2018 Family Guide

FAMILY GUIDE TO

WELCOME! On behalf of Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland Council, I’d like to welcome your family to Girl Scouts! For years, Girl Scouting has built girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place and the best is yet to come. We are uniting the best of our legacy leadership experiences in outdoor adventure, camping, and our cookie entrepreneurial program—with exciting, modern programs in STEM, computer science, financial literacy, and engineering to ensure we offer a truly one-of-a-kind experience for today’s girls.

, Risk-taker, Girl Scouts unleashes the G. R.L. (Go-getter, Leader)™ in every girl. The inclusive, all-girl environment of Girl Scouts creates a safe space where she can try new things and be herself. We remain committed to serving girls because the need for female leadership has never been greater. Girl Scouts is the best leadership development organization for girls, period.

With so many activities vying for your time, I commend you on making the decision to invest in her participation with Girl Scouts. Girl-led, expert-approved, and volunteer-supported, Girl Scouts provides every girl a chance to experience adventure and success.

Yours in Girl Scouting,

Tammy H. Wharton CEO Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland

MISSION Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.

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.

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.

A LIFE-LONG LEADERSHIP JOURNEY You want to see her happy, confident, strong, and ready to take the lead in her own life.

So do we.

As a Girl Scout, there are lots of ways to build leadership skills, make friends, and do things that have a positive impact on her life, her school, and her world.

Girl Scouts join troops, earn badges, hike, camp, and participate in the entrepreneurial cookie program. They can also explore careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math), travel the world, discover nature, and take on projects that transform their communities. At every level, Girl Scouts learn and grow while making the world a better place!

DAISIES K & 1ST GRADES learn what it means to be a Girl Scout, how to care for themselves and others while protecting our Earth’s treasures.

BROWNIES 2ND & 3RD GRADES go on a quest to find the three keys to leadership.

They explore their place in the wide world of girls.

JUNIORS 4TH & 5TH GRADES learn that leaders need power – their own, their team’ s and their

community’s.

Juniors are encouraged to achieve their

BRONZE AWARD*.

CADETTES 6TH - 8TH GRADES develop relationship skills needed to be leaders in their life and their world.

Cadettes are encouraged to achieve their

SILVER AWARD*.

SENIORS 9TH & 10TH GRADES have a vision and lead the world closer to it. Girls use their sisterhood to better themselves and the world.

Seniors are encouraged to achieve their

GOLD AWARD *, the highest award earned by a Girl Scout.

AMBASSADORS 11TH & 12TH GRADES raise their voices to advocate for issues they care about.

They actively move their dreams forward and learn that leaders aim for justice.

Ambassadors are encouraged to achieve their

GOLD AWARD *, the highest award earned by a Girl Scout.

* To learn more about the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards, visit gsoh.org/highestawards.

E

C N E R E F IF D T U O C S L IR G THE

Girl Scouts offers the very best leadership development experience for girls in the world. , Girl Scouts unleashes the G. R.L. (Go-getter, Risk-taker, Leader)™ in every girl , preparing her for a lifetime of leadership—from taking a night hike under the stars to accepting a mission on the International Space Station; from lobbying the city council with her troop to holding a seat in Congress; from running her own cookie business today to becoming a CEO tomorrow.

Our Girl Scout Leadership Experience is a one-of-a-kind leadership development program for girls with proven results. It is based on time-tested methods and research-backed programming that help girls take the lead—in their own lives and in the world.

Research shows that girls learn best in an all-girl, girl-led, and girl-friendly environment. Girl Scouts is a place where she’ll practice different skills, explore her potential, take on leadership positions—and feel allowed to fail, dust herself off, get up, and try again.

GIRL SCOUTS IS PROVEN TO HELP GIRLS IN FIVE KEY WAYS AS THEY: FORM AND MANTAIN HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS SEEK CHALLENGES AND LEARN FROM SETBACKS

DISPLAY POSITIVE VALUES

IDENTIFY AND SOLVE PROBLEMS IN THE COMMUNITY DEVELOP A STRONG SENSE OF SELF

Ways to Participate There are tons of ways to explore the world in Girl Scouts.

It all depends on what you’re interested in. Take a look!

Join a troop.

Have an outdoor adventure or head to camp.

Travel the country—maybe even the world.

Explore your interests through a Girl Scout Journey.

Participate in the Girl Scout Cookie Program.

GIRL SCOUTS IS

ACCESSIBLE, AFFORDABLE, AND VALUABLE

A Girl Scout is always prepared and we want you to be too!

Here’s a brief view of the monetary costs associated with being a Girl Scout.

Membership Dues The $30 annual membership dues ($25 to Girl Scouts of the USA plus a $5 council service fee) provide Girl Scout opportunities and supplemental medical insurance. The Girl Scout membership year runs October 1st September 30th.

Troop Dues Troops may also have “troop dues” which might cover the cost of activities, badge work, and field trips. Troop dues vary by troop and are decided by the girls, parents/caregivers, and troop leadership. Please contact your Girl Scout’s troop leadership volunteer for more information.

Uniforms Girl Scouts at each level have one official uniform item (tunic, vest, sash) for the display of official pins and awards. While not required for Girl Scout membership, this official uniform item is required when girls participate in ceremonies or officially represent the Girl Scout Movement. Visit www.girlscoutshop.com/GSOH.

Events, Camps, and Programs Girl Scouts also have the opportunity to participate in council sponsored events, camps, and programs. Girls can decide to attend as a troop or they can choose to attend activities individually. These activities generally have additional fees. Of course, we don’t want fees to be a barrier, so don’t hesitate to ask about financial assistance.

The inclusive, all-girl environment of Girl Scouts creates a safe space where girls can try new things, develop a range of skills, take on leadership roles, and just be themselves.

FAMILY PARTICIPATION Participate in Girl Scouts with your favorite girl.

Whether you take on the role of a troop leadership volunteer, help plan activities, drive girls on outings, supply meeting snacks, or share information about your profession during a troop meeting, your contribution is valued and vital. Your involvement will ensure she maximizes the benefits of being a Girl Scout...and you’ll have fun, too.

Support your Girl Scout Become a troop leadership volunteer.

Spend time with her and enjoy fun Girl Scout events and activities together.

Encourage her to take risks and try new things.

Ask about her experiences and let her amaze you with her wow-worthy stories.

Attend meetings, group activities, and special ceremonies together.

Stay connected through our social media channels, email newsletters, and website.

Support your troop leadership volunteers Communicate with troop leadership.

Provide permission and information needed for participation in activities.

Ensure current membership for your Girl Scout.

Provide transportation to and from meetings.

Complete and submit the Health History Form.

Recognize your troop leadership volunteers with occasional notes of thanks or consider coordinating a gift from parents/caregivers during Volunteer Appreciation Week in April.

Volunteer

Donate

Do you have a particular set of skills that you’re willing to share with all Girl Scouts? Are you organized or tech savvy? Do you have great business skills? Girl Scouts offers a variety of volunteer opportunities so get involved!

Family giving provides the financial resources for Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland to invest in the future of all girls here in central Ohio. Each gift is vital to our mission, and 100 percent of your contribution supports girls in our 30-county service area.

Visit gsoh.org/volunteer today.

Donate today at gsoh.org/donate.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA)

GIRLS ARE THE HEART OF OUR ORGANIZATION!

Our national organization supporting the work of more than 100 councils across the U.S. and abroad for more than 100 years.

Headquartered in New York, New York.

TROOP

Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland

SERVICE UNIT

Independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit chartered by GSUSA operating under the direction of a local board of directors and overseeing all service units and troops within a given geographic area.

GSUSA

Service Uni t

Troop

Comprised of volunteers who support the work of troop volunteers within a given geographic area.

Volunteer-supervised groups of girls who participate in the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.

GIRL SCOUT

PRODUCT PROGRAMS

“From planning to proceeds and everything in between”

PLE SKIL EO

“I get a lifetime supply of confidence with every box”

BU

P

MON E

DE

MANAGE

NESS ETH SI

S IC

“I learn how to choose the option that’s right for me”

Y

LS

G IN

“I decide what I want to achieve”

N MA SIO K CI

ENT M

L SETTIN OA G

G

By participating in the Girl Scout Fall Product and Cookie Programs, your next generation entrepreneur will get an important taste of what it takes to be successful by developing these five critical skills.

“Selling cookies is more than just business”

Camps Camp Ken-Jockety/ Elam Environmental Center Franklin County

Camp Crooked Lane D

Morrow County

LAN

CRAWFORD

RICHLAND

ASH

WYANDOT

Zanesville Program Center*

WAYNE

Muskingum County MARION

Camp Molly Lauman

HOLMES MORROW

Scioto County

KNOX UNION

COSHOCTON

DELAWARE

LICKING

Camp Wakatomika GUERNSEY

FRANKLIN M AD IS

ON

MUSKINGUM

FAIRFIELD

Hocking County

Service Centers

FAYETTE HOCKING

Columbus Franklin County Chillicothe Ross County Mansfield Richland County Marion Marion County Molly Lauman Scioto County Zanesville* Muskingum County

ROSS

VINTON HIGHLAND PIKE JACKSON

SCIOTO

Camp Beckoning Trails

PERRY

PICKAWAY

ADAMS

Licking County

GALLIA

*features the Make Zone

ABOUT MY TROOP

QUESTIONS?

Keep all the vital information about your troop here for your future reference.

WE HAVE ANSWERS!

Troop:

E-mail:

customercare@gsoh.org

Service Unit:

Phone:

Meeting Day and Time:

800-621-7042 or 614-487-8101

Meeting Location: Troop Dues: Amount $

per

Troop Leadership Contact Information: Name:

Customer Care Hours: August 16 - May 15 Monday through Thursday 8:30 am - 7:00 pm Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm May 16 - August 15 Monday through Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Phone: Email: My GS Log-in information: User ID: Password:

/GirlScoutsOH