Our girls are doing great things this year. They are becoming more courageous and confident and definitely making the world a little bit better of a place. For example we had 7 girls that earned their Gold Award, the highest award a Girl Scout can earn. We also had two troops that earned their Bronze Award.

These girls are doing amazing things. A Girl Scout is a friend indeed. Last year after the floods they filled a Walgreen's parking lot with donations for families that had lost everything in the floods. Some girls hand made quilts to provide warmth to those that needed it. Others decorated nursing homes for the holidays when things can get a bit lonely.  We are so proud of all their efforts. More importantly they should be proud of the fine example they are setting for society. They have raised the bar. Will you rise to the challenge?

Girl Scouts Prepare to Rock the Mall

On June 9, 2012 over 200,000 Girl Scouts, family, alumnae, and friends will gather at the National Mall at the base of the Washington Monument to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouting. Girl Scouts was founded in 1912 in Savannah, GA by Juliette Gordon Low. In one hundred years it has evolved from 18 girls to 3 million current members. It is estimated that over 50 million American women were Girl Scouts in their youth. The Girl Scouts of Louisiana-Pines to the Gulf serves over 8,000 girls in 42 parishes. From that council more than 100 girls are travelling to the nation’s capital to participate and demonstrate the strength of the Girl Scout movement. “I celebrated the 75th (have the patch) with my daughter as her troop leader, now I am celebrating the 100th with my granddaughter as her leader,” says Versa Dore of New Iberia.
Early in the year the girls set the goal and decided to travel to Washington, DC. They are using money raised from the cookie program, other fundraisers throughout the year and contributions from local businesses. Many of the Girl Scouts participating earned enough money from cookie proceeds to cover the entire cost of the trip. Dodi Boutin, an adult volunteer from Opelousas says, “We received donations from businesses and cookie sales, a couple of girls are using cookie dough money (the girls’ individual proceeds from cookie revenue) – Each girls trip is paid for 100% and I will have money to buy them food while we are there. We had an AWESOME year!” The cookie program teaches the girls five essential business skills: goal setting, money management, decision making, business ethics and people skills. Girl Scouts has provided opportunities for girls to explore, travel, develop self-reliance and leadership for 100 years.
Some of the activities planned for the event are the 100th Anniversary Sing Along, where there will be educational, program tents sponsored by Dove, K12, GEICO, EF Tours, Nestle, Wells Fargo, Hard Rock Café, and Purple Promise. There will also be a girl-led song festival with dynamic audience participation, Girl Scout Choruses from around the country, DC Girl Scout Step Showcase performers, vintage uniform fashion show and much more. The Girl Scouts will also have the chance to meet and speak with their US legislators who have been invited to join them.
For more information on Rock the Mall please visit Girl Scouts Rock the Mall.

Volunteer Palooza

 Volunteer Appreciation Week has come and gone, but the Girl Scouts of Louisiana- Pines to the Gulf dedicated an additional weekend to the devoted volunteers that dedicate hours of their lives to improve the lives of girls. There are 42 parishes that make up the council and from those there are over 3,000 adult volunteers and approximately 1,000 of them are troop leaders or troop co-leaders and are extremely involved.  All council volunteers were invited to camp out and discover firsthand what fun and friendships there are to be had in Girl Scouts.

            The fourth annual Volunteer Palooza weekend was held at Camp Wawbansee in Simsboro, LA April 28-29, 2012.  Adult volunteers were able to participate in archery, canoeing, campfire cooking, hiking and crafts including making aromatherapy bath fizzy bombs. “Volunteer was my first ever to attend and it was AMAZING!!!  My favorite was the Mystery Craft,” says Leslie Glatt of Bossier City.  It was also an opportunity for them to come together and discuss best practices, ideas and take additional training to help improve the girls’ leadership experience. Karen Gallaspy, Volunteer Services Director said, “Once again, Girl Scout volunteers had a great time getting to know other volunteers from across our council at our Volunteer Palooza weekend at Camp Wawbansee.  Each year this event travels to a different camp in our council and volunteers can enjoy the camp and each other and get trained in skills they can take back to their troop.”

Preceeding National Volunteer Week, Girl Scouts of Louisiana-Pines to the Gulf held the Annual Meeting where several volunteer awards were presented. The awards included Years of Service given to Leslie Glatt (10 years), Zelda Doucet (15 years), Marianne Colvin (20 years), and Marleen Thompson (30 years). Appreciation Pins were given to Sarah Diffy, Leslie Glatt, Anita Manuel, Stephanie Speights, and Shannon Watson. In addition to those the most coveted award and the highest award a volunteer can receive in the organization The Thanks Badge II was awarded to Gay Brantley.

           

Girl Scouts is a volunteer run organization and has been for 100 years. The organization celebrates its 100^th Anniversary this year. It would not be possible without the many dedicated volunteers who give selflessly of their time. Volunteer Palooza is just one opportunity for the organization to give a little something back to those volunteers. Gallaspy adds, “This year’s Palooza was the biggest ever, with 48 participants coming from as far as 300 miles away. If you have not experienced Volunteer Palooza, you should plan now to go next year.”

For more information on how to become a volunteer please visit http://www.girlscoutspinestogulf.org/   Volunteer Palooza Pics

Bio-Blitz...lots of life

Check out Program Specialist Katherine Stagg and Thanks Badge II Recipient Gay Brantley on Good Morning ArkLaMiss  and NBC 10 Mornings talking about Bio-Blitz that is coming up this weekend.  I personally cannot wait to see what is in store. Hoping to learn some new things about nature and if not at least spend some quality time outdoors. There will be pictures...don't worry.
-Erin