Happy Thanksgiving! :D

Hope that everyone had an AWESOME Thanksgiving! :D
I know I did!
We all have so much to be Thankful for-good family, friends, 100 years of Girl Scouting...

Last Friday, my Girl Scout troop got together and decorated brown paper shopping bags. The shopping bags were filled with Thanksgiving meals for the needy on Thursday :) It felt so good to help others and brightened someones day with a few drawings and decorations! This is a running tradition within my troop-we all get together for a meeting and we decorate bags with markers, eat pizza and talk a lot. My troop rocks! Love you girls! <3

Here's a pic of one of my bags:



Yes, one of my pilgrims has bell-bottom jeans...that was unintentional. :D

Another craft that I did with some friends for fun over the break-making hand turkeys!
We didn't go with the usual hand-traced turkeys. No, we painted all over our hands and then slapped them down against a piece of paper! :)
It was alot of fun and I recommend that you use this craft with your troop next year before Thanksgiving! It may be a bit messy, but the results are worth it! I'll post a picture of our turkeys below:




All you need is a little paint, paper, some paint brushes, and plenty of paper towels! :)
Hope you like them!

Once again, I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with family, friends, love, and plenty of food! Have a great rest of the break!

~Gold Girl Allie :)

Christmas Caroling :) My Fave Holiday Activity

Christmas Caroling-a classic holiday activity that's sure "to make spirits bright!"

  As a young Girl Scout, my troop went on several Christmas Caroling Adventures. They were so fun that in Middle School, I decided to host my own Christmas Caroling party for my friends! The idea caught on so quickly and proved to be such a huge success that, 5 or 6 years later, my friends and I still go out every holiday for some good-old-fashioned-singing-fun! Our group grows larger each year-and everyone always has tons of fun!

I recommend that you include this activity in your Girl Scout Holiday party or just for fun! When I go with my friends, we usually go to the houses of those we know-you shouldn't go to a stranger's house (this is the same rule that we tell girls with cookie sales-avoid going the door's of strangers!).
Make sure everyone dresses warmly if it's cold out, and make sure the streets are cleared. Walk on sidewalks whenever possible, and choose a residential street. It is usually best to limit your group to one street, as kids get tired easily (my teenage friends and I included). Bring hot cocoa in a hot-drink dispenser for later. Oh, and be sure to bring copies of the lyrics just in case!

If you don't feel safe Christmas Caroling in the neighborhood-go and carol at a Nursing Home! All of those living at Homes love getting visits and are usually very interested in Girl Scouts and Girl Scout badges! Spread the cheer and happiness of the season wherever you go!

Classic Holiday Songs my friends and I recommend:

• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
• Frosty the Snowman
• Oh Hanukkah
• Santa Claus is Coming To Town
• Jingle Bells
• Silver Bells

*Choose short, easy songs that are easy to remember/girls already know

If you have one, bring an I-Pod doc for background music!

Other fun ideas for GS Holiday Parties:

• Gift Exchanges/Grab-Bag
• Christmas Craft-like cutting out paper snow flakes :)
• Holiday Cookie Party-everyone bakes a tray of special holiday cookies and trades with other Scouts

**Please Note: It is important to plan in advance and get permission from parents


Photo From: http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&sa=N&tbo=d&qscrl=1&rlz=1T4ADRA_enUS365US366&biw=956&bih=652&tbm=isch&tbnid=rnrxIUJ6C5EXsM:&imgrefurl=http://troop1023.wordpress.com/&docid=h76yOBt4YOpPFM&imgurl=http://troop1023.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/caroling1.jpg&w=305&h=217&ei=c_eqUO2VM5CB0AGusoD4DQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=2&vpy=299&dur=85&hovh=173&hovw=244&tx=128&ty=56&sig=109449470522959253728&page=5&tbnh=142&tbnw=192&start=71&ndsp=19&ved=1t:429,r:71,s:0,i:292

Taylor Swift-a Girl Scout! :D

    

Recently Taylor Swift's new album-RED was released in stores and online. The young Country/Pop singer-songwriter/actress has already had an amazing career-she's released 4 albums, earned 6 Grammies, stared in several movies and toured around the world-all by the age of 22! But there's one thing that people don't tend to know about Taylor Swift...

TAYLOR SWIFT WAS A GIRL SCOUT! :D
Yes, It's true!
Girl Scouts has many famous alumni, but Swift is especially special because she is seen as an inspiration to so many young girls today. She comes across as a sweet and friendly person, and has written songs that are easy to relate to. She has written empowering pop anthems as well as slow break-up ad love songs. Her career is certainly impressive, but not so impressive as her continuing devotion to helping others!

Swift's Philanthropy :)

• The singer is involved with a number of charities which provide services to sick children. In 2008, she donated a pink Chevy pick-up truck to the Victory Junction Gang Camp; the truck is used to transport sick children from the airport to the camp.
• In 2012, Swift participated in the Stand Up to Cancer telethon, performing Ronan, a song she wrote in memory of a four-year-old boy who died of neuroblastoma. The song was made available for digital download, with all proceeds donated to cancer-related charities.
•  Swift has met with many sick fans through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
•  She has also made private visits to hospitals such as St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the Ronald McDonald House.
• Swift opposes LGBT discrimination. Following the 2008 murder of Larry King, she recorded a Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network PSA to combat hate crimes. On the first anniversary of King's death, Swift told Seventeen that her parents taught her "never to judge others based on whom they love, what color their skin is, or their religion".
• Swift promotes children's literacy. In 2009, she donated money to various schools around the country that she had either attended or had other associations with to buy books, fund educational programs and help pay teachers' salaries.
• In 2010, she took part in a live webcast, Read Now! with Taylor Swift, broadcast exclusively in US schools to celebrate Scholastic's Read Every Day campaign.
•  In 2011, Swift donated 6,000 Scholastic books to Reading Public Library, Pennsylvania^. Most of the books were placed in circulation; the rest were gifted to children from low-income families, preschools and daycare centers.
•  In 2012, she co-chaired the National Education Association's Read Across America campaign and recorded a PSA encouraging children to read. In October 2012, Swift promoted the "power of reading" in a second live Scholastic webcast, broadcast directly to US classrooms.

Information from/for more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taylor_Swift#Philanthropy

 

 Taken in 1999,  Young Taylor Swift (9) at a Girl Scout meeting with her grandmother, Marjorie Finlay.

Swift's favorite Girl Scout cookies were Caramel deLites. She references the cookies in a joke rap called "Thug Story."

Photo From: http://raretaylorswift.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=167577865

 

Swift's new album-RED.

Girl Scouts History: The Wing Scout Program

What exactly is a Wing Scout ?


The Wing Scout program was a Senior Girl Scout program for girls interested in flying and wanting to serve their country.

It began in the early 1940s end ended in the 1970s.

In July 1942, 29 troop leaders from fifteen states met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to take Wing Scout leadership training.

In 1959, Girl Scout Council in North San Mateo County, California was presented with an offer from United Airlines San Francisco Management Club President J. L. Burnside to start an aviation program for Senior Girl Scouts.

The Wing Scout Program took on a new importance once the United States entered World War II and Girl Scouts focused on civic duty as part of their war efforts.

 In August 1945, William T. Piper donated the first of three Piper Cub training aircraft to the Girl Scouts making them “the first national youth organization to own an airplane,” according to Mrs. Thomas H. Beck, Chairman of the National Wing Scout Advisory Committee.

The Wing Scout Program included a courtesy flight provided to Senior Girl Scouts using United Airlines' jets. For many of the girls, this was the first time they had been on a plane.

Senior Girl Scouts who had spent three years in the program were given the opportunity to take over the controls during flight in a small aircraft. The program was discontinued after United Airlines experienced financial setbacks in the 1970s.

Info from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girl_Scouts_of_the_USA#Wing_Scouts
 http://blog.nasm.si.edu/2012/06/07/birds-of-a-feather/


Over the years, the Girl Scout Organization has offered such a diverse range of awesome opprotunities for Girls.

It is important for girls to know what a special organization they are part of.

A fun way to end a GS meeting or spend a few extra minutes at a campsite-teach younger Scouts about Girl Scout history. Tell them about all of the cool things that happened in Girl Scout past. Then, make a Wing Scout craft! A cute craft to do after teaching a short history lesson-pre-fold paper planes and have the Girls decorate them!
You can teach a bit about how planes work as well. Who knows, maybe some of the girls wil aspire to be pilots as a result!

Girl Scout Cookies: A History :)

 We all have our favorite type of Girl Scout Cookie! From Thin Mints to Tagalongs, Girl Scout cookie sales have been a memorable part of the Girl Scout experience. Not only are they tasty-but they teach girls valuable lessons about handling money and sales.

But how did this tradition of raising GS Troop funds through cookie sales start??

Girl Scout Cookie Sales date back as early as 1917, just a few years after the organization was founded. Girls and mothers would bake dozens of cookies in their own kitchens, selling them door to door for 25-35 cents a dozen. Back then there were no fancy computer-printed boxes like the ones that exist today-cookies were wrapped in wax paper and sealed with stickers.

In July of 1922, a standard GS cookie recipe was published in a Girl Scout Magazine by Florence E. Neil:

An Early Girl Scout Cookie^® Recipe

1 cup butter
1 cup sugar plus additional amount for topping (optional)
2 eggs
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
Cream butter and the cup of sugar; add well-beaten eggs, then milk, vanilla, flour, salt, and baking powder. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Roll dough, cut into trefoil shapes, and sprinkle sugar on top, if desired. Bake in a quick oven (375°) for approximately 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges begin to brown. Makes six- to seven-dozen cookies.


http://discussions.mnhs.org/collections/2012/03/its-girl-scout-cookie-time/


http://www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_cookies/cookie_history/early_years.asp


https://www.girlscoutsaz.org/news/article/the_girl_scouts_cookie_sale_how_it_all_began

Other interesting cookie facts from the GSA website:

• In 1934, Greater Philadelphia became the first council to sell commercially baked cookies.
• In 1936, the national Girl Scout organization began the process to license the first commercial baker to produce cookies that would be sold by girls in Girl Scout councils.
• In 1951, Girl Scout Cookies came in three varieties: Sandwich, Shortbread, and Chocolate Mints (now known as Thin Mints).
• By 1956, Girl Scouts sold four basic types of cookies: a vanilla-based filled cookie, a chocolate-based filled one, shortbread, and a chocolate mint. Some bakers also offered an optional flavor.
• In 1960, licensed bakers first began wrapping Girl Scout Cookie boxes in printed aluminum foil or cellophane to protect the cookies and preserve their freshness.
• By 1966, a number of varieties were available. Among the best sellers were Chocolate Mint, Shortbread, and Peanut Butter Sandwich cookies
• In 1979, the new contemporary Girl Scout logo appeared on cookie boxes. Cookie packaging became more creative and began to promote the benefits of Girl Scouting.
• All GSA cookies are kosher

For more info: http://www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_cookies/cookie_history/today.asp

 

Girl Scout Destinations!!

 Have you ever dreamt of hiking through a rain forest or up a mountain? Have you ever longed to see the beautiful castles of Germany or the jungles of Mexico? Have you ever wanted to travel the world? Well, here's your chance!

The National Association of Girl Scouts has a great program called gsdestinations that allow Girl Scouts to travel the world, learn new skills, experience different cultures, volunteer and complete service hours.

For more information, go to: http://www.girlscouts.org/forgirls/travel/destinations/event_list.asp?catid=0

The destinations go to all sorts of places-from California to the Galapagos to India to Peru.
Meals, accommodations, activities and supervision are all covered by the fee. These opportunities are available ONLY to Girl Scouts.

Most girls who quit Girl Scouts in elementary or middle school are not aware of all of the wonderful opportunities available to them. It is important that girls know all of the great things that Girl Scouts have to offer.

Although some of the destinations can be a bit pricey and airfare is not included, these are all great opportunities for Scouts. There are ways Girl Scouts can raise money to go on a trip on the National GSA website.

Here is the list of destinations available this year (from the GSA website):

destinations Events- http://www.girlscouts.org/forgirls/travel/destinations/event_list.asp?catid=0

Apprenticeships

Event Name	Location	Date
CampHERO	Madison, Wisconsin	July 2013
Hollywood Dreamin’	Hollywood, California	July 2013
Virgin Islands Sailing Adventure	Virgin Islands, United States Territory	June 2013
Wilderness Adventure Photography	Sacramento, California	July 2013

International

Event Name	Location	Date
Adventure in Peru	Lima, Peru	July–August, 2013
Amazon Adventure: Peru	Lima, Peru	July 2013
Andes Trekking: Peru	Cusco, Peru	July 2013
Catching Waves in Costa Rica	San Jose, Costa Rica	June–July, 2013
Costa Rica Service Challenge	San Jose, Costa Rica	June–July, 2013
Galapagos Islands	Santa Cruz, Galapagos, Ecuador	July–August, 2013
Germany Castles in the Sky	Munich, Germany	July 2013
Iceland Exploration	Reykjavik, Iceland	July–August, 2013
Incredible India	Mumbai, India	December 2013–January 2014
Ireland MultiSport Adventure	Tollymore, Ireland	June–July, 2013
London: The Global City	London, England	July 2013
Mexico Mayan Jungle Adventure	Tampico, Mexico	July–August, 2013
New Year’s in London: 2013	London, England	December 2013–January 2014
New Zealand: Twenty Thirteen	Auckland, New Zealand	July–August, 2013
Rainforest, River and Reef	San Jose, Costa Rica	July–August, 2013
Scuba & Sea Turtle Adventure	Bocas del Toro, Panama, Costa Rica	June–August, 2013
Sea Turtle Retreat (Costa Rica)	San Jose, Costa Rica	December 2013–January 2014
Stavanger Jamboree, Norway	Stavanger, Norway	July 2013
Swiss Challenge, Our Chalet	Adelboden, Switzerland	June 2013
The Great Panda Adventure	Hong Kong, China	July 2013
Touch of the Tropics – Costa Rica	San Jose, Costa Rica	July 2013

Outdoors

Event Name	Location	Date
Adrenaline Rush	Atlanta, GA	July–August, 2013
Alaska All-Around Adventure Expedition	Anchorage, Alaska	August 2013
Canyon Odyssey 2013	Phoenix, Arizona	July 2013
Caribbean Multisport	San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA	August 2013
Channel Islands Adventure Expedition	Los Angeles, CA	July 2013
Equestrian Gymnastics	Luthersville, GA	July–August, 2013
Happy Trails	Atlanta, Georgia,	July–August, 2013
North Country Rock-N-Wilderness	Duluth, Minnesota, U.S.A.	July–August, 2013
One If By Land, Two If By Sea	Boston, Massachusetts	July 2013
San Juan Kayak Pack	Anacortes, WA	July–August, 2013
Vegas Lights thru Teenage Girl Scout Eyes	Las Vegas, Nevada	June–July, 2013

People

Event Name	Location	Date
Midwest Madness	La Crosse, Wisconsin,	July–August, 2013

Science

Event Name	Location	Date
Advanced Space Academy	Huntsville, Alabama	June–July, 2013
Space Academy	Huntsville, Alabama	June–July, 2013
Wyoming's Wildlife Wonders	Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA	July 2013

Girl Scouts in The White House

The Presidential Election of 2012 was last week! Many people don't know that there have been many First Ladies and "First Daughters" who were former Girl Scouts!

(I can't wait for the day when we have a President who was once a Girl Scout!) :)

FIRST FAMILY-Girl Scouts in the White House!

Bush, Laura - Wife of President George Bush, Jr (43rd President)
Carter, Rosalyn- Wife of President Jimmy Carter (39th President)
Clinton, Chelsea - Daughter of Bill Clinton (42nd President)
Gore, Tipper - Wife of former VP Al Gore
Hoover, Lou Henry -Wife of President Herbert Hoover
Johnson Robb, Lynda, - Daughter of Lyndon B. Johnson (36th President)
Johnson Turpin, Luci, - Daughter of Lyndon B. Johnson (36th President)
Kennedy, Ethel - Wife of Robert Kennedy (Presidential candidate)
Mondale, Joan - Wife of former VP, Walter Mondale
Nixon, Pat - Wife of former President Richard Nixon (37th President)
Nixon Cox, Tricia - Daughter of Richard Nixon (37th President)
Nixon Eisenhower, Julie - Daughter of Richard Nixon (37th President)
Obama, Michelle - Wife of President Barack Obama (44th President)
Michelle Obama is also the honorary president of Girl Scouts, USA
Quayle, Marilyn - Wife of Former VP, Dan Quayle
Reagan, Nancy - Wife of Ronald Reagan (40th President)
Rodham Clinton, Hillary - US Senator & Wife of Bill Clinton (42nd President)
Wilson, Edith - Former First Lady, wife of Woodrow Wilson

For more Women who were once Girl Scouts:
http://www.girlscoutsgcnwi.org/famous-formers

Hurricane Sandy

I hope that everyone is alright after the recent storm-Hurricane Sandy. I know there was a significant amount of damage to Long Island towns and communities. I hope everyone is safe and well.

As for me, I am fine-lost power for 2 whole weeks but otherwise my family and I are totally safe and sound.

If anyone would like to help out in the relief effort after the storm, I know that there are a lot of great organizations out there that are looking for volunteers and donations. It can also never hurt to donate to your local food pantry or write a letter of thanks to all of the public service workers, police officers and fire department workers for all of their hard work before, during and after the storm.

It is important to move forward with optimism, confidence, and hope during these troubled times. We need to stay strong. We are Girl Scouts-and together, we can accomplish anything and can overcome any obstacle.

Good Girl Scout Troop project-help out with the rebuilding after the storm! Donate old clothes, supplies, non-perishable food and other useful items to the less fortunate. Help wherever you can. I am confident that all of you Girl Scouts out there will be giving your all and doing your best to help the places affected by Hurricane Sandy recover in the coming weeks.

Stay safe. Have faith. God Bless.

 

~Gold Girl Allie