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The Official Publication of Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council | Volume 47 Issue 1
January/February 2021
The Golden
Troop #122292 was last year's Bling Your Booth winner See what's new for this year's Cookie Program January/February 2021 l The Golden Link
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President of the Council and Chair of the Board Marguerite Woung-Chapman Chief Executive Officer Mary Vitek Chief External Affairs Officer Connie Chavez Communications Director Sara Orsi Visual Brand Manager Joanne Pastalaniec
Members of Troop #106234 finally were able to get out to Camp Agnes Arnold for the day to work on their Junior Outdoor Art and Trail Adventurer badges. Getting out to Girl Scout camp was so great for the girls’ spirit during this Pandemic.
Mission Statement GSSJC: Girl Scouts builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. Pluralism Statement Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council is a pluralistic movement, committed to understanding our similarities and differences, building relationships and promoting a dialogue of acceptance and respect. Each individual involved must uphold the tenet that Girl Scouting is for all girls. Circulation The Golden Link is published five times a year. It has a circulation of more than 44,000. The Golden Link is also available online at www.gssjc.org. The Golden Link reaches 26 Texas counties: Angelina, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Hardin, Harris, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Trinity, Tyler, Walker, Waller and Wharton. To report address changes or if you have problems receiving The Golden Link call Customer Service at 713-292-0300. Deadlines Deadline for submitting items is the first of the month two months prior to publication. GSSJC does not accept responsibility for unsolicited materials. Send news and photographs and Scrapbook photos to communications@sjgs.org. Advertisements Advertising rates are available by calling 713-292-0314. Advertisements are accepted in good faith that all the information is correct. Acceptance of advertising does not reflect endorsement of services or goods by the Council. The Golden Link is published six times a year by Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council, 3110 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77098 713-292-0300 The Golden Link is also available to read online at www.gssjc.org/publications Copyright Š2020. All rights reserved. Please recycle this publication. 2
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Contents
January/February 2021 3 3
From the Top Shop News
Special Feature 4
Girl Scout Cookie Program
2021 Cookie Season starts soon! Page 4
Features 11 Adult Recognition Event 11 Girl Scouts Got Talent 11 Sister Troop Camp Mentoring Program 12 Stories from Family Days at Misty Meadows Ranch 13 What's New at the Girl Scout Shop
Activities 14 General Activities 18 Backpacking 18 Environmental 19 Fine Arts 20 Health 20 Highest Awards 21 Sports 22 STEM 26 Travel
Columns 27 Adult Trainings 28 Philanthropy 29 Scrapbook
Family Days at Misty Meadows Ranch. Page 12
New Older Girl Uniform Pieces. Page 13
Hello 2021 and goodbye 2020! While I am sorely tempted to add “and good riddance” at the end of 2020 (so, so tempted), I won’t. While 2020 will rightly be remembered as the year that a global pandemic took hold of our physical wellbeing and collective psyches and shook hard, it was also the year that saw women around the world Marguerite Woungaccomplish extraordinary things or Chapman break through barriers in the world Chair of the Board and President of the Council of science, politics, sports, you name it. It was the year that Abby Plunkett from our very own council was chosen as one of ten National Gold Award Girl Scouts. We also saw the rapid acceleration of nascent trends, particularly the migration to virtual, that shape our future hopefully for the better. It has already shaped GSSJC’s future with our first ever virtual annual meeting and Success to Significance fundraiser, launching Girl Scouting from Home, virtual member recruitment and more robust online volunteer resources just to name a few. And we continue to innovate on these trends and how to incorporate them with in-person experiences. None of this should be taken as an attempt to downplay our reality in 2020 and how serious things were and are. But it does mean no good riddance from me … even though my closing the door on 2020 may sound suspiciously like slamming. So, as I head into 2021 what am I most looking forward to? Well I am a Girl Scout so duh… Cookie Season!! Selling cookies is part of the Girl Scout DNA - powering the entrepreneurial spirit in all of our girls. Back on the ground, cookie sales are how most troops secure year-round funding for activities like a special trip, a weekend of camping or next year’s dues. Putting my President of the Council hat on, Cookie Season is also incredibly important to me because cookie proceeds fund more than 60% of our annual Council budget each year. With 100% of membership dues going to our national organization, we rely on the Cookie Program to keep local registration fees low; offset the cost of your favorite programs and activities; and help fund our amazing camps, volunteer trainings and online resources; and so much more! This Cookie Season we will see innovation of blending virtual with real life experience really come into play. In this edition of our digital Golden Link magazine, you will find key dates and a few details about the upcoming sale. I hope you all are as excited as I am to try the new Toast – Yay! cookie. As I close, my last thought on 2020 is that it was the year that I became the President of this Council. While I felt frequently tested, I never despaired. How can I when I am surrounded by almost 18,000 volunteers that stand ready to lift each other up into the future. 2021 is here and I am there for it!
From the
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Shop News In addition to curbside pick-up for online and phone orders, Girl Scout Shops are now offering in-person shopping. An appointment is required for both in-person shopping as well as curbside pickup. Call the shop to make an appointment. You may also email shop@sjgs.org. Appointments are available at most locations on Tuesdays, Wednesdays* and Thursdays from 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. These locations will be open on Friday from 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. To place your curbside/lobby order, please download and complete the order form linked above and email it to shop@sjgs.org with your preferred pick-up time. You may also call your closest shop to place your order and arrange pick-up. *Lufkin is NOT open on Wednesdays or Fridays. Westside is offering curbside pick-ups only on Wednesdays and no in-person shopping. Bay Area* 281-282-6077 1300 A Bay Area Blvd., Ste. 106 Houston, TX 77058
Lufkin 936-634-4688 1202 College Dr Lufkin, TX 75904
Beaumont* 409-832-0556, Ext. 1500 700 North St. Suite F Beaumont, TX 77701
Stafford* 281-670-5982 12300 Parc Crest, Ste. 170 Stafford, TX 77477
Imperial Valley* 281-447-8870 15800 Imperial Valley Dr. Houston, TX 77060
Westside 281-822-4250
Houston* 713-292-0247 3000 Southwest Freeway Houston, TX 77098
Cypress* 346-818-322719708 NW Fwy, Suite 100, Jersey Village, TX 77065
531 FM 359 South Brookshire, TX 77423
New Leader Must-Knows!
Are you a new Girl Scout leader? Here are some things you need to know for the next few months.
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Girl Scout Cookie Program kicks off Feb. 6 and runs through March 28. Get your troop involved! Select a troop cookie manager, take online training and you’re ready to go! For more info, visit gssjc.org/cookies. Grab your Cookie Rally in a Box to get your troop excited for this season. It includes activities for girls to set goals, develop a business plan and more. Plus, we’ll be hosting a livestream event on Saturday, Jan. 23 on Facebook and YouTube. Learn more at gssjc.org/activities. World Thinking Day is Feb. 22. On this day, we celebrate the sisterhood of Girl Scouts and Girl Guides around the world. Visit girlscouts.org/worldthinkingday for activities for your troop level. Get ready for: Girl Scout Week March 7-13! This week celebrates the founding of Girl Scouts on March 12, 1912 and troops are encouraged to celebrate Girl Scouting in the community. January/February 2021 l The Golden Link
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Special Feature
Get Ready for the 2021 Girl Scout Cookie Program! The upcoming Girl Scout Cookie Program is a beloved, timehonored tradition that is part of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. GSSJC is carefully considering our everchanging landscape in this health crisis and is proactively creating the strongest and safest Cookie Program for our girls and volunteers. We are rethinking the normal ways to sell cookies and working to create contactless sales, deliveries and payment options, along with some new virtual opportunities. We will continue to keep girls’ health, safety and wellbeing top of mind. We will adapt the Cookie Program based on the latest information from the CDC and local and state government organizations. The 2021 Cookie Program may look very different due to COVID-19, but remember, customers are still looking for their favorite Girl Scout Cookies. We need to work together to find creative ways to deliver!
Important Dates for the Cookie Program: January 14: Deadline for troop cookie managers to submit their starting inventory order. January 23: Contactless order-taking begins. Girls can send e-cards and get organized for their porch drops offs, which begin February 6. January 27: Troops may begin picking up cookies from designated cookie drops. February 6: The 2021 Cookie Program begins! Girls may begin delivering cookies and selling to the general public at this time. February 12: Cookie booth sales begin. Health and safety guidelines permitting, booth sales will begin on Feb. 12. Troops and girls can do virtual booths using their unique URLs. March 28: The 2021 Cookie Program ends.
The Impact of the Girl Scout Cookie Program Every female leader has started where your Girl Scout is now: as a young girl looking for experiences and role models to teach her how to live her life. Your girl is already one step ahead of the game – she’s a Girl Scout! With us, she’s developing a strong sense of self, seeking challenges and learning from setbacks, displaying positive values, forming and maintaining healthy relationships and identifying and solving problems in the community. Her next step: getting her feet wet in entrepreneurship. Whether she’s participated in the Cookie Program for several years or this is her first year, girls learn and enhance their skills around goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics.
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Why is this so important? Greater job creation and economic independence will result when entrepreneurship is nurtured in girls. With this in mind, we want to help equip female leaders of tomorrow. To make supporting her even easier, look for the digital Cookie Family Guide in January. You’ll see where the money goes, tips for handling cookie money, how you can help her market her cookie business, safety tips and so much more. While the Cookie Program assists girls in earning funds toward exciting and educational activities as well as community projects, our research shows it also helps Girl Scouts thrive as they take on leadership roles and try new things. This timehonored tradition not only shapes the entrepreneurial spirit of participants but also builds girls of courage, confidence and character!
Special Feature
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Special Feature
Why Your Girl Scout Should Absolutely Participate Want to know a Girl Scout secret? “Cookie season” never really ends – at least, not at the Girl Scout Center. GSSJC staff is always thinking about how to make our Cookie Program even better – how to improve trainings, how to improve the girl experience and how to make it easy for every girl to participate. It’s that secret that helped GSSJC become one of the top selling councils in the past four years! And with your help, you can help us repeat that success. How does a successful Cookie Program impact you? Lots of ways! Girls earn funds that help them do amazing things. They might choose to use their funds for a service project and feed hungry kids in their neighborhood. Maybe they’ll go to a STEM workshop, become inspired and grow up to be the scientist that discovers the cure to cancer. Or those cookie funds could send a girl to camp where she breaks out of her shell, gains confidence and wows everyone with her leadership. The possibilities are endless, really. In addition to the many benefits to girls – which you’ll read more about shortly – the Cookie Program also helps the council do things like feed horses at Misty Meadows Ranch, add additional canoes at Camp Agnes Arnold and maintain all our camp properties so girls have a place to experience the outdoors. When your daughter participates in the Girl Scout Cookie Program, she isn’t just selling grandma a couple boxes of Thin Mints. She has the opportunity to change the world, to make Girl Scouting better for future Girl Scouts and, most importantly, transform herself, step by step, into a young woman of courage, confidence and character.
Cookie Rally Calling all registered Girl Scouts! You and your troop are invited to participate in our first-ever Cookie College in a box rally. It’s time to get excited about cookies! Use your entrepreneurial skills to set yourself up for success during the upcoming cookie season. Registered troops/IRGs (individually registered girls) will receive all the makings of a wonderful cookie rally packaged in a box along with easy-to-use curriculum. Girls will complete all activities of Cookie College with their Girl Scout friends. Participating girls will also receive a coupon book filled with exclusive coupons to use at the Girl Scout Shop. The event will be livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube. The link will be sent out to all girls before the event. Join in on the fun and participate in our cookie-related competitions. Winners will be announced during the rally. For more information on the competitions, visit our website. Cost: Contact: Where: When:
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$6/girl, $3/adult Lola Akapo, lakapo@sjgs.org, 713-292-0353 Virtual, Livestream Saturday, Jan. 23, 10 – 11 a.m.
Special Feature
How to Help Your Girl Scout Get Started Participating in the Cookie Program provides girls with a leadership experience that helps them build skills they will use today and tomorrow, such as money management (her allowance today, paycheck tomorrow), people skills (nailing those college interviews) and goal setting (knowing how to step up to a challenge – anytime, anywhere). When she has her family’s support, there’s nothing a Girl Scout can’t do. The Cookie Program is a great opportunity for families to discuss being responsible with money. It is not just the largest girl-led business in the country; it’s also the largest financial literacy program for girls. Financial literacy – knowing how to make, manage, spend and invest money – is a critical skill that impacts the quality of your Girl Scout’s future. The Cookie Program activities are designed to help your Girl Scout move toward a financially independent future.
10 Steps to Cookie-selling Success Your cookie customers know how much they love Shortbreads, but they may not know about the skills you learn by participating in the Cookie Program. We’re talking about things like goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics – stuff you need to know to be successful. We’ve made a super-simple guide to help you get the most of your cookie selling experience.
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Be safe! Learn all the new safety protocols before you start your business. Be sure you have your safety supplies, your face-covering/mask and are ready to run a safe business by paying attention to how to keep yourself and your customers safe. Say hello: Just say “hi.” It gets everything off on the right foot. Make eye contact. It can be kind of weird looking people you don’t know in the eye and talking to them. But it’s a big part of building trust and respect for others. It says, “Hey, we’re serious about what we’re doing.” Ask if she’s a Girl Scout: You’ll be surprised at how many Girl Scouts are out there. More than 59 million women have been part of Girl Scouts. Ask what it was like for her. Share your goal: You and your team have set goals and made decisions about what you’ll do with the money you earn. Maybe you’re going to a place you haven’t been or supporting a cause you care about. Whatever it is, let people know. They’ll be impressed. Show off your inventory: Everyone has a favorite cookie, but there are a lot of different ones. So be prepared to tell them about all the cookies in your inventory. Point out our package design: The cookie packages tell the story of what Girl Scouts do. Show your customers the packages and tell them your own story. Talk about money: Money is a big responsibility. Even if you get help from a volunteer, you have to make sure you have a role in handling it and managing it. And you need your customers to know how you plan to use the money you earn. So make sure they know. Share why you’re a Girl Scout: Everyone joins Girl Scouts for a different reason. Whether it’s to make friends or accomplish big things–or both–let people know. Find out how you did: Your cookie business is hard work. Always welcome tips on how to be better at it. And if they don’t tell you, find out. After the sale, ask the customer how the sale went and what you could’ve done to make it better. Say thanks: Saying “thank you” is easy. And it means a lot to the people buying cookies. January/February 2021 l The Golden Link
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Special Feature
What You Need to Know: Cookie Booths
Cookie booths may look very different this year. Booths may not be able to set up in our typical locations or may not look the same as in previous years. With health and safety guidelines permitting, booths will begin on Feb. 12 and run through March 28. There may be opportunities to participate in a drive-thru or curbside booths. New this year: cookie booths can be virtual. Smart Cookies has been redesigned to allow both troops and girls to have a virtual cookie booth link to share on social media or through email to friends and family.
Contactless Delivery and Payment
New Girl Delivery Option: customers can now pay at the time of order by credit card. This makes it easy for safe, contactless delivery to your favorite customers.
Be Amazing! Support Your Girl Scout in the 2021 Cookie Program
Help her set up her online account. ABC Smart Cookies will send an email to complete your Girl Scouts registration so she can do AMAZING things safely online. She can: • Send e-cards to friends, families, and neighbors to request support for her cookie business. Orders can be for delivery or direct ship. New in 2021: girl delivery orders can be prepaid by credit card for a contactless, safe girl delivery. • Share her personal URL online, in an email or text message to take orders for girl delivery or direct ship. Together, girls and their caregivers can decide to allow girl delivery, pre-paid orders. Caregivers must approve any girl delivery orders received through this URL. • Participate with her troop in virtual booth sales. Your troop cookie manager will be receiving more details in Cookie Basics training.
Encourage Goal Setting • • •
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Help her set her goal and add it to Smart Cookies. Help her monitor her progress during the program. Ask her to share her troop sales goals and what activities the troop has planned. Encourage her to share her goals when posting on social media or contacting customers.
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Support Her Program Activities
While it is tempting to take orders or send out emails for your Girl Scout, it is better to support her and build her confidence. You can support her by: • Asking questions and help her practice her sales pitch. You can even help her make a video sales pitch. • Help her reach her new and past customers In safe and creative ways. Consider a yard sign at home with her virtual booth URL or contactless “lemonade stand” at home. Help her think creatively about contactless delivery for customers at your workplace or place of worship. Go with her in the neighborhood to drop off the cookie deliveries. • Help her build a contact network in Smart Cookies with emails of friends, families and associates.
Be a Volunteer for Her Troop
The Cookie Program has many moving parts and your Girl Scout’s troop needs your help. You might consider helping by being the troop cookie manager, organizing booth sales, helping to pick up and distribute cookies, work at a cookie booth or teach girls how to set goals and manage their inventory. There are lots of ways to help!
Special Feature
Our 2020 Bling Your Booth Winners Share Their Best Cookie Tips
For Troop #122292, the Cookie Program is all about setting goals and achieving them. Each
year the girls get excited about picking out their cookie reward activities and work hard to sell enough cookies to realize their goal. And, according to Troop Leader Erin Sanchez, it has been a great way for the girls to gain self-confidence.
“They work hard to sell cookies on their own and at cookie booths, and it gives them a sense
of accomplishment,” she says. “We practice with the girls in the meetings leading up to cookie sales to help them know what to say to a customer. We’ve seen even our quietest girls come out of their shell and address customers at a cookie booth.”
So how do they set their goals…and how can your troop too? First, Troop
#122292 sets two goals. Their first goal is all about giving back to a cause they feel strongly about – and one you see reflected in their Bling Your Booth design that won our 2020 competition. “For the 2020 Cookie Program, the girls had recently learned about the devastating fires in Australia and decided they wanted to do something to help. We found a program through The Scouts Association of Australia that sold patches and donated 100% of the funds to the relief effort.”
Their second goal is a reward. For the 2020
program, their original goal was to sell enough cookies to host a skate party. Due to COVID-19, they changed it to a virtual cookie and painting class… with the hope of hosting a skate party after a future cookie sale. “Have a goal and make sure each girl knows how many boxes she needs to sell to get there,” says Erin when asked how other troops can set their own goals. “Girls should let the customer know about their goal is and how close they are to achieving it.”
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Special Feature
Troop Dreams of Traveling Across the Country Thanks to Cookies The Cookie Program is a great way for girls to earn funds for upcoming activities, such as badge workshops, camping trips and service Troop #118006 in December 2019 at Casa Mare. projects. But some troops, like Troop #118006, dream a bit bigger. Since kindergarten the girls, who are now seventh grade Cadettes, have participated in the Cookie Program. They’ve saved most of their cookie proceeds since they became Juniors to take a troop trip together before they graduate. Where will they go? The decision-making process is still ongoing, but Hawaii or a trip to Washington D.C. and New York City are on the table. “We talked about [taking a trip] when they were younger, so when they became Juniors and I told them that they were old enough to start saving, they were excited,” says volunteer Michelle Auenson. “For some of them, they won't have any other opportunity to travel on the type of trip we're going to take. For some of them, they might get to travel otherwise, but they won't have a say in where they go or what they do.” Michelle says keeping the girls motivated towards achieving this goal is easy. Once they learned that their hard work pays off, they have consistently set personal goals and cheered fellow troop mates on to reaching their goals too. The girls also band together to host “just one more” cookie booth.“Their confidence at cookie booths grows so much each year,” says Michelle. “They work about 50 booths every season, and they have developed a system that they use at all of them. When new girls have joined our troop, the other girls train them to use the same methods so that every one of our cookie booths looks and runs the same.” Troop #118006 encourages others to follow their lead in long-term planning and use the Cookie Program as an opportunity to fund experiences they might not otherwise have access to in their school or personal lives. In also gives them an incentive to return to Girl Scouting year after year. “Selling cookies has allowed us to do many things that some of the girls wouldn't get to do otherwise,” says Michelle. “The troop pays for all camping and most field trips, as well as meeting supplies and badges. I think having a long-term goal has helped some girls with deciding to stay in the troop - they've worked hard and don't want to miss out on what they've been working for.”
How T roop #123003 Adapted to the Pandemic in Their 2020 Cookie Program Sales It was the twist ending none of us saw coming to the 2020 Cookie Program: a pandemic that would prevent in-person gatherings, including cookie booths. But when faced with a challenge and 122 packages left to sell, members of Troop #123003 immediately went into problem solving mode, as any Girl Scout worth her Thin Mints would, and came up with a solution: they would ask family and friends via social media to purchase their final round of cookies as a donation sale, then they would donate those cookies along with cloth masks to frontline workers. The cookies were sold within a matter of days. “Some of our families were making cloth masks at home already, and as we were brainstorming ideas for what to do with our cookie packages, my daughter suggested we could entice people to buy boxes as donations if we would include the cloth masks as part of the donation,” says Troop Leader Amanda Focke. “We all got excited about that idea, as it gave us a concrete way to help our community in the pandemic, and got our cookies sold, which supports Girl Scout activities for many girls. It was a win-win idea.” The Cookie Program was paused in mid-March, and by early April the girls were able to make their donation. It was a great way to adapt to new circumstances while also looking out for their community. “The girls learned that if you are engaged in the community by helping others, people will be interested in helping you do that,” says Amanda. “A lot of our buyers for these cookies had already purchased cookies for themselves from our troop, and they were willing to buy more when they saw how the girls were making and donating masks for donation in our community.” Troop #123003 donated 122 packages of cookies and 30 cloth masks to local healthcare workers and firefighters. One firefighter liked his so much, he contacted the troop to ask for more. “The health care workers and firemen and women we donated them to were really excited to receive this love and support from the Girl Scouts,” says Amanda. “At such a stressful time, it means a lot to be thought of and thanked. The donors of cookies also felt good about helping this happen. It gave them a sense of hope that in the midst of scary times [that] Girl Scouts are still stepping up and doing what they do best - making the world a better place.” That’s something the girls plan to do again this cookie season. Troop #123003 says they continue to participate in the program to help support GSSJC camps (a portion of the funds earned from each package is put towards improving camp properties) because it’s their favorite activity to enjoy together. 10 January/February 2021 l The Golden Link
Features
Adult Recognition Event April 17, 2021
This has been a challenging year for Girl Scout councils everywhere and GSSJC has risen to the challenge of delivering program and volunteer training under a new set of conditions with pretty amazing results. As our award season approaches, reflect on the amount of pivoting and effort volunteers have undertaken to serve their girls and nominate those who have gone above the beyond to make this happen. Our national and council awards serve to recognize and appreciate these efforts every year, but this year is especially significant. Please take the time to nominate a volunteer(s) in your Community who has made an impact on girls this year. Those girls needed Girl Scouts more than ever and we would love to show our appreciation for those that made it happen. Thank you for believing in the Girl Scout mission and creating an experience for girls this year while managing some great obstacles. Volunteers will be recognized formally at our Adult Recognition Event on April 17 in a special way. Our online nomination form can be found at gssjc.org/ nomination. The nomination deadline is Feb. 15 for presentation at the event and March 15 for Communtiy sponsored presentations.
Did you know that hundreds of girls have shared their talent with their troops and Communities? January 12 -15 tune into see the top 20 girls and get ready to vote for your favorite. Then the top eight will perform live January 21 on air to compete for the grand prize trip to Universal Studios. A celebrity judge will be on air to pick the winner of Girl Scouts Got Talent.
Love to camp? Love Girl Scouts? Get a new troop outdoors and into a camping experience by taking them camping with your more-experienced troop! Troop camping can be a little intimidating for a new troop leader or inexperienced adult camper. Nothing would make a first-time camping trip more fun than to go with a troop that has done it before and knows all the ins and outs of the camping experience. Teach the new troop songs, a yummy recipe cooked over the campfire or, even better, a new ceremony or campfire tradition. More information and suggestions for this program are posted on Camping Central in the GSSJC Online Community. Be a sister to every camping Girl Scout!
New Girl Scout Resource Center Opens Near Cypress!
The newest Girl Scout Resource Center has opened at 19708 Northwest Fwy., Ste 100, Jersey Village, TX 77065. It includes a shop and meeting rooms. Limited in person appointments are available. Visit gssjc.org/covid19 for details. Call 346-818-3227 for information on this shops availability.
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Features
Stories from Family Days at Misty Meadows Ranch Celebrating the great outdoors has been a part of Girl Scouts since the very beginning. While much of Girl Scouting has changed since the start of the pandemic, almost every aspect of Girl Scout programming and events have been transformed, including camp experiences. In response to COVID-19, after the summer resident camps and other in-person program offerings were canceled, we determined that we could safely offer a series of one-day events at camp to families, ensuring social distancing, mask use, and sanitation. The Family Days events were first held over three weeks at the end of summer, with a very low maximum capacity for people on property. Groups were given a rotating schedule, participating only with members of their immediate household, with staff sanitizing equipment between use. We are happy to say that Family Days has been an overall success, allowing our Girl Scouts (and their families!) to experience the best parts of camp in the safest way possible. Here is what a few of the families that joined us have to say about their experiences: “The girls enjoyed their time riding the horses. They really got into Love, Hug and Groom. The archery instructor was full of energy and encouragement. She managed to get the granddaughter that planned to sit out the activity to join in. It was my first experience with a bow and arrow. She even had encouraging words as she was fighting with a spider web to get my arrow in the woods. We did really enjoy ourselves. It was great to be outdoors. The virus has kept us from freedom of movement for so long. Camp was good for our souls.” “This camp day was amazing and very well planned. I will use the ideas for my own Girl Scout troop. I would like to do it again next year!! My son was so happy to participate too.” “Excellent camp! I really appreciate the organization, fun, and friendliness of the staff. We would definitely do it again. The thoughtfulness and cleaning procedure at archery, crafts and food handling was fantastic.” “I was a Girl Scout, so I know from years of personal experience how well the camps are run. However, my husband has never experienced a Girl Scout function. He just kept raving about the facilities, how well organized everything was, and how professional and outgoing the counselors were. He’s excited to participate in future events at Misty Meadows! Thank you for a wonderful experience.” “As a generational Girl Scouting family, the loss of our 6 year old daughter's inaugural camp experience (originally signed up for a Daisy Day) due to COVID-19 was particularly hard on her as she had been so excited for it. We completely understood the reasoning behind it and took it in stride, but were elated with the concept of Family Day which would still allow her (and her happy momma!) to enjoy a camp experience. Thank you for finding a way to allow us to safely enjoy camp and make my daughter's summer dream a reality again! All the activities were fun, appropriate, and well-received; I'm still in shock my 6-year-old made it the full day, but she was determined to enjoy the full schedule of activities. We are so appreciative to all the staff that helped make this day a success and would definitely participate in similar future activities should the pandemic continue to impact camp offerings.” “My daughter was thrilled at a return to somewhat normal activities. She has been tired of the virtual activities since the end of May and was bummed when her planned summer camp was canceled. Although she has continued to enjoy the online virtual summer camps, this opportunity helped revive her spirit that things will eventually be normal again. Thank you to all of the camp staff.” “We had an amazing time, despite the heat. My daughter and I were so happy to be back at camp - Misty is truly her happy place (she's also in SPURS).” “The staff made us feel welcomed. It was obvious that everything was well planned for the distancing and health issues of everyone there.” “My daughter and I loved our day at camp! Everything was very organized and camp staff were wonderful.” We continued to offer Family Days throughout the fall at several camps. We were delighted that this program was so well received by our families. During this challenging time, Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council is committed to offering the quality programming that girls need, safely. There are many ways to support Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council. For information visit gssjc.org/donate or contact the Development office at 713-292-0346 or donate@sjgs.org. For information on upcoming activities for girls, go to the activities section in this issue or to MyGS. 12 January/February 2021 l The Golden Link
What's New in the Shop? Older Girl Apparel!
Shop online Pick up curbside Or make an appointment to shop in person at shop@sjgs.org
Cargo Skirt $32 Cargo Pants $39 Official older girl cargo vest $34
Chambray Shirt Dress $39
Charcoal Drawstring Joggers $29 Activewear Pocket Leggings $29
Chambray Camp Shirt $32 Side-Tie Trefoil T-shirt $28
French Terry Drawstring Sweatshirt $34 Denim Jacket $49
Classic Trefoil T-shirt $20
Skater Dress $34 Denim Utility Wrap $32
Zip-Up Hoodie $39 January/February 2021 l The Golden Link 13
Activities
Girl and Troop Activities Register for activities under the Activities tab in MyGS. Go to www.gssjc.org and select MyGS, log in to“Member Profile," then select Activities. If you have a question about your activity, contact 713-292-0370 or 1-800-392-4340. If you have a problem with your login, contact Customer Service at 713-292-0300 or registration@sjgs.org. Bring: For all events, bring Permission Slip F-204 and Medical Form F-185 for each girl and the Adult Emergency Form F-22 for each adult.
Attention Daisy Leaders! Look for the Daisy in this section for activities that Daisies can attend. Look for this symbol in indicate a virtual program offering.
Announcing an Improved Customer Experience! We are excited to share our new event registration platform with you. See below for tips on how to use our updated search page. • ZIP Code search parameters – so you can find an event close to home! Choose a search radius of 10 miles, 20 miles or even 90 miles. (Pro tip: enter the ZIP code of the event if you know it. Otherwise, you can search a radius related to your home.) • A ZIP code will be required to search, but you can still use a keyword search – the keyword box is about halfway down the detailed search page. • Better transparency – It is now easier to keep track of all of your payments, cancellations, refunds, and balances due. Plus, every adult associated with a girl’s account can see events she is registered for – that means guardians AND leaders. • More event details – You will now see more clearly if waitlist spots are available, when registration deadlines are and the number of remaining spots without having to log into your account. You can also more clearly see cancellation policies and deadlines. • Multi-transaction purchases can now be completed – Register for multiple events and/or renew for Girl Scouts all in one credit card transaction. • It’s easier than ever to let people know about an event – Click the “share” icon on a registration page to get a link to email to your troop or Girl Scout friends. By now, you should have received an email from GSUSA with your account log in credentials. If you did not receive or open this email, you will need to reset your password the first time you log into our new event registration platform. (But don’t worry, we will have a single sign-on across events, VTK, etc. like we did before!) If you have not done so yet, check out the new site for event offerings!
General Activities Cadette Animal Helpers VIRTUAL
Animals have always provided humans with food, clothing, and transportation, but today they’re also trained to help people with disabilities, find people who are lost and even discover tumors. In this workshop, look how animal help humans! Who: ⓒ When: Feb. 22, 5 – 7 p.m., March 20, 10 a.m. – noon Where: Online Cost: $13 Contact: Julia Shank, 713-292-0338, jkshank@sjgs.org
Brownie Pets Badge
Find out what care different pets need, how to keep them comfy, how to keep them healthy and safe and make them feel loved! Who: ⓑ When: Feb. 22, 5 – 7 p.m., March 20, 10 a.m. – noon Where: Online Cost: $13 Contact: Julia Shank, 713-292-0338, jkshank@sjgs.org
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Get excited for the Cookie Program at the Cookie Rally! See information on page 5.
GSSJC Gay Straight Alliance Interest Group
GSSJC's Gay-Straight Alliance serves to empower and educate Girl Scouts surrounding LGBTQ+ issues. We will lead inclusive, engaging and educational programming in order to create Queer and allied leaders within Girl Scouts. This could include a History of Pride patch, troop leader training and teaching Girl Scouts how to confront homophobia. Creator and Gold Award Girl Scout Liv Rubenstein has a wonderful vision for this new interest group, and we would love for you to join. If you are interested please contact Olivia Rubenstein at orubenstein22@sjs.org or GSLE Manager Heather Vandivort at hvandivort@sjgs.org. We hope to see you at our next meeting. ⓓ-Daisy ⓑ-Brownie ⓙ-Juniors ⓒ-Cadettes ⓢ-Seniors ⓐ-Ambassadors
Activities
Financial Literacy Workshops
Are you interested in learning how money works? Do you enjoy learning about what money can be used for, what budgets are and how to make more money? You’re invited to dive into the world of Financial Literacy through completion of these workshops. Create your own budget and earn badges! Contact: Lola Akapo, lakapo@sjgs.org Workshop Date and Time GS Level Price Location Cadette Financing My Dreams Jan. 8, 15, 22 ⓒ $10 Virtual Brownie Money Manager Jan. 8, 15, 22 ⓑ $10 Virtual Daisy Money Counts Jan. 8, 15, 22 ⓓ $5 Virtual Junior Business Owner Jan. 8, 15, 22 ⓙ $10 Virtual Senior Buying Power Jan. 8, 15, 22 ⓢ $10 Virtual Ambassador On My Own Jan. 8, 15, 22 ⓐ $10 Virtual Adult Financial Freedom Workshop Series: Budgeting Feb. 6, 10 a.m.- 11 a.m. Adults Free Virtual Adult Financial Freedom Workshop Series: Savings Feb. 6, 11 a.m. – noon Adults Free Virtual Adult Financial Freedom Workshop Series: Credit Reports Feb. 13,10 a.m. –11 a.m. Adults Free Virtual Adult Financial Freedom Workshop Series: Credit Scores Feb. 13, 11 a.m. – noon Adults Free Virtual Adult Financial Freedom Workshop Series: Debt Feb. 20 10 a.m. –11 a.m. Adults Free Virtual Adult Financial Freedom Workshop Series: Buying, Renting, Goals Feb. 20 11 a.m. – noon Adults Free Virtual Brownie Philanthropist Badge Workshop March 5, 12, 19 ⓑ $10 Virtual Daisy Money Counts Badge Worksho March 5, 12, 19 ⓓ $5 Virtual Cadette Comparison Shopping Badge Workshop March 5, 12, 19 ⓒ $10 Virtual Junior Savvy Shopper Badge Workshop March 5, 12, 19 ⓙ $10 Virtual Senior Financing My Future Badge Workshop March 5, 12, 19 ⓢ $10 Virtual Ambassador Good Credit Badge Workshop- March 5, 12, 19 ⓐ $10 Virtual Cadette Financing My Dreams Badge Workshop: What do you see yourself doing to earn a living? What type of things do you enjoy now that may help you build a career in the future? What subjects/ classes would you want to continue to study in college? Join us for this fun workshop and earn your Financing My Dreams Badge. Ambassador on My Own Badge Workshop: Knowing how to create and stick to a budget that will help you throughout every stage of your life, from graduating high school all the way through your retirement years. Far too many people don't start thinking about creating a budget until they find themselves deep in debt. By earning this badge, girls will know how to avoid financial pitfalls while also helping girls learn to be independent and live their dreams. Senior Buying Power Badge Workshop: It might be tomorrow. It might be a year from now. Or it could be 10 years away. someday, you'll want to make a big purchase that you'll end up paying for over time. By earning this badge girls will understand the long-term impact of making a big purchase and how you need to be prepared to keep paying for it long after you've started to use it. Daisy Money Counts Badge Workshop: You can use money to buy things. You can use it to help other people too. By attending this workshop, girls will find out more about money! Brownie Money Manager Badge Workshop: Do you know what Money is for? Money has many uses and during this workshop we will explore some of those uses. Money helps us buy things we need and want. Brownies will get to learn the difference between wants and needs during this workshop. By the end of this workshop, Brownies will be true Money Managers. Brownies will earn the Money Manager Badge. Junior Business Owner Badge Workshop: Do you have a passion for fashion? Are you kooky about cooking? Or maybe you're just wild about animals? With this badge, you’ll find out that it’s possible to turn something you love into a successful business!
ⓓ-Daisy ⓑ-Brownie ⓙ-Juniors ⓒ-Cadettes ⓢ-Seniors ⓐ-Ambassadors
GSSJC Adult Financial Freedom Workshop Series: Budgeting, credit scores and debt can be overwhelming. Whether you need to brush up on these topics or learn new skills, we invite all adults to join us as we partner with the Women's Resource Center for their series of financial literacy courses. Daisy Making Choices Badge Workshop: There are things we want and things we need- figuring out the difference is the key to success! Come earn your Daisy "Making Choices" leaf! Ambassador Good Credit Badge Workshop: It’s almost impossible to go through life without borrowing money. Whether it’s something as basic as using a credit card or a more complex situation like a home mortgage or a small business loan., our economic system revolves around borrowing. By completing this badge, girls will learn what it takes to keep good credit and borrow money responsibly. Brownie Philanthropist Badge Workshop: Girl Scouts make the world a better place. One way to do that is to make sure everyone's basic needs are met. In this badge, girls will explore basic human needs and how they can be philanthropists. Junior Savvy Shopper Badge Workshop: Food and water, clean clothes, a place to live are things everyone needs. A closet full of shoes, a new desk, tickets to a movie are things people want. Girls will investigate why they want what they want, learn to decide what to buy and find out what makes people happy with that they buy. Cadette Comparison Shopping Badge Workshop: From cardigans to cars, you can buy just about everything online these days. Although online shopping is convenient, there are certain things to know so you can make sure that you’re paying a fair price and don’t fall victim to fraud. Senior Financing My Future Badge Workshop: High school graduation may seem a long way off, but this is actually the perfect time to start thinking about what kind of further education you want. Why? Because whether you want to go to a university, community college or vocational school, your education will cost money. January/February 2021 l The Golden Link 15
Activities
Entrepreneurship Badge Workshops
Are you interested in Entrepreneurship? Are you thinking of creating your own business in the future? Do you have a creative and exciting business idea that you’d like to bring to life? You’re invited to dive into the world of Entrepreneurship through completion of these workshops. Create your own business plan and get started on your way to Entrepreneurship and earn a badge while you’re at it! Contact: Lola Akapo, lakapo@sjgs.org Workshop Cadette Business Creator Brownie Budding Entrepreneur Daisy Toy Business Designer Junior Business Jumpstart Senior Business Startup Ambassador Entrepreneur Accelerator
Date and Time Feb. 6, 19, 21, 28 Feb. 6, 19, 21, 28 Feb. 6, 19, 21, 28 Feb. 6, 19, 21, 28 Feb. 6, 19, 21, 28 Feb. 6, 19, 21, 28
GS Level ⓒ ⓑ ⓓ ⓙ ⓢ ⓐ
Cadette Business Creator badge Workshop: Entrepreneurs are innovative problem solvers. They know how to collaborate and get critical feedback to make their ideas even better. Girls will become business creators and learn the skills they need for success in life. Girls will earn the Cadette Business Creator Badge. Brownie Budding Entrepreneur Badge Workshop: An entrepreneur is someone who finds ways to help people and solve problems. They are curious about how things work and see each setback as a chance to make things better. After completing all course requirements girls will earn the Brownie Budding Entrepreneur Badge. Daisy Toy Designer Badge Workshop: An entrepreneur is someone who comes up with new ways to solve problems and creates a business. They might improve something that already exists or make something new. Girls will learn all about what it takes to be an entrepreneur. After completing all course requirements, girls will earn the Daisy Toy Designer Badge.
Price Location $13 Virtual $13 Virtual $10 Virtual $13 Virtual $13 Virtual $13 Virtual
Ambassador Entrepreneur Accelerator Badge Workshop: What makes an entrepreneur successful? Vision, passion, flexibility and a willingness to rake risks. Perhaps every entrepreneur sees every setback as an opportunity for improvement. In this badge, girls will think and act like an entrepreneur as they bring their business vision to life, learn to work as part of a team and motivate people to take a chance on you. After completing all the badge steps, girls will earn the Entrepreneur Accelerator Badge Senior Business Startup: Do you have an idea for a product, service, or technology that you can turn into a business? Even if you don’t, you can learn the skills to find and develop an idea. Entrepreneurs start with a process that explores the possibilities of their idea. They often fail before they succeed and use failure as an important tool to learn and improve. Junior Business Jumpstart Badge Workshop: Every entrepreneur starts with an idea! Ideas can come from observing your surroundings and being curious how things work. After completing all course requirements, girls will earn the Junior Business Jumpstart Badge.
Region Facilitated Events
Regions are the foundation for locally delivered Girl Scout programs that support and serve Cadette, Senior and Ambassador girls, both those currently engaged as well as new girls looking for an opportunity to connect into the amazing experiences Girl Scouts has to offer. Who: ⓒⓢⓐ Contact: Lola Akapo, lakapo@sjgs.org Volunteer in Training: For girls who would like to mentor a Daisy, Brownie, Junior or Cadette group outside of the camp experience. When: Jan. 9 or March 6, 1 – 4 p.m. Where: Virtual Cost: $7 Who: 10th grade and up ⓢⓐ Senior Sow What Journey: Journey through big food issues like how and where food is grown, processed, distributed and consumed. When: Jan 10, 6 p.m. – Jan 14, 8 p.m. or March 7, 6 p.m. – March 11, 8 p.m. Where: Virtual Cost: $5 Who: ⓢ World Thinking Day: Join Girl Scouts and Girl Guides in 150 countries and celebrate what it means to be a peacebuilder. When: Feb. 20, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Where: Virtual Cost: $6/girl, $6/adult Who: ⓒⓢⓐ
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New Cuisine - A.M./New Cuisine- P.M.: Led by a culinary school trained chef, girls will learn how create different entrees and discuss how food plays an important part in connecting human beings. After completing Steps one thru four of the New Cuisine Badge, girls can then complete Step five on their own. When: Jan 30, 10 a.m. – noon or Jan 30, 1 – 3 p.m. Where: Cookin' with Kim, Cypress Cost: $45 Who: ⓒ Cadette Media Journey: In this workshop, girls will learn how to develop a positive sense of self, practical life skills and build healthy relationships with a focus on how media influences their everyday lives. When: March 6, 2 – 5 p.m., and April 17, 2 – 5 p.m. Where: Cornerstone United Methodist Church, Houston Cost: $25 Who: ⓒ ⓓ-Daisy ⓑ-Brownie ⓙ-Juniors ⓒ-Cadettes ⓢ-Seniors ⓐ-Ambassadors
Activities
Career and Interview Development Workshop
You might not yet be ready for a career, but you may want to start your own business, get a part time job, apply for a leadership position, college interviews or summer job in the near future, Its important that you promote yourself in the best possible light. One way to do that is to be prepared. Who: Seniors and Ambassadors Where: Virtual When: Feb. 6 and 20, 10 – 11:30 a.m. Cost: $15
Career Jumpstart Workshop for Adults
The job market is a tough one and is sometimes overwhelming, so let us help! GSSJC is thrilled to bring you a workshop focusing on helping you perfect your 60 second elevator pitch, develop interview skills and resume revision tips to land you your dream job. Who: Adults Where: Virtual When: Jan. 30, 10 – 11:30 a.m. Cost: $5
Cadette Babysitting Badge Workshop Cadettes, do you enjoy spending time with and taking care of younger kids? Are you an older sibling? Do you want to start earning a little cash of your own in the near future? Join us for this workshop to learn how to be babysitter! Who: ⓒ Where: Virtual When: Jan. 3, Feb. 6 or March 6, 10 a.m. – noon or March 29, 5 – 7 p.m. Cost: $13
EntreprenHER: From Sketch to Runway! Cadettes are you interested in fashion? Have you dreamt of owning your own fashion business, but you aren’t sure where to start? You’re in luck! This workshop will cover everything from prototypes to what goes into the creative process. Participating girls will get to design a fabulous fashion line to pitch on the runway. Girls will earn the Cadette Business Creator Badge. Who: ⓒ Where: Virtual When: Feb. 6, 1 – 2:30 p.m. Contact: Lola Akapo, lakapo@sjgs.org Cost: $18
Troop Leaders: Utilize a New Meeting Resource!
Our staff has put together virtual troop meeting options to assist you in delivering great program to girls. These meetings are meant for new leaders who want some help kicking off their troop in our current virtual environment. Staff will lead the meeting, and you will attend alongside the girls in your troop. See below for dates, topics, and information for upcoming opportunities. All listings will be hosted virtually via Zoom and completed over the course of two sessions. Cost is $5 per session Troop Meeting Resource: Brownie Meet My Customers Have you sold Girl Scout Cookies before but would like to increase your cookie sale in order to earn a higher award or help your troop to reach their goal? Maybe this will be your first time to sell Girl Scout cookies. This is a fun way to learn about your customers by meeting and understanding your customers, learn about financial literacy, and help customers in buying Girl Scout Cookies in this two-part workshop. Girls must attend both sessions in order to qualify for badge. Contact: Regina Zaragoza, rzaragoza@sjgs.org, 713-292-0220 Jan. 12 and 19, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Jan. 13 and 20, 5 – 6 p.m. Jan. 14 and 21, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Troop Meeting Resource: Junior Savvy Shopper Girls will investigate why they want what they want, learn to decide what to buy and find out what makes people happy with that they buy. Participating girls will make a plan to buy something they need or want. Contact: Karyn Smith, ksmith@sjgs.org, 713-292-0305 Jan. 14 and 21, 4 – 5 p.m. Jan. 19 and 26, 4 – 5 p.m. Jan. 20 and 27, 6 – 7 p.m.
ⓓ-Daisy ⓑ-Brownie ⓙ-Juniors ⓒ-Cadettes ⓢ-Seniors ⓐ-Ambassadors
Troop Meeting Resource: Daisy Count It Up Leaf When you've earned this leaf, you’ll know how your cookie money adds up. Contact: Sandra Johnson, sjohnson@sjgs.org, 713-292-0307 Jan. 5 and 12, 4 – 4:45 p.m. Jan. 7 and 14, 4-4:45 p.m. Jan. 19 and 26, 4 – 4:45 p.m. Troop Meeting Resource: Junior Customer Insights Earn Savvy Shopper and learn how to tell the difference between what you need and what you want. Your customers want to do the same thing when they buy Girl Scout Cookies. Use what you learn from your customers to make your cookie business even stronger! Contact: Karyn Smith, ksmith@sjgs.org, 713-292-0305 Feb. 9 and 16, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Feb. 17 and 24, 6 – 7 p.m. Feb. 11 and 18, 4 – 5 p.m. Troop Meeting Resource: Junior Cookie CEO Earn Business Owner and do research to see if the business would succeed. Guess what? When you sell Girl Scout Cookies, you’re already running your own business – and you can earn this badge for it! Contact: Karyn Smith, ksmith@sjgs.org, 713-292-0305 March 2 and 9, 4 – 5 p.m. March 10 and 17, 6 – 7 p.m. March 4 and 11, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. January/February 2021 l The Golden Link 17
Activities
Black History IS American History February is Black History month, and you’re invited to join the Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council with an array of engaging and informative activities recognizing the history and resilience of Black Americans. Visit gssjc.org/activities to register.
Backpacking Day Hikes with the Backpackers
Step out and enjoy a day in nature and get away from the city! Join and meet fellow Girl Scouts and explore a nearby forest or park. You will take a leisurely hike and start to learn some backpacking skills and tips along the way. Who: Junior, Cadette, Senior, Ambassador, Adults Cost: $15 per hike Contact: Kathy Elliott, 713-292-0257, customerservice@sjgs.org Where: When:
Lake Houston Wilderness Park Jan. 23, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Where: When:
Camp Mohawk County Park March 6, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Nature Center Workshops
Spend some time learning about nature. Our Nature Specialist have create a fun interactive virtual programs on great nature topics! A GSSJC Nature Center fun patch will be sent out as well. There’s one for each program, so you can collect them all! Who: Where: Cost:
ⓑ ⓙ and their chaperones Virtually, Hosted by GSSJC Nature Specialist $10/girl, free to adults
Back to Bone: Back to the Bone is a fun and interesting workshop about animals with back bones (vertebrates). Learn all this fauna. When: TBD Bee Smart: Thanks to pollinators like bees, we have a variety of fruits, vegetables, flowers and plants. Without them, our plates and gardens would be dull and boring. Come find out about bees and why they’re so great! When: Jan. 9, Feb. 20; 3 – 4 p.m. Birds R Us: Learn about birds in your area and what you can do to increase the bird population in your backyard. When: TBD Going Buggy: Bugs help us in lots of cool ways. Explore the world of bugs and learn more about these little creatures that do so much! When: TBD Nature Rocks!: Learn about the rock cycle how rocks are made in fun, delicious way! When: TBD
Environmental
Really, Radical Reptiles Snakes, turtles, and lizard… What do they all have in common? Why, they’re all reptiles, of course. Come and learn more about these animals in this really radical workshop. When: TBD.
Houston Arboretum
Brownie Outdoor Art Creator: Art is all around us - even in nature. Have fun dancing, making a leaf rubbing craft and designing your own Brownie Elf House. When: Feb. 20, 11 a.m. – noon; March 6, 10 a.m. – noon
Brownie Hiker: Hiking is loads of fun. Learn how to pack for a hike, how to read trial signs and prepare an energy snack to eat. When: Feb. 27, 10 a.m. – noon; Feb. 6, 11 a.m. – noon
Brownie Senses: Our five senses help us experience our world in unique ways. Learn how these senses work in a series of fun and easy experiments. When: Feb. 6; 1 – 2 p.m.
Where: Online, with Arboretum Cost: $20 Contact: Julia Shank, 713-292-0338, jshank@sjgs.org
Brownie Outdoor Adventure: Learn some outdoor skills. Explore nighttime constellations, tie new kinds of knots and make a butterfly puddler. When: March 27, 10 a.m. – noon
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Junior Outdoor Art Explorer: Art and the outdoors go hand in hand. Let nature be your inspiration as you learn fun nature songs, design a terrarium, and learn some easy photography techniques. When: Feb. 20; 1 – 2 p.m. ; March 6, 1– 2 p.m.
ⓓ-Daisy ⓑ-Brownie ⓙ-Juniors ⓒ-Cadettes ⓢ-Seniors ⓐ-Ambassadors
Activities
Fine Arts Fine Arts Workshops
Do you have a zest for art? Do you enjoy playing with clay, making your own jewelry, painting, drawing or fancy some photography? Explore the world of visual arts in these workshops. Create original artwork and earn badges! Who: D-A Contact: Heather Vandivort, Hvandivort@sjgs.org Workshop Date Time Level Price Brownie Outdoor Art Jan. 6 4 - 6 p.m. B $21 Junior Outdoor Art Jan. 9 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. J $21 Brownie Painter Jan. 9 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. B $13 Brownie Dancer Tik Tok Jan. 9 2 - 4 p.m. B $13 Junior Scribe Jan. 11 5 - 7 p.m. J $13 Daisy Outdoor Art Jan. 14 4 - 6 p.m. D $21 Brownie My Family Story Jan. 16 10 a.m. – noon B $13 Cadette Public Speaking Jan. 16 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. C $13 Cadette Comic Art Jan. 16 1 - 3 p.m. C $21 Senior Troupe Performer Jan. 16 2 - 4 p.m. S $13 Senior Room Makeover Jan. 18 5 - 7 p.m. S $13 Junior Drawing Jan. 19 5 - 7 p.m. J $21 Brownie Outdoor Art Jan. 20 4 - 6 p.m. B $21 Junior Outdoor Art Jan. 23 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. J $21 Junior Scribe Jan. 25 5 - 7 p.m. J $13 Daisy Outdoor Art Jan. 28 4 - 6 p.m. D $21 Cadette Screenwriter Jan. 30 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. C $13 Cadette Comic Art Jan. 30 1 - 3 p.m. C $21 Cadette Comic Book Art Jan. 30 2 - 4 p.m. C $13 Brownie My Family Story Jan. 30 10 a.m. - noon B $13 Photography Self-Paced Feb. 1 Anytime J $18 Photography Self-Paced Feb. 1 Anytime A $18 Senior Room Makeover Feb. 1 5 - 7 p.m. S $13 Junior Drawing Feb. 2 5 - 7 p.m. J $21 Brownie Outdoor Art Feb. 3 4 - 6 p.m. B $21 Brownie Dancer Broadway Feb. 6 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. B $13 Junior Outdoor Art Feb. 6 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. J $21 Brownie Painter Feb. 6 2 - 4 p.m. B $13 Jr Scribe Val Day edition Feb. 8 5 - 7 p.m. C $13 Daisy Outdoor Art Feb. 11 4 - 6 p.m. D $21 Jr Scribe Val Day edition Feb. 13 10 a.m. - noon J $13 Valentine’s Day Arts Crafts Feb. 13 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. B- J $13 Snap Happy Juniors Feb. 13 11 a.m. J $40 Cadette Comic Art Feb. 13 1 - 3 p.m. C $21 Valentine’s Day Arts Crafts Feb. 13 2 - 4 p.m. D $13 My Family Story Feb. 15 5 - 7 p.m. B $13 Outdoor Art Badges– (Daisies- Juniors) Explore the outdoors and use what you see and hear to make different kinds of art projects. Brownie “My Family Story” Badge- Families are rich in traditions and each have a story of their own. In this workshop we will share and discuss family stories and traditions, girls will create a family story tree and family crest. Brownie Painting Badge – Artists take what they see and make it beautiful. Learn to paint and color your world in super strokes and see what your imagination can do. Junior Drawing Badge- Experiment with different materials and learn techniques to make your own drawings even better! Junior Scribe Badge – Your writing is powerful. Create characters, plots and settings for your very own story. Learn about different story techniques and exercise your imagination by putting your thoughts down on paper. ⓓ-Daisy ⓑ-Brownie ⓙ-Juniors ⓒ-Cadettes ⓢ-Seniors ⓐ-Ambassadors
Junior Drawing Feb. 16 4 - 6 p.m. J Brownie Outdoor Art Feb. 17 4 - 6 p.m. B Junior Outdoor Art Feb. 20 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. J Senior Troupe Performer Feb. 20 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. S Cadette Comic Book Art Feb. 20 2 - 4 p.m. C Daisy Outdoor Art Feb. 25 4 - 6 p.m. D Senior Room Makeover Feb. 27 10 a.m. - noon S Cadette Public Speaking Feb. 27 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. C Cadette Comic Art Feb. 27 1 - 3 p.m. C Cadette Screenwriter Feb. 27 2 - 4 p.m. C Jr Photography Self-Paced March 1 Anytime J Photography Self-Paced March 1 Anytime A Junior Scribe March 1 5 - 7 p.m. J Junior Drawing March 2 5 - 7 p.m. J Brownie Outdoor Art March 3 4 - 6 p.m. B Brownie Painter March 6 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. B Junior Outdoor Art March 6 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. J Brownie Dancer Tik Tok March 6 2 - 4 p.m. B Junior Scribe March 8 5 - 7 p.m. J Daisy Outdoor Art March 11 4 - 6 p.m. D My Family Story March 13 10 a.m. - noon B Senior Collage Art March 13 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. S Snap Happy Juniors March 13 11 a.m. J Cadette Comic Art March 13 1 - 3 p.m. C Cadette Public Speaking March 13 2 - 4 p.m. C Junior Drawing March 16 5 - 7 p.m. J Brownie Outdoor Art March 17 4 - 6 p.m. B Cadette Screenwriter March 20 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. C Junior Outdoor Art March 20 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. J Cadette Comic Art March 20 1 - 3 p.m. C Senior Troupe Performer March 20 2 - 4 p.m. S Senior Room Makeover March 22 5 - 7 p.m. S Daisy Outdoor Art March 25 4 - 6 p.m. D Junior Scribe March 27 10 a.m. - noon J Cadette Comic Book Art March 27 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. C Brownie Painter March 27 2 - 4 p.m. B Junior Drawing March 30 5 - 7 p.m. J
$21 $21 $21 $13 $13 $21 $13 $13 $21 $13 $18 $18 $13 $21 $21 $13 $21 $13 $13 $21 $13 $13 $40 $21 $13 $21 $21 $13 $21 $21 $13 $13 $21 $13 $13 $13 $21
Cadette Comic Artist Badge– Delve into the world of comics! Learn the history of comic books and why this type of storytelling is so effective. Then tell your own story by creating a comic of your own! Cadette Public Speaker Badge – Work on your stage presence and develop your onstage skills. Find your inner performer and be unafraid to speak up! Cadette Screenwriter Badge – Are you ready for the big screen? Let’s explore what makes great scripts and how you can create your very own. You have what it takes to be a great screenwriter, so let’s get started! Senior Collage Artist Badge- Create a collage using textile art and make a project of your very own! Senior Room Makeover- Bring out your inner interior designer in this fun makeover workshop. Holiday Arts and Crafts- Learn how to make fun fall and winter crafts around the holidays! January/February 2021 l The Golden Link 19
Activities
Snap Happy Juniors
The Houston Center of Photography is offering online photography workshops to fulfill the Digital Photographer badge. For these workshops, an HCP instructor will guide the students through the various steps needed to achieve the badge, and the instructor will provide assignments for the Girl Scouts to practice photography skills in between sessions. Each session will consist of one hour per week for three weeks (3 hours total per session) When: Where: Cost: Contact:
Session I: Jan. 16, 23, 30; 2 – 3 p.m. Session II: Feb. 13, 20, 27; 2 – 3 p.m. Session III: March 13, 17, 20; 2 – 3 p.m. Online, Zoom $40 each session (each session consists of three Sunday classes) Heather Vandivort, hvandivort@sjgs.org
Health Dr. Girl Scout
Calling all Girl Scout Daisies and Brownies to play doctor for a day with the Little Medical School. During this activity, girls will learn the ins-and-outs of what it takes to care for their bodies. Daisies will earn their Gloria petal while Brownies earn their My Best Self badge. Who: ⓓⓑ When: Feb. 6 or March 6, 10 – 11 a.m. Cost: $13 Contact: Julia Shank, 713-292-0338, jshank@sjgs.org
Pet Vet Workshop
Whether they are cute and cuddly or slimy and scaly, pets are so much fun. If you hope to have a pet someday, this badge workshop will help you make sure it stays happy and healthy. Learn all about an animals’ body language, sleeping habits, feeding schedules and more. Brownies will earn the Pets badge with the Little Veterinarian School. Who: ⓓⓑ When: Feb. 6, March 6, 11 a.m. – noon Where: Online Cost: $13 Contact: Julia Shank, 713-292-0338, jshank@sjgs.org
First Aid Badge Workshops
It’s Girl Scout tradition to always be prepared - and earning your first aid badge is an important piece of being prepared for any situation. These workshops will prepare girls to understand what to do in an emergency and give them an understanding of what is in a first aid kit. (These are not first aid certifications.) Registration opens Dec.8 When/Level: Jan. 9– Juniors, Jan. 16– Cadettes Feb. 6– Brownies, Feb. 21– Seniors March 28- Juniors 10 – 11:30 a.m.for all Where: Virtual, hosted by Rice University EMS Cost: $10 Contact: Kelli Cavenah, kcavenah@sjgs.org, 713-292-0271 20 January/February 2021 l The Golden Link
Highest Awards Earn a Highest Award!
Bronze. Silver. Gold. These represent the highest honors a Girl Scout can earn. All three awards give you the chance to do big things while supporting an issue you care about. You might plant a community garden at your school or inspire others to eat healthy foods for your Bronze, advocate for animal rights for your Silver, or build a career network that encourages girls to become scientists and engineers for your Gold. Whatever you choose, you’ll inspire others (and yourself). As you earn one of Girl Scouts’ highest awards, you’ll change your corner of the world–and beyond. The possibilities are endless. Who: ⓙⓒⓢⓐ Learn More: Review the GSSJC project guides for more information at gssjc.org/highestawards Contact: bronzeaward@sjgs.org, silveraward@sjgs.org or goldaward@sjgs.org
Silver Award Training
This virtual webinar training is designed for troop leaders, advisors, and parents who are looking to support Cadettes through the Silver Award process. Topics to be covered include project guidelines, submission deadlines, coaching tips, and how to navigate pursuing the Silver Award despite the impacts of COVID-19. The webinar will be facilitated by two trainers and will include a presentation, an activity, and time for Q&A. Who: Adults Where: Online When: Jan. 9 and March 6, 10 – 11:30 a.m. Cost: $5/person Max.: 50 Contact: Megan Dodd, silveraward@sjgs.org, 713-292-0209
Ready, Set, GOLD!
Are you a Senior or Ambassador wondering what it takes to be a Gold Award Girl Scout? If so, this virtual workshop is for you! Learn what makes a Gold Award worthy project, how to navigate the step-by-step process for approval, and meet the supporting team of Mentors. A panel of recent GSSJC Gold Award Girl Scouts will host a question and answer session and share their tips on developing a successful project. Don't miss this opportunity to discover all the benefits of going Gold! NOTE: This workshop is meant as an introduction to the Gold Award process and does NOT replace the required Gold Award Orientation. Who: ⓢⓐor girls in grades 9 – 12 Where: Virtual When: Feb. 7, 3 – 4 p.m. Cost: $5/girl Contact: Megan Dodd, goldaward@sjgs.org, 713-292-0209
ⓓ-Daisy ⓑ-Brownie ⓙ-Juniors ⓒ-Cadettes ⓢ-Seniors ⓐ-Ambassadors
Activities
Gold Award Orientation
This self-directed Online Gold Award Orientation will give girls and adults a comprehensive overview of the Gold Award steps and forms, tools for identifying and developing Gold Award projects that fall within the national guidelines, and GSSJC’s processes for Gold Award applicants. The Gold Award Orientation is required for girls pursuing their Gold Award and can be taken at any time! The online orientation is broken into sections and takes approximately 90 minutes to complete but does not need to be finished in one sitting. Girls may also refer back to it after it’s been completed. Girls are encouraged to complete one Senior or Ambassador Journey before attending orientation. Who: ⓢⓐor girls in grades 9 – 12 andActivities adults Where/When: Online Cost: $5/person Contact: Megan Dodd, goldaward@sjgs.org, 713-292-0209
The Next Step: A Workshop on How to Proceed after Gold Award Orientation
Now that you've completed Gold Award Orientation, you might be wondering what to do next. Come join GSSJC Gold Award Girl Scouts and Mentors to hear about successful projects, brainstorm project ideas, and get all your questions answered so you can take your next step in your Gold Award journey. NOTE: This workshop is optional intended for girls who have already completed the required Gold Award Orientation and does NOT replace it. Who: ⓢⓐor girls in grades 9 – 12 Where: Virtual When: Feb. 21, 2 – 3:30 p.m. Cost: $5/girl Max: 50 Contact: Megan Dodd, goldaward@sjgs.org, 713-292-0209
Sports Archery Level 1 Training - Volunteers
Adult volunteers who wish to become a part of our network of archery instructors are invited to register for USA Archery Level 1 Training in February. Level 1 instructors are well prepared to teach beginner archery programs to people of all ages and abilities in a variety of both indoor and outdoor settings in the disciplines of target, field or 3-D archery. The Level 1 instructor will learn about range safety, range setup, the steps of shooting, equipment and repair, programs and lesson plans. Cost: $85 per adult When: TBD Where: TBD Contact: Dejah Covick, 713-292-0312, dcovick@sjgs.org
Advanced Archery
Girls who wish to participate in advanced archery may join the Archers In Motion Special Interest Group and register for monthly coaching and challenge sessions. Girls who aren’t sure about joining the special interest group may join us for On Target sessions when camps are re-opened for larger groups. Who: ⓑⓙⓒⓢⓐ Where: Camp Robinwood Contact: Dejah Covick, 713-292-0312, dcovick@sjgs.org Note: Girls should wear closed toed shoes with socks that cover the ankle. Girls who have not registered and paid for Girl Scout membership and Special Interest Group membership may not participate in AIM.
On Target Sessions
Currently on hold due to council camp re-opening strategies, our On Target sessions are for girls who have tried archery before but aren’t sure if they want to join the special interest group. As camps begin reopening to troops and larger groups, these sessions will be available. Cost is $10 per session and includes more time with advanced archery coaching and all equipment is provided for the class.
Archers In Motion (AIM)
Archers In Motion (AIM) is a Special Interest Group for girls ages 8 and older. To participate in the monthly AIM program, girls must be a current Girl Scout member, register for the annual Special Interest Group membership and select/register the monthly dates they wish to attend shooting practice. The club meets virtually once per month to learn a new skill and manage group business and meets in-person for practice sessions once a month so that members may shoot 36 arrows, attempting specific JOAD and GSSJC shooting levels. Levels are based on age and distance. There is also instruction on the JOAD Xperience program each month. Space is limited to 8 girls per time block. Cost: Dates: Time:
Annual SIG Membership $15; Monthly Sessions $10 each Jan. 10 , Feb. 7 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4 p.m.
Archery Aide Training! Girls ages 15 and older who love archery and have their Program Aide pin (or equivalent leadership experience) can become USA Archery Level 1 Instructors. If you’d like more information about this opportunity, email Dejah Covick at dcovick@sjgs.org.
Support our Rifle Programs – Become a Rifle Instructor!
Adult volunteers who wish to support our growing rifle programs are invited to become trained as Rifle Instructors. Our Rifle Coordinator, Becky Perry, will hold hands-on range safety officer training, as well as program training to prepare you to lead girls on the range. For more information, email Dejah Covick at dcovick@sjgs.org or call 713-292-0312. ⓓ-Daisy ⓑ-Brownie ⓙ-Juniors ⓒ-Cadettes ⓢ-Seniors ⓐ-Ambassadors
January/February 2021 l The Golden Link 21
Activities
Rifle
To accommodate all girls who are ready to jump right in while capacities are still low, we have split our practice sessions to accommodate girls who want to join and get the Introduction to Rifle and Rifle Marskmanship completed and be part of the Special Interest Group right away. The G.R.I.T. special interest group meets in-person for practice once per month and virtually once per month for enrichment and group development. Our 11 a.m. sessions are for girls new to G.R.I.T. and will complete the requirements to progress into more advanced rifle techniques. You will receive safety glasses to be kept for future practice sessions. Our 9 a.m. sessions are for girls who have progressed past Intro and Marksmanship. You will learn more about how to use the rifle, how to improve your accuracy through shooting position form and how to work within a team. Inter-group and individual competitions could be a part of your session. The group at each session will help decide on the day’s activities. Remember to bring your safety glasses. Girls must register and pay the additional special interest group annual dues as well as the monthly participation registration for G.R.I.T. practice or new member sessions. Registration for G.R.I.T. available in MyGS Activities. Girls who aren’t sure about joining the special interest group may join us for Introduction to Rifle and Rifle Marksmanship without the commitment to G.R.I.T. when camps are reopened for larger groups. Who: Where: When: Time: Cost: Contact:
ⓒⓢⓐ 12 and up Misty Meadows Ranch Jan. 9, Feb. 13 9 – 10:45 a.m. (G.R.I.T. Practice); 11 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. (New Members) $10 per in-person practice session Dejah Covick, 713-292-0312, dcovick@sjgs.org
STEM For all STEM activities, contact: Kelli Cavenah, kcavenah@sjgs.org, 713-292-0271
Designing Robots Badge Workshops
Hosted by Children’s Museum of Houston Cadettes: Robots can do so much! They can aid in anything from helping you with your chores to exploring the ocean or Mars. Every day, they are used for amazing things and in these workshops, you will find out how. Robots are built and programmed in different ways to meet a goal. Seniors: Researchers often build robot prototypes to test ideas. In this workshop, come up with ideas for a new kind of robot that replaces people who work in difficult or dangerous situations. Explore this topic in a workshop hosted from the Children’s Museum Maker Annex.
ⓒ Feb. 20 ⓢ Jan. 16 ⓢ March 6
10 a.m. – noon Virtual 10 a.m. – noon Virtual 10 a.m. – noon Virtual
22 January/February 2021 l The Golden Link
Automotive Design Badge Workshops
Hosted by Idea Lab Daises: Imagine riding in a cool new car that can park itself and doesn’t pollute our air! Now, imagine it actually driving on the street—that’s what automotive designers do! Automotive design is thinking of new cars and other vehicles. Explore how automotive designers imagine and make plans for a new vehicle, then design your own! Brownies: What’s the difference between riding on a unicorn and in a car? You can imagine either, but you can only drive one on the road! Find out how automotive designers come up with ideas for new vehicles, then design your own! Juniors: Vehicles, like cars, trucks, and motorcycles, move people and things from place to place. They can be designed to work in all types of conditions, from snow to mud or even in water! Do you want to take a ride in your dream car? Before you can do that, you need to design it! Discover how to create vehicles by sketching and sculpting a model. Registration opens Dec.8.
ⓓ March 6 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Virtual ⓑ Feb. 21 10 a.m. – noon Virtual $18 ⓙ March 7 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Virtual,
$18 $18
Automotive Engineering Badge Workshops
Hosted by Idea Lab Daises: After automotive designers have an idea for a vehicle, automotive engineers figure out how to make it. They use science and math to choose the best materials and build a model of the vehicle. Then, they test it to see if it works and find ways to make it better. Find out how automotive engineers turn ideas into real cars! Brownies: Once designers have an idea for a new vehicle, it’s up to automotive engineers to figure out how to build it. They make a plan, build a working model, and test it to see if the vehicle works. They look for ways to fix the vehicle until it’s safe to drive and works just the way they want it to. Explore how to engineer your own model of an emergency vehicle! Juniors: If designers imagine it, engineers build it! After designers come up with an idea for a vehicle, automotive engineers use what they know about math and science to build and test a working vehicle. Find out how to turn a list of criteria into your own working model of a vehicle that’s powered by an alternative fuel!
ⓓ March 13 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Virtual ⓑ Feb. 28 10 a.m. – noon Virtual $18 ⓙ March 14 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Virtual
$18 $18
$15 $15 $15
ⓓ-Daisy ⓑ-Brownie ⓙ-Juniors ⓒ-Cadettes ⓢ-Seniors ⓐ-Ambassadors
Activities
Cybersecurity Basics Badge Workshops
Hosted by Idea Lab Daises: Find out how computers work and what it means to be connected to other people. Girls will add "layers of security" when they wrap a treasure box that they will take home with them and discover how safety relates to using a computer. Brownies: We use digital devices such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones to work, shop, and play. Technology is such a big part of our lives that we don’t usually stop to think about it. Find out more about how you use technology, what it can do, and how you can keep your technology safe. For instance, girls will learn about layers of security, real-life online safety rules, and how messages travel on the internet. Juniors: We use digital devices such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones to work, shop, and play. Technology is such a big part of our lives that we don’t usually stop to think about it. Find out more about how you use technology, what it can do, and how you can keep your technology safe - like layers of security, real-life online safety rules, and how messages travel on the internet.
ⓓ Feb. 21 10 a.m. – noon Virtual ⓑ March 6 9:30 a.m. – noon ⓙ Feb. 6 10 a.m. – noon Virtual
$18 Virtual $18 $18
Digital Game Design Badge Workshops
Hosted by Microsoft Daises: Playing video games is fun. They can also help you learn new things or make the world a better place. Programmers use algorithms and sequences to make games for computers. Once they design a game, they test it and look for ways to make it even better. Explore the world of digital game design and design your own maze game. Brownies: Did you ever wonder how your favorite video game was created? At this workshop, you will create a mazebased game and learn how people create new games while finding out how games can also help people to learn new skills and experience new things.
ⓓ Jan. 10 noon – 2 p.m. Virtual, $18 ⓓ March 20 10 a.m. – noon Virtual, $18 ⓑ Feb. 13 10 a.m. – noon Virtual $18 Model Car Badge Workshop
Designing and testing is the name of the game in this workshop where Daisies earn the Model Car Design Challenge badge through this workshop. Girls explore engineering, friction and more when they build and test a model car. Who: When: Where: Cost:
ⓓ
Jan. 17, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. March 28, 10 a.m. – noon Virtual, Hosted by Idea Lab $18
ⓓ-Daisy ⓑ-Brownie ⓙ-Juniors ⓒ-Cadettes ⓢ-Seniors ⓐ-Ambassadors
Coding Basics Badge Workshops
Hosted by Microsoft Daises: Computers are all around us. They help us every day. When you know how computers work, you can use them to help people. Find out how people tell computers what to do, create your own instructions for a computer, and learn about the first person to ever write directions for a computer. Brownies: Laptops, tablets, and smartphones are all computers. We use computers every day, and they help us in lots of ways. What makes all those computers work? People write instructions telling the computer what to do. By exploring how computer scientists write programs, you’ll learn how computers work, too!
ⓓ Feb. 7 ⓑ March 27
noon – 2 p.m.
Virtual
$5
noon – 2 p.m.
Virtual
$5
STEM Career Exploration Badge Workshops, Engineering
Brownies: Have you ever wanted to invent something new? Create a video game? Help pets stay healthy? Engineers, programmers, and veterinarians get to do those things every day as their jobs. Find out how all the things you love can become a job that helps you change the world! Then create a plan to turn your dreams into a reality. This workshop will focus on the many fields within engineering. Cadettes: Imagine yourself 15 or 50 years from now: What are you doing? Have you gone to space? Invented an app? Traveled the world? Whatever it is, you can find a job that helps you do it! In this workshop, explore careers that make a difference. Then, map out how you’ll help others and change the world! All workshops are virtual. ⓑ Feb.27 1 –3 p.m. Hosted by Houston SWE $5 ⓒ Feb. 13 10 – 11:45 a.m. Hosted by Rice SWE $10
Think Like an Engineer Journeys
Hosted by Idea Lab All levels: To complete the Journey, girls will complete the Take Action Project component on their own after this workshop. Daises: Learn what engineers are and what they do. Girls get the chance to build a fairy house, puff mobile and use critical thinking to span a "canyon." Brownies: Learn how engineers use the design thinking process to solve problems in this hands-on workshop. Some of the activities include building a water collection tool and a device that will launch a small ball toward a target. Juniors: Join other Juniors and learn how to utilize your construction skills as you work to solve engineering challenges like a building that can withstand an earthquake, a structure made entirely of paper, or an emergency shelter.
ⓓ Feb. 20 ⓑ March 13 ⓙ Jan. 17 ⓙ March 6
10 a.m. – noon Virtual 10 a.m. – noon Virtual 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Virtual 9 a.m. – noon Virtual
$18 $18 $18 $18
January/February 2021 l The Golden Link 23
Activities
Think Like a Programmer Journeys
Hosted by Idea Lab All levels: To complete the Journey, girls will complete the Take Action Project component on their own after this workshop. Daises: Discover how creativity can help you solve a difficult problem. During this workshop, you will find out how to persist and think about things in a new way; you'll even discover what coding and algorithms are. Find out how every-day problems are resolved by programmers - and try it out yourself. Brownies: Computers use codes called programs to do their job; and programmers create those codes. You will see how codes are put together and use those patterns to build a suncatcher. You will also get the chance to come up with your own pattern or code through prototyping, or practicing. Juniors: Find out how programmers solve problems in this hands-on workshop by addressing everyday problems and trying things our yourself. You will discover computational thinking through tangrams, mad libs and suncatchers while they learn more about algorithms and variables present in cybersecurity. Also, create a personal innovation to discover rapid prototyping.
ⓓ March 7 10 a.m. – noon ⓑ Jan. 16 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. ⓑ March 28 2 – 4 p.m.. ⓙ Feb. 13 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Virtual Virtual Virtual Virtual
$18 $18 $18 $18
ScienceScout Challenge
Get ready for the ultimate science fair. We know San Jacinto has some of the most impressive girl members, and it’s time to let everyone know. We will be launching our very own Girl Scout science fair – the ScienceScout Challenge. Girls will get the chance to show their super science skills through a traditional science fair format, with a Girl Scout twist – every project should show how it makes the world a better place. Start thinking now – follow the footsteps of inspiring women in STEM to be your own scientist, engineer, or other STEM professional. Full rules and competition setup will be released in the March/April issue of The Golden Link. We are SO EXCITED to see what amazing experiments you come up with. What can you win? Our first-place winner will get an overnight experience with unprecedented access at NASA. Second place receives a VIP NASA tour, and third place will get as awesome NASA swag bag. Your ScienceScout Challenge project can be any theme – but we knew we had to celebrate what we know will be out-of-this-world-amazing projects with equally astronomicallyawesome prizes. Who: All levels When: March-May Cost: Free
Board Game Badge Workshop
Go on an adventure to learn about inventors. You’ll discover who inventors are and what they do. Along the way, you will try your own hand at inventing when you create your own board game! Earn the Board Game Design Challenge badge with this workshop. Who: When: Where: Cost:
ⓓ
Feb. 6, 10 a.m. – noon Virtual, Hosted by Idea Lab $18
24 January/February 2021 l The Golden Link
Space Science Explorer Badge Workshop
Get ready to blast off on an adventure. This badge is out of this world and while earning it, Daisies explore the sun, observe the moon and meet the stars. Girls will participate in hands-on activities at home while being guided by experts. Who: When: Where:
ⓓ
Feb. 13, 10 a.m. – noon, Idea Lab April 7, 4 – 5 p.m., Lunar & Planetary Institute Virtual
Roller Coaster Badge Workshop
Put engineering in motion with the Roller Coaster Design Challenge badge. In this workshop, Daisies dive into engineering and motion by building and testing a roller coaster. Girls will explore how roller coasters work and how to design, build, and test a new construction as well! Who: ⓓ When: Feb. 27, 10 a.m. – noon Where: Virtual, Hosted by Idea Lab Cost: $18
Computer Expert Badge
Computers help you do so much. Brownies who sign up for this workshop will be able to learn about the basics of using a computer - including how to make art, share information and find incredible facts. Who: ⓑ When: Feb. 6, noon – 2 p.m. Where: Virtual, Hosted by Microsoft Cost: $5
Race Car Badge Workshop
Picture Yourself behind the wheel while you test a car of your own construction. You will be challenged to design a car that can speed past the others. Brownies will earn their Race Car Design Challenge badge through this workshop. Who: When: Where: Cost:
ⓑ
Feb. 20, 10 a.m. – noon Virtual, Hosted by Idea Lab $18
Inventor Badge Workshop
Do you ever wonder what it takes to come up with a new kind of phone or a new way to power a lightbulb? Would you like an invention that would help you tie your shoes faster or one to make elevators record your singing while you ride? Find our how inventors make stuff – and become an inventor yourself! Who: ⓑ When: Jan. 9, 10 a.m. – noon Where: Virtual, Hosted by Idea Lab ⓓ-Daisy ⓑ-Brownie ⓙ-Juniors ⓒ-Cadettes ⓢ-Seniors ⓐ-Ambassadors
Activities
Fling Flyer Badge Workshop
Brownies will learn about the forces that affect flight as they design, build, and test a fling flyer. Through this workshop, girls learn how to design, investigate, and revise after each assessment. Brownies will earn their Fling Flyer Design Challenge badge through this workshop. Who: When: Where: Cost:
ⓑ
Jan. 10, 10 a.m. – noon Virtual, Hosted by Idea Lab $18
Senses Badge Workshop
You have five senses that work together to let you see, hear, smell, taste, and touch the world around you. At this workshop, you will get to try out all five senses by looking around, listening to the world, putting your nose to work, taking a taste test and feeling different textures. Who: ⓑ When: Feb. 27, 10 – 11 a.m. Where: Virtual, Hosted by Mad Science Cost: $18
Home Scientist Badge Workshop
You’re a scientist every time you do an experiment. In this workshop, you’ll find out where science has been hiding in your home through density, static electricity and more. Be a kitchen chemist and play with home science at Mad Science. Who: ⓑ When: Jan. 23 or March 7, 10 – 11 a.m. Where: Virtual, hosted by Mad Science Cost: $18
Leap Bot Badge Workshop
Discover engineering, gravity and force by building and testing a leap bot. Brownies will learn to think critically about how designs are put together and how they can be improved. Who: ⓑ When: March 27, 10 a.m. – noon Where: Virtual, Hosted by Idea Lab Cost: $18
Balloon Car Badge Workshop
Get blown away by this new Junior badge. Energy surrounds you every day. In this workshop, learn to harness potential and kinetic energy. Also, learn how air interacts with objects and how you can use it to your advantage. After designing a power source for a car, you will get to test it out. Who: ⓙ When: Feb. 7, 2-4 p.m. Where: Virtual, Hosted by Idea Lab Cost: $18
ⓓ-Daisy ⓑ-Brownie ⓙ-Juniors ⓒ-Cadettes ⓢ-Seniors ⓐ-Ambassadors
Entertainment Technology Badge Workshop
Get your Halloween started with some extra fun! Connect with your favorite entertainment by exploring the technology behind it. Technology isn’t always computers and screens – it is also how things are made and tested. Discover a hands-on approach to technology through constructing an animation, experimenting with centrifugal course and making 3D glasses. Who: When: Where: Cost:
ⓙ
Jan. 23, March 13; 10 a.m. – noon Virtual, Hosted by Children’s Museum of Houston $15
Product Designer Badge Workshop
Explore and create innovations in the Children’s Museum Maker Annex! You will get the chance to investigate what makes products great, how to improve products already on the market, and more. The best part is that you will be able to be an innovator yourself and troubleshoot your solution. Who: ⓙ When: Feb. 13, 10 a.m – noon Where: Virtual, Hosted by Children’s Museum of Houston Cost: $15
Digital Photographer Badge Workshop
It seems like almost every gadget can take a digital photograph – from phones to laptops, to (of course) digital cameras. But do you know how to get the most out of your digital device and what it takes to capture an amazing photo? Learn all that and more in this Digital Photographer workshop! Who: ⓙ When: Jan. 23, 10 a.m.-noon; or March 28, noon-2 p.m. Where: Virtual, Hosted by Microsoft Cost: $5
Paddle Boat Badge Workshop
Engineer your way through designing, building, and testing a boat that floats in this workshop. You will also get a chance to explore a way to make your boat move through the water and assess how well it works. Who: ⓙ When: Feb. 27, 9:30 a.m. – noon Where: Virtual, hosted by Idea Lab Cost: $18
Detective Badge Workshop
Utilize your detective skills on this sleuthing adventure. Girls will discover the power of observation, code communications, fingerprinting, and more. Stories, movies, and television are full of amazing detectives solving mysteries. Their jobs are important, exciting, and take serious skills - skills you can try at this workshop. Who: When: Where: Cost:
ⓙ
Feb. 20, 10 a.m. – noon Virtual, hosted by Mad Science $18 January/February 2021 l The Golden Link 25
Activities
Crane Design Badge Workshop
Construct some fun with this new Junior badge! Explore simple machines and then use your knowledge to build a crane prototype that you will test with household items like batteries, pennies, marbles, and more. Then expand your design and make it even better! Who: When: Where: Cost:
ⓙ
Jan. 16 9 a.m. – noon; or March 27, 9:30 a.m. – noon Virtual, Hosted by Idea Lab $18
See It, Be It: STEM SpeakHERS, Alternative Energy
Join your sister Girl Scouts from across the state to hear from women in STEM fields. This monthly event is hosted by one of the Texas Girl Scout councils. In March, we welcome professionals the energy industry to learn how companies work with alternative energy branches, such as Schneider Electric and bp, who wants to be carbon net zero by 2050! Participants will hear amazing insights and information from women in these companies. They will also get the opportunity to ask questions and have meaningful discussion with experts. Who: ⓙⓒⓢⓐ When: March 27, 10-11:30 a.m. Where: Virtual, Hosted by GSSJC Cost: Free
Special Agent Challenge
Put on your sleuthing shoes! This unique challenge will be kicked off with a workshop facilitated by the Houston Forensic Science Center. Then, girls will solve clues and complete activities to check off their special agent training. Eventually your mission, should you choose to accept it, will lead you to your Special Agent Badge. Along the way, you will investigate investigation itself, reveal reality, try science for yourself, decode body language, and practice the art of detection. Who: ⓒ When: Jan. 9-31 (kickoff on Jan 9) Where: Virtual, hosted by GSSJC and the Houston Forensic Science Center Cost: $10
Digital Movie Maker Badge Workshop
Movies tell stories, and this workshop will help you tell your own tale. This is your chance to show others how you see the world while you utilize fun and innovative software and your own videos. This workshop is intended as a unique and fun way to complete editing processes where girls edit footage to create a movie. Who: ⓒ When: Jan. 24 or March 13, noon-2p.m.; or Feb. 27, 10 a.m.-noon Cost: $5 Where: Virtual, Hosted by Microsoft 26 January/February 2021 l The Golden Link
Rube Goldberg Challenge
This is the perfect way to challenge yourself while staying at home! Rube Goldberg Machines are a fun and challenging way to accomplish a task. These machines use systems of levers, movements, gravity, creativity, and more to make something happen. Check out the listed website to learn more! These machines are a fun way to become a Maker and Tinkerer and build your building skills. Participants submit a video to enter and those that submit will be mailed an event patch. There will be a prize to crown the winner who develops the most creative Rube Goldberg Machine! Who: ⓓⓑⓙⓒⓢⓐ When: Now – Jan 31 Cost: $10 What is a Rube Goldberg Challenge?: https://kerlab.com/ engineering-kids-rube-goldberg-machine/
Travel Register NOW for 2021 Council Trip Interested in traveling with other Girl Scouts from the San Jacinto Council? Well, here is your chance. Registration is now open for a council trip to Costa Rica in either 2021 or 2022 depending on travel restrictions. Register now with a down payment through or express interest and get more information by contacting Heather Vandivort at hvandivort@sjgs.org. Who: ⓙⓒⓢⓐ, adults Cost: Down payments differ based on the trip. Register at gssjc.org/activities. Contact: Heather Vandivort, hvandivort@sjgs.org
Girl Scout DESTINATIONS 2022
Do you have the travel bug? Want to spend the summer roaming in Rome or backpacking through Germany’s historic castles? Maybe you prefer something closer to home like horseback riding in Montana or an astronomy adventure in Oregon. Destinations has you covered. Destinations are trips approved by GSUSA and run by trusted program partners to provide girls the opportunity to travel solo, meet with other Girl Scouts from all over the country and have a once in a lifetime experience. Check out the amazing trips at http://forgirls.girlscouts.org/ travel/take-a-trip/destinations/ Who: ⓒⓢⓐ Cost: Cost depends on the trip Contact: Heather Vandivort, hvandivort@sjgs.org
ⓓ-Daisy ⓑ-Brownie ⓙ-Juniors ⓒ-Cadettes ⓢ-Seniors ⓐ-Ambassadors
Columns
Outdoor Adventure Club Adult Volunteer Training
Adult Trainings
Do you enjoy working with older girls and spending time in the outdoors? Do you want to expand older girls' access to high adventure activities? Then join us as an Outdoor Adventure Club adult volunteer. Volunteers will accompany girls to high adventure activities led by third party vendors and will be responsible for managing check-in and check-out procedures, receiving girl forms, interacting with parents and guardians, acting as the group first aider and enhancing girl enjoyment with a positive attitude and watchful eye. Adult participation in activities is optional but offered if participation requirements are met. **Must have current first aid/CPR certification and successfully pass a criminal background check.** When: Jan. 13, 7 – 7:30 p.m., Feb. 13, 10 – 10:30 a.m. Where: Zoom Cost: $5
Training Calender
Courses will be offered in a virtual format via Zoom or Webinar (GoToMeeting) so that we can provide training through the uncertainties we are experiencing with COVID-19.
January Date 9 9 9 14 16 28 30 31
Day Saturday Saturday Saturday Thursday Saturday Thursday Saturday Sunday
Course Name Volunteer Camper Certification Event Basics Weekend Event Planning Conflict Resolution First Aid/CPR/AED Blended Partnering with Juniors Volunteer Camper Certification Daisy Brownie Program Leadership Training
Location ATC Zoom Zoom Zoom GSC Zoom ATC Zoom
Time Cost 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. $20 9 a.m. – noon $6 1 – 3 p.m. $6 7 – 8:30 pm $6 1 – 4 p.m. $55 7 – 9 p.m. $6 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. $20 1 – 4:30 p.m. $6
February 9 Tuesday First Aid/CPR/AED Blended GSC 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. 11 Thursday Partnering with Cadettes, Seniors & Amb Zoom 7 – 9 p.m. 20 Saturday Volunteer Camper Certification ATC 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. 27 Saturday Daisy Brownie Program Leadership Training Zoom 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 27 Saturday Partnering with Juniors Zoom 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. 27 Saturday Community/Region Treasurer Zoom 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. 27 Saturday Community Financial Specialist Zoom 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. 28 Sunday Event Basics Zoom 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. March 7 Sunday Daisy Brownie Program Leadership Training Zoom 1 – 4:30 p.m. 13 Saturday Volunteer Camper Certification WAM 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. 25 Thursday Partnering with Juniors Zoom 7 – 9 p.m. April 10 Saturday Volunteer Camper Certification TBD 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. 11 Sunday Event Basics Zoom 1 – 4 p.m. 13 Tuesday Weekend Event Planning Zoom 7 – 9 p.m. 20 Tuesday First Aid/CPR/AED – Blended GSC 5 – 8 p.m. 22 Thursday Communication Specialist Zoom 7 – 8:30 p.m. 25 Sunday Partnering with Cadettes, Seniors & Amb. Zoom 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. 26 Monday Community Renewal Specialist Zoom 7 – 8 p.m.
$55 $6 $20 $6 $6 $6 $6 $6
2 8 8 8 15
$10 $6 $6 $55 TBD
May Sunday Saturday Saturday Saturday Saturday
Mentoring Day Daisy Brownie Program Leadership Training Partnering with Juniors First Aid/CPR/AED-Standard Volunteer Camper Certification
Zoom Zoom Zoom GSC TBD
1 – 5 p.m. 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
$6 TBD $6 TBD $6 $6 $55 $6 $6 $6
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Thank you, Sempra Philanthropy LNG! Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council would like to express our tremendous gratitude to Sempra LNG for their investment of $40,000 in support of our community outreach and financial aid programs. This partnership with Sempra LNG helps us to make Girl Scouting a reality for all girls, regardless of their families’ ability to pay. Sempra LNG’s support of our community outreach program enables us to reach at-risk girls who otherwise would not have enjoyed the opportunity to develop their leadership skills and potential through Girl Scouting. As school resumes virtually and in person, our Girl Scout outreach program will support the girls who need us the most by providing them with a sense of normalcy, an opportunity to grow their courage and confidence, and a safe space to discuss their struggles. While we do not know the full impact that COVID-19 will have on our community, its effects will be strongest on those who faced financial difficulties before the pandemic. Our financial aid program covers the cost of membership, program registration fees and uniform components and badges for girls and families in need. Last year, we allocated nearly $1 million in financial aid to girls across 26 counties in southeast Texas. We expect the demand for financial aid to increase significantly due to the pandemic and its financial and social impact on our community. GSSJC is thankful for Sempra LNG’s continued support of girls across our council. From the boardroom to the caucus room, the need for female leadership has never been clearer or more urgent than it is today—and only Girl Scouts has the expertise to give girls and young women the tools they need to empower themselves and assume their rightful role as leaders. We are dedicated to preparing the next generation of female leaders and we are proud to partner with Sempra LNG to do so. Thank you, Sempra LNG, for your dedication to making a difference and for helping to pave the way for the change-makers of tomorrow. Because of their donation, new girls signing up in the month of December are free. If you have a friend thats new to Girl Scouting, have them join at GSSJC.org/freemembership.
Thank You, GSSJC Donors! Sept. 1 – Oct. 31, 2020
$25,000-$49,999 - Ambassador Entergy Sempra LNG Estate of Mrs. Margaret S. Sheriff $10,000-$24,999 - Senior The Florence and William K. McGee, Jr. Family Foundation Greater Houston Golf Charity H H and Edna Houseman Charitable Trust The Iris & Lloyd Webre Foundation The John M. O'Quinn Foundation John P. McGovern Foundation M. D. Anderson Foundation Myra Stafford Pryor Charitable Trust $5,000-$9,999 - Cadette BKD Foundation Meg Britton Dejah D. Covick Emerson Process Management - Valve Automation Melanie Rippentrop
$1,000-$4,999 - Junior Alice Kleberg Reynolds Foundation Holly Bayardo Mark Beveridge Lisa Bordelon BXS Insurance C. Susan Howes Thomas I. Jackson Sandy Judson MD Anderson Cancer Center Memorial Hermann Stacy and Dee Methvin Nancy Lee G. Peterson Susan V. Sample Amanda S. Vavilala $250-$999 - Brownie Terrie Bean-Minero Theresa Benson Julie and Richard Boushka Nikki Brewer Kirsten Davenport Tunis Deal Randa Duncan ExxonMobil
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For any questions about the donor list, contact Diane Likeness at dlikeness@sjgs.org. Honorariums listed are $25 and above.
Monica Fulton Carolyn Galfione Deborah J. Goodykoontz Claudia W. Hayslip Suzanne Kean and Grady Walker Patty and Randy Keys Kroger Company Mabel’s Labels Inc. Magideh Marlowe Amanda McMillian April and Jason Moncrieff Lynn C. Myers Tina Piermarini Michelle and Joseph Raab Dolores and John M. Richards, III Ron Carter Autoland Brenda Schroeder Donna S. Sisak Ellen Stickney Troop #116124 United Way of Midland County Jamie L. Vazquez Mary and Mike Vitek Genevieve and John M. Walls Claire Williams Genevieve Winter Patricia Wolfe
Memorials In Memory of Margaret Sheriff Deborah J. Goodykoontz Honorariums In Honor of Carolyn Busch Misty Cornell In Honor of Dejah Covick Alex Covick In Honor of Mary Ryder Susan Distefano In Honor of Genevieve Walls Nancy Lee G. Peterson In Honor of Marguerite Woung-Chapman Lisa and Douglas Brooks
Scrapbook
Send your photos to ions@ communicat ude cl In sjgs.org. the in # p oo tr your e. lin t ec subj
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GSSJC Scrapbook Scrapbook
Sending in your photos does not guarantee placement in Golden Link.
Troop #111139 worked on their Bugs badge craft by sewing a felt ladybug stuffy. They learned about threading a needle, stitching and stuffed it with plastic grocery bags to recycle and reuse.
Troop #29062 celebrated Juliette Gordon Low’s birthday birthday by taking a trip to Enchanted Gardens in Richmond to pick out pumpkins.
Alaina, Alexandra, Andjenea, Ayden, Cecilia, Chloe, Kelly, Madison and Melody from Troop #16041 created a camping cookbook to earn their Bronze Award. The digital cookbook, filled with delicious recipes and colorful hand-drawn pictures, will be loaned out to various troops in their area for use. Although the pandemic stopped the scouts from meeting in person, it did not stop their perseverance in completing this project. Congratulations!
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Troop #106322 explored the Spring Creek Nature Center in early November.
Shooting Stars community hosted a school supply drive for Hurricane Laura victims in Louisiana in October. The girls were able to provide 109 full backpacks with various donated school supplies, and enough funds were donated to create an additional 10 backpacks and a box of miscellaneous school supplies for teachers. The girls did an amazing job! Brothers Produce delivered all of the supplies to Louisiana.
Scrapbook Last year before the pandemic, Troop #129064 worked on their Bronze Award, improving lives of the homeless adults in Houston with Turning Point center who offers residential rehabilitative services for seniors and women and children. As part of their project, the troop helped decorate their center for Christmas and organized a Valentines day party for the senior women. They had a lot of fun creating the decorations to be used for the party, designing, organizing and compering the party games. These events gave them the chance to interact with people living at Turning Point. They made an inspiration-a-day board that could be hung in their office/cafeteria with sayings that could be changed daily. They made inspirational cards that could be given to residents, to help buoy spirit in these troubled times. They also made birthday and special occasion cards that could be given to residents. They also made “welcome-kits� with essentials that could be given to new residents to improve upon the supplies provided by the center. Audrey H. of Troop #19434 earned her Silver Award by teaching people about the importance of pollinators in the environment. She created a comic about pollinators to teach about it in an entertaining and engaging way. Audrey also made a PowerPoint and booklet to go along with it. She held informational Zoom lessons and sent participants starter packet with seeds so they could all create their own pollinator garden.
Troop #139012 donated a buddy bench to Campbell Elementary in League City The wings of the butterfly are decorated with a handprint from each girl. The back of the bench holds three pots of flowers
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Congratulations Gold Award Girl Scouts The Girl Scout Gold Award represents the highest achievement in Girl Scouting; it recognizes girls in grades 9-12 who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through sustainable and measurable Take Action projects. Since 1916, girls have successfully pursued the highest award, an act that indelibly marks them as accomplished members of their communities and the world. Sarah Arnold addressed the decline of native bees with her Gold Award project. With the Westbury Community Garden, Sarah created native bee habitats and installed them. She also presented her information and resources to others, who were inspired to create bee habitats of their own. Morgan Childress helped disconnect young children and teens from their over reliance on social media and technology. Morgan aimed at helping kids develop vital, applicable skills that would help them develop meaningful and creative engagement. Together with Covenant Glen Church, Morgan was able to deliver different art-focused workshops and classes to attendants that immersed them with hands-on activities. Lauren Cutherell created a pet section at West Houston Assistance Ministries (WHAM) food pantry for low-income families to have access to pet food. She also purchased and collected dog and cat-related pet products as well as created pamphlets with information and two pet care videos for the clients at WHAM. Ainsley Gill built and installed a Little Free Library for a family shelter in her community to expand access to books and literature. She also conducted a community book drive and worked with National Charity League to ensure future donations. Finally, Ainsley developed a reading program and curriculum to help with essential literacy skills, as well as shared information on emotional, cognitive and mental health benefits of reading. Sinclaire Hoyt provided teens with the proper resources to keep track of their heart health numbers. Sinclaire notes that it is pertinent for teens to know these numbers as their hearts are in a crucial stage of development. With this information, Sinclaire was able to educate her audience on the importance of keeping up with nutritional needs and develop good health habits at a young age.
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Ella Jacobs build and installed a Little Free Library beside her neighborhood pool and park area of her community. Ella’s goal was to encourage younger children and adults to read more by providing an easy-to-access library with a constantly changing inventory of books. Ella’s Little Free Library was also built to withstand weather, meet certain neighborhood standards and also has some custom features she added herself. Artemisa de Jager created a series of workshops for kids attending camp at Family Point. Together with her volunteers, Artemisa renovated areas of the community center and delivered a series of workshops. Artemisa also created and printed a book for their library, and developed a comprehensive plan for Family Point to deliver similar workshops in the future. Holly Lillibridge eliminated some of the threats pollinators face. Holly designed, constructed and installed a pollinator hotel in Westside High School’s garden for bees to utilize. She notes that many pollinator species face man-made and environmental threats that cause a decrease in their population. With her Gold Award, Holly addressed the issue of their declining population. Anna Macia directed, filmed and edited training videos for various volunteer tasks at the Emergency Aid Coalition (EAC) of Houston which serves individuals who are homeless or in a crisis with other needs. In the videos, experienced volunteers demonstrated how to do tasks so that novice volunteers would know how to complete each task thoroughly. The project was intended to attract and teach volunteers with EAC so that productivity is maximized.
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Mizba Maknojiya was inspired to take on tutoring as a way to help children by acknowledging that success in life is driven by a strong foundational education. Together with her volunteers, Mizba delivered classes to 30 students on math, English, history, reading, science and community building. Her project will be sustained through her community and the HQrec teams and at her school with a AP study group. Katy Murphy wanted to help those diagnosed with ALS. The project helped provide information and resources to caregivers and families of those diagnosed with ALS, which included a pamphlet with important information. Katy also noted that the first year of ALS diagnosis can be a financial burden for many families. With her project, Katy was able to provide resources for others to utilize. Mikayla Pomberg created social skills kits with activities to help teach social skills to disabled students in middle and high school. Together with her volunteer, Mikayla created kits that were distributed to disabled students. Mikayla aimed to develop skills that addressed emotional regulation, decision making, teamwork, and social skills. The kits were distributed to a total of 25 middle and high schools for teachers to implement. Helena Restrepo educated food insecure teens on how to eat healthy on a budget. Helena provided resources that addressed what constitutes a health diet and how teens can support their families, especially during the trying times of COVID-19. Together with her team, she provided four videos that include basic kitchen skills and recipes. Additionally, Helena partnered with the Houston Food Bank to create a plan and outline her content.
Phuong Tran spread awareness of animal euthanasia. Together with Dog Lodge Sanctuary, Phuong’s goal was to provide elderly and sick dogs with quality lives. With her volunteers, she built and installed a dog agility course to help increase dog health at the shelter. Phuong also created and filmed a video to help educate others. Erin Werner created a free public website that provides views with reliable and useful information for alternative medicines, home remedies, and herbs. The website and project was inspired by Erin’s researching of local communities and their heavy dependence on over-the-counter medications and pain killers. Instead, Erin wanted to provide information for healthy alternative medicines for others to utilize.
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