Monday, January 26, 2015

2015 Volunteer Support Team Retreat

This weekend, nearly 70 volunteers and staff from Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast gathered at Camp Skimino in Williamsburg for the 2015 Volunteer Support Team Retreat, an opportunity to network, learn about new resources and have fun. During the retreat, which took place Friday evening and all day on Saturday, volunteers had the chance to share ideas with one another about ways to best provide the Girl Scout Leadership Experience for girls, as well as get to know one another as they made s’mores and sang traditional Girl Scout songs around the campfire.

Learning about volunteering with
purpose from Latrece McKnight-Williams
The keynote speaker for the retreat was Latrece Williams-McKnight, who is the president of a leadership development and management strategy consulting firm, as well as a Girl Scout alumna. Williams-McKnight shared her own Girl Scout story, and inspired staff and volunteers with a powerful message about supporting girls with purpose.

“Be passionate, be unique, be optimistic,” Williams-McKnight said. “With your passion comes your purpose, and I know that all of you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of girls.”

Following the keynote address, volunteers took part in quick takes, or interactive learning experiences, where they found new activities to share with girls and discovered new volunteer resources. They also participated in workshops that covered topics ranging from social media to managing projects and planning events. By the end of the weekend, staff and volunteers alike felt more energized and full of ideas to bring back to their Girl Scout troops.

A social media workshop was just one of many learning
opportunities at the retreat

Girl Scout volunteers are always needed to introduce girls to new experience that show them they’re capable of more than they ever imagined. Girl Scout volunteers are cheerleaders, guides and mentors that help girls develop skills and confidence that will last them a lifetime. Find more information about volunteering with Girl Scouts here.

View more photos from the event here.