National Friendship Week is just around the corner. Over the next few weeks we will be making lots of new friends as new members join. How great would it be if everyone shared their favorite Girl Scout story or tale of friendship? I spent so many wonderful years in Girl Scouts and met amazing friends. I am so happy to say that I still stay in touch with some and am delighted when I run into one unexpectedly after all these years.

Just recently on one of my trips to camp I ran into a Girl Scout mom who happened to be in my first ever Girl Scout troop. We started as Daisies and her mom was leader, my mom was co-leader. I moved in first grade, but we stayed in touch with my old troop because they were only 15 minutes away. Then as we got older we lost touch, but she is now mom to her very own Girl Scout.

It was such a nice surprise to see her and know that her daughter is now having similar experiences to the ones we had.  Just thought I'd share. Would love to hear your story or even better see it! Feel free to post your pictures to our facebook wall.

-Cheers!
  Erin

Do what you got to do...

Since I have been here I have met some brave little girls. I have also met some on the shy side, but they are coming around for sure. In this council we have over thirty girls that stepped up and said they want to share their Girl Scout story with the world around them. They are our Socialites. These girls are amazing and though shy at first, are really stepping up to the task at hand. They represent the girl population from this council. Some have already had spots on TV, radio, and in the newspapers where their faces beam back at us as a symbol of Girl Scouts of Louisiana-Pines to the Gulf.

They have worked really hard and had to do some practicing. Practice consisting of speaking in front of each other and practice in front of a video camera. That can be quite intimidating. They are refining their public speaking skills and I must say these girls have some potential. In the spirit of teaching them and giving them experience into real life situations where public speaking may come in handy…I invited TV personalities out to speak with them about obstacles, triumphs, goals, and more in the world of media.So far the girls in north Louisiana have done this and the girls in south Louisiana will do have that chance here soon. It was such a pleasure to hear them speak to the girls and see the girls listening so intently. It was obvious they were really paying attention and making mental notes of the advice.

When asked if they ever got nervous, one women said she used to all the time. She assured them that it is only human nature to be a little intimidated by the unfamiliar setting, but that she learned to speak only to the camera early on and now it is like talking to a good friend. I loved that! It was such a little thing really,  so simple. Here was this very successful TV anchor that has interviewed hundreds of celebrities and world figures (she is a Girl Scout alum I might add), and she needed practice to make her better at what she did. She did her best keep it simple and not over think things and then it came naturally to her. She found her courage the best way she knew how and one day…she just wasn’t nervous anymore.

Our Socialites are going to make us proud. I am already so proud of these fun, exemplary young women. Keep your eyes out for them in the media and around your community at recruitment time. They are giddy with the thought of helping to introduce all the wonderful opportunities in Girl Scouting to others.

        

-Erin

Homesick At Camp

Yesterday's post mentioned a few reasons that summer camp is the best thing ever. I still believe wholeheartedly that is the truth. There are some things to consider though and be prepared for especially if you are sending your child to an overnight/resident camp. 

One very important thing is homesickness. After talking to a co-worker about our experiences in summer camp and Girl Scouts we both laughed at how silly it was that we got so terribly homesick while away. One particular moment I was rehashing was a trip to Michigan I took when I was twelve years old.  I was having a wonderful time, making new friends and trying new things, but I missed my mama something fierce. I had been to sleepovers and such, but had never been away for more than a few days and here I was 1,200 or more miles from home and phone calls were definitely discouraged. About halfway through the first week I was faced with the very real and non - diminishing fear that I was NEVER going to get home to see my family.

Of course, looking back I see that is nonsense, but at the time I was certain that would be my fate. My mom had complete faith in me and never once mentioned that it might be hard for me to be away that long. Honestly, I am glad she did. Looking back I probably would have second guessed myself if she had given me the chance. The good news is it definitely made me stronger and now I can laugh at how scary it was at the time, but I persevered and gained a love of travelling that is still strong in me today. By the end of the week I was back to having fun and so glad that my parents didn’t give in to my request to be rescued immediately.

I do think it is important to be prepared in case it happens to your child though. Most of the camps Girl Scouts offer are only one week so it is probably not a problem. Here are a few pointers from someone who’s been there to ease some of the anxiety for longer stays away.

·         Believe in them. Just like my mom did for me, she knew I could do it even when I didn’t know. Extended trips away may seem daunting, but it is how we learn to be independent and grow.

·         Send them with something familiar from home if you can (photos, favorite blanket or pillow, snacks specific to home).

·         Write to your child if camp allows it. Most camps do and also discourage phone calls so, that is often the only form of communication. Remind her of all the mundane things that are happening and home and that what she is doing has got to be more exciting.

·         Have siblings write to her. Although she may miss them just seeing their words in writing may remind how happy she was to be getting away from them. 

·         Don’t give in to pleas for rescue. These are typically written in the heat of the moment and then regretted. More than likely if there is a family fun day (visitation day) you will discover that she is in fact having the time of her life.

Happy Camping!                                                                                                                               -Erin