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April 2014 VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER 
Dear Volunteers,

A few weeks ago at regional governance meetings some Community delegates discussed the great value of volunteer-to-volunteer networking. And it is true, isn't it? There is nothing like getting together with other people who know, from their own experience, that they can relate to you.

 

Whether you are readying your girls for bridging, trying to entice parents to get involved or taking girls to camp, your Girl Scout Community is a network of nearby volunteers, many of whom can share "tricks of the trade" based on years of working with girls.

 

A more formal opportunity to network is the upcoming 7th Annual Meeting of Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania taking place on Saturday, May 3rd at WITF in Harrisburg and at remote sites in State College, Montoursville, York and Scranton. Your Community's delegates are expected to attend this annual business meeting of the council, but all adult members of GSHPA are cordially invited to attend. The agenda includes a speech by a Gold Awardee, the election of Board members, and reports on the financial status and work of the council. Please click here to register the annual meeting.

 

If you choose to attend the annual meeting in Harrisburg you will have time to shop at our mobile store. The volunteer recognitions luncheon and awards ceremony immediately following the Harrisburg meeting is an especially good time for fellowship (and sisterhood!) among adult Girl Scout members. Please click here to register and pay for lunch at the 2014 Volunteer Recognition Awards Luncheon.  

 

If you are interested in networking on the national scene, consider coming to GSUSA's national convention in Salt Lake City, Utah this October. In the next issue of the newsletter we will have the information on how to register and attend the convention as an official visitor.

 

Best regards,

 

 
Signature - Jane Ransom
 Carolyn Warman Jane Ransom
 Board Chair   President & CEO
Early Bird Registration-Secure her spot in minutes!

 

Tell your Girl Scout Troop's parents to secure their daughter's 2014-2015 troop spot in minutes when they re-register her online for Early Bird Registration April 15- June 30. By re-registering online, their Girl Scout will be signed up for another action packed year of Girl Scout adventures AND she will receive a free Early Bird Registration *fun patch!

 

All Early Bird Registrations must be done online in order to receive the fun patch. Registering online is easy and can be completed in minutes!

  • That is one commercial break!
  • One bag of popcorn popped!
  • A favorite song played start to finish!

Only a couple minutes for an entire year of endless fun and new friends for their daughter!

 

Look for Early Bird Registration to 'blast off' on April 15 at www.gshpa.org.

 

*Fun patches will be sent out in July via USPS mail to all girls who re-register online between April 15 - June 30, 2014.

 

Girl Scouts in Lackawanna County Recognized for "Good Works"

 

Nora and Judith from Girl Scout troop 50065 in Dunmore were recognized on Wednesday, March 12th at the Lackawanna County Commissioners' meeting for the troop's community service accomplishments.

 

Front, from left, Nora and Judith, Junior Girl Scouts from Troop 50065. Back row, from left to right Commissioner Corey D. O'Brien, Commissioner Jim Wansacz, Amy Betts, Troop 50065 leader; and Commissioner Patrick M. O'Malley.
"It is my 'job' as a Girl Scout to make the community better," said Junior Girl Scout Nora whom along with her fellow troop members, plan and put into action projects like, Toys for Tots, a clothing drive for Kids Klothesline, and their annual cookie drive project for Wounded Warriors.

 

"We talk a lot about what our small troop of 8 girls can do to make the most impact and how they can each bring a unique outlook and talent to the group," said Amy Betts 50065 Troop Leader. This troop is just one (out of many) shining example of troops across GSHPA's 30 counties and how Girl Scouts are making a difference in their communities.

 

Keep Movin' Dance Video Brought to you by Healthy Promise

Your Troop Can Star in a Girl Scout Dance Video!

As Healthy Promise's two year run inches closer to the finish line we have plenty to celebrate and the best way to celebrate is to DANCE! Girl Scouts can star in their very own Keep Movin' music video contest with an exclusive GSHPA dance choreographed specially for our girls!

 

How do Girl Scouts participate? It is easy as lights, camera, and action!

  1.  Click here to learn the dance and watch the step-by-step instructional video 
  2. Get creative and brainstorm ideas (costumes, setting, music etc.) for the dance video
  3. *Record Girl Scouts doing the dance
  4. **Send the video file to healthypromise@gshpa.org by 11:59 p.m. on May 28th.

The Top 3 videos will be picked based on the music, setting, costumes, and dance then uploaded on YouTube from June 2- June 15 for friends, families and Girls Scouts to vote! Will your troop take home the prize?

  • 1st Place Winner will win a Dance Party! (Location to be determined by troop, prize must be redeemed by Sept. 30, 2014)
  • 2nd and 3rd Place Winners will win a Healthy Promise Party Pack to keep moving all summer long!

Gather your troop and practice your Girl Scout dance moves while showing us how you and your friends are planning to Keep Movin' this summer! Click here to visit our Healthy Promise website page for more information about the dance video contest. 

 

*All girls participating in the video MUST be a registered Girl Scout AND sign a photo release form in order to participate! Click here to download the photo release form and send in with video submission with a list of all the girls' names.

** All videos must be 15 MB or less in size.

 

Camp Furnace Hills (Above)
Camp Louise (Center) 
Camp Echo Trail (Above) 
Come 'Hang' Out on Our Indoor Traverse Wall

It is finally spring time and Girl Scouts can't wait to use their bottled-up winter energy by climbing across our indoor traverse walls at four of our camp properties. When Girl Scouts visit Camp Louise (Columbia County), Camp Golden Pond (Huntingdon County), Camp Echo Trail (York County) or Camp Furnace Hills (Lancaster County), they can climb and play games! Our indoor traverse wall provides girls with hours of excitement, skill building, and strength training at a low price!

  • $5 for two hours
  • $30 for encampments (one weekend)
  • $50 for day camp
Our traverse walls provide over 15 fun activities for girls that also challenge girls in problem solving, balance, communication, team work and spotting techniques. Troop leaders can reserve the indoor traverse wall 2 weeks prior to their event whether it's just an afternoon or an entire weekend! For questions about reserving an indoor traverse wall, email registrar@gshpa.org or call 1.800.692.7816.

 

A Bed for Each Head-Camping Unit Capacities 

You have your Girl Scout camping weekend all planned, but did you make sure that there is a bed for every head? Pennsylvania State Law and American Camp Association (ACA) have established specific rules and regulations about sleeping quarters and capacities. Based on these national and state requirements, GSHPA has established camping unit capacities to protect the health and safety of all of our campers.

 

As you plan your overnights, please make sure that the camping unit you are looking to reserve has enough room to house your troop. To find out the camping units' capacities click on each specific camp below.

Email registrar@gshpa.org or call 1.800.692.7816 for more information about reserving a unit or to ask questions about capacity. Please note that capacities are subject to change to meet national and state requirements and all Troop Leaders should review camping unit capacities prior to reserving a unit.    

 

Upcoming Regional Meetings

 

Current GSHPA volunteers are invited to join the our Regional Directors and Executive Vice President at one of the five upcoming Regional Meetings. Each meeting will include a preview of plans for the 2014-2015 Girl Scout year and an overview of regional and council wide operational updates. Troop leaders, assistant troop leaders and community leads are highly encouraged to attend. Space is limited so don't miss out on the opportunity to get the inside scoop!

 

Monday, April 28 from 7 - 8:30 p.m.

Eastminster Presbyterian Church in York  

Click Here to Register

 

Tuesday, April 29 from 7 - 8:30 p.m.

St. Peter's United Methodist Church in Riverside

Click Here to Register

 

Wednesday, April 30 from 7 - 8:30 p.m.  

Quality Inn & Suites Conference Center in Wilkes-Barre

Click Here to Register

 

Thursday, May 1 from 7 - 8:30 p.m.  

Harrisburg GSHPA Office

Click Here to Register

 

Wednesday, May 7 from 7 - 8:30 p.m. via webinar

Click Here to Register

 

Planning to attend and have an operational question, insight or thought you'd like to be addressed? Click here to submit your question by April 18 and help build the agenda for these meetings. 

 

New Montoursville Office

It's official - the Montoursville office has moved to our new location - same building, just on the upper level. Please stop by during office hours to check out our new space at:

 

Parkview Center, Suite G2,
999 North Loyalsock Avenue
Montoursville, PA, 17754

 

Annual Meeting Registration Deadline Approaching

 

All GSHPA members who want to attend the Annual Meeting on May 3rd either in person or via live streaming must register by April 24th. Click here for additional details, meeting locations and to register.

 

All meeting materials are now available on GSHPA's website and can be found here.  

 

Following the meeting, please join us as we celebrate volunteers at the 2014 Volunteer Recognition Luncheon and Award Ceremony. The luncheon will be held at the Sheraton Harrisburg Hotel at 4650 Lindle Road in Harrisburg. The luncheon is pre-pay $16 per-person. Click here to find out more about the luncheon and to register. 



Fork It Over in Support of GSHPA

Everyone loves baseball and Girl Scout Cookies!Join us for a unique culinary event at the York Revolution vs. Lancaster Barnstormers game on Tuesday, April 29th at Santander Stadium, in the White Rose Hall Skybox. Join local judges and sample local chefs' delicious Girl Scout Cookies-inspired recipes, bid on exciting silent auction items and cheer on your favorite baseball team!

 

When: Tuesday, April 29th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Where: White Rose Hall-Santander Stadium, 5 Brooks Robinson Way in York

Cost: $50 per ticket*

Register: Get your tickets today by registering at www.gshpa.org or call 800.692.7816

*Other light fare will be provided as well as a cash bar. Registration deadline is April 21. 

 

Financial Assistance Updated for 2014-2015

Beginning with applications requesting financial assistance for 2014-2015 GSUSA membership dues, girls and adults will only have to complete one application to qualify for financial assistance for GSUSA membership dues, troop dues, uniform components, GS books, travel, programs, events and summer camp for the full Girl Scout year. Talk about efficient! Click here to check out the new form and the FAQ to find out more about the updated process. 

 

Volunteers and Girl Scout Families making a difference...

...with the Family Partnership Fundraising Campaign 


The Family Partnership Campaign is an annual opportunity for families and friends of Girl Scouts to help ensure that Girl Scouts is available to all girls and help keep programs affordable.

 

Girl Scout Communities are the leaders of this council-wide effort - this year 82% of the Communities are hosting special events like car washes and sub sales, collecting coins around the community and even holding online donation campaigns. From counting quarters to cyber-donations, the Family Partnership Captains and the 11,000+ Girl Scout volunteers are hard at work.

 

Every year financial assistance funds make it possible for girls who could not other wise afford it to join Girl Scouts, purchase books and uniforms, and go to camp. Thanks to the hard work and generous hearts of Girl Scout volunteers, friends and family, future Girl Scouts will be able to join too!

 

To support the Family Partnership Campaign visit www.gshpa.org. 

 

In This Issue
Early Bird Registration-Secure her spot in minutes!
Girl Scouts in Lackawanna County Recognized for "Good Works"
Your Troop Can Star in a Girl Scout Dance Video!
Come 'Hang' Out on Our Indoor Traverse Wall
A Bed for Each Head-Camping Unit Capacities
Upcoming Regional Meetings
New Montoursville Office
Annual Meeting Registration Deadline Approaching
Fork It Over in Support of GSHPA
Financial Assistance Updated for 2014-2015
Volunteers and Girl Scout Families making a difference with the Family Partnership Fundraising Campaign




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Save the Date!
 
April 4 - 6 - Work Days at Camp Echo Trail

April 4 - 6 - Work Days at Camp Furnace Hills

April 11 - 13 - Work Days at Camp Louise

 

April 25 - 27 - Work Days at Camp Archbald  

 

April 28 - Regional Meeting from 7 - 8:30 p.m. in York

 

April 29 - Regional Meeting from 7 - 8:30 p.m. in Riverside

 

April 29 - Fork it Over event @ Santander Stadium in York   

 

April 30 - Regional Meeting from 7 - 8:30 p.m. in Wilkes Barre

  

May 1 - Regional Meeting from 7 - 8:30 p.m. in Harrisburg


May 3 - GSHPA Annual Meeting from 10 - 11:30 a.m.

May 3 - GSHPA Volunteer Recognitions Luncheon from 12 - 3 p.m. @ Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel

 

June 21 - Gold Award Ceremony at Founder's Hall in Hershey, PA

 

July 31 - Financial Reports Due to your Membership Associate

 

September 10 - Inspiring Generations Gala in Hershey

 

October 5 - Thin Mint Sprint in State College

Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania | 350 Hale Avenue | Harrisburg, PA 17104
www.gshpa.org | general@gshpa.org | 1.800.692.7816