Girl Scouts-Western Oklahoma Tornado Relief Fund

Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast joins the nation in offering our thoughts and prayers to those who have been affected by the tornado that devastated the Oklahoma City area on Monday, May 20.

We have learned that Girl Scouts-Western Oklahoma Council appreciates all of the good wishes being sent to them by fellow Girl Scouts, but they are unable to handle all of the calls and emails at this time. Instead, they ask that you check their website or Facebook and Twitter feeds for the latest information.

Learn more about how you can help...

The Early Bird Catches the Worm! Be an Early Bird!

Wow! – The 2014 Early Bird Registration has taken off and 403 troops have already renewed their membership online. Way to go!

Early Bird is a chance to register for the next membership year in Girl Scouting (Oct. 1-Sept. 30) a little early. Then, you'll have one less thing to worry about in the fall.

The 2013 Early Bird Registration period ends May 31, 2013. Hurry! Time is running out to qualify for these Early Bird incentives:

Lifeguards Needed!

Many troops and service units need lifeguards for their summer activities.  If you are a certified lifeguard (age 18 or older) and would like to be included on a list of available lifeguards for Girl Scout swimming activities, please let us know.

If you would like to become an American Red Cross certified lifeguard, training options are available through local organizations. GSCCC will cover the cost of a student kit (a $50 value) for anyone willing to become certified and volunteer for Girl Scout swimming activities. 

For more information, contact Cheryl McGrenra, Adult Learning Manager, at cherylm@gsccc.org or 757-410-0595 (800-77SCOUT, ext. 1229).

Coastal Connection Community to Hold Leader Launch

Coastal Connection Community Leader Launch
Saturday, August 24, 2013
10 a.m. - noon
Thalia United Methodist Church
$5
Deadline: August 9, 2013

Calling all troop leaders, new and returning, in the Coastal Connection Community serving Virginia Beach and Knotts Island! You are invited to kick-off the 2013-2014 Girl Scout year with our first Leader Launch event.

Join us as you browse displays, learn about the Girl Scout Leadership Experience and explore materials that can help you and the girls you mentor. Shop at the Council traveling trunk store and meet special guests from Council. Registration is $5.00 and includes a welcome packet and special take-home gift. New volunteer classes, service unit orientation and the new Girl Scout program basics class will also be offered at the event.  

See the flyer for more information and to register today.

http://gs-coastalconnection.weebly.com/leader-launch.html   

Girl Scout Leadership Institute - Sponsored by Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia

Girl Scout Leadership Institute -
Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia
June 28 - 30, 2013
5 pm to noon
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA
$125
GSCCC is providing transportation and chaperones for the first 12 girls who sign up by contacting Robyn Singleton at robyns@gsccc.org. 
If you register directly with Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth, you will be responsible for your own transportation.


The Girl Scout Leadership Institute (GSLI) is coming to Richmond, Virginia on June 28-30, 2013. Girl Scouts entering the 11th or 12th grade in the Fall of 2013 are encouraged to join us for a weekend of insight, learning, and fun while experiencing life on campus! Register with a friend for this life-changing event!

Girls arrive Friday evening and get settled into the dorms. Afterwards, they will come together for a Welcoming Ceremony & Opening Dinner.

On Saturday, different tracks offer girls the opportunity to learn more about Health & Wellness, Financial Fitness, Career Options, Professionalism, and Personal Safety. Register early so that you guarantee your spot in the sessions you want! Each session is facilitated by highly respected professionals from the community. The special lunch program on Saturday offers girls the opportunity to interact with successful women to build their own "Recipe for Success."

Saturday night promises even more fun and excitement! Join us for a special appearance of Gabby Douglas, two-time US Olympic Gold Medal gymnast. Gabby will join the girls for dinner and afterwards a special interview program. The day wraps up with a special dance party, Girl Scout style…

Sunday will wrap-up with introspective time for the girls to think about and apply what they have learned over the weekend. 

This fun and engaging program is a joint venture between Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute at Virginia Commonwealth University, and the University of Mary Washington. Major corporate sponsorship provided by Dominion Resources, Martin’s Grocery Stores, and MeadWestVaCo.

2013 Dare to Lead Volunteer Support Conference

2013 Dare to Lead! Volunteer Support Team (VST) Conference

Saturday, July 27, 2013
Oak Grove United Methodist Church
472 N Battlefield Boulevard
Chesapeake, VA

At this VST conference, you will receive the position training you need whether you are a community-level volunteer or a member of the service unit volunteer support team.  Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m.
For information about this event, please click here.

To register for this event, please click here.

Please contact Cheryl McGrenra, Adult Learning Manager, at (757)410-0595 or cherylm@gsccc.org with any questions.

Relay for Life Volunteer Opportunity

Relay for life is looking for girls to help with luminaries.

May 18th at Cox High School

Relay for Life needs Girl Scouts to get involved! In the past, girls have helped decorate luminaria bags, as well as light the bags around the track. 

Brownies and Junior Girl Scouts are needed to decorate luminaria bags from about 3pm-7pm.
Cadette, Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts are needed from 7pm-9pm to help light the bags for the 9pm ceremony.

Check in for volunteers is under the registration tent. The volunteer coordinator will provide directions to the luminaria area from there.
www.RelayForLife.org/VirginiaBeachVA

For additional information contact:
Paula Miles | Community Manager-SAD
South Atlantic Division | American Cancer Society, Inc.
Phone: 757.493.7976

 

Community Service Opportunity With The Multiple Sclerosis Bike MS 150

 

Volunteers Needed

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease that involves an immune system attack against the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves). The attacks block the pathways of information that travel throughout the body. The disease begins to affect a person’s vision, balance, memory, and movement. Research is being done to find a cure but a cure has yet to be discovered.


The MS150: Ocean to the Bay Ride is a 2 day bicycle ride totaling 150 miles. Riders ride with the hope of raising awareness and funds to help stop this disease before it can affect another person. The riders in the event are people that have MS, family members of people with MS and those that just want to make a difference.

The local MS chapter is looking for volunteers (must be 10 years old) to help with the event. They are in need of help at the rest stations on June 1st and 2nd. The rest stations are a short break for the riders where they can grab a snack and something to drink.

This is a great opportunity to fill some community service hours. Please consider coming out to support the riders and make a difference for someone with MS.

For more details visit the MS website: www.fightms.com or contact  Hampton Roads Chapter 760 Lynnhaven Parkway, St. 201 Virginia Beach, VA 23452 (757) 490-9627

FREE ODU Conference for Girls and Young Women

BFF – BE A FRIEND FIRST - will be a workshop presented by GSCCC at the Conference for Girls at ODU this year. Did you know that nationally, one-third of girls ages 12–18 say that they have been bullied at school? And, according to the National Education Association, more than 160,000 students miss school each day because they are fearful of being targeted by bullies.

BFF is just one of the many great workshops being offered at this free event for girls 10 to 18 years of age. You'll also find great speakers at the conference like U.S. Track & Gold Medalist Francena McCorory!
For more information check out this link: FREE ODU Conference for Girls and Young Women

Communications Update

Thank you, Candice!

A Message of Appreciation from the Communications Department

The Communications department would like to say a big thank you to all of our community relations volunteers— we really couldn't do it without you. From sending us photos to inviting us to events, you help us stay connected to the16,000 girls that our Council serves. We have a couple of kudos to share this month—  a big thank you to Candice George for helping us schedule a radio interview at 88.9 WRVS in Elizabeth City to help us promote the Helping Hands Food Drive and give Girl Scouts the opportunity to speak out  for  themselves. Another big thank you to Mei Stukes for inviting us to the Girls Can Do Anything Career Day in Hampton. We met some great new friends of Girl Scouts and of course took advantage of the wonderful photo  opportunities there. We invite you to connect with us by sending in photographs and letting us know what great things your girls are doing. We are also always on hand to answer any questions that you may have. We don’t say it enough, but thank you, we appreciate all that you do for Girl Scouts.


Kudos to Mei!

- GSCCC Communications department

Marcy Germanotta, Communications Director

Kaitlin Smith, Public Relations Manager

Barb Owens, Graphic Design Specialist

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book Our Facilities Online!

We are excited to provide your troop or group the opportunity to reserve our facilities online. Camp Skimino, Camp Darden, Camp Burke’s Mill Pond, Camp Apasus, A Place for Girls, and The Lodge are available for a variety of rental uses. We hope that the new online facility rental website enhances your experience in determining camp and facility availability! Click here to go to the online camp and facilities rental website.

The process is quick and simple, requires no sign up and confirms your rental immediately. Full payment is required online. You may still contact the Council directly at (757) 547-4405 or support@gsccc.org if you wish to reserve by deposit. Service Unit Encampments will continue to be processed annually by the Camp and Outdoor Education Manager. All other reservations can be submitted manually, or reserved online. Give it a try, and tell us what you think at support@gsccc.org.

Are you our next employee?

Do you love the outdoors? Do you have basic property maintenance skills? Can you provide excellent customer service? If you answered yes to these questions, you may be our next camp ranger. We are currently recruiting for a full-time camp ranger at Camp Darden. Camp Darden is located a few minutes away from Franklin, Virginia. The city offers great local shopping, as well as major retailers, and a brush up on history. At 83 acres and with a sleeping space for 241, Camp Darden is a great destination for single troops or larger groups.

To learn more about this great employment opportunity and instructions on how to apply TODAY visit http://www.gsccc.org/Employment.aspx or call 757-548-4743 (1-800-77-SCOUT).

Effectively Facilitating Adult Learning Class

Back by popular demand...Effectively Facilitating Adult Learning Class!

Do you like to work with adults?

Do you want to share your knowledge of the Girl Scouts with other adults?

Do you like to have fun?

If the answer to any of the above questions is YES, then you should become an Adult Learning Facilitator.  Join us at the upcoming training.

When:  Saturday, June 22, 2013
Where:  A Place for Girls, Chesapeake
Time:  9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Don't hesitate to join the awesome team of facilitators, register for the training today thru eBiz:   http://gsusa.ebiz.uapps.net/vp/tabid/681/Default.aspx?pid=5&ProductCode=ALFACDV

Please contact Cheryl McGrenra, Adult Learning Manager, at (757)410-0595 or cherylm@gsccc.org, with any questions.

Girl Scout PALOOZOO! Don't miss out on the FUN! Deadline is May 2.

Jamboree at Virginia Zoo in Norfolk

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Noon-5 p.m.

 

$10 includes:

• Zoo admission
• Wristband for Girl Scout exclusive activities
• Event patch

 

Space is limited to the first 2000 participants, don't miss out... register soon!

Enjoy all the zoo has to offer along with special Girl Scout only activities provided by volunteers and our wonderful community partners. You may also choose to complete requirements for the Explore Virginia Zoo Patch program (explore patch is available in the council shop). Requirements available on the GSCCC website.

 

Visit hands on exhibits from:

• Ballyshannon Equestrian Center
• Bush Gardens 
• Color Me Mine 
• Childrens' Museum of Virginia 
• Chrysler Museum of Art 
• City of Norfolk Public Works 
• d'ART Center 
• Great Wolf Lodge 
• The Hermitage Museum 
• Mad Science 
• Mariners Museum 
• Nauticus 
• Navy Fleet Services 
• NOAA 
• Norfolk Botanical Gardens 
• Oceanbreeze Waterpark 
• Roanoke Island Festival Park 
• Sweet Treat Spas 
• Virginia Air and Space Center 
• Virginia Aquarium 
• Virginia Sports Hall of Fame & Museum 
• Watermen's Museum

 

Visit www.virginiazoo.org for directions, exhibits, and food options. Wristbands will be mailed or available for pick up beginning May 20, 2013.

This is a troop/family event. All must pay to attend. Zoo membership will not allow you to participate in the Girl Scout exclusive activities, a writband must be purchased for $10. 

Questions? Event content: Theresa Perry

Registration questions: support@gsccc.org

 

Thank You!

To our tireless volunteers, thank you for being part of our council's network of over 6,000 volunteers committed to helping girls make the world a better place. 

There is greatness in every girl, and we deeply appreciate your dedication to helping her find it.

You Rock!