PATHWAYS is distributed monthly to volunteers of Girl Scouts of Gateway Council, Inc. 

For more information regarding Pathways, contact the Communications Director 

Girls have taken their initial cookie orders, and are following up with customers to remind them when cookies will be delivered.  As girls follow up with customers, it's a great time to also ask if they would like to add to their initial order. Additional cookies will be available to troops after they have received the initial order from the Service Unit Cookie Manager. For more information on picking up initial troop orders and distributing cookies to parents, please see pages 13 and 14 of the 2012 Cookie Program Volunteer Guide.

Credit Cards at Cookie Booths

Last year several Girl Scout Councils piloted a Mobile Payment Processing Program (MPPP) that allowed troops to accept credit cards at cookie booths.  Participating troops reported a 13% increase in sales!  We are pleased to offer our troops this exciting opportunity.  All troops are eligible to participate in the MPPP, however participation is not mandatory.  Interested troops must submit a Participation Agreement Form the Council's Product Sales Team by Feb. 10. 

Special Drawing for Girls

By participating in the Cookie Sale, girls are eligible to be entered in a special drawing for a $50 Wal-Mart Gift Card, an iPod Touch, or a Wii Game Package.  Troop Cookie Managers were given full details on the special drawing in January. 

In commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of Girl Scouting in the USA, Girl Scouts of Gateway Council and the Ritz Theatre and Museum present an exhibit celebrating the people and places that shaped Girl Scouting in the African American community in Northeast Florida. Featuring materials from the Gateway Council historical collection, including photos, documents, vintage handbooks and uniforms, the exhibit highlights the origins of the Girl Scout movement within the African American community in Duval County, the campaign for Camp Chanyata, and the individuals and organizations whose courage, confidence, and character made Girl Scouting possible for girls through the decades.

The exhibit will open with a Celebration Reception at the Ritz Theatre and Museum, Monday, March 5, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The reception will feature additional Girl Scout materials on display that evening only, a chance to visit with members of the Girl Scout community, music and refreshments. There is no charge for the reception, but reservations are required. RSVP to jhirshan@girlscouts-gateway.org or call Julie at 904-421-3486.

After March 5, the exhibit will be open during regular museum hours: Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Regular museum entrance fees apply. Guided tours for groups of 25 or more are available. Call 904-632-5555, ext. 228 or visit www.ritzjacksonville.com.

Sponsored by 

Saturday's celebration begins at 10:30. Spend the day celebrating your way. There will be entertainment all day long at the stage in the Great Pasture. You can go for a swim at the Aquatics Center, try your hand at archery or take a hike on the newly built Dolly Day trail. You won't want to miss out on the many activities for all ages at four Destinations:

• Girl Scouts Past, Present & Future
• GEMS (Girls in Engineering, Math and Science)
• Sports & Recreation
• Healthy Living

The fun doesn't stop there. As the day comes to a close, those camping will have time to grab a bite to eat before the evening is set aglow by you and your sister Girl Scouts.

Girl Scout Daisies and Brownies may camp for one of the two nights (either Friday or Saturday night). Girl Scout Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors may camp one or two nights.

 Cost:

Saturday Only                           $12.00

Friday night/Saturday            $14.00

Saturday/Saturday night       $14.00

Friday-Sunday                           $17.00

Cost includes the event patch.

This once-in-a-lifetime celebration is one you don't want to miss. 

Registration closes March 31st. To register call 904.384.4475 or select your session here.

HELP US PLAN - in order to assure we order enough supplies and patches, please complete this QUICK SURVEY so we can get an idea of how many of us will be there!   

Annual Meeting and Friendship Celebration

Saturday, February 11, 2012

The 2012 Annual Meeting and Friendship Celebration is a time to reflect upon the successes of the council and will honor adult volunteers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. This exciting event will take place at the Thrasher-Horne Center in Orange Park, from 9am until noon. 

Directions to Thrasher-Horne Center

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Spring Constituency Meetings

Have Your Say!

Cadette, Senior, Ambassador Girl Scouts and adult members of Girl Scouts of Gateway Council are invited to attend any one of five scheduled Constituency Engagement meetings. Delegates are asked to make a special effort to participate. The Spring Meeting agenda includes a report from the National Council Session and a discussion of potential changes to council policies affecting operational volunteers. Face to Face meetings are scheduled in Jacksonville and Gainesville, as well as several opportunities to participate in virtual meetings by phone and or by web.

Constituency Meeting Schedule

Sunday 2/26   2:00 PM - Jacksonville 

Thursday 3/1   6:30 PM - Gainesville

Tuesday 3/6   7:15 PM  - Virtual

Wednesday 3/7   7:15 PM - Virtual

Thursday 3/8    7:15 PM - Virtual

Instructions for connecting by phone and/or web for Virtual Meetings:

1. First time participants need to download Genesys Meeting Center from www.genesys.com/go 

 2. Enter your personal Meeting Number and PIN when prompted  Meeting Number 5795068

3  If you only want to connect by phone, or If your computer doesn't have speakers or voice, you must also dial 1 888 583 1347  and enter meeting number *5795068*  (preceded and followed by the * key)

 Saturday, April 14, 2012     6-10 p.m 

Campion Courtyard at Episcopal School, Jacksonville

Girl Scouts Alumnae Luncheon  

March 12, 2012

Retired Girl Scout alumnae are invited to a lunch and 100th anniversary celebration on Monday, March 12 at Cypress Village in Jacksonville. There is no charge for the lunch, but advance reservations are required. Contact Linda Hull at 904-421-3484 or lhull@girlscouts-gateway.org for more information. 

Girl Scouts Forever Green 

March 31, 2012

Girl Scouts of Gateway Council will participate in
Girl Scouts Forever Green Earth Hour,
8:30 - 9:30 pm March 31, 2012. 

Check out the Girl Scouts Forever Green Earth Hour Website for tips on how to participate - sign up for mobile alerts when new information is available, and take the Forever Green pledge!   

Kateri is a Magical Place

Campfires, s'mores, songs, and swimming set the tone for a summer filled with fun, friends, and-perhaps most importantly-freedom. 

At Kateri, girls are free from the pressures of school; they are free from the ties of technology; and yes, they are free from their parents. These freedoms create a safe environment in which girls explore and grow. Guided by young adult women, campers gain so much:

• Social skills-campers bond with other girls, learn how to live in a group, and become better problem-solvers.
• Self confidence-girls gain independence as they take care of their own personal needs, and become leaders as they make decisions that affect the entire group.
• Respect for nature-surrounded by pines, gopher tortoises, and natural lakes, girls have a chance to unplug from the constant chatter of today's technology.
• Physical activity through engaging activities-from archery to swimming, and all-camps to night hikes, girls stay active throughout the week.
• New friends and role models-campers connect with each other and with their counselors, forming bonds that last well beyond the summer season.

The best part is that camp is so much fun, girls don't even realize how much they've gained until after the fact, when they're looking back on all of their wonderful memories. For more information about the benefits of camp, visit www.campparents.org.

Program Highlights

Kateri is gearing up for a fabulous summer of fantastic sessions. Here are some of the options girls have this summer!

• Daisies and Brownies can splash around in Little Mermaids, dance the days away in Dazzling Dancers, and explore the cool side of summer in Penguins and Polar Bears.
• Juniors can discover Lost Empires and the wonders of Ooey Gooey fun! Or, they might solve puzzles in The Erratic Iretak Games and stay up late in Moonlight Mayhem.
• Cadettes and Seniors can explore surfing and scuba with Waves and Weights, or paddle down a river with other Krazy Kayakers! May the best team win during Survivor Challenge and The Amazing Race-it won't be easy!
• Ambassadors can wrestle wild waters as River Wranglers and let their leadership skills flourish as Counselors in Training!
• Juniors, Cadettes, and Seniors can also experience the fun of horseback riding! We now offer both beginner and intermediate programs!

Check out the brochure for more awesome session choices! Questions? Contact the Camp Director at 904.406.7102. See you at camp!

Here is a sneak peak at the exciting programs  

you will find featured on the Spring DISCOVER postcard! 

Aquatics - Girl Scout Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors spend a weekend learning about their choice of activity: sailing, archery, kayaking, canoeing, kitchen or nurse's aide. Camp Kateri May 11-13 and May 18-20. Registration opens February 15.

Discover San Agustin - open to all Girl Scouts. Sixth grade Girl Scout docents show you how girls lived in the 18th century. Ximenez-Fatio features 7th and 8th grade Girl Scouts reenacting life at the Ximenez-Fatio Boarding House. This event is open to all Girl Scouts.  Both events March 31. 

Archery is offered twice in the spring, February 25 (registration is open) and April 14 (registration opens February 15).

Also back by popular demand at the North Fork Leadership Center:

Daisy Dad Fishing Saturday, May 12, Geocaching March 17, and Astronomy every month.

Check out all of the DISCOVER activities on our website.

Adult Learning Opportunities

Have you checked out the spring edition of the Adult Learning Opportunities Book lately? If not, you should. We have several opportunities for enrichment classes to help you serve girls! Choose from topics such as Conflict Resolution, What to do Instead of Screaming, Understanding Journeys, Time Management, or Swaps and Traditions. Some classes are offered in person, most by teleconference or webinar.  

Taking a Troop Trip?  

Taking your girls on a troop trip is an exciting adventure. Having adequate training can assist you with the skills needed to insure your trip is successful.

You have several options. If your troop is planning an overnight in a home, church hall or hotel with little or no group cooking then the Taking Trips with Girls training would be adequate. This training is available as an online class on our website that can be taken from the comfort of your home.

It is possible that your troop is planning to camp in cabins, tents, or a lodge and cook outside on a propane stove or over an open fire, for this type of activity you would then need to attend a Basic Troop Camp Certification.

Information on all of these trainings is in the Adult Learning Opportunity Book and our website's Adult Learning Opportunities page.  

National Federation of Catholic Youth Ministry Update

Girl Scouts USA's new President and CEO Anna Maria Chavez and National Board President Connie Lindsey met recently with representatives from the National Federation of Catholic Youth Ministry and the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. The meeting was extremely positive and included the following commitments: 

• Renewed Girl Scout support of faith based partnerships including our partnership with the Catholic Church.
• Endorsement of a national plan of action that will be distributed to all Bishops and council CEOs outlining steps for resolving concerns. 
•  Commitment of our national staffs to work together to promote the positive intersections of our youth development programs.
• Commitment to work together as we review Girl Scout program material to make sure that it is age level and subject matter appropriate.
• A communications strategy that more quickly and successfully addresses negative attacks and more proactively communicates our positive positions on what we do for girls.
• Commitment to work together to address real or perceived relationships with organizations that may take positions that are counter to the beliefs and practices of the Catholic Church. 

Material Review

At Anna Maria's direction, a review process has been launched that will cover all GSUSA produced program material and web content. The review will include a check on references (books, movies, etc.), individuals, and complaints that have been posted on anti-Girl Scout websites.

The goal is for balance and GSUSA will not respond to every complaint they receive. For example: 

• They have been asked to remove the names of key players in the history of the Women's Movement, like Betty Freidan, and they will not do that.
• They have removed all references to the Women's Media Center because of direct links to Planned Parenthood. They have not removed references to Carol Jenkins, a founder of that organization. Ms. Jenkins was the first African-American woman to anchor for a national news network.

Journey Replacement Pages and Reprints

As a result of the conversation with representatives from the Catholic Church, two revisions were suggested. Additionally, GSUSA identified some other references that were either not age appropriate, or may have included references to other materials that were not thought to be appropriate after initial printing. Ten suggested replacement pages have been posted on the GSUSA website and are outlined and linked to from this document - including links to revisions that may be printed as labels and trimmed to fit book pages. We are updating the books currently in use at the service centers and those for sale in the Girl Scout Store. Volunteers may wish to update pages for books in your possession, and /or make troop parents aware that alternate versions of these pages are available for update. 

Do you love s'mores? We do too! This year, we're looking for delicious, creative s'more combinations-and we'd like to see your ideas! We're hosting a contest with a pretty sweet prize: a free registration to either "Cooking with Fire" (entering 4th and 5th grades) or "Top Chef Kateri" (entering 6th-8th grades).

Entries may be submitted on the GSGC Facebook Page OR emailed to Ritz at ecarlson@girlscouts-gateway.org (and Ritz will post them on Facebook to show them off).

Entries must:

1)   be an original idea created by a current GSGC girl member who will be entering 4th-8th grade for the 2012-2013 school year.

2)   include a photo and ingredient list.

3)   include girl's first name and last initial ONLY. Please no full names.

4)   include a marshmallow as an ingredient.

5)   be submitted by 11:59pm, March 2, 2012. 

Entries will be judged by a committee, which will focus on creativity and delectability. The winner will be announced on March 6. So put on your chef's hat and whip out some marshmallows - let's make the world s'more delicious!

The Girl Scout Research Institute released its latest research study, Real to Me: Girls and Reality TV, at an event titled "Behind the Scenes: Girls and Reality TV," hosted by Edelman Worldwide on October 12, 2011, in New York City. A panel of experts in media and reality TV discussed the impact of reality TV on girls in light of the new research findings, which show that:

• Real-life reality shows such as Jersey Shore and competition-based shows such as American Idol were most popular with respondents. Many girls think these programs reflect reality, with 75% saying of competition shows and 50% saying of real-life shows that they are "mainly real and unscripted."
• Girls have both positive and negative perceptions of reality TV; 86% of girls believe reality TV shows often pit girls against each other to make the shows more exciting, while 75% of girls believe reality shows inspire conversations with parents and friends about things that happen on the shows.
• Reality TV viewers appear to accept as real the dramatic aspects of reality TV shows. For example, 78% of regular reality TV viewers think gossiping is a normal part of a relationship between girls, compared to 54% of non-viewers.

Overall, the findings of the study show that reality TV seems to impact girls on a personal and social level. Regular viewers seem to see the world in more confrontational terms and relate to their peers differently than do those who don't watch as much. Reality TV can serve as a learning tool, inspire families to explore new interests and activities, and encourage young people to get involved in social causes.   Read more about the study here!