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March 2015 VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER 

Dear Volunteers,

 

Both of us remember selling cookies- our first taste of what it would be like to run a business. The very first transactions were cookie sales in the neighborhoods where we grew up. We had to keep tidy order cards and tally up our collections. We had to make sure we had the right cookies to deliver. We had to set goals and work hard to meet them. We learned so much through our hands-on experience and it was so fun growing skills and connecting with customers alongside our troop.

 

But when it came to understanding what volunteers and staff were doing to support our budding business careers, we were oblivious.

 

Now we are older and wiser Girl Scouts. This year we have data showing that 12,601 girls submitted orders, 5,014 girls participated in the new Digital Cookie option, and girls participated in 3,151 approved cookie booths across the council--cookie booths stocked by 57 cookie cupboards. During National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend alone (Feb. 27- March 1) there were over 400 Girl Scout troops out in their communities selling Girl Scout cookies at their booths.

 

What is behind this data? When we pull the curtain back, we see thousands of troop leaders rallying their troops, teaching them how to set goals and organizing themselves to sell cookies. We see thousands more volunteers braving the cold to support the girls at the booths. We see hundreds more providing training and keeping the books. And oh, we see garages, car trunks and living rooms full of cookies!

 

Without you, our Girl Scouts would not be able to be a part of the largest girl-led business our country has ever seen or gain the essential skills that will help them flourish. We are thankful to you and to our dedicated staff for your powerful support that encourages our Girl Scout entrepreneurs.

 

Sincerely,

 
Signature - Jane Ransom
 Carolyn Warman  Jane Ransom
 Board Chair    President & CEO
 
Jean Chatzky-Making Finances Fun and Easy for Girl Scouts 
 

Jean Chatzky, financial editor for NBC's Today Show, will take a quick break from her national television appearances and her best-selling books to visit our council and breakdown the complicated world of finances in a fun discussion on how to be financially successful and independent.

  

Click here to see a sneak peek at Jean on one of her recent NBC Today segments. 

  

We will offer two sessions-one exclusive for our Girl Scout girl members and another open for all adults and interested community members. Discover more below.

 

Money 101: Finances for Girls with Jean Chatzky! (And Adults!)

 

Junior-Ambassador Girl Scouts (grades 4-12) will be able to breakdown the complicated world of finances with Jean Chatzky as she leads a workshop that will help them earn it, keep it and maintain financial independence.

 

Date: Saturday, April 11

Times: 4:30-5:15 p.m.

Cost: Girls - $15 (dinner is included)  

Location: Lancaster Mennonite School; High Fine Arts Center (2176 Lincoln Highway East in Lancaster)

Levels: Juniors - Ambassadors (Grades 4-12)

Registration Deadline:11:59 p.m. on Friday, April 3rd or until spots have been filled.

 

 Click here to register for (girl event) Money Matters 101 with Jean Chatzky. 

 

Money Matters with Jean Chatzky: Change It Up! for Financial Success

 

And what better way for girls to continue to grow their financial knowledge than from their parents, grandparents, volunteers, aunts, uncles, teachers and other important adults in their lives. That's why we are having an event for adults-both Girl Scout members and non-members!

 

Whether you are gearing up for retirement, just starting out, or somewhere in between Jean Chatzky will provide you with money rules to keep you on track, help keep your mind over money, and provide tips for making money a family affair.

 

Date: Saturday, April 11

Times: 7-8 p.m.

Cost: Adults - $30 (Adults do not have to be a member of Girl Scouts in order to register)  

Location: Lancaster Mennonite School; High Fine Arts Center (2176 Lincoln Highway East in Lancaster)

Registration Deadline: Closes 11:59 p.m. on Friday, April 3rd or until spots have been filled.

 

Click here to register for (adult event) Money Matters with Jean Chatzky:Change It Up! for Financial Success.   

 

Give Camp Some TLC-Volunteer AND Camp

   

Junior, Cadette, Senior and Ambassador Troops are invited to join us at Camp Archbald, Camp Furnace Hills, Camp Echo Trail, and Camp Louise for our April Spring Work Days for a Saturday of volunteering and a night of FREE camping*.   

 

Help us as we "spring clean" our camps. Volunteers will help with setting up tents, cleaning up the units, and getting the camp ready for spring and summer activities.

 

Troops will meet at 8:30 a.m. Saturday morning at the camp's dining hall to receive morning assignments. Volunteers will meet back at the dining hall for a lunch, provided by GSHPA, and receive their afternoon assignments. Troops will volunteer for a total of 8 hours. Limited accommodations are available-register today to ensure your spot.

  • Camp Archbald: April 10-12
  • Camp Furnace Hills: April 10-12 - Only Seniors and Ambassadors may participate
  • Camp Echo Trail: April 17-19
  • Camp Louise: April 17-19

 

To sign up for a Spring Work Day contact the Property Registrar to reserve a camping unit, call 717-233-1656 or email amutchler@gshpa.org.

 

*Each camp will be closed during its Spring Work Day and only troops volunteering will be permitted to camp. Troops may camp for free, but must meet training requirements and adult ratios. Adult groups volunteering for partial days are welcome to attend.

 

aMAZE Online Registration Opens March 16

   

It is that aMAZING time of year again where 50 Cadettes (grades 6-8) will come together at Camp Small Valley on May 2-3 for aMAZE -an overnight Journey that will give Girl Scouts tools to stop bullying.

 

At aMAZE, Girl Scouts will tackle the personal challenge of the adventure course, the team challenge of the low ropes course and the open challenge of creating a Public Service Announcement (PSA) that encourages others to join their cause to stop bullying.

 

Mark your calendar, make a reminder, and set your alarms for 9 a.m. on March 16th when online registration for aMAZE will officially open. Spots fill quickly-so don't delay!

 

Dates: May 2-3, 2015

Times: 9 a.m. Saturday-10 a.m. Sunday

Age Level: Cadettes Only (This is a girl-only event.)

Cost: $75 (Cost includes: activities, aMAZE Journey book, aMAZE Journey Award, 3 meals, snacks and overnight accommodations.)

*Participants must be registered girl members of GSHPA at the Cadette grade level. This is a girl-only activity and the adult/girl ratios will be covered by council-provided, event staff.

 


 Reminders and Tips for 10 More Days of Girl Scout Cookies 

  1. Important dates: Girl Scout Cookie Booths and Direct Sale has officially been extended due to poor weather and will end March 22.
  2. Don't forget to submit photos of your troop for our Bling Your Booth Contest by March 17th. (Click here to get all the details! 
  3. Have you checked out our Go! Dough rewards? Click here to find out more.
  4. Did you know that if you sell 500+ Girl Scout Cookies you will receive a special invitation to Knoebels to celebrate Samoas Birthday Extravaganza on Saturday, May 30, 2015-plus other goodies? Click here to learn more. (pg. 20)
  5. Want to increase foot traffic to your booths? Share our Cookie Locator page via social media to make booths easy to find for friends, family and co-workers. http://cookielocator.littlebrownie.com/

  Thank you for all your hard work and good luck hitting your goals!

 


You're Invited to Our Camp Open Houses

 

You're invited to attend a Camp Open House to experience the place where your Girl Scout will discover amazing things about herself, make lifelong friends, and have an unforgettable summer. Swing by your camp of choice to take a guided tour of our camp properties. Tours run every 30 minutes.

  • Camp Archbald Open House-Saturday April 18th, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
  • Camp Small Valley Open House-Sunday May 3rd, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Speaking of camp - spots are filling quickly, but limited spots are still available. Click below to register today! 

  

Camp Small Valley

Week 1:June 14-19 SOLD OUT 

Week 2:June 21-26 SOLD OUT  

Week 3:June 28-July 3 SOLD OUT 

  

Have questions about camp? We have answers! Join us for a FREE online webinar to learn more about what happens. A detailed confirmation will be sent 2 days prior to the webinar.


Annual Meeting Registration Now Open

   

Please join us on Saturday, April 25, 2015 (10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.) for GSHPA's Annual Meeting- a yearly meeting to elect our council's Board of Directors and conduct other business essential to Girl Scouting in our area. While all members of GSHPA are welcome to attend, only GSHPA delegates (i.e. Board of Directors, Board Development Committee, Community Delegates and National Delegates) may vote.

 

During this year's meeting GSHPA delegates will receive updates on the business of the Council and will vote on the slate of candidates for the Board of Directors, officers of the Board, and the Board Development Committee.

 

Click a location below to register. If you are interested in attending this year's Annual Meeting, you are welcome to join us at in person at:

Or via live streaming webcast hosted at:

There is no fee to attend, but you must register by April 19.

 

The meeting resource materials will be posted online by March 25th at  www.gshpa.org/volunteers/delegatesgovernancemtgs.html  

 

Following the meeting, please join us as we celebrate volunteers at the 2015 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 $17 per-person.  Click here to find out more about the luncheon and to register.  

Gold Award Final Report Deadlines

 

Gold Award Report deadlines for any Girl Scout in the process of earning her Gold Award are quickly approaching. Any Girl Scout is who looking to be recognized during the 2015 Gold Award Recognition Luncheon (June 20, 2015 in Harrisburg) should submit her final report to GSHPA by April 15, 2015.

 

Any Girl Scout who submits her Gold Award Final Report between April 16-September 30, 2015 will be recognized during the 2016 Gold Award Luncheon*. If you are a graduating high school senior your Gold Award Final report must be submitted by Sept. 30th After this date, the girl's membership expires and she no longer meets the eligibility requirements for the award. Questions? Email  mygoldaward@gshpa.org.   

 

Click here to review more FAQ's. Want to learn more about the Gold Award? Click here to check out our website. 

 

*2016 Gold Award Luncheon will be held summer 2016, but date and location has yet to be determined.

GSHPA Scholarship Application Deadline: March 23rd

 

GSHPA Scholarship applications must be postmarked or delivered by Monday, March 23, 2015 (the office closes at 5:00 p.m.) Mail the application to Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania, Attention: Scholarship Committee at 350 Hale Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17104.

 

To find the forms and learn more about GSHPA scholarships visit:  www.gshpa.org/girls/scholarships.html  

 

Spring Regional Governance Meetings 

 

GSHPA is halfway through our Spring Regional Governance Meetings with three more quickly approaching in York, State College and via Webinar. The deadline to register is 8:30 a.m. on the day of each meeting. All meetings run from 6 p.m.-8 p.m.

 

Our Montoursville, Harrisburg and Scranton Spring Regional Governance Meetings were cancelled due to inclement weather. If you were planning on attending either of these meetings, we encourage you to plan to attend via our webinar on Thursday March 12, 2015.  

  • Tuesday, March 10: Arthur J. Glatfelter Community Room (HACC York Campus); 2161 Pennsylvania Ave., York, PA 17404. Click here to register. 

Council Retail Store Hours

 

GSHPA's Council Retail Store (350 Hale Ave Harrisburg, PA 17104) re-opened on Feb. 26th with hours on Thursdays from Noon-5 p.m. and Fridays 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Our online store is available 24/7 at click here to check out all our Girl Scout goodies from uniforms to Journeys and hoodies to badges!  

 

Scout Shout-Out from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg

 

*Have you received a Catholic religious award? Bishop Ronald Gainer will soon celebrate a mass (April 19 in Camp Hill) for all of the Scouts of the diocese and their families. Scouts who have completed any of the Catholic religious awards in the past year will be recognized for their accomplishments. Click here for more information on how to attend.

 

*GSHPA is an all-inclusive organization representing numerous faiths, ethnic origins, ages, and points of view.

 

In This Issue




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Save the Date!

 

March 8-14 -National Girl Scout Week

 

March 10 - Regional Governance Meeting (York)  

 

March 11 - Free Summer Camp Webinar at noon and at 7 p.m.

   

March 11-Regional Governance Meeting (State College)

 

March 12- Regional Governance Meeting (Webinar)

 

March 12 - Girl Scout's 103 Birthday

  

March 22 - Girl Scout Cookie Booth Sales End  

 

April 1 - May 31 - Family Partnership  

 

April 10-12 - Spring Volunteer Work Days at Camp Archbald

 

April 10-12 - Spring Volunteer Work Days at Camp Furnace Hills

 

April 11 - (girl event) Money Matters 101 with Jean Chatzky  

 

April 11 - (adult event) Money Matters with Jean Chatzky: Change It Up! for Financial Success

 

April 17-19 - Spring Volunteer Work Days at Camp Echo Trail  

 

April 17-19 - Spring Volunteer Work Days at Camp Louise

 

April 18 -Brownie Girl Scouts Give Back Day

 

April 18 - Camp Archabld Open House at 1-4 p.m.

 

April 25 - Annual Meeting  

 

April 25 - Volunteer Recognition Awards Luncheon   

 

May 2- 3 - aMAZE Weekend at Camp Small Valley

 

May 3 - Camp Small Valley Open House at 1-4 p.m.

 

June 20 - Girl Scout Gold Award Event at the Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel  

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