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November 2013 VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER 
Dear Volunteers,

As we celebrate Juliette Gordon Low's birthday this week it is a good time to remember:

 

In developing the Girl Scout movement in the United States, Juliette brought girls of all backgrounds into the out-of-doors, giving them the opportunity to develop self-reliance and resourcefulness. She encouraged girls to prepare not only for traditional homemaking, but also for possible future roles as professional women-in the arts, sciences and business-and for active citizenship outside the home.  

 

From the beginning Juliette Low's Girl Scout organization included a diversity of girls with various abilities and from different racial/ethnic backgrounds, and was called "a force for Civil Rights" by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the 1950s.

 

At GSHPA, Juliette Low's vision continues to have an enormous influence. Our steady improvement of outdoor programming and camp facilities takes a page straight from her playbook, because we know how the self-confidence of a girl can skyrocket when she confronts and enjoys the challenges of camping. Our signature initiatives (Forever Green in 2011-2012 and Healthy Promise in 2013-14) are helping girls understand the choices before them, in both personal and the public spheres with respect to the environment and health. Our Girl Scout Journeys and awards focus girls upon discovering who they are, cooperating with others and taking action to serve their community. Finally, we strive to connect all kinds of girls with the benefits of Girl Scouting by extending financial support to help economically disadvantaged girls participate.

 

Our council consists of many kinds of volunteers and staff. The thousands of girls we serve could not be exposed to so many fun and mind-opening experiences if we did not work in cooperation with one another to realize Juliette Gordon Low's vision. We celebrate this partnership.

 

 
Signature - Jane Ransom
 Carolyn Warman Jane Ransom
 Board Chair   President & CEO

New Girl Scout Year, New Outdoor Adventures:   

How to Reserve a Camping Unit in 7 Easy Steps

 

With a new Girl Scout year just getting started, it is easy to get caught up with excitement about S'mores, hiking, outdoor adventures and a big sleepover with your troop! Here are the steps to reserving a unit for your troop's very own camp adventure.

STEP #1 
The first step to reserving a unit is to ask your troop what they would like to do and start dreaming up the ultimate troop camp experience! Here are some important things to consider: 
  • Capacity
  • Location
  • Activities
  • Accommodations
  • Nearby attractions
  • Time of the year/availability
STEP #2
Visit our website (www.gshpa.org) to see what all seven camps have to offer and to view the Facility Usage Rate charts (found under each camp's tab on our website). This chart will list out all the units that are available for rent, how much it will cost per night, dates open and specific camping accommodations.  

 

When using the Facility Usage Rate chart, follow the GSHPA Fee/Night column to determine the cost of your troop camp experience. Keep in mind that a weekend trip is considered Friday-Sunday.

 

STEP #3
Next, decide what activities your troop members would like to do. Do they require special equipment? Click here to check out the Reservation of Special Equipment chart for pricing and camp locations.

STEP #4
Next, become familiar with the Policy and Procedures Manual. Click here to find out everything you need to know about renting a unit, check-in and check-out procedures, rangers, payment, equipment rentals and other useful information.

STEP #5
Love a camp unit and have to have it? Call and place a hold on a unit for up to seven business days while you fill out your Council Site Reservation application. Click here for the Council Site Reservation application. Troops can plan their stay six months in advance and no later than 2 weeks prior.

STEP #6
The completed application AND security deposit should be mailed to:

ATTN: Registrar

Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania

350 Hale Avenue

Harrisburg, PA 17105

STEP #7

Once your application has been processed, you will receive an email confirmation with your total due and all the paperwork needed for camp unit reservation. Full payment is due three weeks prior to your troop camp experience.  

 

*Don't forget that you will need to include at least one adult on your roster who has completed Outdoor Basics or Outdoor Skills training and at least one adult who is First Aid/CPR certified.

 

For questions about reserving a unit, equipment, training or equipment facilitators, email registrar@gshpa.org or call 1.800.692.7816.  

A Sneak Peek @ the It's Your World, Change It! Journey

  

The Girl Scouts' Journeys curriculum gives troop leaders the tools to address the variety of obstacles that today's girls face every day while placing an emphasis on values and skill building that will help make the world a better place.

  

All of the Journeys, from Daisies to Ambassadors, focus on Discover + Connect + Take Action and believe that leadership happens from the inside out. Here is an inside peek at  It's Your World-Change It Journey! 

 

  • Welcome to the Daisy Flower Garden Help budding Daisies grow with this colorful Journey focused around creating a blooming garden while learning the Girl Scout traditions! Daisies have the opportunity to receive the Watering Can, Golden Honey Bee, and Amazing Daisy Awards.

  • Brownie Quest Guide your Girl Scouts through the Brownie Quest and receive the Discovery Key, Connect Key, and Take Action Key to better their communities and earn the Brownie Quest Award.

  • Junior's Agent of Change is all about getting inspired by historical heroines and empowering girls to become superheroes in their community! Juniors will earn the Power of One, Power of Team, and the Power of Community Awards.

  • aMAZE: The Twists and Turns of Getting Along Cliques. Stereotype. Bullying. Conflict.Cadettes will learn how to navigate through these situations and become leaders in their community. Cadettes who complete the journey will earn Interact, Diplomat and Peacemaker Awards.

  • GirlTopia challenges Senior Girl Scouts to imagine an ideal world for girls and express their vision through art. Seniors will take it a step further and turn their art into action through service. Seniors have the opportunity to earn the Senior Visionary Award.

  • Your Voice Your World: The Power of Advocacy gives girls the tools to have their voices be heard when they speak about community problems. Ambassadors will learn valuable skills to prepare them for their careers. Ambassadors will earn the esteemed Girl Scout Advocate Award when she completes the journey.

 

Empower your Girl Scouts to change the world today by checking out all three of the Journeys curriculum at www.gshpa.org/programs/journeys.html   

 

Calling all National Delegates

Any interested girl member (ages 14+) and any adult member of GSHPA is encouraged to apply to serve as a GSHPA National Delegate and represent our council at the 2014 National GSUSA Convention at Salt Lake City, UT on October 16 - 19, 2014. If selected, all expenses will be paid by GSHPA but only a limited number of National Delegates will be selected. Applications are due January 3, 2014 at 5 p.m. Click here to access to application and learn more.

 
Girl Scouts Groove Their Way into a Healthier Future  

 

Music and hearts were pumping fast as over 175 sneaker-clad Girl Scouts shook, twisted and grooved to diverse dance forms at the Healthy Promise Just Dance event on Sunday, Oct. 20 at the Hempfield Rec Center in Landisville, PA.  

 

Each session kicked off with a dance party warm up using the Just Dance Wii game and from there the girls were broken down into three groups and rotated around for three 30 minute, hands-on workshops in African, modern and ballet dance styles led by the Susquehanna Dance Center.  

 

Each Girl Scout is just as unique as the dance styles they were learning. No matter which style was their favorite, the workshops equally challenged the girls to be physically active. Besides working up a sweat, the girls were encouraged by the instructors to show off their personality and celebrate their body through movement.  

 

Tuckered out Girl Scouts left with over 90 minutes of dancing, a new understanding of three different dance styles, a patch and the Girl Scout experience that showed them that a healthy lifestyle can be a fun lifestyle!  

 

Girls will keep the dance party going in the winter when GSHPA launches the online Just Dance video challenge with a custom made Girl Scouts in the Heart of PA unique dance.

Click here to view more Girl Scouts Just Dance (morning session) event photos.

Click here to view more Girl Scouts Just Dance (afternoon session) event photos.

Girl Scout Sightings! 

With the start of a new Girl Scout year, our girls have been very busy and been seen all over their communities! See what some of our troops have been up to!  

Cadette Troop 41169 in State College striking a pose at Camp Golden Pond for the Community 416 Fall Camporee. (West Region)
Brownie Troop 10659 was showing off their Girl Scout pride for "I Can't Wait to Tell My Friends Day!" (South Central Region)

Troop 50271 in Stroudsburg sporting pink for the Prink Light Walk to support breast cancer research. (North East Region)

The Schuylkill Haven Community Brownie and Junior Troops welcome new members to their troop family at an investiture ceremony. (North Region)

Cadette Troop 20797 in Dallastown worked together with Brownie troops to create new pet owner bags for York SPCA. (South Region)

Troop Leader Online Access

All appointed Troop Leaders for the 2013-2014 Girl Scout year should now be able to access their up-to-date rosters using our online system called Personify. In addition to reviewing your roster for an accurate listing of your troop members, we also encourage every troop leader to update their troop meeting time and location information. To begin that process right now, click here.

 
GSHPA is Now Accepting College Scholarship Applications

Girl Scouts in the Heart in Pennsylvania offers a limited number of scholarships for eligible GSHPA girl members who are currently seniors in high school. Scholarships support college tuition expense and will be credited to the awardee's account at the institute of higher learning. Please click here to learn more about the scholarships that are available this year, the applicant eligibility requirements and 2014 application process.     

 

Applications must be received by March 28, 2014 at 4:30 p.m.

In This Issue
New Girl Scout Year, New Outdoor Adventures: How to Reserve a Camping Unit in 7 Easy Steps
A Sneak Peek @ the It's Your World, Change It! Journey
Calling all National Delegates
Girl Scouts Groove Their Way into a Healthier Future
Girl Scout Sightings!
Troop Leader Online Access
GSHPA is Now Accepting College Scholarship Applications




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Save the Date!
 
November 13 - Healthy Promise Video Chat - Episode #1
 

December 11 - Healthy Promise Video Chat - Episode #2   

 

January 3 - National Delegate Applications Due by 5 p.m.

 

January 4 - Cookie Rallies/Cookie Colleges Return   

 

January 8 - Healthy Promise Video Chat - Episode #3

 

February 19 - Healthy Promise Video Chat - Episode #4

March 28 - GSHPA Scholarship Applications Due by 4:30 p.m.


April 20 - Work day at Camp Echo Trail  

 

May 3 - GSHPA Annual Meeting  

 

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

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