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Spotlight
Girl Scout Camp Jam finalists take the stage again!
Take a back-stage peek at finalists from this summer's Girl Scout Camp Jam rehearsing the National Anthem for last week's Philadelphia Force fast-pitch softball game in Allentown. Sixth-grader McKenzie Hall of Bethlehem, 7th-grader Katie Pullman of Churchville, and 5th-grader Julia Richter of Phoenixville wowed the crowd to kick-off the game. Come Be a Kid Again!
"Make new friends but keep the old" at the annual Adult Camping Weekend August 14-16 at Camp Tweedale in Oxford (Chester County), and there's still time to register! The event is one of the Council's most beloved traditions for Scouting alumnae and any adult who remains a Girl Scout at heart. Dine on home-cooked cuisine, sip smoothies by the pool, have breakfast with GSEP CEO Ann Meredith, and enjoy s'mores and sing-alongs around the campfire. Download the registration form or contact Carla Hickey at chickey@gsep.org or 888.664.9770, ext. 1505 for more information. |
Announcements
Casting Call for Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors!
GSEP recently produced a "Girls Empowered" video, to raise awareness, drive membership and orient new parents, volunteers and employees throughout the Council region. A second version of the video is in production to focus on the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, and 10 Cadette, Senior and Ambassador Scouts are invited to participate in a video shoot on August 26 at Shelly Ridge Service Center. The camera is looking for upbeat, high-energy girls to describe what courage, confidence and character mean to them, and the leadership skills they have gained through Scouting. Interested girls should send their photos to GSEP Creative Director Rosemarie Jones at rjones@gsep.org. All candidates will be interviewed for the final cut. Both videos will be adapted for 30- and 60-second Public Service Announcements for distribution to regional broadcast stations and translated into Spanish.
Scholarships Available for Annual PA Governor's Conference for Women!
Rethink. Resolve. Renew. That is the theme for the 2009 PA Governor's Conference for Women, being held on Thursday, September 17 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Center City Philadelphia. GSEP has scholarships for 150 of its Scouts to attend! Among the prominent keynote speakers is Suze Orman, one of America's most recognized experts on personal finance. The agenda offers programs for everyone, including leadership development, healthy and happy living, multiculturalism, and a Respect Rally program just for young women. Scholarships will be offered first to Scouts from Cadette, Senior and Ambassador troops that participated in the Council's 2008 Scout the Vote! program. Discounted Mother & Daughter registration packages are also available. To pursue scholarship registration for your Scouts, contact Cheryl Baker by August 17 at cbaker@gsep.org or 610.791.2411, ext. 1508.
New Property Registration Software Coming Soon
Beginning September 8, troops and service units wishing to reserve campsites will be able to register through E-Council. Until then, troops who wish to apply for campsite rental can do so by completing and mailing a paper application form, available on the GSEP website. Conntact Rosemary Azeff at razeff@gsep.org or 215.564.2030, ext. 1054.
Customer Service Update
GSEP continues our commitment to improving customer service and we need your help! Because we value your opinions and need your ideas, GSEP will launch a new customer service survey in late August. The survey will be posted on our website, and a link will be available in eNews. We hope you'll take a few minutes to answer some questions. Together, we can continue to improve our customer service to better meet your needs and serve our girls. For customer service questions and concerns, contact Mary Novak, Customer Relations Manager, at mnovak@gsep.org or 610.791.2411 ext. 1530.
GSEP Green Operations Team is a 'GO'
Did you know that GSEP has a "GO" Team--a Green Operations Team? This team is committed to reducing the Council's carbon footprint by 15 percent in the next three years to make the world a better place. The "GO" Team has already made a number of improvements--such as eliminating paper cups, installing recycling bins that correspond to area collection guidelines, and replacing standard light switches and fixtures with motion sensors--and will continue to look for ways to reduce, reuse and recycle. The "GO" Team is in the process of calculating the Council's current carbon footprint so we can more accurately measure our progress. Last April the "GO" team coordinated its first GSEP Earth Day Project and is committed to coordinating one Council-wide event each year. Stay tuned for details about next year's event.
Mark your calendars!
GSEP has scheduled many of its 2009-10 membership year events, so mark your calendars:
- November 15: North Silver Awards, The Hill School, Pottstown
- November 22: South Silver Awards, The Hilton, City Line Ave.
- January 30: Young Women's Leadership Conference (sponsored by Independence Blue Cross, location = TBA
- March 13: Emerging Leaders Conference, location = TBA
- April 24: Product Sales Luncheon, Pine Crest Country Club, Chalfont
- April 24: North Gold Awards, The Holiday Inn, Fogelsville
- May 8: South Gold Awards, Marriott, West Conshohocken
- May 22: Annual Meeting / Adult Recognition Awards, location = TBA
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GSEP in the News
Chester County Scout Earns One of the Nation's
Highest Honors for Youth
The Kennett Paper reported that Stephanie Kalena Bernasconi, a Scout with Troop 4619 under the leadership of Kathy Harrison from the Brandywine Service Unit (Chester County), was presented with the Congressional Gold Medal Award at a ceremony in Washington, DC on June 25. The Award was established in 1979 to recognize initiative, service and achievement in young people and is presented to only a handful of young men and women each year. Stephanie received advisement for her remarkable achievement from her troop leader, Kathy.
Enterprising Scout turns to the Editor for her Silver support
Lauren Murphy, a Girl Scout Cadette with Troop 5238, wrote a letter to the Editor of the Garnet Valley Press in Glen Mills (Chester County), inviting youngsters ages 3 to 5 to attend a one-week dance camp she has organized in pursuit of her Silver Award. One of Lauren's fellow Scouts will provide arts and crafts activities for all camp registrants.
The beauty of helping others
Allison Nicinski and Julia Sinkbeil from Troop 94304 in Lopatcong Township (Lehigh County) showed off sporty styles after trimming more than 8 inches of their hair for the Pantene Beautiful Lengths program, which makes wigs for men and women battling cancer. Easton's Express-Times published the girls' adorable photograph.
Learning the Hula was only part of these girls' Summer Camp experience
Campers at Polanka Park in Bensalem (Bucks County) enjoyed a jam-packed experience last month, when they learned about Hawaiian culture (including how to hula!), basic first aid and native Lenape Indians, made Girl Scout strawberry sun jam and conducted a service project to benefit the Women's Humane Society for the prevention of cruelty to animals. The Northeast Times (serving Northeast Philadelphia) and The Inquirer's My Community website reported on the camp, which is operated by volunteers under the solid leadership of Knights Service Unit Manager and longtime leader of Troop 91229 Dot Michaels and volunteer
Pat Hutz. |
Program Corner
Mosey Wood Family Camp returns!
Labor Day Weekend Family Camp has returned to Camp Mosey Wood, September 4-7, and there's still time to register! Family camping is a weekend of fun and relaxation for all ages-from parents to siblings, grandparents to cousins, and every other member of your extended family. Everyone can join in games, swimming, boating, fishing, hiking and crafts. Meals are provided in the Dining Hall, and water-activities are supervised by lifeguards. Adults must supervise children throughout the weekend, and one adult registration is required for every three children. Cost per person is $55. For more information, contact Sharon Pirelli at spirelli@gsep.org, or 215.564.2030, ext. 1037. She and Me
Join the fun! Spend two nights at Camp Wood Haven September 18-20, enjoying a sampling of activities including hiking, crafts, games, dancing and spending special time together. Activities will be offered for all different age levels, including archery, low ropes and the climbing wall. All meals will be provided in the Dining Hall, as well as snacks and program materials. Campers can perform a skit or song at the Saturday night campfire, and participants will earn a special event patch and decorate their own t-shirts to take home. The event is open to any registered Girl Scout and her registered female adult (one adult to every one to two girls). The cost is $45 per person. Contact Michele Bement at mbement@gsep.org or 610.791.2411, ext. 1603. A Passport to China
GSEP is partnering with the Main Line Chinese Culture Center to bring girls this fun and interactive event on Saturday, September 12 at the Valley Forge Program Center. Through arts and crafts and other activities, Daisies and Brownies will learn about China, the world's largest populated country, and their growing interactions with Americans. Each girl will receive a "passport" so she can share her journey with family and friends. The cost of this event is $10. Contact Tracey Andrews at tandrews@gsep.org or 610.933.7555, ext. 1425. Green Scout Kick Off
GreenFest Philly is an annual one-day street fair on Sunday, September 13 in Center City Philadelphia. Last year, more than 200 exhibitors and 25,000 people attended the area's largest environmental event. Girls are invited to sign up to volunteer and can choose a morning shift to help set-up for the festival to see how a large-scale event comes together. Afternoon shifts are also available, when Scouts will teach festival attendees about recycling at the GreenFest stations. This is the perfect time to find ideas for a green community project (especially for participation in the second and third events in Green Scouts Take Action). The program is free and is open to girls from Juniors to Ambassadors. Sign up on E-Council. For more information, contact Amy Hollaman at ahollaman@gsep.org or 215.564.2030, ext. 1106. Weekend by the Water
Water fun for everyone! Stay at Hidden Falls September 25-27, during the best season to experience the beauty of the Poconos on Sunset Lake. Canoe, funyak, and hike to the falls. Campfires end the evening on Saturday. Saturday meals, snacks, and Sunday breakfast will be provided. Troops are required to have a troop camp trained adult and a First Aider. The cost is $40 per person. Sign up on E-Council. Contact Jodi Saul at jsaul@gsep.org or 610.791.2411. What Should I Be?-Medical Edition
Do you like to help people-and get paid for it? Juniors and Cadettes will spend time in a local hospital and find out if Grey's Anatomy is for you! You'll meet doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other professionals; learn about their roles in helping people; and get the tools you need to launch your own medical career. Bring your questions! The event wraps up with a question-and-answer session with medical professionals, and lunch is provided. PLEASE NOTE THE DATE CHANGE! The event date has been changed to Saturday, September 19th at St. Luke's Hospital in Fountain Hill from 9am to 3pm. The cost is $20 for girls and $15 for adults (Safety-Wise Adults only). Sign up on E-Council. Contact Melanie Doll at mdoll@gsep.org or 610.791.2411. |
Picture Place
Cumru Service Unit holds its first Twilight Camp
In early-June, the Cumru Service Unit held its first-ever Twilight Camp. With the theme "Let's Get Moving," girls from four school districts and the SU's Bridging to Daisies program learned and played a number of different sports. The week culminated with an Olympics night planned by all the girls, organized and run by the Cadettes and Seniors. Combined with adult volunteers, approximately 75 participants completed the week. In spite of the wet weather all week, everyone enjoyed themselves and are already looking forward to next year's event.
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GOVERNANCE NEWS
2009-10 Delegate Meetings Scheduled
Girl Delegates, Service Unit Delegates, and Service Unit Alternate Delegates: the 2009-10 Meeting schedule is available, so save the dates! Agendas and more information will be provided as the meetings approach:
Fall Delegate Meetings Saturday
October 24, 2009:
Valley Forge
Service Center
9:00-11:00
100 Juliette Low Way
Valley Forge, PA 19482
First Presbyterian Church
2:00-4:00 3231 W. Tilghman Street Allentown, PA 18104 Spring Delegate Meetings Saturday,
April 10: First Presbyterian Church
9:00-11:00 3231 W. Tilghman Street Allentown, PA 18104
Valley Forge
Service Center
9:00-11:00
100 Juliette Low Way
Valley Forge, PA 19482
2010 Annual Meeting Saturday, May 22:
Penn View Christian School
10:30-12:00
420 Godshall Road
Souderton, PA 18964
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ADULT DEVELOPMENT CORNER
Volunteer Field Data Entry Update
You asked, we're delivering! GSEP has launched a series of trainings related to Volunteer Field Data Entry. The training enables 01 Leaders and Service Unit Managers to enter membership registration information directly into
E-Council to eliminate wait-time for in-house processing. All trainings are conducted online
(via webinar and conference call) and run from
7-8:30pm. Sessions have been very popular, and limited spaces are available for the following training dates:
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Wednesday,
August 12
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Tuesday,
August 18
Additional sessions will be scheduled after Labor Day. Leaders and SU Managers can register for training through E-Council, via the GSEP website. For more information, contact Eleanor Malkelmes at emalkemes@gsep.org.
Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania ServSafeŽ Registration Procedures
Any troop, service unit or group using the industrial kitchens at our camps must have a ServSafeŽ certified person on the premises while the kitchens are in use. This certification is required by our American Camp Association accreditation. If food is being stored in the kitchens or served in the dining halls--even if no cooking is involved--the kitchen is considered to be in-use. The camps for which this rule applies are Hidden Falls, Laughing Waters, Mosey Wood, Tohikanee, Tweedale and Wood Haven.
ServSafeŽ classes are offered regularly by the Pennsylvania Restaurant Association (PRA) throughout the GSEP region. As a PRA Select Chapter Member, GSEP is entitled to a discounted rate of $85 for the required certification training. To take advantage of the discount, type Girl Scouts of Eastern PA in the Company Name section of the registration form.
With questions about training registration, contact Jill Sober, GSEP Adult Development Manager, at jsober@gsep.org or 610.791.2411, ext.1504. With specific questions or concerns about the ServSafeŽ training, contact the PRA office at 800.345.5353.
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Edited by: Robyn Goldman and Betsy Taube | Design and Layout: Jenny Kontos
GS News Hard Copies:
If you know of a Leader or Service Unit Manager who does not receive GS News because s/he does not have access to a computer, please have them contact us for a mailed copy. Call or email Loretta Rudzinski at 866.564.2030, ext. 1049.
Shelly Ridge Service Center | 330 Manor Road, Miquon, PA 19444 | Tel. 888.564.4657 | Fax 215.564.6953
Mailing address | PO Box 27540 | Philadelphia, PA 19118 |
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