WebsiteAbout UsContact UsVolunteersProgramsGirlsCampNuts/CookiesDonate
Be Connected 
October 2014 VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER 

Dear Volunteers,

 

Welcome to the 2014-2015 Girl Scout year! It was fabulous to see how excited so many of you were at our September 6th Kick-Off Convention and we can't wait to see that excitement get carried throughout this year. Parents have said that their daughters learn leadership and cooperation, experience the joys of friendship, and gain self-confidence by participating in Girl Scouts. You make that possible.

 

You, the open-hearted, open-minded leader are the key to a great troop experience for girls. We have a lot to of fun planned for this year and we hope your troop joins us!

 

The 2014-2015 Girl Scout year brings a new, two-year council-wide signature program, called Change It Up!. Currently Pennsylvania ranks 25th in the nation for girls' economic well-being. With Change It Up! you can help prepare girls for the future with programs that makes learning about money management, entrepreneurship and innovation approachable and fun. 

 

We are thrilled that GSHPA's outdoor programs are expanding further this year. These opportunities are there for your troop, and a great way for girls to get some balance between their lives behind computer screens and lives in nature to achieve feats they didn't think were possible before they joined Girl Scouts.

 

Whether your Girl Scouts are challenging themselves to think like an innovative entrepreneur or drop off the ledge to fly down our zip line, they are able to because you are cheering them on. Thank you for stepping up to help girls thrive.

 

Have a great Girl Scout year!

 

Best regards,

 

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

Registration for Change It Up! Programs Now Open

 

For the next two years, Girl Scouts can count on fun when it comes to Change It Up!, GSHPA's new signature program, and it all starts when registration opens on October 1st for three exciting programs and one helpful volunteer guide.

 

Change It Up! The Game


Girl Scouts will get swept away on an adventure that teaches them how to budget, spend, give, and save in this walk-through, life-size board game. They will have to be quick thinkers when challenges arise and work as a team to get to the finish! Game-goers will get a Change It Up! fun patch plus a t-shirt and giveaways!  

 

When: Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014

Time: 3 sessions to pick from: 9:30 a.m.-11a.m.; 10:30 a.m.-Noon; or 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

Where: Best Western Genetti Hotel and Conference Center in Wilkes-Barre, PA

Cost: $15 per participant

*Levels: All Girl Scouts levels (Daises-Ambassadors)

Registration deadline: Registration Closes at 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014 or until spots are filled.

 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.   

 

 

Cookie Crunch Time


Girl Scouts will get an entrepreneurial edge for the 2015 Girl Scout Cookie Program with hands-on activities, clips from the Emmy-Award Winning TV series BizKid$ and a special performance by the Popcorn Hat Players Children's Theatre.

 

When: Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015

Time: 9 a.m.-Noon 

Where: Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg, PA

Cost: $15 per girl; $7 per adult

*Levels: All Girl Scouts levels (Daises-Ambassadors)

Registration deadline: Registration Closes at 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015 or until spots are filled.

 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.  

 

 

Super Shoppers at GIANT� Food Stores

 

Girl Scouts will be able to sweep through GIANT� Food Stores on the ultimate scavenger hunt to find the best deals and earn the title Super Shopper.

 

When: Begins the week of Nov. 4, 2014 (dates and times available weekly at various locations) 

Where: 13+ participating GIANT� Food Store locations

Cost: $2.50 per girl; FREE for adults

*Levels: All Girl Scouts levels (Daises-Ambassadors)

Registration deadline: Registration Closes at 11:59 p.m. three weeks prior to the event or until spots are filled.

 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW AVAILABLE DATES AND TIMES. 

 

Change It Up! Guide for Girl Scout Volunteers

 

The FREE *Change It Up! Guide for Girl Scout Volunteers will give you:

  • Tips and tools to explore the program for girls of all ages
  • Background information
  • Additional resources
  • Upcoming program highlights

Also in the guide is the iPlan to Change It Up! tool, which allows your Girl Scouts to be part of the planning process-and there's a lot to fun to plan! Combining badge work from Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting and council-wide events and activities, there can be a Change It Up! opportunity every month!

 

Click on your Troop age level to request your Change It Up! Guide for Girl Scout Volunteers.

*Approved Troop leaders (01s) can request ONE Change It Up! Guide for Girl Scout Volunteers per troop. The troop leader must file the request for her/his troop if the troop would like to participate in the council-wide program.

10 Tips on Reaching Out to Parents

 

Parents can be a great help to you when they volunteer their time, talent, knowledge and resources to your Girl Scout troop, but first you have to connect with them. Check out the following tips to getting parents involved with your troop.

1. Create an open dialogue with parents. Meet with your Girl Scout parents and let them know that if they have questions you are there for them. Be upfront with your expectations and the areas you will need help with.

2. Communication is key. Keep the parents informed with monthly newsletters or a private Facebook group about upcoming activities, trips, and needs (ex. permission forms). Or create a folder system where they can pick up/drop off important information.

3. Make it easy to help out. Make a sign-up list that describes the jobs that you need help with. Do you need a snack maker or a driver? Make sure they know and have taken the steps to be background checked and cleared before taking on volunteer tasks.

4. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Ask a specific person for a specific job. The worse thing that they can do is say no. Follow up by asking if there is another way they can help out. Even a small task is a foot-in-the-door.

5. Get to know your Girl Scout parents. Ask them questions about their hobbies, interests, or jobs and see if they can share with the troop something they love doing like fishing, woodworking, or give the girls a peek into their occupations.

6. Calendars and Contact Sheets. Give the parents a calendar well in advance of what the year will look like. Put your preferred contact and meeting information (i.e. email, phone, meeting address, etc.) and suggest they keep it on the fridge for an easy reference.

7. Set and know boundaries. Over communication can go both ways. Tell the parents how and when you prefer to be contacted and keep records of their preferences too.

8. Address conflicts when they arise. Conflicts happen and it is best to keep them small by talking it out one-on-one in a non-confrontational way. Need help or advice? Reach out to your Membership Associate.

9. Smile. A warm and confident smile can go a long way when building relationships with parents.

10. Keep it about the girls. Take an interest in every girl.If the girls are having fun and learning new things they will be the first ones to tell their parents. GSHPA's mission and the impact you have on their daughters will be encouragement to help. Don't be shy to brag about your awesome troop.


Time to Layer on Outdoor Activities

 

The increasingly chilly weather might make us want to hibernate, but now is the time to invigorate troops with some awesome outdoor opportunities offered throughout the Fall. With activities for every troop level, there is always something to do from trekking on hiking trails to making the night glow as girls investigate bioluminescence.

 

Spots for Outdoor Programs fill up quickly! Learn more about the programs offered and register by clicking your troop level(s).

Financial Assistance

 

Income should not determine whether a girl can experience sleep way camp for the first time, participate in a troop or attend a council-wide event. Nor should income determine whether or not an adult is able to volunteer to be the role model for girls that she/he always wanted to be.

 

Each year, GSHPA provides hundreds of thousands of dollars in financial assistance for both girls and adults from across our 30 county council.*Registered girl and adult members can apply for financial assistance for:

  • Annual membership fee
  • Troop dues
  • Uniform components, badges and books
  • Programs
  • Summer camp

Our Financial Assistance process is confidential and as easy as filling out one form. Once the form is completed, mail or drop it off at our Harrisburg Office (350 Hale Ave., Harrisburg, Pa. 17104) and allow 4-6 weeks to process.

 

Click here to learn more about financial assistance and to find the form.

 

*Financial Aid recipients cannot register online for Council programs or camps using Financial Assistance. Recipients cannot be reimbursed for pre-purchased store items. Financial Assistance is provided on an individual basis and not everyone will qualify or will qualify for 100%.

 

Volunteer Recognition Awards

 

Do you know a Girl Scout Volunteer who has gone above and beyond and puts him/her's heart and soul into making a difference in girls' lives? Say 'thank you' by nominating her/him to receive one of our 11 Volunteer Recognition Awards.

 

Click here to see the full descriptions, qualifications, criteria and the nomination process. The complete Volunteer Recognition Handbook can be found by clicking here

 

All submissions should be sent to: GSHPA, ATTN: Volunteer Recognition Awards, 350 Hale Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17104.The deadline for all nominations (except for Leader of Distinction and Volunteer of Distinction) is Friday, Oct. 31, 2014. The deadline for the Leader of Distinction and Volunteer of Distinction is Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015.

 

Selected award recipients will be presented with their award at the Volunteer Recognition Luncheon on April 25, 2015 in Harrisburg. For questions or to receive more information, please contact Shelly Sprenkle at 800.692.7816 or ssprenkle@gshpa.org.

 

2014 Fall Work Days at GSHPA Camps

 

Fall Work Days provide service opportunities for Junior, Cadette, Senior & Ambassador troops and their families while helping to prepare our camps for fall and winter camping. Work days include and are not limited to:

  • Taking down and storing tents and pavilion flies
  • Putting cots and mattresses into winter storage areas
  • Straightening wood piles and fire rings
  • Storing equipment from seasonal units
  • Cleaning gutters, raking leaves and general clean up
  • Cleaning and preparing year round units for fall and winter camping

This year's Work Days are scheduled on the following dates at the camp locations listed below:

  • October 10 - 12, 2014 @ Camp Archbald
    • Questions? Contact Jeremy Leaidicker, Ranger at 570-289-5021 or jleaidicker@gshpa.org
    • Please call 1-800-692-7816 to register to help!
  • October 24 - 26, 2014 @ Camp Echo Trail
    • Questions? Contact Josh Harper, Ranger at 717-927-8165 or jharper@gshpa.org
    • Please call 1-800-692-7816 to register to help!
  • October 24 -26, 2014 @ Camp Furnace Hills
    • Questions? Contact Andrew Houston, Ranger at 717-733-8338 or ahouston@gshpa.org 
    • (Only Senior and Ambassador Age Levels may participate at Furnace Hills)
    • Please call 1-800-692-7816 to register to help!
  • October 24 - 26, 2014 @ Camp Louise
    • Questions? Contact Shirley Kelly at 800-692-7816 or skelly@gshpa.org
    • Please call 1-800-692-7816 to register to help!

Some details to note:

  • Each camp will be closed for its work weekend - only troops working may camp
  • The Work Day will be scheduled for eight hours; Adult groups coming for partial days are welcome.
    • Troops should report to the Camp Dining Hall at 8:30 a.m. for morning assignments
    • At lunch, afternoon assignments will be given
    • Limited accommodations are available for troops/groups participating in the workday. Troops will camp free, but must meet all training requirements and adult ratios. Register for camping through the Registrar Department in Harrisburg, by completing all camping registration forms.
    • Saturday lunch will be provided

Non-Girl Scout adults and male groups will be in the camps.

 

You're Invited to the Foxfire Holiday Open House

 

Foxfire House will hold its annual Holiday Open House on Sunday, Dec. 7 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. This free event is open to troops and families, and showcases the sights, sounds and smells of the season! 

 

The Holiday Open House allows people to participate in the Christmas customs that the families of Foxfire would have done in the 1800s. Visitors will be treated to demonstrations including the making of German paper stars, yuletide treats and decorations, and many other crafts. Foxfire House is located at Camp Furnace Hills.   

 

When: Sunday, December 7, 2014

Time: 1 p.m.-3 p.m.

Where: Camp Furnace Hills (Lancaster County)

Cost: FREE

*Levels: All troop levels are invited to come and invite their friends and family.

Registration deadline: 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 24 or until spots are filled.

 

Click here to register.

Troop Leader Enrichment Coming Soon!


Troop leaders and assistant troop leaders will soon receive an email invitation to participate in upcoming volunteer enrichment webinars on the following topics. All webinars will be start at 7 pm and there will be no cost to participate. The only requirement will be that participants must be appointed troop leaders (01s) and/or assistant troop leaders (02s) to actually register.  

 

Check out the topics and dates below: 


Happy 154th Birthday Juliette Gordon Low

 

On Oct. 31st bring out the birthday cake and ice cream in celebration of our courageous founder Juliette Gordon Low. Juliette, often called Daisy, was a game changer for girls when she started Girl Scouts on March 12, 1912 in Savannah, Georgia. Whether she knew it at the time or not the movement she started would spread across the globe to impact millions of girls.

 

Even though Juliette passed away in 1927 her vision lives on when a Girl Scout volunteer encourages her Girl Scouts that they can do anything. Happy Birthday Juliette! Thank you for gifting us the ability to make a difference in girls' lives! 

Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Program

 

Girl Scouts in grades 5 - 12 with a track record of community service are invited to apply for the 2015 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards by November 4, 2014. Check out http://spirit.prudential.com for more info.

In This Issue
Registration for Change It Up! Programs Now Open
Change It Up! Guide for Girl Scout Volunteers
10 Tips on Reaching Out to Parents
Time to Layer on Outdoor Activities
Financial Assistance
Volunteer Recognition Awards
2014 Fall Work Days at GSHPA Camps
You're Invited to the Foxfire Holiday Open House
Troop Leader Enrichment Coming Soon!
Happy 154th Birthday Juliette Gordon Low
Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Program




Like us on Facebook

View our videos on YouTube

Save the Date!

 

October 5 - Thin Mint Sprint in State College

 

October 10 - 12 - Fall Work Day @ Camp Archbald

 

October 10 - November 15 - Fall Product Sale 

 

October 24 - 26 - Fall Work Day @ Camp Echo Trail

 

October 24 - 26 - Fall Work Day @ Camp Furnace Hills

 

October 24 - 26 - Fall Work Day @ Camp Louise

 

October 28 - Regional Governance Meeting @

the Montoursville Office

 

October 29 - Regional Governance Meeting @ the Harrisburg Office

 

October 30 - Regional Governance Meeting @ the Scranton Office

 

October 31 - Juliette Gordon Low's Birthday

 

November 4 - Regional Governance Meeting @ HACC York Campus

 

November 5 - Regional Governance Meeting @ the State College Office


November 8-9 - aMAZE Weekend for Cadettes at Camp Archbald


November 10 - Regional Governance Meeting via Webinar

 

November 15 - The McDonald's� of Central PA Women in Business Leadership Experience

November 22 - Change It Up! the Game event at the Genetti Hotel in Wilkes-Barre
Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania | 350 Hale Avenue | Harrisburg, PA 17104
www.gshpa.org | general@gshpa.org | 1.800.692.7816