February 5, 2010
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Spotlight 
GSEP Applauds 14 Women Who Have Taken the Lead 
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Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania announced 14 honorees of its 2010 Take The Lead Awards Program, which recognizes some of the region's most notable women of courage, confidence and character whose leadership and achievements make the world a better place. Take The Lead awardees represent the Council's three primary Service Center regions in Berks County, the Lehigh Valley, and Philadelphia.
Click here for a full list of honorees.
 
GSEP also named Judy Spires, president of ACME Markets, Inc., as the recipient of its 2010 Juliette Gordon Low Leadership Award, which the Council introduced in 2007 to honor women of extraordinary vision and impact. Honorees will be celebrated at three events this spring (March 2 in Philadelphia; March 9 in Berks County; and April 27 in Lehigh Valley). On February 23, The Honorable Midge Rendell will join an inaugural Honoree Celebration Breakfast at the Comcast Center in Philadelphia, when 2010 Take The Lead honorees and Hall of Fame awardees from 2008 and 2009 will gather to acknowledge nearly 25 years of leadership and achievement that has inspired girls. For information about sponsorship opportunities, contact Renee Archawski at 215.564.2030, ext. 1036; for information about the awards ceremonies, contact Sarah Lorenc at 610.276.5113.
Cookies Are BACK! 
Selling Outside the Box
The 2010 Cookie Program is in full-swing, and Girl Scouts across the region are taking some outside-the-box approaches to selling cookies:
Troops Visit HarrisburgCadette Troop 33416 (Carbon County, right) is suited up for Super Bowl Walkabout Sales this weekend with the team of cookie boxes they turned into Colts and Saints players; Troops in Chester and Montgomery Counties got creative on Craig's List by asking local businesses to host Cookie Booths on their premises; Senior Troop 53595 (Montgomery) turned a major Philadelphia Daily News article, featuring dessert recipes they created last year, into a poster display for their booths to drive additional sales; Senior Troop 7269 (Montgomery) produced a Cookies are Back! video that's now a YouTube favorite; Regan McComb of Cadette Troop 72134 (Montgomery) wrote a poem to appeal to hungry customers; at Villanova Women's Basketball's Girl Scout Day, girls enjoyed facepainting, baton twirling, and a game of Horse with the Wildcat mascot in between staffing their Cookie Booths (below).
 
 Troops Visit Harrisburg Troops Visit Harrisburg
 
VOLUNTEERS!  A few reminders and tips
Cost per box: Girl Scout Cookies MUST be sold for $3.50 per box--no more,
no less! 
Cookies from Home: One Delaware County proprietor has generously donated shipping services to support the Cookies from Home effort, but GSEP's formal partnership with Liberty USO facilitates shipments to military personnel overseas. Coordinating a shipping partner is not necessary. 
'Got a laptop? With approriate permission from retail and community booth hosts, troops might consider showing these video clips on a continuous loop to visually attract customers and boost sales: GSUSA's What Can A Cookie Do? video spot or This Cookie PSA; the locally produced Cookies Are Back! video; or GSEP's new Girls Empowered video--available on the GSEP website as 30- and 60-second PSAs, a 30-second PSA in Spanish, and a 3-minute version.
More than a snack: Although the January 18 Philadelphia Daily News' YO! FOOD section incorrectly reported that two new cookie varieties were available for sale in the GSEP region, it lists more than a dozen entree and dessert recipes using Girl Scout Cookies. Reprints of the recipes make a great handout at booth sales to encourage additional cookie purchases. Read an online version.
Haiti Earthquake Relief Efforts
 
Troops Visit Harrisburg
A Shared Mission
An article by CNN.com correspondent Monie Basu illustrates the mission that's common to Scouts around the world. Joanie Yestin (left), a Haitian Girl Scout who lost everything in the January 12 quake--including her father--takes solace in joining other Scouts to assist in the relief effort. 
 
GSUSA ratified a measure last month to temporarily suspend its policy on fundraising for outside organizations, which clears the way for GSEP to raise much-needed funds for relief efforts in Haiti. Monies can be contributed only to organizations approved by GSUSA: The American Red Cross International Response Fund; the Pan American Development Foundation; UNICEF's Haiti Earthquake Fund; Oxfam; Save the Children; Mercy Corps; Doctors Without Borders; the United Nations World Food Programme; CARE; The International Rescue Committee; World Vision; and the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund.
 
GSEP girls already in action include Junior Troop 5390, which made health kits to support the Missions Team's Haitian Relief Effort at United Methodist Church of Media. Brownie Troop 57106 is gearing up for its own Haiti Treats initiative by sending cookies to Haiti at the end of March with help from a corporate sponsor. Girls and troops who participate in organized activities to support the Haiti Earthquake Relief Effort will receive a special Emergency Planning Patch.
Programs for Girls 
2nd Annual Highmark Emerging Leaders Conference--Feb. 20, 9am-3pm 
Catasauqua High School (2500 W. Bullshead Road, Northampton)
Girl Scout Juniors and Cadettes attend workshops on leadership skills, self- and career-exploration, and girl-centered leadership programs; a separate adult track offers training for volunteers. Download the flyer, and register on E Council. COST: $15/girl. Contact: Melanie Doll or Tracey Bunch. Click for details (p.9). 
 
Girl Scout Week--March 7-13
A week-long celebration of the founding of the Girl Scouting movement--March 12, 1912! Girl Scout Week toolkit materials can be downloaded soon from the GSEP website. Printed and electronic versions of some materials can be ordered; complete and submit order form by February 15 at 5pm 
 
World Thinking Day-Heritage Style--March 6
Epworth United Methodist Church (3245 Oakland Road, Bethlehem)
9:30am-12noon--Girl Scout Brownies
1-4pm--Girl Scout Juniors
The Heritage Patrol invites Girl Scout Brownies and Juniors to learn about Girl Scouts and Girl Guides around the world. Girls explore international cultures by making traditional dolls, artwork and musical instruments. Brownies earn the new Thinking Day-Heritage Style Try-It; Juniors earn the Thinking Day-Heritage Style Badge. COST: $8/girl; $2/adult. Extended registration deadline: February 15. Download the registration form. Contact: Email Sandra Villard.
 

Baby Bundles are Back!
Each year Girl Scouts of all ages build Baby Bundles--care packages of new baby items created for distribution through local agencies to needy mothers and infants.
Visit the website for all program details and materials. Submit Service Unit Intent Forms by February 19.

Young Women's Leadership Conference--March 13, 9am-4pm
Pennsylvania Institute of Technology (800 Manchester Avenue, Media)
Claudia McBride, President of the World Affairs Council, is the keynote speaker for Voices of the Future: It's Your Planet-Love It! A day-long series of workshops focused on the environment and global reach. Conference is open to all girls--not just Girl Scouts!--grades 8-12. Separate adult track is available. Registration deadline: March 1. COST: $15/person (includes lunch and event patch). Contact: Email Joan Hannahoe or call 610.791.2411, ext 1509.
 
Get Moving! at Camp Mosey Wood--March 5-7 and April 9-10 
Girl Scout Juniors Go Green by completing the Get Moving! Journey. Girls must attend both events. 
Register through the March 5 calendar posting on E Council
 
2010 Earth Day Service Project--April 16-30
GSEP's 2nd Annual Earth Day Service Project has a goal of engaging 5,000 volunteers to complete 16,000 service hours in a one-week span. Service Units, troops and individual girls can conduct their own projects or participate in Council-organized programs. More information will be available soon.
Adult Development 
Pot of Gold--March 6
GSEP's Premier Leadership Development Day event is around the corner! Click to registerThe Council Shop will be on-site; to pre-order merchandise, contact the Lehigh Valley Shop at 610-791-2411 to place your order (all pre-orders must be placed by February 25 at 12 noon and paid in advance). Contact: Shawnna DiFillipo at 610.933.7555, ext.1409.
 
Facilitating Adult Learners
Join the network of Council Learning Facilitators to provide mandatory training for troop leaders and other volunteers. Training experience is not required, but a comfort-level with facilitating group learning is a plus. New volunteers are assigned a mentor. Applicants must complete an interview with the Director of Adult Development, attend the six-hour "Facilitating Adult Learners" workshop, and be available to attend additional specialized workshops. Download an application form. Next session is Saturday, March 20 from 9am-4pm at Shelly Ridge Service Center. Contact: Jennifer Allebach at 610.933.7555, ext. 1414.
 
Outdoor Fun and Skills Weekend--April 30-May 2
Camp Wood Haven (Pine Grove, PA) 
While the volunteers train, girls go camping! Adults attend with or without their troops to complete Outdoor 101, 102 and 103 and other training programs. COST: $30 per person. Troop-space is limited. Download registration form and visit the Adult Education page of the GSEP website for full details. Contact: Jill Sober at 610.791.2411, ext. 1504.
 
Prerequisite Change for Outdoor Coursework
Recent course evaluations indicate home-study completion of Outdoor 101 does not adequately prepare volunteers for subsequent courses. A committee of Outdoor Facilitators determined that classroom completion of Outdoor 101 is now requisite for future Outdoor 102 (Cooking and Fires) and Outdoor 103 (Overnight) course registration, with some exceptions. Volunteers who completed home-study Outdoor 101 by January 22, 2010 are not required to complete the classroom course to register for advanced courses. GSEP will continue to recognize home-study completion of Outdoor 101 as a valid prerequisite for Outdoor 102 and/or 103 for two years. Registrations for Outdoor 102 and/or 103 prior to Outdoor 101 completion or registration will be rejected. Visit the Adult Education page for guidelines, exemption and retraining information. Contact: Jill Sober at 610.791.2411, ext. 1504.
 
Troop History Project
Girl Scouting celebrates its 100-year history on March 12, 2012, and every troop can play a part! Visit the Events & Programs pages of the GSEP website for full details. Contact: Jean Harlow c/o Valley Forge Service Center at 610.933.7555; leave name and contact information for a return call. 
Program Partner Activities 
Scout Events at Wachovia Complex Continue 
Scout Excursions continue at the Wachovia Complex, including Philadelphia Wings lacrosse, Philadelphia Flyers hockey, Harlem Globetrotters, and the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey's Circus!
View the flyer or contact Reta Feldman at 215.952.7316.
 
College Basketball Scout Nights
Girl Scout Night 2010 at Lehigh University Women's Basketball--February 6
Player autographs and event patches for attendees. Pre-game activities at 6pm, tip-off at 7pm; halftime banner parade. Download the registration form or contact Dale Townsend at 610.758.6976 for tickets. 
Lafayette College Men's and Women's Basketball--February 10 and 17 
Girl Scouts and troop leaders in uniform get FREE admission on February 10 (Men's) and February 17 (Women's). Tip-off at 7pm. Activities include poster-making, in-game promotions, and a visit from the Lafayette Leopard. Download the flyer. Cost for parents: $3/person.
 
Carousel Arts Consultants offers Social Dance and More
Carousel Arts Consultants introduces the technique of social dances--including Swing Dance, the Foxtrot, the Waltz, the Cha Cha, and the Salsa!--all while reinforcing social skills, values, and respect. A great troop activity! Download the syllabus or call Maria Feeney at 484.433.0618 for information.
 
Petal, Try-It and Badge Opportunities at Elmwood Park Zoo
Animal discovery programs at Elmwood Park Zoo are geared for Girl Scout Juniors, Brownies and Daisies. "Nighttime Explorers" and "Scout Overnight" adventures include an eerie flashlight tour of nocturnal animals. Tailored programs for every troop on the date they choose. Email the Zoo's Education Department or call 610.277.3825, ext. 235 or 234.
  
Girls Get Their Science On at the Academy of Natural Sciences
Girl Scout Brownies and Juniors earn Try-Its and Badges and explore The Academy of Natural Sciences. Workshops are held on Saturdays and Sundays, from 10:15am-12:15pm or 1:30-3:30pm. COST: $15 per girl; $7 per adult. Free admission for members! Space is limited; call 215.299.1060 to register.
Watching Wildlife & Animals--February 6-7, March 6-7, May 22-23
Eco-Explorer & Senses--February 20-21, April 24-25
Eco-Action--February 6-7, March 6-7, April 24-25
Oil Up--February 20-21
Rocks Rock--May 22-23
Enironmental Medley--March 6
Plants & Animals--April 24
Bugs in the City!--May 7
Issue: 40
CONTENTS
Take The Lead!
Cookies Are BACK!
Haiti Earthquake Relief
Programs for Girls
Adult Development
Program Partner Activities
What's in Store
Program Notes
Camp is Coming!
Listen Up!
 
WHAT'S IN STORE
 


Due to predicted inclement weather this weekend, Retail Shops at the Lehigh Valley and Shelly Ridge Service Centers will be closed on Saturday, February 6.
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GOVERNANCE
 
 LAST CALL!
Applications for Girl Advisors due Feb. 5!
 
Girl Advisors are non-voting advisors to the Board of Directors and must be in 11th or 12th grade during the 2010-11 school year. 
Deadline: February 5 (Application Form and two references)
 
Girl Delegates are voting members of the GSEP Delegate Council and must be age 14 by May 22, 2010. 
Deadline: March 31
 How to Make the GSEP World a Better Place: Effective Girl Scout Governance
All GSEP members, including girls ages 14
 and up, who are interested in governance and the
Girl Scout democratic process are invited to this interactive session about GSEP Bylaws, Board of Directors, and Delegate Council roles. All current GSEP Delegates are encouraged to attend even
if they have completed training.
Register on E Council for a session date:
 
Thursday, February 25
7-9pm
Lehigh Valley
 Service Center
 
Saturday, March 6
Pot of Gold
(select the workshop when you register for the event
)
 
Monday, March 15
7-9pm
Shelly Ridge
 
Service Center
 
Tuesday, March 16
(inclement weather
 date only)
 
Contact
Olivia Selinger at 215.564.2030, ext.1040 regarding all Governance matters.
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PROGRAM NOTES
 
Union League of Philadelphia Good Citizen Award
 Applications due 
February 15 
Scholarship applicants must be registered Girl Scouts and current high school juniors. Contact Joan Hannahoe at  610.791.2411, ext. 1509.
 
 Gold and Silver Award Training Updates
Training sessions listed on E Council cover ORIGINAL guidelines and criteria for Silver and Gold Awards.
Openings are still available for Silver Award training on February 8 (7-9pm) at Atonement Lutheran Church in Reading.
Training sessions for NEW Girl Scout Silver and Gold Award criteria guidelines will be scheduled in April.
 GSEP has also revised its guidelines for both awards. Click here for more details.
 
GSEP Collectors Meet The 2010 Collectors Meet originally scheduled in April has been cancelled, but the History Committee has scheduled the 2011 event on Friday and Saturday, April 15-16. More details will be provided later this year. 
 ______________

CAMP IS COMING! 

GSEP's 2010 Summer Camping Guide is now available! View the Resident Camp Directory online; Day Camp Directories will be posted shortly, and printed versions will be available soon.
 NEW this year! A Spanish translation of the registration materials is posted on the website. (Instrucciones y formas de registración en español están disponible en la pagina de Internet, www.gsep.org.)
Early-bird Discounts are applied to registrations paid in-full by April 30, and financial assistance is available. Open Houses are held at each camp location:
 
Camp Laughing Waters
Sunday, May 2  Saturday, June 19
1-4pm
 
Camp Mosey Wood
Sunday, May 16
Sunday, June 20
1-4pm
 
Camp Tweedale
(Resident and Day)
Sunday, May 16
 12:30-3:30pm Saturday, June 19
12-3pm
 
Camp Tohikanee
Sunday, April 18
1-4pm
 
Camp Wood Haven
Sunday, May 2 Sunday, June 20
1-4pm
 
Mountain House Day Camp
Sunday, April 25
2-4pm
 
Shelly Ridge Day Camp
Saturday, April 24
1-3pm
Sunday, May 23
3-5pm
 
Valley Forge Day Camp
Sunday, April 25
1-4pm
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LISTEN UP!

Girl Scout Cadette Troop #6534 (Lehigh County) received the Volunteer Center of Lehigh Valley's Someone Special Award for its participation in the annual Holiday Hope Chest project.  
 Listen for an announcement between 6-9am during the Friday, February 5 broadcast of The Bobby Gunther Walsh show on WAEB 790 AM.
 
 
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Edited by: Betsy Taube
 
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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