Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida

www.gssef.org March 19, 2015

In this Issue:

Mark Your Calendar; Annual Meeting; After the Annual Meeting - S'mores and Archery Demo; Family Fun at Annual Thin Mint Sprint; Gems of STEM; Volunteer Weekend; Take the Lead - Be an Early Bird; Summer Camp Registration; Gold and Silver Award Project Deadline is April 1; Program Spotlight; Retail Store Specials; Calling All Girl Scouts; Membership; I Can't Wait for my Next Girl Scout Adventure; Stay Connected

Mark Your Calendar!

You don't want to miss any of the great things happening at GSSEF.

Feeding Florida Together Food Drive: April 1 -30

Volunteer Weekend: April 10-12

Annual Meeting: April 11

Annual Thin Mint Sprint: April 12
Early Bird Re-Registration: April 15 - May 31

Gems of STEM: May 2

Oakland Park Service Center to close for Repairs: March 26 - 30

The Oakland Park Service Center will be closing for repairs beginning Thursday, March 26 through Monday March 30. This closure includes regular GSSEF office hours, and evening and weekend use of the building. The Retail Store will be closed on these dates as well.

You will be able to connect with staff members by email and cell phone during this time.

Save the Date: Annual Council Meeting, April 11

Oakland Park Service Center

4701 N.W. 33rd Avenue, Oakland Park

9:30 a.m. - Registration and Light Continental Breakfast

10:00 a.m. - Call to Order

Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida will hold its Annual Meeting on Saturday, April 11, 2015. All girl members over the age of 14 years and all registered adult volunteer members are welcome to attend this meeting as visitors. There is no charge to attend.

Business items on the agenda include a report of the stewardship of the Council and the election of members-at-large and officers to the board of directors and members of the board development committee. In addition, there will be reports on outdoor program progression and the GSSEF Long Range Property Plan Task Group insights, strategies and recommendations.

RSVP

To RSVP for the meeting, please email Gina Deighan at gdeighan@gssef.org.

After the Annual Meeting

Stay and Join Us for S'mores and an Archery Demonstration

Come join us for s'mores and an archery demonstration immediately following the Annual Council Meeting.

Girls want to be outdoors frequently, and in varied ways. The Girl Scout Research Institute's More Than S'Mores report found that girls with more frequent and longer-in-duration outdoor experiences are more likely to seek challenges and better prepared to solve problems - qualities that will advance them personally and academically. Participating regularly in outdoor activities also helps girls develop competence, interpersonal skills and a sense of being able to make a difference for the environment.

And actually being outdoors has similar benefits for adults as well! So plan to stay and enjoy the outdoors with us. We'll even save you a marshmallow.

Family Fun at 4th Annual Thin Mint Sprint

The first 300 to register will receive a T-shirt, and a box of Girl Scout Cookies will be given to ALL finishers! Registered Girl Scouts will receive a participation patch.

Run, jog or walk - just don't miss out on all the fun of participating in our annual Thin Mint Sprint. This family-friendly event will take place on Sunday, April 12 at Okeeheelee Park in West Palm Beach. The race is shaping up to be the best one yet with plenty of fun activities for all.

The 5K portion of the morning is a chip-timed race on a certified course, and the 100-yard dash is open to children eight and under.

For questions, contact Mandy Allen at aallen@gssef.org.

To register for the event, click here.

Annual Gems of STEM: May 2

Please join us as we honor four women from St. Lucie County who have excelled in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math at the second annual Gems of STEM luncheon. This year's event will take place on Saturday, May 2, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m at the Kight Center for Emerging Technologies at Indian River State College.

Tickets will be just $50 per person, and the luncheon will be complete with a silent auction and chance drawing. Look for more information regarding the purchase of tickets in an upcoming issue of E-News.

Sponsorship opportunities are available. Please contact Mandy Allen at (561) 427-0190 with any questions.

Have you registered for Volunteer Weekend 2015 yet? This special weekend is an opportunity for registered adult volunteers to network with others, learn new skills and have fun. You may select a full weekend experience, or, new this year, a Saturday only option.

Registration deadline is April 1 (no foolin') so sign-up here.

If you have a question, email volunteer@gssef.org.

Take the Lead - Be an Early Bird
We are approaching that special time during the Spring to re-register Girls and Adults for the next Girl Scout Membership year. Now is the time to prepare for the 2016 Early Bird re-registration season!

Early Bird re-registration starts April 15 and will continue through May 31. All girls and troops registered by April 3, 2015 are eligible to participate in Early Bird re-registration.

To learn more about how you can start to prepare for Early Bird, why you should participate and the new exciting incentives this year including incentives for Troop Leaders, click here.

For additional information, contact Rhonda Netzel, director of membership at rnetzel@gssef.org.

Summer is coming! Register for Summer Camp Now

Since spring has sprung, you know school will be ending soon and summer will be here before you know it! Now is the perfect time to plan your girl's summer activities. GSSEF has packed June, July and August full of Summer Camp sessions for girls at every grade level. You can count on finding your favorite one-day programs for mothers and daughters - and - fathers and daughters. For younger girls, we have an Alice In Wonderland-themed campfire, a Teddy Bear Tea Party at camp and Be A Princess weekend camp. There's a session for girls who love the wonders of water at Camp H2Ohhh! and for the girls who love making art from the heart at Crafty Creators Camp. For families, we are offering an all new Stars and Stripes BBQ and loads of other themed campfires so everyone can come and enjoy the outdoors together.

There's even more...so if you're seeking something spooky or crave the thrill of competition - GSSEF summer camp sessions have got it for girls! We also have a session where Senior and Ambassador level girls can earn their Program Aide award. Prices range from $6.00 per person for campfires, up to $70.00 per girl for longer overnight sessions.

Visit our Summer Camp web page here to learn all about the different camp sessions, locations and times and general camp information. You'll also find registration links for each of the sessions on the web page.

Register her for a GSSEF summer session and make this summer the best one she's ever had!

If you have a question, contact Lammy Askar at aaskar@gssef.org.

Calling All Adult Volunteers and Older Girls!

Is there a camp that catches your eye that you'd like to volunteer for? GSSEF is seeking dedicated adult volunteers and older girls to work alongside our Camp Director to create, plan and facilitate Summer Camp programs. Camp sessions will be held on weekends throughout the months of June, July and August. We're looking for volunteers to assist with day programs as well as overnight weekend camp.

Interested? Contact the Director of Program, Lammy Askar, at aaskar@gssef.org.

Gold and Silver Award Project Deadline is Approaching

This is a reminder if you are working on an approved Gold or Silver Award project, the deadline to complete them is fast approaching.

Your completed project submissions are due Wednesday, April 1, 2015, by 6 p.m. at either the Jupiter or Oakland Park Service Center. Please address your project submissions to the attention of Lammy Askar, director of program.

If you have a question, contact Lammy Askar, director of program, at aaskar@gssef.org.

Program Spotlight

Journey In A Day

May 2: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Come out to Camp Nocatee and explore the It's Your Planet, Love It! Journey all in one day! Each girl will participate in age appropriate workshops to complete their grade-level leadership awards. Spritz on some sunscreen, plan a picnic lunch, and pack up for a fun-filled, environmental awareness day!

Check out the flier for more information or email Catalina Cano at ccano@gssef.org or Meredith Slaymaker at mslaymaker@gssef.org.

The Science Behind Your Senses - Daisies, Brownies

SWE Workshop

April 11: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
The River Center
805 N. Highway 1, Jupiter
Cost: $8 per girl
Register here. View flier here.
Questions: contact Megan Harris at (561) 743-7123 ext. 702

A HERMIT CRAB HIDEAWAY! Daisies, Brownies, Juniors

April 12: 1-2 p.m.

The Manatee Observation and Education Center

480 N. Indian River Drive, Fort Pierce

Cost: $5 per girl; $1.50 per adult

Questions: Email Meredith at mslaymaker@gssef.org.

Who Can Sleep at the Zoo? Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes

April 17 - 18: 7 p.m. - 8:30 a.m. (must be at zoo at 6:30 p.m.)
The Palm Beach Zoo

1301 Summit Boulevard, West Palm Beach

This is an overnight activity.

Cost: $35 per girl; $25 per adult

Questions: Email Meredith at mslaymaker@gssef.org.

Spring Science Sleepover - Daisies, Brownies, Juniors

April 18: 5 p.m.

South Florida Science Center and Aquarium

4801 Dreher Trail North, West Palm Beach

This is an overnight activity.

Cost: $35 per girl; $35 per adults

Questions: Email Meredith at mslaymaker@gssef.org.

Annual Girl Scout Thanks-A-Lot Weekends

Celebrate your troop accomplishments with a girls' getaway to Nickelodeon Suites Resort! Grab your troop members and do-si-do to the Nickelodeon Suites Resort to enjoy sweet rewards during their Annual Girl Scout Thanks-A-Lot Weekend event (select weekends April - June, 2015). For additional information, click here.

New Program Contacts

Lammy Askar, director of program - aaskar@gssef.org

Catalina Cano, regional program manager - ccano@gssef.org

Meredith Slaymaker, regional program manager - mslaymaker@gssef.org

Diana Mills, program registrar - dmills@gssef.org

Cool Girl Scout Gear All Year-Round

Have you made a visit to one of our retail stores lately? There is plenty of new merchandise to check out. Our stores have everything you need to make it your best Girl Scout year ever! You'll find Girl Guides, Journeys books, official uniforms, pins, T-shirts, badges, fun patches and more.

Retail Store

Browse GSUSA's Online Catalog

Questions? Contact Jodi Potter at jpotter@gssef.org.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter, to stay connected about retail specials.

Our Online Store is Always Open

Remember you can also shop from the comfort of your home by visiting our Online Store that is open 24/7.

March Madness

These lovable plush animals are looking for a home. They can be yours. All you have to do is spend $50.00 or more at either of our Retail Stores. This gift with purchase offer ends March 31. See store for details and one per customer.

Calling all Girl Scouts

Please email your Girl Scouts Give Back story and photo to sbeigh@gssef.org.

Registration Questions

To update membership records, contact our Membership Registrar at mjoseph@gssef.org.

I Can't Wait for My Next Girl Scout Adventure!

Girl Scout Junior and Cadettes

These Girl Scouts enjoyed Girl Scout Edition: Clever Science Investigators program and even practiced their new-found C.S.I. skills.

Troop #27002
Troop #27002 celebrated 103 years of Girl Scouting by having a birthday bash with photo props and cupcakes.

Check-out more photos on GSSEF'S Flickr. Do you have photos from troop or service unit activities that you would like to share? We'd love to give you a shout out. To submit, complete this short form here.

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Don't forget when sharing on social media, use the hashtag #GSSEF.

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