| You're Invited to an Open House! | |
Celebrate Girl Scouting at our newly renovated headquarters made possible by generous donations from our community.
Tuesday, March 5
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Portland Service Center
9620 SW Barbur Blvd
Portland, OR 97219
R.S.V.P. to Shannon Spencer at (503) 977-6843 or by email. |
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Honor a Special Girl Scout | |
Honor or remember a special Girl Scout in your life by joining the 1912 Society by March 12, 2013! Your donation of $100 or more to the 1912 Society shows your commitment to a century of Girl Scouting and ensures a strong foundation for the next 100 years. To join, visit girlscoutsosw.org or contact Mary Lee Alder at (503) 977-6807. |
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Camping Season Starts Soon
Are You Ready? | |
Attention Girl Scout Volunteers! Be sure you're ready for heading outdoors with girls by registering for GSOSW's Camping Basics and CPR/First Aid courses. Both are required to take a troop or group camping. It is never too early to register for a course! For more information about available classes, visit our Adult Training & Events page. |
| International Women's Day Event | |
World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) is celebrating International Women's Day by organizing a 24 hour chat. It will take place from 10:00 GMT on March 8 to 10:00 GMT March 9.
Crossing eight time zones, eight young women will moderate discussions on education for girls, violence against girls and young women, decent job opportunities for young women, female leadership and girls' and young women's participation in development of the agenda. Important note: discussion topics are intended for older girls and participation should be approved by parents/guardians.
Ideas and suggestions resulting from the chat will be included in the International Day of the Girl Action Plan - a call to governments, businesses, institutions, civil society and individuals to help create, "the world we want for girls."
Click here for more information on this event! |
| El Programa de Galletas Girl Scouts: ¡5 Destrezas valiosas para toda la vida! | | |
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| Booth Sales Are Here! | | |
Top 10 Super Selling Strategies
Did you know that the number one reason people don't buy Girl Scout cookies is that they weren't asked? It's true! So how will you get the word out? Whether asking customers to buy #onemorebox through Cookie Club, setting up a Girl Scout cookie drive-thru in Eugene or a pop-up shop in Portland, girls have great ideas to stretch their sales. Our friends at Little Brownie Bakers have some great tips, too - check out their Top 10 Super Selling Strategies for ideas.
Send Us Your Booth Photos and Win!
Post a photo of your Girl Scout cookie booth on Facebook to show us how you're using any of the Girl Scouts USA, Little Brownie Bakers or council resources (including alumnae cards and cow stickers, where applicable) to catch customers' attention and help girls reach their goals. Three entries will be selected at random to receive a limited edition Girl Scout Cookie Program milk glass, not available in stores! Post photos by 3/15/13 to be eligible.
Get a Free Box of Cookies at Oil Can Henry's!
Starting today, customers will receive a FREE BOX of Girl Scout cookies with any oil change at participating Oil Can Henry's locations. Girls will also set up booths at local Oil Can Henry's centers on Saturday, February 23 for customers who want to stock up on extra boxes. A special thanks to our friends at Oil Can Henry's for their support! Please help us say thanks by spreading the word about this opportunity to friends and family or sharing our Facebook post.
New Girl Scout Cookie Boxes are a Hit
This year marks the first time since 1999 that Girl Scout cookie packaging has received a facelift! Check out the elements of the new box and learn more about the process.
Looking to buy Girl Scout cookies?
Find your cookies at cookielocator.littlebrownie.com. |
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Girl's Day at the World Forestry Center | | |
 Join us for a special one day event for girls and Girl Scouts of all ages with activities created just for you! You'll discover the amazing life of the forests from top to bottom-and learn how you and your family can help preserve this valuable global resource. Leave inspired to create your own community based take action projects!
At the 2013 Girl's Day at the World Forestry Center you can explore the World Forestry Center for a day all about girls! Go on great adventures with activities such as rafting down the Clackamas River; training on a simulator to jump out of an airplane to fight wildfires; or driving a Timberjack harvester.
You'll also have the opportunity to see the World Forestry Center's special exhibit, TreeHouses: Look Who's Living in the Woods!
Location: World Forestry Center Discovery Museum
Date: February 23. 2013
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Cost: $5.00/person - register online or pay at the door. Reservations helpful, but not required.
For Group Reservations:
Girl Scout troops/groups reserve early by email to Nathan at nboles@worldforestry.org or calling 503-488-2147. Register online through the World Forestry Center. |
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Upcoming Travel Opportunities | | |
Oh, all of the places girls can go! Here is a list of travel opportunities available to girls. Find out more details on all of these trips in the upcoming Program Guide.
Chaperones are needed to help with all programs listed below. If you are interested in helping girls grow their leadership skills, please contact Jennifer Akins at jakins@girlscoutsosw.org or (541) 622-6155.
Mystery Trip!
June 19, 2013 - Portland
August 14, 2013 - Medford
Enjoy a day of adventure with friends where every activity will be a mystery to you.
Seattle by Storm
June 23-27, 2013
Ride the train to Seattle and experience Seattle's panoramic view while eating lunch at the Space Needle, go on a Ducks Amphibious Tour, check out Experience Music Project, Pike Place Market and much more!
Fun in the Sun: Orlando Patrol
Spring Break 2014
Join our spring break trip to Orlando, Florida! Enjoy both Universal Studios Florida Theme Park and the Universal Islands of Adventure Theme Park, including the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. We will fly from Portland to Orlando for a total of five nights and six days including travel. Airfare, food, transportation and park tickets included.
Open to Girl Scout Cadettes - Ambassadors.
Registration fee: $1,200 - $1,500/person. Actual costs to be determined closer to the trip. Patrol applications are available at girlscoutsosw.org/events/travel. Deadline to apply is March 1, 2013. For further information contact Jennifer Akins at jakins@girlscoutsosw.org.
Norjam Patrol
Norwich, United Kingdom
August 9-16, 2014
Join over 5,000 young people for the 14th International Scout and Guide Jamboree near Norwich in the United Kingdom for an exciting week of activities, fun, excitement, new experiences and a chance to build a lifetime of memories and friendships. 2014's theme is "Back in Time." Norjam will include activities like scuba, sailing, rafting, skiing, rock climbing, crafts etc. See more at norjam.org.uk.
GSLI: Girl Scout Leadership Institute Patrol
Salt Lake City, UT
October 2014
The Girl Scout Leadership Institute brings together 1,200 girls recognized as leaders in their council to connect and take action on matters that affect the future of girls and the Girl Scout movement. Girls take part in sessions throughout the day and attend the National Council Session opening and closing ceremonies. The Girl Scout Leadership Institute will run in parallel with the National Council Sessions. The patrol is made up of only ten girls and two adults. |
News from the Girl Scout Council Shop | | |
New Extended Hours!
The Eugene and Portland Council Shops are now open Wednesdays until 7:00 p.m. and the Bend Council Shop is open Tuesdays until 6:00 p.m.
March Madness Sale starts March 8
Mark your calendars for the March Madness sale at all council shops! Huge markdowns, far below cost on great items like clothing, fun patches, gift items, books, jewelry, tote bags, and more. Pricing is so low, you don't want to miss it! T-shirts for $1.00, tote bags for $0.50, jewelry from $0.50, pens and pencils from $0.25, socks from $1.00 and tons more items with unbelievable prices. This is a one-time event, starting Friday, March 8 - and when it's gone, it's gone! Discounts not available online or by mail.
Traveling Store
Do you have an event coming up and would like the Traveling Store to be there? Let us know! We can bring out earned awards and fun patches, items for girls to spend their cookie credits on, uniform pieces and more! Let us know what you would like to see in the Traveling Store and we will do our best to be there with the best the store has to offer. To schedule a Traveling Store please call Tamara at (503) 977-6882 or email twalters@girlscoutsosw.org.
Free Doll or Stuffed Friend T-Shirt
Bring your Girl Scout and her favorite doll or stuffed friend by your local council shop, and you will leave with a free "Party Like A Girl Scout" doll t-shirt! Shirts fit American Girl Dolls and most 6-10 inch stuffed animals.
Girl Scout Centennial Silver Dollar
All council shops are accepting orders for the commemorative coin being released by the US Mint. A proof coin is available for $59.95 and an uncirculated coin is available for $54.95 by special order. Please order by March 15, as they will not be carried in stock in the stores. Please stop by or call to place your order. Learn more about these historic coins »
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The Case for Camp: Why Kids Need It Now More Than Ever
By Peg L. Smith (reprinted from campparents.org) | | |
Change is a part of life. It is often directly related to survival and can enrich one's life in ways unexpected. Childhood is in essence a time of profound change and development. It is exciting and disquieting at the same time. When it comes to our children, we need to be sure that change is made for the better.
We've been so concentrated on the brain, we forget about the rest of our bodies. This change in focus has lead to an obesity rate that is unacceptable. Our kids are not as healthy as the generation before.
Families used to live in a community. We've lost that, keeping kids inside and losing a sense of neighborhood.
Add to that the fact that our kids stand to inherit all the economic, social, and environmental challenges we've created, and the legacy we have left our children and youth begins to look bleak.
So, how do we prepare our children with the skills and more importantly, the competencies they will need to tackle changes in our world? We could start with a positive camp experience. A quality camp experience provides our children with the opportunity to learn powerful lessons in community, character-building, skill development, and healthy living - a meaningful, engaged, and participatory environment.
Click here to read the full article »
Are you ready to give your Girl Scout an incredible camp experience? Visit our Resident Camp or Day Camp pages to learn more about these life-changing, skill-building experiences.
Did you know? GSOSW Day Camps are 100% volunteer planned and operated! Watch the video below to learn more about these special volunteers and how you can help!
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Girl Scouting Works: The Alumnae Impact Study | | |
Girl Scouting Works: The Alumnae Impact Study is a national research report investigating the effects of Girl Scouting on its alumnae population of women. In total more than 3,750 women participated in the study, of whom roughly 2,000 were Girl Scout alumnae.
There are currently an estimated 59 million Girl Scout alumnae in the U.S. Girl Scout alumnae display positive life outcomes to a greater degree than non-alumnae with regard to several indicators of success, including:
- Sense of self
- Volunteerism and community work
- Civi engagement
- Education
- Income/socioeconomic status
This is true of all alumnae across age/generations, race/ethnicity, socio-economic class and engagement in other extracurricular activities.
Learn more about this incredible study at girlscouts.org.
Keep in touch with us by joining the Girl Scouts Alumnae Association at alumnae.girlscouts.org or joining the GSOSW Alumnae Facebook group at facebook.com/GSOSWAlumnae. |
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