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Be Connected
June 2013 VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER
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Dear Volunteers,
On June 1st the GSHPA Board of Directors had the opportunity to meet with and observe five Adams County Girl Scout troop leaders and their girls. The girls showed us displays and described a large variety of activities they had undertaken over this past school year. One troop of Daisies had done impressive research on Japan for Thinking Day. Members of a Senior troop told us about the work they had done with senior citizens in a local retirement community. Others bubbled over with stories of camping trips.
Those five troops are only a fraction of our council's total 2,412 troops. Multiply their activities in your mind across 30 counties to conjure up some idea of all the wonderful Girl Scouting experiences received by our 26,000+ girl members this year, thanks to you. We are enormously grateful for your commitment to our mission and to our girls.
The compensation for what you do is seeing girls grow more confident and able to work well with others. It is watching them gradually take on more and more leadership responsibility until you, the leaders, are simply their coach and they are calling the shots-an enormous accomplishment.
Thank you for delivering the Girl Scout leadership experience to girls and for your partnership with our council. We hope you have a wonderful, healthy and relaxing summer and look forward to seeing you again this fall.
Sincerely,
| Carolyn Warman |
Jane Ransom
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| Board Chair |
President & CEO
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Camp Development Plan Progress Continues
Whether visiting Camp Louise in Columbia County, Camp Echo Trail in York County, Camp Small Valley in Dauphin County, Camp Golden Pond in Huntingdon County, Camp Happy Valley in Adams County, Camp Archbald in Susquehanna County or Camp Furnace Hills in Lancaster County, troops and service units are starting to notice and enjoy many of the camp improvements in place or in process at all seven GSHPA camps. Click here to view more about the latest highlights.
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August 2013 Volunteer Kick-Off Takes New Twist
August has traditionally been a great time to gear up for the start of the new Girl Scout year. This year, troop leaders and assistant troop leaders, service unit managers and service team members will have the opportunity to attend any one of four Volunteer Kick-Off events on either August 3 (at one location in the North/West regions or another location in the South region) or August 10 (at one location in the Northeast region or another location South Central region) that's two different dates to choose from, four different locations to drive to and even more opportunities to participate in grade-level and/or resource-specific trainings, attend hands-on workshops and network with other volunteers from throughout the Council. Look for your invitation with more details to arrive in your inbox by Friday, June 22.
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Summer Camping at GSHPA Camps
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Just because your troop is taking a break from your traditional meeting schedule now that school is out for the summer doesn't mean you can't pull together that camping trip you never seemed to have time to take. Our GSHPA camps are beautiful any season of the year, but especially nice in the summer months.
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Save $ this Summer on Overnight Rentals During the Week
Take advantage of special camp rental rates Sunday - Thursday between June 15 and August 29, 2013 at GSHPA camps this summer. If you book overnight camping on a weekday (Sunday night through Thursday night), you will receive a discount of $5.00 per night for any type of camping unit - that means a night in the tents is only $25.00 for the whole unit! Weekends are available at the normal fees.
All reservations are subject to availability. Please keep in mind that Camp Archbald is closed for construction this summer and Camp Small Valley hosts GSHPA Summer Camp until August 23, 2013. Please contact Jennifer Peat at 717-233-1656 or jpeat@gshpa.org to check on camp unit availability and book your reservation today.
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The Purpose of Today's Service Units
Since its inception in the 1950s, the service unit structure has continued to be a staple means of organizing volunteer-led efforts to deliver Girl Scouting at a local level. Unfortunately, today less than 50% of our current service units have service unit managers and even less than that have functioning service teams. In May, service unit managers and service team members participated in focus groups across the Council to discuss some key challenges, opportunities and successes facing many of our service units. Preliminary discussions have indicated that a more clearly defined service unit purpose that aligns with today's service unit opportunities and strengths may be a key first step in revitalizing local efforts. Want to join in on this conversation? Click here to complete an online survey. Don't wait to share your insights - the survey closes at noon on Wednesday, June 12!
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Lifeguard Certification Courses Offered for Volunteers
Volunteers can become an American Red Cross certified Lifeguard this summer at Camp Furnace Hills or Camp Louise. The 5-day course includes a 2-year certification in lifeguarding, CPR, first aid and bloodborne pathogens. Participants must be able to swim free style and the breast stroke for 300 yards consecutively, retrieve a brick from 9 ft and swim on your back. Each day will include time in the pool and classroom. There will also be a written and practical exam. Attendance is required at all five days. Participants should bring a bagged lunch. Cost for this course is only $60 per person.
June 29 - July 3 from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. at Camp Louise in Shickshinny, PA (Columbia County)*
*REGISTRATION CLOSES AT 11:59PM ON 6/8/2013
July 20 - 24 from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. at Camp Furnace Hills in Denver, PA (Lancaster County)*
*REGISTRATION CLOSES AT 11:59PM ON 7/3/2013.
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Batter Up for Girl Scout Cookies & Baseball Fundraiser Event
Enjoy an evening of fun, food and memories at Fork It Over, a fundraising event organized in support of Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania. Enjoy sample Girl Scout cookie-themed desserts, a variety of appetizers and admission to the 6:30 p.m. York Revolution baseball game. A silent auction and a cash bar will be available.
WHEN: Friday, July 12, 2013 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., guests can stay through the end of the game.
WHERE: White Rose Hall - Sovereign Bank Stadium, 5 Brooks Robinson Way, York, PA 17401
COST: $50 per person
Registration deadline: June 26, 2013
Click here to register.
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Early Bird Online Re-Registration Incentive Ends June 30
Please continue to encourage any current girl or adult members to
re-register online between April 10 and June 30, 2013 for the 2013-2014 Girl Scout year to be to receive a 20% off coupon towards any GSHPA online purchase totaling $25* or more between August 1 - December 18, 2013.
Beginning the process is easy, just go to www.gshpa.org and click on the "Re-Register" button at the top the page (below the main photo) and the instructions will guide the user through the next steps. This is too sweet a deal to miss out on!
*Please note that the $25 total is pre-tax and pre-shipping fees and coupons will arrive in inboxes in July.
And, believe it or not, the online process is simple. Check out the videos below to see just what we mean:
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Save the Date!
June 14 - 16 - Volunteer Training Weekend at Camp Louise June 22 - Girl Scout Gold Award Event at Founders Hall, Milton Hershey School, Hershey June 23 - Archery Instructor Certification Course at Camp Small Valley June 29 - July 3 - Lifeguard Certification Course at Camp Louise
June 30 - Early Bird Online Re-registration incentive deadline July 12 - Fork It Over Event at York Revolution Stadium July 20 - 24 - Lifeguard Certification Course at Camp Furnace Hills July 31 - Troop & Service Unit Financial Reports Due
August 3 - Volunteer Kick-Off Events (look for invitation to arrive by June 22)
August 10 - Volunteer Kick-Off Events (look for invitation to arrive by June 22) September 14 - Archery Instructor Certification Course
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