Celebrating Thinking Day

Every year on February 22, Girl Scouts celebrate World Thinking Day. Girl Scouts participate in projects and activities that celebrate girls from around the world. You may know your service unit event as International Fair. At many of these events, troops select a country and share history, traditions, food, songs, etc. with others.

 

 In the last two issues of the S'MORE, we asked for submissions on your plans for Thinking Day. Fantastic events are taking place - please share your photos for our Facebook page to [email protected]. Our selected highlight is GS Troop 7040 from Junction City, Kansas - Troop Leader Kristi Franks! We will be sending Kristi a GS Shop gift certificate.

 

Troop 7040 chose to learn about Kenya for their Thinking Day activities. Like many other troops, girls learned to make something (kangas: tye-dyed the colors of the Kenyan flag and trash beads: traditional necklaces and head pieces) and prepared a traditional dish (mukimo: made of corn, collard greens, mashed beans, tomatoes and potatoes). What we enjoyed most about their activities is how Troop 7040 partnered with Faith, a Kenyan Exchange Student. Faith came to the troop meeting showing the girls items from Kenya like jewelry, clothing and money. She even taught them a Swahili dance. A great example of finding resources within your community to connect girls with! We hope all of our Girl Scout troops have a fantastic time celebrating Thinking Day!  And don't forget to send us your photos!

 

Question for March:

 

How does your troop decorate and draw customers to your cookie booth? 

 

Send your submission to [email protected] by March 7.

 

 Questions about Recent Media

We know many of you have faced questions from parents and others about recent media airing on local stations and running in newspapers in addition to the stories that continue to circulate the Internet. These stories can be confusing and frustrating, especially as we are in one of our busiest and media-driven seasons, Cookies! 

 

There are tools available that will help you answer some of those questions. 

Get the facts about the Cookie Program now.

 Girl Scout National Convention

Make a difference and apply to be a delegate for the National Convention October 16-18 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Delegates need to be 14 years and older.

 

The event will attract 12,000 Girl Scout officials from around the globe who are making a difference and is a great opportunity to be the voice of girls and volunteers in shaping the direction of the Girl Scout movement..

 

Learn all the details and apply today!  Application deadline is February 28.

 
 

Girl Scout Leadership Institute

Running concurrently with the National Convention, The Girl Scout Leadership Institute (GSLI) is a triennial conference that presents girls 14 and older with three days of leadership skill-building activities tied to the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE). 

 

The GSLI experience will give each girl the opportunity to make new friends, develop important skills, learn about new planning processes, and take advantage of a support system that will be there to meet her needs-all delivered in a fun, engaging way. Each girl will also create action plans that will provide her and her council with a significant and lasting return on investment. 

 

Visit our website for more information and the application

Deadline for application: March 7.

 
 STEM Activity Guides

Is this weather giving your troop cabin fever?  If you're looking for some fun activities to change up your troop meetings, head to the STEM Activity Guides to find a new project for your girls.  Maybe a crystallized snowflake to bring the pretty winter weather indoors, or plan ahead for some warmer weather activities like a solar-oven to make s'mores.

 Summer Camp Registration Opens Feb. 14

Registration for Summer Camp 2014 opens on February 14! We have many exciting opportunities at Camp Daisy Hindman this summer.  Everything from traditional resident camp for girls 3rd-12th grade, to NEW mini camps for girls 2nd - 5th grade.  We also have several mother/daughter overnights and family camp weekends planned for June and July.  

 

Look for more information on our website or call (816) 358-8750.

 

We are also busy hiring the camp staff for this summer, if you are interested in a great summer job, please contact Laura Force at [email protected]. Applicants must be at least 18 years old.

 
 Get Involved with Outdoor Programs

Have you ever thought about being an archery, rappel or zipline facilitator? Now is your chance. Everyone 10th grade and older is welcome to join us at training.

 

Check out the interactive calendar or contact Megan Dawson at [email protected] for more information.

 
 

Join us for Upcoming Training

We hope you will make plans to join us for an upcoming training!

 

February 25 and April 26 at GSKSMO Headquarters in Kansas City, Mo.

Troop FUNdamentals - A course for new Daisy, Brownie and Junior Leaders and Assistant Leaders. Learn the basic fundamentals of how to manage your troop. Training includes implementing the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, how to utilize the Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting and Journeys programs. Explore the dynamics of your age group, develop techniques on girl-led planning techniques, money management and bridging.  *No cost for course* 

 

March 1 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Topeka, Kan. Volunteer Training Expo - this event is geared for new and experienced troop leaders. If you attended a past expo, you will see brand new workshops at this one like getting ready for summer camp, Journeys Live!, 10 essential elements of a troop, getting ready for Cookie Booth sales and so much more. $15 per person (includes lunch). Workshop overview.

 

February 22 in Shawnee, Kan., March 1 in Topeka, Kan. (at the Expo) and March 29 in Liberty, Mo. - Day Camp Training - this day training is for all service unit day camp team positions - Director, Business Manager, etc.

 

We look forward to seeing you at one of our upcoming trainings!

 

 Cookie Program Updates

Cookie orders are in, delivery will soon be here and March is a great time to connect with customers who were missed or want more cookies by directing them to community booth sales! Cookies will be available should you need more through service unit and regional cupboards.

 

Promoting your booth sale is the key to success! If your booth location was not a part of the council scheduled, make sure your Troop Cookie Manager gets your location, time and date added to SNAP to be uploaded to the Booth Locator. Get all the directions now.

 

In addition to the Booth Locator and if your location permits, hang posters promoting the Cookie Program prior to your sale. Posters are available by attending your service unit meeting, asking your membership manager or emailing [email protected]. Limited supply of posters - Hurry!

 

You can also download and print your own posters with resources on our website. We are looking forward to a super March!

 

We know many girls are working toward personal goals - one being reaching 150 packages to earn Scarlet, the Red Panda! ABC Bakers has already announced that next year's plush will be a polar bear and voting is now open to name her. Your Girl Scout can pick her favorite name now. Cast your vote by Feb. 28.

 E-Shop Refresh Coming Feb. 28

We have exciting news!! On Friday, February 28 our council will transition its E-Shop to the national site. You will still be able to access through our website, and we will have our very own unique page. What is most exciting for you is access to more items and national sale opportunities. 

 

We will maintain our store at our Headquarters office and there will be some items you will have to either come into our shop to order or order by phone - items like fun patches.

 

This E-Shop transition will also provide us an opportunity to look for ways to bring shopping opportunities to customers in all of our regions. We will provide more details in the next S'MORE (the week of the E-Shop move).

 Behind the Ballot Event at UMKC

Girl Scouts can continue their journey toward becoming women of action on Saturday, March 1, by attending Plan a Campaign. This event dives into the nuts and bolts of organizing any campaign, whether it's to create a social movement for change, or get elected to office. This workshop will complete Step 4 of the Senior Behind the Ballot Badge. It also has connections to the Your World, Your Voice and Girltopia Journeys.

 

SENIOR OR AMBASSADOR CLASS: Saturday March 1, 9 am - 12:15 pm. Location: UMKC Civic Engagement Offices, Kansas City, Missouri. Cost per girl: $20. Visit our website for more information and other dates.  

 

 
Upcoming Events

March 1

St. Joseph Public Library

Brownies

St. Joseph, Missouri

 

March 20 or April 17

Waterworks! - Earthworks and Exchange City

Brownies

Kansas City, Missouri

 

You Schedule It!

The Willow

Juniors and Cadettes

They will come to you!

 

Multiple Dates

Kansas Children's Discovery Center

All ages

Topeka, Kansas

 

Even more events can be found on the interactive calendar

 

Note: If you would like to read the S'MORE without graphics (great for those smartphones), below there is an update my profile / email link and you can select to receive this e-publication in TEXT-ONLY Format.
   
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