From the TOP

Our unique activities and programs focus on helping girls develop leadership and life skills that enable them to create their own paths. From cookie sales and summer camp to highest award projects and special interest groups, our girls have endless opportunities to explore, grow, and become the best person they can be. And we, as volunteers, have the privilege of nurturing and watching them as they transform into young women who are fearless and ready to change the world. That’s what I love most about Girl Scouts.

As I prepared to assume my new role, I reflected on how wonderful it is to be a Girl Scout. Girls not only learn about themselves and what they can achieve but also learn how to connect with people, have compassion for others, serve their communities, and find solutions to problems. They grasp all these things in an environment where they can have fun, be creative, and make mistakes without judgment. The icing on the proverbial cake is that our girls have ongoing support from dedicated volunteers who care about them, encourage them, and want to see them succeed. Where else can girls go and reap so many lifelong benefits?

Speaking of benefits, our Girl Scouts recently finished the annual cookie program and sold even more cookies than last year! Thank you, volunteers and parents, for supporting girls as they participated in this iconic program. Thanks to YOU, girls learned 5 essential skills - planning, goal setting, money management, communication, and decision-making. The girls also donated 3,600 cases of sold cookies to local first responders and military personnel as part of the council’s Cookie Share program, Cookie4Heros. They put into action the Girl Scout Promise to help people, learning the importance of giving back to the community. The cookie program is just one example of how Girl Scouting makes a difference in girls’ lives.

Our Girl Scouts are now preparing for summer camp. Our council has some of the best camp facilities, including Camp Agnes Arnold and Misty Meadows Ranch in Conroe and Casa Mare in Seabrook, where girls can get away from busy schedules, relax, and enjoy nature. While there, girls will experience all sorts of fun adventures. They will also have a chance to make new friends and learn new things like how to cook over a campfire, make crafts, identify the stars at night, or complete an obstacle course. In the process of all this activity, they will create memories that will last a lifetime. This experience is also what makes Girl Scouting so special. And we’re not the only ones who think so. Earlier this year, Newsweek named Misty Meadows Ranch as one of the America’s Best Camps in 2023!

Girl Scouts is near and dear to my heart and always will be. We are in the business of developing future business and community leaders who will make the world a better place. What other organization can say they’ve been doing this for more than 100 years?

I look forward to working with you over the next three years to build on the movement’s established foundation and to advance our mission.

Lufkin

1202 College Drive, Lufkin

936-634-4688

Tues. and Thurs. 10 – 5 p.m.

Lufkin will be closed

June 13-Aug. 15

Beaumont 700 North Street, Suite F, Beaumont 409-832-0556 Ext. 1500

Tues. to Thurs. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Beaumont will be closed

June 13-Aug. 15

Westside

Wednesday pickup only: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. No in-person shopping. Please provide minimum 24 hour notice on orders by email to shop@sjgs.org or by calling 713-292-0247

531 FM 359 South, Brookshire

Tues. – Thurs. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Fri. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Sat. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Bay Area 1300 A Bay Area Blvd., Ste. 106, Houston 281-282-6077

Tues. – Thurs. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Fri. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Sat. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Cypress/Jersey Village

19708 Northwest Freeway, Suite 100, Jersey Village 346-818-3227

Tues. – Thurs. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Fri. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Sat. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

New Leader Must-Knows!

Are you a new troop leader? Here are some things you need to know for the next few months: 1 2 3 4

Early Bird Renwel ends June 30! Renewing your troop early helps ensure a smooth start to the next membership year. See www. gssjc.org/renew for details.

Sign up now for Summer Camp 2023! Week-long day camp and overnight camp sessions are available through August. Visit www.gssjc.org/summercamp for details.

Summer is a great time to take a training you may have been too busy for during the school year. Look for information on gssjc.org under the Events tab.

The Fall Product Program is an easy way to earn money for your troop. Troop Fall Product manager trainings start in August. Keep an eye on www.gssjc.org/ fallproduct for complete program details soon.

5Keep in touch with your troop through the summer so your girls stay engaged with Girl Scouting. Some troops meet just once a month over the summer or gather for one or two fun activities, like a day of water games or participating in a neighborhood Fourth of July parade.