
#8130
Bianca Bell
$527
DuQuoin
Richland County
#8470
Kloe Elder
$451
Olney
Scott Air Force Base
#313
Madison Sanker
$201
Mascoutah
Shawnee
#8285
Brooke Mabrey
$475
Rosiclare
South Randolph County
#8235
Kaylie Jo Springston
$599
Chester
South Macoupin County
#376
Madison Rimar
$558
Mt. Olive
Trenton/Lebanon/Mascoutah
#734
Lynn Shirley
$400
Lebanon
Troy/St. Jacob
#578
Adelaide Mumper
$625
Troy
Union/Pulaski Counties
#8544
Erin Stout
$498
Jonesboro
Wabash/Edwards Counties
#8505
Jayla Edgin
$536
Keensburg
Washington County
#8753
Elizabeth Bierman
$636
Hoyleton
Waterloo
#561
Alayna Walton
#441
Waterloo
Wayne/Hamilton/White
#8677
Hannah Fickas
$467
Cisne
West Frankfort
#8037
Ella Hardwick
$432
Thompsonville
West Williamson
#8995
Maureen Corbell
$741
Carterville
Western Coles County
#2243
Chloe Stoneburner
$610
Mattoon