SPRING/SUMMER 2020
Calendar of Events
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Program Events
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All of your program event opportunities in one place!
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Girls Scouts’ Highest Awards
VOLUNTEER 411 IS A PUBLICATION OF THE GIRL SCOUTS OF THE MISSOURI HEARTLAND.
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VOLUNTEER411
spring/summer 2020
Our council serves just over 9,000 girls and 4,000 adults across 67 counties in southern and central Missouri, southeast Kansas, and northeast Oklahoma.
VOLUNTEER411 is a publication of the Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland and is published twice yearly.
The Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland offers the premier leadership development experience for girls, helping them to discover their own sense of self, connect with others in an increasingly diverse world, and take action to make the world a better place.
The Girl Scout Mission
info@girlscoutsmoheartland.org 877-312-4764
Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.
Cape Girardeau Area Service Center
2136 William Street, Suite 178 Cape Girardeau, MO 63703
Dexter Area Service Center
The Girl Scout Promise 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.
1420 Girl Scout Way Dexter, MO 63841
Jefferson City Area Service Center 230 Metro Drive Jefferson City, MO 65109
Joplin Area Service Center
The Girl Scout Law 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. 2
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1202 S. Range Line Road, Suite 8 Joplin, MO 64801
Springfield Area Administrative Service Center 210 S. Ingram Mill Road Springfield, MO 65802
Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland @gsmoheartland @girlscoutsmoheart info@girlscoutsmoheartland.org
VOLUNTEER411 Think of this 411 as your sidekick. It’s here to help you create wow-worthy moments for our girls. Within its fun-soaked pages is a roadmap of possibilities, including exciting programs, amazing service opportunities, and ways to make the troop experience a blast!
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16 30 contents 4 Calendar of Events A list of your spring & summer 2020 council opportunities.
24 Volunteer Trainings All of your volunteer training opportunities in one place!
8 Girl Scout Cookie Program All of the 2020 Cookie Program happenings!
34 Program Events All of your program event opportunities in one place.
14 Project STEM Join us for our 2020 signature event in Rolla, Missouri.
40 G.I.R.L. 2020 Learn how you can join us in Orlando, Florida!
18 Spring Renewal A first look at your 2020 Spring Renewal rewards.
46 Girl Scout Week Celebrate Girl Scout Week with us this March. volunteer 411 • spring/summer 2020
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f o r a d n c ale
events
February 2020 6 8 8 8 17 17 26 28-29 29
Short N’ Snappy Training Online Webinar First Aid & CPR Jefferson City Service Center Badge Explorer with the Kappa Deltas Springfield, MO Short N’ Snappy Training Online Webinar All About Pets! Finbrooke Program Center All About Pets! Silver Meadows Program Center Jump! Into Cookies Cape Girardeau, MO Go-Getter Girls Night Cape Girardeau, MO Getting to Know Nuclear Rolla, MO
Calendar of Events Legend Open to Girl Scout Daisies Open to Girl Scout Brownies
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Open to Girl Scout Juniors Open to Girl Scout Cadettes
p. 26 p. 24 p. 39 p. 26 p. 38 p. 38 p. 34 p. 39 p. 35
Open to Girl Scout Seniors Open to Girl Scout Ambassadors Open to Girl Scout Volunteers
March 2020
7 Shop Saturday GSMH Service Centers p. 6 7 Fantastic Underground Adventures Springfield, MO p. 36 8-14 Girl Scout Week Council Wide p. 46 9 Celebrate Girl Scouts Columbus, KS p. 38 12 Short N’ Snappy Online Webinar p. 26 14 First Aid & CPR Jefferson City Service Center p. 24 14 Magic of Chemistry Columbia, MO p. 35 26 Women’s Suffrage Capitol Tour Jefferson City, MO p. 39 28 Outdoor Level 2 Latonka Program Center p. 25 28-29 Outdoor Level 3 Latonka Program Center p. 25
April 2020
2 Short N’ Snappy Training Online Webinar p. 26 4 Outdoor Level 2 Friendship Fields Program Center p. 25 4 Outdoor Level 2 Silver Meadows Program Center p. 25 4 Space Scientist Badge Workshop Kennett, MO p. 35 4 Space Scientist Badge Workshop Rolla, MO p. 35 4 Space Scientist Badge Workshop Finbrooke Program Center p. 35 4-11 P.A.W.S. Project Council Wide p. 30 17-19 Leader’s Weekend Finbrooke Program Center p. 28 25 2020 Signature Event: Project STEM Rolla, MO p. 14 28 First Aid & CPR Dexter Service Center p. 24
May 2020 1-2 Lock-in at Fritz’s Adventure Branson, MO p. 39 2 First Aid & CPR Springfield Service Center p. 24 2 Outdoor Adventure Dexter, MO p. 36 2 Venture Out! Columbia, MO p. 37 8 Outdoor Level 2 Columbus, KS p. 25 8-9 Outdoor Level 3 Columbus, KS p. 25 8-9 Catch on to Cadettes Finbrooke Program Center p. 38 9 Girls & Goats Cape Girardeau, MO p. 36 9 She N’ Me Hike Columbia, MO p. 37 16 Outdoor Adventure Silver Meadows Program Center p. 36 16 Outdoor Adventure Friendship Fields Program Center p. 36 22 Take Me Out to Hammons Field Springfield, MO p. 37 30 Trail Adventure Jackson, MO p. 37
June 2020
1 Get Outdoors Challenge Begins! Council Wide p. 31 6 Shop Saturday GSMH Service Centers p. 6 6 Trail Adventure Rogers, AR p. 37
August 2020 14-16
The Gathering
Finbrooke Program Center
p. 39
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t u o c S l Gir
retail store
When you need Girl Scout gear for your troop, we’ve got you covered. Stop into your local service center to stock up on all things Girl Scouts. We stock all the essentials like: vests, insignias, badges, fun patches, books, STEM kits, shirts, hats, and more. Our experts are ready to help you look at your Girl Scout’s vest and ensure her uniform is ready for any event, whether it be a cookie booth or bridging. But wait—we are also a one stop cookie shop as well! January through March is home to our Girl Scout Cookie Program, so stop in and check out cookie merchandise available to purchase for your troop. From themed patches, coffee cups, and mood cups to table cloths and banners, we can meet all your cookie merchandise needs. Can’t make it into the store? No problem! Fill out the Cookie Merchandise Order Form, drop it in the mail or email your order to info@girlscoutsmoheartland.org and we will make sure it gets to the service center near you. Let us help you recognize your girls for being the Cookie Bosses we know they are. Check it out!
Shop Saturdays 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. February 1 Springfield and Jefferson City retail stores open.
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March 7 All retail stores open.
April 4 Springfield and Jefferson City retail stores open.
May 2 Springfield and Jefferson City retail stores open.
June 6 Cookie Credit shopping party! All retail stores open.
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Girl Scout
p i h s n o i p m a h C e i k o o C Coming to Food Network in February 2020!
In the News!
A four-episode competition style series show will be aired just in time for cookie season. “Girl Scout Cookie Championship” will be hosted by Girl Scout Alums Alyson Hannigan and Carla Hall. The show will challenge bakers to transform Girl Scout Cookie favorites into elaborate desserts, while highlighting why Girl Scouts is able to provide the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world. Tune into Food Network to watch your favorite Girl Scout Cookies get served with a side of girl-led, collaborative, and hands-on leadership experience! volunteer 411 • spring/summer 2020
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Girl Scout
m a r g o r p e i k o o c The 2020 Girl Scout Cookie Program is her chance to step up and show the world how she’s becoming a barrierbreakin’, challenge-crushin’, lead-takin’ cookie pro! And participation in the 2020 Girl Scout Cookie Program can help her troop earn next year’s membership on us!
Check out the details: Every troop that has a 225 package per girl average, and meets all of their ACH withdrawals, will receive FREE 2020-2021 Girl Scout memberships* for all participating girls and two leaders! 8
*Memberships are non-transferable. volunteer 411 • spring/summer 2020
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Check it out! New cookies boxes
The refreshed cookie packaging (with the same great taste!) continues to emphasize what the Girl Scout Cookie Program is all about, and the updated images feature current Girl Scouts taking part in a diverse range of experiences available to members—from adventure-packed camping and canoeing, to exploring space science and designing robots, to taking action to improve their communities. Girl Scout Cookies provide an incredible opportunity for girls to do extraordinary things. By participating in the cookie program, girls learn important life skills like goal setting and money management. All dollars earned stay local and fuel new and unique experiences. Whether it’s a trip she’ll never forget, a service project that will change her community forever, or a lifetime of memories built at camp, the Girl Scout Cookie Program can make it happen.
Goal Setting Girls set cookie sales goals and, with their team, create a plan to reach them. This matters because girls need to know how to set and reach goals to succeed in school, on the job, and in life.
Decision Making
Money Management
People Skills
Girls decide where and when to sell cookies, how to market their sale, and what to do with their earnings. This matters because girls must make many decisions, big and small, in their lives. Learning this skill helps them make good ones.
Girls develop a budget, take cookie orders, and handle customers’ money. This matters because girls need to know how to handle money—from their lunch money to their allowance to (someday) their paycheck.
Girls learn how to talk (and listen!) to their customers, as well as how to work as a team with other girls. This matters because it helps them do better in school (on group projects, on sports teams, and on the playground) and, later, at work.
Business Ethics Girls act honestly and responsibly during every step of the cookie sale. This matters because employers want to hire ethical employees—and the world needs ethical leaders in every field.
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s d r a w A t s e h g i H Bronze. Silver. Gold.
The mark of the truly remarkable. A Volunteer’s Role in Highest Awards Through the process of becoming a Gold Award Girl Scout, girls hone leadership skills that they will carry into their futures. Gold Award projects are girl-led, which allows girls to engage their curiosity, creativity, and critical-thinking skills. A learning-by-doing approach supports girls’ hands-on learning and deeper understanding of concepts and mastery of practical skills. While the project is girl-led, girls are not alone throughout the process. Cooperative learning empowers girls to learn and achieve even more through teamwork and collaboration. While girls champion their own projects, you are instrumental in helping them achieve their goals. You act as the guiding hand on the road to becoming a Gold Award Girl Scout by allowing girls to take full ownership of their projects, even when they reach roadblocks—encouraging them to reflect on their experiences and introducing them to subject matter experts that they can learn from and partner with. We encourage you to refer to The Girl Scout Leadership Experience for framework to support future Gold Award Girl Scouts as they learn to lead and drive thoughtful change in their communities.
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Bronze Award The highest honor awarded to a Girl Scout Junior is the Girl Scout Bronze Award. The Girl Scout Bronze Award is a way for a troop, group of girls, or individual Girl Scout to make the world a better place, starting with their own community. Working towards the Bronze Award is a great way to foster community among your Girl Scouts. The Bronze Award involves guiding girls in how to plan, implement, and review a project they are passionate about. Girls earn the Girl Scout Bronze Award by creating their own Take Action project based on their observations of a local issue. As girls pursue their project, they put the Girl Scout Promise and Law into action and develop an understanding of how to create a sustainable difference. Sustainability allows projects to live on after their hours are completed. Earning the Girl Scout Bronze Award involves passion, interest, and excitement. Girls working towards this award must complete a Junior Journey before beginning, and clock a minimum of 20 hours per girl. These 20 hours include building their team, exploring their community, choosing a project, planning their project, and executing their Take Action plan. Finally, the girls must educate others on their project, ensuring the project makes sustainable change.
Silver Award The highest honor awarded to a Girl Scout Cadette is the Girl Scout Silver Award. The Girl Scout Silver Award is a way for a group of 3-4 girls or individual Girl Scout to make the world a better place. Cadettes find an issue they care about in their community and take action to make a difference. Girls earn the Girl Scout Silver Award by creating a Take Action project based on their observations of a local issue. As girls pursue their project, they put the Girl Scout Promise and Law into action and develop an understanding of how to create a sustainable difference. Sustainability allows projects to live on after their hours are completed. Earning the Girl Scout Silver Award takes dedication. Girls working towards this award must complete a Cadette Journey before beginning and clock a minimum of 50 hours per girl. These 50 hours include building their team, exploring their community, choosing a project, planning their project, and executing their Take Action plan. Finally, the girls must educate others on their project, ensuring the project makes sustainable change. volunteer 411 • spring/summer 2020
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Gold Award Girl Scouts
Issues of the world, meet your match. The Girl Scout Gold Award is the greatest achievement in Girl Scouting and our Movement’s highest distinction. Gold Award Girl Scouts are Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors whose desire to create lasting change in the world puts them in a class by themselves. They create measurable, sustainable, and far-reaching impact by making a remarkable commitment to issues that are important to them. Your role as a Girl Scout volunteer is to encourage girls to think critically, be open to multiple perspectives, investigate thoroughly, work cooperatively, and identify resources for their projects within and beyond their local communities. 12
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Gold Award Girl Scouts are prepared for college and beyond. Girls who earn the Gold Award stand out in college admissions, gain valuable life skills, and drive positive change in the world. A Gold Award Girl Scout’s achievements prime her for the fast track when it comes to college admissions, and make her an outstanding candidate for academic scholarships and other financial awards—setting them up for lifelong success. Steps to Becoming a Gold Award Girl Scout: 1. Is she ready? The girl working to become a Gold Award Girl Scout must be a Senior or Ambassador. She must have either earned her Silver Award and completed one Senior/Ambassador level Journey or completed two Senior/Ambassador level Journeys. 2. Explore GoGold Online & Create a Gold Award Profile. When visiting GoGold for the first time, Girl Scouts will need to create an account. Girls will need to either use or create an email address that they have access to and can be regularly checked. This email address will be the direct line of communication between the girl and GSMH. 3. Choose an Issue. The Gold Award allows Girl Scouts to reflect on their experience, education, and personal values in order to find an issue that they are passionate about. Girls can use an interactive quiz on GoGold to help narrow down what issues they care about, who they can help, and can guide them in choosing an issue. 4. Investigate. Girls will continue researching and investigating the issue they have chosen. She can use a mind map to narrow down the issue to its root cause for her Take Action project. This will also be the time that she will identify potential community partners that she can collaborate with for her project. 5. Assemble a Team. Girls will need to choose a project advisor and volunteers to assist in her project. Girls will share the contact information of their project advisor with GSMH. 6. Create a plan. Girls will map out the specific details of their project proposal, such as budget, timelines, fundraising, and more. She will also include a project description, planning information, and her thoughts on how the project will impact them, their community, and their target audience. Girls will elaborate on the issue that they are addressing in their project and list the reasons why they chose their issue. The girls must ensure sustainability for their project by taking steps to make sure their project is impactful now, and later. 7. Present Your Plan. Once girls complete their online project proposal and paperwork, their project manager will verify the project on GoGold. Once verified, girls can then submit their proposal to GSMH, along with any additional files she would like to share.
8. Time to Take Action. Once submitted to GSMH on GoGold, the proposal will be sent to the Gold Award Committee. The committee has the proposal for 2-3 weeks allowing time to approve or deny the project. Once the proposal is approved, it’s go time! Girls will log their hours and track their budget as they put their project into action. They can use the post feature on GoGold to upload pictures, videos, and updates so that the Gold Award Committee is continually updated on their progress. 9. Reflect on the experience. Girls will reflect on their experience and impact by submitting their final report to GSMH on GoGold. 10. Celebrate her accomplishment! GSMH will host the Gold Award Girl Scout Ceremony in June 2020. Girls who have completed their project will be invited to celebrate earning the highest achievement in Girl Scouting— becoming a Gold Award Girl Scout.
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PROJECT
eartland H i r u o s s i of the M s t u o c S l r i G
Missouri University of Science & Technology April 25 • Rolla, Missouri 10 AM - 3 PM
$20 • PARTICIPANT
MIN 200 • MAX 500
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to enjoy this event—but it just might inspire you to become one. Join us at this year’s signature event, where girls can choose from an array of STEM activities that engage their problem-solving and critical thinking skills, while having fun with other Girl Scouts along the way. From Science to Math, activities at this event will allow your girls to not only see the possibilities of STEM, but how they can use STEM to make the world a better place! Joy Johnson, a NASA Solar System Ambassador, will be joining us at the event to share NASA science and mission discoveries. The traveling shop will also be there, with a stemtastic assortment of merchandise. And best of all, activities will also fulfill parts of STEM badge requirements— making it easy to earn more badges that show off her adventures in Girl Scouts!
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Join us for th ese special competition s at Projec t STEM! For o fficial rules visit o ur website girlscoutsm oheartland.o rg
Meet Professor Penny at Project STEM! You won’t want to miss the chance to earn a special Professor Penny patch!
Egg Drop Competition Don’t crack under pressure during our egg drop competition! Putting their engineering skills to the test, participants will design a model that will protect an uncooked egg when dropped from a predetermined height. Participants will need to come to the event with their design ready to go; there will be no supplies to build a device at the event. We will provide the egg at the event. Start preparing now for the Egg Drop competition by visiting girlscoutsmoheartland.org for more details!
Recycled Runway Use your resources wisely at our Recycled Runway competition! Open to all grade levels, girls are invited to design and bring their very own Girl Scout themed outfit to Project STEM using only recycled materials. At Project STEM, girls will walk our Recycled Runway to show off their creations. There will be two divisions, one for Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors and one for Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors. We will have two awards for each division; best in show and eco-tastic. Winners will receive a sash, a certificate, and a picture of their creation on GSMH social media. Start designing your recycled masterpiece now and visit girlscoutsmoheartland.org for more details! For questions or more information on Project STEM, please contact us at info@girlscoutsmoheartland.org or 877-312-4764.
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STEM
is everywhere
Do you know a girl who’s interested in STEM? The answer is yes! STEM is everywhere. From taking care of animals to stargazing, some of the most amazing experiences involve STEM! Girls are curious and like to ask questions and talk about their ideas, but it seems that this is often forgotten. As early as second grade, youth demonstrate the stereotype that “math is for boys, not girls.” By third grade, girls form their STEM identity. By high school, only 11% of girls declare an interest in STEM. We’re here to fix that! Whether she wants to become a scientist one day or not, every girl can learn something from STEM. Girl Scouts is taking the lead in bridging the gap in the male dominated field of STEM using qualities girls already have like: • Problem Solving • Creativity 16
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• Perseverance • Critical Thinking
• Flexibility • Data Analysis
Want more STEM programming? Check out page 35 for all of the upcoming STEM activities! STEM Made Easy STEM provides a girl-led experience that allows them to learn-by-doing. Girls and STEM go hand-inhand and it can start by doing STEM activities right in their own home! Here are some activities girls can do while working towards STEM Journeys and badges: • Build a paper tower that can support a stack of books For information on what STEM • Learn about binary code by making a bracelet badges are available, check out • Help a NASA scientist by taking photos of clouds your VTK or visit GSUSA's Badge • Design a robot Explorer at girlscouts.org! • Send secret messages using ciphers As a volunteer, you don’t need to be a rocket scientist or have all the answers to help girls channel their inner scientist. Your enthusiasm and encouragement will give girls the STEM spark they need to go forth and conquer their experiment. So, go ahead—explore, learn, and observe together as a troop. What about the supplies? You already have them! Journey and badge activities have been designed to be accessible, meaning the activities use common household objects that you already have! More STEM examples: • Some of the activities are unplugged – no devices required – BUT we offer “plugged-in” options for girls who do have devices, access to wi-fi, etc. • For robotics and engineering, girls can create prototypes of robots or inventions they’d like to build with cardboard, glue, string, etc. If you have access to robotics or other STEM kits, you can certainly use them. However, the point of STEM activities is that girls will learn from doing hands-on activities, utilizing problem solving skills, and using their creativity. None of this requires expensive equipment—just an open imagination and a go-getter attitude. volunteer 411 • spring/summer 2020
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Your Step-by-Step Guide to
Spring Renewal Early bird catches the worm! Renew your Girl Scout membership between April 1 and June 1 to qualify for these Spring Renewal rewards.
Girls You’re a girl member who registers for the 2020–2021 membership year.
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Awesome! The first 3,200 girls receive a patch!
an Early Bird, you’ll also be eligible to 2 Aspurchase an exclusive Early Bird t-shirt.
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Adults You’re an adult member who registers for the 2020–2021 membership year. to go! You’ll receive exclusive 1 Way access to the Early Bird Club entitling you to exclusive deals at our GSMH retail stores including online. also be eligible to purchase an 2 You’ll exclusive Early Bird t-shirt and patch.
NEW! Families
You’re renewing a girl member whose parent/ guardian also renewed for the 2020-2021 membership year.
who renew online and have one parent or guardian 1 Allwhogirlalsomembers renews online will be entered in a drawing to win an adventure for the whole family! The lucky family will receive their choice of a state park adventure* or an adventure at Wonders of Wildlife Museum—voted the 2019 Best Aquarium in the country. also be eligible to purchase an exclusive Early Bird t-shirt 2 You’ll and patch. *A state park in MO, KS, or OK must be chosen from an approved list provided by GSMH. Valid for up to five people, up to a $600 value, and must be used before September 30, 2020, excluding holidays.
Troops
You’re a troop leader who registers a troop for the 2020–2021 year.
your troop registers online by June 1, 1 Ifyour troop receives Early Bird Bills: • Register 60%* of your troop and receive $10 • Register 80%* of your troop and receive $15 • Register 100%* of your troop and receive $25
Each troop that renews online will 2 New! be entered into a drawing to be one of six troops invited to be featured in our 20202021 Girl Scout Social Media Campaign!***
And, your girls and adults will also receive the fabulous rewards listed below! troops who renew online will be entered in a drawing for three fabulous prizes! 3 All• Tickets for up to 15** to your choice of Silver Dollar City, Six Flags, or Worlds of Fun. • Movie tickets for up to 15** for the theatre of your choice. • A pizza party at a troop meeting!
*Based on number of girls registered in troop on March 31, 2020. To qualify, a troop must be a valid troop with two renewed, approved leaders, at least three renewed girls AND registrations must be complete by 11:59 p.m. CST on June 1, 2020. **You will receive a ticket or voucher for every girl and adult renewed up to 15. GSMH will make arrangements for you to purchase additional tickets at group price if needed. GSMH must be informed of your choice no later than September 1, 2020 reward must be used by December 31, 2020. ***GSMH will select one troop per program grade level that is in good standing with GSMH.
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r e e t n u l o v
awards Here at GSMH, we have award-winning volunteers. Volunteers who go above and beyond the expectations of their positions to make a difference deserve to be recognized. Whether it be in the outdoors, in the community, or at the troop meeting, you are shaping future female leaders and providing the Girl Scout experience every G.I.R.L. (Go-Getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader) needs to succeed. We’ve always had ways to recognize our volunteers, but now we have even more! GSMH is proud to announce our new service unit awards for outstanding volunteers. These new awards help us recognize you, our volunteers, even more and in brand new ways. We are truly grateful to you and what you do, not only for Girl Scouts, but for your communities as well. As volunteers, you award girls with life changing opportunities, it’s time for you to get awarded as well! 20
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Choosing the right award! With all these new awards, it may be difficult to choose! Follow the easy steps below to learn which award best fits your all-star volunteer. 1. Identify your candidate. Think about this year and who has made an impact on your service unit or your troop. Who was a constant support at meetings or events? Did anyone save the day multiple times? 2. Identify who benefitted. With this person in mind, who was positively impacted by their actions? Were they the stand-out volunteer in their troop or did they make considerable change within the service unit? Maybe their volunteerism benefitted all of GSMH or the Girl Scout movement as a whole. Whatever the case, use who benefited as a gage to choose the perfect award. 3. Check out the available awards below to match the perfect award to your volunteer. It's time for the fun part—choosing the award! From the new Unsung Hero award to the staple Outstanding Volunteer award, we have awards for any volunteer you have in mind. Our Girl Scout volunteers come from all walks of life, and the awards that they can be recognized with are the same!
Service Unit Awards Service Unit Guiding Star - New! The Service Unit Guiding Star Award recognizes a volunteer who provides outstanding, continuous mentorship to others. The volunteer shares knowledge, tips, and is readily available to help new volunteers. Service Unit Helping Hand - New! The Service Unit Helping Hand Award recognizes a volunteer who has exhibited exemplary leadership and community service during the last membership year. This volunteer leads girls to make exceptional contributions to their community. They are a shining example of Girl Scout’s values of leadership, service, community, and volunteerism. Service Unit Outdoor Enthusiast - New! The Service Unit Outdoor Enthusiast Award recognizes a volunteer who has provided outstanding service that furthers outdoor education for girls and/or adults, performed at a level that exceeded expectations, and completed an exceptional number of outdoor activities. Service Unit Outstanding Leader The Service Unit Outstanding Leader award recognizes a volunteer for service beyond the expectations for the position and will be presented by the service unit team. Service Unit Outstanding Volunteer The Service Unit Outstanding Volunteer award recognizes a volunteer for service beyond the expectations of the position. Service Unit Rising Star - New! The Service Unit Rising Star Award recognizes a first-year volunteer who has embraced the Girl Scout movement with energy and passion and has performed outstanding work in their first year. Service Unit Unsung Hero - New! The Service Unit Unsung Hero Award recognizes volunteers who help wherever needed, whenever needed, and completes whatever needs to be done.
How to nominate? If you know a volunteer who is deserving of any of these awards, complete the Service Unit Award Nomination Form. Nominations for these awards can be submitted at any time, but must be for service provided in the previous membership year(s). volunteer 411 • spring/summer 2020
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wrapping up your year
1. Celebrate!
Don’t forget to take some time to share memories and celebrate successes with your girls as the school year winds down! Many troops choose to wrap up their year with a Court of Awards or a Bridging Ceremony, or plan a fun celebration event such as a party to recognize girls’ achievements, a fun field trip, or even a special community service project.
2. Court of Awards Court of Awards can be used as a closing ceremony for a project the whole troop has worked hard on, with girls receiving patches, badges, pins, certificates, or her highest award, depending on what they earned. Volunteers may also be recognized during the ceremony. There are many creative ways to present girls and volunteers with recognitions. Girls may wish to include activities such as: candle lighting, dance, or Promise and Law candle lighting. It can be as elaborate or simple as the troop wants it to be. No matter what your Court of Awards looks like, it should be an opportunity for girls and volunteers to feel proud of their accomplishments. Keep it girl-led! Here are some ways you can work with your girls to plan this exciting event! Daisy • Choose a favorite song to sing • Decide who they want to invite Brownie • Choose songs/poems related to the theme • Make invitations • Set up and clean up before and after ceremony
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Junior • Decide theme • Plan when ceremony will be • Make and serve refreshments • Help clean up after Cadette • Find songs and readings • Work with young girls to plan bridging • Make props and decorations
Senior & Ambassador • Plan and put on an area-wide ceremony • Select site and make all arrangements • Contact participants • Choose what to include in ceremony • Conduct ceremony
3. Bridging Ceremony Bridging is a wonderful transition in a Girl Scout’s journey. A bridging ceremony allows each Girl Scout to look back on her accomplishments from the year and look forward to all the new adventures that await. Bridging to the next step in their Girl Scout journey is exciting for girls, but make sure to make the steps before the ceremony a celebration as well! 1. Plan with your girls. A bridging ceremony is one of the best ways to exemplify the girl-led experience Girl Scouts provides to girls. As the girls get closer to transitioning to another level of Girl Scouts, be sure to tell them what steps they need to complete in order to bridge and work as a troop to plan your bridging ceremony. Girl-led planning can be a great way to cultivate a nonjudgmental space where progression can drive success for your girls! 2. Earn a Girl Scout Bridging Award. Completing the steps to earn a Bridging Award can help girls get an idea of what their experience will be like at the next level. Incorporate the two steps below into an activity that will allow your girls to share their Girl Scout adventures. There are two steps in this process: • Pass it on! This is where our older Girl Scouts can look back on their accomplishments and pass on knowledge to the younger Girl Scouts. • Look Ahead! This is where younger Girl Scouts meet with girls at the level they will be bridging to and learn about what adventures lie ahead. 3. Gather materials needed for the next level. Girls may need a new vest/sash, membership stars, and guidebooks. We sell kits that contain awards and insignias that each girl receives as she bridges into the next level. To purchase these kits, head to girlscoutsmoheartland.org, then click shop! Or visit one of our stores to get all of the materials you need for a bridging ceremony. 4. Host the ceremony! Bridging ceremonies typically take place at the beginning or end of the Girl Scout year and recognize current accomplishments, as well as goals for their next level. The ceremony traditionally has three parts. Each part of the ceremony leaves plenty of room for girls’ creativity and individuality. • Opening: Guests are welcomed by the girls, and tone is set with an activity such as a flag ceremony, or recitation of the Girl Scout Promise and Law. • Main Section: The ceremony is explained to guests who might be unfamiliar with Girl Scout traditions and run by the girls and co-leaders based on the plans made earlier in the year. • Closing: Guests are thanked, and the ceremony ends with an activity such as a friendship circle or flag ceremony.
End-of-Year: What tasks do I need to do? •
•
•
• •
Thank your parents, fellow volunteers, and anyone else who has supported the troop this year. Don’t forget to thank your meeting facility friends! Assess troop supplies. Trade or donate anything you no longer need. Return anything you may have borrowed from GSMH, your service unit, or another troop. Plan summer troop activities! Remind your girls to register for summer camp. More information will be in Explore, coming soon!
End-of-Year: What dates do I need to know? •
•
• •
•
Submit Cookie Program Uncollected Funds Reports by April 1, 2020. Renew all troop members! Register for Spring Renewal by June 1, 2020 or on-time by September 30, 2020. Submit a Volunteer Self Appraisal by June 1, 2020. Resolve all cookie recognition issues by September 30, 2020. Complete a Troop Financial Report by October 1, 2020.
Tips and Tricks! • •
•
•
Practice ahead of time so everyone knows their roles. If inviting family and friends, make sure to distribute invitations or save the dates. Get creative! The internet is full of great ideas, check Pinterest or girlscouts.org Most importantly—have fun!
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r e e t volun
trainings
FREE • ADULT
$40 • ADULT
Indoor Overnights & Day Trips Training
First Aid & CPR
Home Study This training is required for all day trips and indoor overnight stays. Topics covered include safety preparedness, GSMH policies and procedures, kaper charts, sleeping arrangements, and more. To receive this course, please contact us at info@girlscoutsmoheartland.org. A brief evaluation test is included and must be submitted for you to receive course credit. This training is a pre-requisite for Outdoor Level 1 Home Study.
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Min/Max: 4/10 First Aid & CPR Training is strongly recommended for at least one adult volunteer in every troop. The safety activity checkpoints for certain Girl Scout activities require that an adult be certified in First Aid and CPR and act as the primary first aid provider. New and experienced leaders, assistant leaders, and other registered adults are encouraged to attend this course! These trainings are also available for Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors. Please note that once trained, girls cannot replace the required primary First Aid/CPR trained adults at Girl Scout activities. Successful completion results in a 2-year certification in Adult and Child First Aid and CPR. Digital certificate available upon successful completion. Jefferson City Service Center February 8 | 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Registration Deadline: Jan. 24, 2019
Jefferson City Service Center March 14 | 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Registration Deadline: Feb. 28, 2019
Dexter Service Center April 28 | 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Registration Deadline: Apr. 14, 2020
Springfield Service Center May 2 | 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Registration Deadline: Apr. 15, 2020
This version of the course requires approximately 2 1/2 hours of online study in advance of the in-person skills check on the training date listed. Participants will be sent a link for the online portion of this course, and must bring their certificate of completion to the in-person skills check.
FREE • ADULT FREE • ADULT
Outdoor Level 1 Home Study
This training prepares you to teach girls the skills involved in planning and carrying out a day of outdoor activities, and to incorporate the Girl Scout principles of safety, inclusiveness, progression of skills, girl leadership, and girl planning. It covers no-cook and simple charcoal cooked meals, outdoorbased activities, and ethics. This self-study takes approximately four hours but it can take longer if you explore additional resources. Please contact us at info@girlscoutsmoheartland.org to receive this course. This course is a prerequisite for Outdoor Level 2. If you are an experienced camper, you can test out of this training by contacting us to request a test-out evaluation form.
$15 • ADULT
Outdoor Level 2 MIN/MAX: 5/20
This training prepares you to teach girls the skills for planning and experiencing a simple overnight camping trip—in a backyard or at a GSMH program center. You will learn how to incorporate the Girl Scout principles of safety, inclusiveness, progression of skills, girl leadership, and girl planning. Topics include knot-tying, cooking over a fire, dressing for the weather, packing, and programming. This course is a prerequisite for Outdoor Level 3. Latonka Program Center March 28 | 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Registration Deadline: Mar. 13, 2020
Silver Meadows Program Center April 4 | 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Registration Deadline: Mar. 20, 2020
Friendship Fields Program Center April 4 | 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Registration Deadline: Mar. 20, 2020
Girl Scout House • Columbus, KS May 8 | 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Registration Deadline: Apr. 24, 2020
$25 • ADULT
Outdoor Level 3 MIN/MAX: 5/20
This training is required for tent camping at a GSMH Program Center or camping at an established campsite. This training prepares you to teach girls the skills involved with planning and experiencing a multi-day trip, including Outdoor Level 2 skills review, tent use and care, campsite selection, outdoor cooking with a skillet and fuel stove, knot-tying, and the Leave No Trace principles. This is an overnight training; participants sleep in tents. If you are an experienced camper, you can test out of this training by contacting us to request a test out evaluation. Latonka Program Center March 28-29 | 2:00 p.m. - 10:00 a.m. Registration Deadline: Mar. 13, 2020
Girl Scout House • Columbus, KS May 8-9 | 2:00 p.m. - 10:00 a.m. Registration Deadline: Apr. 24, 2020
Day Camp Director Training On Request
This training is for Day Camp Directors to learn the responsibilities of your service unit role by reviewing policies, procedures, and best practices associated with running a Day Camp. This training is available on request at any time throughout the year, but recommended to have in the fall. No minimum required. Please request at least 4 weeks in advance of a preferred date by emailing us at info@girlscoutsmoheartland.org. FREE • ADULT
Grade Level Training Home Study
The Girl Scout Grade Level Trainings are designed to introduce you to the world of Girl Scouting for the specific age of your troop. Discover how the Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting and the Girl Scout Journeys work and how to guide your girls in their Girl Scout Leadership Experience. To request this training please email us at info@girlscoutsmoheartland.org.
Trainings on Request! If at least 6 volunteers in an area need a training, you can request one. In some cases, we can bring the training to you or we can set up a training with a date that works for your volunteers. The following trainings are available on request: First Aid & CPR: Blended Learning, Highest Awards, Outdoor Level 2, and Outdoor Level 3. Cost will be the same fee per participant as if attending a training in person. To discuss setting up an on-request training, please contact us at info@girlscoutsmoheartland.org. volunteer 411 • spring/summer 2020
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FREE • ADULT
FREE • ADULT
Short N’ Snappy
Short N’ Snappy
Ceremonies MIN/MAX: 1/24 Girl Scout ceremonies offer a rich tradition to our organization and reinforce the values of Girl Scouting. In this webinar, we will cover a variety of ceremonies, how to properly implement them, and discover their purpose in your Girl Scout journey. Online Webinar February 6 | 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Registration Deadline: Jan. 24, 2020
Online Webinar February 8 | 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Registration Deadline: Feb. 3, 2020
Money-Earning Activities MIN/MAX: 1/24 Does your troop have big goals? Learn the do’s and don’ts of extra moneyearning activities for your troop. Online Webinar March 12 | 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Registration Deadline: Mar. 6, 2020 Online Webinar April 2 | 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Registration Deadline: Mar. 27, 2020
Webinars are limited to 24 access lines: if your troop will be watching together, only register one person. Before the training you will be sent a link and instructions to join the webinar. Handouts will be emailed to you and you will have the opportunity to ask questions.
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gsLearn
IT’S HERE!
It’s here—gsLearn is now available for all Troop Leaders. Whether you are a new Troop Leader discovering the basics of running a troop or a seasoned leader who wants to brush up on some Girl Scout basics, you will love what you find in this new online learning environment. Logging in is easy. All you need to do is log into to your MYGS account and you will have access to gsLearn. Here’s what one of our new volunteers had to say about their experience with gsLearn, “I am so glad Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland has rolled out gsLearn. This tool will be an asset to our troop and new leaders. Being able to work independently to learn these skills, at my own pace, has been phenomenal.” -Shawn, Troop 71985
Learning Opportunities When you’re set up for success, you’ll be empowered to set up your troop for success! Get started by visiting gsLearn to complete the Successful Leader Learning Series online. While you are there you can find these other great learning opportunities! • • •
New Leader Orientation guidance Volunteer Toolkit training Mandated Reporter training
• •
Indoor Overnight & Day Trip training Outdoor Level 1 training
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s ’ r e d a le
weekend
Get back to your roots and celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day at Leader’s Weekend 2020! Held at Finbrooke Program Center on April 17-19, this event is a fun tradition and a great way to connect with friends, old and new, who share your love of Girl Scouting. Choose from a variety of workshops and activities to create your own adventure. Workshops include art classes, games, team building, outdoor training, Girl Scout traditions, and two mystery workshops. You can even choose to participate in some high-flying adventures like the climbing tower, archery, or the night-time zipline! You can choose how long you stay—come for the whole weekend or just the day on Saturday. Lodging is available but space is limited. No matter what you choose to do, you will leave re-energized and ready to continue your journey with Girl Scouts! 28
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Lead e r’s Wee
ke n d
JGL
When and Where?
Back t o Our Ro ots
Finbrooke Program Center April 17-19 | 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 a.m. MIN/MAX: 80/125
Cost? $15 fee includes lodging, lunch, Saturday snacks, and administrative costs. Cost may increase depending on your workshop and meal selections.
Registration? Registration deadline is March 20, 2020. Event details, pre-order merchandise, and the registration packet are available on our website. For questions about Leader’s Weekend, contact our Customer Care Team at info@girlscoutsmoheartland.org, or call us at 877-312-4764.
Merchandise? Be sure to pre-order your Leader's Weekend branded merchandise! Deadline to pre-order is March 2, 2020. The traveling shop will also be at the event with lots of fun, new items for your troop! volunteer 411 • spring/summer 2020
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. S . W . A . P Pets Are Worth Supporting Participate in the 2020 Council-Wide Service Project! April 4-11 Participate in the P.A.W.S. Project in 5 simple steps!
Pick Up Your Door Hangers Pick up your door hangers from a GSMH Service Center, a local service unit meeting, or print your own P.A.W.S. Door Hangers, found on our website.
Distribute Your Door Hangers Distribute door hangers to friends, neighbors, and community members the weekend of April 4-5, 2020. Girls should not place The P.A.W.S. Project hangers in, or tie them to, mailboxes—this is prohibited by the US Postal Service.
Make the world a better place and be a part of the P.A.W.S. Project: Pets Are Worth Supporting! Girls and troops can support the animal shelter of their choice by collecting dog or cat food, paper towels, or newspapers. This project runs from April 4-11, 2020 and can be completed in five simple steps. 30
spring/summer volunteer 411 • fall/winter 2019 2020
Collect Donated Items Collect donated items on April 11, 2020. Only collect from residences where bags are left outside. Girls should not knock on doors.
Choose a Local Animal Shelter Distribute collected items to the local animal shelter of your choice.
Earn a Free Patch! Complete a P.A.W.S. Project Report, found on our website. Complete it to receive a FREE patch for each Girl Scout who participated!
The Challenge is back! Look for the Get Outdoors Challenge page on our website, live by May 1!
The required amount of activities for each grade level are listed below. On the online Get Outdoors Challenge form, there is a list of activity suggestions, and there’s also space to fill in your own! • Daisy – 5 • Brownie – 10 • Junior – 15 • Cadette, Senior, Ambassador, Adult – 20 Challenge Rules & Guidelines Girls and adults must complete the required number of activities for their grade level and submit the Get Outdoors Challenge form online (found on the Get Outdoors page of our website later this spring) by August 30, 2020 to earn the patch. Girls and adults may complete activities as a group, but each girl and adult should only count activities that they participated in.
the Misso uri H
ge
and rtl ea
Activity Requirements
f ts o ou Sc
O Get
It’s back! We are challenging our members—girls and adults— to get outside! From June 1, 2020 through August 30, 2020, complete as many activities as possible from the challenge checklist! Then fill out the Get Outdoors Challenge form to receive your free patch. As soon as you’ve completed the required amount of activities for your grade level, submit your form to receive the Get Outdoors Challenge patch.
Gi rl
Get Outdoors Challenge
ut doo en rs Chall
Challenge Dates & Deadlines The challenge is open to current girl and adult members of GSMH. Family members may participate in activities but are not eligible for patches. Girls and adults may only submit one patch request. Activities must be completed between June 1, 2020 and August 30, 2020. All entries must be submitted by August 30, 2020.
Submit Your Photos Participating in the Get Outdoors Challenge? Share the fun and show off your outdoor skills by submitting photos on our website for our Get Outdoors photo album!
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Say yes to
Summer Camp Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland is providing a variety of camping experiences this summer, making it easy for girls to register for something they love and try new things. The only hard part is picking which adventure to go on! From day camps to resident camps there are camp experiences for every Girl Scout. This year, be on the lookout for Explore—our summer camp guide—to be hitting doorsteps in February. Mailed to every family, Explore offers a complete guide to our summer camp opportunities. Get ready to say yes to adventure! 32
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GSMH has been striving to create partnerships with organizations across our council, and we call them Community Partners. Community Partners are organizations approved by Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland to offer events and unique opportunities for Girl Scouts to enhance their Girl Scout summer experience. Some partners for Summer Camp 2020 include: Fox Run Stables. Located in Cape Girardeau, Fox Run is a 75 acre equestrian community that features an outdoor riding ring, plus a fully enclosed indoor arena. Girls will hone their equestrian skills with instructors that are CHA certified and have 40 years experience showing, training, teaching, and riding horses.
Code Ninjas. Located in Springfield, they are passionate about teaching kids coding, robotics, math, logic, and teamwork. We are partnering with Code Ninjas to provide a new Day Camp experience this summer! Girls will work towards various STEM badges throughout the week.
Hartman Farms. A family owned and operated business in Marshfield for over 35 years, Hartman Farms is a 1,000 acre farm that is returning as a GSMH Program Partner. Hartman Farms will host Girl Scouts attending certain camp sessions at Finbrooke, and provide equestrian opportunities.
Southeast Missouri State University. GSMH has partnered with SEMO in the past to provide an immersive STEM environment for programs, but now we will offer a full resident camp experience. Girls will work on STEM badge work and have a college campus experience during this unique resident camp opportunity.
Get ready for camp! At Girl Scout summer camp, girls develop leadership skills as they discover themselves, connect with nature, and Take Action with new friends! Each program is girl-led and girl-approved, as girls’ input is utilized to personalize the activities for each camp session. Our campers do it all—spending half their time in activities related to the theme of their camp session and half in general camp activities (swimming, hiking, trading post shopping, etc.). Every camper will be sent home with a patch and a badge progress report!
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m a r g o r p
events
Girl-led is an important part of Girl Scouting—it’s how girls make the experience their own. Letting girls decide what events to attend is an important way to make sure your troop is girl-led. Let girls look through the following event listings and circle the ones that stand out! You can also access it online to make it easier for multiple girls to see, or if you have Daisies or young Brownies you can read to them. Don’t worry if the entire troop can’t attend all the events the girls are interested in—girls can attend with a parent or other adult!
p i h s r u e n e entrepr
Jump! Into Cookies
On Request Program Aide Training $11 • GIRL
FREE • ADULT
MIN/MAX: 5
By earning the Cadette Program Aide Award, Cadettes will learn the basic skills and strategies they need to work with younger girls, and give them a deeper understanding and ideas for teaching crafts, songs, and games. Girls can request training to teach outdoor skills to younger girls as well. A minimum of five girls is required. Girls will receive their Program Aide pin. Before attending Program Aide Training, girls must have earned their Leadership in Action award.
$20 • GIRL
$17 • ADULT
Jump into Cookie Season! Enjoy an evening of bouncy fun with all of your Girl Scout friends. All participants will receive the appropriate jump socks required at check-in and an exclusive 2020 Cookie Themed patch. Parents can participate at a discounted rate or observe for free. Ultimate Air • Cape Girardeau, MO February 26 | 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Registration Deadline: Feb. 7, 2020 MIN/MAX: 25/200
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STEM Getting to Know Nuclear $10 • GIRL
Girl Scouts
nd uri Heartla of the Misso
$5 • ADULT
Grab your lab coat, GSMH is going on a STEM adventure! Learn all about basic nuclear concepts including radiation detection, half-life, and energy production. We will also tour the Missouri S&T Research Reactor and observe radiation using a cloud chamber. Girls will work towards the Women in Nuclear patch program. Adults will need to provide a state-issued ID to join the reactor tour. Missouri S & T • Rolla, MO February 29 | 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Magic of Chemistry
Registration Deadline: Feb. 15, 2020 MIN/MAX: 10/30 $17 • GIRL
$10 • ADULT
Join us as girls work with each other to learn about chemistry! The program will encompass many scientific subjects as participants go through four different stations. Girl price includes lunch in the dorm dining hall and a patch. University of Missouri • Columbia, MO March 14 | 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: Feb. 21, 2020 MIN/MAX: 30/100
Space Scientist Badge Workshop $10 • GIRL
PROJECT
On Saturday, April 25, 2020, we are hosting our first Project STEM in Rolla, Missouri at Missouri University of Science and Technology! Join us for a fun-filled, STEMtastic day where girls of all ages—and their families—can explore science, technology, engineering, and math through fun and educational activities. Clearly, STEM can take girls anywhere she wants to go. See more on pages 14-15!
FREE • ADULT
Girls will transform into space scientists and get the chance learn about the moon, stars, and planets as they earn the Space Science badge for their program level. Price includes program supplies, snack, and badge for girls. Kennett, MO April 4 | 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Registration Deadline: Mar. 20, 2020 MIN/MAX: 30/70
Rolla, MO April 4 | 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Registration Deadline: Mar. 20, 2020 MIN/MAX: 20/70
Finbrooke Program Center April 4 | 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: March 20, 2020 MIN/MAX: 30/70 volunteer 411 • spring/summer 2020
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outdoors Fantastic Underground Adventures $20 • GIRL
$20 • ADULT
Take your learning underground and participate in hands-on science and art at Fantastic Caverns! Participate in primitive fire-starting techniques, carefully uncover and identify artifacts while learning about how ancient fire pits are a window into daily life of the past. Have the opportunity to enter a non-toured portion of Fantastic Caverns by lantern and uncover primitive cave art, learn how early pigments were made, and create your own cave art. Girl price includes a patch. The tour also includes the all-riding educational tour of Fantastic Caverns. Fantastic Caverns • Springfield, MO Registration Deadline: Feb. 21, 2020 March 7 | 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. MIN/MAX: 20/60
Girls & Goats
$10 • GIRL
$6 • ADULT
Spend the morning with your favorite girl in an outdoor yoga class with pygmy goats! A trained yoga instructor will lead a relaxing yoga class with the help of some furry friends. Afterwards, stick around to visit many more exotic animals. No previous yoga experience necessary. Dress for the weather, including closed-toe shoes, and clothing you don’t mind getting dirty. Bring a yoga mat. Girls will receive 1 bag of feed, 1 feedstick, a bottled water, and a fun patch. Lazy L Safari • Cape Girardeau, MO May 9 | 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
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Registration Deadline: Apr. 24, 2020 MIN/MAX: 20/50
Outdoor Adventure $10 • GIRL
$2 • ADULT
Go on an adventure in the great outdoors! Girls will learn outdoor skills, explore nature, make a craft, have a snack, and much more. Participants will need to bring a sack lunch and dress for the weather including close-toed shoes. Price includes a snack for everyone, program supplies, and a patch for girls. Otter Slough Conservation Area Dexter, MO May 2 | 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Registration Deadline: Apr. 13, 2020 MIN/MAX: 40/100 Friendship Fields Program Center May 16 | 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Registration Deadline: May 1, 2020 MIN/MAX: 40/100 Silver Meadows Program Center May 16 | 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Registration Deadline: May 1, 2020 MIN/MAX: 40/100
She N’ Me Hike
$10 • GIRL
$5 • ADULT
Take her with you as we hit the trails for a hiking adventure! Join us on Deer Run Trail at Rock Bridge State Park to learn about how to hike like a professional, while enjoying some time together in the great outdoors. The trail is about 4.40 miles and should take about 3 hours. Girls will earn a fun patch. This hike fits the requirement for one of the hikes in the Trail Adventure Badge series. Rock Bridge State Park • Columbia, MO May 9 | 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Registration Deadline: Apr. 16, 2020 MIN/MAX: 10/40
Take Me Out to Hammons Field $12 • GIRL
$12 • ADULT
Get a home run experience and head out for a night of fun with Girl Scouts and the Springfield Cardinals! All participants are invited to march in the pregame parade, stay for Friday night fireworks, and will receive a ball cap and fun patch. Bring your troop or your family, either way you can’t strike out. Tagalongs are allowed. Hammons Field • Springfield, MO May 22 | 5:30 - 11:00 p.m.
Trail Adventure
Venture Out! $40 • GIRL
$40 • ADULT
Venture Out courses are fun and effective tools your troop can use to build trust, learn conflict resolution skills, practice successful communication strategies, and more. Girls will scale the Alpine Wall, work together to get through the Odyssey High Ropes course, and learn more about team work in the Team Challenges Course. Lunch and a patch are provided. University of Missouri • Columbia, MO May 2 | 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Registration Deadline: Apr. 20, 2020 MIN/MAX: 30/100
Registration Deadline: May 8, 2020 MIN/MAX: 200/300 $15 • GIRL
$10 • ADULT
Grab your day pack and let’s head out on the trail! Girls will learn the essentials of a day pack, how to be aware of your surroundings, why leaving no trace is so important, and what healthy snacks to bring on the trail. This program is geared towards those that want an introduction to hiking and backpacking. There will be a 3 mile hike included in the program, so pack your water bottle! A full supply list will be sent out with the confirmation letter. Lunch and snacks will be provided. This program is the first step for those interested in working towards their Trail Adventure badge. Trail of Tears State Park • Jackson, MO May 30 | 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Registration Deadline: May 5, 2020 MIN/MAX: 8/20
Pigeon Roost Trail • Rogers, AR June 13 | 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Registration Deadline: May 29, 2020 MIN/MAX: 8/20
The Get Outdoors Challenge is back! Check out page 31 for all of the details. You don’t want to miss out on this awesome outdoor challenge! volunteer 411 • spring/summer 2020
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s l l i k s life All About Pets! $12 • GIRL
$12 • ADULT
Learn how to take care of your favorite furry friends through hands-on activities! Daisies will earn parts of the It’s Your Story-Tell It! Journey and receive a fun patch. Brownies will earn and receive the Pets badge. Morning and afternoon snack will be provided.
Catch on to Cadettes
$10 • ADULT
Are your girls bridging to Cadettes, or first year Cadettes still learning their way around? Catch on to Cadettes will help girls learn all of the exciting opportunities that await them as a Girl Scout Cadette. Girls will earn parts of the Girl Scout Way badge, sample activities from a Cadette Journey, learn about the Girl Scout Silver Award, have a chance to tackle the climbing tower, and go on an adventure or two! Program cost includes two meals, lodging, program supplies, a snack, and a patch. Finbrooke Program Center May 8-9 | 6:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: Apr. 24, 2020 MIN/MAX: 25/100
Finbrooke Program Center February 17 | 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Registration Deadline: Jan. 31, 2020 MIN/MAX: 20/60
Celebrate Girl Scouts
Silver Meadows Program Center February 17 | 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Registration Deadline: Jan. 31, 2020 MIN/MAX: 20/60
Celebrate Girl Scouts by exploring the history and traditions that have made us strong for 108 years! Spend the evening making crafts, playing games, and singing songs that past Girl Scouts enjoyed. Girls will work on requirements for the Girl Scout Way badge and will receive a special patch. Price includes a snack for all, and program supplies and patch for girls.
$10 • GIRL
$2 • ADULT
Girl Scout House • Columbus, KS March 9 | 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
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$20 • GIRL
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Registration Deadline: Feb. 21, 2020 MIN/MAX: 20/60
Lock-in at Fritz’s Adventure $35 • GIRL
$35 • ADULT
Discover adventure after hours at Fritz’s Adventure in Branson, MO! Most activities will be open, including the rock wall, ropes course, laser maze, and more! Enjoy a late night snack, dance party, and movies on a big screen. All participants will receive a fun patch. Girls registering without a troop must bring a chaperone. Due to lack of separate sleeping spaces, males are not permitted to chaperone this lock-in. Once registered, safety waivers will be sent out along with a confirmation letter. Some activities require a height of 42''. Fritz’s Adventure • Branson, MO May 1-2 | 8:30 p.m. - 8:00 a.m.
Registration Deadline: Apr. 17, 2020 MIN/MAX: 200/500
The Gathering: What’s Your Super Power $45 • GIRL
$30 • ADULT
Don’t miss the ultimate weekend for teen Girl Scouts! Settle into your unit on Friday and make new friends around the campfire. On Saturday, girls choose up to five workshops from a variety of options and end the night with a Super Hero themed dinner and activities. Before departing on Sunday, girls will use their super power to learn how to earn the Girl Scout Silver and Gold Awards. Price includes four meals, lodging, supplies, an event t-shirt, and an event patch. This is a two-night event. Check-in is on Friday and departure is on Sunday. Finbrooke Program Center August 14-16 | 6:00 p.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Registration Deadline: July 24, 2020 MIN/MAX: 50/100
Women’s Suffrage Capitol Tour $30 • GIRL
$20 • ADULT
Did you know that women have only had the right to vote for 100 years? Did you know that that time is even shorter for women of color? Join GSMH on an adventure to the capitol city to learn all about the Show Me State and the history of Women’s Right to Vote. All participants will get to tour the Governor’s Mansion, the Capitol building, and the Supreme Court building. Lunch will be provided. Jefferson City, MO March 26 | 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Registration Deadline: Mar. 12, 2020 MIN/MAX: 15/60
Badge Explorer with the Kappa Deltas $7 • GIRL
$3 • ADULT
Join Kappa Delta as they guide you through Drury University’s campus, stopping at buildings to complete parts of badge requirements! Badges explored will include the Musician badge, Scribe badge, Staying Fit badge, Budgeting badge, Eating for You badge, and the Drawing badge. Drury University • Springfield, MO February 8 | 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Registration Deadline: Jan. 27, 2020 MIN/MAX: 10/20
Go-Getter Girls Night $15 • GIRL
$5 • ADULT
Come to the SEMO University Recreation Center for an amazing night of fun and sisterhood! Activities will include swimming, indoor rock climbing, team building, volleyball, dancing, yoga, and much more! Girls will receive a fun patch and may purchase a special t-shirt at the event. Participants need to bring a sleeping bag/blanket, pillow, pajamas, and water bottle. SEMO University • Cape Girardeau, MO February 28-29 | 7:30 p.m. - 6:00 a.m. Registration Deadline: Feb. 7, 2020 MIN/MAX: 50/300
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GIRL SCOUTS’ 55TH NATIONAL COUNCIL SESSION • OCTOBER 21–25
Join us at the largest gathering of girls in the world! GSMH invites you and your Girl Scouts to join us in Florida for the 55th National Girl Scout Convention. This event occurs every three years and brings together girls around the world in celebration of the Girl Scout sisterhood. With over 15,000 attendees expected, this event is sure to unite Girl Scouts from the United States and abroad. Cadettes, Seniors, Ambassadors, and active Adult Girl Scouts are invited to this girl-led, girl-focused extravaganza! G.I.R.L. 2020 will be October 21-25 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.
JOIN US
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Check out the GSMH-hosted trip to this event!
Join our GSMH trip! G.I.R.L. 2020 will provide attendees with unforgettable experiences as they gain inspiration, tools to empower themselves, and the know-how to lead change in their communities—connecting with some of the most influential women in the world along the way. The cost of the trip will be $1,150 per girl and $1,350 per adult. The trip includes convention registration, air travel, hotel, and a theme park ticket. The convention will include a keynote speaker, panels of inspirational women, hands-on activities in the Hall of Experiences, and much more. Girls will stay four girls in a room and adults will stay two in a room. Girls can use Cookie Credits and Fall Funds to pay for the trip. Financial assistance is available.
Why You Don't Want to Miss This! • The World-Famous G.I.R.L. EXPO—A Hall of Experiences which includes: College Row, Diving Tank, Award Highlights, Council Kiosks, Alumni Area, Teen Zone, Climbing Walls, us for the largest of and so muchgathering more! in the• world! Inspirational Speakers and dominate Orlando, Florida – and we want you Life-Changing Conversations part of it!• G.I.R.L. 2020, October 21-25, Lessons and Skills to2020, Takewill ore than 10,000 go-getters, innovators, risk-takBack to Your Community eaders in the world. • Friendships and Connections Can’t You This? forMiss a Lifetime • Incredible Fun and Excitement! tional Speakers anging Conversations • Global Round-table s and Skills to Take Back to Your Community • Cookie Pro 2020 Winners hips and Connections for a Lifetime orld-Famous Presentation G.I.R.L. EXPO - A Hall of Experiences • Celebration ble Fun and Excitement! of Suffrage Centennial ur calendar, and visit girlscouts.org/girl2020 tes! • And so much more!
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n o i s s e r g o r p l e v a r t Progression allows girls to learn the skills they need to become competent travelers, including how to plan and organize trips. Travel fun can be endless when girls lead.
Regional Trips Overnights Day Trips Local Field Trips
Take an all-day trip!
Get your travel feet wet! Walk to a nearby garden, or take a short ride to a firehouse or other local spot.
Keep it girl-led: girls choose the location and activity (perhaps working toward a badge) and make plans for lunch.
Keep it girl-led: girls choose the location.
Start with one night, maybe at a camp or museum. Progress to a weekend trip in a nearby city or state park. Keep it girl-led: girls plan the activity and meals, create travel games, and pack their own overnight bags.
Spend three to four nights away somewhere a few hours from home. Keep it girl-led: girls plan key details of the trip, such as the activities, the budget, the route, and lodging. (Extended trip insurance required.)
When moving up to each level of the progression, consider girls’ independence, flexibility, decision making, group skills, and cross cultural skills. 42
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Independent Travel
National Trips Travel the country! Trips often last a week or more. Girls should think beyond a typical vacation location and consider historical sites, museums, or national parks! Keep it girl-led: girls lead the entire planning process and might add a community service or Take Action project. (Extended trip insurance required.)
International Trips Travel the world! These life-changing trips usually take one to three years to prepare. Consider visiting a WAGGGS World Centre! Keep it girl-led: girls download the Global Travel Toolkit and plan their entire trip (including learning about the language, culture, passports and visas, exchange rates, etc.). (Extended trip insurance required.)
Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador girls with travel experience can travel nationally or internationally independently through counciloffered travel opportunities or GSUSA’s Destinations program. Check with GSMH, or visit the Girl Scout Destinations website!
Check with us about age requirements. Girls should have experience at every level of progression (Field Trips to International Trips) before moving on to the next level. For regional travel, girls must be Juniors or older. For national and international trips, girls must be Cadettes or older. volunteer 411 • spring/summer 2020
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l e v a r t
From Daisies to Ambassadors, Girl Scouts can take girls wherever they want to go. Traveling allows your Girl Scouts to take the lead and learn about the world around them. From the very beginning of their Girl Scout journey, girls can travel and organize their own trips. Our goal is to assist in providing girls adventures, while transforming your Girl Scouts into competent travelers with cross-cultural skills. 44
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G.I.R.L. 2020 Join thousands of your sister Girl Scouts from all over the world for The National Girl Scout Convention. This amazing event only happens every three years. G.I.R.L. 2020 will feature keynote speeches and panel discussion from a variety of inspirational, and successful female leaders. The event will also include “The Hall of Experiences”, which is full of hands on activities, give-a-ways, information, and more. Find out more about this exciting event on pages 40-41. October 21-25, 2020
Italy & Greece Do you like your temples well-preserved like the Pantheon or crumbling like the Parthenon? Italy and Greece practically own the early history of Western civilization, which becomes vividly clear as you walk through the ruins of the Roman Forum and the Acropolis in Athens. In Vatican City, crane your neck in awe inside St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. In Delphi, look deep into Greece’s mythological past. This trip is full but if you’re interested let us know and we will get you on the waitlist! July 7-16, 2021
Belize: A Wildlife Adventure Save the date for our international trip to the breathtaking country of Belize. We will be traveling to Belize, a tropical paradise with miles of shimmering blue Caribbean coastline and lush jungle canopies. Girl Scouts will experience firsthand a country that is bursting with diverse wildlife and a sense of adventure. Girls will get up close and personal with wildlife through nature hikes in the country’s lush jungle, scuba trips in the Caribbean Sea, and even a zip-line through the treetops. Even more adventures will be included, such as going back in time to the ancient ruins, going cave tubing, and even experiencing a riverboat cruise. We hope you are just as excited as we are for this noboundaries, international adventure coming in July 2023. July 2023
Need more information on G.I.R.L. 2020? Check out pages 40-41 for all of the needed details about the upcoming convention!
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Girl Scout Week Girl Scout Week is celebrated each March, starting with Girl Scout Sunday and ending with Girl Scout Sabbath on Saturday, and it always includes Girl Scouts’ Birthday, March 12. This is a great time to reflect on what it means to be a Girl Scout and all of the amazing things Girl Scouts do to make the world a better place. In celebration of this Girl Scout tradition, check out some of the awesome activities we’ve listed below to celebrate Girl Scout Week like a pro! Are you ready to put the G.I.R.L. (Go-Getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader) in Girl Scouts? Ready to go green and shout your Girl Scout love from the rooftops? Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for more fun all week long.
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Sunday, March 8
Monday, March 9
Tuesday, March 10
Girl Scout Sunday
Memory Monday
Girl Scout Green Out
This is the perfect time to honor one’s faith and learn about faithbased communities different from your own. Girls with many different backgrounds are involved in Girl Scouts. We have Girl Scout Sisters in 146 countries around the world! Wear your uniform to your place of worship, share your Girl Scout story with those around you, and make sure to share a photo on social media.
Give a big shout-out to your Girl Scout sisters and share your favorite Girl Scout memory! Whether you tag other Girl Scouts on social media or get creative and make a card or gift for a Girl Scout in your life, don’t be bashful about sharing the love and memories. Share a photo on social media of your card, gift, or simply share your memory with us!
Get out your green gear—it’s Girl Scout Spirit Day! Whether you sport a Girl Scout tee at school or under a blazer at the office or rock a trefoil sweatshirt at the gym, let everyone know you’re a G.I.R.L. (Go-Getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader) at heart. Share your Girl Scout green and love of Girl Scouts on social media, at school, and more!
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Want to earn this awesome patch? During Girl Scout Week, participate in 4 of these activities and share a photo on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter using the hashtag #GirlScoutWeek. Then, complete a short online form, and we will send you a patch—it’s that simple! Look for our call for photos on social media during Girl Scout Week! One patch per girl or volunteer. All patches for each group will be sent to the individual who submits the form.
uts sco souri l r gi mis d he lan of t heart
R GI
L
Wednesday, March 11
Thursday, March 12
Friday, March 13
Innovate with STEM
Happy Birthday Girl Scouts!
Make the World a Better Place
Innovators love to think outside the box and look for creative ways to take action and make the world a better place. They’re not afraid to do things differently or do things that have never been done before! Grab your lab coat and solve a problem in a creative way. Share a STEM badge you have earned, tell your troop, family, or friends how you earned it and what you learned!
On this day in 1912, Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low assembled a group of eighteen girls from Savannah, Georgia for the first ever Girl Scout meeting. Wear your Girl Scout uniform to school. Let that Girl Scout pride shine! Tell your friends or classmates about all the amazing things that you do as a Girl Scout, what fellow Girl Scouts do in our communities, and even around the world.
Be a catalyst for change in your community—and the world. Every girl has a voice and her voice is important. Kick off the weekend by giving back to your community. Could the local park use a cleanup? Does the food bank need volunteers? As always, the best person for the job is a Girl Scout! Do a community service project with your troop, family, or friends. Make sure to share your project with us on social media!
Saturday, March 14 Get Outside Saturday Take some time today to step outside and enjoy some fresh air. Go geocaching, try an Outdoor Challenge, sign up for an outdoor experience, go for a
bike ride, or walk in your community. Girl Scouts learn by doing and exploring the world around them. Try something new today, you just might find your new favorite Saturday activity.
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new!
s t i K x o B m a r g o r P What’s a box kit? Box kits are a Girl Scout troop leader’s best friend! They are essentially Girl Scout programs in a box that include instructions and materials needed for your girls to earn a specific badge or patch. These programs are easy and ready-to-go! These new box kits will be available in March 2020. Each box will come with all materials needed in order to earn the associated patch or badge. Each program box kit is available for a $25 deposit. This deposit will be refunded in full upon safe return of the box kit and all its contents, as well as completion of the Program Kit Rental Survey. Badges or patches earned through the activities in the box kit can be purchased through our store. Each Box Includes: • Curriculum needed to complete all activities • Program materials needed to plan each activity • A link to the Program Kit Rental Survey that you will need to fill out once you have completed the activities (Once this is submitted, you will receive your deposit refund.) Three new program box kits will be available, each one relating to a Girl Scout pillar. They can be checked out for two weeks at a time; extensions are available if there is no waiting list. Each service center will have one of each of these box kits for checkout.
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Women in Hiking (Outdoors) Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors are welcome to gain courage, confidence, and character in the outdoors using the Women in Hiking box kit. After going on their adventure, girls can purchase the Trail Adventure badge at any GSMH retail store. The Trail Adventure badge for each level requires choosing, planning, and preparing for an outdoor adventure. Girls will learn about the women that came before them. Women that paved the way for all backpackers—like Mary Seacole, Isabella Bird, Emma Rowena Gatewood, and Claire Marie Hodges. Girls will read a book about a female hiker and explore how hiking has impacted various women in the community.
Women’s Right to Vote (Life Skills) This box kit teaches our Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors a very important life skill—voting! 100 years ago, women first stepped into the ballot box and this box celebrates this monumental achievement. This box kit will shed light on the suffrage movement as a whole, including minority groups who did not gain the right to vote until several years later. Girls will learn just how important it is to vote, along with the struggles our ancestors had to endure in order to obtain that right.
We Can Build It! (STEM) Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors will show off their building skills using LEGOs to engineer ziplines and catapults! Girls can even race and challenge each other for the title of “Best Builder." Girls will channel their inner “Rosie the Riveter” by learning about who she was and what she built. LEGO building challenge cards will be available for quick and creative ways to further test girls engineering abilities. Take it a step further and invite a modern career woman to your troop meeting, to share with girls their insight and wisdom on women in the workplace! volunteer 411 • spring/summer 2020
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t o n k e l b u Do
m e t s y s n o i t a r t s i g e r
This super easy-to-use system, accessible directly from our website, allows you to register for council events, volunteer trainings, and summer camp with ease. Go to girlscoutsmoheartland.org to check it out! How do I access Doubleknot? If you already have an account, you can log on to Doubleknot by clicking the “Event Registration” link in the upper right corner of our homepage on www.girlscoutsmoheartland.org. Never used Doubleknot? No worries. Click on the “Activities” tab on our homepage, select the activity you want, then follow the prompts to register. How do I log on to Doubleknot? We sent your User ID and Password via email. Don’t see it? Contact us to reset it.
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Who can register via Doubleknot? Troop leaders, co-Leaders, adults, and guardians will be able to register themselves and any girls in their household or troop for programs and events. What payment forms are accepted? We’re glad you asked! An exciting feature of Doubleknot—you’re able to pay with Troop Bucks and Cookie Credit (along with traditional credit/ debit card).
What if I forget my password? Doubleknot has a handy “Forgot Password” feature that allows you to reset it! What if I need help or have questions? That’s easy! Your customer care team is only a phone call or email away. Just ask at 877-312-4764 or info@girlscoutsmoheartland.org.
changes & cancellations Refund Policy
Confirmation
If a cancellation is made before the registration deadline, you may receive a refund. If a cancellation is made after the registration deadline due to illness or family emergency, a refund will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Refund amounts will be determined within 14 days after the event. Refunds will automatically be given if an event is canceled by GSMH. Please allow 2 weeks for processing. Due to processing costs, all refunds of $5 or less will be issued as a GSMH Retail Store credit.
Confirmations will be sent approximately one week prior to the event. Confirmations will be sent via email to the person who completed the registration. If you do not receive a confirmation at least three days prior to the event date, please contact us. Do not attend an event without receiving confirmation from GSMH.
Changes and Cancellations Events may be canceled if the required minimum number of participants is not met. If the program is canceled or moved to a different time or date, only those registered will be notified. If you must make changes to your registration information after you have submitted it, please email info@girlscoutsmoheartland.org prior to the final registration deadline. Substituting troop members is allowed for programs. If you must make a substitution, please email info@girlscoutsmoheartland.org.
Tagalongs Siblings and children not registered for program events and trainings are considered “tagalongs.� Tagalongs are not permitted to participate in events unless directly specified. If the parent/guardian does not provide appropriate supervision, or the child causes a distraction or safety issue, the parent and child will be asked to leave the event site. Tagalongs are not permitted at council-sponsored overnight events, travel, or camp. The non-member insurance provided through Mutual of Omaha does not cover tagalongs for events intended for Girl Scout members. Therefore, GSMH is not liable for these individuals.
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Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland 210 S. Ingram Mill Road Springfield, MO 65802-6100
Non-Profit Organization U.S.. Postage PAID Columbia, Missouri Permit No. 353
877-312-4764 info@girlscoutsmoheartland.org
Save the Date!
Girl Scouts Love State Parks September 12-13, 2020
Log off. Shut down. Unplug. Get outside! The Girl Scouts Love State Parks weekend is coming!