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Greetings!
 It is hard to believe summer is almost here already, but at Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri, we are prepared with many great opportunities for your girls at our summer camps. At Girl Scout camp, girls learn how to lead other girls, gain new leadership skills and experience a growth in confidence, all while having fun and making new friends. We have an incredibly wide range of camp programs to choose from, so every girl is sure to find something that interests her. We offer science and technology camps, equine camps, theater camps and aquatic camps, just to name a few. We also offer a variety of session lengths so girls can enjoy camp as long as they'd like. We have short sessions, which last 3 days and 2 nights, and one and two week sessions. All girls ages 5-17 are invited to attend our camps, and they don't even have to be Girl Scouts. If you have friends or neighbors whose daughters want something fun to do this summer, they are more than welcome. Register now so your girls can enjoy the many wonderful experiences and opportunities that await them at camp. For a complete list of all of our camps and for registration information, see A Girl Scout Summer. I'd like to thank everyone who participated in our April Showers drive this year. Everyone in the community really pitched in to help, and some Wal-Mart stores even ran out of personal care items because of your generosity at our "Showering the Community" event. Whether you pitched in at Wal-Mart or filled your April Showers bag, you made a huge difference in the lives of those who need a helping hand, and we truly thank you. If you haven't had a chance to donate yet, there is still time. Dierbergs Markets will have donation barrels inside their stores through May 6. Best Wishes, 
Donna K. Martin
CEO, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri
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Annie Malone May Day Parade
 Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri has its very own 100th Anniversary float, which made its debut at the St. Louis Christmas Parade on Thanksgiving Day and was also featured in the St. Patrick's Day Parade. Now we have a new opportunity for your troop to be part of a parade. The Annie Malone May Day Parade will be on Sunday, May 20, in downtown St. Louis.
Girl Scout troops are needed to walk behind the GSEM float. We would like participants to wear a Girl Scout green T-shirt if possible. A Girl Scout sash or vest can be worn over the T-shirt. Troops need to follow adult/girl ratios to participate in this fun activity. Space will be limited, so register early by completing this survey. |
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A Mother's Day Gift as Unique as Your Mom
 Celebrate your mom this Mother's Day with a gift that will last a lifetime. Recognize her by donating $100 to Family Partnership, and you will receive a personalized paving brick, which will be installed at the camp of your choice in 2013 in her honor. To recognize the families who support the Girl Scout mission in 2012 with a gift of $100 or more, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri is promoting the value of philanthropy and honoring your generosity with a Legacy Brick. Each brick is 4x8 inches and may have up to three lines of text.
Keepsake replica baby bricks can also be purchased for $20.
To make your gift to Family Partnership, visit our website, call Fund Development at 314.592.2320, or mail your gift to: Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri PO Box 795226 St. Louis, MO 63179
For more information, go to the Donor tab on our website or call 314.592.2320.
Thank you for leaving a legacy by investing in girls. |
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The BIG Day - Believe in Girls
 Sept. 22, 2012
Join us as we paint downtown St. Louis green - green trefoils in the streets, green water in the fountains and green lights in the trees.
The day begins with a parade and will culminate with our very own flash mob and FamFest at Soldiers Memorial Park. Come enjoy great stage entertainment, activity booths and service projects throughout the day. A celebrity concert tops off The BIG Day, making this the event you won't want to miss. While Girl Scouts are creating this day of green, the entire community is invited to join the fun.
Visit our website to find out more about becoming a VIP for The BIG Day and even more details about the event. Also, find out about volunteering and transportation. Join us for a great day!
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Join the Flash Mob at the BIG Day
 May 29, June 20, July 31, August 22, 6:30 pm @ St. Louis Service Center
Come learn the flash mob dance that will be performed at the BIG Day. Lessons are not mandatory to participate; just be a VIP. The instructional video for the flash mob will be available on our website and YouTube after May 15, so you can learn the dance on your own. Remember, this is about having fun, so dance skills are not important.
We will also be offering lessons in the northern, southern and western areas of our Council. Stay tuned for those dates and locations.
There is limited space in our facility, so you must RSVP to attend the lessons. RSVP to Kathy Adrian, kadrian@girlscoutsem.org. Please include the number of girls attending. We will notify you by email if you are NOT able to attend due to capacity. If you don't receive an email, we'll see you at the lessons. |
The BIG Day Parade
 Sept. 22, 2012
As part of our BIG Day, we're having our own parade. This is our opportunity to tell the Girl Scout story to our community through a parade and afternoon activities.
Make sure your Neighborhood is featured in the parade and assist in telling our story. We want to show our community the unity we have as an organization to celebrate our landmark 100th Anniversary and demonstrate what we give to our community.
In order to feature both Neighborhoods and troops, we wil have a flag brigade. We want to ensure that all of our members participate in The BIG Day first and foremost since it will be a wonderful family day. We want 20,000 Girl Scout members and their families downtown in green shirts. It will be a great way for the entire family to celebrate our anniversary.
We also want our troops and Neighborhoods to celebrate in their own way as part of our grass roots approach to the celebration. The flag brigade is a part of that initiative. Here's how you can get involved:
- Your Neighborhood can participate by purchasing a 100th Anniversary flag at the shop at a discounted price
- Each troop that holds their own 100th Anniversary celebration can then make a streamer to hang on the flag with their troop number and name of the celebration on the streamer, which will be attached to the flag
- Your Neighborhood will then designate two representatives (you might consider holding a contest to select people or you can choose them) to carry your flag in the flag brigade in the parade to represent your Neighborhood
- This unit will be prominently featured in our parade
- You can maintain these flags and proudly display them at future Neighborhood meetings
This is a fun and rewarding way to encourage troops to plan their own centennial year celebration. We hope to see many flags and streamers being carried down Market Street.
For planning purposes, please email Mary Ann Owens, mowens@girlscoutsem.org, and confirm that your Neighborhood will be participating in this exciting initiative. |
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Robotics Re-cap
Congratulations to our 7 JrFLL (kindergarten-3rd grade) teams that participated in showcase events in March and April. The girls were amazing! Each team researched food safety in snacks and built a model incorporating a moving part in the design. Great job Healthy Builders, Electric Brownies, Imagination Building Brownies, Hannibal Becky Bots, Wiztechs, Blockheads and Thing 1 and Thing 2. Two of our FLL (grades 6-8) teams were selected to participate in out of state tournaments. Congratulations to the GEMS who will be competing in the FLL World Invitational Open in Orlando, Florida on May 3-6, 2012. The Neon Electrons will be competing in the FLL North American Open Championship at LEGOLAND - California on May 17-21, 2012. Good luck! For more information on Girl Scout robotics, contact Michelle Currie, 314.592.2376, mcurrie@girlscoutsem.org. |
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Sensitive Issues
Over the past several months there have been stories in the media and on the Internet about the Girl Scouts and the organization's position on sensitive issues and relationships with various organizations. Below you'll find links to several documents that provide information about the topics. For more information about the Journey program and badge resources, please see the Master List/Summary of Material Review. This document discusses the changes and updates made to the Journey and Badge resources. Replacement pages are available at the Girl Scout Shops and Resource Centers in Hannibal and St. Louis. These updates are for books currently in circulation and use. The replacement pages are provided to our members at no cost. The GSUSA-GSEM Comparison is for Member Use ONLY and can be found in the About Us section of the website. The Truth of the Matter Fact Sheet can be found in the About Us section of the website. For additional questions or comments please contact Kathy Dabrowski, Director, Girl Development, 314.592.2324, kdabrowski@girlscoutsem.org, or Kathryn Kiefer, Chief Communications Officer, 314.592.2397, kkiefer@girlscoutsem.org. |
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Centennial Patch Program
 Promise for the Future: 100 Years of Leadership
Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri invites Girl Scouts of all ages to earn a special centennial patch to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Girl Scouting. This patch will be available to purchase in the Girl Scout Shop through March 12, 2013. That gives girls the remainder of this school year and into next to earn this special patch.
Throughout the 100th Anniversary year, GSEM will showcase a variety of fun, interesting activity choices to help girls earn this special patch. Below is an example of one of the Centennial Patch Program activities that girls may choose to do. We hope you and your girls enjoy learning more about Girl Scouting and find the Centennial Patch Program tips helpful.
Connect: Activity 3 Share Your Vision
Juliette Gordon Low, "Daisy," believed she could do anything she set her mind to, and she believed the same was true for all Girl Scouts. Girl Scouts through time have proven her visions true. Daisy wished the girls to learn self-reliance and skills that would help them become successful at home and in their careers. She envisioned girls learning valuable life skills and encouraged them to expand their knowledge of history and nature. She also encouraged them to do a good turn daily and to participate in activities that were not readily available to girls at that time, such as team sports. We have many of these same visions for girls today: to Discover themselves and their values, Connect with others and Take Action to make the world a better place.
Girls and their troops may be planning a spring end of the year event, bridging ceremony or other recognition program to recognize the girls' accomplishments. We encourage you and your girls to take a moment during the recognition program to reflect on what Girl Scouting means to each of you and to share a vision of what Girl Scouting may look like in the future. Share your thoughts through song, dance or arts.
"Girls know your places. They are no mean positions that you are destined to hold. The pages of the history of the future may hold your names in high and honored place. Do well your part today. The work of today is the history of tomorrow, and we are its makers. So let us strive to show just as grand names on the pages yet unwritten as are inscribed on those that we have for our proud inheritance." Source: First Handbook, Page 103
Contacts:
Vivianne Frye-Perry Lucretia Penn Jessica Upchurch
UrbanTeam Suburban Team Rural Team
314.592.2366 314.592.2337 314.592.2359 |
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Girl Scout Bronze, Silver and Gold Award Web Pages
 For current information check out the GSEM Award web Pages: You'll find FAQs, definitions of take action projects, girl and adult award guidelines and award related forms. Correction GSEM Girl Scout Gold Award Newsletter 2011-2012 Special points of interest p.1; 2nd paragraph:
KEEP: "To be able to use the old program, Studio 2B Go For It! you must have completed the prerequisites by Sept 30, 2011." REMOVE: and will complete your project by Sept. 30, 2012. Contact: Joyce Rich, Girl Scout Bronze, Silver and Gold Award Staff Advisor, 314.592.2360, jrich@girlscoutsem.org |
Girl Scout Shop
Enjoy special pricing on the GSEM Centennial Promise for the Future poster during the month of May. It makes a great gift idea for the Girl Scout mom on your Mother's Day shopping list. Throughout May, posters are marked down to $7.
Take advantage of the extended sale on all levels of the Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting. We have extended the sale price of $16.85 through May 31. You will save $5.65 per book.
St. Louis GS Shop Regular Hours: Monday & Friday 9 am-4:30 pm Tuesday-Thursday 9 am-6:30 pm
Select Saturday Hours - Open 10 am-2 pm May 12 & 19, September 8 & 15
Hannibal GS Shop Regular Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 am-5 pm Extended hours 8:30 am-6:30 pm on Thursdays through May 24
Select Saturday Hours - Open 8:30 am-noon May 12, September 8 |
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All Ages
 Missouri Department of Conservation
May 12, 10 am-2 pm @ Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, 11715 Cragwold Dr., Kirkwood 63122
Scout Discovery Table: Exhibits and activities will help Girl Scouts of all ages earn portions of badges relating to nature or wildlife. Activities can usually be completed in 45 minutes. No reservation required. |
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 Journey Program Activities
See below for exciting new resources from Girl Scouts of the USA that connect to the Journey books.
Eco Dream House
Design your eco dream house. This new digital program enables girls to design a house - from the outside in- and simultaneously see how green their decisions are. It's a great tie to the Get Moving! Journey for Juniors - and really to every Journey in the It's Your Planet series.
Journey with Even More Healthy Habits
Throughout the Journeys, girls are encouraged to eat healthy snacks and stay active - that's an important message we want all girls to get. In partnership with the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation, three "healthy habits" booklets have been developed for volunteers to use in conjunction with their Journey Adult Guides. The booklets are posted on www.girlscouts.org or can be downloaded here for free.
GIRLtopia and Justice
GSUSA is looking for examples of the projects girls are doing on the GIRLtopia and Justice Leadserhip Journeys. What are girls doing to earn their Visionary awards on GIRLtopia? What is their equation for Justice? Send your examples to Jessica Upchurch, jupchurch@girlscoutsem.org.
For more information or to request a copy of one of the resources, please contact Jessica Upchurch, 314.592.2359, jupchurch@girlscoutsem.org. |
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 Scout Days at Six Flags St. Louis
May 19-20 @ Six Flags St. Louis
Join other scouts for special Scout Days at Six Flags. Girl Scouts can have a great day of fun for just $16.
Make a weekend of the fun by having a sleepover at Holiday Inn Six Flags for just $89 + tax per room. Guests will enjoy a free shuttle to and from Six Flags, and kids ages 12 and under eat free. The hotel also has an indoor pool with game area.
To reserve your space, call 800.782.8108. |
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Grades 1-3  God and Me Lark
June 23, 8 am-4 pm @ Mount Zion United Methodist Church, 1485 Craig Rd. 63146
$10 per girl (paid in cash the day of the event) includes an event patch and all materials Girls in grades 1-3 who are members of Protestant and Independent Churches are invited to attend the God and Me Lark on June 23. Girls will be responsible for ordering their own God and Me awards after the workshop because they are required to present their work to their own pastor for final approval. Girls will complete the requirements to earn the "God and Me" award. They will make a GAMEBox, and after each Bible lesson, they will make a game to add to their GSMEBox. Please RSVP by June 1 to Tara Mooney at mooneyta@swbell.net to reserve your spot. Provide the following: Name of Girl Scout Name of parent/guardian Phone number Parent email Church (name of congregation and your denomination) A confirmation email will be sent along with some assignments that need to be done BEFORE coming to the God and Me Lark. We are also looking for adults/parents to help teach and for older girls to serve as counselor aides. Training will be provided on June 16. Contact: Tara Mooney, 314.878.2381, mooneyta@swbell.net. |
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Grades 4-8  Build a Bot Workshop
May 7, 5:30-7:30 pm @ St. Louis Service Center, $10 per girl
Do you know girls who love science and technology? A robotics program may be for them. This is their chance to check out the world of robotics at this fun, hands-on workshop. Girls will work as a team to build and program a robot, then put it to the test in a fun competition against another team. Space is limited, so register today in the Members Only section of our website or via the Individual Program Application found in the spring 2012 issue of Inspire Leader Program Bulletin. Contact Michelle Currie, 314.592.2376, mcurrie@girlscoutsem.org. |
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Grades 6-8  Me and the Media - Space is limited, so register now!
July 8-10, 6 pm Sunday-6 pm Tuesday @ Saint Louis University, 63108
$130 Grades 5-7 in 2011-12 school year Submit: Individual Program Application by June 6 This journey is all about you and your relationship with this great, big multimedia world. As you explore how all the media stories get shaped, you'll see how those stories can shape your thoughts and feelings about yourself, your community and your world, all while earning one Journey Award. The chance to put some real "ME" in the media is here at this overnight adventure at the dorms of SLU. Enjoy a dinner out, a Muny production, a backstage tour and Ted Drew's. Contact Emily Ficker, 314.592.2341, eficker@girlscoutsem.org |
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 Acing Middle School: An aMAZEing Adventure - Register now
July 29-31, 6 pm Sunday-6 pm Tuesday @ Truman State University, Kirksville 63501
$130 Grades 5-7 in 2011-12 school year
Submit: Individual Program Application by June 15
Navigate the twists and turns of getting along in middle school and in life by being a leader. Explore everything from making good first impressions to making genuine, long-lasting friendships, from peer pressure to no pressure to passing it forward. It is all here in this overnight adventure at the dorms at Truman State University in Kirksville. Enjoy swimming, dinner out and more, and you'll even earn one Journey Award.
Contact Emily Ficker, 314.592.2341, eficker@girlscoutsem.org |
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Grades 6-12
 Connections
Check our website for the spring issue of Connections. Also, be sure to like GSEM Connections on Facebook for updates and opportunitiies for older Girl Scouts. |
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Grades 7-12  Microsoft Digi-Girlz Camp
August 7-8, 8:30 am-4 pm daily @ St. Louis Science Center
Microsoft is offering a FREE camp for girls in grades 7-12. The camp runs 8:30 am-4 pm daily and includes breakfast and lunch. During the camp, girls will participate in hands-on workshops, network, listen to women in technology and executive speakers, participate in technology tours and workshops and have fun. Space is limited. Contact Olivia at the St. Louis Science Center, 314.289.1418, for more information. |
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Grades 8-11  Project U A recent study revealed 40 percent of girls are not sure if they are cut out to be a leader. At GSEM, we're devoted to helping girls realize their potential. Girls in grades 9-12 in fall 2012 are invited to attend Project U, a wonderful new leadership series. The program will kick off June 28-July 1 on the St. Louis University campus. In the mail this week is an invitation and application form for girls who are interested in attending this unique program. Formerly Camp CEO, the Project U leadership series will give girls the opportunity to continue the Project U experience through participation in quarterly leadership sessions designed especially for them. Working with professional women mentors from a variety of professions, girls will experience leadership in a new way. Find out more information about the program, and register now! Contact Michelle Johnson, 314.592.2344, mjohnson@girlscoutsem.org. |
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Grades 8-12  Pax Lodge Time is running out to submit your application for GSEM's travel opportunity to Pax Lodge in London. Applications and reference forms are due to the Council office by May 15. Contact Jessica Upchurch, 314.592.2359, jupchurch@girlscoutsem.org |
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Grades 9-12  Campus Life - A Look into College
Campus Life on June 1, 9 am-2:30 pm @ Maryville University
Join us at Maryville University in St. Louis for an exciting college prep program designed for girls and their parents. This program offers access to information about preparing for college personally and financially from professionals who can help girls and parents make important decisions and provide an early start in planning for the future. Girl Scouts University Road Trip on June 15-17 You are invited to jump on the bus and join us for a university road trip to visit Missouri Western State University. For $160, girls will sleep in dorms and eat in a university cafeteria, take an admissions tour, meet students, visit the planetarium, visit the local town of St. Joseph and experience other fun things as you sample campus life. Financial assistance is available. More information including a registration form will be mailed to girls currently in grades 8-12. Contact Lucretia Penn, 314.592.2337, lpenn@girlscoutsem.org. |
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 Troop Outcomes Survey
We all know that Girl Scouting helps girls lead with courage, confidence and character to make the world a better place. Troop Leaders can help us tell the story by completing the 2012 Troop Outcomes survey with the Girl Scouts in their troops. The survey will be live until June 1, 2012. |
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 FIRST® Robotics Information Session - Date Change
May 21, 5:30-6:30 pm @ St. Louis Service Center
This is a special opportunity to learn more about the FIRST® Robotics programs and how you can get your troop involved. Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri sponsored teams this season through special grant funding. The information session has been moved to Monday, May 21. We are looking to expand the program in 2012-13 to include high scool aged girls.
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 Small Craft Safety & Basic Water Rescue Class - Registration Now Available
Registration is now available for the American Red Cross Small Craft Safety & Basic Water Rescue classes available at both Camps Fiddlecreek and Tuckaho this summer.
Basic Water Rescue - $55
Learn skills necessary to prevent, recognize and respond to many types of aquatic emergencies.
Dates: May 25, 8 am-noon @ Tuckaho or June 23, 8 am-noon @ Fiddlecreek
Small Craft Safety: Canoeing - $55
Learn basic safety guidelines for canoeing, basic flat water paddling strokes, trip planning, self-rescue and non-swimming rescues for aquatic emergencies. Basic Water Rescue is included in thie course.
Dates: May 25, 8 am-5 pm @ Tuckaho or June 23, 8 am-5 pm @ Fiddlecreek
Small Craft Safety: Sailing - $55
Learn basic safety guidelines for sailing, trip planning, self-rescue and non-swimming aquatic emergencies. Basic Water Rescue is included in the course.
Date: May 25, 8 am-5 pm @ Tuckaho
Small Craft Safety: Moving Water - $75
Learn basic safety guidelines for canoeing on a river. Course is held in two parts, begininning with classroom work at camp and then an off-site river float.
Date: June 24, 9 am-5 pm @ Fiddlecreek
To register, visit the Members Only section of our website, or, if Internet access is not available, please fill out and mail in the Adult Education Registration Card found in Course Catalog.
Questions? Contact Zakiyyah Kitab, 314.592.2329, zkitab@girlscoutsem.org |
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 Have You Saved a Life Today?
Each year, the American Red Cross teaches lifesaving skills to over 700 GSEM volunteers. Creating a safe environment for nearly 58,000 girls annually is only possible through the help of people like you.
We need volunteers to take the American Red Cross Instructor training as soon as possible to ensure that there are enough trainers to certify our Leaders as Level I or Level II First Aiders. Help make a difference in people's lives by teaching First Aid and CPR/AED to Girl Scout Leaders.
Click here for more information and dates the training will take place.
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 New Link! Attention All Parents of Girl Scout Daisies and Daisy Troop Leaders
Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri (GSEM) is embarking on a long-term research project designed to measure the outcomes of Girl Scouting for girls over several years. We are inviting parents to enroll their Girl Scout Daisies in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Leaders of Daisy troops are asked to provide the following information to the parents of girls in their troops. Dear Parent/Guardian, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri and Girl Scouts of the USA invite your daughter to be a Girl Scout Voice and to share her experiences about Girl Scouting through a brand new research project. GSEM is embarking on a long-term study of the benefits of Girl Scouting, and we'd like to have your daughter participate. The purpose of this project is to understand what your daughter is doing and learning through Girl Scouts and to identify how she benefits over the long term. By completing these online surveys, your daughter will help us tell the story of the Girl Scout experience for all girls.
- Please note that your daughter's information on these surveys is secure and confidential. Your daughter will not receive any sales or marketing contact as a result of her participation, and Council staff and volunteers will not be able to see her individual responses to questions. We will see the information compiled across all girls who take the surveys. Information on the Girl Scout data use policy may be found at www.girlscouts.org/research/data_use_policy.asp
- There will be incentives for Girl Scoust as they complete the surveys. Once your daughter is registered, she will receive invitations to participate in online surveys later this spring as well as in future years. She may accept or refuse to participate in these surveys as she wishes. We're counting on girls like your daughter to help make Girl Scouts a BETTER PLACE FOR ALL GIRLS! If you have questions about this project, please contact Kathy White, Director, Research and Evaluation, 314.592.2389, kwhite@girlscoutsem.org.
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ABOUT GIRL SCOUTS OF EASTERN MISSOURI
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 GSEM is a proud United Way member and is supported by the following United Way Agencies: United Way of Greater St. Louis, United Way of the Mark Twain Area, United Way of Adair County/Northeast Missouri, United Way of St. Francois County, Franklin County Area United Way.
Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri is committed to building girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. www.girlscoutsem.org
800.727.GIRL[4475] |
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