Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois: Around the Council July 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!

O'Fallon Troop #642 visited Orlando, FL to participate in the class "Exploring Careers in the Zoological Sciences" at the Animal Kingdom. 

When thunderstorms struck during bedtime at camp, PA KayLee helped soothe the mood by leading a cheerful song.  Great thinking, KayLee!

Service Unit 210 Freeburg/Marissa/St. Librory held a bridging ceremony. 

S'mores Sampling!  Photo Courtesy of Shawneetown Public Library. 

Girl Scouts taught a program on how to make a fire - complete with hot dogs and s'mores - at the Shawneetown Public Library. 

Troop #688 from Clinton County camped at Camp Wassatoga, where they canoed, painted, made s'mores and worked on their Amaze Journey. 

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.

Service Unit 207 Belleville/Swansea has been sprucing up sailboats for Camp Butterfly.  Thank you to everyone who has been working so hard on this project!

Troop #792 repainted the jungle gym at their meeting place. 

Madison County Troop #792 helped beautify their meeting place by repainting the jungle gym.

Girl Scouts read to children during the "Read with a Girl Scout" program at Brehm Library in Mount Vernon. 

Girl Scouts from Waterloo held a mother/daughter campout at Camp Chan Ya Ta where they hiked, canoed, shot archery and enjoyed fun and games. 

GaGa Pits Donated to Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois By Steven and Teresa Bushong

Girl Scouts enjoying the new GaGa Pit during Effingham Day Camp

Steven and Teresa Bushong have made a generous donation to install GaGa Pits at Camp Wassatoga, Camp Torqua and Camp Butterfly.

GaGa is a game similar to dodgeball that is played with one ball in a octagonal court with a fence or short wall around it. Players hit the ball at each other with their hands, and are eliminated if the ball strikes them on or below the knee. They are also out if they cause the ball to leave the playing area, if they hit the ball twice in a row or if a ball they struck is caught in the air.  The winner is the last competitor left in the pit.

“We decided to donate money for the GaGa Pits because we have seen firsthand how much fun kids have playing in them,” said Teresa.  “The girls will enjoy playing the game so much that leaders will have a hard time convincing them to do something else.”

Teresa Bushong is also Director of SU 211 Day Camp at Camp VanDeventer in Waterloo, while Steven is a Unit Leader. “Camping is in our blood,” Teresa said.

AVOW Weekend Coming July 10-12 at Camp Butterfly! Outdoor Fun Just For Adults!

 

AVOW weekends are a great place for adult volunteers and alumni to relax, connect, have fun and enjoy the outdoors with other adults.  Activities will include (weather permitting): hiking, archery, swimming, outdoor cooking, singing songs, sharing stories and fun and fellowship.  It will be a great time ... so sign up now!

 

The next AVOW weekend is:

July 10-12 at Camp Butterfly

 

For more information or to register, please contact:

Tina Boyce

618.363.9027

timandtina1996@gmail.com

 

 

It's Time to THINK SPRING! GSSI Camp Clean Up Days Coming Soon!

Spring is right around the corner!  What better way to celebrate than to plan a trip to Girl Scout camp to help clean up?  There is not cost to come out and enjoy some time outdoors with other troops from around Southern Illinois, but please register by the deadline so we have supplies ready.

April 12 (deadline April 6) - 12-6 p.m.
Camp Cedar Point - Makanda, IL
Camp Chan Ya Ta - Worden, IL
Camp Whispering Oaks - Salem, IL

April 27 (deadline April 20) - 12-6 p.m.
Camp Butterfly - Farmington, MO
Camp Torqua - Edwardsville, IL
Camp Wassatoga - Effingham, IL

For more information about GSSI Camps, please contact Director of Property Jonathan Stanley at 800.345.6858, ext. 1107 or e-mail jstanley@gsofsi.org.

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois Has Six Camps to Enjoy!

 

 

Did you know that GSSI has six camp properties for girls and volunteers to use and enjoy. Camp Cedar Point (Makanda, IL), Camp Chan Ya Ta (Worden, IL), Camp Torqua (Edwardsville, IL), Camp Wassatoga (Effingham, IL) & Camp Whispering Oaks (Salem, IL) are open year round. Camp Butterfly (Farmington, MO) is open from April to October. For more information and photos see each camp on our website, www.gsofsi.org.

Did You Know? GSSI Camps Have Canoeing and Archery Available!

Canoes are available at Camp Butterfly, Camp Cedar Point, Camp Chan Ya Ta, Camp Wassatoga and Camp Whispering Oaks with prior approval and proper certification.

Archery is available at every camp with prior approval and proper certification. For more information about GSSI camps, please visit us at www.gsofsi.org or call our Property Department at 618.692.0692.