GSSI Girl Scouts Invited to Family Night at Missouri Botanical Garden

GSSI Family Partnership Campaign Wraps Up

Way to go Troop #920 from Columbia for raising the most funds through our Family Partnership Campaign. The Troop will receive a check for 20% of their total donation.

Also, Michael & Dana Massie with Troop #112 won Holiday World tickets and Teresa Cavaness with Troop #8502 won Southern Illinois Miner tickets in the Family Partnership Drawing. 

Thank you so much to everyone who supported our Family Partnership Campaign! You are vital in helping us deliver the world's preeminent leadership experience for girls right here in southern Illinois!

Get $10 Off Thin Mint Sprint Race Entry Fees

Readers!  Get $10 off Thin Mint Sprint entry fees by using the code FRIENDS to register!  

Register Online Now! 

Thin Mint Sprint is June 7 at GSSI's Camp Chan Ya Ta in Worden, IL.  

Special offer does not include Obstacle Fun Run.  

T-shirts not guaranteed after the May 14 registration date. 

Four Generations of Girl Scouting at Camp Cedar Point

"My grandmother, Daphna Robinson, was the West Frankfort Service Unit director in the 1960's. She was also my mothers Girl Scout leader.  

I have a photo of my grandmother and other leaders attending Camp Cedar Point, standing in front of Bruce Lodge in 1965. Exactly 30 years later, my mother, Susan Elliott, who was my Girl Scout leader, took our troop to Camp Cedar Point and we had our picture made in front of Bruce Lodge.  Now, 18 years from then, I am my daughter's Girl Scout leader and took my daughter to Camp Cedar Point for the first time this year and had our picture taken standing in front of Bruce Lodge. 

Four generations of Girl Scouts and three generations of Girl Scout leaders standing in the same spot at Camp Cedar Point! 

My grandmother and my mother were both AWESOME Girl Scout leaders! I still have old classmates that were in my mother's troop who tell me stories about her and the times we had being in her troop. She made it so much fun, but we always learned a lot as well! She was more like a second mother to the girls in my troop, rather than just a leader. Now she is my co-leader of my daughters troop. It allows us to spend so much quality time together. I wish my grandmother was still with us to be able to help in my daughters troop as well. But through pictures I can still share the stories with my daughter!

Many of my aunts and cousins have also been leaders, so Girl Scouting runs deep in our family. Hopefully my daughter will continue the tradition with her children as well some day! "

Jacqueline Watkins, West Frankfort

Does your family have a Girl Scout story to tell?  Contact Communications & Marketing Manager Erin Johnson at ejohnson@gsofsi.org to share! 

GSSI Gives Back to Family Partnership Campaign's Top Fundraisers

As part of GSSI's Family Partnership fundraising campaign, the Service Unit and Troop that raise the most money in support of Girl Scouts receives back 20% of their donation.  This year, the Service Unit that raised the most money was SU 108 - Edwardsville.  The troop that raised the most money was Junior Troop #8434 from Aviston. 

GSSI's Family Partnership campaign gives families a way to help sustain a high-quality Girl Scout experience for girls in Southern Illinois.   It costs GSSI $292 per girl per year to keep our program costs low, properties maintained and volunteer training sessions professionally delivered.  While product sales and program fees cover most of the costs, the remaining $50 comes from caring donors. In addition, we provide $150,000 in financial assistance to ensure no girl is ever turned away due to financial reasons.

"We're so appreciative of our Girl Scout families for giving generously," said Director of Fund Development Emily Kimmey. "We hope that each family sees the full value of the experience their daughter receives as part of Girl Scouts and supports our mission to build girls of courage, confidence and character.  By giving a donation, families help ensure that GSSI continues to provide a premier experience and that even more girls across southern Illinois can benefit from Girl Scouts. 

How  Family Partnership Donations Help: 
$25 – Buys a vest, badges and journey book for one Girl Scout in need
$50 – Provides CPR and First Aid training to a GSSI Troop Leader & Co-Leader
$100 – Helps send a girl to Camp Cedar Point for one week
$500 – Provides a year’s membership to 33 girls in an at-risk, low-income neighborhood
$1,000 – Gives a Girl Scouts Robotics team the opportunity to compete for the first time

Donate Now: http://bit.ly/V0G0ap

GSSI Is Updating Our E-Blasts to Better Share Girl Scout News

Stay up-to-date with GSSI e-blasts!

To help share the most relevant Girl Scout news with even more people, GSSI is updating our e-blast categories! 

The new categories are:
Volunteers: (Great for current Troop Leaders, Service Unit Teams, Council Trainers and other Girl Scout Volunteers) Stay updated through the Link to Leaders newsletter, updates to GSSI policies, program changes, and other news that is most valuable to Girl Scout volunteers. See example...

 

Family: (Great for parents, guardians, grandparents, etc). Get important Girl Scout news from a family perspective!   See recent photos, learn tips to help your Girl Scout make the most of her experience and find out the "big news" in Girl Scouting in quick, easy tidbits.  See example...

 

Friends: (Great for alumnae, community partners, donors and fans of Girl Scouting everywhere!)  Stay connected to Girl Scouting with current news from southern Illinois and around the country, invitations to upcoming events, volunteer opportunities and more. See example...

With the exception of very special events, updates in each category will be sent one time monthly. To sign up for GSSI e-blasts, or to update your profile, please click here and follow the instructions provided. You can sign up for as many e-blast categories as you choose and change your preferences at any time. 

On Sept. 1, most GSSI e-blast subscriptions made prior to August 28 will default to the "Volunteer" category, as most of our current subscribers are volunteers.  Subscribers who signed up for Special Event or GSSI Alumnae news ONLY will be added to the "Friends of GSSI' category.  If you are a volunteer who is also interested in these topics, please update your subscription to also include "Friends of GSSI" news. 

You can sign up for different/additional categories by clicking here.  Help us keep Girl Scout parents, friends and community partners up-to-date on GSSI news by letting everyone know we've updated our e-blast options!

GSSI Updates Policy for Males at Camp

GSSI recently changed its camp policy when a male co-leader, helper adult or tagalong attends camp or a trip. On trips where male(s) are part of the group, it is not appropriate for them to sleep in the same space (tent, caboose, cabin/hogan or lodge) as girl(s). Male(s) must sleep in separate quarters (tent, caboose, cabin/hogan or lodge). Males need to have separate bathroom facilities that are not used by girl(s). If there is only one bathroom, then a sign must be posted or a person stationed outside the door. During Family or Parent-Daughter overnights, one family unit (mom or dad) may sleep in the same quarters (tent, caboose, cabin/hogan). Troops/groups should inform all participants if male(s) will be present during the trip. Also they must inform GSSI property/program registrar at the time of reservation that male(s) will be present during their camp outing.  For more information, please contact Director of Property Jonathan Stanley at 800.345.6858, ext.  1107 or e-mail jstanley@gsofsi.org

Cati Cronin: Born to Be a Girl Scout!

Cati Cronin, Girl Scout Ambassador

My name is Cati Cronin, and I am with Ambassador Troop 541 from O'Fallon.  I was born to be a Girl Scout!  My grandma, my mom, my sister, and even my dad, have always been part of the Girl Scout family. 

Girl Scouts gives me a great feeling that I am part of something bigger than just an average organization.  It gives me a chance to express myself through programs and activities.  As I entered into middle school and high school, my friends started saying how being a Girl Scout isn’t cool, but it is my passion!  I strive to be a part of every opportunity that comes my way.  Without Girl Scouts, I’m not sure I would be the person I am today.  My thirteen years have helped shape my character and have provided me with a set of morals and principles.  Girl Scouting has given me the ability to become a leader, learn from positive role models, and become a truly caring part of society. 

Girl Scouts is an amazing organization that allows girls to discover who they are, create long lasting friendships, explore new things, and to become strong and independent people.  I tell everyone about the great experiences I have had.  Such as the time I got to talk to astronaut Sandy Magnus while she was in space, or all the times that I helped with programs and all the younger girls gave me hugs because they appreciated the hard work we put into the events.  I would tell them about our council’s Century Celebration, and how cool it was to be the only girl that was part of the committee that planned it.  .  I also cherish the trip I took to Savannah with my mom and my sister, my co-leaders, and two of my best friends!  It was awesome to see where it all began, and to walk in Juliette’s footsteps.  Girl Scouts is a chance to feel like you fit in and be yourself

Throughout my thirteen years as a Girl Scout, I have encountered many truly inspirational people, and all of these amazing once in a life time opportunities are thanks to them.  I know so many wonderful volunteers who donate their time and resources to make sure girls have a great time during programs and events.  Most of the volunteers I know have families, full time jobs, and also volunteer in their communities.  Volunteers are the heart of Girl Scouts! They have helped guide me into the person I am, and always wanted to be.  I admire all of them, and I am truly thankful for having them in my life. 

I thank them for giving me the courage, confidence and character to find success in Girl Scouting, in school, and in every aspect of my life.  I am forever appreciative of all that my Girl Scouting experience has given and taught me, and I look forward to having a troop of my own!

During her thirteen years in Girl Scouting, Cati has served GSSI in many capacities, including as a GSSI Apprentice and a Girl Scout ex-officio Girl Board Member.  She was named a 2013 Outstanding Graduating Girl Scout .  She plans to study Elementary Education in college, to pursue a career as a teacher.

Displaying vintage uniforms with Troop #541 during
GSSI's celebration of the 100th Annversary of Girl Scouts.