Chesapeake Girl Scout Recognized as a 2017 National Young Woman of Distinction

GSCCC CEO Tracy Keller, Lea and
GSCCC Board Chair Carolene Goodwyn-Harris

Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast is excited to announce that Lea Bonner, a Girl Scout Ambassador from Chesapeake, was named by Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) as a 2017 National Young Woman of Distinction, the organization’s most prestigious honor. GSUSA selects 10 National Young Women of Distinction annually among candidates who have earned their Girl Scout Gold Award®, which represents the highest achievement in Girl Scouts.

Approximately five percent of all eligible Girl Scouts earn their Gold Award each year— and just 10 girls in this already-high-achieving group receive the National Young Woman of Distinction honor. Applications are judged by GSUSA executives, previous National Young Women of Distinction, leaders from a range of fields and a representative from the Kappa Delta Foundation, which provides the honorees with college scholarships.

For her Gold Award project, Lea established a recycling program for oyster shells from local restaurants in her community. With the help of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Lea created a sustainable system for the shells to be returned to the bay to create reefs to help the oyster population grow.

Lea joined GSCCC Board Chair Carolene Goodwyn-Harris and
CEO Tracy Keller on a visit to Rep. Scott Taylor to discuss issues
that impact girls and Girl Scouts, referencing the 2017 State of Girls
 report published by the Girl Scout Research Institute. 

To honor Girl Scouts’ National Young Women of Distinction, the Kappa Delta Foundation grants the selected girls a combined $50,000 in college scholarships, reflecting Kappa Delta’s commitment to girls’ leadership and pursuit of education. This includes $5,000 for Lea. An additional $100,000 in college scholarships, which includes $10,000 for Lea, is provided by Susan Bulkeley Butler, founder of the Susan Bulkeley Butler Institute for the Development of Women Leaders.

Lea will be honored during the Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast Volunteer Kickoff on Saturday, September 23 at Old Dominion University, where she will be featured as a keynote speaker. In addition, GSUSA will honor the National Young Women of Distinction at G.I.R.L. 2017, the largest girl-led event in the world, October 6–8 in Columbus, Ohio. In line with the theme of the event, “Experience the Power of a G.I.R.L.,” G.I.R.L. 2017 will provide every participating girl and girl supporter with amazing opportunities to celebrate achievements, build on aspirations, get inspired, and gain the tools girls need to empower themselves and create change in their communities―both locally and globally.

A Girl Scout Reflection

By Christiane, a Chesapeake Girl Scout

As I embark on my journey to college, I love looking back on my time as a Girl Scout. I first began Girl Scouts in kindergarten as a cute, little Daisy and have made the full journey to becoming a Girl Scout Ambassador as a high school graduate. Many people tend to think that Girl Scouts is just doing arts and crafts, camping and selling those delicious cookies! Boy, are they good! However, this is not the big picture. Girl Scouts is about working with each other to accomplish a common goal, having fun while learning new skills and having each girl discover who she truly is! Most of all, Girl Scouts is about supporting your fellow sisters and helping them to make the world a better place. 

Being a Girl Scout has allowed me to be a part of adventures and experiences I never could have imagined. Girl Scouts has helped me to develop the confidence to lead, the determination to reach my goals, the perspective to view the world in new ways and the ability to learn from setbacks.

This past year, I revitalized the outdoor classroom at Yorktown Elementary School, completing my Girl Scout Gold Award Project. The purpose of the project was to restore the outdoor classroom because it was damaged and in a state of decline. I built benches to replace those that were damaged by misuse, built and planted a flower bed and constructed two interactive work stations. The setback I experienced during this project was a delay due to construction that was occurring around the school. However, as I worked with the school’s administration and used my communication and leadership skills, my team and I successfully completed the project! Honestly, it was difficult, but it is a great feeling to know that I helped make a difference, especially for the students at Yorktown Elementary School!

Through Girl Scouts, I also met some of my best friends! We are not only a troop of sisters, but truly a family. We had so many great laughs as we would stay up at night playing board games during camping trips or singing silly songs and making gooey smores around the campfire. Yum! We also got down to business to make a difference in the world, one Take Action project at a time. Some of my favorite experiences completed in scouting include volunteering with the Norfolk Emergency Shelter Team to help set up beds and make lunches for the homeless, learning an Indian dance and making curry for the Girl Scouts’ annual World Thinking Day and traveling to Orlando with my troop for our last trip together before we all part our ways for college.

Girl Scouts has shown me to be more encouraging, braver, stronger, a risk-taker and leader! I believe that every girl should be part of the scouting movement, and I am proud to say that I will always be a Girl Scout!

Women’s Equality Day

Women’s Equality Day is dedicated to celebrating the women who overcame obstacles and earned the right to vote through courage, determination and leadership. It is important for today's girls to know that their voices matter and that the right to vote should not be taken for granted.

Check out a sampling of badges can earn after different levels in Girl Scouting to better understand government and the importance of voting:

Inside Government

Do you ever wonder what exactly the government is and does? Active citizens should know the basics of government! Explore laws that affect you every day, meet people who work in government and be active in government yourself!

Finding Common Ground 

Democratic governments exist to help citizens with differing opinions find common ground- the place where people's thoughts, opinions and beliefs intersect Investigate how our government does it and how you can too!

Behind the Ballot

In a democracy like ours, voting is not just a right, it is a responsibility! It's how you make your voice heard. Explore the importance of voting and find out about the electoral process in the United States and around the world.

Public Policy

If you want your voice to be heard by government, it helps to know about public policy. Learn how citizens can work to effect change in a community or even in a country.

Girl Scout Famous Formers Reception

A reception to welcome the 2017 Girl Scout Famous Formers was held on Thursday, August 24 at Bella Monte Restaurant & Enoteca in Virginia Beach. Famous Former recipients from past years were present to congratulate the “newcomers.”

Girl Scout Famous Formers, past and this year's honorees, along with friends,
celebrated the sisterhood of Girl Scouts at a reception at Bella Monte Restaurant and Enoteca.

“We were blessed to be in the company of some awesome women who continue to tell their Girl Scout story by the footprint they make in the community and their support for the girls we serve,” Carolene Goodwyn-Harris, GSCCC Board Chair, said.

GSCCC Board Chair Carolene Goodwyn-Harris and
GSCCC CEO Tracy Keller hosted reception guests with
GSUSA Strategic Philanthropy Director Katie McCollum.

The gathering was a chance for all to reminisce about Girl Scout moments and to share what each of them is doing today to support girls. From being active volunteers and parents of Girl Scouts, to those who mentor girls during the annual Take A Girl Scout To Work Day, these Famous Formers are still living the Girl Scout Promise and Law and nurturing our future leaders – the go-getters, innovators, risk-takers and leaders our nation needs.

“I really encourage all of you to wear your Girl Scout pin with pride,” GSCCC CEO Tracy Keller said. “It is so important that girls know that women of such caliber are still Girl Scouts and proud to part of this great organization. They need to know that anything is possible. They need to know that women leaders are not a novelty, they are not the exception – they are an important part of the leadership landscape of this country.”

Next stop – the November 2 Famous Formers Luncheon where the 2017 class will officially be honored. GSUSA CEO Sylvia Acevedo, a Girl Scout alumna with an inspiring story of how Girl Scouts helped her reach her potential as a rocket scientist and entrepreneur, will be the keynote speaker.

Act fast, tickets are selling quickly! Buy your ticket today.

TowneBank Supports Girl Scouts

TowneBank has been a supporter of Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast for the past nine years. This year, TowneBank has given to Girl Scouts more generously than ever before. Jerry Kent, senior vice president of private banking at TowneBank, recently stopped by A Place for Girls to deliver a $20,000 check to the Council.

Barbara Tierney, Jerry Kent, Tracy Keller 

GSCCC will be using funds from TowneBank to host the Cookie Kickoff, which is scheduled for December 9 at the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center. The Cookie Kickoff is an action-packed evening, where girls learn money skills, set sales goals and work towards earning their financial literacy badges in preparation for the Girl Scout Cookie Program, which starts in January. GSCCC will also use the funds from Townebank for the Gold Award Celebration in June, where the girls who earn the highest award in Girl Scouting are celebrated for their achievement.

“TowneBank is proud to support an organization that builds our community’s future leaders,” Kent said.

Barbara Tierney, a retired TowneBank employee and the vice chair of the board of directors for GSCCC, accepted the check on behalf of Girl Scouts, along with GSCCC CEO Tracy Keller and Philanthropy Director Stacy Nixon.

“Making sure that girls gain financial literacy skills is a crucial component of the Girl Scout Cookie Program,” Keller said. “With this support from TowneBank, we can help give girls a foundation in finance at the Cookie Kickoff, as well as recognize the girls who have achieved the top honor in Girl Scouts.”

In addition to TowneBank’s financial support of Girl Scouts, TowneBank staff members have helped make improvements at A Place for Girls during Day of Caring, hosted by the United Way of South Hampton Roads.

GSCCC Announces New Hours of Operation

Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast is pleased to announce new hours of operation, effective September 2, 2017. The change, which includes extending the workday by thirty minutes from Monday to Thursday, will help to accommodate our customers’ needs!

Here at GSCCC, it is important to us to provide the best customer service possible to our volunteers and caregivers, and it was with your valuable input that we made these changes to our office hours. We look forward to better serving all of our members as we continue to work together to build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place!

The new hours are as follows:

Chesapeake Office Location

Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Chesapeake Retail Location Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on designated Saturdays
*First Saturday in April through second Saturday in June; and
*First Saturday in September through second Saturday in November

Peninsula Office 

Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Peninsula Retail Location

Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (This retail location only, closed 1 to 2 p.m. for lunch)
Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
NO SATURDAY HOURS

Council retail staff are happy to take orders by phone and have them ready for pick up during office hours, or customers may request that the package is mailed. Online shopping continues to be an option.

Please email customercare@gsccc.org if you have any questions.

A Visit to Camp Apasus

If you keep your eyes open long enough, you can see a lot in just a few minutes.  Today I had the honor of taking a few photographs at my daughter’s Girl Scout camp, Camp Apasus. I drove through the cemetery where two of my great grandmothers are buried, and I walked into the camp with my daughter. I saw a lot in those short moments.

I saw dozens of girls wearing shirts with printed expressions like “smart girl” and “kind is cool.” I saw girls running with reckless abandon – jump roping and hula hooping.  I saw some girls who could jump rope while doing twists.  I saw some girls who couldn’t yet jump rope.  I saw the girls who excelled at jump roping encouraging their sisters who couldn’t jump rope well with tips like “keep your head up” and “pick up your feet next time.” No competition. No embarrassment.  Just genuine encouraging and supporting each other.

I saw two girls cry after having a disagreement as a strong counselor calmed them down and helped them through the disagreement.  I then saw them hula hoop off together again, the dispute quickly forgotten.

I saw girls with different hair, build, color and age come together to make pretend boats out of sticks.

I saw a team of outstanding strong young women leading these girls. These young women have their priorities straight, and they lead these young Girl Scouts by example.

I saw the girls line up for the raising of the Colors, and then they reverently raised the flag earned by a deceased veteran.  I saw the girls remove their ball caps and cover their heart with their hands as they pledged allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.  They watched the flag with wonder and respect.

I was only at the camp for about 15 minutes, and I saw ALL of this.  I left there with a full heart, for I know these young girls and young women are going to be okay.  I know that just this one week at Camp Apasus is going to make a difference in all their amazing long lives. This camp is made of the stuff that they will look back on in 20 or 30 years and remember - remember the fun, the freedom, the friendships, the go-getting, the risk-taking, and the leading that they learned how to do.  

Thank you, Girl Scouts. Thank you for inspiring and encouraging this generation of girls to be who they are.  You’ve done your job here, as you’ve been doing since 1912.  Keep on keepin’ on! 

Yours in Girl Scouting,
Kelly McMahon Willette, Girl Scout Troop Leader and Girl Scout Mom

Fall into STEM

Girl Scouts is all about being girl-led, and developing new programs is no exception. That’s why Girl Scouts of the USA surveyed girls to find out which STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) topics they most want to explore. The results weren’t surprising—computer science, engineering, and outdoor STEM landed in the top three!

Last month, Girl Scouts announced the release of a new set of STEM-focused badges and Journeys. Girls can now earn badges while they take part in science activities that they love, from designing race cars to programming robots to coding.

This fall, GSCCC is collaborating with community partners across the region to provide engaging opportunities for girls to explore the world of STEM and discover their interests in seeking challenges and solving problems. Check out these upcoming opportunities:

Science Alive
September 16
Norfolk State University 
Join us for our eighth annual Science Alive! Enjoy hands-on STEM activities in the fields of engineering, chemistry, medicine, biology and physical science led by NSU faculty and students. Spend time on a college campus and meet sorority sisters.

Synthetic Engineering
October 7
The College of William & Mary
What are SynBio and bioengineering? This event will put the science into everyday life. Ever heard of molecular biology? Understanding how scientists are able to work with DNA in the lab will help you explain SynBio. Participating in hands- on activities in a science lab with bioengineers will help you think like a scientist!

Engineering Women
October 14

Old Dominion University

Led by the Hampton Roads Chapter of the Society of Women Engineers (HR-SWE), join us for exciting activities that explore the areas of robotics, electromagnetism, chemistry, hydrodynamics and structural engineering. All-new activities will focus on critical thinking, problem-solving and collaboration. These women engineers are excited to ignite the enthusiasm of tomorrow's engineers, innovators and scientists with a day of fun!

Girls STEAM Ahead

October 21

NauticusJoin us for a fun-filled night at our third annual Nauticus STEAM Night for Girl Scouts! Touch a shark, build and test underwater robotic ROVs and enjoy hands-on activities in our STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math)-themed stations. Meet local professionals in these fields and learn how to make STEAM your career!

These events are open to all girls, whether or not they are currently members of Girl Scouts. 

Meeting with Representative Scott

Camille, Representative Scott, Tracy Keller

Girl Scout Ambassador Camille from Hampton, accompanied Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast CEO Tracy Keller on a visit with Representative Bobby Scott on Monday, August 7. Camille had an opportunity to share information about her Girl Scout Gold Award project with the congressman, a project she completed last spring. Through her project, Camille aimed to create a safe space for the children at the HER Shelter to learn about music in a group setting and help them boost their self-esteem.

During the visit with the congressman, Keller spoke about a study, State of Girls 2017: Emerging Trends and Troubling Truths, recently released by the Girl Scout Research Institute. While Virginia ranks thirteenth among the well-being of girls in the 50 states, there is still work to be done. According to the report, 64 percent of eighth-grade girls in Virginia are not proficient in math, and 55 percent of fourth-grade girls are not proficient in reading. Furthermore, 16 percent of girls ages six to 17 in Virginia do not participate in any organized activities, and 22 percent of girls in this same demographic watch television or play video games for more than three hours per day.

Keller shared with Representative Scott some of the ways that Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast is addressing the challenges faced by girls in southeastern Virginia. In June, Girl Scouts hosted a LEGO-themed STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) event for girls in Newport News and their fathers or male caregivers that not only provided an opportunity for them to spend quality time together, but also engaged girls in problem-solving activities and STEM learning. Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast has numerous STEM events planned this fall, including Science Alive, Synthetic Engineering, Engineering Women and Girls STEM Ahead.

events held in conjunction with STEM experts from The College of William and Mary, Norfolk State University and Society of Women Engineers, among others.

“By offering hands-on, girl-led, girl-centered learning in STEM, the outdoors, and entrepreneurship, as well as life-skill building, Girl Scouts helps all girls take the lead early and often,” Keller said.

Representative Scott spoke to Keller about the H.R.1809 - Juvenile Justice Reform Act of 2017 that passed in the House and is now in the Senate. This bill, which has strongly been supported by the Congressman, will reauthorize and update the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974. Representative Scott also spoke about preventative solutions that include having innovative and engaging after-school programs for youth, such as Girl Scouts.

Before the meeting ended, Keller thanked Representative Scott for his ongoing support of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and asked that he support the proposed increasing funding for the Title IV Part A of ESSA, the Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grant Program. This new block grant requires funding to be allocated and spent on partnerships between schools and outside organizations in areas that Girl Scouts excel in, such as STEM. Find out more about how to advocate for the extended funding of this grant program here.

Gold Award Spotlight: The Stories of the Brave

Kathleen, a Girl Scout from Williamsburg, has earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, which is the highest honor and achievement a girl can earn in Girl Scouts.

The focus of Kathleen’s project was empowering students to be able to positively deal with bullying situations. Kathleen chose a book, “Smile” by Raina Telgemeier, and developed a discussion guide, resource bookmark and information about bullying that she donated in kits to the library. The kits can be checked out by any member of the library and be used in a book club setting. She then scheduled a discussion at the library for people to come and talk about the book and the issue of bullying.

Kathleen also held a book club meeting at a local middle school and donated five books to Hornsby Middle School and Berkley Middle School.

In order to raise awareness about the issue of bullying and her project, Kathleen sent a letter to the editor to let members of her community know about the new resource available at the local library and schools.

“I have experienced a great deal of bullying, which has taken its toll,” Kathleen said. “I wanted to find a way to provide empowerment to others who might also share my story.”

The Gold Award requires girls to identify an issue in the community and carry out a Take Action project to address the matter through leadership work. Nationwide, less than six percent of eligible Girl Scouts earn the Gold Award, which adds Kathleen to an elite group of female leaders across the country with the honor.

GSCCC Dedicates Addition to Program Center at Camp Apasus with Sertoma Club

A vintage Girl Scout song says it all, “Make new friends but keep the old.” It is a song that encourages Girl Scouts to welcome new members into their friendship circle while cherishing those who have become the strong links that hold that circle together.

On August 9, one of those links, the Norfolk Sertoma Club, was honored and thanked at Camp Apasus. The Norfolk Sertoma Club is a dedicated group of professionals with a common goal of helping people through supporting organizations such as Girl Scouts. Every year, Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast holds “thank you” picnic – a tradition that started in the 1950s.

Over the decades, club members have helped maintain the camp property by offering volunteer time for repairs and funding improvements and additions, such as the archery range and the camp pool. Recently, their generosity made it possible for GSCCC to build a screened-in addition to the Sertoma Lodge, a program center fully equipped with kitchen, showers and amenities for overnights. Now, girls using the lodge can also have an outdoor classroom experience.

A special ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new addition was part of this year’s luncheon celebration. Girl Scout campers, alumnae, board members, and more than 30 Sertoma Club members attended.

“We were really excited to see the new pavilion,” Lewis Swartley, president of the Norfolk Sertoma Club, said. “My fellow Norfolk Sertoma Club brothers and I are honored to support Camp Apasus and Girl Scouts today and far into the future. We are committed to helping Girl Scouts in their mission to build girls of courage, confidence and character.”

After the ribbon cutting, GSCCC CEO Tracy Keller gave a few remarks.

“Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast is very fortunate to have such a strong relationship with the Norfolk Sertoma Club, which has supported this unique camp over the years,” Keller said. “Tucked away in a city environment, Camp Apasus is a place where girls can build important skills. Research shows that girls' outdoor experiences are positively linked to their challenge seeking, problem-solving and environmental stewardship. They get that here at Camp Apasus.”

GSCCC Board Chair Carolene Goodwyn-Harris also spoke to guests at camp.

“When girls get outdoors, they can begin to recognize their strengths in a new way,” Goodwyn-Harris said. “It is an experience that can impact them socially, emotionally and physically. Knowing that these outdoor experiences are essential for a well-rounded life, I am thrilled that we have friends like the Sertoma Club to support our efforts.”

After the ceremony, guests were invited to tour the entire camp. While the Sertoma Lodge is the jewel of the camp, there are other great things to see and do at Camp Apasus. It borders Mason Creek, off of Granby Street in Norfolk. Campers and visitors can canoe on the small body of water and take advantage of the five campsites on the property - three with platform tents, fire circles and picnic tables. Two other buildings near Sertoma Lodge are used for storage, one for craft and camp supplies and the other as a boat storage location. A covered pavilion across from Sertoma Lodge serves as an outdoor program and picnic space. During the summer months, an above-ground pool is made available to day campers.

Camp Fury Chesapeake

On Monday morning, 21 Girl Scouts were issued turnout gear, helmets, gloves and safety glasses at the Chesapeake Fire Department Central Supply Warehouse. The girls were preparing to spend the week taking part in Camp Fury Chesapeake, a firefighting and emergency preparedness camp hosted by Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast and the Chesapeake Fire Department.

With stormy weather threatening their scheduled activities for Monday afternoon, the Girl Scouts made some adjustments and headed to Norfolk International Airport, where they watched an airport fire training demonstration and learned about the airport’s unique fire department and equipment.

Later in the week, the girls had the opportunity to put firefighting skills to the test at the Southside Regional Fire Training Academy in Portsmouth, where they climbed an aerial ladder on a firetruck, learned forcible entry skills using a Halligan bar, took part in confined space training and operated hose lines. For many of the girls at Camp Fury, the highlight of the week was rappelling inside Chrysler Hall in Norfolk.

Amber

Amber, who will be a senior at Western Branch High School next year, attended Camp Fury Chesapeake for the second year. Inspired by her first experience with the camp, Amber took an emergency medical technician training class during the school year.

“I thought that the class would be complicated, but it wasn’t, especially because I had gone to Camp Fury,” Amber said. “I am now planning to pursue a career as a firefighter.”

In addition to the firefighting experiences they had during the week, the girls learned about other nontraditional careers for women and met women who work in those fields. A panel of female scientists and engineers from NASA spoke to the girls about their experiences in the field of aeronautical engineering. They also welcomed guest speakers from the Chesapeake Sheriff’s Office and a female commanding officer in the United States Navy. During the week, the girls also toured the emergency department at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center and learned defensive tactics with the Chesapeake Police Department.

This is the second year that Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast and the Chesapeake Fire Department have partnered to host Camp Fury. The concept of Camp Fury originated in Arizona, and Chesapeake Firefighter Paramedic Mandy George brought the camp to Chesapeake after volunteering at Camp Fury Hampton for a couple of years.

Girl Scout S'mores Cookies Are Back!

Today, National S’mores Day, Girl Scouts of the USA announced that the popular Girl Scout S’mores™ cookies will return as part of the 2018 Girl Scout Cookie season lineup. With its debut last season, the Girl Scout S’mores cookies became the most popular flavor to launch in the 100 years of Girl Scouts selling cookies.

Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast will continue to offer the crunchy graham sandwich cookie with creamy chocolate and marshmallowy filling, along with the classics, which include Thin Mints®, Samoas® and Trefoils®. This means that consumers in southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina will again be able to get their hands on the delicious cookies, while powering unique and amazing experiences for girls with every cookie purchase.

Each Girl Scout S’mores cookie is embossed with designs that honor Girl Scouts’ Outdoor badges. The cookie, made with specialty ingredients, was created with emerging consumer trends in mind. It contains no artificial flavors or colors, no high-fructose corn syrup and no hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils.

“We are so excited for the return of the Girl Scout S’mores cookie,” Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast CEO Tracy Keller said. “S’mores have strong ties to our organization’s history, and this cookie is just one more delicious way for the community to support local girls.”

Girl Scouts popularized the tradition of making and enjoying s’mores in the outdoors as early as the 1920s, portraying Girl Scouts’ longstanding commitment to outdoor programs for girls. As reported by the Girl Scout Research Institute’s More Than S’mores, there is a positive correlation between outdoor experiences and girls’ understanding of their leadership potential.

All proceeds from the cookie program stay with local Girl Scouts, and Girl Scouts in southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina are able to incredible things thanks to their cookie earnings. In the past year, local Girl Scouts have used cookie proceeds to build a buddy bench at their elementary school, purchase treats and toys for police canines, buy holiday gifts for local children in need and so much more.

To learn more about Girl Scout S’mores cookies and the Girl Scout Cookie Program, and to find out when Girl Scouts will be selling cookies near you, visit www.girlscoutcookies.org. For more information about Girl Scouts and how to join or volunteer, visit www.girlscouts.org/join.