Make this a Summer to Remember, Attend Girl Scout Camp!

Click here for our summer camp guide and then register online.

On Saturday April 6, over 150 2nd-5th grade girls gathered at Bryn Mawr College for the Discovering Leadership Conference. The conference consisted of a variety of workshops including Zumba, Science, Art and Healthy Snacks. Girls learned new skills, made new friends, and most importantly had fun!

On Saturday April 20, over 175 6th-12th grade girls and 50 adults attended the Real Girls Leadership Conference at Cedar Crest College. The conference included workshops on Zumba, Robotics, Collage Art, and Team Building. A panel discussion with women professionals and leaders from the community provided girls insight into different careers and tips for pursuing their goals. Girl's art work from the Advocacy Art workshop will be on display at the Allentown Art Museum from June 5th-June 15th in the Crayola classroom.

The 2013 GSEP Girl Scout Achievement Ceremony was held on April 21 at the DoubleTree Hilton in King of Prussia to recognize 38 Gold Award recipients, 14 scholarship recipients, 35 graduating senior Girl Scouts, and 18 Top Cookie Achievers. The celebration luncheon was attended by 260 guests and included inspiring messages from the guest speaker, Jennifer Allan, Pharm. D., a former GSEP Gold Award recipient from Yardley and Congressman Michael J. Fitzpatrick. In this photo, the 2013 Top Cookie Achievers celebrate their success. Pictured are: Back row: Deb Walters, Natalye Paquin, Brianna W, Sara C, Tamyah S, Emme D, Barbara Bankert, Ann Thornton Field; Middle row: Emily D, Isabella E, Michele T, Tianna P, Noor B; Front row: Morgan B, Peyton B, Simone J, Brianna D, Molly N.

It's registration season!  

Following are some important things to remember:

Fee Increase

• General membership fee is increasing to $15 for girls and adults
• Lifetime membership (adults only) will increase to $375 effective 10/1; and the graduating senior lifetime offer will increase to $195 effective 10/1. This year's graduating senior offer dated 6/1 - 9/1 will remain $156.

GSEP is Going Paperless

• Our goal is to have 100% of eligible membership registration completed online using the Online Registration Systemat www.gsep.org 
• The only membership registrations that are not considered online eligible are financial aid and the graduating senior discount lifetime offer (available 5/3 - 9/1)
• The cookie sales membership voucher will be sent via email this year in May. Parents will need to respond to the email to redeem the membership
• It is preferred that parent re-register girls online and forward the email confirmation to leaders
• Leaders can re-register girls and adults currently in their troops from 5/3 - 9/29 using Troop Management. However, leaders will still need to collect the registration forms signed by parents and turn them in to council

Early Bird Registration

• Early Bird registration takes place between May 3rd and June 30th this year
• Girls who register online during this time will receive a special patch incentive. Girls who submit COMPLETE financial aid applications and girls responding to the voucher email prior to June 30th will also receive the Early Bird patch
• Bridging or transferring girls can re-register now and Leaders can submit transfer paperwork to the Service Unit later

Help Available

• Every GSEP service center has staff and computers available for use to our members during normal business hours
• Staff will also be happy to schedule appointments for in person/phone training during normal business hours
• Printed instructions and helpful, easy to follow video tutorials are available online at http://www.gsep.org/about/online-registration-page.php 
• "After Hours" Support during May and June:

IN PERSON and BY PHONE at 215-564-4657, press 2 for registration

• DelCo Service Center - Mondays, 5/6 - 6/24, from 5 to 7 pm
• Lehigh Valley Service Center - Tuesdays, 5/7 - 6/25 from 5 to 7 pm
• Berks Service Center & Shelly Ridge - Wednesdays, 5/8 - 6/26 from 5 to 7 pm
• Valley Forge Service Center - Thursdays, 5/9 - 6/27 from 5 to 7 pm

BY EMAIL at  ebiz@gsep.org

• Tuesdays & Thursdays in May - live email support from 7 to 9 pm

The Triathlon and Duathlon scheduled for August 10, 2013 has been postponed until the summer of 2014.  Among the factors influencing this decision are the amount of preparatory work and additional funds and resources required by the Council to ensure flawless execution of the nation's first-ever girls only triathlon.  Another factor is the need to ensure the safety of our Girls and their families who would be in attendance on the day of the event.  The postponement affords us the opportunity to develop specific programming around healthy lifestyles for our Girls leading up to a successful event in the summer of 2014.  To that end, the Council plans to continue working with the various community-based and non-profit organizations that had stepped forward to work with us.  With their continued support, the support of our volunteers, and the leadership provided by the Council, we are confident that the summer 2014 event will be a huge success for our Girls.

Sincere thanks are extended to all who were involved in the planning of the August Triathlon and Duathlon and to the volunteers who had expressed interest in supporting it.  Special appreciation is extended to Stacey Woodland, Philadelphia Region Membership Director, for her vision to bring this opportunity to the Council.  We look forward to the 2014 Triathlon/Duathlon and all we will do together to ensure its success.

The Boyertown Service Unit participated in the Earthfest held at the Boyertown Community Park on Saturday, April 27, 2013. The theme for the Girl Scouts was "Recycle." The various troops (Daisy to Ambassador) helped out with boxing up the used book donations collected for the Boyertown Library sale and a life butterfly display!

Cadette Troop 21788 hosted Brownie Troop 22135 to earn their Leader in Action (LIA) Award and shared what they learned throughout their Media Journey. After MUCH planning and practice, the Cadettes facilitated the entire meeting on their own, from "Welcome Brownies" to singing Taps at the end.