Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Troy Girl Scouts Hold First Annual Cupcake Wars Competition




Girl Scout Service Unit 109 - Troy held their first annual Cupcake Wars competition on December 18, 2018! The theme was "Girl Scout Cookies" and girls came up with some VERY delicious desserts.  Guest judges were GSofSI CEO Loretta Graham, GSofSI Director of Product Program Kristen Gibbs and Girl Scout alum Sarah Phelps. 



Eight Junior and Cadette teams participated in the competition.  Each team made two cupcakes - one was required to include Samoas in the recipe and the other had to be inspired by a Girl Scout Cookie flavor of their choice.. The winning team was from Junior Troop #724.  












Monday, December 3, 2018

Troop #235 Earns Holiday Lights Limo Ride With GSofSI CEO Loretta Graham



Girl Scout Troop #235 from the Southwestern Schools area (Brighton/Shipman/Medora/Piasa) raised more than $6,500 during the Nut, Candy & Magazine Program and earned with a limo ride with GSofSI CEO Loretta Graham through the holiday lights at Tilles Park in St. Louis!





Thursday, November 29, 2018

Marion Troop #8893 Honored By City Council for Receiving Governor's Hometown Award

Micahya Banks, Kaitlyn Satterfield, Olivia Allen, Carlie Gunn and Hailey Buckingham
presented a sign that celebrates their award to Mayor Rinella

Congratulations to Girl Scout Troop #8893 for being recognized by The City of Marion for receiving the Governor's Hometown Award!

To earn the Girl Scout Silver Award, Troop #8893 helped The Lighthouse Shelter, which serves area homeless people. The shelter had recently been impacted by flooding, so the Girl Scout Troop hosted a fall festival and collected supply donations from participants as the entrance fee. 


Their efforts earned an Honorable Mention Governor's Hometown Award from the Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service. The Governor's Hometown Award program gives formal recognition to communities that contributed to their community’s quality of life via projects that had strong volunteer support, met a need, and made a definitive impact.

A large sign recognizing the award-winning service project will be on display in Marion. 


Monday, November 5, 2018

Girl Scout Alum Makenzie Keiser Honored By Edwardsville City Council



GSofSI Alum Makenzie Keiser was honored by the Edwardsville City Council for her service to the community while earning the Girl Scout Gold Award - the highest award in Girl Scouting. Several Marines came to show their support - as Makenzie is entering the United States Marine Corps to continue her commitment to service. 

Makenzie, who graduated as a junior from Edwardsville High School in 2018, earned the Girl Scout Gold Award by teaching area children how to grow vegetable gardens.  She collaborated with the YMCA Early Childhood Development Center to design and develop three raised gardens, then taught children how to care for them. 

“If you give children a vegetable for a day, you feed them for a day,” she said.  “If you teach children how to grow vegetables, they will always have food.  Also, children who grow vegetables are more likely to eat them.”

Makenzie was honored with the Governor's Hometown Award (GHTA) for her service to the community as well. The GHTA program gives forman recognition to those who contributed to projects that improved their community’s quality of life.






Friday, November 2, 2018

GSofSI CEO Loretta Graham Named Transformational Leader of 2018 By Marion Chamber of Commerce

GSofSI CEO Loretta Graham with
Marion Chamber of Commerce Director Karen Mullins


Congratulations to GSofSI CEO Loretta Graham for being named Transformational Leader of 2018 by Marion, IL Chamber of Commerce! Watch her receive her award & hear her speech: http://bit.ly/2F71kz4

Thursday, November 1, 2018

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois Around the Council: October 2018



Check out what's been happening around the 40 1/2 counties that make up
Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois' council!


Service Unit 42 - East Williamson County kicked off their Nut, Candy & Magazine Program by learning about "This Able Vet" service dogs. 

Effingham County Troops #2032, #2013, and #2300 traveled to Kentucky, where they toured Mammoth Cave and Crystal Onxy Cave, earned the Cave Explorer patch and two Junior Ranger badges offered by the parks.  They also visited Abraham Lincoln's birthplace and boyhood home.

Girl Scouts marched in the Jefferson County Fall Fest Parade.

Girl Scouts hosted a registration booth at Pinckneyville Mardi Gras. 



Paris Troop #2555 has been busy!  Some of the activities they welcomed the new Girl Scout year with included raising the flag at school, touring the local historical society, planting trees, geocaching, meeting police officers and firefighters, exploring the inside of an ambulance bay, volunteering at a soup kitchen, holding a fishing derby, earning the Junior Ranger badges at Walnut Point State Park, programming robots and coding, appearing in the Honeybee Parade and going to Disney on Ice. WOW!

Troop #8037 from Thompsonville and Troops #8005 and #8007 from West Frankfort welcomed veterans back to Southern Illinois from an Honor Flight at Williamson County Airport.  Each Girl Scout was able to walk a veteran off the flight down Freedom Path. 

Girl Scout Seniors from Service Unit 101 - Alton/Godfrey/Wood River/Roxana completed the first part of their Car Care badge with mechanic Chris White.  Girls learned everything they need to know about taking care of their car including changing a tire and changing their oil.

New Baden Junior Troop #242 hosted a Juliette Gordon Low birthday party for their Service Unit - complete with games from her era!  There was also a storytelling session about Juliette's life, a sign language lesson because Juliette had hearing loss and tea party style refreshments because Juliette would ask girls to join Girl Scouts by inviting them to tea.  

Girl Scouts from SU 522 - Eastern Coles County had a float in the Eastern Illinois University homecoming parade in Charleston, IL. 



DuQuoin Troop #8843 had some outdoor fun at Camp Wartburg. 

Girl Scouts from SU 54 - Perry County went to the Trunk and Treat parade together.

Johnston City Troops #8863 and #8084 made a great Girl Scout banner.

Troop #113 donated a branded sign and tablecloth to Metro East Humane Society.

Girl Scouts baked together at the Girl Scout information night in Ashley, IL.

Daisy Troop #8046 from Benton participated in the Fall Take Action project by having a Juliette Gordon Low birthday bash. Girls learned about Girl Scouts' founder with a story, craft and cupcakes.  They also discussed how important it was to JGL that girls serve their communities.  To honor JGL, each girl brought a donation to make a birthday party in a bag and donated 12 bags stuffed with party supplies to The Night's Shield Children's Shelter in West Frankfort.



Troop #688 enjoyed goat yoga.

DuQuoin Troop #8123 learned how to paint a girl dancing in the rain from their friend Joyce Ellege.  The inspiration for the artwork was the quote, "Don't wait for the storm to pass, instead learn how to dance in the rain."

Girl Scout Troop #8653 enjoyed Halloween festivities with residents of the Countryside Nursing Home in Mount Vernon.  They made BOOtiful crafts and decorations, listened to music together, wrapped mummies and painted pumpkins. 

Girl Scout Troop #8653 learned about Financial Literacy with Legence Bank.  Girls had a bank tour, explored all aspects of banking, looked at different currencies, and learned about the importance of saving and setting a budget. 

Femme Fit 618, an all women's gym in Mount Vernon, welcomed Girl Scout Troop #8653 and #8631 to get active and learn more about fitness and healthy eating. 

Monday, October 15, 2018

Girl Scouts Conduct Flag Ceremony To Honor WWI Veteran in O'Fallon


The O’Fallon Woman’s Club partnered with members of Girl Scout Troops from Moye Elementary and Shiloh Schools to honor the life and service of Private Alva Neely at their monthly flag ceremony. Read full article in the O'Fallon Weekly

Thursday, October 11, 2018

Effingham County Girl Scouts Explore Mammoth Cave & More on Kentucky Trip



Effingham County Troops #2032, #2013, and #2300 traveled to Kentucky, where they toured Mammoth Cave and Crystal Onxy Cave, earned the Cave Explorer patch and two Junior Ranger badges offered by the parks.  They also visited Abraham Lincoln's birthplace and boyhood home.



Monday, October 1, 2018

Girl Scouts On Parade at Jefferson County Fall Fest!

Girl Scouts spirit was on parade at Jefferson County Fall Fest - along with GSofSI Mobile Shop Juliette's Closet! Go Girl Scouts!















Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois Around the Council: September 2018



Check out what's been happening around the 40 1/2 counties that make up
Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois' council!


Girl Scouts in Jefferson County completed their Brownie Layers of Security and Junior Networking Badges. 

Service Unit 107 South Macoupin County held a fall campout at Camp Chan Ya Ta.



Girl Scouts from Jackson County attended the "Chemistry is Out of This World" STEM event at SIU Carbondale.  They learned about the chemistry of outer space from the SIUC American Chemical Society. 

Daisies in Service Unit 522 Eastern Coles County earned their Eco Learner Badge on the Sister City Trails in Charleston, IL. 

Girl Scouts were on parade in the Calhoun County Fair Parade.



Troop #469 have been working on restoring Camp Chan Ya Ta's deck to earn their Girl Scout Bronze Award.

Sunday, September 30, 2018

East Williamson County Girl Scouts Learn About Service Dogs



Service Unit 42 - East Williamson County kicked off their Nut, Candy & Magazine (NCM) Program by learning about "This Able Vet" service dogs. Service animals are part of this year's theme for the NCM Program, which runs until mid November. 

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

GSofSI Girl Scouts Present Service Projects for Governor's Hometown Awards

GSofSI Girl Scouts who were nominated for the Governor's Hometown Awards (GHTA) traveled to Springfield to present their community service projects! The GHTA program gives formal recognition to those who contributed projects that improved their community's quality of life.





Katharine Housewright presents her Girl Scout Gold Award project to
the Governor's Hometown Award committee.


Katharine Housewright from Saint Jacob
Girl Scout Gold Award Project: "Beautification of Triad Middle School Courtyard"

For her Girl Scout Gold Award, Katharine made improvements to the school courtyard which was built in the 1960's and had not seen many updates. She started by painting a map of the United States and the Preamble to the Constitution in vivid colors and updated bike racks with colorful, protective enamel. She researched and used paints that would last close to a decade for a more lasting impact. Katherine encouraged others to act alongside her by sharing her progress on social media and sending out press releases to local newspapers.

Troop #8893 was represented by Marion's Mayor Anthony Rinella



Troop #8893 from Marion
Girl Scout Silver Award Project: "Carnival for Lighthouse Shelter"

For their Girl Scout Silver Award, Troop 8893 hosted a fall festival carnival for younger children to support the Lighthouse Shelter in Marion, Illinois. The Lighthouse Shelter is a homeless shelter in Marion. During the spring of 2017, the Lighthouse Shelter suffered from flooding. The Girl Scout Troop #8893 had attendees to the festival brought items to donate to the Lighthouse Shelter.


Victoria Birchem gives a presentation detailing her Girl Scout Gold Award project.


Victoria Birchem from O'FallonGirl Scout Gold Award Project: "Nomenclature for Nature"

For her Girl Scout Gold Award, Victoria worked with the O'Fallon Garden Club, its president and board, to create a catalog/database of the community garden’s plants and species. After the new plant species labels were installed, Victoria helped coordinate public garden tours and organized a program for local Girl Scout troops to tour and learn more about the O'Fallon Community Garden. These updates provided the O’Fallon Community Garden with new learning opportunities for the community and visitors to the garden.



Girl Scout Troop #8018 from Royalton and GSofSI Director of Communications Kim Vrooman

Troop #8018 from Royalton
Girl Scout Silver Award Project: "Royalton Community Garden"


Jacquelyn and Cera were approached by Royalton Mayor, Christy Powers, to start a project that the youth in their community could take part in. For their Girl Scout Silver Award, Jacquelyn and Cera enlisted local youth and planned, planted, and maintained a community garden. After long hours of maintenance and harvesting, the youth of the community sold the produce to the people of Royalton. The proceeds from the produce sales were then given back to the town.


Mackenzie Keiser from Edwardsville
Girl Scout Gold Award project: "Growing With the Garden"
For her Girl Scout Gold Award, Makenzie helped teach area children how to grow vegetable gardens with the YMCA Early Childhood Development Center in Edwardsville. After working with staff to design and build three raised bed gardens at the facility’s children’s playground, she taught students about the importance of vegetables and how they are cultivated. Makenzie helped the students start growing seeds indoors and how to transplant them to the garden. Finally she assisted the children with harvesting and tasting their produce.

Tuesday, September 4, 2018

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois Around the Council: August 2018


Troop #1639 enjoyed a visit to Holiday World and Lincoln's Boyhood Home National Park

Clinton County Troop #688 leanred to tie a friendship knot

Cadettes from Staunton and Mount Olive ran a s'mores station and registration tent at the Staunton Balloon Glow.

Jefferson County Troop #8872 rededicated themselves to the Girl Scout Promise & Law.



Troop #74 from Belleville bridged to Cadettes and were honored by the Belleville Area Humane Society for their Girl Scout Bronze Award project.

Brownie Troop #8165 from Carbondale helped their leader Daisy C. with her official Monarch Waystation!

Highland Girl Scout Troop #342 held a bridging ceremony at Camp Torqua

Maddie D. addressed City Council about her Girl Scout Silver Award project.

Troop #191 from Belleville bridged from Brownies to Juniors.


Clinton County Girl Scouts held a fishing derby and raingutter boat race. 

Girl Scouts held a boat race family informational event at John A. Logan College.

New Girl Scouts have been signing up in Mt. Vernon.



GSSI's street team have been out thanking members of the community for their support of Girl Scouting. 

New Girl Scouts have been signing up in Mt. Vernon.

Girl Scouts bridged in Waterloo.



Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Carbondale Troop #8165 Gets To Know Monarch Butterflies at Their First Meeting


Brownie Troop #8165 from Carbondale had an uplifting and educational start to the new Girl Scout year.  Troop Leader Daisy Chervinko operates official Monarch Waystation #18229, where she raises, tags and releases Monarch butterflies, so it was a perfect fit for the troop to start working on their Bugs badge together. Daisy introduced girls to her Monarch rearing set-up and taught them the life cycle of the butterfly. Girls were able to hold butterflies at every level of the life cycle except chrysalis, which are very delicate - but they got to see chrysalises as well.



Girls also learned how to identify differences between male and female butterflies, as well as see several types of milkweed that the caterpillars feed on.

"They asked the most thoughtful questions and made some amazing observations," Daisy said.



After learning all about Monarchs, girls then helped sex, tag, catalog and release them. 

"Day made, for them and for myself," said Daisy.

What an awesome start to the year! 



Monday, August 20, 2018

Girl Scout Abigail O. Meets Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner and Girl Scout Abigail O.


Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois believes in the power of Civic Engagement! Abigail O. from Troop #194 in Mascoutah was thrilled to have the pleasure to meet Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner and to learn more about democracy and public service.

Tuesday, August 7, 2018

South Macoupin County Troop #1075 Visits Chicago

South Macoupin County Troop #1075 took the train for a weekend getaway to Chicago.  They stayed at the Hosteling International Hostel and visited local attractions like the Museum of Science and Industry, Art Institute of Chicago and Shedd Aquarium.  Of course, they sampled some deep dish pizza as well.


See Pics:


Troop #1075

Visiting the Museum of Science and Industry
Hello Chicago!
Posing with "The Bean"

Did your troop take a trip this summer?  Let us know at customercare@gsofsi.org! We'd love to share your story!