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. 

Siemer Milling Endowment Donates $8,000 to Girl Scouts

(L-R: Miranda Zerbest, Tricia Briggerman, Lindsey Hunger, Diane Siemer & Henry Siemer of Siemer Milling, Dawn Quicksall, Tammy Hess, Villie Appoo, Cyndi Anderson, Micah Bolandis)

Article & Photo Courtesy of 97.9 XFM Radio

The Siemer Milling Endowment has awarded $8,000 to Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois for support of the Effingham County Girl Scout Leadership Experience and improvements to Camp Wassatoga. Effingham County Chapter of Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois serves 1,000 Girl Scouts, ages 5-17, and adult volunteers.

With this grant, Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois will improve the quality of programs and experiences offered at Camp Wassatoga, located in Effingham County, through equipment and facility upgrades such as a more accessible dock, additional canoes, and new safety equipment such as an AED. These improvements will allow Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois to expand the programming and leadership experiences offered to the girls and adult volunteers it serves.

The Siemer Milling Company Endowment was established in 2006 for the purpose of providing a permanent source of funding to programs in Effingham County that support the development of young leaders. In 2016, the Siemer Milling Company Endowment awarded $30,000 and to date has awarded $93,800 to nonprofit organizations in Effingham.

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.

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.

Whitetails Unlimited Donate Archery & Fishing Equipment to GSSI

GSSI is grateful to the Effingham Chapter of Whitetails Unlimited for their donation of archery and fishing equipment to our Girl Scout council.  The outdoor resources were donated on June 15 at Camp Wassatoga in Effingham.  

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.

Winter Camping at GSSI

Winter wonderland at Camp Chan Ya Ta

There's no reason for your camping fun to come to an end during the winter! GSSI Camp Properties offer camping opportunities all year at the following winterized units. Click on the camp name to see more information about that property.

Camp Cedar Point -- Makanda, IL: Sahara Lodge and Bruce Lodge both offer heat, fireplace, bathrooms, mattresses and kitchen (refrigerator/stove/microwave).  Each has a capacity of 20 campers. 

Camp Chan Ya Ta -- Worden, IL: The Lodge offers heat, fireplace, bathroom/shower, fire pit, water, tables and chairs, mattresses and kitchen (refrigerator/stove/microwave).  It is an accessible unit and has a capacity of 30 campers.  The Bunkhouse has two sections that sleep 12 people each.  There is shelter, lights, access to the showerhouse, fire pit, water and refrigerator.  Indoor cooking is not permitted.  This unit is accessible.

Camp Torqua -- Edwardsville, IL: Pumpkin Patch Unit A has a capacity of 36 campers in three heated cabins with bunkbeds and 1/2 the heated program center with heat.  Pumpkin Patch Unit B has a capacity of 24 campers in two heated cabins with bunkbeds and 1/2 the heated program center with heat.  Both Pumpkin Patch units have access to the showerhouse (two toilets and two showers), an accessible Pullman kitchen, microwave, tables and chairs, shelter with lights and fire pit. Both Tuckaway and Lisetta Units have a capacity of 30 campers and has a heated troop house, kitchen (refrigerator/stove/microwave), fireplace, tables and chairs, mattresses, shelter with lights and fire pit.  Tuckaway also has an indoor accessible bathroom.

Camp Wassatoga -- Effingham, IL: Ridimakahe Lodge has a capacity of 25 campers and offers heat, full kitchen, fireplace and bathroom with showers and mattresses. 

Camp Whispering Oaks -- Salem, IL:  Lazaretti Lodge has upper and lower levels that each have a capacity of 15.  Both have heat, fireplace, accessible bathrooms with showers, mattresses, fire pit, tv/dvd, tables & chairs and kitchen (refrigerator/stove/microwave). 

Camp Butterfly -- Farmington, MO: No winterized units are available at Camp Butterfly.  This camp is open April 1 to Oct. 31.

There open dates available for your group now!  Call Carol Ann Hering at 800.345.6858, ext. 1131.