Volunteer Kickoff

Nearly 100 volunteers attended our annual Volunteer Kickoff, which was held on September 23 at Old Dominion University. Volunteers rallied around Team G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader), and enjoyed an energizing day in preparation for the new Girl Scout year. As part of the Team G.I.R.L. theme, volunteers wore their favorite team gear- jerseys, T-shirts, hats and more, and captured their enthusiasm in the Team Spirit Photo Booth.

For many volunteers, a highlight of the day was hearing from Chesapeake Girl Scout Lea, who was selected as one of 10 Girl Scouts from across the country to be honored as a National Young Woman of Distinction for the work that she did for her Gold Award project. At the kickoff, Lea spoke about her project, which focused on oyster restoration to help clean the Chesapeake Bay. After hearing from Lea, many volunteers took photos with our local star.

During the event, GSCCC CEO Tracy Keller accepted a check on behalf of the Council for $50,000 from the Arconic Foundation. This money will be used for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education and programming. 

Volunteers also had the opportunity to take part in a wide range of workshops, including Volunteer Toolkit, Highest Awards, Outdoor Skills, Troop Organization and Craft Ideas. And, community partners set up exhibits for volunteers to learn about opportunities for their troops.

Top 5 Reasons New Volunteers Won’t Want to Miss the GSCCC Open House

Just like girls need mentors and role models, new Girl Scout volunteers need friends and guides to help them on their journey. A great place to find this support is at the bi-annual GSCCC Open House! The next one is scheduled for Sunday, November 19 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at A Place for Girls, the GSCCC regional program center in Chesapeake. Here’s why you won’t want to miss out:

1. Tour GSCCC facilities. Did you know that we have a nearly nine-acre nature area in The Outback behind A Place for Girls—perfect for learning outdoor skills? And, did you know your troop can rent The Lodge or the Fun Room at A Place for Girls for an overnight experience? Check out all of our facilities during a tour at the open house.
2. Meet GSCCC staff. Want to put a face to the name of the GSCCC staff members you communicate with via email and over the phone? Many staff members will be at the open house and would love to meet you face-to-face!
3. Shop and save. During the open house, volunteers can receive 10 percent off of their purchases in the GSCCC shop. 
4. Network with fellow volunteers. One of the most beneficial parts of the open house is the chance to share stories and swap tips with other Girl Scout volunteers. Share troop organization tips, talk about favorite spots for outings, discuss ways to engage parents and more!
5. Take a class. Stick around after the open house for some Girl Scout learning. From 3 to 5 p.m., you can take one of the following classes: Girl Scout Program Basics, Part II; Girl Scout Songs, Ceremonies and Traditions; or Troop Organization Tips. Be sure to register ahead of time for these!

As you can see, GSCCC Open House is one event you surely don’t want to miss! We hope to see you there!

My First Year as a Girl Scout Leader

By Emily Holmes, leader of Girl Scout Troop 723 in Moyock

My first year as a Girl Scout troop leader was a great success. I started out with seven girls in mid-October and eight more girls joined the troop by the time summer came around. All of them were first year Daisies, half in kindergarten and half in first grade. During our first year, 12 girls completed earned all of their Petals, and the remaining three are not far behind.

All of my girls participated in the Girl Scout Cookie Program. Together, they sold more than 2,500 boxes of cookies. About half of the girls sold more than 200 boxes and one sold more than 600 boxes! My girls also participated in parades, took part in Earth Day activities, went caroling and attended World Thinking Day, just to name a few of the wonderful things we did this year. We had an end of year party where we awarded the girls their Petals, rewards from the cookie program and fun patches. The girls earned a combined 130 fun patches this year!

Our entire troop renewed for next year, and we had three moms step up to become co-leaders. As a leader, I have become CPR/AED/First Aid certified, completed Outdoor I/II training, attended Girl Scout Program Basics I/II as well as many online trainings. We have had a great year and we have learned so much. I am already excited about next year— half of my girls will be bridging to Brownies in the fall and new adventures will begin.

Girl Scout Voices Count

At Girl Scouts, we care about your experience, and we want to hear from you!

In April, Girl Scouts of the USA will be conducting a national survey with girls, parents/guardians and troop volunteers called Girl Scout Voices Count to find out what’s working, and what’s not, in Girl Scouts. We will use your feedback to improve our services and programs.

The survey will be open between April 3 and 30, and you will receive an email invitation to participate. As a Thank You, everyone who completes the survey will be entered into a raffle to win one of 20 $50 gift cards!

Please check your email inbox for your personal invitation to the Girl Scout Voices Count survey and share your thoughts.

Thank a Girl Scout Leader

Every day, Girl Scout volunteers make fun, friendship and awesome new experiences possible for girls across the country. On April 22, we celebrate Girl Scout Leader's Day to celebrate the powerful and inspiring contributions volunteers make all year long.

Looking for a way to thank the troop leaders in your Girl Scout's life? Get started with some of these ideas:

1. Think BIG! Use poster board to create a giant thank you card. Have all of the girls in the troop sign it with messages of gratitude.
2. Say it with flowers. It can be arrangement of fresh flowers, a potted house plant or even a bouquet of origami flowers made by the troop members. 
3. Give some new Girl Scout gear. Add a new piece of Girl Scout apparel to your leader's collection. From fleece jackets to baseball caps, the GSCCC shops have something for everyone's taste and style.
4. Get punny. Give a candle with the message "thank you for spreading the light in Girl Scouting." Package a mug with tea and the message "thank you for being a tea-riffic volunteer." Pick up a dozen donuts and let the leader know you "donut know what you would do without her!"
5. Share your thanks. Post a message on your social media account with all of the reasons that you appreciate your girl's troop leader. Be sure to include #NVW2017 to call out National Volunteer Week, which runs April 23-29.
6. Send an eCard. Girl Scouts of the USA has prepared some digital cards! Pick your favorite card design, personalize it and send it to your leader's inbox!

Thank you, Girl Scout volunteers!

2017 Adult Awards Luncheon

Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast hosted their Adult Awards Luncheon on Saturday, February 4. Carolene Goodwyn-Harris, the newly installed chair of the board of directors, welcomed guests to the luncheon, which was hosted at the Hampton Roads Convention Center in Hampton.

During the luncheon, 41 volunteer received national Girl Scout recognitions, including the Appreciation Pin, Honor Pin, Thanks Badge and Thanks Badge II. Girl Scouts also honored 26 volunteers and staff members who have been a part of Girl Scouts for more than 20 years with a pin for their years of service.

Thanks Badge II- Sherri Sliker

Thanks Badge- Tina Brook, Elise Gore, Cheryle Mack

Thanks Badge- Leann Slater, Bonnie Taylor, Sandra Warren

Honor Pin- Yolanda Butts

Sharon Durrette-Hunt, CEO of ENSPYR, LLC, received the Dorothy Barber Lifetime Achievement Award. This award honors a woman who has achieved success in her personal and professional life and has contributed to her community and the Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast. Durrette-Hunt’s involvement with Girl Scouts started at a young age, when she joined as a Girl Scout Junior. As an adult, she has served on the Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast board of directors and has given major gifts to Girl Scouts, including a gift in 2014 to support teen Girl Scouts to attend the National Girl Scout Leadership Institute in Utah.

Alexa Goldblatt, a Girl Scout Senior from Virginia Beach, received the Buck Harris Award, which was established in honor of a former director of the Virginia Tidewater Girl Scout Council and honors a girl who loves the outdoors, relates to others with a respect for their needs and gives back to the community. Goldblatt is an active member of her troop, served on the board of directors for Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast, planned two encampments and serves as a Cookie Captain to mentor young cookie sellers, among other roles.

After the presentation of awards, the members of the Juliette Gordon Low Society, which is made up of individuals who have included Girl Scouts in their estate plans, welcomed two new members to the group.

Juliette Gordon Low Society
Beth Yates, Helen Kattwinkel, Cheryl McGrenra, Betsy Kessler, Lila Davis,
Tesi Strickland, Eileen Livick, Tracy Keller, Dr. Sandra DeLoatch, Ashley McLeod

Before the closing of the luncheon, Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast CEO Tracy Keller welcomed a special guest, country singer and songwriter SaraBeth, who performed two songs, including her hit “Girl Scout Cookie Monster.”

Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast honors their volunteers annually at the Adult Awards Luncheon. Locally, more than 6,000 women and men volunteer with Girl Scouts to build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place.

View more photos from the day here.

Chesapeake Resident Honored with Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Award

United States Navy Lieutenant Commander Carolyn Engler of Chesapeake was recognized with the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Award for her outstanding public service as a troop leader with Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast from January 2012 to present.

LCDR Engler’s troop is one of the few in Hickory that accommodates girls of various age levels, catering to a high percentage of military families. She provides the girls in her troop with opportunities to participate in a wide variety of activities, including camping trips and Powder Puff Derby, a pinewood derby event for Girl Scouts. She has also led her troop in projects to make improvements to school grounds and city parks. In addition to making a difference in the lives of girls, Engler takes time to train fellow volunteers with the skills they need to be Girl Scout leaders.

LCDR Engler was presented the award by Rear Admiral J.E. Pitts, Commander of the Undersea Warfighting Development Center.

“It is with great pleasure that I commend you for your outstanding volunteer work, which reflects positively on the command and the United States Navy,” Rear Admiral Pitts wrote in a letter to LCDR Engler.

Since joining the Navy 17 years ago, LCDR Engler has moved all over the country and traveled all over the world. One thing that has been a constant through all of these moves is Girl Scouts. With each move, LCDR Engler says that getting involved with local Girl Scouts allowed her to also get involved with her new community outside of military life. LCDR Engler also spent nine years as a Girl Scout as a child.

Volunteers Make It Happen

Big bright smiles, fierce dedication, no-limits kindness—that’s the spirit we find in our Girl Scout volunteers. We kicked off the new Girl Scout year on September 10 at Old Dominion University. The day was full of making new friends, sharing ideas and spreading excitement about preparing for another year of fun and adventure with the future leaders of our world—girls.

The kickoff started with a welcome from Tracy Keller, our CEO, who talked about exciting changes happening that will improve the volunteer experience. Volunteers then took part in a variety of workshops that covered topics including event planning, community service and using volunteer experience to land a job. Volunteers also enjoyed visiting with community partners to learn about opportunities for girls.

A highlight of the day was the opportunity to test drive the Volunteer Toolkit, a web app that helps volunteers save time and plan for success with online troop planning.

A huge thank you to all our Girl Scout volunteers! Every little bit that you do makes a huge difference to the girls that you help shape, inspire and fill with confidence.

Girl Scouts Celebrate Military Volunteers: Mariah Rule

Mariah Rule and her daughter Amelon at Troop 45's
coding event.

Each year, Americans recognize May as National Military Appreciation Month to focus attention on the individuals who serve in the armed forces and their achievements. Many members of the military serve their communities in more ways than one—including as volunteers for nonprofit organizations. One of these volunteers is Commander Mariah Rule, who is the Naval Integrated Fires Wargame lead at U.S. Fleet Forces Command in Norfolk, and a Girl Scout leader for a group of Brownies at Saint Patrick Catholic School.

Commander Rule got her start in Girl Scouts at a young age. She has fond memories of outdoor adventures at Camp Skimino in Williamsburg—learning about the outdoors, singing around the campfire and learning the value of teamwork as she and her troop members relied on one another to set up camp and cook meals. At camp, she found encouragement, independence and empowerment.

“I remember going to a volunteer, Barbara Mettler, while working on a badge,” Commander Rule recalled. “I thought I was pretty terrible at identifying mushrooms and types of trees. I wanted her to just guide me through the badge, but she gave me two books and sent me into the woods. I remember feeling very proud when I completed the badge, and I’ll never forget her smiling face when I finished.”

Years later, working as a bureau chief at a small ABC affiliate news station in a Marine Corps town, Commander Rule had a nagging feeling that she wasn’t making the impact on the world that she wanted to. Reflecting on the values that she learned as a Girl Scout and impressed by the women and men she saw in uniform, Commander Rule had a wakeup call of sorts and drove to the recruiting office. Two months later, she was in Officer Candidate School in Pensacola. Courage, confidence, making the world a better place—these are the Girl Scout values that helped shape Commander Rule and guide her to making a difference as a member of the armed forces.

In 2008, Commander Rule had a daughter, Amelon. She knew that when Amelon was old enough, she wanted her to have the same great experiences in Girl Scouts that she had had. Last year, when Commander Rule learned about a newly formed troop at Saint Patrick Catholic School, where Amelon is a student, everything came together. Although she didn’t intend to become a troop leader, she stepped up to become a leader for the Girl Scout Brownies in Troop 45, and she hasn’t looked back.

“I read more and more about the national Girl Scout program and reflected on my own experiences that I wanted to share,” Rule said. “The Girl Scout mission statement is about building girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. That is motivating! Who wouldn’t want to connect with that message?”

Commander Rule and Amelon’s first year with Troop 45 has been a whirlwind of adventure and excitement. They kayaked on the Lafayette River, picking up trash along the way. They volunteered with a mobile food pantry to help hand out food during the holidays. They even visited the Virginia Zoo and made enrichment toys for the zoo animals. No matter the activity, Commander Rule has made sure that everything they do is girl-led and girl-driven. Each girl in the troop has had an opportunity to share her passions and lead her fellow troop members in badge-earning activities.

“We have a girl in our troop, Jane, who wants to be a doctor,” Commander Rule shared. “She helped us build a first aid kit. Another girl in our troop, Reese, along with her mother who is a vice president at TowneBank, guided us through cookie season and helped us earn the Meet My Customers badge.”

In addition to community service and earning badges, the troops has also had plenty of fun outings. They have gone skiing, ice skated at MacArthur Center, planned a mother-daughter movie night and expressed their creativity at Color Me Mine while earning painting and pottery patches. The girls have also supported one another by going to each other’s sporting events, school plays and musicals to cheer on their fellow Girl Scouts.

For Commander Rule, just as she bonded with her mother who was her Girl Scout leader, Girl Scouts provides a place for her to spend quality time with Amelon. She enjoys seeing her daughter, and all of the troop members, push themselves to try new things, understand who they are and think about how to change the world—all while having fun.

“The girls are having fun this year, and I think they are better for it,” Commander Rule said. “I know I am better for being involved in Girl Scouts again.”

Despite a busy year, Girl Scout Troop 45 still has big plans. They will soon be traveling to the Eastern Shore for a camping trip at Kiptopeke State Park. Then, they plan to take a short break for summer as they gear up for another year of adventure when the new school year starts.

To find out more about Girl Scouts or to reconnect with the organization, visit www.gsccc.org.

Girl Scouts Celebrate Military Volunteers: Brittney Webb

Each year, Americans recognize May as National Military Appreciation Month to focus attention on the individuals who serve in the armed forces and their achievements. Many members of the military serve their communities in more ways than one—including as volunteers for nonprofit organizations. One of these volunteers is Coast Guard Officer Trainee Brittney Webb of Moyock, who can trace her community involvement back to her days as a Girl Scout.

For OT Webb, Girl Scouts was a big part of her childhood. Some of her fondest memories come from camping with her Girl Scout troop— canoeing on the lake, cooking over a campfire and singing with friends. Girl Scouts was a place where she was encouraged to try new things and where she learned about the value of teamwork and power of friendship. It was through Girl Scouts that she learned the importance of giving back to the community.

Years passed since her time in Girl Scouts, and OT Webb went on to graduate from high school and join the Coast Guard. Then, earlier this winter, she was asked by her command if she would be willing to attend a Girl Scout troop meeting to help girls earn a military patch. All of her great Girl Scout memories came flooding back, and she eagerly volunteered to help out.

In January, OT Webb traveled to Chesapeake to meet with Girl Scout Troop 805. She was one of eight representatives from four branches of the military who talked to the girls about the differences between the branches, what their daily work lives are like and what it takes to serve in the military. After the troop meeting, OT Webb had the opportunity to chat with the troop members and really enjoyed reconnecting with the organization that had made such a positive impression on her as a child.

“After coming to the meeting, the troop leader asked if I wanted to continue with the troop,” OT Webb said. “Thinking back to all of my own wonderful Girl Scout memories, I agreed.”

Just days after her first meeting with Troop 805, OT Webb ran alongside her new Girl Scout friends in the Girl Scout Cookie Classic, an annual fundraising 5k hosted at Bells Mill Park in Chesapeake. She has also been supporting the troop members as they complete projects to earn the Girl Scout Bronze Award, which is the third highest honor and achievement a girl can earn in Girl Scouting.

OT Webb, far right, with Troop 805 at the Girl Scout Cookie Classic Run

“Girl Scouts is a valuable program because it gets girls involved in things they would never do otherwise,” OT Webb said. “The biggest impact Girl Scouts had on me was teaching me the importance of friendship, doing good for the community and empowerment for girls."

OT Webb is just one of the many Girl Scout volunteers who give their time and talents to make a difference in the lives of girls despite the demands of their career in the military. For more information about volunteering with Girl Scouts, visit www.gsccc.org.

15 Ways to Tell Your Girl Scout Leader "Thanks!"

Every year on April 22, Girl Scouts celebrate the volunteers who give their time and talents to make a difference in the lives of girls. Here are some ideas for how you can show your favorite Girl Scout volunteers how much they mean to you:

1. We're lucky to have you! Give your leader a lucky bamboo plant.

2. Create a memory book with troop photos and girls' favorite memories.

3. Thanks a latte! Send your leader their favorite coffee drink.

4. Give a magazine subscription.

5. Put a sign on your leader's lawn that says "Our Girl Scout leader lives here! Thank you, (fill in name)!"

6. Send a special delivery of thank you balloons.

7. Thanks for your "commit-mint!" Put together a treat bag of mint candies.

8. Create a recipe book with contributions and samples from each girl in the troop.

9. Plan a surprise picnic for your leader.

10. Thank you for helping us grow! Give your leader a plant or some fresh flowers.

11. Put together a movie night basket, complete with a DVD, popcorn and sweet treats.

12. Have each girl in the troop make a thank you sign and create a photo booklet of each girl with their sign.

13. Use the girls' fingerprints to design a thank you card.

14. We need "s'more" leaders like you. Create a s'mores kit.

15. Decorate and personalize a new mess kit for your leader.

Invite a Friend!

Think about your favorite memory as a Girl Scout volunteer. Maybe it was when a girl in your troop overcame her fear of heights and conquered the high ropes course. Maybe it was the proud moment you saw your troop bringing smiles to the faces of others through community service. Or, maybe, it was when you took a step back and realized that without you, those moments might have never happened.

Now is your chance to invite a friend to have memorable moments in Girl Scouts too!

During the month of November, current volunteers who invite a friend who starts a new Girl Scout Daisy, Brownie or Junior troop will get $50 to spend in the official Girl Scout online store. And, the new troop leader will get a free Volunteer Resource Pack to help get them started.

Once your friend joins Girl Scouts as a troop leader, completes the volunteer application and starts a new Daisy, Brownie or Junior troop, visit girlscouts.org/inviteafriend to claim your prize.

As a Girl Scout volunteer, you introduce girls to fun and new experiences that show them they’re capable of more than they ever imagined. You’re a cheerleader, a guide and a mentor who helps girls develop skills and confidence that will last long after the meeting is over. Girls need more heroes like you—fun, courageous and always there—to help them shine like never before. Invite a friend to be a Girl Scout volunteer because two heroes are better than one!

Day of Caring at Camp Skimino

Nearly 40 volunteers from Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center gave a helping hand to Girl Scouts on September 19 as part of Day of Caring. This annual event is sponsored by the United Way of Greater Williamsburg to connect local volunteers to nonprofit organizations for a fun-filled day of hard work to build a stronger Williamsburg community. This is the third year that volunteers from Sentara have helped Girl Scouts for Day of Caring.
  

Volunteers spent the day at Girl Scout Camp Skimino, a 98-acre property used year round by Girl Scouts and community groups for camping, outdoor activities and meetings. They painted the exterior of the Enmeier Center, a three-story building that houses the dining hall, kitchen and program rooms at the camp. Two years ago, Sentara volunteers painted the interior of the center for Day of Caring.

“I’ve been organizing Day of Caring for 18 years, and by far, Camp Skimino has been a favorite spot for Sentara employees to give back,” Don West, director of support operations for Sentara Healthcare, said. “We have lots of new faces helping out this year, and a group who have been coming to Camp Skimino all three years.”

A lot of preparation went into the Day of Caring efforts. Members of the hospital’s maintenance department visited Camp Skimino ahead of time to test paint colors and assess any repairs that needed to be made to the exterior of the building. On Day of Caring, all except for one member of the maintenance staff was at Camp Skimino to help with the painting project. Other volunteers hold a variety of roles at the hospital, including nurse manager, director of surgical services, cook and social worker. Sentara purchased all of the paint and supplies needed to make improvements to the Enmeier Center.

In addition to taking part in Day of Caring, Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center employees help provide food for over 300 children in the area through a backpack program, which sends food home with children who rely on food at school for nourishment. They also sponsor Project SEARCH, which gives students with disabilities a one-year internship at the hospital.

Day of Caring was established in 1991 to promote the spirit of volunteerism, increase awareness of local human service organizations and demonstrate how people working together for the common good can accomplish great things. Each year, hundreds of volunteers from the business sector participate in Day of Caring and give service to nonprofit organizations.

View more photos from the day here.

Day of Caring at A Place for Girls

Twenty-two volunteers from TowneBank branches across Hampton Roads gave a helping hand to Girl Scouts on September 11 as part of Day of Caring. This annual event is sponsored by the United Way of South Hampton Roads as a way to connect local volunteers to nonprofit organizations for a fun-filled day of hard work to build a stronger South Hampton Roads community.

Volunteers spent the day at A Place for Girls, the Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast regional program center and headquarters in Chesapeake. They worked in The Outback, a nearly nine-acre nature center behind A Place for Girls, to pull weeds and power wash the boardwalk. They also painted the handrails and applied a fresh coat of stain to the handicap ramps at The Lodge, a program annex building next to A Place for Girls.

This is the third year in a row that volunteers from TowneBank have selected to help Girl Scouts during Day of Caring. Day of Caring was established in 1991 to promote the spirit of volunteerism, increase awareness of local human service organizations and demonstrate how people working together for the common good can accomplish great things. Each year, hundreds of volunteers from the business sector participate in Day of Caring and give service to nonprofit organizations.

View more photos from the day here.

Volunteer Support Team Conference

Dealing effectively with conflict, whether it is in your personal or professional life, can be beneficial on many fronts. If you can manage conflicts, you're also getting a handle on railing in stress in your life. Being able to manage conflict also opens lines of communication and strengthens relationships. In the workplace, conflict can lead to poor productivity and reduced levels of teamwork.

This fall, at the Volunteer Service Team conference on September 12, guest speaker Mary Edna Wuertenberger will be leading a workshop on the subject. She’s a Girl Scout alumna who spent most of her career as a professional which has included positions with three stateside councils and Girl Scouts of the USA through their operational unit USA Girl Scouts Overseas. She is a former instructor of trainers for Girl Scouts of the USA and Red Cross.

Mary Edna continues her involvement with Girl Scouts of the USA as a National Volunteer Partner (NVP) and as a member of the planning team for Convention 2017. She is currently self-employed as a contract hire in nonprofit management and foundational learning.

The Volunteer Support Team conference will take place on Saturday, September 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Oak Grove United Methodist Church in Chesapeake. This free conference is open to volunteers serving in support team positions, adult learning facilitators and volunteers who are considering a position on the volunteer support team. Get more information here.

Volunteers Make Improvements at Elizabeth City Field Center

On Thursday, July 23 and Friday, July 24, a group of volunteers from Piedmont Natural Gas gave a helping hands to Girl Scouts. The volunteers spent time at the Girl Scout program center and office in Elizabeth City to make improvements to the property.

The volunteers painted the exterior trim of the program center, and they also made repairs along the roofline. These improvements are essential to helping Girl Scouts maintain a safe and comfortable environment for the girls and volunteers who use the Elizabeth City Field Center.

Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast relies on volunteers all year long to not only serve as mentors and guides for nearly 14,000 girls across the region, but also to help maintain camp properties and program facilities. For more information about volunteering with Girl Scouts, visit www.gsccc.org.

Navy Volunteers Lend a Helping Hand at A Place for Girls

This summer, volunteers from Afloat Training Group, Norfolk have been making improvements to A Place for Girls, our regional program center and headquarters, located in Chesapeake. These improvements are essential to helping us maintain a safe environment for girls who attend summer camp and participate in outdoor activities at A Place for Girls, as well as for community groups that rent the facilities.

In June, the 22 volunteers painted two picnic shelters located in The Outback, a nearly nine-acre nature area behind A Place for Girls, and applied a fresh coat of paint to a storage shed. They also cleaned out the gutters at The Lodge, a program annex building. In July, the volunteers made repairs to and pressure washed the boardwalk in The Outback and painted the handrails at The Lodge.

For LSCS Nikita Collins, who was part of the volunteer team in June, being in the natural setting of The Outback brought back some of her own memories from her days as a Girl Scout.

“I was a Girl Scout while growing up in Chicago and have some great memories from going camping,” Collins said.

Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast relies on volunteers all year long to not only serve as mentors and guides for nearly 14,000 girls across the region, but also to help maintain camp properties and program facilities. For more information about volunteering with Girl Scouts, visit www.gsccc.org.

Girls' Choice Outdoor Badges

The world is a better place when we let girls choose. Our new outdoor badges are here, and we can’t wait to see Girl Scouts in action. It’s time to get out and become one with nature. You can download the requirements for the badges here.

Girl Scout Brownie Outdoor Adventurer Badge

Starting today, girls can work toward earning the new badges, which are Outdoor Adventurer, Horseback Riding, Archery, Paddling and Ultimate Recreation Challenge.

In Girl Scouts, girls are encouraged to decide which topics they want to explore and how they want to go about it. During the selection process for the new outdoor badges, girls were involved every step of the way, starting last November with an online poll inviting girls to vote on a diverse option of outdoor badge themes.

Girl Scout Senior Paddling Badge

This summer at Girl Scout camp, girls can get started working on the requirements to earn the new outdoor badges. Each of our camps offer opportunities for girls to explore the outdoors, try archery, go canoeing and more. Get more information about summer camp with GSCCC here.

Girls can also explore the outdoors this summer while participating in the GSCCC Step Outside Photo Contest. Now through October 5, Girl Scouts can submit a photo showing the beauty of a GSCCC camp or a photo of girls having fun in an outdoor program for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate!

For volunteers interested in taking trainings in order to bring their Girl Scouts on more outdoor adventures, the following opportunities are coming soon:

• Outdoor I: Cabin Camping, July 25, King's Grant Presbyterian Church in Virginia Beach
• Adventure Games and Initiatives, August 15 at Camp Skimino in Williamsburg
• Canoe Basics, August 15 at Camp Skimino in Williamsburg
• Challenge Course and Ropes Initiatives, August 16 at Camp Skimino in Williamsburg
• Archery, September 13 at Camp Skimino in Williamsburg

From Volunteer to Career

This post was written by Tammy Carlson, human resources director for Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast.

"Volunteers aren’t paid, not because they are worthless, because they are priceless." —Anonymous

I recently met someone and asked, “What do you do?” They responded, “I’m just a volunteer.” They then proceeded to share the myriad of positions they hold. I was overwhelmed with the amount of commitment and responsibility of this one person. Just a volunteer?!?! My mind was racing with the experience this volunteer was acquiring. I stated they must have an impressive resume with all that experience and they replied, “I don’t list volunteering on my resume.” What! Why!

As a human resources director, I’m looking for EXPERIENCE. However, notice I didn’t say paid experience. Experience can come in many forms: education, previous employment, training, and especially volunteerism.

Volunteerism is a great way to gain skills that will assist or advance with your career exploration. Looking for skills in the field of education consider a troop leader or series advisor position. Interested in finance, product sales or troop finances is for you. Find something you love to do!

Here are some quick things you can do to maximize your volunteer experience:

• Find the right volunteer position. If you are not in the right position, try something else.
• Treat your volunteer experience as a job—remember it is! Be on time, don’t overcommit, and be professional.
• Lead, lead, lead!
• List your volunteer title and duties on your resume. Don’t bury it at the bottom. Have a category called experience that includes both paid and unpaid history. 
• Don’t just list experience, list results: lead a troop of XXX girls, managed XXX troop accounts, coordinated product sales resulting in XXX of sales.
• Know you are valuable. The current value of a volunteer is $23.07 per hour!

Try these few things and you will quickly move from volunteer to career!

"We make a living by what we do, but we make a life by what we give." -Winston Churchill

Tammy Carlson will be facilitating free workshops on how to use your volunteer experiences to grow professionally this fall. She will provide tips on building your resume and getting the most out of your volunteer experience to find a great job. The workshops will take place: Saturday, August 22 at Great Bridge United Methodist Church in Chesapeake Saturday, September 19 at Church of the Holy Family in Virginia Beach Saturday, October 10 at Shiloh Baptist Church in Yorktown Registration for each workshop is required. More information can be found here.

Kevin Wilkinson is Man Enough to Be a Girl Scout

When Kevin Wilkinson’s oldest daughter, Olivia, started kindergarten, he and his wife started looking for extracurricular activities for her to participate in. The Wilkinsons wanted a place where their daughter could be with other girls her age and be part of a team. Olivia, who has Asperger's syndrome, had tried other activities in the past, but had not found a good fit. Then, they signed up for Girl Scouts.

Olivia thrived in the supportive environment of her troop, where she relied on the girls around her, and they relied on her. In support of his daughter, Wilkinson joined Girl Scouts too. Five years later, he is now the assistant leader of Girl Scout Troop 759 in Chesapeake, which both Olivia, and his younger daughter Kaitlyn, are members of. In addition to this role, Wilkinson is the financial consultant for Girl Scout troops in Hickory and helps to organize events, including the Girl Scout Cookie Classic 5K that took place at Bells Mill Park in January.

Already a member of Girl Scouts, Wilkinson has now stepped up and joined the Man Enough to Be a Girl Scout campaign, which was launched last month by Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast to bring to the forefront that girls need both men and women as role models in their lives and to attract more volunteers to Girl Scouts.

“You can have a role in your daughter’s life, or you can take a back seat,” Wilkinson said. “As a father, it is important to me to spend time with my daughters and help them grow to become self-reliant, confident and productive members of society.”

Over the past five years, Girl Scouts has created numerous memorable moments for the Wilkinson family. A standout in Wilkinson’s mind was a trip that their troop took to Washington D.C. A group of 15 girls and four adults rode the train to the nation’s capital, where they visited the White House, toured the National Museum of Natural History and rode the subway, among other activities.

“For many of the girls on the trip, it was their first time on a train and in a big city,” Wilkinson said. “It was an incredible learning opportunity for them, and they gained a sense of independence, while also learning to look out for one another.”

Through Girl Scouts, Wilkinson has had the opportunity to have fun with his daughters while helping them, and others, develop important leadership skills. As a military family, the Wilkinsons view their fellow Girl Scouts as their extended family. As the family moves from post to post, there are many more “sisters” to meet and many more adventures to look forward to.

For more information about joining Girl Scouts or attending a Man Enough to Be a Girl Scout event at Smartmouth Brewery on June 28, visit www.gsccc.org.