Welcome to our first issue of Girl Scouts of NE Kansas & NW Missouri's Teen Newsletter. We want to keep you up to date about events, activities, travel, career exploration, leadership and service opportunities.   

School is out for summer!  What's a girl to do?  Well, you don't have to look very far, because Girl Scouts has some great summer opportunities for you. Try something new, experience the outdoors, or take the lead and Take Action!

Summer Challenge Days are full day (or shorter) horseback riding adventures. So,

Zip. Climb. Aim. Saddle up. We've got a summer full of exciting opportunities for you!

Choose your Challenge here!

Questions? Contact us at campdept@gsksmo.org or (816) 759-3301.

Are you interested in one of the design fields, but don't really know which one or what it entails?  Here's your chance to find out!

Kansas City Design Discovery is an intensive one-week program from June 9-13 for high school students interested in the design professions of Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Interior Architecture/Product Design and Urban Planning/Design.

Visit the UMKC Dept. of Architecture, Urban Planning & Design blog to learn more.

Are you a 13 - 18 year old who loves to travel and wants to make the world a better place?  Why not consider a summer 2014 destinations trip?  There are still openings for the following adventures:

• The Great Panda Adventure
• Channel Islands Adventure Expedition
• San Juan Islands Kayaking
• Costa Rica and Panama Service Challenge*
• Scuba and Sea Turtle Adventure* 

*A limited number of $500 scholarships from GSUSA's Elliott Wildlife Values Project are available.

Check out the above webpages, including how to apply, for more information or contact Cindy Beals at cindybeals@gsksmo.org.

Check out the EXCITE Workshop if you are interested in pursuing majors or careers in the STEM field. This workshop is sponsored by the K-State Office for the Advancement of Women in Science and Engineering and takes place June 18-20. 

You will participate in hands-on activities, team problem solving, as well as the chance to meet with professors and gain insight into science, technology, engineering, math and pre-health professions. 

Visit the K-State website  for more information!

Calling all Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassasdors!  

Help us prepare to build girls of courage, confidence, and character in the 2014-2015 school year!  This project consists of filling troop packets with important information needed to get over 2,000 Girl Scout troops off and running for the 2014-2015 school year.  Groups will assist with stuffing envelopes and sorting packets into boxes to be distributed in early July. Additionally, boxes with recruitment materials and activity supplies will be assembled and sorted. 

 Project Name:              Troop Packet Assembly-Girl Scouts of NE KS & NW MO

Location:                         Girl Scouts of NE KS & NW MO Headquarters

                                          8383 Blue Parkway

                                          Kansas City, MO 64133

Contact:                           Cindy Beals

                                          cindybeals@gsksmo.org

                                          (816) 759-3021

# of volunteers needed: groups of 4-10

Project dates/times:         June 25 9am-12pm

                                            June 26 9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm

                                            June 27 9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm

Reserve your spot today!

Summer is a great time to start planning and working on your Girl Scout Gold Award!  If you have completed the pre-requisites and are ready to attend a workshop, we have Go Gold Workshops scheduled in June and July.   The workshop covers the requirements of the award, submission deadlines, tips and tricks for planning a successful project, and more. Attending the workshop is the best way to get ready to Go Gold! 

Sign up for a workshop today! 

For additional information contact Cindy Beals at cindybeals@gsksmo.org. 

GSKSMO is offering grants in the amount of $100 for Take Action projects.  If you are carrying out a Take Action project to complete a Journey or working on a Girl Scout Silver or Gold Award and need resources, then you will want to apply for a Take Action grant.

What does it mean to Take Action?  Take the quiz to find out how much you really know about Take Action projects, and think of ways you can take the lead as a community advocate. 

To learn more or apply for a grant, visit the GSKSMO website.

Beauty is everywhere. With Free Being Me, you get to define beauty the way you want to. Create a PSA video that shows what you think beauty is, celebrates the qualities that make you unique and celebrates different kinds of beauty. 

Free Being Me is sponsored by GSUSA, in partnership with WAGGGS and Dove.  Girls must be 13 or older to submit videos via Facebook.   If you are younger than 13, your parent or troop leader can submit the video on your behalf.  Deadline for submission is August 31, 2014.

Whether you are a fan or athlete, come enjoy an exciting night of women's professional soccer and cheer on the FC Kansas City Blues as they take on Seattle Reign FC at Durwood Soccer Stadium at UMKC on August 2.

Girl Scouts and their families will receive discounted tickets, and the girls will be able to participate in a 45 minute soccer pregame on the field and a 15 minute Q&A session with a couple of the players, and receive an event t-shirt. 

Get your tickets today!

Teen Girl Scouts (Junior - Ambassador Girl Scouts) - we have a great FREE STEM opportunity just for you, but you will want to reserve your spot today or you could miss out on the Girl Scout only special opportunity! 

On Saturday, September 20, we are excited to partner with Time Warner and Science City to host the inaugural Girl STEM Expo.STEM celebrity Emma Dumont will be featured at this event and host a one hour Q&A for Girl Scouts only. Registration is now open, so reserve your spot today!

The Teen Newsletter needs a name and we want your help!  This is a newsletter for YOU, so send us your creative suggestions and ideas to prdept@gsksmo.org.  

We will narrow down the choices and you will have the chance to vote for the name you like best.  If your submission is selected, you will be featured in the next issue (along with a special treat)!