Announcing the 2020 Girl Scout Famous Formers

  

Since 2011, Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast (GSCCC) honors Girl Scout alum, women in our community who were Girl Scouts and who have now distinguished themselves as outstanding role models for girls and women through their professional and volunteer achievements as Famous Formers in a very special luncheon on Thursday, September 17. 

 

All honorees are women living in southeastern Virginia or northeastern North Carolina who have truly made the world a better place.

  

In addition to the six Famous Former honorees, there is a category for a Future Famous Former as well- a young woman who was once a Girl Scout and is now on an inspiring path of achievement.

 

Last year, in 2019, GSCCC added a corporate award to the annual event that recognizes an awesome corporation or entity that supports the Girl Scouts’ mission and has taken actions to improve the lives of girls and women in our communities.

  

Women being honored this year include: 

 

Holly Deal, Lieutenant Commander of Coast Guard Finance Center, U.S. Coast Guard 

Cathy Fox, Business Operations Manager, The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium 

Suzanne Garcia, President/CEO, SeaHill Spa at the Cavalier 

Dawn Peters, Associate Planner, Lincoln Financial Advisors 

Janet Roach, Anchor/ Reporter, WVEC-TV 

Michelle Woodhouse, Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer, Tidewater Community College 

Future Famous Former: Sarah Hustead, Recruitment Coordinator, Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast 

Corporate G.I.R.L. Champion of the Year: Michele Anderson, President and CEO, accepting on behalf of United Way of South Hampton Roads 

We are pleased to have Dr. Barbara Blake Gonzalez from Old Dominion University as our Keynote Speaker of the afternoon. Dr. Blake was the first woman to present as part of the State of the Region and presented her research on the wage gap that exists for women in Hampton Roads. She is a parent of a Gold Award Girl Scout and strongly supports the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. 

Dr. Barbara Blake Gonzalez

For more information about the Famous Formers luncheon happening September 17 or to purchase tickets visit our Famous Formers event page. 

At the 2019 Famous Formers luncheon

 

Girl Scout Volunteer Loves Running with her Daughter- Here's Why

If you talk to a seasoned runner, they'll tell you there's nothing like running to transform you. Running can teach important lessons and help you develop a healthy lifestyle. Yes, it can be difficult in the beginning but based on my friends that run, it's worth it. Once you beat that negative voice inside that says you can't, you'll learn you can beat any negative voice that comes your way. You'll conquer self-doubt and you'll be able to bring yourself to new heights. 

Mara Bates, a Girl Scout volunteer who was part of the founding group of Cookie Classic Run here at Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast, loves to run and can't think of a better way to support our Council. She was thrilled when Couch to Cookie Classic challenge was introduced this spring. 

"In these new days of homeschooling, the computer and all the other fun mobile devices are being overused," Mara said. " When my daughter began remote schooling, Netflix was just a mouse click away and wins over most kids when it comes to what to do during spare time. When the Couch to Cookie Classic trainer started, I signed us up. Not only to get me off the couch, but also to give my daughter a healthy dose of vitamin D. The training progression has worked well for us. Not only is my daughter getting off the couch and away from electronics, but she's taking our youngest dog with her, too! t's always nice to share the road with a friend (and this one can stay within one to two feet of her too).

Mara (far left) at the 2020 Cookie Classic during the costume contest!

Tip 

Start small. Take the fitness challenge to get yourself ( and your daughter) prepared to add running to your daily schedule. Don't hurry. You'll soon be ready for the big Cookie Classic Race! Increase gradually.  It takes awhile for your muscles and tendons and ligaments and joints to adjust to the stress of running, and if you progress to rapidly, you’ll get injured. Increase but very gradually. Lastly, enjoy yourself and have fun. Exercising and running should be fun, not torture.

More about our 2021 Cookie Classic here- https://www.gsccc.org/en/events/cookie-classic.html

Preview of Camp Skimino's Updated Health Lodge!

Camp Skimino has an updated Health Lodge! The update started in the Fall of 2019 when some amazing volunteers from Sentara Williamsburg spent their Day of Caring service hours at the camp taking down walls and tearing out flooring.  

It was quite a job to go down to the framework on this 42 feet by 24 foot building that was constructed in 1976. But they did it and their work made it possible for construction to start. 

GSCCC property team and volunteers dedicated a lot of hours doing the manual work and were helped with material donation by Commonwealth Building Materials who gave drywall, insulation, and other needed materials. 

The inside is now looking new and ready for campers when we open our camp for overnight stays again! And the building meets ADA standards (ADA means Americans with Disabilities Act that accommodates persons in wheelchairs).  Plans for renewing the outside are tentatively scheduled for fall. 

Check out these interior photos: