Girl Scout Connections Spring 2022 by Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council, Inc

Connections Girl Scout

Spring 2022

Meet the Gold Award Class of 2022 A Day in the Life of a Camper Annual Meeting: Adventuring into the Future

On page 12

“In a world where it seems like everything is a competition (e.g., who is top of their class, who is the best, etc.) Girl Scouts taught us that by supporting our Girl Scout Sisters and cheering them on, we could really make a difference.” — Darcy Small, Girl Scout Alum

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Connections Girl Scout

Highlights

In This Issue

Spring 2022

3 Board Chair Letter 4 For Our Girl Scout Families 4 2022 Annual Meeting Meet the Gold Award Class of 2022

5 Girl Scouts in Action

A Day in the Life of a Camper

8 My Story

Annual Meeting: Adventuring into the Future

¿Prefieres esta información en español? ¡Contáctenos! preguntas@girlscoutsaz.org o 602-452-7011

Managing Editor/Writer

Felicia Thompson Writers

Vianca Pallanes Zuri Torres

Guest Writers

Laura Keith Justin Liggin

Design

Nicole Shores

Contact Us info@girlscoutsaz.org stories@girlscoutsaz.org council@girlscoutsaz.org 119 E. Coronado Road Phoenix, AZ 85004 602.452.7000 602.452.7030 call reghelp 844.317.9041 text reghelp 800.352.6133 girlscoutsaz.org

One Step Forward – Empowering Girls Through the Outdoors

An Adventure-full of Cookies

Send Us a Letter from Camp!

9 9 10 11

About Girls One Step Forward – Empowering Girls Through the Outdoors Born Just Right GSACPC History Committee Corner

12 12 13 20 20 20 20 21 21

Leading the Way Alumi Spotlight: Darcy Small 2022 Gold Awards Meet Sofia Chang Keep the Fun Going Patch Design Contest Kristen Bell Event We Love Our Volunteers What it Means to Be a Girl Scout

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Past Adventures An Adventure-full of Cookies! Walkabout and Cookie Flair Winners Girl Scout Cookie Dessert Challenge Bring Home the Cookies 5K

27 For Girls 30 30 30 31 31 31 31

Around the Bend Girl Scouts Summer Camp 2022 COVID-19 Protocols & Guidelines A Day in the Life of a Camper Camperships Registration Details Send Us Your Camp Letters

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Champions for Girls Supporting the Sash CEO Fast Pitch Gila River Indian Community Phoenix Suns Give GSACPC a Slam Dunk Bring Home the Cookies 5K

38 Awards and Recognitions

Letter from the Board Chair

Dear Girl Scout Families, The time for celebration is upon us. Over the last two years, we have responded to life’s uncertainty by facing it together and ensuring our girls are safe, engaged, and inspired. We held on to our beliefs and used the Girl Scout Mission, Promise, and Law as guideposts for every hard decision. While we recognize significant events continue to impact our lives, volunteers and staff working together is the reason we have arrived at this place of hope. Today, we embrace a celebratory spirit that looks back at where we have been and how much we have overcome. Adopting this perspective allows me to look ahead with a great sense of optimism as we have plenty of reasons to celebrate who we are as an organization. This year, we celebrate Girl Scouts’ 110th birthday. On March 12, 1912, Juliette Gordon Low registered the organization’s first 18 girl members in Savannah, Georgia. It is incredible that her actions, more than a century ago, created the path to how we uplift girls today. The good news is that we do not have to go back 100 years to find reasons to celebrate. We recently held an in-person dinner to honor our newest Gold Award Girl Scouts. Twenty-two extraordinary young women completed incredible Gold Award projects that greatly impact our community for years to come. A few months ago, 7,068 Girl Scouts across central and northern Arizona used entrepreneurial skills, innovation, and a can-do attitude to sell over 2.6 million packages of cookies. The support of remarkable

Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council

Troop Leaders, Service Unit Leaders, caregivers, volunteers, and community supporters who crossed the finish line with grace despite the most unpredictable cookie season in our Council’s history is yet another reason to celebrate. Speaking of finish lines, I truly enjoyed participating as a runner in the new celebration GSACPC introduced this year, The Bring Home the Cookies 5K, held at ASU Sundevil Stadium. An encouraging sign of hope was seeing the smiling faces of hundreds of our girls and their families supported by a community of sponsors, runners, walkers, vendors, and Arizona’s favorite mascots. When event planning began last year, we did not realize how important it would be to celebrate the final weekend of the 2022 Girl Scout Cookie Program with the community. As we head into an exciting camp season, we look forward to empowering girls through the outdoors. We know that when girls spend quality time outdoors and increase their exposure to nature, they thrive physically, emotionally, and intellectually. Throughout the pandemic, we have learned how vital Girl Scouts is in our lives. We have learned how to take care of each other by being agile and flexible, and this is the reason we are still standing strong. Last but certainly not least, this is a time to celebrate the legacy Tamara Woodbury created during her 29 years of leadership at Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council. We will continue to honor Tamara and share stories of her impact and influence at the local and national levels. During our Annual Meeting, you heard Tamara’s gracious

remarks as CEO Emeritus and what this Council means to her. She also praised the Board of Director’s decision to officially appoint Mary Mitchell and Christina Spicer as CoCEOs for GSACPC effective at the start of the 2022-2023 membership year. Over the last 12 months, our Board has reflected on who we are and what we have learned from Tamara’s vision for this organization. One of the many takeaways is that our culture allows shared leadership to thrive. We have experienced Mary and Christina’s proven leadership during their interim roles and previously as Deputy Directors, and we know they are passionate about our future. Thank you, Tamara, for your groundbreaking leadership, and congratulations to Mary and Christina on moving us forward. In Girl Scouting,

Lupe Camargo GSACPC Board Chair

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For Our Girl Scout Families

Editor’s Note As we come to the end of another school year impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, we send you high-fives and hugs on a job well done! We know it has not been easy, but you continue to impress everyone around you by trying your best and using the life skills you learn from being a Girl Scout. This issue is full of your inspirational girl and troop stories, and we want you to continue sharing them with us by emailing us at stories@girlscoutsaz.org This magazine is your guide to the fantastic things happening in our Council across central and northern Arizona. We publish each Spring, Fall, and Winter. Please email suggestions or comments to marcom@girlscoutsaz.org. —Your Editorial Team

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2022 Annual Meeting: Adventuring into the Future

n April 23, our Council welcomed members to the virtual 2022 Annual Meeting. During this honored tradition, Board and voting members discussed essential topics that will propel us forward as we continue to serve girls in Arizona. Our Girl Voice Committee representatives shared our Council’s highlights from this past year as other Council members told the story of our impact and reach of Girl Scouting within our jurisdiction. They shared the steps we must take to continue supporting girls and their efforts in creating lasting, sustainable change in our world. We also welcomed the newly elected Board, Board Development Committee, and Girl Advisory members. The meeting also included a highly anticipated announcement regarding the Council’s new leadership decision that will follow CEO Emeritus Tamara Woodbury’s 29 years of exemplary service. GSACPC Board Chair Lupe Camargo formally announced the Board’s decision to appoint Mary Mitchell and Christina Spicer as Co-CEOs. Having served as Interim Co-CEOs for the past year, we have seen Mary and Christina’s passion and vision for our Council in

action. The leadership transition will officially take place on Oct. 1, the start of our new membership year. The meeting concluded with moving personal reflections from Tamara and her praise of Mary and Christina that signaled the start of a new chapter for our Council. Tamara will be honored in special ways throughout this member year (and beyond) so the countless lives she touched over the last three decades can truly celebrate her legacy. Congratulations to Mary and Christina, we look forward to adventuring into the future under your leadership.

Mary Mitchell

Christina Spicer

Spring 2022

Girl Scouts in Action

Adventures, Innovations, Leadership, Pushing Boundaries, Setting an Example, Taking Charge, Accomplishing Goals. This is Girl Scouts. 1 Daisy Troop 6250 gave a sweet thank you to the Buckeye Police Department! The girls created a survival kit of candy and delivered it after being given a tour of the station. The candy-themed “survival kit” included Starbursts – for a burst of energy, gum – to help everyone stick together, Lifesavers – to remind officers of the many times they’ve been one, and more. Not only were they able to show gratitude to their local officers, but they had fun doing it! 2 To commemorate Sept. 11, members of Troop 1204 decided to do a few random acts of kindness. They started at the dog park, where they left behind a few toys for the dogs to enjoy on their visit and then they delivered donuts to their local police station. They also went to the 9/11 memorial in Gilbert to pay respect and pass out flowers to other visitors. To end the day, they did what they love most – had dinner and ice cream together. A round of applause for Troop 1204! 3 Members of Troop 3801 worked with the town of Gilbert to get the Bumblebee Camping Grounds restored after years of neglect and damage from a bad storm. The Home Depot sponsored part of the project and helped cover the cost of repainting two bird blinds at the location. Members of their community helped source the needed materials and their cookie funds helped to pay for the remaining supplies. They spent two days painting the blinds and picking up the area of this special place where they have earned many badges. The girls hope that their hard work will help future generations continue to respect and enjoy the nature it has to offer. 4 Troop 3542 donated funds from their cookie proceeds to support kids in foster care. They participated in a program to replace trash bags given to foster kids when removed from their homes, with “Sweet Cases” filled with comforting items like teddy bears, coloring books, blankets, and toothbrushes. The girls each brought their own supplies to decorate each bag with words and pictures of support and encouragement. Knowing that they were making a difference for a child in need made the project even more enjoyable! Great job, girls!

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Girl Scouts in Action

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5 Hooray to Troop 6455 for completing their Engineering Journey! While the girls were learning about the engineering field, they realized that a lot of girls don’t explore this field because they don’t know it is an option for them. The girls decided to make their Take Action Project a video to bring awareness to all the opportunities that Girl Scouts has provided for them and show how participating in Girl Scouts can help increase the number of women in STEM. 6 Allison and Komrey, Cadettes from Troop 6463, participated in the Handgun Basics class offered by C2 Tactical last fall. They were able to learn about handgun safety and practice shooting in a range lead by an experienced instructor. Both girls shared that they felt confident after the workshop and were impressed by how interactive and geared towards girls the class was. One of their instructors was even a former Girl Scout! 7 The Daisies in Troop 3602 learned about upcycling and reusing clothing when collecting clothing donations from family and friends. Together they delivered a truck full of bags to the Chandler Goodwill store and earned their Go Green with Goodwill Patch. Way to go, girls! 8 Troop 2106 volunteered at a Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) packing event to support the organization’s efforts in making sure that every child is fed. FMSC produces food packs developed by science and nutrition professionals to provide bags of food that are nutritionally complete with vitamins and minerals. The girls enjoyed the event and were able to make a direct impact as they helped fill packets, seal them, and get them ready to ship.

Spring 2022

Girl Scouts in Action

9 Members of Troop 997 earned their Locavore Badge and embraced a love of cooking! A locavore is someone committed to eating locally grown, seasonal foods. To earn their badge, the troop cooked meals using locally sourced ingredients, learned about local farms, and met with the culinary director of the Haymaker restaurant to learn more about their food sourcing. Yum! 10 Troop 3110, a multi-level homeschooled troop, decided to hold a pajama walk to benefit the Pajama Program in place of their regular holiday party. The Pajama Program provides a new pair of pajamas and bedtime story books for children in foster care, shelters, or other at-risk youth. The girls pledged to walk, run, or scooter laps around the lake at Veteran’s Oasis Park in exchange for new pajamas and books from their sponsors. Together, they gathered just over 100 pairs of new pajamas and 50 new books to donate to the program.

11 Members of Troop 6591 banded together with a few Independent Girl Members in the South Phoenix Neighborhood to refurbish the Little Library they installed four years ago in front of their school! The girls removed loose paint, applied primer, replaced the missing latch, and repainted their beloved library – they did an outstanding job! 12 Meet Ella, a first-year Brownie from Troop 3186 who channeled her inner cookie boss to improve her money management, communication, and entrepreneurial skills this cookie season. She sold all her cookie inventory in one week, but more importantly, she grew as a leader and let her confidence shine!

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We Want to Spotlight Your Girl Scout Memories and Milestones Share your triumphs and favorite moments with us! Your stories could inspire others to begin their Girl Scouting journey. Visit girlscoutsaz.org/stories to submit your stories and photos.

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My Story: Leader / Innovator

Local Girl Scout Blasts Off with Educational Space Project By: Justin Liggin

rawing on her fascination for space, 18-year-old rising star Katie Prator seeks to educate students and inspire generations to learn about the cosmos through her custom educational lesson plans. “The first time I looked through a telescope, I remember being in awe at the vastness of the universe and wanting to know more about all the possibilities it has to offer,” says Katie. Growing up, she watched her father work at Gilbert Rotary Centennial Observatory and serve as a system ambassador for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. “I would go to different events with him at the observatory and always knew I wanted to follow in his footsteps to try and help other kids find a passion for the universe.” Katie’s project website, exploretheskygold.com, contains lesson plans geared toward girls in grades K-5 with customized activities for individual, group, and outdoor use. To create

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these lesson plans, Katie did extensive research and worked with experts at the Gilbert Rotary Centennial Observatory to find the best topics for each group. A Girl Scout since she was in kindergarten, Katie’s hard work was all part of her becoming a Gold Award Girl Scout Awardee – the highest honor in Girl Scouting. “I have been a part of Girl Scouts my whole life and have had so many opportunities to explore the world around me. Whether it was through art, music or STEM, Girl Scouts has given me so many great memories I will cherish for my whole life,” says Katie. Though Katie now resides in Hartford, Wisconsin, she initially began working on her project in Ahwatukee, Arizona, where it has since blasted off and reached viewers across the country. “With my project being hosted online, it has allowed my work to be easily accessible by anyone. Overall, I hope all the resources I gathered will help people gain an interest in the world outside our own,” says Katie.

Spring 2022

One Step Forward – Empowering Girls Through the Outdoors By Laura Keith

Laura is a proud Troop Leader of Troop 4996 and fellow outdoor enthusiast. She hopes to inspire other volunteers and leaders to step outside of their comfort zone and learn new skills to incorporate the outdoors in their Girl Scouting adventures!

or over 100 years, Girl Scouts have explored nature, jumped into adventure and faced challenges to help themselves and their peers grow into strong, capable women. By participating in outdoor programming, girls have the opportunity to develop skills such as outdoor confidence, competence, and environmental stewardship. As a troop leader, my girls know that spending time in the outdoors is a passion of mine. They even joke that if I could live anywhere, it’d be in the trees! I can’t help it, there is something magical about being in the outdoors. When I am surrounded by nature, unplugged from the world, I am in my happy place. Our daily lives are swallowed by deadlines, traffic, and the rush of moving from one place to another. Being in the middle of nature, submerged in silence is where I find peace – time stalls and I am in bliss. I want all girls to be able to find their own connection to nature. As a Girl Scout Volunteer, I have realized that we all hold strength in the knowledge we possess and share, and that learning is continuous process. I try to model this for my girls, using my love of the outdoors to expand their world and teach them new skills that could help them throughout life, or complement other areas of interest they may have. For example, if she is interested in STEAM, we can explore animal habitats, constellations, or erosion patterns. If she loves art, we can paint flowers, read in hammocks, and even use the sounds of nature as inspiration to create music! There are so

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many ways to get your girls outside and engaged, but there tends to be a misconception that you need to be an expert to be able to offer these kinds of experiences to your troop. I don’t believe this. You do not need to know everything to give your girls (and yourself ) the opportunity to enjoy nature. Perhaps one of my favorite things about the outdoors is how accepting it is. There is no judgment on how much or little experience you have camping, swimming, hiking, or cooking outside because it is not about being the best at it, but rather enjoying the moment and creating memories. I, by no means, am an outdoors expert. I simply love being outside and sharing my passions with others and am always picking up new skills. Just how we offer girls an accepting, safe space where they can learn, volunteer outdoor trainings do the same. We want everyone to feel included and free to make mistakes. Sometimes activities like camping and all that it entails can seem intimidating, and as Girl Scout Leaders we want to feel confident in the programs we lead our girls through. However, I have a secret for you – you’ve got this! Every skill you’ve learned has started with you taking initiative and being open to trial and error. There is an adventurer inside every Girl Scout and like I said before, it isn’t about perfection, it’s about the effort and experience. I hope my experiences encourage you to take part of the various outdoor trainings Girl Scouts offers to volunteers – from first aid to learning how to start a fire! I hope that you find the courage to take that step and give your girls a taste of the outdoors year-round. There is no limit to what they can accomplish when they are exploring the world! So, ready for an adventure?

Visit our Activities Calendar to reserve your spot at our next Volunteer Outdoor Training session.

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About Girls

Born Just Right

isability activist and Girl Scout Jordan Reeves, age 13 from Columbia, Missouri, has accomplished so much in her young life. Born without the bottom half of her left arm, she has never let her differences or difficulties stop her from shining her brightest light, both in her own life and for the world. In fact, it has inspired her to be a role model for others. Today she's already a fierce advocate for kids with physical differences, an innovative prosthetics designer, a powerful influencer, an accomplished speaker, and a published author! It all started in 2016 with a workshop Jordan attended in San Francisco called BOOST. During the workshop, she got the opportunity to talk about disability with other kids and became inspired to build off one another's differences rather than consider them limitations. Afterward, Jordan created Project Unicorn, a prosthetic arm that shoots glitter—yes glitter! She worked with a designer, who helped her improve the initial design and make more prototypes. Soon Jordan realized she wanted to share the magic of these workshops with others. So, she and her mom Jen started their own nonprofit, Born Just Right, whose mission is to "build creative solutions that help kids with differences live a more enjoyable life" by empowering them through design and science, technology, engineering, and math. Now even more kids get to attend BOOST workshops to build fun and practical creations.

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"It’s so cool to just be able to talk to other people with disabilities, someone who’s like you—that’s so important in life,” says Jordan. “It makes you feel less alone. Working together to build off our differences and make some really interesting, useful stuff—it’s just awesome. It reminds you that being different is actually a huge opportunity.” “We’re blazing a trail,” Jen adds. “One of our bigger goals for Born Just Right is to build new jobs [for people with physical differences] that haven’t existed before, and I really do believe we’re going to make it happen.” We believe it too, Jen! In addition to the nonprofit and workshops, Jordan makes sure to take full advantage of every chance to get out there, share her story, and motivate others. She’s presented at TEDx on the importance of creating dolls that show physical differences and represent children with disabilities and shortly after received a call from toy giant, Mattel, to collaborate on a Barbie with a removable prosthetic leg. Jordan even made sure Mattel understood that to be realistic, the leg had to come on and off. It’s so important to be open, honest, and precise when it comes to representation—thank you, Jordan, for your vision and ability to speak up when it matters most! As you can tell, Jordan is a busy and accomplished young lady, but she still makes time to be a kid and enjoy time with her friends. She loves being a Girl Scout and having a community of girls who are also passionate about changing the world to share her aspirations and plans with. Through Girl Scouts, Jordan has earned her babysitting and CPR certification, working with her troop leaders so she could participate fully alongside her friends. “Naturally, Jordan could have figured everything out herself, but

Spring 2022

About Girls

“I think every girl should be a Girl Scout because you get to be part of a strong, powerful group of girls and learn how to build up your voice to work on different issues that affect the world,” Jordan shares. Thank you, Jordan, for being such an exceptional example to everyone around you. We’re beyond proud to call you a Girl Scout and cheer you on to every great adventure that awaits you! Watch out world, because here she comes.

The Evolution of Girl Scouts Highest Awards

Four young women, from Phoenix Girl Scout Troop 1, earned the Golden Eaglet including Jean Clark, 1930. (Before we became the GSACPC Council!)

just to have that support and openmindedness was incredible,” Jen says.

GSACPC History Committee Corner The Gold Award is the highest honor a Girl Scout can earn and is awarded to girls who demonstrate leadership while engaging in projects that benefit their communities. This award has had different names over the years, but still consisted of advanced requirements to earn them. See the evolution of the names and read all about our Council’s 2022 class of Gold Award Girl Scouts on page 13.

Silver Fish (1913-1916)

Adapted from GSUSA’s “Jordan R.: Disability Activist, Prosthetics Designer & Author.”

Juliette Gordon Low adopted this award from the Girl Guides in England, however, no Girl Scouts in the United States earned it!

When it comes to building a brighter future for all of us, here are some of Jordan’s top words of wisdom she wants kids with disabilities (and everyone) to know:

Golden Eagle of Merit (1916-1918)

1 “You can do amazing things. Don’t let other people’s perceptions get to you or get you down.”

2 “Be really confident in what you

believe in, and research things. Get the word out. It doesn’t matter how big or small the thing you want to do is. It all makes an impact.”

3 “We’re all doing it [life] differently. Just be yourself.”

4 “Try to make the world accessible for more people. If a solution you’re working on works for you, make sure it works for everyone.”

Only 50 Girl Scouts earned this high award during its tenure.

Golden Eaglet (1918–1939) In the 20 years of the Golden Eaglet, more than 10,000 Girl Scouts earned the honor.

First Class (1939–1940) In 1939, the Golden Eaglet, was retired and replaced with the First Class. A patch was worn on the left sleeve.

Curved Bar (1940–1963) Between 1940 and 1963, Girl Scouts named its highest award the Curved Bar. This accomplishment required the completion of service projects as well as developing areas of expertise.

First Class (1963–1980) The First Class pin made a come-back. To receive the First Class, girls were encouraged to earn badges in six fields.

Girl Scout Gold Award (1980-Present) The Girl Scout Gold Award is the most prestigious award that Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors can earn.

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Leading the Way

Alumni Spotlight: Darcy Small

nce a Girl Scout, always a Girl Scout. With a network of over 50 million women, Girl Scout alumni are out in the world, building their legacies and creating a better, brighter future for all. A Girl Scout of more than six years from Kaw Valley Council in Kansas, Darcy Small is still a proud member of our movement. Her two daughters, Ally and Lizzy, have followed in her footsteps and are now Girl Scouts themselves in our Council. In the following interview, Darcy shares how Girl Scouts changed her life and it has helped her troop members grow. Stay in the loop! Connect with other Girl Scout Alum and supporters by following us on LinkedIn. Are you an Alum that has a story to share? Email us at stories@girlscoutsaz.org.

Darcy Small with her daughters Ally and Lizzy.

How has Girl Scouts empowered you? Girl Scouts has empowered me in so many ways! Through all the various activities we did in our troop and Council as a girl, I quickly learned that as an individual and as a part of a team, that I could get out of my comfort zone and try new things. I was also encouraged to ask questions, ask for help, and most importantly, taught that I could make a difference by taking action! All of this became second nature to myself and my Girl Scout Sisters, and I truly believe it helped shape who I am today.

How has Girl Scouts played a role in your professional life? I developed my leadership skills and leadership style while in Girl Scouts. I watched my troop leaders, who both worked full time and had very busy lives, lead our troop selflessly and passionately. I have never forgotten this! I was given so many opportunities to develop my leadership skills as a Girl Scout and was excited to take on leadership positions in high school and college, then naturally took on leadership roles in my professional life. In Girl Scouts, we were encouraged to work together and received support on projects we worked on independently. In a world where it seems like everything is a competition (e.g., who is top in their class, who is the best, etc.) Girl Scouts taught us that by supporting and cheering each other on, we can really make a difference. I am a stronger leader, professionally and personally, because of this!

What do you admire about the Girl Scout Movement? I am so fortunate to work with an incredible troop of Cadettes. Girl Scouts has given them a sense of curiosity and the belief that they can truly do anything. It isn’t just words; they have learned this by getting out of their comfort zones, trying new things, and supporting the heck out of each other! These girls can achieve anything they want! Being a troop leader to these amazing girls is one of my greatest joys. Over the last few years watching all of them take on leadership roles at their schools, starting a non-profit, identifying needs for their Bronze Award Project, setting a goal for their Silver Award Project, and continuing to try new things is so fulfilling. The sky is the limit for them, and Girl Scouts has been so positive and impactful for each of them. I am so grateful to be a small part of their lives!

What life skills did you gain from your time as a Girl Scout? Did they transfer into adulthood? I gained so many life skills from the Girl Scout Program, my Girl Scout Sisters, and troop leaders! The ones that come to mind are perseverance, goal setting, taking action, teamwork, always looking for ways to make the world a better place, and stepping outside of my comfort zone. All these skills have transferred into adulthood! One I will elaborate on is “getting out of my comfort zone.” I apply this to my professional and personal life daily, and it has helped me grow my career, and try lots of new adventures. My family and troop will tell you I talk about them (and myself ) getting out of their comfort zones all the time. When we get out of our comfort zones, we really can learn and grow! When talking about a new project, new skill, etc. I like to say, “will this get us out of our comfort zones?” If so, let’s go for it!

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Spring 2022

Meet This Year’s Gold Award Girl Scouts Congratulations to the Class of 2022 Gold Award Girl Scouts don’t just change the world for the better—they change it for good. The Gold Award is a standout accomplishment of Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts, in grades 9-12, who develop and carry out meaningful, sustainable solutions for challenges in their communities and the world. This year, 22 young leaders from central and northern Arizona have earned their Gold Award. They tackled issues that supported various efforts, from donating medical supplies to those in need, to creating awareness on the effects of food allergies. Their environmental solutions included raising awareness about Arizona Saguaro cacti, restoring hiking trails, outdoor benefits for youth, and garden installations at schools to be utilized academically. Other areas of focus were mental health with projects focusing on helping solve opioid abuse, raising awareness of women’s history, and educating others on self-defense. These honorees exemplify how Girl Scouts confidently stand up for what they believe in, advocate for change, take action to solve problems and exhibit Girl Scouts’ commitment to civic engagement. Since 1916, more than one million girls have earned the Gold Award or equivalent. Their inspirational efforts are what make them the leaders of tomorrow on a local, national, and global level. Becoming a Gold Award Girl Scout allows these aspiring leaders to earn college scholarships, distinguish themselves on admissions and applications, enter the U.S Armed Forces at a higher rank, and showcase their leadership. Meet the class of 2022 – shaping our communities and the future!

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2022 Gold Awards

n Mar. 19, GSACPC hosted a private, inperson Gold Award Ceremony and dinner for the 2022 Gold Award recipients and their families. Held at Parsons Leadership Center, the evening included remarks from Interim Co-CEOs Mary Mitchell and Christina Spicer, Board Chair Lupe Camargo and was hosted by Gold Award Committee member Lee Kline.

Joy Brown Mesa

Trousers for Trans From a young age, Joy has questioned traditional gender roles regarding clothing. Understanding the lack of support that transgender people face, Joy pursued her Gold Award project, a clothing drive for the transgender community called Trousers for Trans. Setting up clothing donation boxes across multiple Arizona universities and events, Joy’s drive collected enough clothing to fill a 15-foot U-Haul truck. The clothing was distributed to Arizona State University’s Rainbow Coalition, a student-led coalition that advocates for the rights, safety, and overall health of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. In addition to collecting clothing, Joy wrote guidelines and created informational cards on “how to be an ally” to share on social media. As a Girl Scout for 10 years, Joy has been able to step out of her comfort zone and learn community building and communication skills. After graduating from Chandler Preparatory Academy, Joy looks forward to attending college at Northern Arizona University for a degree in hotel and restaurant management and art history.

Megan Burke Chandler

Hushabye Nursery

Elaine Apple Phoenix

Rebuilding Willow Springs Trails Elaine will tell you that attending Girl Scout Camp since she was nine years old has played a significant role in her Girl Scouting experience. She has participated in Leap, Counselor-inTraining 1 and 2 programs and even became a counselor last summer. Hosting hundreds of campers each year allowed her to mentor younger girls, gain leadership skills, and focus on increasing skills in a specific program area. Over the years, she grew particularly fond of Camp Willow Springs and turned her passion for exploring trails into a Gold Award project. Elaine improved trails at the camp by making trail signs for all the trailheads and intersections. She cleaned up the trails hoping campers could learn to better navigate trail systems. A Girl Scout for 13 years, Elaine plans to attend Penrose Cosmetology School and apply the entrepreneurial, innovative, and leadership skills she's learned as a Girl Scout.

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Having lost a cousin to opioid addiction, Megan used her platform as a Girl Scout to earn her Gold Award by bringing awareness to this addiction and helping those whom this drug abuse has impacted. She partnered with Hushabye Nursery, a non-profit that helps infants experiencing Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. This is a condition in which babies are born in an opiate-dependent state due to their mothers being on opioids while pregnant. Megan held a donation drive in which items donated to the nursery would allow women in the program to “shop” the items. Her actions helped boost participation in classes and brought awareness to the community. Megan spoke to many people, educating them on how opioid addiction impacts others. Her work supporting the non-profit also secured more volunteers and donations, making a lasting impact in the future. Through this project, Megan shares that she has learned vital communication, collaboration, teamwork skills, and how to stay focused on goals when challenges arise. A Girl Scout for 11 years, she looks forward to pursuing a career in politics.

Marisa Chaidez Phoenix

Get Outdoors Today As a lover of the environment and spending time outdoors, Marisa’s Gold Award project aimed to improve youth and adult mental and physical health. She encouraged individuals to build skills and participate in adventure opportunities to become thoughtful and caring environmental stewards. To spread her message, Marisa created a website and YouTube channel showing the wonders of the outdoors – encouraging youth to get outside and explore. Marisa has been a Girl Scout for five years, an experience she says has allowed her to grow as a person in fun and exciting ways while exploring new places. A student at Freedom Prep Academy in Gilbert, Marisa plans to attend college and pursue a major that involves working with people, a skill that she says she improved during her Gold Award project.

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2022 Gold Awards

Maya Channer Phoenix

Atalanta Women: 365 Days of Empowerment Inspired by all the research she was doing, Maya learned about hundreds of accomplished women who made history and thought of a way to educate others. With interest in technology and coding, she created an app and developed a team to help write 365 stories of women, with hundreds of other stories to add. She successfully coded the app Atalanta Women and published it in the Apple App Store. Atalanta Women highlights a woman each day and allows users to search and favorite their stories. It has been downloaded nearly 200 times and shared across her school network and community. Overcoming coding challenges and time management, Maya has learned how to lead a team, organize research and data, and has grown her confidence through her work. Girl Scouts showed her that being a leader isn’t all about being outgoing. It’s also about patience, organization, communication, and kindness. A Girl Scout for 13 years, she is currently completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design for Theatre at the University of Southern California.

Grace Cypert Phoenix

Surgery Preparation Kits After researching cleft palates and talking to doctors at the Barrow Cleft and Craniofacial Center, Grace felt inspired to help patients recover from these surgeries. Cleft lip and cleft palate result when facial structures developing in an unborn baby do not close completely. They require surgery and specific instructions post-surgery. To help manage their care, Grace came up with the idea to send patients home with a recovery kit that includes a detailed calendar with activities for care, a cookbook of liquid recipes, a toy, a deck of cards, a storybook about clefts, and a gift card to purchase smoothies. She gained support from the community and raised donations to complete the kits, and has gained feedback from the doctors and nurses at Barrow Cleft and Craniofacial Center that they have been beneficial to the patients who received them. Grace has learned to be a leader, confident, diligent, creative, and generous. She has also learned the importance of community service and friendships through this Girl Scouting experience. A Girl Scout for 12 years, she looks ahead as she plans to major in sustainability at an Arizona university.

Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council

Become a Gold Award Girl Scout Change the world, change your life, and earn the most prestigious award in Girl Scouting. Gold Award Girl Scouts are rock stars, role models, and real-life heroes. So how do they do it? By using everything they’ve learned as a Girl Scout to help fix a problem in their community and make a lasting change in our world. You don’t have to be a seasoned activist to get there, just a Girl Scout Senior or Ambassador. Our Gold Award Committee can help you with any other requirements you need to get started! Girl Scouts who want to get involved and go for the Gold Award will have a team of trusted adults and leaders in their community to guide them through challenges and lead them to success, step-by-step. The GSACPC Gold Award Committee invites all Girl Scouts to learn more about obtaining the award by visiting girlscoutsaz.org/awards or attending an upcoming Gold Award Training listed on the Activities Calendar. They are also available for troop and neighborhood meetings via Zoom! The trainings are a way to learn how to get started, brainstorm project ideas, and is also a great time to ask questions regarding the entire process. To request a presentation, please email GoldAwardTraining@ girlscoutsaz.org.

Girl Scout

Connections

2022 Gold Awards

Araceli Franco Avondale

The Young Generation of Changers Inspired by her love for the outdoors and her passion for educating others, Araceli created lesson plans for grades K-12 on the impact of climate change and water issues on our Earth. With games, activities, full lesson presentations, and engagement sheets included on her site, Araceli’s project is estimated to reach over 29,000 students. In addition, her work is being implemented into numerous school and non-profit curriculums in the upcoming spring semester in Arizona. Serving as a Girl Scout for 11 years, the organization has remained a constant in Araceli’s life. She is in 11th grade at BASIS: Goodyear with plans to graduate early and attend college to earn her master’s degree in computer science and engineering.

Interim Co-CEOs and our Board Chair gather on stage to hand out awards.

Megan Gibbs Queen Creek

Join the Gold Award Committee Calling all Gold Award Girl Scouts, First Class, Curved Bar awardees, and any adults who want to support our future Gold Awardees! We’re looking for volunteers to join our Gold Award Committee to mentor and train Girl Scouts interested in earning the award. Volunteers will also help promote the program to current and future girl members. We look forward to hearing from you! Email ahowell@girlscoutsaz.org to sign-up or for any questions.

Theatre Tech for Hope While working backstage as a theater technician in multiple productions at her high school, Megan realized that the lack of headsets did not allow the team to communicate effectively. In addition, the headsets the school provided did not allow crew members to move freely backstage. So, Megan made it her mission to raise money to buy new headsets for the theater program through her Gold Award project. Megan raised enough money to purchase eight wireless headsets using her Girl Scout Cookie proceeds, Fall Product Program sales, and selling customized buttons to audiences for each school production. In addition, Megan educated her theater group on using these devices through stagecraft classes. A Girl Scout for 12 years, Megan has learned critical character-building skills that have shaped her into who she is today. Now a graduate of Queen Creek High School, Megan looks forward to seeing future productions at her high school now that the theater group has the equipment needed to put on the best show possible.

Maria Gonzalez Chandler

Skate for Fitness Maria combined her passion for figure skating and her dedication to addressing physical inactivity in today’s youth for her Gold Award project. She created an in-person instructional Skate for Fitness event to encourage youngsters to take the ice and be more active in their everyday lives. Children took part in a 20-minute skating lesson and were coached by Maria on the importance of staying active. In addition, they were treated to an exhibition skating session where ten figure skaters performed their program for the 300 attendees. Maria also created an educational blog, skateforfitness.net, where she highlighted the health benefits of figure skating, featured other young figure skaters, and more. Maria’s event inspired several attendees to begin taking skating lessons on their own. As a Girl Scout for nine years, Maria has learned important leadership, collaboration, and communication skills that she used for her project. Maria is a sophomore at Hamilton High School and wishes to pursue public health in college.

Girl Scout

Connections

Spring 2022

2022 Gold Awards

Ariella Hirsch

Amaya Jones

Mesa

Glendale

Helping Hand

Self Esteem Documentary

While selling Girl Scout Cookies outside of a grocery store, Ariella noticed a veteran in his wheelchair struggling to carry the items he’d just purchased. He was even hauling a plastic bag with a gallon of milk by his mouth. Ariella immediately knew she needed to create a solution. Helping Hand allows persons dependent on wheelchairs to download a PDF tutorial that helps them create a device out of PVC pipe – designed to be easily attachable to the handles of most manual wheelchairs. The device (patent-pending) attaches to allow the individual to self-propel their chair and access their possessions in an accessible way. The device can hold bags open and is designed to be affordable (less than $20 in materials) and accessible. Her website, helpinghands4vets.com, targets disabled veterans and others in the wheelchair community. Her instructions have been downloaded over 300 times. In her 12 years of Girl Scouting, Ariella has learned life skills like public speaking and built the confidence to make a difference in the lives of others. She is concurrently enrolled in high school and a university with plans to receive her undergraduate degree in engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Girl Scouts are more than twice as likely to exhibit community problemsolving skills than girls who don’t (57% versus 28%) Senya Izzo Cave Creek

After experiencing self-esteem challenges and seeing how it impacts mental health, Amaya wanted to raise awareness and help others overcome it. For her Gold Award project, she produced a 42-minute documentary interviewing multiple teenagers, a psychiatrist, and a social media influencer on selfesteem and the variables that lower or increase it. She discovered social media impacts youth self-esteem by creating unrealistic beauty and living standards. Participants also discussed how it can have a positive influence on self-esteem if users create a platform to celebrate our differences. Amaya believes we need to find a healthy balance while on social media and stay true to ourselves because everyone is beautiful and unique in their own way. In her 12 years of Girl Scouting, she has learned to stand up for herself and is proud to have gained essential life skills like public speaking. Amaya attends the University of Arizona with plans to earn her degree in veterinary science.

Brianna Lopez Peoria

Reading Every Day Brianna created a book bag program that gave elementary school students access to high-quality literacy books and daily resources to encourage them and their families to read together every day. These bags consisted of three books, a folder with sample reading comprehension questions, a reading log, and literacy games and activities. Brianna also created YouTube videos for her project to explain how educators can introduce it to their classrooms. A Girl Scout of 13 years, Brianna says that her involvement has taught her to love herself and her community. Brianna attends Bourgade Catholic High School in Phoenix and will graduate with honors this year. After graduation, she plans to attend Arizona State University, where she will major in nursing and continue graduate studies to obtain a nurse practitioner license.

Sensory Boards Dreamcatcher Healing Ranch is an equine therapy center that helps people heal through educational and positive equine and ranch experiences. After meeting the owner and learning about their mission, Senya knew she wanted to help this community and get involved. The ranch experiences include horseback riding, adaptive riding, group outings, and more. Senya wanted to add to these healing experiences, so she created sensory boards for patients while riding on the horses. They helped with cognitive skills, motor skills, problem-solving, and were intended to be incorporated into the healing process of the therapy sessions. Senya also provided tutorials on how to make them so anyone could make them at home for themselves. Through her 13 years in Girl Scouting, she shares that she’s learned so many valuable life skills, made invaluable friendships and had many incredible opportunities. She plans to attend Northern Arizona University to earn her degree in dental hygiene.

Madalyn McKee Phoenix

Study Garden A proud alumni student of Abraham Lincoln Traditional Elementary School, Madalyn noticed two empty spaces on campus that she could transform. For her Gold Award project, she decided to change those spaces into gardens that the school’s garden clubs could use. She asked and received donations from Home Depot, Lowes, and Harbor Freight for materials and installed raised garden beds and plants. Since installing the gardens, the clubs have been using the space to learn how to garden and identify plants. She is proud to give back to the school she attended since kindergarten. She remembers attending a summer garden program at the time, which is no longer available and hopes this space gives future Lincoln students that opportunity. Madalyn’s 11 years of Girl Scouting has taught her customer service skills, the importance of giving back, and has given her a sense of pride. Madalyn plans to become a physician’s assistant.

Girl Scout

Connections

2022 Gold Awards

Julie Nutter

Katie Prator

Gilbert

Ahwatukee

Kindness Rock Garden

Exploring the Sky

For many incoming high school freshmen, making new friends and building a routine can be a challenge. Wanting to help students in this situation feel more connected and make new friends, Julie created a Kindness Rock Garden at her school. She led a team of volunteers and hand painted hundreds of rocks with bright colors and positive sayings for students to enjoy. At the rock garden, students are encouraged to introduce themselves, make a new friend, and most importantly be kind to one another. “I learned that it is important to never give up on what we are trying to do. Girl Scouts has given me so many opportunities and helped me become confident and make friends,” shared Julie. We can see how important creating connections is to her. She has been a Girl Scout for 13 years and plans to attend a community college, transferring to a university to major in Secondary Education with a focus on History.

Growing up surrounded by STEM with her father serving as a Solar System Ambassador for JPL/NASA, Katie was inspired at a young age to discover the universe and encourage others to explore the skies. For her Gold Award project, Katie collaborated with professionals at Gilbert Rotary Centennial Observatory to create different lesson plans for students in grades K-5 centered around astronomy and space exploration. Katie’s website, exploretheskygold.com, contains over 90 activities for individual, group, and outdoor settings. Katie has been a Girl Scout for 13 years and has grown her confidence and learned valuable leadership and independence skills. A recent high school graduate, Katie now works full-time as a lifeguard at her local YMCA and looks ahead to college and her future career moves. Her Gold Award project has encouraged her to pursue STEM fields in the future.

Michelle Pangilinan Phoenix

Empowerment for All

University research indicates that adding the Gold Award to a college application is critical in the admissions decision process. Paige Petrine Cave Creek

After hearing and witnessing multiple incidents at school, third-degree black belt Michelle began to question the safety of others and their ability to defend themselves. So, she launched her Gold Award project, a self-defense seminar created to share knowledge with anyone about protecting themselves, no martial arts experience required. Michelle instructed over 100 girls, boys, and women, from kindergarteners to working professionals through virtual seminars. Michelle also created six self-defense tubs with funds she raised, distributing them to centers and schools across the Valley. A Girl Scout of 13 years, Michelle credits the organization for giving her an interest in leadership that inspired her Gold Award project. Michelle attends Northern Arizona University’s Honors College, where she is pursuing her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration. She looks forward to growing her martial arts school and continuing to share her self-defense knowledge along the way.

Outdoor Classroom Formerly serving as president of her middle school’s Green Club, Paige wanted to give future students at Sonoran Trails Middle School the opportunity to have positive outdoor experiences. She revamped the former garden and turned it into an outdoor learning space. For her Gold Award project, Paige planted over 20 trees and plants, installed multiple garden beds, and installed a watering system. In addition, Paige created lesson plans for science teachers to incorporate into their curriculum. Despite delays due to Covid, the project came together to provide students with an educational and fun space that will continue to be maintained by the school’s Sustainability Club (SEED Club). A Girl Scout since kindergarten, Paige is set to graduate from Paradise Valley High School and looks to study chemical engineering or biochemistry.

Girl Scout

Connections

Shanti Oza Phoenix

Taste the Teal Living with life-threatening food allergies and knowing their impact on mental and physical health, Shanti set off on her Gold Award project to raise awareness on the effects of food allergies. She educated others on important topics such as how to prevent an anaphylactic reaction from becoming fatal, how to safely prepare food for those with allergies, and more by creating a website and social media page. Shanti’s project eventually led her to speak to Arizona congressional leaders on the FASTER Act, which paves the way for label transparency by making sesame a top allergen. Shanti also advocated for the Food Allergy Research Caucus, which addresses the financial burden on minorities with food allergies. As a Girl Scout for 11 years, Shanti credits the organization for shaping her into who she is today. She is a student at Arizona State University pursuing a degree in elementary education to become a principal, governing board member, and superintendent.

Spring 2022

2022 Gold Awards

Alesandra Reyes Phoenix

Service Dog Etiquette Alesandra grew up as a dog owner and trained a service dog through her school’s service dog training course. She realized that many individuals are unaware of the importance of service dogs and their proper etiquette while working. In her Gold Award project, Alesandra sought to educate individuals in her community on the different traits, types, and requirements for trained service dogs while informing others about the dangers of distracting them. A Girl Scout for 14 years, Alesandra’s experience has taken her worldwide from Mongolia to Greece and allowed her to make lifelong friendships along the way. As a graduate of Arizona Agribusiness and Equine Center Paradise Valley, Alesandra’s Gold Award experience and expansive knowledge of service dog training have helped her consider further education and a possible career path in the service dog training sector.

Girl Scouts who pursue their Gold Award aspire to transform an idea and vision for change into an accomplishment with measurable, sustainable, and far-reaching results. Eden Sapien Phoenix

Saving Supplies Saving Lives When left with an expensive brace unable to be donated after her brother suffered a broken arm, Eden used her Gold Award project to establish partnerships with non-profits to give unused medical equipment to those who can’t afford it. Partnering with Esperança, a Phoenix non-profit that provides seniors and low-income community members with medical supplies or equipment they need, Eden collected over $175,000 (and counting) in medical equipment from individuals across the Valley, exceeding her goal of $100,000. In addition to collecting equipment, Eden created a website for her project containing informational videos and more. A Girl Scout of 11 years, Eden learned valuable leadership, public speaking, and organizational skills while pursuing her Gold Award, and she has created a lasting impact in the community that still occurs today. She is a junior at Sandra Day O’Connor High School and looks to attend a university to study business after graduation.

Ella Werre Ahwatukee

Save Our Saguaros After the death of the saguaro cactus in her front yard, Ella was inspired to learn about saguaro health and the issues that are affecting their lifespan in urban areas. For her Gold Award project, Ella created a brochure to educate the public on saguaro health as well as a website, saveoursaguarosaz.com, with more information and images of fallen saguaros across Phoenix. Expanding her project onto the iNaturalist platform allowed others to log saguaros in their communities and establish the population to help scientists better maintain cactus health. As a Girl Scout of 12 years, Ella has learned new skills through camps, activities, and badges, making true friends along the way. A graduate of Mountain Pointe High School in Phoenix, Ella’s passion for the environment brought her to Michigan State University, where she is currently majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology.

Special Thanks to Our High Award Committees We want to extend a warm thank you to all our High Award Committee members. Their time, commitment, and hard work is what makes the High Awards possible for both our Council and, most importantly, our Girl Scouts. Committee members are dedicated to helping Girl Scouts pursuing the highest and most prestigious achievements in Girl Scouting by reviewing and aiding girls in the entire process — from idea to proposal, project implementation and through the final report. Thank you for all you do.

Gold Award Committee Joanie Allen Laura Baughman Alina Boorse Robin Bozik Carissa Decicco Donna Dotzler Janet Ellison Joanne Hartley Alisa Hoppis Kate Howard Ashley Hufford Alanna Iannone Brianna Iannone Kaitlyn Janssen Lee Kline Diana Laulainen-Schein Angela Lian Nikki Lober Regina Matos Shannon McBreen Sally Nelsen Kathryn Neumann Lydia Page Manuel Rojolemus Lori Scheeler Serena Schein Gail Smith Polly Thomas Kendra Wardon

Silver Award Committee Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council

Julie Anderson-Mora Sandie Patchett

Leading the Way

Meet Sofia Chang, GSUSA’s New CEO After 18 months of serving as Girl Scouts of the USA’s Interim Chief Executive Officer, Judith Batty has stepped down and welcomed Sofia Chang as the organization’s new CEO. Sofia assumed the CEO role effective January 28, 2022. She joins Girl Scouts after three decades of experience in the private sector. During her 20-year tenure at HBO/Warner Media, Sofia successfully transformed several businesses, developed high-performing teams, and advocated for women and diversity. She also is a proud mother of a Girl Scout, Lifetime Member, and a member of the Juliette Gordon Low Society. Ms. Chang is also the first CEO of Asian American Pacific Islander heritage in the organization's 110-year history. Her leadership and business achievements were built on her strategic vision, authenticity, and inclusiveness. She brings her legacy of leadership and advocacy to propel Girl Scouts, the largest leadership organization for girls in the world, into its next chapter by working to reach more girls who can create an outsized impact in their communities, and around the world.

Keep the fun going! Renew now for another year of friendships, adventures, and making a difference.

Paint Your World Purple We hope you were able to participate in “Kristen Bell and Girl Scouts: Paint Your World Purple” on May 19, a national virtual event exclusively for girls who joined or renewed their Girl Scout membership this spring. Hosted by actor, producer, Girl Scout alum, and co-author of the #1 New York Times bestseller The Word Needs More Purple People, Kristen Bell, girls completed fun, interactive activities that taught them wonderful traits of “Purple People” – the focus of Bell’s book. Wondering what makes a purple person? In short, it’s someone who asks great questions, stands up for what’s right, is curious about the world, loves being their true selves, and best of all enjoys being silly! Sound familiar? Enhance your inner Girl Scout and Purple Person by renewing your membership at girlscoutsaz.org/renew.

Girl Scout

Connections

Grow your Troop! Help engage more girls in Girl Scouting! If you grow your troop by two girls by Sept. 30, 2022, you’ll receive an exclusive invitation to our Songfest Event in October!

Incentives to Service Units Service Units that renew 60% or higher will receive 50% off of their 2023 encampment fees (% off limited to building reservations only).

Patch Design Contest Get ready to enter the Spring Renewal Patch contest! This year’s patch design contest will complete our Spring Renewal Circle. The contest is open to all girls who will register for the 20222023 membership year through Early Bird Registration. The winner will also receive a $25 gift card to the Girl Scout Shop. Submissions must be completed by May 31, visit girlscoutsaz.org/ renew for more details.

Spring 2022

Leading the Way

We Love Our Volunteers! April was National Volunteer Month – a time dedicated to acknowledging the commitment of all volunteers and their efforts to various causes around the country. To our spectacular GSACPC volunteers, we want to extend our deepest appreciation. Your attention to the Girl Scout Movement and the growth of our girls is deserving of daily recognition. In a time filled with continued uncertainty you stood strong and offered creative solutions to obstacles. You celebrated triumphs and navigated new experiences with grace. The way you empower girls is inspiring; we hope they can pass this on to others as they grow through the program. With each troop meeting, email sent, recruitment event, and training, you help create a loving space where girls gain the confidence to be their true selves. Thank you for being role models, giving motivation and guidance, and living by the Girl Scout Promise and Law; because of you, the world gains more young women ready to make positive change every day! Although it can never be said enough – thank you and we love you!

Show Appreciation and Recognition for Volunteers Throughout the Year Formally recognize dedicated volunteers at the annual Volunteer Recognition & Award Ceremony in October. Fill out a nomination form by Sept. 1 at girlscoutsaz.org/adultawards. Send a virtual high five, fist bump, or hug using our easy form at bit.ly/gsacpc-peerappreciation.

Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council

What it Means to Be a Girl Scout

s Girl Scouts we all strive to create positive, lasting impact in the world. The things we learn and experience as Girl Scouts become a part of who we are and have the power to change us as well. Meet some of our local Girl Scouts who have truly connected with our mission and are creating their own path. Continue blazing your trail with Girl Scouts by ensuring your membership is renewed! Giselle, Troop 6223 “When I think of Girl Scouts, I think of adventures and good memories. I have been a Girl Scout since Kindergarten and I have enjoyed learning so much about what it means to be a Girl Scout. So far, some of my favorite memories include horseback riding at Camp Maripai, becoming a cookie boss, and creating bonds with my Girl Scout Sisters.”

Kiara, Troop 4331 “To me Girl Scouts is about making friends and having fun. My Girl Scout Sisters and I love celebrating the holidays together. One of my favorite celebrations was this past year when we had a breakfast party! We exchanged gifts and ate lots of pancakes; it was a special day.”

Alexandria, Troop 7287 “To me, Girl Scouts goes beyond learning new things to help the world. Girl Scouts is about learning who I am and why I am that way. My troop does a lot of projects that I feel help me better myself. For example, when we complete a community service project, it puts a smile on my face and on every person I help. This has helped me improve my social skills and has encouraged me to do random acts of kindness. Girl Scouts has helped me become who I am now because if it wasn’t for Girl Scouts, I would not be as confident as I am today. Thank you, GSACPC!” Girl Scout

Connections

Past Adventures

An Adventure-full of Cookies!

ur 2022 Girl Scout Cookie Program was full of adventures, from launching our newest cookie, the Adventurefuls, to hosting our first-ever Bring Home the Cookie 5K event! From Jan. 17 to Feb. 27, 843 troops in central and northern Arizona sold cookies, breaking a record, and almost selling out half-way through the sale. In face of the obstacles presented during this year’s cookie program, YOU rose above and rocked this season! Together, we sold over 2.6 million packages of cookies, and truth is, we could have sold more. We hope to continue this energy and momentum into the summer and onto the next product program. You truly are resilient, strong, and innovative. As you may already know, proceeds stay 100% local, and we look forward to some exciting programs this year. Our Council will use proceeds to help cover the cost of the cookie program, provide girl and volunteer programming and training, maintain and improve our four camp properties, and provide financial assistance to keep Girl Scouting accessible to all girls, and more! We also look forward to learning about the wonderful things you will do with your proceeds. Going on a troop trip? Funding a service project? Let us and the community know how you and/or your troop are planning to use your proceeds by submitting a story form at girlscoutsaz.org/stories. We’re incredibly proud of you and everyone involved, and we congratulate you on another successful and memorable season!

Girl Scout

Connections

Key Booth Partners AJ’s Fine Foods; Alight Tempe; Bashas’; Bookmans Mesa; Bosa Donuts; Caramba’s; Cien Agaves; Coffee Plantation; Cold Beer and Cheeseburgers; CVS; Dance Fusion; Eddie’s Country Store; Fry’s Food and Drug Store; Food City; Gaslight Square; JRP Tax; Macerich – Arrowhead Towne Center, Chandler Fashion Center, Desert Sky Mall, Kierland Commons, SanTan Village, Superstition Springs Center; Mod Pizza; Roberts Market Place; Sam’s Club; SONIC®; True Value; Tuesday Morning; Valley Coffee; Walmart; YAM Properties – As You Wish, Cittadelle, Pet Market; Zzeeks Pizza

Spring 2022

Top Selling Girls

Might Mint Club

Girls who sold 5,000+ packages!

7,788 7,506 7,504 7,503 6,304 5,585 5,555 5,342 5,272 5,244 5,082 5,045 5,038 5,034 5,021 5,005 5,004

Evelyn Wnenta Meira Hart Maliah Winey Scarlett Lacis Addison Spencer Ashlyn Wackernagle Ava Anderson Drew Byrne Jordyn Quinn Lilly Delehoy Savannah Scott Megan Berg Hailey Aldaz Sarah Aldaz Emmalin Pryor Shanelle Smiley

Girls who sold 2,000+ packages!

5,003 5,003 5,003 5,002 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000

Top Selling Troops Troops who sold 10,000+ packages!

Troop 558 Troop 3156 Troop 203 Troop 36 Troop 7190 Troop 4926 Troop 3198 Troop 7121 Troop 436 Troop 6250 Troop 1096 Troop 419 Troop 3990 Troop 2232 Troop 1126 Troop 3829 Troop 3145 Troop 1044

64,886 55,828 27,715 23,781 17,232 17,159 16,989 16,713 16,233 16,018 14,325 14,049 13,623 13,498 12,950 12,909 12,751 12,481

Troop 71 Troop 2894 Troop 2030 Troop 7310 Troop 1892 Troop 7073 Troop 872 Troop 1656 Troop 2713 Troop 3004 Troop 1653 Troop 6859 Troop 7478 Troop 3379 Troop 3822 Troop 6234 Troop 6455

12,246 12,092 11,959 11,857 11,838 11,375 11,294 11,246 11,210 11,161 10,791 10,555 10,412 10,352 10,265 10,208 10,036

Packages Sold

Packages Sold Online

2,686,833

843,710

Girls Selling

Most Popular Cookie

7,063

Thin Mints

Per Girl Average

Adventurefuls Sold

380

247,456

Kaitlyn Van Der Werf Cybelle Lacis Jilian Lazard Sophia Harmon Cassidy Cottle Kiana Jeskewitz Chloe Stewart Avery Vo Maddie Dunlap Avery Bantau April Costello Magnolia Miller Kloie Kalb Cora Poor Abby Lange Jenna Pachak Skyla Bishop Evelyn Wnenta Meira Hart Maliah Winey Scarlett Lacis Addison Spencer Ashlyn Wackernagle Ava Anderson Drew Byrne Jordyn Quinn Lilly Delehoy Savannah Scott Megan Berg Hailey Aldaz Sarah Aldaz Emmalin Pryor Shanelle Smiley Eliza Ohlson Jordyn Talahytewa Emma Bartlett Shannon Robelet Shante Summers Lillian Standerfer Trisha Dyer Natalie Dominguez Kaycee Noderer Leah Willard Isabelle Hoag Amani Jones Kayleigh Smith Samantha Shockness Kyree Nelson-Turner Lily Sheehan Charlize Hogan Maya Hamer Cori Borgstadt Mackenzie Kescoli Elise Densmore Mona Wilson Hailey Wells Hailey Potts

7,788 7,506 7,504 7,503 6,304 5,585 5,555 5,342 5,272 5,244 5,082 5,045 5,038 5,034 5,021 5,005 5,004 5,003 5,003 5,003 5,002 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 4,501 4,500 4,500 4,018 4,009 4,004 3,596 3,570 3,534 3,500 3,500 3,500 3,500 3,338 3,253 3,177 3,164 3,156 3,093 3,020 3,013 3,002 3,002 3,000

Brittany Mayes Amarissa Frias Makayla Pierson Victoria Ball Jeanenne Wymbs Jaylynn Wymbs Aubrey Wanamaker Carlie White Nicole Erickson Catherine Young Kayla Fouty Abbie Bostwick Samantha Duran Samantha Dettmering Nicole Royalinski Alta Metz Nyna Kingsley Taylor Celle Claire Lovell Carmen Odegaard Ava Gillane Alexis Gefroh Sarah Spresney Gabriella Nieves Emilia Yanez Audrianna Walker Larkin Lopez Jayna Kurtz Adyson Hebert Maley Resh Lilly Rowe Rain Jackson Ella Wade Sophia Avina-Thomas Katelyn Bishop Gianna Blair Aurora Arnett Baylee Lairmore Courtney Dewey Abigail Lomanto Peyton Wessels Nya Barnhart Reagan OConnor Eleanor Arroyo Annabelle Seigle Chloe-Ann Kibler Madison Fouty Madelynne Hickel Rayna Adams Charlotte Hayes Lucille St John Grazia Caramucci Alyssa Chavez Lisabella Rivera Kaylee Fohrman Hayden Barnes

3,000 3,000 3,000 3,000 2,693 2,649 2,567 2,543 2,510 2,505 2,500 2,500 2,259 2,232 2,160 2,146 2,130 2,130 2,101 2,095 2,078 2,072 2,066 2,054 2,054 2,051 2,050 2,047 2,043 2,040 2,030 2,028 2,016 2,011 2,005 2,004 2,003 2,002 2,002 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000

Past Adventures

Lemonade Stand

2022 Walkabout and Cookie Flair Winners Congratulations to all our cookie entrepreneurs on another successful cookie season! We had many submissions for our Walkabout and Cookie Flair contests (winners shown right) that showcased Girl Scouts being active, innovative, and creative to reach their sales goals by knocking on doors, biking around their neighborhoods, and even using a decorated golf cart! Walkabout winners (non-Fitbit contest), shown below, were announced on all GSACPC’s social media platforms. We hope to see your entry next year!

WEEK 1

WEEK 2

WEEK 3

Abigail Cox

Madeleine Lettieri

Myriam Shafaat

Troop 2320, Litchfield Pk

Troop 4333, Ftn Hills

Troop 3402, Surprise

WEEK 4

WEEK 5

WEEK 6

Darby Tover

Audrey, Brooke, and Calli Sindelir

Madison Konkel

Troop 3130, Clarkdale

Troop 2320, Litchfield Pk

Girl Scout

Connections

Troop 4615, Scottsdale

Dakota Henling

Emely Shaffer

Troop 3471, East Kyrene

Troop 3983, West Chandler

Walkabout Wagon

Abigail Cox

Aurora Hader

Troop 2320, Desert Sunset

Troop 7443, West Chandler

Bling Your Booth

Jazmin Cruz

Kennedy Lettieri

Troop 2273, Gilbert

Troop 3137, Ftn Hills

Spring 2022

Past Adventures

The 8th Annual Girl Scout Cookie Dessert Challenge

We express our gratitude to our restaurant partners for supporting our Girl Scouts through this cookie season and to the community who made this year’s challenge memorable. • Aioli Gourmet Burgers • Beaver Street Brewery • Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails at Hotel Palomar

• Churn

fter taking a hiatus due to the pandemic, the Girl Scout Cookie Dessert Challenge came back this year to make a splash! Nineteen esteemed chefs from restaurants in central and northern Arizona competed to create the tastiest dessert using one of the Girl Scout Cookie flavors. They featured the dessert item on their menu the entire month of February and encouraged restaurant patrons to try it and vote online! Best of all, a portion of the proceeds from desserts sold went to GSACPC.

• Geordie’s at Wrigley Mansion

With 22% of the votes for the central Arizona area, Nook Kitchen took the title for best dessert with their Don’t Mind if I Do made with Girl Scout Do-si-dos by Chef Amber Cumming. Shift took the title for the northern Arizona region with 37.5% of the votes with their Mint Chocolate Churros made with Girl Scout Thin Mints by Chef Dara Wong.

• Tarbell’s

Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council

• Grand Canyon Brewing + Distillery • Lovecraft • Lumberyard Brewing Company • Nook Kitchen • Oak on Camelback • Proof Canteen at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale Troon North • Rusconi’s American Kitchen • Serrano’s Mexican Restaurant • Shift • The County Seat • The Italian Daughter • The Mick Brasserie • ZuZu at Hotel Valley Ho

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Past Adventures

Bring Home the Cookies 5K Girl Scout Entrepreneurs Host Vendor Booths

he entrepreneurial spirit could be felt throughout Tempe as Girl Scouts celebrated the end of a successful season and learning new life skills through this year’s cookie program at the Bring Home the Cookies 5K on Feb. 26. Girl Scouts, their families, and members of the community felt the warm embrace of the sun as they took advantage of the opportunity to run through ASU’s Sun Devil Stadium. They were met with cheers as they each crossed the finish line to receive their medal and, of course, a package of Girl Scout Cookies!

Alexis hosting her Best Friends Favorites booth

Giselle hosting her Pawsome Pet Boutique booth

The Runner’s Village was also full of life – vendors and sponsors hosted booths full of goodies and activities. Among the businesses present were two of our very own Girl Scouts! Giselle and Alexis attended the 5K and managed booths for their respective small businesses; taking the skills they’ve learned in the cookie program to communicate with customers, network, and make sales. Girl Scout Junior Giselle from Troop 2894 is the owner of Pawsome Pet Boutique. She specializes in handmade, over-thecollar pet bandanas and gemstone bracelets with charms for pet lovers. Her business was born out of love for animals and when she learned that she was too young to volunteer at her local animal shelter, she decided to create her own outlet to offer support. In addition to growing her customer network, Giselle also donates 10% of all her sales to Sun City 4Paws Rescue.

Runners get ready on the starting line with Cardinal Cheerleaders and mascots cheering them on!

Girl Scout Senior Alexis from Troop 2046 started her business, Best Friends Favorites, when her family adopted a pet guinea pig. She taught herself to sew during the pandemic as a hobby and when her family welcomed their newest furry addition, she decided to turn her hobby into a small business creating snuggle sacks! These cozy sacks are meant to provide comfort and a sense of safety for guinea pigs. Thinking outside the box, Alexis also created snuggle sacks for her two cats and bunny. She now offers a variety of sizes on her Etsy site! We are grateful for all those who attended our inaugural 5K and hope to continue offering Girl Scouts opportunities to display their growth and skills. Thank you for helping us bring home the cookies!

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Our Interim Co-CEOs (left and right) smile on race day with Lupe, our Board Chair who ran in the race!

Spring 2022

For Girls

Hey there!

¡Hola!

Take a second and imagine your dream life. Where do you live? Where have you traveled? How do you get around? Do you host big parties? Support important causes? Believe it or not, none of this is beyond your reach if you start making smart money moves now.

Tómate un segundo e imagina la vida de tus sueños. ¿En dónde vives? ¿A dónde has viajado? ¿Cómo te mueves de un lugar a otro? ¿Organizas fiestas grandes? ¿Apoyas causas importantes y organizaciones beneficias? Lo creas o no, nada de esto está fuera de tu alcance si empiezas a aprender a manejar el dinero inteligentemente ahora.

Use this booklet to figure out your spending style, make your money grow, budget for a dream purchase, and learn how to change the world with your wallet. Ready? Let’s go!!

Utiliza este folleto para conocer cuál es tu estilo de gasto, hacer crecer tu dinero, realizar un presupuesto para la compra de tus sueños y aprender a cambiar el mundo con tu billetera. ¿Estas lista? ¡Hagámoslo!

To bridge the gap between many girls’ current economic reality and their dreams of being financially independent, Girl Scouts and Toyota Financial Services have teamed up to create Driving My Financial Future™, a program that gives girls relevant, ageappropriate financial skills as well as the tools to make positive fiscal decisions in the future. As an extension of this program we have created Girl Scouts at Home: Build Your Dream Life for girls and their families to bring the learning and fun home, and to help foster healthy conversations about financial literacy.

Para cerrar la brecha entre la realidad económica actual de muchas niñas y sus sueños de ser financieramente independientes, Girl Scouts y Toyota Financial Services se han unido para crear Driving My Financial Future™ (manejando mi futuro financiero), un programa que les brinda a las niñas habilidades financieras relevantes y apropiadas para su edad al igual que herramientas para tomar decisiones fiscales positivas en el futuro. Como una extensión de este programa, hemos creado Girl Scouts en su hogar: Construye la vida de tus sueños para que las niñas y sus familias lleven el aprendizaje y la diversión a casa y para ayudar a fomentar conversaciones saludables sobre la educación financiera en general. Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council

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What We Value Lo que valoramos Money can make life a lot easier, but at Girl Scouts, we know the most important things in life simply can’t be bought or sold. El dinero puede hacer la vida mucho más fácil, pero en Girl Scouts sabemos que las cosas más importantes de la vida simplemente no se pueden comprar ni vender.

Girl Scout Promise

La Promesa de Girl Scouts

On my honor, I will try: To serve God* and my country, To help people at all times, And to live by the Girl Scout Law.

Por mi honor yo trataré de servir a Dios* y a mi patria, ayudar a las personas en todo momento, y vivir conforme a la Ley de Girl Scouts.

Girl Scout Law

La Ley de Girl Scouts

I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout.

Yo me esforzaré por ser honrada y justa cordial y servicial, considerada y compasiva, valiente y fuerte, y responsable de lo que digo y hago. Y por respetarme a mí misma y a los demás, respetar la autoridad, usar los recursos de manera prudente, hacer del mundo un lugar mejor, y ser una hermana para toda Girl Scout.

Girl Scout Family Promise

La Promesa de la familia Girl Scouts

On my honor, I will try: To support my Girl Scout and her troop, To help girls lead at all times, And to always keep it fun!

Por mi honor yo trataré de apoyar a mi Girl Scout y su tropa, para ayudar a las niñas a liderar en todo momento, y siempre mantener la diversión.

*Members may substitute for the word God in accordance with their spiritual beliefs. *Los miembros de Girl Scouts pueden sustituir la palabra “Dios” en La promesa de acuerdo a sus propias creencias espirituales.

From Broke to Boss Try these simple tricks to grow the money you have and make more along the way!

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Sell clothes, toys, or books you’ve outgrown at a yard sale or online with an adult’s help. Start your own business dog walking, tutoring, mowing lawns, or babysitting in your neighborhood for cash.

De estar quebrada a ser tu propia jefa ¡Prueba estos trucos muy sencillos para aumentar el dinero que tienes mientras ganas más en el camino!

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Talk to your family about opening a savings account. It will help you resist random spending and can earn you a bit of interest, too!

Spend some of what you have on DIY project supplies, then sell the items you make for more than you spent.

Look up and enter essay contests and art competitions where winners get cash prizes or Girl Scout scholarships—you can’t win if you don’t try! Connections

Puedes vender ropa, juguetes o libros que ya no utilices, en una venta de garaje o en línea con la ayuda de un adulto. Empieza a pasear perros, dar clases particulares, cortar el césped o cuidar niños en tu vecindario, por dinero en efectivo. Habla con tu familia sobre la apertura de una cuenta de ahorros. ¡Te ayudará a resistir el gasto innecesario y también puede generarte un poco de interés! Gasta algo de lo que tienes en materiales para proyectos en casa y luego vende los artículos que creas con ellos por más dinero de lo que gastaste inicialmente en los materiales. Busca y participa en concursos de redacción y de arte donde los ganadores obtienen premios en efectivo o becas. Spring 2022

Make Your Dream Happen! ¡Haz tu sueño realidad! This worksheet will help you plan for—and make!—a purchase you’ve been dreaming of. Talking with your family about your goals and getting their support can help you stay on track. It might take some time, but you can do it!

Esta hoja de trabajo te ayudará a planificar (y realizar) una compra con la que has estado soñando. Hablar con tu familia sobre tus objetivos y obtener su apoyo puede ayudarte a mantenerte encaminada. Puede que te lleve algo de tiempo, ¡pero puedes hacerlo!

What I want to buy or do with my money/Lo qué quiero comprar o hacer con mi dinero: Three awesome things about it/Tres cosas increíbles sobre lo que quiero comprar:

Three potential drawbacks to it/Tres posibles inconvenientes con lo que quiero comprar:

How much it costs from three different places/Cuánto cuesta en tres lugares diferentes:

Two cheaper options and their cost/Dos opciones más económicas y su costo:

Something good about the alternatives/Algo bueno sobre las alternativas:

Something negative about the alternatives/Algo negativo sobre las alternativas:

What I will buy/Qué compraré How much money I have today/Cuánto dinero tengo hoy:

How much money I need to save/Cuánto dinero necesito ahorrar:

How I’m going to earn money/Cómo voy a ganar dinero:

How I’m going to save money/Cómo voy a ahorrar dinero:

Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council

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Around the Bend

Appetite for Adventure: Girl Scouts Summer Camp 2022

he GSACPC Camp team is thrilled to invite you back to camp this year! After a safe and successful camp season last year, we’re looking forward to having campers back for a summer filled with engaging programs, STEM, hiking, arts & crafts, rock-climbing, the list goes on. We are looking forward to troop, day, resident, and mini-resident camp options – various way to get involved whether you’re a new or seasoned camper! Summer camp registration has already opened, so be sure to create an account to view and register for sessions seamlessly. Visit girlscoutsaz.org/camp to get started.

Key Info • Registration – Now Open! • First Week of Camp – June 5 | Last Week of Camp – July 24 • New! Mini-Resident Camp – Campers will experience staying overnight in the comfort of our urban camp at Parsons Leadership Center. The program is 3-days, 2-nights starting Wednesday, ending Friday. • New! Affordable and competitive pricing for all! No more tiered pricing. • As always, girls are welcome to invite a friend or family member! Girls don’t have to be current members to attend camp.

Expected COVID-19 Protocols & Guidelines Campers can prepare for some anticipated changes, as part of our safety plan. As the status, information, and environment shifts, so may our guidelines. As we go to print, we’re planning on a camping experience that reflects the latest CDC recommendations including: • Registration closing 14 days prior to each session • Mask wearing is dependent on the community threat level as outlined by the CDC and can change at any time. Please send your camper with 2-3 masks in the event there is a change to the community threat level mid-session. • Required: pre-screening health check and for 14 days prior to the first day of camp (as always, send your campers to camp healthy) • No camp cohorts (limits to camp session groups) • Sunday Drop-off / Friday Pick-up: 2:00-2:45pm | Weekdays Drop-off: 7:30-8:30am Please note that these protocols may change. We’ll continue to communicate updates via our website at girlscoutsaz.org/covid-19.

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Spring 2022

Around the Bend

Camperships

Sneak Peak – A Day in the Life of a Camper Imagine this – the birds are chirping, the sun is shining, and you’re at Girl Scouts Summer Camp! Every day here is a day full of opportunities – make a new friend, learn a new skill, sing a camp song, discover something new in nature, and create some lasting memories. If you haven’t been to camp, you’re missing out! All that we can say is you have to experience it for yourself to understand the magic that has girls anticipating registration each year. To help give you an insight of what you can expect, look at this sample camp schedule. Keep in mind, this doesn’t reflect all the amazing opportunities each camp has to offer. Some of our camps are unique due to their locations and natural landscapes, others for their programs like horseback riding, swimming, travel opportunities, and aviation. But just so you know, every camp is guaranteed to feed your appetite for adventure! Sample Camp Day Schedule

We want to ensure that everyone who wants to attend camp can do so, regardless of their financial situation. Interested campers in need of financial assistance can apply for a campership at girlscoutsaz.org/camperships.

Full Camp Program and Registration Details Online To ensure we provide the most up to date information on our 2022 summer camp program we have converted our traditional print brochure to an online resource. Visit girlscoutsaz.org/camp for full up-to-date program information and details on: • Registration and how to register • Tiered pricing • Camperships • Refunds, cancellations, and changes • Transportation • Camp session descriptions

• 7:00am Wake-up

• Ordering your camp kit

• 7:45am Flag Ceremony

• FAQs

• 8:00am Breakfast

• COVID-19 guidelines and policies

• 9:00am Archery or Slingshots • 10:00am Outdoor Arts & Craft • 11:00am Nature Hike/Scavenger Hunt • 12:30pm Lunch • 1:30pm

Me Time (cabin down time to rest/write/reflect)

• 2:30pm Natures Laboratory

(owl pellet dissection, animal track identification)

• 3:30pm Girl Choice (field games, water games, storytelling/skits) • 4:00pm Outdoor Skills (fire building, outdoor cooking, pitching a tent) • 5:45pm Flag Ceremony • 6:00pm Dinner • 7:00pm Evening Program • 8:30pm Getting ready for bed • 10:00pm Lights Out

Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council

Send Us Your Camp Letters! With both friendships and lasting memories being made this summer, share your experience with us by sending us a hand-written letter! Include drawings, photos, and anecdotes from camp that you would like to share with our Girl Scout Members – your story could inspire another Girl Scout to sign-up for camp next year. When addressing your letters use the following: Marcom Team Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council 119 E Coronado Rd Phoenix, AZ 85004 We cannot wait to hear from you!

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Champions for Girls

Supporting the Sash Thank you to the sponsors of our Support the Sash and CAMPaign Appeals: SRP, Desert Diamond Casinos West Valley, and Toyota Financial Services. Sponsorship helps engage the community in Girl Scouting by inspiring others to invest in Girl Scouts.

Similarly, the CAMPaign guarantees that through Girl Scouts, girls can find ways to nurture their physical and mental wellbeing, build long-term success, advance social and racial justice, and create fair and equitable spaces.

For nearly two years, girls have persevered through historic difficulties. As we grapple with the on-going effects of the pandemic and move forward, girls need Girl Scouts more than ever. Support the Sash ensures GSACPC will have much needed operating support so they can continue to serve girls today—and tomorrow.

Our donors, like SRP, Desert Diamond Casinos West Valley, & Toyota Financial Services, play a critical role in making Girl Scouts possible—they help girls discover their untapped potential and watch as they become the leaders that our businesses, communities, and planet need.

CEO Fast Pitch Event Offers Mentorship for Cookie Sellers

ocal CEOs and business executives mentored cookie entrepreneurs at our second Virtual CEO Fast Pitch on Jan. 22. Nearly 50 girls had the opportunity to try out their cookie sales pitches and receive feedback and encouragement from professionals.

Cadettes Ally and Lizzy Small from Troop 3632 attended this year’s CEO Fast Pitch and shared their experience. “It was a great opportunity for us to really get our sales pitch ready for the cookie season and our ‘why’ behind selling cookies. Our troop leader is always telling us she wants to get us out of our comfort zones because that is how we can grow and develop new skills! This was a great way to do that.” “I was happy to be part of this year’s CEO Cookie Fast Pitch presentations. These young leaders were impressive in their cookie sales presentations,” said Dr. Michael Golding, 2022 Waste Management Phoenix Open Tournament Chairman. Thank you to our CEOs who not only shared their time and wisdom but purchased cookies from all the girls who participated!

2022 CEO Fast Pitch Mentors: • Jacky Alling, Arizona State University • Dr. Dave Bolman, University of Advancing Technology • Dr. Julia Brookman, Cigna Medical Group • Dr. Michael Golding, Oral & Facial Surgeons of Arizona and 2022 Waste Management Phoenix Open Tournament Chairman • John W. Graham, Sunbelt Holdings • Emily Anne Gullickson, A for Arizona • Zach Hall, State Forty Eight Foundation • Julie Johnson, Colliers • Mary Mitchell, GSACPC • Deanna Salazar, Blue Cross Blue Shield Arizona • Tiffany Sharp, Sharp Construction • Christina Spicer, GSACPC

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Girl Scout Cadettes Ally and Lizzy attending this year’s virtual event.

Spring 2022

Champions for Girls

Gila River Indian Community Many thanks to the Gila River Indian Community for their support to fund Girl Scout programs that promote social connection and academic outcomes for girls. Studies done by the Girl Scout Research Institute show that compared to their non-Girl Scout peers, Girl Scouts are more likely to earn excellent grades, expect to graduate from college, and aspire towards STEM, business, and law careers. Girl Scouting not only helps girls dream big, but it also helps give them the tools and support to make their dreams come true. Thank you to Gila River Indian Community for championing our girls.

Phoenix Suns Give GSACPC a Slam Dunk!

hoenix Suns Charities, a long-time supporter of Girl Scouts, took our partnership to the next level in October when Suns player Devin Booker announced GSACPC as one of the recipients of his Devin Booker Starting Five grants.

ever Girl Scout Cookie Night at the Phoenix Suns game on Jan. 30 where Girl Scouts hosted cookie booths in the outdoor plaza and filled the stands during the game to cheer! A couple of our Girl Scouts presented the color guard on the court and the Phoenix Suns Gorilla even preformed a skit during half-time to promote cookie sales! We’re so grateful to the Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Suns Charities, Devin Booker, and the Phoenix Mercury for their belief in Girl Scouting and their ongoing partnership.

Booker surprised a group of GSACPC girls and volunteers with the announcement of the $100,000 grant for a new mini bus that will be used for programs, field trips, cookie delivery, and more! The Starting Five grant inspired many conversations and ideas on how the Suns organization and Girl Scouts could work together. We held the first

Members of Troop 4864 cheering on the Suns and showing their Girl Scout pride!

Thank You For Helping Us Bring Home the Cookies As you’ve read, the cookie season came to an exciting end with the Bring Home the Cookies 5K! More than 450 runners and supporters gathered to celebrate and it was all made possible thanks to our generous sponsors and partners, especially co-hosts State Forty Eight and their Foundation. We are so grateful to our sponsors including Ardie & Steve Evans, Clear Channel Outdoor Media, Lovett & Touché, Helios Education Foundation, Morgan Stanley – Viewpoint Group, Blue Cross Blue Shield Arizona, Kitchell

Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council

Construction, Duffy Group, Mutual of America, As You Wish, Bashas’, Burrito Express, Circle K, Kappa Delta Sorority and Alums, and LAVIDGE. Huge thanks to our emcee Lina Washington from 12 News, as well as the Arizona Cardinals cheerleaders and Big Red, Baxter from the Arizona Diamondbacks, Fiesta Bowl Charities, and their mascot Spirit, “GO” the Phoenix Suns Gorilla, and the Phoenix Coyotes Street Team, plus our two DJs HotSizzle of Boomsquad and Jeff Thurston, T3 for adding to the energy

of the event. We also appreciate all the vendors who filled the Runners Village with fun activities, yummy food, and opportunities to support local entrepreneurs: LAVIDGE, As You Wish, EdKey Charter School, ASU Digital Prep, Bashas’, Girls Can Build, Torva Fine Art, Pawsome Pet Boutique, Best Friends Favorites, Arizona Fashion Source, Keystone Body Therapy, Mutual of America, Kappa Delta Sorority and Alums, Dolce Estrella Baking, Sweetz Brew, and Waffle Love.

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Award Recognition

Memorials Reflects gifts made Oct. 1 - Dec. 31, 2021.

In Memory of Ginger Allingham Gari Dillon

Helen P. Carr Bruce Carr

Kathryn Cromley Paul Cromley JP Morgan Chase Foundation, Cromley Wrage United Way of Central New Mexico

Tomás Guerra Yolanda Edwards-Guerra Gabriela Guerra Isabel Guerra Olivia Guerra

Mary Sue Talley American Express Foundation Paulette Brown

Tributes Reflects gifts made Oct. 1 - Dec. 31, 2021.

In Honor of Carol Peterson Diana Everett

Oct. 1-Dec.31, 2021: There were 19 different Silver Award Take Action project reports submitted for the following 34 Silver Award Recipients.

he highest award a Girl Scout Cadette (grades 6-8) can earn, the Silver Award helps girls become organized, determined, and dedicated to improving the community. After completing a Cadette Journey, girls find a way to create positive change. In a small team, they plan to “Take Action” on the root cause of the problem they discovered and researched. They put their plan into motion, demonstrate an understanding of sustainable change, connect with others outside their immediate neighborhood, learn how others have solved similar problems, determine how others can help, and share what they learned.

Troop 156 Aleah Elser Melaurie Fair Emma Haas Mackenzie Redford Raegan Rogers Kiera Rogers Troop 359 Bella Duty Cecelia Giaquinto Quinlyn Hanson Erin Wallace Troop 408 Kara Bush Troop 411 Amy Fleming Tessa Langbecker Jinsey Mayer Caitlin Ulreich-Power

Troop 637 Kelsie Burns Courtney Hartle Troop 653 Coya Cook Troop 758 Evelyn Schuttler Troop 1084 Jada Allen Kassidi Nimmons Troop 1411 Catherine Young Troop 1658 Kennadi Gramlich Troop 1860 Brynnleigh Warren

Troop 2019 D’Asia Hinojosa-Chun Troop 2430 Osiana Izzo Troop 3006 Alexis Pelkey Troop 4207 Miribelle Foust Troop 7143 Sofia Carbajal Tianna Escobar Cooper Hidalgo Kana Kratzenberg Isabelle Miranda Payton Robinson

Eleanor Spahle Lauren Dreyfuss

Troop 281 Lyrna Schoon

Eileen Ward Jerry Ward

Tamara Woodbury Janet M. Kramer

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Spring 2022

Award Recognition

T Oct. 1- Dec. 31, 2021: There were 6 different Bronze Award Take Action project reports submitted for the following 24 Bronze Award Recipients.

he Girl Scout Bronze Award is a leadership adventure, and the highest honor a Girl Scout Junior (grades 4-5) can achieve. After completing a Journey program, girls work together to find and research a problem in their community. They plan and complete a “Take Action Project” to address the root cause of the problem, learn how others have solved similar issues, develop more confidence, meet new people, and discover the rewards of working cooperatively to make a difference in their community. Troop 156 Samantha Martel Zoey Phillips Kiera Rogers Raegan Rogers Kaitlyn Ulreich Amelia Wood Troop 2435 Madison Korner Rheannean Liberati Carlea Martinez Troop 2766 Semra Gentilella Grace Ghee Damya Oneal Elliannah Ramsey NaKyhia Yarber

Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council

Social Shout Out! Check out the most liked post from our Instagram page @GSACPC Oct. 1 – Dec. 31, 2021. Head to Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter and connect with us!

Troop 3555 Paige Downin Shaidyn Mayle Molly Moore Troop 4207 Jaelynn Alvarez Ava Carranza Amelia Foust Isabella Horton Elyssia Peppin Troop 4662 Jillian Yates Lilliana Zayas-Bazan

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119 E Coronado Road Phoenix, AZ 85004 602.452.7000 / 800.352.6133 girlscoutsaz.org @GSACPC

¿Prefieres esta información en español? ¡Contáctenos! preguntas@girlscoutsaz.org o 602-452-7011

Council Shop

Key Dates

The Council Shop is currently open for in-store visits and is offering curbside pick-up! This is your resource for all things Girl Scout-related – find program supplies, branded merchandise, uniform kits, and more! Masks may be required for in-store shopping. Your Council Shop is located at:

Parsons Leadership Center 1611 E. Dobbins Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85042 602.452.7137 | shop@girlscoutsaz.org

NEW! Business Hours:

Tue, Wed, Fri 9am-5pm Sat 9am-1pm The online shop never closes! girlscoutshop.com

Are you ready for these upcoming events? Make sure to mark your Calendars!

5/19 6/4

6/5 – 7/24 5/30 7/4 10/1

Enter the Troop Game Night Giveaway!

Enjoy a fun night of board games and pizza on us! We are giving away a Troop Game Night Kit in June that includes board games, and a gift card for pizza. To enter, visit girlscoutsaz.org/stories and submit a troop-related story with photos. Make sure to include the subject line “GAME NIGHT GIVEAWAY”. We will be accepting submissions until June 15. Good luck, Girl Scouts!

10/11 10/22 11/5

Kristen Bell Event Lead the Way Service Unit Conference Girl Scouts Summer Camp Memorial Day Independence Day 2022-23 Membership Year Begins International Day of the Girl Adult Awards and Recognition Ceremony Badge Bash

Girl Scout Connections Spring 2022

Articles inside

Born Just Right

Board Chair Letter

My Story