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Greetings!
 We are now just a few short months away from the BIG Day, and it is shaping up to be the biggest BIG Day you can imagine! I hope you all are looking forward to it as much as I am. Remember, this day of celebration is open to the whole community, so be sure to tell your friends and neighbors about it even if they don't have daughters who are Girl Scouts. There will be great activities for people of all ages and interests. In addition to the parade, we will have interactive science activities, service projects, crafts, mobile tennis courts, animal adoptions, musical theatre activities, a climbing wall and much more. We are thrilled to announce that Allstar Weekend will be one of the performers at the BIG Day! As one of the most promising young boy bands around, their new album is sure to be a big success! They will rock our BIG Day main stage along with the other special guests. Disney will also be providing the Big Girl Hangout area, which will feature many great activities for girls. In addition, Disney is providing a surprise entertainer. Stay tuned to hear who else will be joining us! There's still time to register as a VIP for the BIG Day. The deadline has been extended until August 1, so be sure to check our website to find out all of the details. We can't wait to see you all there! Best Wishes, 
Donna K. Martin
CEO, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri
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The BIG Day - VIP Registration Deadline Has Been Extended to August 1
 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.
Register now with your cookie money! Don't wait until the last minute and miss this great opportunity,
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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The BIG Day is Looking for BIG Things
 Work is in progress to ensure that the BIG Day is a great day for all. We are recruiting marching bands, food vendors, local entertainment groups for the performance stages and vendors who would like to provide an interactive program booth. We want to have activities to include all family members to make this a fun day for all.
Who better than our members to ask for suggestions? If any of you have any suggestions please contact Sarah Moran, 314.592.2387, with your suggestion and contact information so we can make a connection with them. |
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BIG Day Service Project
 Donate used jeans - warm a service person's heart.
Your used blue jeans can become a quilt, providing comfort to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have been injured while serving. Donated blue jeans will be cut into 6-inch squares. Participants at the BIG Day will be invited to write messages on the squares, which will be sent to Operation Quiet Comfort to be made into quilts. Find out more information.
Help prepare for the service project by attending a jean cutting party! Jean cutting work sessions for adults and Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts will be held on July 30, August 13 and August 29 at the St. Louis Service Center.
Please bring your rotary cutter, cutting mat and sharp scissors if you have them. If not, we will supply them for your use.
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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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Floats Wanted for the BIG Day Parade
 Represent your District or Neighborhood with a float in our Girl Scout parade. Floats for the parade will be selected by an unbiased committee. Selection will be made by August 15 to allow time to assemble and build the floats. To be considered, you must submit a drawing or COMPLETE written description of your float. These can be submitted to mowens@girlscoutsem.org or mail by August 1 to: Mary Ann Owens Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri 2300 Ball Drive St. Louis, MO 63146 Float requirements: - All floats must adhere to Safety Activity Checkpoint regulations - Floats must be constructed on a flat bed with rails (a pick up truck does not qualify as a float) - Floats must follow a theme that reflects the Girl Scout mission and program elements - Floats need to be decorated appropriately to reflect the quality of the parade - Floats that feature entertainment of some type will be given higher consideration - Floats may have girls with appropriate adult supervision on them Applications are currently being accepted. |
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Be an Official 100th Anniversary Parade Participant
 As part of our BIG Day on September 22, we'll be parading through downtown St. Louis and we want YOU to be part of the Century of Promise parade.
We're looking for 10 very special groups of Girl Scouts to join the parade as official participants. Your group should have a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 50 Girl Scouts and offer a special performance or clever theme that demonstrates one of the key elements of Girl Scouting. Show us your pride in camping, STEM, being green, a Journey or any other element of Scouting. You might do something with grocery carts to celebrate April Showers or make costumes out of recyclable materials. Come up with a dynamite idea so your group can be featured.
Send us a 2-5 minute video, pictures or a plan showing us your idea. Be creative. You have until August 1 to submit your idea to Nicole Dalton, ndalton@girlscoutsem.org.
We'll select five groups of Girl Scouts by August 15 to be featured in the parade. We can't wait to see your parade ideas. |
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Flash Mob Lessons
 GSEM will be offering you a special chance to learn the flash mob dance for the BIG Day. These will be offered at the Girl Scout Service Center on the following dates at 6:30 pm:
June 20 July 31 August 22
This is your chance to learn or practice this fun dance so you can participate on the BIG Day. Lessons are not mandatory for participation; just sign up to be a VIP. The instructional video for the dance will also be available on our website and YouTube after May 15, so you can have your own lessons. Just remember, this is about having fun and celebrating our 100th; 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 who will be attending. We will notify you by email if you are NOT able to attend due to space. If you do not receive an email, plan on attending. |
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Veiled Prophet/Fair St. Louis Parade - Be a Part of the Biggest July 4th Parade in the Nation
 We want 1,000 Girl Scouts with our float for this great parade.
Girl Scout troops are needed to walk behind the GSEM float. We would like participants to wear a green Girl Scout 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.
Be a balloon carrier in the VP Parade! We have been asked to carry the Clear Channel balloon in the parade on July 4. We need 25-30 people ages 16 and older to help carry the balloon. You will even get your very own special T-shirt to wear. The parade will be shown on Channel 4 this year, so this is a great way to be on tv! The parade starts at 10 am and will be finished by noon. Line up will be between 8-8:30 am.
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Do You Know a Graduate Who is a Current or Former Girl Scout?
 Celebrate graduation with a gift that will last a lifetime. Recognize your graduate's accomplishment by donating $100 to Family Partnership, and you will receive a personalized paving brick 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 is promoting the value of philanthropy and honoring your generosity with a Legacy Brick. Each brick is 4"x8" and may have up to three lines of text.
- Keepsake replica bricks can also be purchased for $20. - To make your gift to Family Partnership, go to www.girlscoutsem.org, call Fund Development at 314.592.2320 or mail your gift to: GSEM PO Box 795226 St. Louis, MO 63179 - For more information, go to the Donor tab on the homepage of www.girlscoutsem.org or call Fund Development at 314.592.2320.
Thank you for leaving a legacy by investing in girls! We are delighted to honor your generosity with a Legacy Brick. |
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"Let's Talk"
Here's your chance to have a great dialogue with the CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri, Donna Martin. The "Let's Talk" sessions will happen in several areas of our Council jurisdiction. Donna will be there to answer your questions and visit with you about the great things happening during our Centennial celebration. Please submit questions to Mary Ann Owens, mowens@girlscoutsem.org, at least 5 days before the session. This allows us to gather our information and give the best answers to your question. All sessions will begin at 6:30 pm: October 23 - United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall - 300 E. Washington St., Kirksville, MO 62501 October 24 - Park United Methodist Church - 2335 Palmyra Road, Hannibal, MO 63401 November 1 - Mineral Area College North College Center - 5270 Flat River Road, Park Hills, MO 63601 November 28 - Girl Scout Service Center - 2300 Ball Drive, St. Louis, MO 63146 |
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Girl Scout Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards
 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.
Contact: Cindy Stocker, Girl Scout Bronze, Silver and Gold Award Staff Advisor, 314.592.2360, BSGawards@girlscoutsem.org |
Girl Scout Shop
Need a great gift for your Girl Scout dad? Check out our new selection of Girl Scout dad tees. These 100% cotton T-shirts make great Father's Day gifts, and all sizes are available for $12.
The St. Louis GS Shop began summer hours on June 11. Be sure to visit this summer as new merchandise from GSUSA will be arriving all summer. During the month of July, get a free gift with purchase. Limit one per day per customer.
Planning on attending the BIG Day on September 22? Be one of the first to get a BIG Day tote bag available now for $6.
June 2012 marks the close of the GSUSA Program and Merchandise transition period. Retired GS Brownie Try-its, Junior badges, Interest Project patches and all retired awards will not be available to purchase after June 30, 2012. St. Louis GS Shop Summer Hours June 11-August 24 Monday-Wednesday and Friday - 9 am-4:30 pm; Thursday 9 am-6:30 pm Select Saturday Hours - Open 10 am-2 pm September 8 & 15
The St. Louis Shop will be closed on July 4-8.
The Hannibal Shop will be converting to online orders only and the existing Hannibal Shop will close on June 22, 2012. |
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ALL AGES
 Back to School Splash
Come splash into the new school year with your Girl Scout troop at one of the private swim parties. Girls in the troops are welcome to bring non-Girl Scout friends.
Please register all friends with the troop's swim party application. Fee includes admission, snack and patch. No refunds. Confirmations will be sent two weeks prior to swim party date. Registration forms can be found on pp. 45-46 of A Girl Scout Summer. |
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Grades 6-8  Me and the Media - Registration Closes June 22
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 22 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. You can even earn a 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 - Registration Closes July 13
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 July 13
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 can even earn a Journey award.
Contact Emily Ficker, 314.592.2341, eficker@girlscoutsem.org |
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Grades 8-10
 Explore the Wilds of Wyoming
July 22-28
Event fee is $898 - There is a $400 scholarship available from the Elliott Wildlife Values Porject, which covers almost half the fee, and there is also money still available through the GSEM Activity Scholarship
Wyoming's Wildlife Wonders is a travel opportunity (destination) for Girl Scouts ages 13-15 to travel to Wyoming to study the ecology and natural history of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Girl Scouts will hike, canoe and trek through the Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. Teens observe wildlife, explore careers that promote sustainable ecosystems and take action by developing an environmental project to implement back home in their community. Girls across the nation will come together for a week at the Teton Science Schools to learn in an amazing environment about nature, each other and themselves.
Girls will need to pay for their travel expenses to and from the event.
Complete the destinations application and send to either lpenn@girlscoutsem.org or:
GSEM
Attn: Lucretia Penn
2300 Ball Drive
St. Louis, MO 63146
Contact Lucretia Penn, 314.592.2337, lpenn@girlscoutsem.org |
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Especially For Neighborhood Team and Education Chairs
 Here's the best way to ensure your 2013 new leaders are on track and ready to roll. A new approach to GSEM's Leader Prep Training is being offered this fall. A training retreat for new leaders, or any leader needing a refresher, is being held at Camp Cedarledge on September 28 and 29. Come for the weekend or just Saturday. Friday night will be dedicated to Girl Scout Traditions while Saturday is devoted to understanding the role of a leader, getting started with Journeys and the Girls Guide To Girl Scouting, troop management basics and preparing for the Cookie Activity.
Registration details will be presented in the new Lead & Learn (formerly Inspire Leader Program Bulletin and Course Catalog) appearing in your mailbox, online and at the Service Center in July. Encourage all new leaders and assistant leaders in your neighborhood to register for this "all-inclusive" training event. For those who are perhaps a bit less adventurous, an additional "in-town" version will be offered at the Girl Scout Service Center in October. To assist in spreading the word, event fliers and registration forms will be available for you and your Troop Recruiters and Coordinators as well - contact your CDM or Adult Education Manager. |
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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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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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