Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois Delivers NASA Created STEM Program

Girl Scouts test a solar powered water pump during the
"Powered and Pumped Up" program in Glen Carbon

This summer, Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSSI) hosted a traveling STEM program that explored the idea that humans could live on Mars, provided a sustainable water system could be engineered.  More than 100 girls between the ages of 11-16 participated in the "Powered and Pumped Up!" challenge that was created by NASA's Glenn Research Center.  During the program, which was delivered during GSSI's STEM Day Camp, as well as through stand alone programs in Effingham, Carterville, Glen Carbon and Godfrey, girls planned, built, tested and improved 
a solar powered water pump. While developing a prototype water pump, girls learned about light intensity, lenses and manipulation of light, and how mirrors can be used to focus energy, along with other scientific concepts. 

Girl Scouts use mirrors to manipulate light during the
"Powered and Pumped Up" program in Carterville

GSSI was one of 13 youth-serving agencies in the Midwest to receive a grant to incorporate the NASA program into their summer curriculum. By the end of the summer, “Powered and Pumped Up!” will also be delivered in Effingham, Carterville and Glen Carbon. STEM is one of four areas that form the foundation of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, along with Outdoors, Life Skills and Entrepreneurship. 

Girl Scouts build a solar powered water pump during the
"Powered and Pumped Up" program in Godfrey

This fall, Girl Scouts of the USA pledged to bring 2.5 Million girls into the STEM Pipeline by 2025. The organization recently launched 30 new badges and Journeys to power girl leadership in key 21st century issues including environmental stewardship, robotics, cybersecurity and engineering. 


Monday, July 30, 2018

Girl Scout Troop #107 from South Macoupin County Visits Savannah, Georgia



Girl Scouts from South Macoupin County Troop #106 visited Savannah, Georgia - birthplace of Girl Scouts' founder Juliette Gordon Low and the location the organization was founded on March 12, 1912.



While in Savannah, girls visited local attractions including the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace, Girl Scout First Headquarters,Juliette Gordon Low burial site in Laurel Grove Cemetery and nearby Tybee Island. 


While traveling, the troop also stopped at the Superman Statue in Metropolis and Ruby Falls in Tennessee. 





Friday, July 20, 2018

Leah Walton Installs New Camp Bridge While Working on Girl Scout Gold Award Project

Leah Walton

Leah Walton from O’Fallon dedicated a new bridge that she built at Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSSI) Camp Torqua on Friday, July 20, 2018. Nearly 80 girls, Girl Scout volunteers and friends attended the dedication ceremony to applaud her efforts, which she committed towards earning the Girl Scout Gold Award – the highest award in Girl Scouting. Earning this prestigious award requires a suggested minimum of 80 hours of community service and helps Girl Scouts give back to the world in ways that are personally meaningful.

GSSI’s Camp Torqua is a 72 acre camp located outside of Edwardsville that is open to both Girl Scouts and outside groups. Despite a robust hiking trail system, the main link between two primary sections of the camp had been a gravel road that was also open to vehicles. To create a safer, more convenient option for foot traffic, Walton built a 40-foot suspension bridge over Sugar Creek, which cuts through the center of camp. Her construction used pressure treated wood and steel cables suspended through posts on both sides of the creek, and includes cross supports for stability. She explained that the project was meaningful to her because it allowed her to use her interests and skills to inspire the next generation. 

“My Girl Scout Gold Award project was a way for me to do my part in helping kids appreciate the outdoors,” said Walton. “I absolutely love the outdoors. I spend the majority of my time outside riding my hoses and playing sports.”

Laney B and Karly K play the outdoor games Leah created

She also created and installed a pair of outdoor game boards for campers to use. The brightly painted game boards – checkers and tic tac toe – were painted on slices from trees that previously needed removed at the camp and include natural objects such as rocks as game pieces. In addition, she developed a series of STEM activities for camp, like a challenge to build a weight-bearing pyramid using sticks in order to explore the role of structure shape in engineering. During the bridge dedication, which coincided with GSSI’s annual STEM Day Camp, she led younger girls through games and activities, as STEM fields are also among her top interests. 

“My favorite part of being a Girl Scout is being a part of my troop’s robotics team,” she shared. “We were able to compete at the state level and be competitive while representing Girl Scouts in a good light. My team learned through trial and error how to use tools better than most adults can, and I was able to apply those skills to build my bridge,” she added. 

This fall, Walton plans to attend University of Findlay to double major in animal science and English equestrian studies. After earning her undergraduate degree, she hopes to attend medical school. She believes her experiences in Girl Scouts will help her continue to be successful into the future. 

“Earning the Girl Scout Gold Award is important to me because it signifies dedication,” she explained. “It sets a good example for younger girls and shows what you can achieve if you really want to.” I would recommend being a Girl Scout because of the people that are part of the community,” she added. “It might not seem important to little girls, but so many of the leaders and friends I met are also the people giving me ‘pushes’ to be the best person I can be.” 

Leah's bridge over Sugar Creek at Camp Torqua

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSSI) is a high-capacity Girl Scout council serving approximately 11,300 girls and engaging 4,550 adult volunteers in 40 ½ counties in Southern Illinois. GSSI Mission: Girl Scouts builds girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. The Girl Scouts organization is the world's largest leadership development organization for girls. In partnership with committed adults, girls develop qualities that will serve them all their lives – such as strong values, social conscience, and conviction about their own potential and self-worth. Today’s Girl Scouts not only enjoy camping and crafts; 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 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.

Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Phillips 66 Rep Visits GSSI STEM Day Camp

GSSI CEO Loretta Graham and Phillips 66
Community Affairs Coordinator Megan Allen

Megan Allen, Community Affairs Coordinator at Phillips 66, dropped by GSSI's STEM Day Camp at Camp Torqua today.  We are so thankful for Megan and the rest of our community partners over at Phillips 66 for funding our Girl Scout STEM camps! Because of their continued support, we are able to offer incredible and impactful experiences to girls right here in Southern Illinois!

Friday, July 13, 2018

Girl Scouts Around the Council: June 2018



Check out the exciting things that Girl Scouts have been up to all around Southern Illinois!  See our photo album to catch Girl Scout troops in action!

Carlyle Troop #688 went on a hike

Troop #8123 visited Beth Alongi Glass Studio in DuQuoin where they learned how to c reate works of art out of glass. 

Girl Scouts worked on their Junior Camper Badge at the Audubon Center at Riverlands

SU 202 - ClinClair held a His & Her Fishing Derby


Troop #130 from Wood River built a fire pit at Camp Torqua

Troop #130 from Wood River held a camp out at Camp Chan Ya Ta, where they build a firepit at the bunkhouse and made outdoor awareness charts.

Lyndal & Adalyn K from Fairfield have been out recruiting more girls to join Girl Scouts.

Girl Scout Troop #2921 from Nashville, IL visited Cleveland! They enjoyed engaging educational activities like touring a power plant and NASA Glenn Visitor Center, as well as tons of recreational fun like hanging out on the beach and playing Whirlyball - an exciting combination of lacrosse, hockey, basketball and bumper cars.

Troop #8869 from Marion beautified Jones Park.


Jefferson County Troop #8653 installed a free Little Library at Field Grade School

Jefferson County Troop #8653 constructed a free Little Library at Field Grade School to encourage summer reading - complete with minions! 

GSSI CEO Loretta Graham was excited to speak at the Charleston Rotary about the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. 


Troop #8123 volunteered to clean up after free community concerts in the park in DuQuoin. 

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

DuQuoin Girl Scout Troop Lends a Hand at Community Concerts



When they found out there was nobody to clean up after free community concerts, Girl Scout Troop #8123 from DuQuoin stepped up to get the job done.  Way to give back, Girl Scouts!  

Monday, July 2, 2018

Girl Scout Service Unit 202 Holds His & Her Fishing Derby



Girl Scouts from Service Unit 202 ClinClair held a fun-filled His & Her Fishing Derby over the weekend!  Check out these pics: