December 9, 2013

Guest blogger this week is Vickie Strobel, Director of Product and Retail Sales. She offers great tips and resources for the Girl Scout Cookie Program.

Dear Girl Scout Family,

The Girl Scout Cookie Season is drawing near. It's weird to say that when we're nearly 2 months from the actual start date, doesn't it?

We encourage you to get girls involved in the entire process, beginning with budgeting and goal setting. To help you provide a great learning environment for girls, Girl Scouts of the USA has created the The 5 Skills for Girls booklet. This free resource gives tips and ideas for how to hold a family meeting, how to help your daughter get the most out of the Cookie Program, and more. There are also videos for girl and family learning plus marketing resources at www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_cookies/cookie_activity.asp.

You'll want to get started soon. Troops place an initial order between January 8-13. The actual Cookie Sale starts February 8, which will be here before we know it!

If you have questions about the Cookie Program, please talk to your Product Sales and Finance Specialist. Not sure who that is? E-mail me and I'll introduce you.

Have a great week, Girl Scouts.

Vickie
Director of Product and Retail Sales

In the Shop

Give the gift of memories! 50 % off!

Here's the perfect gift for Girl Scouts of all ages! Our Girl Scout Scrapbook kit includes: 1 post-bound scrapbook album; 18 - 12" x 12" papers; 2 punch-out sheets; 2 sticker sheets; 6 chipboard accents. Now 50% off, just $10! Consider a troop scrapbook and, of course, individual girl or adult memory keeper.

Check your mailbox for the Winter Connections (back page) to find more great holiday gift ideas! Cash, check, cookie dough, credit/debit card payment accepted at Lakes & Pines Girl Scout Shops in Duluth and Waite Park.

Special offer for Girl Scout cookie volunteers! Cookie-themed merchandise for girls and adults shipped FREE to your initial cookie delivery site. Rhinestone t-shirts and hoodie, apron, totes, and patches. Details and order form. Orders with payment due Dec. 13 to Duluth or Waite Park shops, or email [email protected].

Have you seen our Girl Scout Holiday & Winter Catalog?

Browse our virtual Fall Catalog.

Shop online at www.girlscoutshop.com.

Give the gift of time ...

Just in time for Holiday Giving! Sign up to attend camp this summer with your Girl Scout and we'll send you a FREE ornament!

Sign up now for Family Camp, She & I, or He & I. Limited to the first 50 families.

Adult Retreat/Camp Care Weekend at Shingobee Timbers

Hi Everyone! This is your official invitation to the adult retreat/camp care weekend at Shingobee Timbers. Please share this with all registered Girl Scout adults in our council and register today to be part of this great weekend! Space is limited to the first 40 registrations so don't delay! Click HERE for the registration form.

Program Highlights

We have several council events happening in December and January. Make plans now to join us for:

Science, Science Everywhere

Snow Much Fun

Our Small World

Girl's Night Out - St. Cloud

Sneak Peek Pajama Party - St. Cloud
Prairie Woods winter challenge
Animal Lovers Overnight
Snowflake Adventures

GSMWLP Program Events and Activities 2013-2014
By now, adult volunteers should have received their copy of this year's Program Events and Activities, and have had the opportunity to share with girls some of the great programming offered throughout Lakes and Pines council this year. If you have not received this publication, you can request a paper copy from a council office or check out the publication online - just click here ( http://www.gslakesandpines.org/files/4154.pdf). As you make your plans to take part in one or more of this year's featured events, please keep in mind that the adult-girl safety ratio requirements vary depending upon the activity. Please contact your region's program specialist with questions, or email us at [email protected].

Adult supervision requirements at council events:
Council Sponsored events (pages 5-6): "Attend as a group with safety -ratio adults or come on your own- chaperones provided for individual girls attending Lakes and Pines events." Our program staff make arrangements for additional chaperones as needed to support Girl Scout Juliettes.
Partner Programs (pages 8-10): "Girls attend with chaperones to meet Safety-Activity Checkpoint Guidelines." Of course, an individual girl is welcome to attend partner programs; however, she would need to make arrangements to attend with an adult.
Programs on the Go (pages 11-12): Program staff lead the activities and provide supplies, and the volunteer requesting this program ensures that the safety-ratio is met.
Camp Pathway (page 14): Our Camp Pathway weekend programs "give girls an opportunity to grow, explore, and have fun under the guidance of caring, trained adults." Supervision is provided to unaccompanied girls, including girls attending as a group.
Travel (pages 16-18): "Girls may attend on their own, individually, bring friends, or invite an adult to join them. Girl Scout staff ensures that sufficient supervision is arranged and that safety ratios are met.

In This Issue

In The Shop

Just In Time For Holiday Giving!

Program Highlights

At a glance

The new Girl Scout year has begun! Keep the fun rolling along ... re-register now!

At a Glance

Quick bits of news you can use!

VOLUNTEER DEVELOPMENT

Find a complete list of upcoming

learning sessions to enhance your leadership experience and support your role as a volunteer on our website. Sign up today!

Volunteer Cookie Training

Due to the weather and to ensure safety for our volunteers, Region 2 2014 Cookie Training has been rescheduled to Thursday, December 12, 2013. The training will be held in the Fellowship Hall of Peace United Church of Christ.

Peace United Church of Christ

1111 North 11th Ave. East

Duluth, MN 55805. Details...

REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

Regional blogs offer a updates from your local Girl Scout office.

Region 1 Bemidji/Virginia

Region 2 Duluth

Region 3 Brainerd/Mora
Region 4 Alexandria/Willmar
Region 5 Waite Park

Meeting Notes from 11-19 Regional Meeting

COMMUNITY UPDATES

Special events for girls, troops, and families we were asked to share. Check each offer for details.

Girl Scout Days at Powder Ridge in Kimball - discounted lift tickets!
January 11-12 and 18-19

flyer for more information

The Original Harlem Globetrotters

2014 "Fans Rule" World Tour
April 13th | 2:00pm | AMSOIL Arena

Exclusive Girl Scout Discount Offer ~ Save up to $11.00 per ticket!

Purchase a Magic Pass with your game ticket and spend time on the court with the Globetrotters - shooting, trying our ball tricks, autographs and photos!

To order tickets contact Cole Schlesinger:
Toll free: 800-641-4667 X146
Direct: 602-707-7035
Fax: 602-258-5925
Or email your order to:
[email protected]

See if your Troop qualifies for interactive packages (minimum ticket requirement applies - Contact Cole for more information).

Deadline to order tickets: April 11.