CoCo Key Water Resort (located in Omaha at the Holiday Inn) now proudly offers a variety of activity programs that can help Girl Scout Troops from Daisies to Juniors.  You will not only work towards earning a Learning Petal, Try-It or Junior Badge, but you will make a splash in the process!  Troop packages start at $15 per girl and include activities, swim time, root beer floats, a CoCo Key fun patch, and two free chaperones!
 
Girl Scout Family Splash Nights are also available every Thursday in February and March.  Advance reservations are required, so call Christi at 402-547-5614 to plan your troop's adventure!
 
Also ask Christi about the special discounts for overnight stays at the Holiday Inn.  Give her a call at 402-547-5614 and ask about their Girl Scout pricing.

With the merger comes yet another opportunity to be a part of something that has been a tradition at Homestead and Great Plains for many years, Honor Troop.  Honor Troop recognizes Daisy through Ambassador troop/groups that have achieved or demonstrated the following:
·         The highest possible level of well-rounded troop/group program
·         Experienced partnerships with trained adults
·         Participation in a wide rage of activities beyond troop/group meetings
Every troop/group in Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska is eligible to apply for Honor Troop for the current Girl Scout year, check out our website to download the form.  Take a moment to view the attached list of those troops/groups who received this award of distinction last year.

Honor Troops 2007-2008

Cookie Booths Coming

We don't have the official numbers yet, but all indications show that we had a great Girl Scout Cookie Program in 2009! Girl Scouts braved the weather, a tough economy, questions about peanut butter and more, but no one can argue that everyone's heart was in the right place and that each girl did all she could to promote the program.  Thank you to our staff, volunteers, families, sponsors, friends, the girls and anyone who helped bolster Girl Scout Cookies.  
 
Here are important dates to remember:
January 26, 2009: All orders due to Troop Cookie Manager (TCM)
February 23 - 27, 2009: Troops pick up cookies
February 23 - March 13, 2009: Girls deliver cookies and COLLECT MONEY
March 13, 2009: ALL money due to Troop Cookie Manager (TCM)
March 13 - April 5, 2009: Cookie Booths are open

Are any of those camperships, cookie bucks, cookie dough, cookie coupons, or gift certificates you earned as a Girl Scout burning a hole in your pocket?   Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska can help!  We offer tons of exciting programs all across the state and have oodles of cool things available at Juliette's Boutique, our Girl Scout stores.  You can use your certificates (including those you earned with one of the five Nebraska legacy councils) at any Spirit of Nebraska service center as long as the certificate hasn't passed its expiration date (if there is one) and regardless of any restrictions that might have been placed upon it in your legacy council.   So sign up for a fun program, buy some new Girl Scout attire, or pay your national membership dues.  Get out and have some fun, on Girl Scouts!

 The Delegate process of electing representatives within each Girl Scout jurisdiction is new to some service centers and familiar to others.  For everyone's information, all registered Girl Scout members-- 14-years of age and older--have an opportunity to learn about the process and attend an election in each Constituency Area.   
 
 If you have ever wanted to influence policy level decisions at Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska, you'll want to attend a training & election event.  Invitations are being sent this week, but you can learn more by downloading yours here.
 
If you are interested in learning more, contact Rosie Tingpalpong at 402.558.8189 x230, rtingpalpong@girlscoutsnebraska.org.

 

 

 
Please bring children's toiletries to donate to a local shelter.
A special campus tour is scheduled for 3 PM for girls who are interested in learning more about campus life. Call the Guiding Star office by Friday, Feb. 13 to register.
 
Red Cross CPR and First Aid Certification
Adults and girls 7th grade and up
Saturday, Feb. 21
Sidney's United Methodist Church, 2622 11th Ave
Cost : $25 for first timers or $10 for renewals. This includes the Red Cross book and lunch. 
 
Daisy Day
Daisies
Saturday, Feb. 21
10 am - 2 pm
First United Methodist Church, 2622 11th Ave., Sidney.
Girl Cost: $5 for girls includes snacks and supplies; Adult Cost: $2
Bring a sack lunch.
Registration deadline is: Monday, Feb. 16.
 
Western Nebraska Community College Women's Basketball
Family
Saturday, Feb. 28
Western Nebraska Community College Campus, Scottsbluff 
Game time is 1 PM. Arrive early to make spirit posters to display during the game.
Game is free; participation patches will be available for $2.
Please bring children's toiletries to donate to a local shelter.
 
GOLDENROD PROGRAMS 
CEO University
Senior and Ambassadors.
Saturday, February 21, 2009 
9 am - 12 pm
Camp Cosmo in Grand Island
Girl Cost: $12 includes: patch, materials, and a snack
Adult Cost: $2 includes snack
Registration Deadline: Wednesday February 11, 2009
 
Ducky Days
Daisy and Brownie
Saturday, February 21, 2009 
2 -4 pm
Camp Cosmo in Grand Island
Girl Cost: 10 includes supplies, rubber ducks, snack and recognition
Adult Cost: $2 includes snack
Registration Deadline: Friday February 6, 2009
 
Families on Ice
Family
Sunday March 29, 2009 
1- 3 pm
Firstier Events Center, Kearney NE
Girl Cost: $8 includes skate rental, admission fee and patch
Adult Cost: $6 includes skate rental and admission fee
Registration deadline: March 13, 2009
 
Takin' Kearney by Storm!
Family
Saturday, February 28, 2009 
5:00 P.M.
Firstier Event Center, Kearney NE
Girl Cost: $17 includes a t-shirt, ticket, patch, and snack
Adult Cost: $12 includes ticket and snack
Registration  Deadline -  Friday, February 13, 2009
 
 
PRAIRIE HILLS PROGRAMS
Mulan, Jr - NEW PROGRAM, NOT IN PROGRAM BOOK
Family
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Sioux City Community Theatre, 1401 Riverside Boulevard, Sioux City, IA
Check in at 1:30 pm - the show starts at 2 pm!
Girl cost - $12 includes admission to the show and recognition
Adult and come-along cost- $10 include admission to the show
Travel back to the legendary story-telling days of ancient China with this action-packed stage adaptation of Disney's modern animated classic, "Mulan." "Mulan, Jr." is a heartwarming celebration of culture, honor, and a fighting spirit.  The score includes favorites like "Reflection and Honor to Us All" as well as new songs that will get you up on your feet!
 
HOMESTEAD PROGRAMS
Nothin' But Net
Family
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
7:05 PM game time
Bob Devaney Sports Complex, Lincoln
Girl Cost: $4 girls includes patch
Adult and Come-along Cost: $1
6 yrs. and under free
Extended registration deadline is Friday, January 30th.    
 
Pucker Up
Family
Saturday, February 14, 2009
7:00 PM face-off
The Ice Box at State Fairgrounds, Lincoln
Girl Cost: $11
Adult and come-a-longs Cost: $9
Extended registration deadline is Friday, February 6th.
 
Tweens on Wheels
Cadettes
Every Saturday, February 14th- March 14, 2009
3:30-5:00 PM
Lux Center for the Arts, Lincoln
Girl Cost: $56 includes supplies
Extended registration deadline is Friday, February 6th.
 
It's a Woman's World
Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors  
Saturday, March 7, 2009
1-4 pm
Eastridge Presbyterian Church, Lincoln
Girl Cost: $10 includes recognition
Adult Cost: $8
Registration deadline is Friday, February 20th.
  
Frosty Fun Overnight
Brownie and Junior
Feb. 6th
Friday 7 pm to Saturday 10 am
Catron Camp and Retreat Center, Nebraska City
Girl Cost: $24
Registration deadline is January 30.
 
Frosty Fun Day
Daisies
Saturday, February 7, 2009
10:30 AM- 3:30 PM (please note ending time change)
Catron Camp and Retreat Center, Nebraska City
Girl Cost: $10 includes recognition
Adult Cost: $8
Extended registration deadline is Friday, January 30th.
 
High Tech Trekking
Cadettes and Juniors
Feb. 16
Catron Camp and Retreat Center, Nebraska City
1:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Girl cost: $12. 
The registration deadline is Feb. 6th
 
GREAT PLAINS PROGRAMS
Please note:  In our Leader Meeting Notes we listed the dates for MEET MAHA as March 21st. The actual date of the event is May 9 and the information is in your program book on page 70.  We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you.
 
Honor Guard
Cadette, Senior, Ambassador
Great Plains Service Center
2121 S. 44th Street, Omaha
Thursday, Feb. 5                              
6:30-7:30 pm     
 
G-force Guy and Girl Jewelry Gift Making for Mom
Cadette, Senior, Ambassador
Saturday, Feb. 7              
12 - 1pm
Adventures in Art
6001 Maple St. Omaha, NE
Girl Cost: $24 includes supplies for one girl and one adult making a total of two pieces of jewelry
Free for adults accompanying a girl - included in girl cost
 
G-force Dear Diary Workshop
Cadette, Senior, Ambassador
Saturday, Feb. 7                              
1:30-2:30 pm     
Adventures in Art
6001 Maple St. Omaha, NE
Girl Cost: $18 includes supplies
 
My Body Try-It Workshop
Brownie
Thursday, Feb 19
4-5 pm
UNMC Youth Learning Center
41st and Emile St., Omaha
Girl Cost: $4 includes recognition
Registration deadline is Feb 5
 
Brownie Blackout Overnight
Brownie
Feb 13 - 14
Camp Crossed Arrows- Nickerson, NE
Friday 7 pm to Saturday 10 am
Girl Cost: $24 includes crafts, snack, breakfast and recognition
 
Family Fun Day
Family
Feb 7
Camp Crossed Arrows -Nickerson, NE
9 am to 12 pm or 1 to 4 pm - choose a session
Girl Cost: $9 includes crafts, snacks, beverages and recognition
Adult Cost: $4 includes snacks and beverages
 
World Thinking Day Event
Family
Saturday, Feb. 21            
8 am - 4 pm        
Bellevue Fire Training Center
3100 Cornhusker Road
Girl Cost: $4 includes patch
Adult Cost: $3
For more information click here
 
Up a Wall!
Cadette, Senior, Ambassador
Sunday, Feb 15
1-4 pm
University of Nebraska at Omaha - Health, Physical Education and Recreation Building (HPER)
6001 Dodge St - adjacent to the Lee & Helene Sapp Field house
Girl Cost: $12
 
ADDITIONAL PROGAM INFORMATION
Gold Award Information Meetings
Discover everything you ever wanted to learn about the Gold Award!  Attend one of the sessions offered on February 21 or March 21, 2009.  You'll watch an exciting video and talk with girls who have earned the Gold Award.  Girls are asked to bring a parent or their leader with them.  Both sessions are at the Great Plains Service Center, 2121 S. 44th Street from 9 - 10 a.m., but are OPEN TO GIRL S ANYWHERE IN THE STATE.  Please RSVP by February 13 for the February session and by March 13 for the March session to Joanne,  558-8189x 211, jsavicky@girlscoutsnebraska.org. 

artVenture 2009 ~ Still Need Girl Artists
Thank you to everyone who is already participating in this year's artVenture program.  Girls are busy working with professional artists creating magnificent works of art for our artVenture auction in March!
We are still accepting applications for girls to work with artists.  We have several additional artists who are offering workshops in February and welcome additional girl artists, especially those 12 and older (we have spots for younger girls too). Just fill out a Youth Artist Application, available on our website, www.girlscoutsnebraska.org and send to your area service center.
 
Wyoming's Wildlife Wonders destination
Do you know girls ages 13-15 who: Enjoy hiking, canoeing and being out doors? Care about the environment? Are intrigued by wildlife and nature? Want to travel to Wyoming for a week? Would work to design and implement an environmental action or research project in her community?
If so, encourage them to apply for Wyoming's Wildlife Wonders destination. 
When:July 24-31, 2009
For more information:
Click here for a complete description of the event, costs, and application procedures or contact Megan Stanek, mstanek@gswestok.org or 405-528-3535.
 If you are interested in applying, please submit your application to your local area service center for early registration no later than February 10. If that deadline is missed, you may submit for the late registration no later than March 10.

Running Start Young Women's Political Leadership Retreat
WHAT: Running Start encourages high school girls from across the country to channel their leadership into politics. Participants will meet extraordinary women leaders of diverse backgrounds and learn the importance of having more women in political leadership and running for office. Even if the girls are not interested in politics, this is a great way for them to build self-esteem, practice public speaking and learn to collaborate with other young women.

WHO: Open to rising sophomores, juniors and seniors in high school

WHERE: American University, Washington D.C.

WHEN: July 15-19, 2009 (no applications will be accepted after February 16, 2009)

COST: The program is entirely FREE of charge and travel scholarships are available.

APPLY ONLINE