Opportunities

The American Indian Scouting Association and its seminar is a joint venture of Indian and non-Indian adult and youth in association with the Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of the USA and Boy Scouts of America.

The association’s annual summer seminar is July 20-24.

The purpose of the seminar is to:

• help youth recognize their talents and capabilities to serve their communities through scouting.
• help scouting staff and troop leaders better serve American Indian youth.
• exchange ideas about how to create and maintain successful scouting programs for American Indian Youth.
• help youth of all tribes and cultures learn to appreciate the wide differences of people of Indian heritage.

The annual seminar will be held in Riverton, Wyoming. Click here to see the brochure.

The beautiful monarch butterfly, with its bright orange wings and distinctive black markings are shrinking in population.

The two main culprits: pesticide use in and disturbances in their hibernation grounds.

But you can do something simple to help: Plant milkweeds, the monarch’s primary food source. A New York science  class is even offering to provide you the milkweed seeds. Their letter is shared below.

To:      Girl Scout Troops in Monarch territory

From:   Mrs. Dougherty’s and Mrs. Siper’s Science Classes

Re:      Growing milkweed plants to help save the Monarch butterflies

Hi,

We are writing to you from Middletown, New York because our students have become very concerned about the fact that the Monarch butterflies won’t have enough food for their migration to Mexico.  Our classes raised Monarchs last year.  We learned a lot about these wonderful creatures.   Everyone loved sending them on their way to Mexico.  However, we were very upset to read that their only food source is disappearing.

Please let us know if you would be able to help us help the Monarchs.  We would like to send you milkweed seeds to grow in cups, and put in fields, so they can survive their migration south.  It would be wonderful if lots of girls would be able to help out.  We know you would be able to make a big difference in this year’s migration.

All you have to do to receive the seeds is email Mrs. Dougherty @ lannedougherty@yahoo.com .  We will send you a packet of two dozen seeds (or more if you like), instructions for planting them, a postcard to send back telling us about how it went and a great big thank you from us and the Monarchs.

Sincerely,

Matt, Brandon, Katie, Victor, Robbie, Mike, Fred, Anthony, Raphael, Keashawn, James, Freddy, Savannah, Josh, Keven and Gabe

The Girl Scouts of Eastern South Carolina Council is sponsoring a trip to explore Iceland through the Girl Scouts of the USA Destinations Program. Four more girls to round out the group. The trip is July 25 through August 2 of this year. The all-inclusive cost is $3,925. Please download the flyer and contact Girl Scouts of Eastern South Carolina if you want to participate.

Ever wanted to feed an elephant? Bring your troop on an overnight adventure at Zoo Atlanta the girls will never forget! Discover the world of the largest living land mammal – the African elephant! Spend the evening learning about these majestic creatures through hands-on activities, arts and crafts, observations through night vision scopes, and more. Wake to an exclusive peak of our elephant barn and conclude your experience by feeding one of our pachyderm pals! Climate controlled sleeping facilities, night time snack, continental breakfast, and participation patch will be provided.

Call Zoo Atlanta at 404.624.WILD for more information.

Visit the Girl Scout Museum at Daisy’s Place (inside the Knoxville Service Center) to find out! You’ll actually see the Mouse Scouts, learn who they are, where they’re from, and where they’ve visited. Whether you take a self-guided tour, a family tour or make a reservation for a museum volunteer to lead your troop, you can read the story about the mice, and then follow a map around the museum to find them all. Maybe you’ll want to have your picture taken next to a Mouse Scout.

Niki, a new Girl Scout Brownie, is pointing to one of the mice she found when she visited the museum recently.

There’s an amazing world outside your window just waiting to be explored, and the Girl Scout “Destinations” program is your passport to travel. Destinations adventures are for girls ages 11-17 and range from two days to three weeks. Travel across the country or across the globe. Meet other remarkable girls, develop leadership skills, gain confidence, and enjoy valuable learning opportunities. You will have the most awesome, outrageous, unforgettable trip of your life.

Click here for Destinations information and contact the council’s Amanda Meade at ameade@girlscoutcsa.org for more information.

The Chattanooga Arboretum and Nature Center offers wonderful opportunities for girls working to earn outdoor badges in one of the most biologically diverse areas in North American, right at the foot of Lookout Mountain. Call (423) 821-1160, ext. 0 for more informaton.

Troops are always thrilled to “Sleep with the Sharks” at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg. The aquarium is now offering specials to troops/groups planning a sleepover through December. Each month has a different special from receiving a free drawstring bag to getting a $50 gas card.

See details about the specials and the overnight programming by viewing the flyer.

Sleep With the Sharks Packet – Information Sheet

Sleep With the Sharks Reservation Form 2012

Looking for ideas for or help with a service project? The “Sew Crazy” group is eager to help. Schedule a time with this group to learn how to make such simple items as quilts for infants, pillowcases for foster children, or cute outfits for shelter animals. Sew Crazy is based in Johnson City and serves the entire Tri-Cities area. Their assistance is free.

Contact Donna Horowitz, director and sewing instructor, for more information at (423) 434-0424 or e-mail donnasdesigns1@yahoo.com.
 

During the summer months, many girls decide they want to work in the community. In the new Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting, there is an award called the Community Service Bar that is available for Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors. In order to earn this award, a girl or troop should decide on a community partner that they would like to help with a service project. The next step is to contact their Council Troop Coordinator to get approval to work with their chosen partner. If the targeted community agency or organization agrees to partner in a project, they must also plan and supervise the troop/girl’s work to make sure the project results in a minimum of 20 hours time.