|
|
Greetings!
 Is your family getting excited for the BIG Day? We're just over a month away and are looking forward to all of the wonderful activities we'll have for the community that day. Everyone is invited and all activities are free, so bring your friends, neighbors, aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents. Young kids will love the Wave of Fire inflatable slide. At 27 feet tall, this slide is sure to be a hit. And, it's the perfect place for parents to get pictures of their kids having a blast. Kids and adults alike will enjoy our Foam Dance Pit. The pit will fill with a light, high-stacking foam that people ages 6 and up can play in. What a way to cool off on a hot September afternoon. Even though the BIG Day is all about celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Girl Scouting, there will be plenty for husbands and sons to enjoy, including our classic car show. We'll celebrate 100 years of automobiles with cars from each decade. The cars will be featured in our parade and at the FamFest. You won't want to miss the 1927 Rolls Royce Phantom Convertible, 1957 Chevy Convertible or 1988 Corvette. Visit our website to find out what else we'll have at the BIG Day. See you there!
Best Wishes,
Donna K. Martin
CEO, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri
|
|
|
The BIG Day - Register Now! Registration Closes on September 1
 Sept. 22, 2012
The BIG Day will be the biggest event in St. Louis this fall and everyone in the community is invited. Our celebrity concert will feature Allstar Weekend, one of the hottest boy bands on the charts, Ryan Beatty, whom Ryan Seacrest touted as the next Justin Bieber and Katherine Hughes, a contestant on Radio Disney's Next Big Thing.
The day begins with a parade down Market Street followed by a FamFest at Soldiers Memorial Park. There will be over 100 exhibitors providing fun activities for the whole family, so bring your friends, family and neighbors. The celebrity concert tops off The BIG Day, making this the event you won't want to miss. BIG attractions to the FamFest include the USTA SmashZone, a Disney BIG Hangout area, a Foam Dance Pit, Ferris Wheel, Wave of Fire inflatable slide, classic car show and more. The deadline to register as a VIP has been extended until September 1, so visit our website to find out more about becoming a VIP and even more details about the event. Registering as a VIP will enter you in a drawing to be one of 300 people to get a personal meet and greet with Katherine Hughes. Also, find out about volunteering and transportation.
|
|
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. |
|
BIG Day Service Project
 Donate used jeans - warm a service person's heart.
Your 100% cotton used blue jeans can become a quilt that will provide comfort to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have been injured while serving in harm's way. Donated blue jeans will be cut into quilt blocks. Participants at the BIG Day will be invited to write messages on the blocks, 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! A jean cutting work session for adults and Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts will be held on 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.
|
|
The BIG Day Parade
 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. In order to feature both Neighborhoods and troops, we will have a flag brigade. 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 has held their own 100th Anniversary celebration can 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 - 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, by September 1 to confirm that your Neighborhood will be participating in this exciting initiative. |
|
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 September 1 to allow time to 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 September 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 |
|
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 10 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 create a dance, 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 September 1 to submit your idea to Nicole Dalton, ndalton@girlscoutsem.org. |
|
Leadership Fundamentals 2012
 November 3 @ Maritz, 1375 N. Hwy Drive, Fenton 630999 am-noon - Leadership Fundamentals Noon-1 pm - Lunch 1:15-3 pm - Business Meeting Save the date for Leadership Fundamentals and Representative Assembly. We are finishing out our 100th Anniversary year, and we will once again enjoy a day of fabulous workshops, friendships and fun. Register by October 5. See the event registration form on page 77 of Lead & Learn. |
|
2012 Fall Product Program
Teach your girls valuable life lessons by participating in the Fall Product Program. All GSEM registered troops are invited to participate.
The Fall Product Program is a great way for troops to earn funds early in the membership year while girls gain five important leadership skills they will use throughout their lives - goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics.
This year's lineup includes many favorites plus three new delicious products: Dulce de Leche candy, Peanut Butter cups and a value size jar of GORP Trail Mix. There is also a wonderful Girl Scout Journeys keepsake tin filled with individually wrapped Mint Trefoils. In addition to candy and nuts, there are magazine subscriptions for customers interested in non-food items. They all make great holiday gifts.
Troop Fall Product Managers will receive training in September so girls are ready for GO Day on November 3. For more information visit our website. |
|
Believe in Girls 5 Mile Walk/Run
You won't want to miss our Believe in Girls 5 mile Run/Walk to celebrate 100 years of Girl Scouting. Bring the entire family to run or walk the full five miles or just one. The run/walk will commence at the GSEM Service Center on November 24. For information and to register, see page 75 of Lead & Learn. |
|
Introducing Our New Girl Scout Cookie
 Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri is excited to offer a new Girl Scout Cookie in 2013 - Mango Cremes! These delicious, tropical treats are vanilla and coconut sandwich cookies with a mango-flavored creme filling. They include NutriFusion, which enhances the cookies with nutrients derived from nuts.
In addition to Mango Cremes, the GSEM cookie line-up will include Thin Mints, Caramel deLites, Shortbread, Peanut Butter Patties, Peanut Butter Sandwich, Lemonades and Thanks-A-Lot.
Cookie GO Day is January 12, 2013, when girls begin taking orders. Troops will pick up their initial orders February 27-March 2, and cookie booths will take place February 27-March 17, 2013. Stay tuned for more news. |
|
Centennial Patch Program
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. To earn the patch, girls must complete a total of five activities. Girls should choose one activity from each of the Discover, Connect and Take Action categories and then complete two more activities from any category. Activities can be completed individually or in a troop, in any order. This patch will be available to purchase in the GS Shop through March 12, 2013. Below is an example of one of the Patch Program activities girls may choose to do to earn the patch. Take Action: 100 Ways to Make a Difference Girls probably like most of the people they know well. Maybe the people they don't like are simply people they might not understand. Getting to know a person often means getting to like him or her. People who are different from us often have the most to offer. They might introduce new ideas, activities, understandings and friends. To help promote friendship and tolerance, girls may choose to do the following or think of other ideas. - Make a list of 100 bias-free words and phrases to illustrate respect and dignity. For example, "people with disabilities" instead of "handicapped people." Make copies of your list to post or distribute at school. - Organize a "mix and mingle" lunch once a week, month or semester. Assign seats according to favorite color, favorite animal, etc. Encourage the guests to meet and talk to a variety of people and find out at least one thing they have in common. - Work with school counselors and teachers to assign "first friends" for new students. This person could help them find their classrooms, introduce them to others, etc. Did you know? Girl Scouts led community relief efforts during the Great Depression by collecting clothing, making quilts, carving wood toys, gathering food for the poor, assisting in hospitals, participating in food drives and canning programs and providing meals to undernourished children. Contacts: Vivianne Frye-Perry, Urban Team, 314.592.2366, vperry@girlscoutsem.org Lucretia Penn, Suburban Team, 314.592.2337, lpenn@girlscoutsem.org Jessica Upchurch, Rural Team, 314.592.2359, jupchurch@girlscoutsem.org |
|
Troop Money Earning
 Troop Money Earning projects must not compete with Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri fundraising efforts (i.e, Cookie and Fall Product Programs and the United Way campaign). Troops participating in the Fall Product Program may conduct additional money-earning activities during the time of the Fall Product Program, with the approval of the Neighborhood Team Chair. A calendar showing exact dates troops may or may not conduct money-earning activities is available online. Troops may participate in Family Partnership at any time. |
|
"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 |
|
|
|
Girl Scout Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards
 For current information, check out the GSEM award web pages:
You'll find FAQs, the definition of a Take Action Project, GSUSA girl and adult award guidelines and GSEM award related forms. Girl Scout Gold Award Workshops Girls must complete prerequisites for the Girl Scout Gold Award before attending a Gold Award workshop.
Prerequisites: - Have earned the Girl Scout Silver Award as a Cadette and complete a Senior or Ambassador Journey that includes a community Take Action Project related to the Journey theme
OR
- Complete two Senior or Ambassador Journeys and community Take Action Projects related to each Journey theme
During the fall 2012-2013 program year, GSEM will be updating the online registration system. Therefore, there will be no online registration available for fall workshops. After January 2013, you may register online.
Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri Gold Award Workshop 2300 Ball Drive St. Louis, MO 63146
C.35 Wed., Aug. 15, 5:30-7:30 pm GSEM Service Center
C.37 Mon., Sept. 10, 5:30-7:30 pm GSEM Service Center
C.39 Mon., Sept. 24, 6-8 pm GSEM Service Center |
Girl Scout Shop
Be sure to visit this summer as new merchandise from GSUSA is arriving for fall. Check out the new merchandise in the fall 2012 catalog now available. St. Louis GS Shop Regular hours resume August 24 Mon. & Fri. - 9 am-4:30 pm Tues.-Thurs. - 9 am-6:30 pm Closed Labor Day
Summer Hours through 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, October 13, November 10, December 8 Now available for a limited time, Nestle Crunch candy bars. The flavors, inspired by favorite Girl Scout cookies, are Thin Mints, Caramel and Coconut and Peanut Butter Cream. Quantities are limited and are only available through September 30.
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. The official BIG Day patch is now available to purchase for $1.50 each. |
|
All Ages
 Missouri Botanical Garden
Girls of all ages will find unique ways to earn a badge or Journey award at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Whether they want to take a trip through the Japanese Garden or explore the Climatron, there's something for everyone. They also offer Girl Scout overnights and have a Girl Scout event scheduled for October 20.
All programs align with badge or award requirements. Visit their website for more information and to register your troop. |
|
Grades 4-8
 Engineering Adventures
October 6, 9 am-noon @ Washington University
$10 includes snack, supplies and patch
Submit: Troop Program Application on page 69 of Lead & Learn by September 8
Girls will experience the creativity and innovation of engineering with fun, hands-on activities on a college campus. This workshop is hosted and facilitated by Washington University engineering students. Meet female engineers and hear first-hand how they turn ideas into solutions.
Contact Amber Phillips, 314.592.2376, aphillips@girlscoutsem.org for more information. |
|
 Girl Scout Day at Washington University
October 13 @ Washington University
$15 per girl
Submit: Individual Program Application on page 67 of Lead & Learn by September 21
This event, sponsored by Alpha Phi Omega co-Ed service fraternity and Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri, will be a fun-filled day of science for all girls. The goal of this annual event is to expose the girls to a college setting while inspiring excitement about science and creating a life-long interest in this thrilling field of study. This year, we will be teaching girls about biology. They'll learn about everything from the ecosystem around us to our own bodies and those of the animals we love.
Courses will be taught by APO members, all current Wash U students with a passion for not only science but also for sharing knowledge with others.
Food and a T-shirt will be included in the event cost, and the girls will even get to tie-dye their shirts as one of the many fun activities of the day.
Contact: Emily Ficker, 314.592.2341, eficker@girlscoutsem.org for more information. |
|
Grades 4-12
 Girl Scout Weekend
September 7-9 @ YMCA Trout Lodge and Camp Lakewood
Join us for a Girl Scout weekend. The programs and activities offered during this weekend are intended to assist Girl Scouts in fulfilling their badge requirements. Scouts will not earn badges on this weekend, but they will gain skills and experiences toward completion of badges.
Registration Information:
The registration fee includes buffet meals from dinner Friday to lunch Sunday, lodging, equipment loan, most instruction and special events. Girl Scouts staying at Trout Lodge will eat in the Trout Lodge dining room and those staying at Camp Lakewood will eat in the Camp Lakewood dining room. Extra fees apply for certain class/activity options.
Registration Fee:
Lodging at Trout Lodge: $130
Lodging at Camp Lakewood: $100
Trout Lodge offers family cabins. Minimum of 6 people per cabin. Camp Lakewood cabins offer bunkhouse style lodging that vary in size and layout. Lodging is assigned and placement in Lakewood cabins depends on group size. Minimum number of people required to reserve a Lakewood cabin is 8. Showers and toilet facilities are modern and private.
Registration forms will be accepted after the August 16 deadline if space is available. Please call before sending in your registration after the deadline to determine availability.
Contact Judy Gillam, 314.241.9622 or 573.438.2154 ext 114, jgillam@ymcastlouis.org for more information. |
|
November Volunteer Enrichment Weekend
 Join us for this great opportunity to kick back, celebrate your Girl Scout history and rejuvenate for the wonderful experiences to come. Workshops ranging from underwater basket weaving to learning about The Wisdom of Dr. Seuss will be offered. You will also have plenty of time to spend with your silver and gold Girl Scout friends sharing memories, laughing lots and not doing kapers. Check out our website for information and the registration form. Don't forget to check out www.ScoutingforGirlScouts.org for opportunities to earn Volunteer Bucks. Up to $65 in Volunteer Bucks can be applied to this event. When you participate in an event during which you are earning Volunteer Bucks, make sure you check in and out with your shift captain so s/he can record the hours you are serving. |
|
Bound for Girl Scout Camp?
 Thinking about going to a Girl Scout camp and don't know what to expect? Check out "What's at a GSEM Camp," an online course that will introduce you to the units and facilities you will find at Camps Cedarledge, Fiddlecreek and Tuckaho. Learn what a tree house unit looks like, what an "ET" is and where you can find Conestoga wagons and giant turtles.
Find "What's at a GSEM Camp" and other camping preparation courses here. |
|
Techbridge
 August 29, 10 am-noon @ Girl Scout Service Center, food will be provided
Come learn to successfully lead girls in Girls Go Techbridge hands-on programs in-a-box. Techbridge topics include green architecture, engineering design, circuitry, simple machines and engineering know-how. Many of the activities correlate with Girl Scout Journeys and available badges. Participants will complete a hands-on project. Girls Go Techbridge is designed for girls in grades 4-12.
|
|
Robotics Essentials
August 25, 9 am-noon @ Girl Scout Service Center
Are you interested in working with a Girl Scout FIRST LEGO League team? Take this course to learn how to start and structure a team, discover resources to help prepare for competition and gain an introduction to programming with LEGO Mindstorms NXT.
|
|
Girl Scout Alums
The BIG Day won't be as BIG if you're not there, so "Meet up at Daisy's Gate" at the Alumnae Hospitality Tent on September 22. While you're there, you can help judge the "1913 First Class Challenge," a fun competition testing the skills of contestants vying for badges that simulate those awarded in the first Girl Scout Handbook of 1913. Candidates will be judged on time and proficiency in such skills as bathing and dressing a child under two, knowing their own measurements, semaphore, setting a table, making a bed, bandaging a wound and securing a burglar. We also need hosts to register alumnae, staff the guest book, assist in taking photos and clearing tables. To volunteer, please contact Melanie Palmer, 314.592.2319, mpalmer@girlscoutsem.org to schedule a shift. |
|
Come Ride a Horse with Us
The Saddles & Spurs program at Camp Cedarledge is for troops who want to learn more about horses and take a trail ride. Our horse programs are for Girl Scout Daisies through Ambassadors.
- Pony Tales (D, B): Come join us for a one-hour introductory program at the Equestrian Center where girls will take a pony ride, play games and groom a horse - Hoofprints (J, C, S, A): Girls will love this 90-minute horse program where they'll learn how to safely stop, start and steer a horse and then participate in a 45 minute trail ride - Saddle Scout Patch Program (J, C, S, A): Learn about the world of horses, participate in a trail ride and earn a special Camp Cedarledge horse patch - Golden Horseshoes (J, C, S, A): An extended ride of 1.5 hours for experienced girls - Troop Ride and Cookout: Take a ride through and enjoy a cookout meal afterwards (Sept. 15, 29, Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27)
Dates: Sept. 15, 16, 29, 20, Oct. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28
To register, fill out and mail the registration form in Lead & Learn.
|
|
Outdoor Adventure Course
Space is still available at the Individual Girl Outdoor Adventure Course. The OAC is a fun weekend dedicated to orienteering, teambuilding and low and high ropes courses. At the Individual Course, weekend supervision and food are provided, plus girls get to meet other Girl Scouts from around the Council. To participate, girls must be 12 years old and in the 6th grade or higher. Register by mail with the Individual Program Application found in Lead & Learn. Dates: September 14-16 Cost: $40 per girl Advanced Outdoor Adventure Course If your Girl Scout has already participated in the OAC program and is still begging for more climbing and fun, space is still available at the Advanced Outdoor Adventure Course weekend. Weekend supervision is also included. To participate, girls must have previously earned the Outdoor Adventure Course patch. Register by mail with the Individual Program Application found in Lead & Learn. Dates: October 19-21 Cost: $45 per girl |
|
ABOUT GIRL SCOUTS OF EASTERN MISSOURI
|
 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] |
|
|
