Register now for our Believe in Girls Walk/Run on Nov. 24. The walk/run will begin at the GSEM Service Center. Join us as we "move" into our next 100 years of Girl Scouting. Participate in a five mile walk/run or a one mile walk/run. This is a perfect event for your troop as well as the whole family. Every participant will receive a "one of a kind" participation medal and a T-shirt. Visit our website for more information.

Dec. 1, 11 am @ Camp Cedarledge

Join us for a short ceremony and light refreshments for this memorable occasion.

To RSVP, contact Kathy Adrian, 314.592.2375, kadrian@girlscoutsem.org.

GSEM troops will be holding booth sales as part of the Fall Product Program from Nov. 28-Dec. 9, 2012. Girls can use their merchandising skills to create eye-catching booth displays that showcase the products and tins. They can talk with customers about the new Fall Product packaging, which shows the breadth of Girl Scout activities today, and the five leadership skills girls develop during the Fall Product Program: goal setting, decision making, people skills, money management and business ethics.

To encourage multiple purchases, girls can bundle several Fall Products together with ribbons and tags. Some ideas include "Caramel Cravings" (Pecan Supremes and Dulce de Leches), "Mint Magic" (Mint Trefoils and Peppermint Bark), "I Love Chocolate" (Chocolate Covered Almonds, Chocolate Covered Raisins and Peanut Butter Cups) and "Snack Pack" (Whole Cashews, Spicy Cajun Mix and Honey Roasted Peanuts). These make great gifts that support Girl Scouts!

Come support our Girl Scout FIRST® LEGO® League teams! GSEM is currently working with 21 amazing FLL teams who are learning to build and program a robot and research the "Senior Solutions" challenge of improving the quality of life for seniors. Come see what the program is all about and cheer our Girl Scout teams on at the regional qualifying events. Qualifiers are free, open to the public and take place on the following dates from approximately 8:45 am-4 pm. Please note it's generally best to come in the afternoon in order to see the robot runs. 

Saturday 11/17/12

Q5 - MICDS

Q6 - St. Charles Community College

Sunday 11/18/12

Q7 - MICDS

Q8 - St. Charles Community College

GSEM is also working with a fabulous all-girl FTC team at Hancock High School. FTC teams design, build and program a robot to compete in an alliance format against other teams. The game this year is called "Ring It Up!" Come support our first high school robotics team and find out more about the program when they compete at the St. Louis Community College in Florissant Valley on Saturday, Dec. 8.

Please contact Amber Phillips, 314.592.2376, aphillips@girlscoutsem.org if you have any questions.

GSEM invites Girl Scouts of all ages to earn a special centennial patch to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Girl Scouting. This patch will be available to purchase in the GS Shop through March 12, 2013.

Below is an example of one of the Centennial Patch Program activities that girls may choose to do with their friends at a Girl Scout meeting.

Take Action: Activity 2. 100 Ways to Make a Difference

Community service is inherent in the Girl Scout Promise and Law and is given without expectation of payment or reward. Girls at all grade levels of Girl Scouting take part in service activities or projects. Giving girls a chance to take action on issues that they feel strongly about helps them develop courage, confidence and character.

You can make a difference in 100 different ways:

- Make 100 friendship bracelets to give to girls in foster care

- Make 100 pumpkin doggy biscuits for an animal shelter. Did you know pumpkin helps soothe upset doggy stomachs?

- Make 100 mini first aid kits for a homeless shelter

- Make 100 posters to tell others about Girl Scouts and display them in a public place such as a library or school (with permission)

GSEM would love to hear about your Centennial Patch Program activities and encourage you to post pictures or your interesting stories on GSEM's Facebook page.

Contacts:

Lucretia Penn, Suburban Team, 314.592.2337, lpenn@girlscoutsem.org

Jessica Upchurch, Rural Team, 314.592.2359, jupchurch@girlscoutsem.org

All Ages

Generations for a Healthy Community Student Exhibition 

Dec. 4, 5-6:30 pm @ Fairview Intermediate School, Jennings

Please join us to show your support for students who are working for change through the GSEM and OASIS partnership program - Generations for a Healthy Community. This program unites volunteers with children in grades 4-6 to join forces in advocating local healthy eating and an active living policy and environment to create solutions to reverse the childhood obesity epidemic.

The event includes dinner and door prizes. For more information, contact Michelle Johnson, 314.592.2344, mjohnson@girlscoutsem.org.

"Carol for a Cause" this Holiday Season 

Make plans for your troop to go caroling this season. It's a special way to celebrate the holidays by bringing joy to listeners in December while collecting funds to help area children throughout the new year. Donations collected will go to help 4+ metro St. Louis agencies, including Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri. 

Troops choose their caroling date and location, singing in your neighborhood, school or church community.

Girls may also carol at Lambert Airport, shopping centers such as The Boulevard in Richmond Heights, The Meadows in Lake St. Louis, the Schnucks on The Hill, Soulard Market and other public locations. Check the website for a current list.

To participate, call 314.863.1225 and you'll be connected with your Area Chairman who will schedule your caroling and provide supplies, including a collection can, song sheets and logos. Or, visit www.stlchristmascarols.org and submit your information on the form found us on the "Join Us" page. Caroling satisfies requirements for Seasons of Giving.

For questions, email stlcca@att.net.

Note: Girl Scouts have caroled for St. Louis Christmas Carols Association for many years and is one of the recipients of funds raised. Girl members may carol and supervising adults are responsible for taking donations. For more information, see the Blue Books of Basic Documents, 2012 edition, Solicitation of Contributions, p.21.

The Fabulous Fox

527 North Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63103, 314.534.1678

The Fabulous Fox is celebrating 30 years of Broadway with discounts for Girl Scouts. Once a show goes on sale, Girl Scout groups of 10 or more can purchase tickets online, by phone, at the Fox Box Office or by filling out the mail order form. Find out more information.

My Promise, My Faith Pin

Everything in Girl Scouting is based on the Girl Scout Promise and Law and includes many of the principles and values common to most faiths. Girls of all grade levels can earn the My Promise, My Faith pin developed by Girl Scouts of the USA. This pin, which girls can earn once a year, complements existing religious recognitions and allows all girls to further strengthen the connection between their faith and Girl Scouts. A girl earns the My Promise, My Faith pin by carefully examining the Girl Scout Law and directly tying it to her faith. Requirements for the pin are included in The Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting for all levels.

Religious Recognitions

Religious recognitions were developed by individual religious organizations/groups to encourage the spiritual growth of their youth members and reinforce many of the values integral to Girl Scouting. While My Promise, My Faith helps girls connect Girl Scouting with their faith, the religious recognitions programs help girls grow stronger in and learn more specifically about their faith. A girl works with her family and religious leaders to complete requirements for these recognitions. Girl Scouts does not endorse any specific religion; it does foster and support an inclusive environment in which girls develop respect for people of all faiths.

Visit www.interfaithcalendar.org to view interfaith calendars to help you work with girls to avoid scheduling Girl Scout activities that conflict with religious holidays.

Contacts:

GSEM - Lucretia Penn, 314.592.2337, lpenn@girlscoutsem.org

Catholic Committee - Ann Lederman, 314.792.7608, annlederman@archstl.org

Christian (Protestant) Committee - Deb Hazelwood, 314.849.4235, debh@praypub.org

Grades 1-12

Footsteps of American Saints Patch Series

The Footsteps of American Saints Activity Patch Series honors those men and women who led heroic lives of faith. The patch program encourages youth to learn more about the individuals that have shaped the landscape of Catholicism in America. The goal of the programs is to share the lives of saints so that the youth might relate to what these people have done and look to these individuals as role models. There are 16 activity patches available.

Contact the Office of Catholic Scouting, 314.792.7613, www.catholicscoutingstl.org.

Grades 2-3

"Family of God" Catholic Faith-Building Program

Family of God, first offered in 1981, is the official religious recognition program of the Roman Catholic Church. It is an activity series developed the complement the catechetical efforts of the parish and families. 

Girls in grades 2-3 who are enrolled in the Girl Scouts of the USA can earn this religious award.

In the Family of God program, parents and guardians play a large role in assisting girls in completing activities and that can take up to three or four months if done within an organizational setting. The program includes a guide for adults. Medals are presented each year at your local parish service.

The program helps girls discover the presence of God in their daily lives as members of their family and parish and understand that they are special in their family's eyes and most importantly in God's eyes.

The chapters include:

- I am Special to my Family

- I am Special to God's Family

- I Belong to my Family

- I Belong to God's Family

- I Can Help my Family

- I Can Help God's Family

For more information on Catholic Girl Scout awards, contact the Office of Catholic Scouting at www.catholicscoutingstl.org or call 314.792.7608 or 314.792.7613. 

Grades 6-10

Heart, Health and Mind

Jan. 26, 2013, 1-9:30 pm @ Renaissance Airport Hotel, $50 per person

Spend the day with a dynamic woman who has graced the catwalks of the fashion houses around the world, and become the "Best You Can Be." In her seminar, Lu Celannia Sierra will share her experiences while inspiring you with her energy, confidence and remarkable resume. You will learn the importance of being prepared and having that energetic presence that resonates with others to leave a positive impression.

Rounding out the event will be workshops on topics such as health, fitness, nutrition and self esteem. The evening includes an elegant sit down dinner and a "what not to wear" fashion show featuring event participants. 

To register, please see the Individual Program Application on page 67 of the fall 2012 Lead & Learn.

Winter GAM

Jan. 18-20 @ Camp Tuckaho, Troy 63379

$22 per person

Deadline: Dec. 17

Winter GAM is a gathering for girls who like water sports such as swimming, canoeing or sailing. Winter GAM is hosted by the Girl Scout Mariners who welcome other girls and Mariners alike to spend a fun weekend at camp. The event includes playing games and learning water sport instruction and sea shanties. Participants do not get in the water during this event.

Girl Scout Mariners are girls in grades 7-12 and adult volunteers who enjoy water activities. They are part of "Ships" who get together during the year for fun, friendship and activities. The capstone Mariner event is Summer GAM, which is a week-long resident camp just for Mariners. Girls and adults interested in joining the Mariner program are encouraged to attend Winter GAM.

For more information, contact Lucretia Penn, 314.592.2337, lpenn@girlscoutsem.org.

Grades 9-12

Youth Gateway to Aviation

April 6, 9 am-3 pm @ Parks College, St. Louis Downtown Airport, Cahokia, IL

Have you ever dreamed of becoming a pilot? Come to the Youth Gateway to Aviation Day and participate in a Boeing F-18 Simulator, hands-on exhibits, a museum scavenger hunt and more. Visit www.slu.edu/aviationday for more information and to register. All girls must attend with an adult chaperone, as this is at a working airport. If you sign up early, you may even have the chance to fly.

This event is free, but troops must register in advance. Registrations are filled on a first come, first served basis. Registration opens on Dec. 1 and closes at capacity or on March 15, 2013. 

This event is sponsored by The Boeing Company, Saint Louis University's Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology and the St. Louis Downtown Airport.

Contact Melissa Lassonde, 314.977.8443, mlassond@slu.edu.