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| | Cookie Classic Celebration |  | |
Celebrate the Past by Moving Into the Future
 | | GS Cookie Classic and Savannah Shuffle Video |
In the year of our 100th anniversary, we have two opportunities to get fit while celebrating the past, present and future of Girl Scouting.
Did you know that increasing the number of steps you take each day is one of the easiest ways to get fit? Between now and Sept. 8, troops, service units, families and individuals can participate in the Savannah Shuffle, a virtual walk to Savannah, Georgia, the birthplace of Juliette Gordon Low and Girl Scouting. Use your Savannah Shuffle walking journal to track the number of steps you take each day, and see how far you get along the route.
 Participating in the Savannah Shuffle is just one of the many ways you can train for the Cookie Classic 5K Walk, Run and Celebration that happens in Grant Park on Sept. 8. Register before June 2 to take advantage of the discounted rates.
Invite friends and family to join us at this fun event that celebrates the Girl Scouting past that is moving us into the future. Juliette Gordon Low believed in giving girls opportunities they may not have had access to without Girl Scouting. As we look to the future, we want to continue to encourage girls to pursue the things they love. We need your help to empower them to take charge of their futures and take the lead as we look ahead.
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STEM Gets Sticky
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Girls Take Over the Lab
Sticky green slime in beakers and rainbows contained to graduated cylinders kept girls involved in hands-on experiments during the month of April. GSGCNWI teamed up with the Chicago Section of the American Chemical Society to host the Marie S. Curie Girl Scout Chemistry Day program at three area colleges. "I went to the Marie Curie event because I really wanted to widen my knowledge in the field of chemistry," said Samantha F. of Girl Scout Junior Troop 40058.
The day-long chemistry events enabled girls 10 to 18 to explore the field of chemistry through classroom and laboratory activities with the help of women chemists. The programs presented girls with a chemistry booklet and empowered them to participate in a basic chemistry class before entering the laboratory to perform colorful experiments. Another member of Troop 40058, Isabel C., said that though some of the experiments required a lot of patience, she and her partner were successful in their work.
 GSUSA's Generation STEM research showed that 74% of teen girls are interested in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). These girls prove to be more confident in their academic abilities and seek careers they love in order to make a difference in the world. Though 81% of these girls are interested in pursuing a career in STEM, only 13% say it is their first choice. Programs like the Marie S. Curie Chemistry Day help foster that interest and give girls the confidence they need to pursue these careers.
Do your part by encouraging girls to participate in our summer STEM programs that will be coming up starting in May. Programs like the Star Party allow girls to explore astronomy, and others opportunities to provide information on forensics and spa sciences.
It is because of the dedicated volunteers at programs like these that girls are able to interact with role models in STEM occupations. Join us in getting these girls right where they want to be in STEM fields. Share your expertise in these fields while providing an educational and empowering experience for girls in the area. For more information on ways to get involved in short-term volunteer opportunities, visit our website or contact Anita Knazze at aknazze@girlscoutsgcnwi.org.
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| | The Comfort of Cookies | | |
Troop's Gift to Air Force Officer
 | | 2LT. Fred Danielson, USAF |
While away from home and in Basic Officer Training for the Air Force, 2LT. Fred Danielson received a package full of Girl Scout cookies and a card from Girl Scout Junior Troop 70362 of Plainfield, Illinois. The package was a nice break from his grueling training schedule and came just before he was deployed to train for a week in the forests of Alabama.
His father, Rick Danielson, wrote a heartfelt letter to the troop, thanking them for their act of kindness.
"In true Air Force family fashion, he shared the box of cookies with his flight. The cookies were a very welcome treat to the members of his flight as they do not have the opportunity to buy any 'goodies' in their normal training schedule," he wrote.
The cards from Troop 70362 were shared with the 10 - 16 men in Fred's flight, and were placed on the family bulletin board on the base. Rick Danielson said that he was proud to see the cards posted on the bulletin board alongside family notes and pictures that inspire and encourage the men and women on their journeys.
 "Your kindness was greatly appreciated by the men and families of OTS Class 12-04 Flight 2-10." Currently, GSGCNWI has collected donations of over 108,000 Girl Scout cookie packages to distribute through organizations in our area that support service men and women, both active duty and veterans. |
| | Survivor Australia | | |
A Resident Camp for Adults
 Adults can test their archery, boating, fishing and geo-caching skills in this weekend-long adventure at Camp River Trails in Sheridan, Illinois. June 1 - 3, participate on-site in swimming, advanced cooking and night hikes, or move off-site to explore Starved Rock, go canoeing or practice outdoor photography. This adults-only weekend allows the kid in all of us a weekend of exploration, making friends and, most importantly, fun. Registration ends May 6, so sign up now! |
| | Summer Fun Arrives Early | | |
Camp Open Houses Begin
Bring girls to visit camp, meet the directors and discover all the fun they can have this summer. Our open houses make sure that each girl has an opportunity to become familiar with the Girl Scout camp she chooses to attend. No pre-registration is required for these open house events.
April 29, Camp Butternut Springs, Valparaiso, IN
May 6, Camp Greene Wood, Woodridge, IL
May 6, Camp Juniper Knoll, East Troy, WI
May 6, Von Oven Scout Reservation, Naperville, IL
May 20, Camp Palos, Palos Park, IL
May 20, Camp Pokanoka, Ottawa, IL
May 20, Camp River Trails, Sheridan, IL
(All open houses last from 1 - 4 p.m.)
Need directions to camp? Just e-mail camper@girlscoutsgcnwi.org with your request.
Mark Your Calendar
Keep the weekend of Aug. 24 - 26 open for the 2nd Jamboree for Juliette weekend at Camp Butternut Springs. Once again, everyone can explore camp, sing songs and spend time learning about the camping traditions of Girl Scouts over the past 100 years. Come for a day, or stay the whole weekend. Either way, help us continue our celebration of Juliette Gordon Low and her impact on girls across the globe.
Thanks for Your Help
Camp Juniper Knoll and Camp Butternut Springs send out a special thanks to the hard-working troops and volunteers who made the camp start-up weekends a big success. Because of their efforts, our camps are ready for the summer season.
There will be more opportunities to participate in our fall work weekends. Mark your calendars now, and keep an eye out for registration information as it becomes available.
Butternut Springs, October 13 - 14
Palos, September 29 - 30
Juniper Knoll, October 13 - 14
Pokanoka, October 6 - 7
River Trails, October 20 - 21
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| | Making a Mess for a Cause | | |
Girl Scouts Participate in Earth Fest
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Members of Troop 41420 stand in front of the Earth Fest mural. From left to right: Daisy W., Sam Z., Maria R. and Sarah D.
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Members of Girl Scout Cadette Troop 41420 celebrated Earth Day by participating in Oak Park's Earth Fest on April 21. Troop member Isabella A. created a winning design that incorporated a slogan provided by the village, "No matter the size, color or shape, what a difference your two hands make." With the help of artist Linda DuPree, Isabella's design was transferred onto a wall, and members of the public were invited to add a hand print to the mural as a symbol of their commitment to go green.
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| | Girls Get Active | |
Get in the Game
Chicago teams are opening their fields, stadiums and arenas to Girl Scouts, families, friends and alumnae. Celebrate Girl Scouting with these teams:
Girl Scout Night at the Chicago Sky--June 8, Allstate Arena, Rosemont, IL
 Girls run this game and celebrate Title IX as the Chicago Sky take on the Tulsa Shock. Girls have the opportunity to take on the role of reporter, photographer, media assistant or web blogger. The ticket package is $20 and must be purchased before girls can register for jobs. Click here to learn more. We are also looking for girls to participate in the color guard, and to sing the national anthem at the game. If you are interested in these opportunities, please contact Janelle Romero at jromero@girlscoutsgcnwi.org.
Chicago Rush Arena Football--May 6, Allstate Arena, Rosemont, IL
The Chicago Rush take on the Iowa Barnstormers while holding a special salute to Girl Scouts and volunteers from the area. Girls can take part in pre-game festivities, in-game promotions and exclusive raffles for Rush prizes. Click here for more information on how to register.
Girl Scouts Night at the Chicago Fire Soccer Game--May 12, Toyota Park, Bridgeview, IL
Girl Scouts, family and friends can purchase these tickets at a discounted price. Scouts in attendance will receive a Chicago Fire Scout Patch and can take part in the Warm Up Watchers. Purchase tickets online using the password "Fire".
Girl Scouts Night at the Chicago Cubs--Aug. 27, Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
Specially priced tickets allow Girl Scouts, family, friends and alumnae to watch the Chicago Cubs take on the Milwaukee Brewers. All participants will receive a commemorative patch and the first 1,000 participants will be able to take part in the pre-game parade on the warning track. Visit our website for ticket ordering information.
Make sure to keep up-to-date with all of our exciting Girl Scout programs and events with our online calendar.
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| | Shop Around | |
It's Bridging Time
 It's time to pick up your troop's year end and bridging supplies. Bridging kits are an easy option for leaders of all levels. These convenient kits contain all the items needed to advance to the next Girl Scout program level, along with bridging certificates and a colorful envelope. Just add each girl's name to the front of the envelope and you're ready for your bridging ceremony! The kits range from $5.50 to $6 depending on level, and they are available in stores and our online shop. Discounted Prices Continue  We've extended our sale on Girl's Guides to Girl Scouting for every age level! All locations are well stocked and the sale price will continue while our discounted supplies last. Now is the perfect time for bridging leaders and girls to pick up copies for next fall. The Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting is now available on our online shop at the $16.85 sale price. Place your order for pickup in one of our six convenient locations or have it shipped to you (additional shipping charges will apply). Visit our online shop now! Journey Packs are Available 
Journey Packs are a great way to get girls ready for next fall. Each kit comes with all of the basic components - one journey book and a Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting. The kit also comes with a free journey backpack in your choice of black, blue, pink or purple. Get your journey packs now and enjoy the great sale price of $16.85 on the Girls Guide to Girl Scouting.
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Don't Forget...
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The Rainy Season is Upon Us
April showers will soon be pouring and that means the ground at our camps will be very soft and muddy. Our property team would like to offer a few tips to make your stay at camp a pleasurable one.
- Please do not drive or park on the grass.
- Bring boots or extra shoes that you won't mind getting dirty.
- Don't forget the bug repellent.
- Outdoor activities may be cancelled, so bring your "Rainy Day Box of Fun."
For everyone's safety, always obey the posted speed limits at camps. If there is no posted speed limit, please keep to a standard of 5 mph.
Camps Available for All Occasions
If you are having trouble choosing the site for your next great outing or party, click here to discover all that our facilities have to offer. To check site availability, contact the property registrar at property@girlscoutsgcnwi.org
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| | About Us | | |
Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana
20 S. Clark, Suite 200
Chicago, Illinois 60603
1-855-ILOVEGS
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