You can try new things and never be afraid to fail. Because there are no wrong answers or ideas here—no dreams are too big or too small! Your dreams are our dreams, and we’re going to have a blast making them come true together as we make the world a better place.
Let’s get started! >>>
I’m gearing up for another incredible year of Girl Scouting with all of you.
Last year seemed to pass in a blink, but I’ve learned so much from our Girl Scouts and have loved watching Girl Scouting in action.
I see your Girl Scouts.
I see them standing up for what they believe in. I see them overcoming what they once thought impossible. I see them showing up each and every day for their communities. I see them daring to try new things. I see them working toward their goals. And I see a world that is a better place because of them. Thank you for allowing me a first-hand glimpse of building girls of courage, confidence, and character.
I look forward to continuing my Girl Scout journey with you, your Girl Scout, and our dedicated volunteers and staff.
Yours in Girl Scouting,
Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes CEO
Appleton Service Center & Retail Shop
4693 N Lynndale Dr. Appleton, WI 54913
Eau Claire Service Center
4222 Oakwood Hills Pkwy. Eau Claire, WI 54701
Green Bay Service Center
112 N Adams St. Suite 101 Green Bay, WI 54301
Schofield Service Center & Retail Shop
3511 Camp Phillips Road Schofield, WI 54476
When you see a QR code in this booklet, use your phone’s camera app to scan the box and follow the autopopulated link for more information.
Please visit gsnwgl.org for current council and shop hours.
Learn more about our facilities and rental opportunities. gsnwgl.org/rentfacilities
Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.
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.
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.
Girl Scouts have fun learning new skills, earning badges, and testing their abilities—but it’s our community that makes us a must for your family.
In good times and bad, Girl Scouts is your:
4 out of 5 Girl Scouts have a best friend in their troop. We stick together, stand up for one another, and are sisters for life.
94% say Girl Scouts helps them try new things.
If a girl can dream it, Girl Scouts can take her there.
95% say Girl Scouts is a safe space.
The amazing support of Girl Scouts is more important than ever.
Use this space to draw or write about what it feels like to be a Girl Scout.
You want a brighter, happier tomorrow for your girl—and that’s exactly what we want too. Studies show that being a Girl Scout improves girls’ confidence and prepares them to handle life’s challenges.
That’s because everything a Girl Scout does is based on:
Forever friendship is a powerful thing. It’s what gives Girl Scouts the confidence to be themselves, unapologetically. It’s what makes them feel safe enough to try new things and cheer each other on. It’s the support that can help get them up on tough mornings, raise their hand in class, and even climb to the top of a mountain.
Every Girl Scout has their own curiosity, dreams, and talents— so when they decide which of the thousands of Girl Scout activities to try, the sky’s the limit. Whether visiting an animal shelter, camping, hosting a dance-off, or directing a music video, they’re learning to take risks, trust their gut, and team up with others for good. But mostly? They’re figuring out the things that will bring happiness to their lives for years to come.
From planting trees to stocking the local food pantry, Girl Scouts learn firsthand that they have the power to help. In these complicated times, knowing they can make a difference (and feeling the joy that comes from doing it!) may be more important than ever.
Groups of Girl Scouts from the same community, called troops, typically meet weekly or biweekly for an hour or two. Hand in hand with adult volunteers, girls complete exciting activities and projects, explore their neighborhoods, and make new friends.
Together, they earn badges to reflect the skills they’ve learned, the growing they’ve done, and the adventures they’ve had.
While we know being a Girl Scout helps girls earn better grades and make healthier decisions in the long run, everything a Girl Scout does is designed to make sure they feel seen, supported, and cared for—right here, right now. In a time when anxiety and depression are affecting young people in record numbers, we can’t think of anything more important.
Most Girl Scouts gather in groups called troops and each troop has an identifying number. The most common troop structure is a group of girls from the same school, in the same grade, who typically meet once a month. Troops with girls in multiple grades of all ages are known as multi-level troops.
Whether you’re unable to find a troop, your troop needs some help meeting virtually, or you have a Girl Scout all-star who wants even more Girl Scout time, eTroop has it all. During eTroop meetings girls get to experience Girl Scout traditions, hands-on activities, and interactive games, and get moving—all while earning Girl Scout badges. Each month will have two meetings with a common theme—girls can pick and choose based on their interest and troop and/or family needs.
See page 8 for more information about Juliettes.
2nd–3rd
K–1
Make new friends, earn skill-building petals, and embrace the Girl Scout
Promise and Law.
Go on a quest to find the three keys to leadership. They explore their place in the wide world of girls.
4th–5th Learn that leaders need power – their own, their team’s and their community’s.
Juniors are encouraged to earn their Bronze Award.
6th–8th Develop relationship skills needed to be leaders in their life and their world.
9th–10th
Have a vision and lead the world closer to it. Girls use their sisterhood to better themselves and the world.
11th–12th
Raise their voices to advocate for issues they care about. They actively move their dreams forward and learn that leaders aim for justice.
Cadettes are encouraged to earn their Silver Award.
Seniors are encouraged to earn their Gold Award.
Ambassadors are encouraged to earn their Gold Award.
Activities and Events | Badge-earning and challenge-seeking programs are organized by Council staff to connect girls to community experts and their resources. Closer to home, Service Area volunteers host service projects and team-building social events to keep Girl Scouts visible in the community. Girls can attend these events with their troop, or as Juliettes.
Reaching Out | Reaching Out breaks down barriers to participation and brings the benefits of Girl Scouts to girls outside of a traditional troop setting through in-school and after-school programs and partnerships with other youthserving organizations. Girl Scout staff work closely with these partners to adjust Girl Scout curriculum and content to meet the needs of the girls they serve at each individual site with positive, skill- and character-building programs.
Camp | Rooted in adventure, Girl Scout camp plants memories of resilience, capability, and friendship that stay with girls at home, in the classroom, and wherever life takes them. Girls can sign up individually or with their friends to attend Day Camp, Resident Camp, or Wilderness Trips. Camp registration opens early next year!
Travel | See page 9 for more information about Girl Scout travel opportunities.
Every Girl Scout goes above and beyond to make a difference in her community and the greater world. The Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards are the highest honors a Girl Scout can earn. Through them, girls impact their communities, challenge themselves, support issues they care about, and gain an edge on their future.
Juliette Gordon Low was the founder of Girl Scouts!
The Girl Scout Bronze Award is the highest award a Girl Scout Junior can earn. Girls work together as a group to complete a service project that directly benefits the Girl Scout community, or the girls’ local community or neighborhood.
The Girl Scout Silver Award is the highest award a Girl Scout Cadette can achieve and gives girls a chance to work with a small team or as an individual. Girls focus on projects that make lasting change in their communities.
The Girl Scout Gold Award represents the pinnacle of Girl Scout leadership progression. Open to Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors, this prestigious award challenges girls to change the world by solving a community problem in an innovative and sustainable way.
See what Girl Scout Members and Volunteers across our council have accomplished! gsnwgl.org/yearbook
No troop? No problem! We get it—girls are busy. Between dance lessons, soccer practice, or school activities, you may be unable to make your Girl Scout troop meeting. Or maybe you can’t find a Girl Scout troop in your community.
If a girl is not part of a troop, she can be an individually registered girl (IRG). These independent girls are nicknamed “Juliettes,” after our founder, Juliette Gordon Low. Juliettes do everything in Girl Scouting! They earn badges, give service to others, go to camp, and attend council programs and events. They can even log in for eTroop!
Girl Scouts is “girl-led,” so Juliettes work with their caregivers or their Juliette Mentor to choose badges to earn and activities to attend. It’s Girl Scouts customized for one—together you set the schedule, the pace, and the skills to grow. You’ve got the freedom to follow her lead when she wants to know more—even after the badge is done!
Juliette Mentors meet regularly with the Juliette Girl Scout to discuss, plan, and do activities together. The Juliette Mentor role can be filled by the girl’s caregiver or other caring adult like an aunt or uncle, grandparent, or close family friend. This role has access to online planning tools and volunteer training.
Contact us to answer any questions you have. Decide who will be your girl’s Juliette Mentor. And then, participation begins with membership! Visit gsnwgl.org to join as an individually registered Girl Scout—a Juliette!
Summer 2022—Eighteen Girl Scouts and Girl Scout staff embarked on the experience of a lifetime, exploring the history and beauty that is Panama. The group arrived mostly as strangers but left as family—including important friends they met along the way in Panama.
Many of the Girl Scouts hadn’t flown internationally before and had never been to a place where English was not the native language. The amount of growth these Girl Scouts showed in just eight short days was inspirational.
The goals of this Girl Scout Destination opportunity were to expose Girl Scouts to the history of Panama, experience the biodiversity of the country, and truly immerse the group in the culture to learn how to become travelers and not tourists. The experience offered Girl Scouts both urban and rural adventures, and memories that are sure to last a lifetime!
See the Program Activity Guide for more information about upcoming Girl Scout trips to the National Convention, Chicago 2024, and London & Paris 2025!
We encourage families to find ways to contribute at least 4 hours to troop support each year.
Tell her troop leader exactly how you’d like to help. Offering “whatever you need” is nice, but troop leaders are often too busy to think up or assign roles to family members. Being specific about how you can contribute will be appreciated!
• Be a driver for field trips
• Return phone calls, emails, and paperwork in a timely manner
• Be on time for pick-up and drop-off at meetings and events
• Organize snacks
• Help plan a party
• Take pictures
• Babysit for other volunteer’s children
• Teach a craft, song, game, or skill
• Share your skills and hobbies in outdoor, STEM, entrepreneurship, and life skills experiences
• Just say it! Smile and say thank you when you see them and offer your support & encouragement.
• Send a thank you note—either from your Girl Scout or from your Girl Scout Family—or both!
• Nominate them for a Volunteer of Excellence Award. Find the details in our Adult Awards packet gsnwgl.org/en/forvolunteers/adult-awards.html
• When your girl comes home happy from a Girl Scout meeting or event, send a text or photo to let the leader know.
• Organize a thank you gift from troop families.
• Lending a hand may be the most important way to say thanks!
On my honor, I will try:
To support my Girl Scout and her troop,
To help girls lead at all times, And to always keep it fun!
When you become a volunteer, you’ll immediately start to feel and see the impact you can have on the lives of girls. You’ll be with them as they experience new adventures and learn new skills. You’ll watch their confidence soar. You’ll experience the joy of creating a more fair, equal, and compassionate world where every girl has a seat at the table.
• Experience the confidence that comes with being a role model.
• Discover your leadership style as your girls discover theirs.
• Meet new people and make friends in your community.
• Build new skills and have fun during the activities with your girls.
• 88% believe their life is better because they volunteer with Girl Scouts.
• 94% of Girl Scout volunteers say they have made new friends because they volunteer.
• 67% believe their volunteer experience has helped them professionally.
• 95% of Girl Scout volunteers are happy knowing they are making girls’ lives better.
Volunteer in a troop role, spending quality time with girls as the Troop Leader, Assistant Troop Leader, or Troop Helper. Help girls learn business and entrepreneurship skills as the Troop Cookie Manager or Troop Treasurer. Whether you can give a few hours, a few weeks, or a few months, volunteering with Girl Scouts is flexible and fun.
Girls are ready to go, and they can’t do it without you! Sign up to become a Girl Scout volunteer today. gsnwgl.org/volunteer
Check out some of our Training Opportunities for volunteers and caregivers! gsnwgl.org/eventssearch
In celebration of 110 years of Girl Scouts and to commemorate this milestone, we are excited to introduce you to our 2022 GSNWGL Community Champions! These trailblazing alums represent different service areas of our council and are instrumental in empowering girls to bloom into their best selves.
Susan believes in shaping girls to become leaders and is a proud grandmother of a fourthgeneration Girl Scout!
Judy’s experience as a Girl Scout is unique, in that it started as an adult, and the importance of girls’ leadership development is why she remains committed to this day.
Danielle, evening anchor at WEAU 13 News in Eau Claire, knew since second grade she wanted to work in local news. Katie Couric, also a Girl Scout alum, was one of her biggest inspirations.
A mother of a Gold Award Girl Scout and volunteer leader of extreme adventure units, Lynn is a big proponent of getting girls into the woods to learn survival skills and empowering them to believe in themselves.
Nicole greatly enjoyed Girl Scouting as a girl and today she continues that legacy of courage, confidence, and fun by leading her daughter’s troop.
In honor of 110 years of Girl Scouting, girls who accept the Pearl Challenge will coordinate and collaborate to create a philanthropic activity to raise $110 from October 1–December 31, 2022. Funds raised will set their sisters—of all financial backgrounds—up for success by covering costs, such as membership fees, uniforms, and more. Girl Scouts—keep an eye out for your invitation to participate, arriving around October 5th!
Linda Stoll has agreed to match up to $10,010 dollars raised through this new challenge! Linda is proud to champion an initiative that encourages girls to lean into their own fundraising potential and instills a desire to contribute to the world in a purposeful way, just like Juliette Gordon Low.
Heritage
History Month Patch Activities
Month
American Heritage Month
Women’s History Month
Awards project
Rally™
the newest addition to the Girl Scout Cookie lineup. Say hello to a thin, crispy cookie infused with raspberry flavor and dipped in a delicious chocolate-y coating. Exclusively sold online for direct shipping to customers this Girl Scout Cookie season.
The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world. When girls participate in the Cookie Program, they build essential skills as they begin to think like entrepreneurs, help their troop earn proceeds to fund their Girl Scout adventures, and earn personal rewards.
The year-by-year Cookie Entrepreneur Family pin collection is the latest addition to the Girl Scout Cookie Program—and was inspired by and designed for families just like yours!
never been easier to support your girl as she develops business skills, makes amazing memories, and earns a different pin for her uniform every cookie season. The simple, age-specific guidelines have been tailored for her developing skillset, making success a snap.
Here is how proceeds from the annual Girl Scout Cookie Program support our Girl Scouts.
19%
Troop proceeds
54%
Our council (programs for girls, volunteer training, camps, operations, financial assistance, and more)
5% Girl rewards
Cost of cookies
Go Bright Ahead”!
Girl Scout Program activities, such as the Girl Scout Cookie Program, provide important ingredients for leadership by helping girls develop five key skills:
Girls learn how to set goals and create a plan to reach them.
Girls learn how to make decisions on their own and as a team.
Money Management
Girls learn to create a budget and handle money.
People Skills
Girls find their voice and build confidence through customer interactions.
Girls learn to act ethically, both in business and life.
Ingredients
This year’s Girl Scout Cookie Program will kick off on January 18, 2023 and will run through April 2. All registered Girl Scouts, those in troops and individually registered, can participate in the Cookie Program.
January 18 February 1
Girls take orders
January 18 April 2
Girls take online orders with Smart Cookies
February 2 April 2
Girls take Keep-Goaling orders
February 17 19 National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend
March 3 April 2 Troops participate in Cookie Booths and Walkabouts
• 1 box Girl Scout Lemonades
• 1 box Girl Scout Trefoils
• 6–8 oz. cream cheese
• 1 bag white melting chocolate
Directions
Crush 10–12 Trefoil cookies and set aside. Crush the full package of Lemonades cookies in a food processor and add 6 ounces of cream cheese until combined (if crumbly, add the remaining 2 ounces of cream cheese). Roll into 1 1/4" balls and place on a cookie sheet. Refrigerate for 10 minutes. Melt chocolate. Dip each chilled ball into the melted chocolate and tap to remove excess. Place onto wax paper and sprinkle with crushed Trefoil cookies.
This year’s mascot is Coral the Dolphin with the theme
All proceeds from the Girl Scout Shops and girlscoutshop.com come right back to Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes to support girls and troops here in our community!
Visit our Appleton or Schofield Girl Scout Shops, or shop online anytime at www.gsnwgl.org/shop.
For over a century, Girl Scouts have proudly worn distinctive, grade-specific uniforms that symbolize everything a girl can achieve through Girl Scouts. Girls from each grade level have one official uniform item (a sash, vest, or tunic) to display badges, pins, insignia, and awards. This item is required when girls participate in ceremonies or officially represent Girl Scouts. Financial Assistance for uniforms is available.
Earn Trefoil Rewards stamps for every $20 spent in our Girl Scout Shops (in-store only).
Please visit gsnwgl.org for our most up-to-date shop hours.
When your Trefoil Rewards Card is filled with 10 stamps, redeem it for $10 off any purchase in the Girl Scout Shops. Fill your card even faster—the second Tuesday of each month is Double-Stamp Tuesday and customers earn two stamps for every $20 spent!
You’re earning badges, patches, and awards—but where do they belong? Here’s the rundown on what goes where on your tunic, sash, or vest.
Flag patch, council name patches, and troop numbers go on the front right, in that order, starting at the top.
Badges and Journey awards always go on the front, starting at the bottom. On a vest, badges go on the right and Journey awards on the left. On a sash, badges go below Journey awards.
Fun patches from trips and experiences always go on the back.
A Juliette, or individually registered Girl Scout, has the same Girl Scout experience as other girls, just without being in a troop. If you’re a Juliette family, connect with your council for support and to stay up-to-date on exciting events for the whole family.
Check gsEvents to sign up for fun learning events and add them to your family calendar.
There are virtual and in-person event options to help her earn a badge or Journey plus meet other girls her age.
Be prepared for each activity with the necessary prework and permission slips.
Ask if the event is a drop-off event or if your girl’s Juliette Mentor needs to attend.
Afterward, ask your girl what she’s learned and what got her excited!
Help your girl meet her financial goals by working with her in the Girl Scout Cookie Program.
I sent my mildly depressed and unmotivated camper to overnight camp; she returned happier and healthier than I have seen her in a long time. Thanks to the team for encouraging her to have a great time at camp.
My camper's counselor made my 5-year-old feel like a very capable person; she even reminded me at home that she is capable of doing things on her own. Thanks so much to her counselor for continuing to provide such a great experience for her.
The Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes Girl Advisory Board (GAB) is a dedicated group of 8th–12th grade Girl Scouts from across the council. The GAB provides ideas, guidance, and girl-driven recommendations on projects and initiatives aligned to the council strategy to the GSNWGL staff and board of directors. Members of the GAB will provide critical insight into what programs should be offered, how to attract and retain members, and ideas about how to increase awareness of the Girl Scout Movement. The GAB exists to ensure that the voices of Girl Scouts are heard.
Join our GSNWGL Girl Board Members, Ava Blackburn & Sandra Brierton, and be that voice.
Girl Advisory Board members serve for up to two years or until their high school graduation, whichever comes first. After serving one year as a GAB member, Girl Scouts are eligible to serve on the board of directors as girl members. The board of director girl members will serve as the GAB chair and vice chair.
If you meet the qualifications and can commit to the responsibilities and meeting schedule, please submit your application to the council.
The Girl Advisory Board is a great opportunity to make your voice heard in the future of Girl Scouts and to give feedback about important topics. The Girl Advisory Board provides many chances to meet new people and become the change you want to see.
—Ava Blackburn, GAB Chair
The Girl Advisory Board is a way to get girl voices heard and perspectives shared. Being on the Girl Advisory Board will give you the ability to develop programs and to meet the expectations of fellow Girl Scouts. This will give you the opportunity to share what activities you want to see in the council and help make your experience and that of others the best it can be.
—Sandra Brierton, GAB Vice Chair• Enrolled in 8th–12th grade for fall.
• Registered Girl Scout member.
• If accepted, girls must renew their membership by the start of the new membership year, October 1.
• Genuine interest in taking on a leadership role within the council.
• Ability to communicate with peers and adults.
• Ability to work well independently and as part of a team.
• Commitment to using technology as a platform for research and communication.
• Commitment to attending monthly GAB virtual meetings over the one-year term.
• These include one monthly call with the entire group; and one to two calls with a subcommittee. Day and time TBD by the GAB.
• Commitment to attending one annual inperson meeting (August).
• Commitment to an additional 2–4 hours per month as needed for research or tasks outside of meetings.
• Ability and willingness to perform related responsibilities as assigned.
Finding my best self, the self that is a servant leader and practices grace is because of Girl Scout Camp. Annie B (Ann Bishop) and Colleen Myers taught, modeled, and mentored girls and young women through their work at Chalk Hills Camp and Fox River Area Girl Scouts for twenty-five years. I am blessed to have them and a band of sisters in my life. Truly, when I ask what would Juliette (Gordon Low) do, I’m listening to the voices and lessons of Annie B and Colleen. I can do hard things with kindness and make our world better because of camp and Girl Scouting.
GROG began as a surprise staff reunion for longtime Chalk Hills camp director Annie B in 1978 and now includes staff from additional camps including grandmothers, daughters, and granddaughters. GROG stands for Gathering of the Royal Order of Greens, a fun tribute to the traditional Girl Scout uniform of green shorts and knee-hi’s and a white collared shirt worn by campers and staff. Like a family reunion, time together is spent catching up, following traditions, sharing memories, and singing. GROG alums come from around the world and remain involved in Girl Scouting as leaders, committee members, mentors, donors, and board members.
Do you have fond memories of your time in Girl Scouts? Now you can relive them by joining the Girl Scout Network. This community is made up of both those who were Girl Scouts as children and those who want to support Girl Scouts now as they achieve today’s dreams and imagine tomorrow’s possibilities.
More than 50 million women participated in Girl Scouts as children—were you one of them? Daisy, Brownie, Junior, or higher, it all counts when it comes to calling yourself a proud Girl Scout alum!
Girl Scout alums—adults who were Daisies, Brownies, or higher—are leading their fields and sharing their advice.
Girls—Invite a new friend to join Girl Scouts and get this AWESOME set of best friend bracelets! And matching patches, too!
Our current Girl Scouts are the best spokespeople! Tell a friend about the fun and adventures you have in Girl Scouting, and let them know you want them to join too! If they become a member by 9/1/2023, you will be mailed a set of best friend bracelets, plus a patch for you and your friend.
• Give them one of these awesome invites or ask them to join another way!
• Once they become a new Girl Scout member, go to gsnwgl.org/newfriends and let us know who you referred to become a Girl Scout.
• We will mail your bracelets and patches to share with your friend!
Donate.
Let’s chat!
and a Best Friends bracelet!
an awesome Girls Rock patch
when you do, we can both get
Girl Scouts with me. And
DearI’d like to invite you to join
Dear I’d like to invite you to join Girl Scouts with me.
when you do, we can both get an awesome Girls Rock patch
a Best Friends
chat!
We know Girl Scouts do awesome stuff! Girl Scouts are go-getters, innovators, risk-takers, and leaders, and we want to hear all about the things you do!
• Did you do an amazing community service project? Tell us about it!
• Did your troop go on an awesome outing? Tell us about it!
• Did a Girl Scout experience shape your life? Tell us about it!
Your stories are important to us and we want to hear from you. Complete the form at gsnwgl.org/en/members/tell-us-your-story.html to tell us all about your Girl Scout experiences, adventures, and memories. Oh, and we love pictures—share those too!
We are always on the lookout for Girl Scouts to feature in our photos, videos, and stories. If you’re interested in being a Media Girl—visit our website to see our current call for submissions.
Plus, you can earn a Media Girls patch to proudly display on the back of your uniform! gsnwgl.org/mediagirls
Find your adventure.
sure to visit our Events page
find all of our Council-run activities, events, and camps!
your Girl Scout is looking for troop trips, badgeearning programs, or wanting to get started on a highest
award project, you’ll find fun and engaging ways to expand your girl’s experience. gsnwgl.org/events
There’s still time! Fun with friends. New adventures. Make a difference. You’re ready to go and Girl Scouts is ready for you! gsnwgl.org/join
