BIG NEWS: 42 news Girl Scout badges to change the world!

Say hello to 42 NEW Girl Scout badges and one NEW Journey exclusively for girls ages 5–18!

Excited?! The new badges and badge requirements are available in the Girl Scout Shop.

The new programming allows girls to make their own choices about how they want to experience and influence the world while preparing them to address some of society’s most pressing needs through hands-on learning and real-life problem-solving in cybersecurity, coding, space exploration, and citizen science. But wait, there’s more! For the first time ever, girls can choose between two ways of earning their Outdoor badges—it’s an adventure seeker’s dream come true! 

Giving girls choices is important for developing their sense of self, their own voice, and gender equality: research from the World Bank Group shows that increasing women’s agency and decision-making abilities is key to improving their lives, communities, and the world. Additionally, Girl Scouts are more likely than other girls to take an active role in decision making (80% vs. 51%). 

You’re invited to the blaze-your-own-trail adventure. We hope you love it as much as we do! 

The new programming for girls in grades 6–12 includes:

·                     Nine Cybersecurity badges, created in partnership with Palo Alto Networks, through which girls learn about the inner workings of computer technology and cybersecurity and apply concepts of safety and protection to the technology they use every day. Activities range from decrypting and encrypting messages, to learning proper protection methods for devices, to exploring real-world hacking scenarios (funded by Palo Alto Networks).

·                     Three Space Science badges, through which girls explore topics such as the universe and their place in it, properties of light, and inspiring careers in space science (funded by NASA’s Science Mission Directorate and led by the SETI Institute).

·                     Think Like a Citizen Scientist, a Girl Scout Leadership Journey during which girls participate in interactive activities to practice observation techniques; collect data; and share their findings with real-world scientists through an online network. As with all of Girl Scouts’ Leadership Journeys, girls use their newly honed skills to take action on a community issue of their choosing (funded by Johnson & Johnson and The Coca-Cola Foundation).

·                     To prepare girls in grades 6–12 to pursue computer science careers, Girl Scouts will launch the organization’s first Cyber Challenge events in select areas this fall. At these events, which will take place October 19, girls will learn crucial cybersecurity skills by completing challenges such as running traceroutes and identifying phishing schemes (funded by Raytheon).                 

With the new release, all Girl Scouts in grades K–12 will have the opportunity to earn their Cybersecurity and Space Science badges, as well as complete the Think Like Citizen Scientist Journey. The new programming for girls in grades K–12 includes:

·                     12 Outdoor High-Adventure badges, designed for girls to explore nature and experience exciting outdoor adventures like backpacking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, rock climbing, and tree climbing—giving them the confidence to support one another, take healthy risks, and spend dedicated time in nature. These are the first Girl Scout badges that members can earn by choosing one of two self-directed paths (funded by The North Face).

Want to help girls earn their Outdoor High-Adventure badges? Consider becoming an Outdoor Program Facilitator! Click here to learn what it's like to be a Girl Scout Outdoor Program Facilitator from GSCCC volunteer, Theresa Wiggs. 

·                     18 Coding for Good badges, which not only teach girls the basics of coding but also detail how every stage of the coding process provides girls with opportunities to use their skills for good. Girls will learn about algorithms through age-appropriate, creative activities, such as coding positive memes to spread a message about a cause they care about, designing a digital game to educate people about an issue, and developing an app to promote healthy habits. Every Coding for Good badge includes a plugged-in and unplugged version, so that all girls can learn the foundations of coding, regardless of their access to technology (funded by AT&T and Dell).

"We're so excited to have new badges that will strengthen girls' critical-thinking and problem-solving skills so they can create their own success," Tracy Keller, GSCCC's CEO, said. "As Girl Scouts, girls can work to earn badges in just about everything that piques their interest. From learning about cybersecurity to learning the business smarts and confidence they need today and tomorrow, our badge programs will introduce them to new things and help them achieve anything they put their minds to."

“Girl Scouts has ignited the power and potential of girls for over a century, and we are committed to ensuring that today’s girls are the future of American leadership,” said GSUSA CEO Sylvia Acevedo. “Girl Scouts is where girls can explore new subjects, discover their passions, learn to take smart risks, and become their best, most confident selves—whether they want to become a NASA astronaut, an entrepreneur, a rock climber, a coder, or a cybersecurity agent.”

GSUSA works with top organizations in fields that interest today’s girls. Combined with Girl Scouts’ expertise in girl leadership, these organizations and specialists advise and weigh in on content to provide the most cutting-edge programming available to girls. Content collaborators include codeSpark, the National Integrated Cyber Education Research Center (NICERC), SciStarter, and Vidcode. In true girl-led fashion, girls also tested the new offerings.

There’s just no doubt about it: Girl Scouts is the single BEST place for girls. Delivering a one-of-a-kind leadership development program (and the largest in the world for girls!), Girl Scouts provides girls with unlimited girl-led adventures found nowhere else. 

Not a Girl Scout yet? No problem! Troops are forming now—join Girl Scouts today.

Gold Award Spotlight: Uplifting Wolverines

Girl Scout Ambassador Corryn has earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor and achievement a girl can earn in Girl Scouts.

For her Gold Award, “Uplifting Wolverines,” Corryn wanted to uplift the student body at her high school through a mural that included positive sayings and quotes. The idea came to her after a tragic event happened at her school that affected her peers. She recognized that school can be a stressful time for teenagers and wanted to find a way to help the entire student body. By creating the mural, she was able to give back to the school and the students in her community, something that will have a positive impact on them for years to come.

“I feel this has impacted my school’s environment because if people are having a bad day there is something they can look at that has the potential to lift their spirits even if it’s just for a minute,” she explained.

Corryn hopes her project will be made sustainable with the help of her school’s administrators as they work to share the message of positivity Corryn created.

Gold Award Spotlight: The real truth about nutrition and physical fitness

Isabella Devita has earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor and achievement a girl can earn in Girl Scouts.

Through her project, “The real truth about nutrition and physical fitness,” Isabella aimed to teach the youth in her community about health and wellness. With the help of her jiu-jitsu coaches, she was able to hold sessions about safe exercise techniques and created flyers with information about healthy eating habits.

“Obesity is a problem in the U.S. The importance of eating healthy and exercising can allow you to have a longer life span because it reduces heart disease, diabetes and other illness. If students know how to take care of themselves they will feel good about themselves,” she explained.

She wanted to make it easier for kids to understand the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. Along with the exercise classes and flyers, Isabella plans to keep her Facebook account dedicated to exercise and her YouTube account active to improve the sustainability of her project.

Girl Scout Summer Bucket List

Have you registered or renewed for the 2020 membership year? Have fun with us this summer when you continue your Girl Scout adventure with these summer bucket list items. If you've registered or renewed, you've already completed the required activity! All you have to do is complete three additional, optional summer activities to get a Summer Bucket List patch.

Required activity:

Register or renew for the upcoming 2020 membership year.

Optional activities—Complete at least three:

1. Visit a Girl Scout Retail Shop
Bring along an adult and visit a GSCCC Retail Shop to ask for your Get Outdoors Challenge sheet. Make sure to take pictures as you complete various items on the sheet and post them using the hashtags #gscccsummerbucketlist and #gsccc. If your account is private or you do not use social media, email your photos to customercare@gsccc.org with the subject line “Summer Bucket List.”

2. Decorate a Flat Juliette
Print and decorate a Flat Juliette so that she can accompany you on your summer adventures. Take a picture and post it using the hashtags #gscccsummerbucketlist and #gsccc. If your account is private or you do not use social media, email your photos to customercare@gsccc.org with the subject line “Summer Bucket List.” Flat Juliette can be downloaded here. Print her on cardstock or laminate her to help keep her in tip-top shape throughout your adventures.

3. Attend a Girl Scout event
Girl Scouts Love State Parks- Join in with Girl Scouts from around the country to show your love for our state parks! A Leave No Trace and/or community service activity will be offered at York River (July 13th), Chippokes State Park (July 13th), and Jockey's Ridge (July 14th).


Registration, which includes the Girl Scouts Love State Parks patch, is free for the first 100 girls. After that registration will be $3. Patches will be mailed after the event.

Healthy Habits Healthy Families- Healthy habits for a healthy community begins with you. Become aware of how your healthy choices affect your lifestyle, relationships and community. This fun and health awareness day in partnership with the City of Chesapeake Police Department will be a day you won't want to miss! The deadline to register is 9/19 and the event takes place on 9/28.

For additional events, or to register for those listed above, check out the GSCCC event page.

4. Find another Girl Scout
Ask around and see who you know that was (is) a Girl Scout. Take a picture with them, or find a GSCCC staff member, post it, and use the hashtags #gscccsummerbucketlist and #gsccc. If your account is private or you do not use social media, email your photos to customercare@gsccc.org with the subject line “Summer Bucket List.”

5. Say "thank you!"
Community service is something Girl Scouts know a lot about! Participate in a community service project by creating a thank you card and delivering it to someone in your community who helps you. It could be a librarian, a police officer, your teacher, or anyone else that you want to say thank you to. Take a picture with the card recipient and post it using the hashtags #gscccsummerbucketlist and #gsccc. If your account is private or you do not use social media, email your photos to customercare@gsccc.org with the subject line “Summer Bucket List.”

6. Get social with us!
If you’re under 13, talk with your parents and ask them to follow us our social media accounts. We share lots of great stories, events and inspirational messages all year long.

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Pinterest
Youtube
LinkedIn

7. Complete a Girl Scout Activity Pack
Complete a Girl Scout activity pack and document the activities by posting a photo using the hashtags #gscccsummerbucketlist and #gsccc. If your account is private or you do not use social media, email your photos to customercare@gsccc.org with the subject line “Summer Bucket List”.

Choose any of the kits and have fun trying out all of the activities from games, experiments, and more! Activity Pack 1, Activity Pack 2, Activity 3.

8. Invite your parents to join!
Girl Scouts is a family affair and many parents really enjoy spending quality time with their girl through Girl Scouts! We encourage an adult in your family to register as a troop volunteer. There are many volunteer positions available to suit your strengths. Learn more about volunteering.

Once you have completed your activities, send an email to customercare@gsccc.org and let us know which three activities you've completed. Don’t forget to include your name! We’ll send you a certificate that you can bring to either of our retail shops to pick up your Summer Bucket List patch.

Need help? Are you looking for more information? Have a specific question about this activity or need assistance with registering/renewing a membership? We are just a phone call or email away. Contact our Customer Care team at customercare@gsccc.org or 757-547-4405.

The importance of civic education

GSCCC staff and volunteers gathered to watch the
livestream on civic education

Guest blog written by GSCCC Marketing and Communication Intern Rebecca Schamel.

I attended a viewing of a livestream event called “Preparing the Next Generation of Informed and Engaged Citizens.”  The purpose of this event was to stress the need for more education in the field of civics to our young people so they will have a better understanding of how government works and how they can be involved.  After-school programs such as Girl Scouts, can offer girls a way to learn more about civics and the importance of being well informed about local, state, and national government.

            

The livestream event had an amazing panel of bipartisan women. Chelsea Clinton, vice chair of the Clinton Foundation, was the moderator.  In addition, there were four other panelists to give voice to the importance of civics in our society and schools. Panelist included: Secretary of the U.S. Senate Laura Dove, who started her career as a page and held other positions until she became the Republican Secretary in 2003; New York Attorney General Letitia James, the 67^th attorney general for the state. James was the first African American woman to hold citywide office in New York. James is an advocate for the city’s most vulnerable communities.  Chief Education Officer at iCivics Dr. Emma Humphries, is helping children become interested in learning about civics through interactive and engaging learning resources. Gold Award Girl Scout Lauren Hoaglund was the final person on the panel.  She has been involved with Girl Scouts since the third grade and she created a Gold Award project to educate middle and high school students about civics. She hoped this project would inform them about government and encourage them to consider running for office someday.

            

According to the Annenberg Public Policy Center, only 32 percent of Americans can name all three branches of government, and 33% of Americans cannot name any branches of government.  Panel members agreed that this must change.  Youth and adults need to understand the issues that affect our lives, our communities, and our nation. Chelsea Clinton said, “For a long time I have been concerned about some of the statistics you have heard about earlier.”  She pointed out this affected those who had been excluded from government; indigenous Americans, people of color, girls and women.

She went on to say, “The Girl Scouts are leaders, risk takers, and innovators. We empower girls and women with a robust civics education and toolkit.” She told the story that at age three she was at one of her father’s campaign rallies, waving the American flag and handing out stickers. “Because that is what you can do when you are 3 or 4 years old.”

Gold Award Girl Scout Sofia Richardson said, “I’m excited to be here today to learn more about how civic education prepares girls like me to be active participants in our government and to stand up for issues that we care about in our communities.  At Girl Scouts when girls learn about the role government plays in our lives, we are empowered to make positive changes and fill a responsibility to our country and its’ future.”

As a college student, I think it is very important to know how civics affects everyone. Through civic education, girls can learn how important it is to vote, community issues, and get to know the people who run for office.

2020 Summer Camp Theme Contest

Want to win a free week of summer camp for 2020? Then enter our second annual Summer Camp Theme Contest!

We received some great ideas last year and we can't wait to hear YOURS!

Girls and/or troops can help create a girl-led summer camp week for 2020 by submitting their ideas. The winner will receive that week of camp for free! Entries will be accepted online or on paper applications which will be available at summer camp and Council offices in Summer 2019. Click here to enter.

The contest runs June 1 through September 15, 2019. Click here to view more details.

Gold Award Girl Scouts recognized by VFW

Becoming a Gold Award Girl Scout allows girls to take advantage of opportunities in their communities that they may not have had the chance to experience otherwise. From entering the military one rank higher to earning college scholarships, going for Gold sets girls up for a lifetime of achievement.

Girl Scout Krysta
with VFW Virginia State Commander
Ken Wiseman

Recently, three of our Gold Award Girl Scouts were recognized by their local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) posts as Scout of the Year. Because of their dedication to the community through their Gold Award projects, all three girls were also recognized with Scout of the Year awards within Virginia's VFW District 2. Read more below.

Girl Scout Ambassador Krysta, who used her Gold Award project to raise awareness of the endangered horse species, the Colonial Spanish Mustang, was awarded Scout of the Year for VFW Post 8545 in Smithfield. Krysta also received first place in the district.

Girl Scout Lea
with VFW Post 2894 Commander
Chris Mulholland

Girl Scout Ambassador Lea used her Gold Award to establish 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 earned Scout of the Year recognition for VFW Post 2894 in Chesapeake and took second place in the district.

Girl Scout Ambassador Kaylee used her Gold Award project to help students in her community talk with their parents and guardians about mental health. She created labeled bookshelves and stocked them full of pamphlets to generate conversation about the topic. Kaylee earned the title of Scout of the Year for VFW Post 4809 in Norfolk and placed third in the district.

Girl Scout Kaylee
with VFW Post 4809 Commander
Scott Bannon

Every year, Gold Award Girl Scouts are eligible to apply for the VFW Scout of the Year program which gives them the chance to earn scholarship money. For more information on the program or to find your local VFW post, click here.