KEEPING THE PROMISE
The Girl Scout Leadership Experience
Building girls of courage, confidence and character
As we’re having summer fun and our membership year is coming to an end, our council reflects on the many moments of celebration, accomplishments and action we’ve been honored to experience.
In April, we hosted our 2024 Annual Meeting with a weekend filled with fun, networking and STEM activities to celebrate our new, upcoming Her STEMtastic Future initiative. We honored so many of our dedicated volunteers, learned from our members and celebrated the accomplishments of the council over the past membership year.
In May, we congratulated our Highest Award Girl Scouts at two Girl Awards Ceremonies held in Little Switzerland and Winston-Salem. It is impossible to not be inspired after seeing how girls have taken action to improve an issue while bettering their leadership skills and even earning scholarships for their hard work. Across our council, we recognized 131 Bronze Award Girl Scouts, 132 Silver Award Girl Scouts and 40 Gold Award Girl Scouts – and the amazing work they’ve done through their projects, truly making our communities a better place.
We then jumped into summer at Wet ‘n Wild Emerald Pointe to recognize our G.E.O. girls and top cookie sellers with an exciting day of awards, waterslides and riding the waves.
It is such a privilege to be a part of all these amazing experiences. Thanks to supporters like you, we can Keep the Promise and continue to make these special moments happen for our Girl Scouts, volunteers and families. We are making great strides together!
Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont CEO
Girl Awards Ceremonies
G.E.O. Event
Preparing for Success: The Girl Scout Difference
The Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE) is our foundation as the largest leadership development organization for girls. This research-proven method allows girls to cultivate important skills in a safe, all-girl environment to discover who they are and take action to make the world brighter. There are three components of our method: girl-led decisions, hands-on learning and cooperative team efforts.
The Girl Scout Research Institute has proven that participating in Girl Scouts is a powerful factor for success in education, careers and a lifetime of leadership. Beginning in school, Girl Scouts are more likely than other girls to desire careers in STEM, participate in experiential learning activities and pursue a college education. What makes Girl Scouts unique is the breadth of activities made available to girls, including outdoor experiences, STEM, leadership, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, service projects and more.
53%
of Girl Scouts said they earned excellent grades in school compared to 45% of non-members.
86%
of Gold Award Alums said the award gave them a competitive advantage in college.
84% of alums hold leadership roles as adults.
Girl Scouts attain higher levels of education than other women (78% compared to 65% attended at least some college). Some who earn Highest Awards see even greater benefits towards their life’s outcomes because of the dedication and hard work required to complete these impactful service projects. 76% of Gold Award alums report that this recognition helped them with scholarship applications and 82% say that it helped them with their résumés.
Alums say being Girl Scouts set them on a path for achievement, connected them to something bigger than themselves and helped them develop their passions and interests. They are more likely than other women to volunteer and contribute to causes they support, be civically involved and attain higher levels of management positions at work. The Girl Scout Difference builds girls and women of courage, confidence and character who lead in their lives, at work and in their communities.
Andrea at our most recent Girl Awards Ceremony with GSCP2P CEO, Jennifer Wilcox.
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT ANDREA VAUGHAN
Adrea Vaughan, Pfafftown, is a member of the Gold Award Committee and has been a Girl Scout member for 35 years. She started in Girl Scout Brownie Troop 121 and continued in the program in the former Tarheel Triad Council earning both her Girl Scout Silver and Gold Award. She then continued her Girl Scout journey for the next 23 years as an adult member and has been a Gold Award Committee member for almost 10 years.
What are the benefits of volunteering to help on the Gold Award Committee?
I earned my Gold Award in 1997 and it’s so special for me to see it come full-circle and help guide girls through this life-changing project they’re working on. To see how committed they are, how enthusiastic they are and how courageous they are is inspiring. These young ladies are a joy to work with.
How have you grown personally through this role?
This role gives me an outlet to continue to be involved with Girl Scouts as a volunteer and I am grateful for that. I have gotten to know so many girls throughout the years. It’s really an incredible experience to work with them. I have hopefully become a better coach and encourager through this work.
What type of guidance does the committee try to incorporate?
As members of the Gold Award Committee, we are there to be the girls’ cheerleaders. I tell the girls that as committee members we want nothing more than to see them earn their Gold Award. We answer questions and provide suggestions to ensure that the girls’ projects meet the national standards for the Gold Award. The Gold Award loses its prestige when projects fall below the standards and as committee members we are here in this role to ensure that doesn’t happen. We know that a Gold Award can make the difference on a college applications and résumés. Girls who earn their Gold Award are getting accepted to the college of their choice and landing the interview when they’re among dozens or even hundreds of applicants. It’s our goal to make sure that folks know this and that Gold Award Girl Scouts get the recognition they rightly deserve.
“I have gotten to know so many girls throughout the years. It’s really an incredible experience to work with them. I have hopefully become a better coach and encourager through this work.”
What is your favorite memory as a Girl Scout?
As a girl, all those years of the cookie program and my mom, Becky Reavis, volunteering as our troop cookie manager for all of them. Yes, all 12 years- she deserved special recognition for that! I remember camping trips with my troops at Keyauwee, Seven Springs and Dot Perry. There was a tornado at Keyauwee on May 5, 1989 when my troop was there for a service unit camporee. That was a camping trip we never forgot! When we were Girl Scout Juniors, my troop went to Savannah and visited the birthplace. We all wore matching vests, which were all the fashion in the early 1990’s, that we’d sewn while earning our sewing badge. As Girl Scout Cadettes and Seniors, we planned an annual backpacking trip. I learned everything I know about backpacking from JoAnne Sapp- and to this day, I still use her handwritten packing instructions from the mid 1990’s to prepare for each of my own backpacking trips. In hindsight, I certainly know how lucky my troop mates and I were to have the same dedicated troop leaders through Brownies and Juniors, Jeanne Larson and Shelby Lippart, and Cadettes and Seniors, JoAnne Sapp and Ann Linville.
What is your favorite thing about volunteering with Girl Scouts?
I learn so much from the girls as I work with them on their projects, whether that be about pollinator gardens, helping children in foster care, supporting students transitioning from elementary to middle school or even snakes. I’ve witnessed girls transform as they’ve gone through the Gold Award process. Sometimes a girl may come into her entry interview at the beginning of her project unsure of herself, without much confidence and timid to speak up or answer questions. To see this same girl at her exit interview at the end of her project so confident, owning the room, anticipating questions and just really knocking our socks off- it’s incredible! I just feel so proud of these girls! It’s also so rejuvenating for me. Even if I’ve had a long day and feel like I’m dragging, coming into a Gold Award Committee meeting, I always leave in a better mood. The girls are great to work with, and the other committee members and Val Alexander are a delight. It’s special to be a part of this community of caring adults who volunteer and work professionally for the Girl Scouts.
Why do you think girls should be in Girl Scouts today?
Andrea as a first-year Girl Scout Brownie at a Court of Awards Ceremony in 1986.
Andrea with her troop the morning after the tornado at Keyauwee in May 1989.
I wholeheartedly believe that Girl Scouting is a major contributor to making me the woman I am today. To form lasting friendships with other girls, to be with committed volunteers who I could look up to as role models and to be in a safe space where I could learn and be a leader was a game changer. Certainly there were other groups I was a part of growing up, but none that offered me everything that Girl Scouting did and still does. Experiences like the cookie program, camping trips or earning badges and awards made all the difference.
Why do you think people should volunteer or donate to Girl Scouts?
For me, it comes back to the full circle moments and being able to give back to other girls what I received as a girl. I know how influential this program was for me. I consider it my privilege and even my duty to see that girls continue to have the Girl Scout experience as a part of their lives.
YOUNG ALUM SPOTLIGHT SARAH FELDER
“Not only does Girl Scouts help in team building, it allows a safe space for each girl to be their authentic selves. I believe Girl Scouts teaches responsibility, creativity, confidence, resilience and discipline.”
Sarah Felder, Jamestown, was a member of Girl Scout Troop 41730 for 12 years. She understands the value of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience and has even earned the GSCP2P Triefecta Award, which means she has achieved all of the Highest AwardsBronze, Silver and Gold!
For her Girl Scout Gold Award, Sarah created a My Little Readers Club- a literacy project aimed at giving children of color access to books. In her mission to bring a love of reading to younger kids, she constructed four Little Libraries around the High Point area and organized small group settings for kids in grades 2-6 to come together and read. Sarah brought the books to life by organizing volunteers to dress up as characters in the books. Reflecting on her accomplishment, Sarah said, “Working on my Gold Award taught me I can do anything I put my mind to. My project taught me how to be independent and also helped me find my love for teaching. I love being around kids and making an impact on their life.”
Sarah has recently bridged to an adult member and is currently attending North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University majoring in Elementary Education, but she has continued her Girl Scout journey as a volunteer leading Girl Scout Troop 10274 this past year.
Her favorite memory as a girl member is traveling to the Girl Scout Birthplace in Savannah, Georgia. Being in Girl Scouts exposes you to so many new experiences, skills and people- and that is not just for girl members. As a leader, Sarah has made discoveries with her troop while working on various badges, like Cyber Safety and First Aid.
“As a volunteer I have learned even more about networking, how to be a team player and how to encourage girls to participate in community service. Not only does Girl Scouts help in team building, it allows a safe space for each girl to be their authentic selves. I believe Girl Scouts teaches responsibility, creativity, confidence, resilience and discipline.”
Sarah hosting a My Little Readers Club.
“As a volunteer I have learned even more about networking, how to be a team player and how to encourage girls to participate in community service.”
Sarah and Girl Scout Troop 10274 exploring their creativity.
Being involved with a multi-level troop requires some organization and communication with the other volunteers since we work on age specific activities, like earning badges, but we also participate in community service projects and other activities with Girl Scouts of all ages. Multi-level troops allow younger girls to learn from older girls and lets older girls develop their leadership skills by guiding and working with younger girls in the troop. Sarah loves connecting with new people who share her passion for supporting healthy child development. The Girl Scout Leadership Experience model is a great tool because girls really do grow when they make self-led decisions, experience hands-on activities and practice collaborating with each other and the community.
DID YOU KNOW THAT THERE ARE RESOURCES SPECIFICALLY FOR GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS AND YOUNG ALUM?
In addition to volunteer and internship opportunities for young adults through our council, there are plenty of ways to connect with Girl Scouts for years to come- like Campus Girl Scouts, Kappa Delta sorority and Girl Scout career opportunities around the nation and abroad.
Learn more at bit.ly/beyondambassadors.
Sarah with Girl Scout Troop 10274 at the Asheboro Zoo.
Highest Awards Develop Leaders and Make the World a Better Place
During the 2024 membership year, we recognized hundreds of girls for earning their Girl Scout Bronze, Silver or Gold Awards. These projects teach girls important skills like critical thinking, project management, problem solving, active leadership, teamwork and volunteering, while helping them to discover they have the power to make a difference in their communities and beyond.
We celebrated our 2024 class of Highest Awards Girl Scouts at two Girl Awards Ceremonies this past May. Congratulations to our 131 Bronze Award Girl Scouts, 132 Silver Award Girl Scouts and 40 Gold Award Girl Scouts this year who have contributed well over 12,000 hours of service to their communities! In addition to girls and their proud families, Professor Melissa Harris-Perry also joined us as a special guest speaker. She shared what sisterhood means to her through her personal Girl Scout story from family histories to leading two local Girl Scout troops- one being at Crossnore Communities for Children in Winston-Salem.
We are excited to witness the growth of girls in our council through leadership experiences like Highest Awards. We are confident that they are not only creating change now, but they will continue to make the world a better, brighter place for us all. As part of our commitment to supporting their growth, our council awarded four scholarships to this year’s Gold Award Girl Scouts through a random drawing. Jenna Rose, Brooklyn Johnson, Carly Roberts and Allison Setliff each received $1,000 scholarships towards their higher education pursuits. We know these scholarship opportunities are just the beginning for all of our Gold Award Girl Scouts, as this distinguished honor opens doors to scholarships, preferred admission tracks for college and amazing career opportunities.
GOLD AWARD SPOTLIGHT KENNA TALHELM
Kenna’s Girl Scout Gold Award project, which was titled “Cleaning Waterways Through Stormwater Education” worked with Stormwater SMART with the Piedmont Triad Regional Council through the NC Stream Watch program. She hosted creek clean-ups where the focus was education and hoped to address the root cause of the issue. She created informational flyers and a website that act as resources for the public to learn about proper pet waste disposal, among many other ways they can help to combat water pollution.
Kenna was recently chosen as the National Gold Award Scholarship winner for Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont. Every year, Girl Scouts of the USA awards one scholarship per council to a Gold Award Girl Scout. Recipients are selected based on their project exemplifying the core components of the Girl Scout Gold Award and demonstrating extraordinary leadership that drives lasting change within the community. Kenna received $5,000 in scholarship monies.
SILVER AWARD SPOTLIGHT
MIA CAMPBELL
Mia Campbell of Troop 2840 created a music program for Glenwood Rehab and Nursing Home in Mooresville. She secured a piano donation, printed sing-along music and supplied smaller instruments for the residents to use, like maracas, bells and tambourines. Mia also created a sign-up form so that students who needed volunteer hours could sign up and play for the residents.
BRONZE AWARD SPOTLIGHT
GIRL SCOUT TROOP 3011
Tandy Abbott, Carson Jarusik and Iris Pennington of Troop 30011 donated 175 handmade animal toys to Guilford County Animal Services to give potential pet adopters a way to interact with the cats and dogs during meet and greets.
Putting the Girl Scout Leadership Experience in Motion at the Barn
Circle C Equestrian Center is located on the Keyauwee Program Center property in Sophia and operates Girl Scout riding programs, year-round riding lessons and summer camp. All guests experience a high caliber of instruction and safety with professional, experienced instructors, and all riders are carefully matched with one of our well-mannered, seasoned school horses for an enjoyable experience. The facilities include a lighted, indoor arena to comfortably ride in any weather, an outdoor arena, 14-stall barn and miles of trails for exploring. Both individual and troop riding programs are available throughout the year, as well as private, semi-private and group riding lessons. Community lessons and adaptive riding sessions are also offered to the public. Circle C is a vital resource for getting girls outside, providing leadership opportunities and providing a resource for the surrounding communities.
One part of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience is being outdoors so girls can discover, connect and take action. The Circle C Equestrian Center is one outdoor pathway that allows girls to find out what they care about and what their talents are, collaborate with other aspiring riders and professionals and gain confidence to try something new. With our team of dedicated horses, we are delivering new girl programs this year like the Horsin’ Around with STEM patch program, Masterson Method Light to the Core anatomy workshop and the Hoof and Arrow Club, which is an extension of our Horseback Archery patch program. Circle C on the Road is also a new program that will expose girls to the ins and outs of horse shows. Field trips to attend horse shows are lined up, including a trip to support the North Carolina Special Olympics Equestrian Teams at their Championship show.
Leadership and commitment are essential qualities at Circle C. Volunteers are an integral piece to the barn, and our most popular volunteer program is our Riding Instructor-in-Training program (RIIT) for Girl Scouts 13 years and older. This is a dedicated group of Girl Scouts that learn how to teach others about horses through our Equi-Scholars educational activities, grooming, leading and riding. In return for their hard work at the barn, RIITs get to ride the horses, broaden their knowledge and make lifelong friends that share the same love for horses, the outdoors and leadership.
The GSLE doesn’t end with girls, as there are opportunities for adults to discover, connect and take action at the barn too. This year we are excited to announce three new adult programs at the barn including Horseback Archery, Equine Connections and the Athletic Equestrian League Show Team.
For more information about programs and lessons, e-mail circlec@girlscoutsp2p.org.
An example of girl-led problem solving at the barn is Eden Lieske’s recent Gold Award Project. She wanted a creative way to educate others about plastic pollution and more sustainable uses for our trash, so she constructed an outdoor horse stall at Circle C entirely out of eco-bricks. Eco-bricks are plastic water bottles stuffed with plastics items inside, such as plastic bags or food trash. The stall took over 1,300 bottles to construct.
Girl Scouts are discovering the sport of horseback archery! Due to the popularity of the Horseback Archery patch program that we launched last year, Circle C is now expanding our program offerings to include the Hoof and Arrow Club and an adult Horseback Archery program.
JOIN US AT CIRCLE C’S ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE!
Visit the barn on August 24 between 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. to meet the horses, take a tour and learn more about our Girl Scout and community riding programs! Meet our Riding Instructors, sign up for lessons, join the Riding Instructor-In-Training (RIIT) leadership program or find out more about our year-round horse opportunities. There will be activities, games and fun for the whole family.
We will also be hosting a Girl Scout Sign Up event at Keyauwee Program Center during this time, so bring a friend to explore Girl Scout options and get their uniform at the Trading Post. We will also have some fun activity stations, like bottle rockets, Girl Scout traditions, learn a camping skill and art.
Learn more and RSVP at bit.ly/circlec2024.
Bud repairing equipment for Circle C’s horseback archery program.
DONOR SPOTLIGHT BUD BLAYLOCK
Bud Blaylock, Sophia, is an avid archer and long-time Girl Scout volunteer. He helped develop the first and only Girl Scout mounted archery program in the United States and is part of the team at Circle C Equestrian Center that works all year to ensure Girl Scouts and the community have meaningful experiences at camp and the barn.
Giving is contagious, and our network of 11,000 girls, adults and volunteers at GSCP2P prove this year after year as we’re able to invest in our Girl Scouts and the programs that impact them and their communities. One volunteer, Bud Blaylock, sparked a small but mighty campaign of financial and in-kind donations when he shared our camp’s archery needs with his community.
Archery is a traditional camp activity that we’ve provided across all three camp properties for decades. This outdoor experience is a way for girls to try something new, test their strengths and make memories with lifelong friends. Archery with the Girl Scouts is a complex program that fulfills our goals of getting every girl outside, learning through hands-on activities and connecting them with adults that help unlock their potential and make a lasting difference.
The expansion of the program to include mounted horseback archery is owed to the creativity of one Girl Scout who had a unique idea and asked her instructor, Stephanie Blaylock, if they could try it out. Together with Cathy Thacker, Equine Experience Manager, and Bud, they created the first Girl Scout mounted archery program in the United States. Everything we do is girl-led, and that support gives them the confidence to create something new to better our council and inspire others.”
“Everything we do is girlled, and that support gives them the confidence to create something new to better our council and inspire others.”
When Bud noticed the need for archery equipment for GSCP2P as he was volunteering, he connected with his community to encourage others to join him in making a difference for these girls. He posted to the North Carolina Bowman’s Association Facebook page about our camp’s needs and ways that they can support our aspiring archers. Thanks to Bud’s social media idea, he inspired the archery community in our state to give back to our girls. The Facebook post has generated $1,000 in financial gifts and multiple in-kind donations of equipment including brass string nocks, a bow press and a cable slide.
“The Girl Scouts are about building courage, confidence and character. It takes courage to get on a horse and riding builds confidence. When you couple that with the archery aspect of it, and they can ride well, and then they can shoot a bow, and then they can start hitting where they want the arrow to hit, that definitely builds confidence and character.”
Bud has been an archer since childhood and a GSCP2P volunteer for decades. His wife, Stephanie, was the horseback riding director in the ‘90s when they started the riding program at Circle C Equestrian Center, which was formally known as Circle C Ranch. Both of his daughters were Girl Scouts as well. He volunteers with the archery program, provides maintenance at Keyauwee Program Center and helps however he can.
“This spring, I noticed that the bows weren’t in the best repair. They didn’t have a bow press, and they had so many bows that were out of commission. I knew someone probably had a bow press sitting out there somewhere not being used, so I put out a request if anyone has one, can they donate to the Girl Scouts. Within a couple hours, a guy spoke up and had one. I got that secured from him, got it over to the archery shed and mounted it so it can be used, and then started working on the bows for camp. You can’t fix a bow without knowing what you’re doing, and you need a little bit of training and knowledge. I’ve done it for 50 plus years. Before camp started, I got all the bows up to speed and in safe condition.”
Bud testing archery equipment.
As Bud worked on the bows for camp, he realized additional equipment was needed. “I put out another request and in less than a day, two guys said they could get them on Amazon and have them shipped to camp. So they had them mailed to the camp office at Keyauwee. Over the years, I’ve collected archery stuff. I have a lot of extras, so I got them a toolkit put together so they can do repair work on the bows.”
Bud is part of the team at Circle C Equestrian Center that works all year to ensure Girl Scouts and the community have meaningful experiences at camp and the barn. Cathy has taught horseback riding for over 25 years, is a CHA-certified Riding Instructor and a graduate of Averett University’s Equestrian Studies program. This is her 11th summer at Keyauwee Program Center and Circle C. This team of staff, volunteers and donors are dedicated to supporting Girl Scouts and helping them pursue their interests.
It’s the small acts of kindness throughout the year, like a simple social media post, that truly make a change in the lives of local girls and organizations like GSCP2P. Our volunteers and donors make our programs possible, and people like Bud make the world a better place.
BIG AL, RIO AND ROSALITA WANT YOU TO ADOPT THEM!
Did you know that you can help Circle C by adopting one of our herd members?
Did you know it costs our council around $5,000 every year to care for each horse at Circle C? The average 1,000-pound horse eats 15-20 pounds of hay per day! It costs over $55,000 per year to provide hay and grain to ensure they get all the vitamins and minerals needed, farrier care that provides new shoes to keep their hooves healthy and veterinary and dental care so the horses can get checkups and yearly vaccines. Making a donation to become a horse buddy and “adopting” one of our beloved herd members, you help ensure that our horses are happy and healthy and that our Girl Scouts can continue to benefit from the special bond between horse and human for years to come.
Learn more and become a horse buddy at bit.ly/adoptourherd.
Her STEMtastic Future 2024 Annual Meeting
Over 175 GSCP2P volunteers, girls, staff and board members attended the 2024 Annual Meeting in Greensboro in April. The weekend kicked off Friday evening at Keyauwee Program Center in Sophia with STEM and Equestrian activities, a gourmet s’mores bar and a ribbon cutting for the brand-new Wake Robin Troop House.
On Saturday, the Delegate Assembly hosted Mayor Nancy Vaughan, Mayor of Greensboro, and GSUSA National Board Member, Vidya Krishnan, who welcomed the group with words of encouragement for our work in STEM and who challenged us to create and execute a bold vision for the future. The Delegate Assembly reviewed the 2023 Annual Report and voted to elect six new adult board members (serving three-year terms) and, for the first time as GSCP2P, two girl board members (serving a one-year term).
During Roundtable Discussion, attendees also used the GSCP2P Who We Serve statement to catalyze strategic discussion about the vision of the council. The statement, co-created by staff, volunteers, girls and community members over the past 18 months and approved as council policy in March 2024 by the GSCP2P Board of Directors, is an articulation of how we do business every day and reflects the aspiration of who girls want and expect us to be. The statement addresses key aspects of diversity, equity and inclusion, including race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status and varying ability. It also aligns GSCP2P with GSUSA policy and with the national constitution and bylaws.
The day concluded with our annual Adult Recognitions Ceremony where the council awarded years of service and membership year pins and 27 adult members with national boardapproved awards. We were also honored to present Freda Mayse with the 2024 GSCP2P Juliette Gordon Low Lifetime Achievement Award recognizing Freda’s 65+ years of dedication to the Girl Scout Movement.
GSCP2PANNUAL MEETING2024
GREENSBORO, NC HerSTEMtasticFutur e
Our volunteers do incredibly impactful work. The commitment of your time and talents are making a difference for girls in our communities. Thank you for helping us deliver the Girl Scout Leadership Experience to thousands of girls in our council!
Congratulations to our volunteers awarded with national boardapproved awards at Annual Meeting.
Christa Badstein - Appreciation Award
Betsy Baugess - Appreciation Award
Sheria Belton - Appreciation Award
Brandy Jo Brehm - Appreciation Award
Susie Davis - Appreciation Award
Casey Dill - Appreciation Award
Patricia Henry - Appreciation Award
Heidi Huinker - Appreciation Award
Cheri Jones - Appreciation Award
Kim Monahan - Appreciation Award
Rachel Onyskin - Appreciation Award
Christine Schrader - Appreciation Award
Brandy Shew - Appreciation Award
Amanda Shoop - Appreciation Award
Isaac Stewart - Appreciation Award
Heather Beddard - Honor Award
Aimee Durkos - Honor Award
Jim Fox - Honor Award
Karmel Massey - Honor Award
Ashley Rink - Honor Award
Patricia Travis - Honor Award
Katelynn Utter - Honor Award
Carla Walters - Honor Award
Chris Williamson - Honor Award
Susan Coe - Thanks Badge Award
Virginia Himmelheber - Thanks Badge Award
Ginger Rousey - Thanks Badge Award
Patti Hubbard - Thanks Badge II Award
Freda Mayse - The GSCP2P Juliette Gordon
Lifetime Achievement Award
The Appreciation Award recognizes a registered Girl Scout adult who has delivered outstanding service to at least one geographic area or program delivery audience.
The Honor Award recognizes a registered Girl Scout adult who has delivered outstanding service and contributes to the achievement of the council’s goals in two or more geographic areas.
The Thanks Badge Award recognizes a registered Girl Scout adult who has delivered outstanding service and contributes to the entire council or entire Girl Scout Movement.
The Thanks Badge II Award recognizes a registered Girl Scout adult who has continued to deliver outstanding service and contributes to the entire council or entire Girl Scout Movement after receiving the Thanks I Award.
FREDA MAYSE AWARDED JULIETTE GORDON LOW LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The GSCP2P Juliette Gordon Low Lifetime Achievement Award honors individuals with 25 or more years of service to our council whose continuous and outstanding dedication goes beyond expectations of the position(s) held. These individuals exemplify the Girl Scout Promise and Law in his/her daily life, demonstrate respect for the spirit of the movement, share the love of Girl Scouting through interaction with girls, adults, the council and community and are dedicated to the principles of Juliette Gordon Low’s Girl Scout movement.
Freda’s dedication to the Girl Scout Movement for over 65 years has touched so many lives. From leading troops and hosting Girl Scout events, including her long-standing efforts to celebrate and promote Girl Scouting at the Cleveland County Fair, Freda’s love for this organization is apparent. Throughout her years of participation, Freda assumed roles of increasing responsibility within the outdoor experience realm.
As a counselor at Camp Rotary and an advocate for cross-camp collaborations, as well as assistant camp director to eventually taking the helm as camp director at Camp Golden Valley, Freda’s passion for empowering girls through the outdoors is unmistakable. Freda also does not shy away from leadership. She formed The Pioneers, an adult group dedicated to help the council in various ways- including updating volunteer tenure and maintaining the grounds at the council- and, most recently, Freda served on the Board of Directors for Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont. She truly is a sister to every Girl Scout and supports all girls and adults to make the world a better place.
Freda with members of Girl Scout Troop 137.
Freda in a boat serving food for a ‘fun meal’ at Camp Golden Valley.
Sweet Rewards for Budding Entrepreneurial Leaders
Thank you for supporting the Girl Scout Cookie Program this past winter. Not only are you funding amazing Girl Scout adventures, you are also helping girls develop five life skills. Our program is designed to teach girls of all ages goal setting, decision-making, money management, people skills and business ethics. Did you know that, according to The Girl Scout Research Institute, 78% of girls are interested in becoming an entrepreneur in the future? Our program prepares girls for future entrepreneurial success and our council encourages their bright futures by awarding $15,500 in scholarships to G.E.O. Girl Scouts this year.
G.E.O. Girl Scouts are girls who sold at least 500 packages of cookies during our program. We enjoyed celebrating them and our top sellers at our G.E.O. Recognition Event at Wet’n Wild Emerald Pointe. Over 1,200 Girl Scouts came out to the waterpark to show their support, enjoy games and splash into summer with Girl Scout fun.
All of the proceeds from the Girl Scout Cookie Program remain in our council area. Working together to provide the Girl Scout Leadership Experience to girls in our area, this revenue benefits our girls through their troops, their service units and our council. In addition to raising funds that support their troop’s activities, supplies and community service projects, Girl Scouts can earn special credits when they participate in our product programs. These credits can be used on purchases at any of GSCP2P’s shops or camp trading posts, for admission to council events, for summer camp fees and even used to help girls travel. Girls can put their financial skills to the test by banking these credits to pay for certain travel experiences, like GSUSA Destinations. GSUSA’s Destinations programs give girls the chance to travel with other Girl Scouts across the nation while exposing them to inspiring, life-changing experiences. With domestic and international options to explore careers, outdoor adventures and cultures, Girl Scout Cookie rewards become even sweeter!
Invest In Girls
Help us support the next generation of dreamers, innovators, problem solvers and gogetters, who are making the world a better place for us all.
When you support our Resilient. Ready. Strong. campaign, you are empowering our council to reach our objectives of providing support for mental well-being, getting all girls outside and reaching new members with greater inclusivity.
Learn more and give today at www.girlscoutsp2p.org/en/give/invest-in-girls.html.
DONATE IN THE WAY THAT WORKS BEST FOR YOU
Join Our Evergreen Circle
Make a recurring monthly gift to impact the lives of girls all year long by joining the Evergreen Circle.
Join the Juliette Circle
Juliette Circle members passionately support leadership development for young women by making an annual contribution of $1,000 or more.
Become a Member of the Juliette Gordon Low Society
Help shape tomorrow’s leaders and safeguard the Girl Scout tradition in western and central North Carolina with a legacy gift.
Make a Tribute Gift
Give a gift in honor or memory of someone special to you.
Adopt Our Herd
Support our equestrian program by symbolically adopting our herd! This opportunity is great for individuals, troops and horse lovers of all ages.
To donate through these opportunities or for even more ways to give, such as through your workplace or while you shop, visit www.girlscoutsp2p.org/en/give/ways-to-give.html.