Showing posts with label Southern Illinois. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Southern Illinois. Show all posts

Thursday, April 28, 2016

What's Happening Around the Council: April 2016



Ever wonder what Girl Scout Troops have been up to?  Looking for ideas?  Check out what's been happening around the 40 1/2 counties that make up Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois' council!







Here's some of what's been happening:

Junior Troop #129 planted a tree at the Mascoutah Dog Park to celebrate Earth Day.

Perry County Senior Girl Scout Troop #8138 went ziplining.

Nearly 150 Girl Scouts attended an Earth Day event hosted by Anna-Jonesboro Troop #8597 held at Camp Cedar Point.

Girls camped, made Earth Day posters and learned about animals and the environment. Special thanks to adult volunteers.

Melissa W., David W., Chelena D. and Cupquake, Rockcat, Peanut and Kaleidoscope.

Girl Scout Troop #68 held a bake sale to purchase a Buddy Bench for St. John Neumann School in Maryville.

Daisy Troop #4321 from Marshall picked up trash in honor of Earth Day.

Daisy Troop #8713 donated supplies and visited with cats and dogs at Jefferson County Animal Shelter.

Troop #8130 from Du Quoin planted a dogwood tree in Keyes City Park for Earth Day.

Freeburg Junior Troop #8349 recently enjoyed letterboxing.

Troop #8487 learned about taking care of horses by helping clean the barn and clear trails, fill water troughs and cleaningtackle gear and saddles.

Glen Carbon Troop #611 donated supplies and treats to Cindy’s Critters Lab Rescue for the GSSI’s Paw-Some Pets Council-Wide Service Project.

Du Quoin Junior Troop #8123 earned their Digital Photographer badge with the help of Faith Photography. Belleville Troop #525 had fun at the “Drive-In/Camp-Out” program at Camp Chan Ya Ta. They made campfire spaghetti and Elvis s’mores and then watched a movie while sipping hot chocolate.

SU 105 - Jersey/Calhoun had a painting party for Leader/Co-Leader Appreciation Day.
Troop #130 worked with 5A’s Animal Shelter in Godfrey for their Paw-some Pets Service Project. The troop made and donated 80 scratch pads out of Girl Scout Cookie cases...and then got to see the cats there enjoy their gifts.

Girl Scouts from Perry County celebrated Earth Day by attending a recycled craft event in Du Quoin. Each girl brought an item to donate to Twin Oaks Children’s Home, which serves people with developmental disabilities.

Service Unit 521 - Western Coles County held a GirlCon program on April 16 at Eastern Illinois University that was attended by 153 girls, 53 adults and 30 volunteers. Girls got to design their own superhero costume, create a Creeper from Mindcraft, make a Harry Potter wand and work with polymer clay. Attendees could also sit on panels to learn about topics such as Cosplay, writing books and fan fi ction and being a comic artist. The End Zone, a local gaming business, set up board games and taught girls to play. Comic artist Todd Black helped girls learn to draw comics, as well.

Troop #8062 from Carterville recently had a blast attending a “He & Me” dance.
Troop #2 finished the Welcome to the Daisy Flower Garden Journey by completing their Take Action Project at St. John United Methodist Church’s Mission Garden in Edwardsville.

Troops #8240, #8084, #8086, #8064, and #8896 from Johnston City planted flowers around the local Scout Cabin.

Hamilton County volunteer Rebecca Irvin decorated the window of Irvin Jewelry in McLeansboro for Girl Scout Week.

Brownie Troop #8133 donated 125 items for the Perry County Humane Society - including food, treats, litter, pet bowls, collars and leashes. They also enjoyed spending some time with the animals there.

Members from Troops #8853 and #89178 volunteered over their spring break to serve meals at Herrin House of Hope.

Make Sure Your Area is Represented!
E-mail Erin Johnson at ejohnson@gsofsi.org to share what your troop is up to! While not every submission can be published, we will make an effort to reflect the diverse interests, activities and areas that make GSSI so great.

Monday, January 12, 2015

GSSI's FIRST TECH Challenge Team Wins Motivate Award

 
 
Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois' FIRST TECH Challenge Team, Oops!,won the Motivate Award at their first competition on Jan. 10 at Meramac Community College in St. Louis  The team got their name "because the world's greatest inventions started with an oops!" The Motivate Award is awarded ...to the team that exemplifies the essence of the FTC competition through team building, team spirit and enthusiasm.

FTC is designed for students in grades 7-12 to compete head to head, using a sports model. Teams are responsible for designing, building, and programming their robots to compete in an alliance format against other teams. Oops! competes again on Jan. 31 at SIU Carbondale’s Transportation Education Center.
 
To learn more about GSSI's robotics program, please contact STEM Program Manager Mary Buchanan at 800.345.6858, ext. 1115 or e-mail mbuchana@gsofsi.org.

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois Hosts Kid Friendly Network's Monthly Networking Meeting

Desiree Tyus, founder and CEO of Kid Friendly Network
 
Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois hosted Kid Friendly Network's January networking meeting at its Corporate Service Center.
 
(KFN) was founded in April 2014, as a means for kid-friendly businesses and organizations to promote their ideas, events, services and resources.  KFN is a network of over 60+ Southwest Illinois businesses that work specifically with families of children and teens. 
 
At the meeting, KFN members shared information about their organizations and upcoming events, plus brainstormed ways to work together.  GSSI appreciated members' good humor as they worked around the mass quantity of Girl Scout Cookies being housed in the conference room for January Cookie Booths.  The event was a lot of fun!
 
The mission of Kid Friendly Network is  to provide easy access to kid-friendly events and services for local families through a collaborative network of community businesses and organizations.  More information is available on their website, http://www.kidfriendlynetwork.com/

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Thank You, Veterans!




A huge thank you goes out to our American veterans!  Not just for today, but for every day that we enjoy the freedom and democracy of our great nation.  Words cannot fully express our gratitude!

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Volunteers Needed for Robotics Tournaments



Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois needs volunteers that are interested in helping at high energy, exciting robotics tournaments -  no robotics experience is necessary.
At the Southern Illinois First Lego League Qualifying Tournaments, volunteers are needed as robot game field resetters, referees, judges and to help with team check in and guiding them to the judging locations. This is your opportunity to see first-hand why there is so much excitement about First Lego League Robotics. The tournaments will be held on Saturday, November 22 at Amelia Carriel Junior High in O’Fallon and Saturday, December 6 at Carriel Junior High in O’Fallon and Albert Cassen Elementary school in Glen Carbon.
Please contact Mary Buchanan at mbuchanan@gsofsi.org for more information.

Monday, August 18, 2014

Did You Know? Camp Chan Ya Ta Has Four Miles of Trails

 
 
 
Did you know that GSSI’s Camp Chan Ya Ta in Worden has approximately 4 miles of trails. What a great place to explore nature, trees, plants and wildlife!
 
 
Camp Chan Ya Ta has approximately 165 acres and offers a variety of outdoor activities including canoeing, paddle boating, fishing, volleyball, archery, hiking, wildlife viewing, stargazing and campfire cooking!
 
Accommodations range from a lodge with a commercial kitchen and over-sized fireplace to primitive tent pitching sites and from a winterized bunkhouse to cabins and platform tents. Facilities include hot showers, flush toilets, pit latrines, and cold water washstands. The lodge, cabin, and platform tent units are all either fully or semi – accessible for campers with special needs.
 
Camp Chan Ya Ta is open year round to both Girl Scouts and non Girl Scout groups.
 
 
 
 
 

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

GSSI Interns Help Put "Under the Sea" Program for Special Needs Troop



On June 2, GSSI's interns helped put on an "Under the Sea" program for special needs Troop #123 at Camp Torqua. Girls watched a presentation about tropical pets, enjoyed a story and song,  played games and had a themed snack. 

"Girl Scouts is devoted to giving all girls the opportunity to enjoy fun experiences together and explore new activities," said Jodi Dormire, GSSI Senior Manager of Membership and Volunteer Services. 

GSSI summer interns are Raven Bowers, Hilary Conrad, Kelly Gholson and LaKendra Moffet. They are part of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Community Health Education Program.

For more information about starting a special needs Girl Scout Troop in southern Illinois, please contact Jodi Dormire at 800.345.6858, ext. 1117 or e-mail jdormire@gsofsi.org.


Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Win Free Camping at Thin Mint Sprint!





Win TWO FREE NIGHTS at camp while participating in Thin Mint Sprint! 

GSSI is calling all troops to come get active during our Thin Mint Sprint being held Saturday, June 7 at Camp Chan Ya Ta in Worden. GSSI is offering a timed 5K Trail Run, timed 5K Obstacle Course and a Fun 5K* Obstacle (untimed).

We are holding a Spirit Contest for troops to participate. Sign up for the event (any of the three) and attend with your troop showing your team spirit in whatever way you want! Wear Girl Scout Green, dress in a team theme, or show your Girl Scout spirit in your own unique way. We will award 1st and 2nd place prizes to the troops displaying the best Team Spirit. Prizes will be TWO FREE nights of camping at a GSSI campground. Click for information or call 800.345.6858.



Thursday, February 13, 2014

Girl Scout Week is March 9-15, 2014



Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois will join more than 3.2 million Girl Scouts across America in celebrating the 102nd Anniversary of Girl Scouting March 9-15.

Locally, Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois will celebrate the 102nd anniversary by participating in a variety of activities and events ranging from flag ceremonies at their school, birthday party celebrations, and community service projects with their troops; while others will create displays highlighting Girl Scout history.

“Making the world a better place isn’t just part of the Girl Scout mission statement…it’s a real and lasting commitment to make Girl Scouting relevant for many generations to come,” said Villie M. Appoo, CEO Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois. “Girl Scouts has a long and rich history of providing girls in all of our communities with a first-rate Girl Scout Leadership Experience that will give them the courage, confidence and character to make the world a better place for everyone,” Appoo added.

 
Girl Scout Sunday (March 9) is when many Girl Scouts receive special religious recognition awards for researching and exploring their religious culture and practices; while others will proudly wear their Girl Scout uniforms to their religious services to kick-off the week’s events.

“Girl Scouting is committed to being an integral part of our communities and during Girl Scout Week, we salute all those who continue to offer their dedication and support – not only of Girl Scouting, but to the positive development of young people in our communities,” said Appoo. “During Girl Scout Week, we renew our commitment to making sure every girl has the opportunity to grow strong and realize her full potential. But we need your help! We invite everyone over 18 to volunteer with a local Girl Scout troop. You don’t have to be a troop leader – even if you can only donate one hour of your time once a year, you’ll be making a great difference in the lives of girls.”

It’s been 102 years since the first Girl Scout troop meeting, and Girl Scouting has evolved from 18 members to more than 3.2 million nationwide. Today, Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. is the largest voluntary organization for girls in the world. Its sole focus is to meet the needs of all girls (ages 5-17) from diverse racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.


After returning to the United States from England, Juliette Gordon Low made a historic phone call to her cousin in March 1912, “Come right over! I’ve got something for the girls of Savannah, all America, and all the world, and we’re going to start it tonight.” The “something” was Girl Scouts, and the first group of girls embarked on Gordon Low’s vision. Low was determined to help expand opportunities and learning for the average American girl. At a time when many girls’ paths in life were limited to their social standing, 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.

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.

 Girl Scouting has inspired more than 50 million girls and women since its founding in 1912. 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 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.

How Girls Can Reach Their Girl Scout Cookie Program Goals

 
There's Still Time for Girls to Reach Their
Girl Scout Cookie Program Goals!
 
 
 
Goal Getter Program Extended to Feb. 22

After this winter’s unusually severe weather, we want to make sure girls have the opportunity to reach their goals and earn the rewards they are aiming for. We have extended the Goal Getter program! Goal Getter order forms are now due to ...troop leaders on Feb. 22. Cookies sold during this extra week DO count towards the 20+ boxes needed enter the Build-a-Bear drawing for each Service Unit. Watch for a special #polarvortex patch to commemorate this season coming soon!

 
There's Still Time to Sign Up For a Cookie Booth
 
At a Girl Scout Cookie Booth, troops sell Girl Scout Cookies to customers at shopping centers, churches, apartment complexes, festivals, restaurants and other venues in their area. Cookie Booths gives customers a chance to get their favorite Girl Scout Cookies immediately and gives Girl Scouts the opportunity to reach a wider audience, promote the benefits of the Girl Scout Cookie Program in their community and work on key skills together as a troop.   Cookies sold at Girl Scout Cookie Booths from now until March 16 will count towards Girl Scout rewards.
 
Council Sponsored Cookie Booth weekends are Feb. 28 – March 2, March 7-9, and March 14-16.   To host a Girl Scout Cookie Booth, a troop needs one registered adult and two registered Girl Scouts -- so if a troop needs to work in shifts, they can. 
 
Also, if a troop wants to hold a Girl Scout Cookie Booth to raise funds for troop activities, they can.  Please contact GSSI's Product Program staff to get set up.
 
 
 

Don't Forget About Gift of Caring

Each year, GSSI has a special Gift of Caring project as part of the Girl Scout Cookie Program.  Gift of Caring lets fans of Girl Scout Cookies give to others while supporting Girl Scouts.



During the 2014 Girl Scout Cookie Program, GSSI is partnering with local American Red Cross chapters for Gift of Caring.  Through this partnership, Girl Scout Cookies can be donated to help comfort families who are affected by natural disasters.   

 
Contact Our Product Program Staff:  
Kelly Jansen, Director of Product Programs: 800.345.6858, ext. 2104 
 
Katie Grayling, Product Program Assistant: 800.345.6858, ext. 2107
 
 
If you are a customer searching for Girl Scout Cookies in southern Illinois, please call 800.345.6858 or visit http://bit.ly/GetCookies to find a troop in your area.  Thank you!
 

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Girl Scouts Invited to Celebrate Girl Scout Sunday at Bald Knob Cross of Peace


 
 
Girl Scouts, alumnae, family and friends are invited to celebrate Girl Scout Sunday at the largest Christian monument in North America!    The event will take place on Sunday, March 9, 2014 from 2-4 p.m. at Bald Knob Cross of Peace in Alto Pass.  A ceremony and prayer service will start the event, while a friendship circle will close it. 
 
An exciting program is also scheduled for registered GSSI Girl Scouts that will also kick off GSSI's new Council's Own "Southern Illinois Explorer" badge for Brownies, Juniors and Cadettes. 
 
The program cost is $5 per Girl Scout and will include snacks, craft and fun patch, plus lots of fun and games.   Come learn more about the hidden gems in Southern Illinois!
 
See registration form for program:
 
Please register by Feb. 25, 2014 to Jaime Watkins, Troop #8552, PO Box 282, Jonesboro, IL 62952.  E-mail bradjaime76@msn.com for more information.
 
Friends and supporters attending the ceremony and prayer do not need to pay a program cost.
 
This event is part of Troop #8552's Girl Scout Bronze Award Project.
 
 
 

Friday, February 7, 2014

It's National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend!

 
 
Happy National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend!
 
Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois would like to thank all of the volunteers, parents, friends, family and community members for helping make the Girl Scout Cookie Program America's biggest girl-led business!  With your support, girls are developing courage, confidence and character and learning valuable skills for their futures. 
 
To find Girl Scout Cookies in your area, please visit http://bit.ly/GetCookies
 
 
THANK YOU!

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Save the Date for These GSSI Events


 
 

25th Annual Girl Scout Golf Classic
Monday, May 12, 2014
Gateway National Golf Links -- Madison, IL


 
 
 
Thin Mint Sprint
Saturday, June 7, 2014
Location: Camp Chan Ya Ta -- Worden, IL

 
 


Dancing With Our Stars
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Holiday Inn -- Mt. Vernon, IL


For more information, please contact Director of Development Emily Kimmey at 800.345.6858, ext. 1144 or e-mail ekimmey@gsofsi.org.



Monday, February 3, 2014

World Thinking Day 2014

SU 201 - O'Fallon during World Thinking Day last year
 
Each year on Feb. 22, World Thinking Day, Girl Scouts and Girl Guides around the world participate in activities and projects with global themes. The theme for World Thinking Day 2014 is "education opens doors for all girls and boys." This theme is based on United Nation’s Millennium Development Goal 2, to achieve universal primary education and is especially focused on making sure girls have access to education. Educating girls is one of the most powerful and effective ways to reduce global poverty. According to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), 66 million girls worldwide do not attend school.

Many GSSI Service Units and Troops choose to participate in World Thinking Day. We’d love to see your photos! Please send photos to Communications & Marketing Manager Erin Johnson at ejohnson@gsofsi.org for a chance to be featured in GSSI publications!  

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

GSSI's 2014 Girl Scout Cookie Program Continues!

It's still Girl Scout Cookie Season in Southern Illinois!   Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSSI) kicked off the Girl Scout Cookie Program on January 10-12, 2014 during the first Cookie Booth Weekend of the season. At Cookie Booths, customers can purchase cookies directly from girls at various locations throughout southern Illinois. 
Traditional cookie order taking ran from January 11-25, with Girl Scouts taking orders for the delicious treats.  In early February, the Goal Getter program helps girls extend their sales to reach the goals they set at the beginning of the season.  Cookie delivery for these two parts of the Girl Scout Cookie Program will be in late February.
Customer demand for Girl Scout Cookies following delivery has been high historically, so additional Cookie Booth Weekends will be held Feb. 28-March 2, March 7-9 and March 14-16.  Find Girl Scout Cookie Booths in your area using the Girl Scout Cookie app or Little Brownie Baker’s Cookie Locator at http://cookielocator.littlebrownie.com/.

The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest girl-led business in the country and generates immeasurable benefits for girls and their communities.  Girls who participate in the 2014 Girl Scout Cookie Program benefit from “learning by earning” and develop five valuable life skills – goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics.  Girls then use their proceeds to support their chosen activities for the year, to fund community service and leadership projects, to attend summer camp or to travel to destinations near and far.  In addition, proceeds from the program help GSSI recruit and train adult volunteers, provide financial assistance so Girl Scouting is available to all girls, improve and maintain camp properties and develop and deliver quality program activities for girls.
The Girl Scout Mission is: Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place.  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 working together.
Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois serves 14,000 girls and 4,800 adult volunteers in more than 40 counties in southern Illinois.  Girl Scouting has inspired more than 50 million girls and women since its founding in 1912.  Girl Scouting is focused on providing a premier Girl Scout Leadership Experience for girls in the 21st century, while ensuring the traditions and values that have been core to Girl Scouting since its beginning remain strong and relevant. 

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Learn More About GSSI's Goal Getter Program



Goal Getter Program Starts Feb. 3   
GSSI’s Goal Getter Program begins Feb. 3. Goal Getter allows girls to extend the time they sell to reach their goals (and the next reward level). Girls should have received their Goal Getter order cards when they turned in their order cards from traditional sales. Girls then return Goal Getter order card when they pick up cookies from the traditional order in mid February. (This date varies by area.) In addition, each Service Unit with Girls Scouts participating in the Goal Getter program will receive one Build-a-Bear that girls who sell an additional 20 boxes will be entered into a Service Unit drawing to win. For more information, contact Product Program Manager Kelly Jansen at 800.345.6858 or e-mail kjansen@gsofsi.org.
        
Goal Getter FAQ’s

Yes, girls who did not participate in traditional order taking can still participate in the Goal Getter program.  To participate, please contact Product Program Manager Kelly Jansen at kjansen@gsofsi.org.
Troops can fill the Goal Getter orders with their “extras” from traditional sales as well as with Booth Cookies. 

The Goal Getter order cards will be returned back to the girl with the filled order. 
Troop Leaders will turn in the names of those girls who sold the 20 additional boxes to their Service Unit Cookie Manager and a name will be drawn out at the next SU meeting.

For those troops that are not participating in Cookie Booth Weekends and need additional cookies to fulfill Goal Getter orders, please contact Kelly Jansen, Product Program Manager, at
kjansen@gsofsi.org or Katie Grayling, Product Program Assistant, at kgrayling@gsofsi.org.
 
 


Are You a Customer Looking for Girl Scout Cookies?
Call us at 800.345.6858 or visit http://bit.ly/GetCookies to find a troop in your area!
 

 

Monday, January 27, 2014

GSSI's Goal Getter Program Helps Girls Reach Their Goals


 
 
We all know the Girl Scout Cookie Program, the biggest girl-led business in the world, is about so much more than exchanging a box of tasty treats for money. When a Girl Scout sells a box of cookies, she’s doing much more. She’s creating a plan, interacting with customers and working as part of a team. And, she’s also building a lifetime of skills and confidence linked to leadership and financial literacy.  
 
GSSI’s Goal Getter Program begins Feb. 3. Goal Getter allows girls to extend the time they sell to reach their goals (and the next reward level). Girls should have received their Goal Getter order cards when they turned in their order cards from traditional sales. Girls then return Goal Getter order card when they pick up cookies from the traditional order in mid February. (This date varies by area.) In addition, each Service Unit with Girls Scouts participating in the Goal Getter program will receive one Build-a-Bear that girls who sell an additional 20 boxes will be entered into a Service Unit drawing to win. 

Are you a customer searching for Girl Scout Cookies?  Call 800.345.6858 or visit http://bit.ly/GetCookies to find a troop in your area!
 

Friday, January 10, 2014

Melissa Hays from Salem Named December Pearl of the Month



Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSSI) is pleased to announce that Melissa Hays from Salem has been named the December 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.
Melissa is a Troop Leader and Product Sales Manager for Service Unit 21 - East Marion County. She does an excellent job keeping parents informed through a newsletter and Facebook page. She is always available to lend a helping hand or answer questions with a positive attitude. Most recently, Melissa planned a Cookie Rally for the Service Unit with stations including safety, selling tips, and goal-setting to help girls get excited and prepared for the Girl Scout Cookie Program.
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.

It's Girl Scout Cookie Time!



 
 
The 2014 Girl Scout Cookie Program is here!  Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSSI) will kick off the cookie program January 10-12 during the first Cookie Booth Weekend of the season. At these Cookie Booths, customers can purchase cookies directly from girls at various locations throughout southern Illinois.  Traditional cookie order taking begins on January 11 and continues through January 25, with Girl Scouts taking orders for the delicious treats--which will be delivered in late February. To get connected to a Girl Scout in your area, please call 800.345.6858 or visit http://bit.ly/CookieFinder.  Customer demand for Girl Scout Cookies following delivery has been high historically, so additional Cookie Booth Weekends will be held Feb. 28-March 2, March 7-9 and March 14-16.  Find Girl Scout Cookie Booths in your area using the Girl Scout Cookie app or Little Brownie Baker’s Cookie Locator at http://cookielocator.littlebrownie.com/.
The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest girl-led business in the country and generates immeasurable benefits for girls and their communities.  Girls who participate in the 2014 Girl Scout Cookie Program benefit from “learning by earning” and develop five valuable life skills – goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics.  Girls then use their proceeds to support their chosen activities for the year, to fund community service and leadership projects, to attend summer camp or to travel to destinations near and far.  In addition, proceeds from the program help GSSI recruit and train adult volunteers, provide financial assistance so Girl Scouting is available to all girls, improve and maintain camp properties and develop and deliver quality program activities for girls.
The Girl Scout Mission is: Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place.  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 working together.
Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois serves 14,000 girls and 4,800 adult volunteers in more than 40 counties in southern Illinois.  Girl Scouting has inspired more than 50 million girls and women since its founding in 1912.  Girl Scouting is focused on providing a premier Girl Scout Leadership Experience for girls in the 21st century, while ensuring the traditions and values that have been core to Girl Scouting since its beginning remain strong and relevant. 
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.

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Girl Scout Cookies Are Coming to Southern Illinois in January!



We all know the Girl Scout Cookie Program, the biggest girl-led business in the world, is about so much more than exchanging a box of tasty treats for money. When a Girl Scout sells you a package of cookies, she’s doing much more. She’s creating a plan, interacting with customers and working as part of a team. And, she’s also building a lifetime of skills and confidence linked to leadership and financial literacy.


2014 Girl Scout of Southern Illinois Cookie Program
Girl Scout Cookies cost $4 per box

Important Dates:
December 14, 2013 – Cookie College
January 10, 2014 – Cookie Rally
January 10-12, 2014 – Council Wide Booth Sales
January 11-25, 2014 – Order Taking
February 28-March 2, 2014; March 7-9, 2014 and March 14-16, 2014 – Council Wide Booth Sales

What can a cookie buy? The experience of a lifetime. 
Much more than a way to raise money, the Girl Scout Cookie Program is a hands-on leadership and entrepreneurial program unlike any other in the world.  Girls gain a wealth of essential skills, not from a book, but from real life experiences that build a strong foundation for success.  Many successful businesswomen and community leaders say they got their start selling Girl Scout Cookies.  Watch: The Business of Cookies
Learning Life Skills
Through Girl Scouting, girls become leaders in their daily lives and prepare for their bright futures! The Girl Scout Cookie Program provides an important ingredient for leadership by helping girls develop five key skills: Goal Setting, Decision Making, Money Management, People Skills and Business Ethics.  

Along the way, girls deepen relationships and create memories that will last a lifetime. She won’t want to miss the fun. And, you won’t want her to miss the learning! There’s no substitute for giving your Girl Scout the exciting, enriching experience of the Girl Scout Cookie Program.  
Watch: What Grown Ups Need to Know About Selling Girl Scout Cookies

How the Cookie CrumblesEvery penny of the Girl Scout Product Programs remains in our council.  Check out this chart to see how the proceeds from Girl Scout Product Programs are used here at Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois.