Introducing Badge in a Box!

Do you like getting mail and deliveries? If you said yes, you'll love our new fall program fir girls- Badge in a Box! It's designed to make Girl Scouting at home stress-free. The Badge Box is curated to include almost everything you need to complete a badge at home - from easy to follow instructions to the badge itself! And the best part is there's one for each Girl Scout grade level so it's completely tailored to YOU!

                                          

Each month there will be a new badge theme. Badge in a Box kits will include directions and all materials needed. Note that some badge work will require computers to do things such as watch videos.

GSCCC's Outdoor Adventures Manager Leigh Whaley said, "Badge in a box is all you need to complete an entire badge as a troop of individual. Take your time or finish it all in one sitting. The activities are geared towards each Girl Scout level and will be a ton of fun by yourself or with your troop."

These kits can be ordered by individual families or by a troop leader for the entire troop. Kits will be mailed or picked up on Wednesdays at APFG starting the first week of the month and ending the last week of the month. You will be notified of pick up times or when the kit has been mailed. Cost of mailing kits is $18 for a troop or $5 for an individual, pickup at APFG is free.

Register here for an upcoming session.

Upcoming Badge In a Box Options:

 

November Cost = $10 per girl

Registration Deadline = November 20^th

D - Mechanical Engineering: Board Games

B - Mechanical Engineering: Flying Flyer

J - Mechanical Engineering:  Paddle Boat

C - Special Agent

 

December Cost = $10 per girl

Registration Deadline = December 18^th

D – Outdoor Art Maker

B – Outdoor Art Creator

J – Outdoor Art Explorer

C – Outdoor Art Apprentice

             

January Cost = $8

Registration Deadline = January 22^nd

D – Eco Learner

B – Senses

J – Animal Habitats

C – Science of Happiness

Register here for an upcoming session.

How to pick up your box:

November/December pick-up A Place For Girls (912 Cedar Road, Chesapeake, VA)-

Pick-ups will be on Wednesdays from 10-11 AM or 3:45-5:45 PM unless otherwise noted in a reminder email.

*If these times don’t work you can contact customercare@gsccc.org to set up an alternate time after you register.*

 

November pick-up Skimino (448 Fenton Mill Rd, Williamsburg, VA)-

We will have a single pick up on Thursday November 12th from 4-6 pm at Camp Skimino with no alternative pick up times except at APFG.

 

December Pick Ups Skimino  (448 Fenton Mill Rd, Williamsburg, VA)-

We will have a single pick up on Saturday December 12th 4-5 pm at Camp Skimino with no alternative pick up times except at APFG.

Silver Award Spotlight: "Masks for the Community"

Girl Scout Cadettes Penelope, Phoebe and Quinnlyn of Girl Scout Troop 73 have earned the Silver Award through their project titled “Masks for the Community!”

The three love animals and knew they wanted to assist animals in some way, so when COVID-19 arose, the girls decided to help those who help the animals by volunteering their time to make protective equipment. The girls learned to sew two different types of masks: one for everyday wear and another type with medical grade materials sewn in for a higher level of safety and donated the washable and reusable masks to the Virginia Beach SPCA.

The girls also created informational brochures about protection from viruses and how to make masks and distributed the brochures throughout the community.

Thanks for helping those who help our furry friends, Penelope, Quinnlyn and Phoebe!

Silver Award Spotlight “Sewing for Smiles for the Kids at CHKD”

Girl Scout Cadette and Media Girl Emily loves sewing and decided to use her talents to make a difference to very special people- patients at Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters (CHKD)- to earn her Silver Award in her project titled “Sewing for Smiles for the kids at CHKD.” 

Emily sewed 50 pillowcases in different colors, patterns, and prints kids would love. She then stuffed each pillowcase with a variety of coloring books, sketch books, colored pencils and more. For a special touch, Emily included a unique, inspiring message in each of the pillowcases.

“I really wanted to give the children fun things to do, bright pillowcases to fill the room with color, and encouraging notes to give hope in these uncertain times,” Emily said. “This project really opened my eyes to see that there is so much one person can do to encourage others no matter the situation. I had a great time doing something I love, sewing, and to know the pillowcases are going to amazing children makes me very happy.”

In addition to donating the pillowcases, Emily donated and planted a butterfly bush in CHKD’s garden for visitors to enjoy for seasons to come.

Gold Award Spotlight- Butterfly Garden at First Presbyterian Church and Beach Day School

Girl Scout Ambassador Emma earned her Gold Award by completing her Gold Award project, Virginia Beach Butterfly Garden at First Presbyterian Church and Beach Day School.

Emma wanted to create an outdoor space for the congregation and school children of Virginia First Presbyterian Church and Beach Day School to enjoy. She created an education butterfly garden that teaches the life cycle of butterflies and relates it to Jesus’ resurrection in a way the students could understand. She also created a curriculum to go along with the garden to help instructors share her message. She learned how to make construction plans, overcame obstacles and learned to lead a team toward an end goal by completing her project, even through Covid-19.

Emma said, “I learned I can speak loud and clear when I really need to. I have always struggled with this. I also learned I am not a quitter. When something needs to be done- I do it!”

The garden went into full bloom throughout the spring and into the summer. It will continue to be maintained by students and will be enjoyed by guests for years to come. Way to go, Emma!

Silver Award Spotlight: Peanut Free Benches for Virginia Beach Little League

Peanuts and other nuts are ballpark favorites, however many people have nut allergies and risk contact from sitting in quarters where nuts have been. For some people with severe allergies, contact with nuts can be life-threatening!

Girl Scout Cadette Elizabeth of Troop 308 earned her Silver Award in her project “Peanut Free Benches for Virginia Beach Little League (VBLL)”. She designed, constructed and installed 12 “peanut free” benches for VBLL guests to enjoy.

Each bench has a sign indicating that it is a “peanut free zone.”

Working on her project, she learned how to build frames, work with concrete, and lead a team to a common goal. Elizabeth’s benches will be a safe place for all to enjoy for many years to come.

Congratulations, Elizabeth!

Installing the benches at VBLL.  She learned how to build the frame and

mix and pour the concrete.

Meeting with a representative from VBLL to discuss placement of benches

at the fields.  She made 12 benches in total for the complex

October is National Dyslexia Awareness Month- Girl Scout Cadette Nauri Helps Bring Awareness to GSCCC

October is National Dyslexia Awareness month and we want to make you aware of a great new patch program designed by GSCCC! You may have noticed the Dyslexia and GICHY the Bear events being offered - check them out on our Events page on our website.  The program is part of recently promoted Girl Scout Cadette Nauri's Bronze Award project from last year.

The patch program draws from the organization Lex Talk which was founded by Aarian Daniels, mom of Nauri, who was diagnosed at age eight with dyslexia.  While searching for a support group, Aarian realized there was not a platform that provided both resources and a safe space for parents to connect, so she created one. 

“When my family received the news that my daughter had dyslexia, we quickly mobilized to find resources to support her,” Aarian said. “Through that journey, I realized that there are many parents who may not have access to support or know where to start to get help for their child. Lex Talk is a way to normalize conversation around this learning disability and connect families in Hampton Roads.”

When Aarian started purchasing her daughter's troop attire, she noticed there weren’t any items related to dyslexia advocacy, so Nauri was inspired to design a patch of her own and mom strongly supported her.

“Girl Scouts patches are a fun way to explore your interests and have fun,” Aarian said. “Nauri selected a bear for her patch, an item she likes and assumes most girls do as well.  A teddy bear is also usually used as a comfort companion, so we named the bear ‘GICHY’ which is an acronym for ‘Glad I Could Help You." The name is significant since that is what Nauri wants to do, help other children who have dyslexia.”

Nauri is part of Troop 65 and earned her Bronze Award - we can't wait to see what she achieves in the future! 

Please visit the International Dyslexia Association for more information.  Use #DyslexiaAwarenessMonth to post on social media to bring awareness. You can also follow Lex Talk on Facebook @LexTalkDyslexia for updates.

Sign up for a GSCCC Dyslexia and GICHY the Bear event to learn more!

GSCCC National Delegates Taking Action

Even though the National Council Session is a few days away, our GSCCC National Delegates have been busy. They've met virtually with volunteers through service unit meetings and other virtual gathering opportunities. They have asked volunteers to share their thoughts about any of the six proposals on the agenda for the National Council Session. 

Three older Girl Scouts serving as National Delegates, Maureen a Senior from Chesapeake, Morgan a Senior from Virginia Beach, and Jasmine an Ambassador from Williamsburg, have taken their role very seriously and helped plan and carry out the Girls Voices event on October 12 . The girls had the same goal as the adult delegates - to encourage others to share their thoughts on the proposals and give general input on our movement. 

Jasmine thought the Girls Voices virtual event was a success. She believes every girl who participated was a dedicated Girl Scout who made an effort to take time out of their evening to learn about the governance and the proposals which will affect the future of our movement.

"As a delegate, it has been a learning experience for me, too," she said. " I've learned how to present important proposals on things such as membership dues, the formation of a Gold Award task group, and lifetime membership - and all virtually!

Morgan, who has attended GSCCC's annual legislative days for several years, said she knows that the process of gathering input before voting is key to the governance process. 

"What I thought was most interesting was the extensive process of learning about the different proposals and the flow chart of responsibility within the organization," Morgan said. "These proposals are important to vote on now because they provide the framework for the next 3 years. Setting parameters for dues is an important topic especially during these difficult economic times for many. In addition, the proposal recognizing our leaders with a discounted lifetime rate is a great way to motivate and reward volunteers." 

Jasmine and Morgan both stressed how important it was for every Girl Scout member to be aware of the proposals being voted upon, but said getting the information out is a bit overwhelming. Maureen agreed and said while it can at times be almost overwhelming it was also rewarding.

"Even though it was virtual and not quite the same, I still got to enjoy some really cool experiences," Maureen said. "I really enjoyed working with some of my fellow Girl Scout sisters and attending Zoom meetings with some other councils. I applied to be a National delegate because when I attended G.I.R.L 2017 I was able to sit through one of the vote sessions. It was so cool to watch the whole thing happen. It inspired me to apply for the next convention. I'm so grateful I got this opportunity. It has been a truly amazing experience and I hope I can do it again one year in person!"

Read all six proposals here.

Interested in attending the National Council Session? You can participate as a gallery guest for free and sign up for as many sessions as you'd like. Details here.

Living the Promise, Leaving a Legacy

JoAn Berry is a woman who believes one’s life should always include a passion or commitment to something, and she believes it can be found in many places. For some it is found in a profession where they feel they make a difference and for others it grows from a talent or hobby such as gardening. For JoAn, the passion comes from being a Girl Scout. When she joined as a Girl Scout Brownie, little did she know that it would become a lifelong passion. 

 

“I describe passion as a persistent feeling that guides your heart and mind,” JoAn said. “It pulls you through life and impacts everything. Girl Scouts is part of who I am. I care deeply about the mission and how the movement changes girls and their future for the better.”

 

JoAn draws her energy source to nurture this passion by wearing a number of volunteer hats, with the first hat worn as a Girl Scout Brownie leader for her daughter’s troop 30 years ago. Her daughter, Elizabeth, shares her mom’s passion and was in Girl Scouts throughout her girl years and earned the Girl Scout Silver Award for creating a Daddy/Daughter program within her service unit. It was a well-planned program that called upon Elizabeth’s leadership skills and one that eventually helped her earn a scholarship from Virginia Wesleyan University.

 

The passion that was passed onto Elizabeth is an example of how JoAn impacts lives. Her commitment to Girl Scouts spills out wherever she goes and she seems to be everywhere as a volunteer. She is a Girl Scout master trainer and has trained hundreds, from trainings on finance management to outdoor skills. She’s also served in several service units and has helped in nearly every service team role – her favorite being product programs. Her positive and go-getter personality makes her sought out by new leaders and her enthusiasm for the Girl Scout movement is contagious.  

JoAn helping out on the archery range at camp

JoAn teaching first aid

JoAn is all smiles volunteering at a cookie delivery
in Virginia Beach in 2019

 

“I’ve learned that Girl Scouts makes me happy,” she said. “It inspires me. As a product program coordinator, I’ve seen girls grow up through Girl Scouting. I’ve seen Daisies who were extremely shy and reserved become confident leaders as Juniors. This really makes my heart sing to think I was part of making that happen.”

 

When JoAn volunteers, the good memories of her own years in the program are not far away. Those memories include having her mom as her Girl Scout leader, enjoying Girl Scouting with her three sisters and camping in tents with no floors that, during one trip, created a flood in their tent that prompted a swift evacuation in the middle of the night.

 

Last July, when she heard National Volunteer Dianne Belk speak at a Juliette Gordon Low Society gathering, she felt a strong bond with her. Like JoAn, she did not come from a wealthy family and only had enough to get by. Girl Scouting was an added bonus to her childhood that she cherished. Dianne’s passionate description of why she started the Juliette Gordon Low Society – to ensure the future of Girl Scouts for future generations – found a place in JoAn’s heart. And when JoAn found out there was no minimum amount to make a planned gift, she decided to take the step to add Girl Scouts as part of her legacy.

GSCCC recognized JoAn in 2014 with the
Girl Scout Thanks Badge.

 

It was that same sense of responsibility to ensure a legacy that prompted JoAn to become a national delegate this year and represent GSCCC at the GSUSA National Council Session where six important proposals are being presented and voted upon.

 

“I believe so strongly in the mission of Girl Scouts,” JoAn said. “I have been entrusted with a huge responsibility – the future of our girls. As Girl Scout volunteers and adults who care about Girl Scouting, we give girls the power to be the movers and shakers of their communities – of the world. It is extremely important and a role, whether that is of a volunteer or donor, we should be proud to hold.”

Shannon Sixbey Discusses Faith Partnerships for Youth in Girl Scouting

Written by Girl Scout Volunteer and faith partnership advocate, Shannon Sixbey

Do you know your Girl Scout Promise? Do you say it at every Girl Scout meeting? Are we speaking empty words or do those words mean something to us?

On my honor, I will try:

To serve God and my country,

To help people at all times,

And to live by the Girl Scout Law.

We easily repeat the promise as most of it makes sense to us. We will serve our country and other people at all times. And, even though most of us fail to repeat the law completely from memory, we are still fine with: 

I will do my best to be
honest and fair,
friendly and helpful,
considerate and caring,
courageous and strong, and
responsible for what I say and do,
and to
respect myself and others,
respect authority,
use resources wisely,
make the world a better place, and
be a sister to every Girl Scout.

So where do we struggle? With serving God.

The Girl Scouts is a gloriously diverse and inclusive movement. Since our girls come from various backgrounds, they bring with them a variety of religious beliefs. Yet, we do them a dis-service to not help them grow in understanding what “to serve God” means while busily teaching them all the other aspects of the Promise and Law through petals, patches, and programs. The Girl Scout Religious Emblems program and “My Promise, My Faith” awards are two wonderful introductions to God. And neither program is limited to a Western, Christian-based understanding of God. 

For the last ten years my church, First United Methodist Church Fox Hill, has committed to running a biennial Religious Emblems program for local youth. Most of the youth attending come through Scouting programs. The church sees offering this outreach program as a natural extension of its Scouting ministry. The church hosts Girl Scout troops, a Cub Scout pack, a Boy Scout troop, and a Venture Crew.

With all the youth using the building, we wanted to share our faith and the God whom we worship in the building we share. The teachers enjoy teaching the well-planned P.R.A.Y. Publishing program for Protestant churches: God and Me, God and Family, God and Church, and God and Life. We are excited about offering the newest program, Jesus and Me, for the first time this year.

Since the Religious Emblems program requires a 1 – 3-month commitment based on age group, we also decided to annually offer “My Promise, My Faith.” The “My Promise, My Faith” program can readily be covered in 2 hours with girls rotating through 4 stations: music, inspirational quote, “tea with a member”, and artistic expression. Handouts such as music, written-down quotes, and art are all gathered in a binder which we add to each year. The program started with “honest and fair,” proceeded to “friendly and helpful”, and we hope to continue through the law so by the end of their Girl Scout career the girls will have a binder covering the entire Girl Scout Law.

So, may this serve as an invitation to reach out to teach “to serve God” in Girl Scouting. There are two programs: One is a cursory introduction, and the other one leads to a more intense understanding. Both offer great resources to help leaders. Feel free to contact me if you have questions or desire guidance!

Shannon Sixbey

Peninsula Shop's New Home at Camp Skimino

Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast has made the difficult decision to close our Peninsula Service Center/Shop on October 20, 2020.  This was a difficult but necessary decision based on the financial burdens placed on the Council during challenging times. 

The last day for making purchases at the current Peninsula shop location will be Tuesday, October 20. There will be a three-day relocation sale October 17-20 (Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Monday and Tuesday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)  Shoppers will receive 15% off all in-stock items. Scheduled appointments continue to be required. Please schedule a shop visit online. 

Coming soon, GSCCC will be offering shop services at the Enmeier Center at Camp Skimino located in Williamsburg. The GRAND OPENING will be Thursday, October 29! Customers may request a shop visit on a schedule that will alternate weekly between Thursdays and Saturdays. Thursday hours will be from noon to 7 p.m. and Saturday’s from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  

In addition, GSCCC will be offering mobile shopping when in-person program events resume. Service units interested in having the shop come to an event, should email shop@gsccc.org for details. Of course, customers may continue to visit our shop at A Place for Girls located in Chesapeake and/or shop  Council's online store on that site. New merchandise is being added this fall! 

 

Volunteers and/or customers with non-shop related needs should contact customercare@gsccc.org for prompt service. 

Thank you for your understanding and patience during this transition. We looking forward to continuing to serve you!  

 

Enmeier Shop at Camp Skimino 

Fall Schedule

Thursday 10/29

Saturday 11/7

Thursday 11/12

Saturday 11/21

Closed Thanksgiving

Thursday 12/3

Saturday 12/12

Thursday 12/17

Closed Winter Break