Monday, March 28, 2016

Join Us at Spring 2016 Town Hall Meetings

Join us at the spring Town Hall meetings for your chance to share ideas among volunteer and staff teams. All volunteers are invited to attend the Town Hall meeting that is the most convenient. RSVP here at least 24 hours in advance to the meeting you plan to attend. We value your input to help create the agenda.

Go to this survey to RSVP and to provide input for the agenda. The survey will remain open until Tuesday, May 10, 2016, at 4:30 p.m.

Monday, April 18, 2016 – Aldersgate United Methodist Church – Room 14
6:30-8 p.m.
4320 Bruce Rd
Chesapeake, VA 23321

Tuesday, April 26, 2016 – St. Andrews by the Sea Episcopal Church
6:30-8 p.m.
4212 S Virginia Dare Trl
Nags Head, NC 27959

Thursday, April 28, 2016 - Bayside Presbyterian Church 
6:30-8 p.m.
1400 Ewell Rd
Virginia Beach, VA 23455

Tuesday, May 10, 2016 – Camden United Methodist Church
6:30-8 p.m.
197 N Carolina Hwy 343 S
Camden, NC 27921

Wednesday, May 11, 2016 - First Christian Church
6:30-8 p.m.
1458 Todds Ln
Hampton, VA 23666

Questions? Contact Millicent Luu, Administrative Assistant, Operations, at millicentl@gsccc.org.

Volunteer Support Team Webinar Series

Calling all volunteer support team members! Join us for the Volunteer Support Team Webinar Series beginning Monday, March 28, 2016.

  • Monday, March 28, 7–8 p.m. – Early Renewal and Opportunity Catalog – for all support team volunteers, especially membership coordinators.
  • Monday, April 11, 7–8 p.m. – Planning for the Plan of Work – for all support team volunteers, especially service unit coordinators.
  • Monday, April 25, 7–8 p.m. – Building School Relationships – for all support team volunteers, especially school representatives.

Volunteer Kick-Off – Register Now!

Saturday, September 10, 2016
8 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Old Dominion University Webb Center
Norfolk, VA

You’ll have the opportunity to visit our community partners and find out what new and exciting programs they can offer your girls, pop in a workshop session where you will take home some nice-to-know information, or chat with someone you haven’t seen in a while. Come for the entire time or come for a few hours…you can decide your schedule.

Service Academy Day 2016

High school and middle school students, parents and educators are invited to join the Peninsula Congressional Delegation for Service Academy Day on Saturday, April 2 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the Williamsburg Regional Library Theatre. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. for registration.

Shop Promotions for the Month of April

April 1-30: April Showers Bring May Flowers
During the month of April, purchase a Girl Scout rain jacket for $39.95 and receive a pair of Girl Scout flip flops free! ($9.95 value)

April 12, 13, 14: Volunteer Appreciation Week Pre-Bridging Sale!
Receive a 15 percent discount off entire purchase including bridging supplies. While supplies last.

April 22: Leader Appreciation Day - Thank You, Leaders!
Receive a 10 percent discount off entire purchase and one free gift per transaction. While supplies last. In-stock merchandise only.

Take Action – Invite the House and Senate to the 100th Anniversary of the Girl Scout Gold Award

Girl Scouts’ bipartisan Troop Capitol Hill, an honorary troop made up of all of the female members of the United States Congress, formally introduced a resolution calling on the House and Senate to join Girl Scouts in celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scout Gold Award. Take action and send a message to your senators and representative, asking them to sign on to this resolution.

Need to find out who represents you? Go here to learn about U.S. Virginia Senators and Representatives.

New Volunteer Open House

Sunday, June 26, 2016
1 –3 p.m.
A Place for Girls
Chesapeake, VA

Don't miss this great opportunity to:
  • Tour A Place for Girls, The Lodge, and The Outback
  • Learn about camp and Council programs
  • Make S.W.A.P.S. (Something Wonderfully Affectionate Pinned Somewhere)
  • Meet staff, network with other volunteers and visit the Girl Scout Shop where you will receive a 10 percent discount.

After the Open House, the following classes will be offered:
  • Girl Scout Program Basics (3–6 p.m.)
  • PB&J (Proficiency Badges & Journeys) (3–6 p.m.)
  • Nature Crafts (3–4:30 p.m.)
  • Girl Scout Singalong (4:30–6 p.m.)

Community Girl Awards Committee Members Needed

Girl Awards Committees in each community meet once a month to mentor girls going for their Girl Scout Silver Award and Gold Awards. The committees are looking for additional members to help mentor girls and teach the Go for Gold face to face class. The ideal candidates are either adult Girl Scout Silver or Gold Award recipients or adult volunteers who have mentored girls in the pursuit of higher awards.

To join your Community Girl Awards Committee, contact Jacqueline Brooks at jacquelineb@gsccc.org.

Cookies on Ice

Saturday, April 9, 2016
5:30–6:30 p.m. - Cookie donation to Soldiers’ Angels on the plaza
7:15 p.m. - Game plus National Anthem, Color Guard and Ceremonial Puck Drop
Scope Arena
201 E. Brambleton Ave.
Norfolk, VA 23510
$15 (includes event patch)

Show your Girl Scout pride by wearing your Girl Scout uniform or shirt to the Admirals hockey game! If you wish to have your troop seated together, list your troop number when placing your order. This is a girl and adult event. Tagalongs welcome. All must pay to attend.

Order tickets online here. Use promo code GS16.
For content questions email jacquelineb@gsccc.org.

Food Drive

The 2016 Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast Helping Hands Food Drive will be held as a month-long community service project in April, a time when local food banks have the biggest need. Girl Scouts can collect food in many ways.

Consider a food drive competition in your neighborhood, at your school, meeting place or local business. Bring the food you’ve collected to the food bank location nearest you. Enter the Pounds and Pounds contest! The troop who has the most pounds per girl collected will win a movie night basket for the entire troop to enjoy. Best of luck, have fun with it and remember you are part of a tradition of Girl Scouts giving back to their community.

Strong Girls

Saturday, May 7, 2016
10 a.m.-noon D, B, J
9 a.m.-1 p.m. C, S, A
Eastern Virginia Medical School
Norfolk, VA
$13 (includes event patch)
Deadline: May 1, 2016

Do you want to learn more about health and the professionals that help us get and stay healthy? Join us for this hands-on learning event at Eastern Virginia Medical School. Girls will tour the facility and learn what it takes to attend medical school.

Coastal STEAM

Saturday, May 14, 2016 
9 a.m.-noon: C, D
1-4:15 p.m. S, A
Coastal Studies Institute
University of North Carolina
Wanchese, NC
$11 (includes event patch)
Deadline:  May 5, 2016

Girls will dive in to coastal science with a day of STEAM activities on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. They will learn and interact with local women scientists who are solving global problems facing the world’s coastlines right here in our own backyard.

Monday, March 21, 2016

Marvel Launches Program for Girl Scientists

Marvel is partnering with the National Academy of Sciences’ Science & Entertainment Exchange for a program in which girls ages 15-18 and in grades 10-12 can submit projects they believe can change the world. Participants will create a short video that demonstrates their idea and explains its far-reaching potential.

Five finalists will travel to California to present their projects to a panel of experts and be invited to hit the red carpet at the Civil War world premiere at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre on April 12, 2016. They'll also tour Walt Disney Studios and receive a $500 saving account from Synchrony Bank.

Pinwheel Palooza

Saturday, April 9, 2016
10 a.m.—2 p.m.
Virginia Beach Municipal Center Courthouse
Free Admission

Virginia Beach CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) will host "Pinwheel Palooza” as a part of the 3rd annual Pinwheels for Prevention Campaign to coincide with National Child Abuse Prevention month. Pinwheel Palooza will kick off with a special welcome and ceremonial planting of pinwheels.

Kids of all ages will enjoy activities and crafts, petting zoo, face painting, crafts, character appearances, pinwheel planting, performances by local youth groups, entertainers and more!

Make Your Mark on Hunger this Spring!

April is the GSCCC Helping Hands Food Drive month. Visit hunger.generationOn.org for great activities to get your group started. You can fight hunger through volunteer service.
  1. Go to hunger.generationOn.org to equip yourself with resources like project guides, lesson plans and reflection materials.
  2. Do a project to help end hunger! Whether its gardening, holding a rally or buying a meal for someone in need, you can be part of the solution.
  3. Share what you've done to end hunger and be entered to win a $250 grant to continue your service. Runners-up will win one of our awesome swag bags!

Color Me Mine Badge Workshops

Norfolk Studio
1300 Colley Ave.
757-625-1666

Virginia Beach Studio
737 First Colonial Road, Suite 214
757-422-2166

Leaders attend free. Call the studio to register. Visit www.vb.colormemine.com for more information. Can’t make it to one of the following workshops? Call to book another day and time for your troop.

Girl Scout Daisy Red Robin Badge
Sunday, April 10, 2016
6 p.m.
Virginia Beach Studio only
$12 (covers clay, instruction, glazing and firing of pieces)
Girl Scout Daisies will hand build a clay bird feeder and learn about caring for animals.

Jewelry Making

Trustmark Jewelers
550 First Colonial Road, Suite 311
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Saturday mornings 10–11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, Thursday or Friday evenings 6–7:30 p.m.
$5 per girl (Includes badge and supplies and finished pieces are yours to keep.) 
Observing adults welcome at no charge.

Trustmark Jewelers is offering jewelry making classes. Girl Scout Junior Jeweler badges will be awarded at the end of each 90 minute workshop to participating Girl Scouts. Call 757-426-1112 to register.

Powderpuff Derby Car Workshop

April 16 and 17, 2016
9 a.m.-2 p.m.
913 Land of Promise Road
Chesapeake, VA
$5 for workshop
$7 additional for derby car kit

Girls will need to bring the car kit and design ideas, or you can get some ideas at check-in. Cars will take about an hour to build and decorate. There will be a practice track and scale on site. Refreshments will be available for purchase. If it has been raining please wear shoes that can get muddy to walk to the building.

For more information and to register, contact Carolyn Engler at englerca@gmail.com or 786-390-6442.

Cookies On Ice

April 9, 2016
5:30 - 6:30 p.m.  - Cookie donation to Soldiers’ Angels on the Plaza
7:15 p.m. - Game plus National Anthem, Color Guard and Ceremonial Puck Drop
Norfolk Scope Arena
201 E. Brambleton Ave.
Norfolk, VA 23510
K-12

Show your Girl Scout pride by wearing your Girl Scout uniform or shirt to the Admirals hockey game! 

Minimum: 50 Maximum: 1,000
Deadline: April 1, 2016 (deadline extended)
This is a girl and adult event. Tagalongs welcome. All must pay to attend.

Order tickets online here. Use promo code GS16.
For content questions email jacquelineb@gsccc.org.

The Final Week of Take Five!

Take five cases of cookies from any Council cupboard between March 19 and March 23, 2016 and qualify for a drawing for these amazing new rewards! For every 5 cases your troop takes, your troop will be entered to win!

Win a $250 Dave and Buster’s or Build A Bear Party

This week, every troop that Takes Five is a winner!
For every five cases you take, your troop will receive a $5 coupon* to the Council shop good on any purchase of $25 or more!

Week Three Winners for the Take Five Troop Reward Program

Congratulations to our winners!
  • Troop 5970 from SU 430 Heart of the South
  • Troop 1591 from SU 380 Oceanview
The lucky winners will each receive a Coleman Propane Two Burner Stove!

Reminder – VST Early Renewal and Opportunity Catalog Webinar

Register now for the Volunteer Support Team Webinar – Early Renewal and Opportunity Catalog.

Monday, March 28, 7-8 p.m.

Renewing registrations now for the next membership year benefits girls, troops and service units. Find out about early renewal timelines and incentives and how you can support troop leaders and families during the early renewal period. Get a sneak peek of this year’s early renewal patch for all girls who renew their membership before June 6. Learn about the new Opportunity Catalog, the next stage in implementing our Customer Engagement Initiative to provide better service to you and all Girl Scout customers.

Monday, March 14, 2016

New Poster for Booth Sales!

A new poster that encourages customers to stock up before the end of the sale is now available on the troop resources page on the GSCCC website. It can be easily printed on two pieces of 8.5” x 11” paper to form an 11” x 17” poster to use at your booths. Download and print yours today!

Sell 25 Boxes of Cookies for Gift of Caring and Add This Fun Locket to Your Charm Bracelet!

Great news, our Council has added an additional reward to the 2016 Cookie Program! Our girls always show tremendous support for the Gift of Caring program, so we're going to challenge them to see if they can encourage their customers to give more. If a girl sells 25 Gift of Caring boxes and their troop opted to receive rewards, they will earn the "Girls Can Change the World" charm/locket.

Overseas Adventures/Global Summer Camps Sponsored by USA Girl Scouts Overseas

Wondering how you can keep your older girls engaged in Girl Scouts? Send them on the adventure of their lives through global summer camps sponsored by USA Girl Scouts Overseas (USAGSO)! Girls in grades 6–12 can visit a World Center in India, Mexico, Switzerland or the United Kingdom for a week of fun and a world of culture. Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors can visit USAGSO online for more details and to register by March 31, 2016.

Hurrah Players: Sing Out America

Sunday, May 15, 2016
2:30 p.m.
The Hurrah Players & The Perry Family Theatre
485 St. Paul's Blvd. (across from Chrysler Hall)
Norfolk, VA 23510 

Let freedom ring with a star spangled musical salute to the land of the free and home of the brave! With patriotic songs and uplifting dances, this original production by The Hurrah Players is sure to put pride in your heart and joy in your step. A combination of songs both old and new, the music demonstrates that while over history many things have changed, this expression of pride and hope remain a constant part of the American experience.

Week Two Winners for the Take Five Troop Reward Program

Congratulations to our winners!
  • Troop 5357 from SU 360 Suffolk
  • Troop 123 from SU 330 Western Elizabeth River
  • Troop 2358 from SU 420 Washington/Hyde/Tyrell
The lucky winners will each receive a 50-quart Igloo Max Cold Ultra Roller Cooler!

Thank you to all who participated, and keep visiting the cupboards. We still have three more weeks of prizes to award.

Take Five - Week Four!

Take five cases of cookies from any Council cupboard between March 12 and March 18, 2016 and qualify for a drawing for these amazing new rewards! For every five cases your troop takes, your troop will be entered to win!

This week, every troop that Takes 5 is a winner!
For every 5 cases you take, your troop will receive a $5 coupon* to the Council shop good on any purchase of $25 or more!

This week your troop could win a Caravan Sports 10X10 Instant Canopy or a $100 Gift Card
for a Color Me Mine Party!

Be sure to pick up cookies and get the opportunity to win an amazing new reward!

*This certificate is valid for in-store or phone orders and will expire on September 30, 2016.  Not valid for online orders. Individually registered girls not associated with a troop are eligible to receive these rewards. Troops are eligible to earn more than one of these rewards.

BFF Journey with Kappa Delta

Friday, March 25, 2016
Workshops 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. (includes snack time)
Old Dominion University Webb Center
Norfolk, VA
Girl Scout Brownies and Juniors
$8 (Journey badges included)

Join the Kappa Deltas of Old Dominion University on a Journey Quest and be an Agent of Change by participating in Girl Scout Journey activities.  Complete your Take Action project with your troop or on your own.

Minimum: 20 per grade level    
Maximum: 40 per grade level
Deadline: March 23, 2016

This is a girl only event, no tagalongs.
For event content questions email jacquelineb@gsccc.org.
Register here.

Summer with Virginia STEAM Academy

Session I:
July 10-16, 2016
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA

Session II: 
July 17-23, 2016
Washington and Lee University
Lexington, VA
In collaboration with Virginia Military Institute

Session III (For girls only): 
July 24-30, 2016
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA

The Virginia STEAM Academy is a free, one-week summer academy for rising 6-8th graders drawn from across the Commonwealth of Virginia and interested in science, technology, engineering and applied mathematics.

Apply online by March 30, 2016 at www.vasteam.org/summer-steam.
Decision letters will be sent by April 29, 2016.

Volunteer Support Team Webinar Series

Introducing a webinar series for support team volunteers. Attend these webinars to receive timely and important information to help you in your VST role. All webinars will be recorded and available for viewing after they are presented live.

Monday, March 7, 2016

Girl Scout Cookie Recipe Contest

It's that time of year again. Girl Scouts brings you our second annual National Girl Scout Cookie Recipe Contest, sponsored by Taste of Home™!

If creating awesome recipes is your super power, fly on over to the kitchen, grab your favorite Girl Scout Cookies, and get ready to create a delicious recipe that could win you some awesome prizes.

Become an Archery Instructor

This course will teach you the basic steps of shooting, preparing you to instruct archery courses for Girl Scout groups.

Sunday, March 20, 2016.
Noon–6 p.m.
A Place for Girls, The Lodge
Chesapeake, VA

Register today through eBiz.

For questions, contact Cheryl McGrenra, Adult Learning Manager, at cherylm@gsccc.org or 757-410-0595.

It’s Not Too Late to Order Cookies Through Digital Cookie!

It’s time to send your Digital Cookie customers a reminder email. Just follow these simple steps:

Marketing to Customers
On the Digital Cookie dashboard, click the “Customers” tab. The Customers page is broken into two sections:
  1. “My Cookie Customers” – for entering customer lists
  2. “Connect with Customers” – to learn more about marketing to customers

Cookie Question of the Week

Q: How can I be one of our next top cookie sellers?

A: Sell 1,000 or more boxes of cookies and you’ll be invited to our exclusive CEO Luncheon with GSCCC’s very own CEO, Tracy Keller!  The CEO Luncheon (that’s Cookie Entrepreneur Officer Luncheon!) is proudly sponsored by our friends at Towne Bank.
  • Dine in the beautiful Towne Bank board room with your fellow top sellers and receive your Super Seller Club rewards directly from the GSCCC, CEO, Tracy Keller.
  • You’ll also have the opportunity to share your super seller tips and to make suggestions for the 2017 Cookie Program.

Campus Girl Scouts - Christopher Newport University College Prep Workshop

Saturday, April 2, 2016
1–4 p.m.
Christopher Newport University
Mary Brock Forbes Academic Hall
Newport News, VA
$7 girls (includes a badge, snack, raffle prize and supply fee)
$2 adults  (includes snack & raffle prize)

This workshop will help Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors prepare for college by learning what they can be doing at this point in their school career, starting their college search and preparing for life on campus.

Take Five - Week Three!

Take five cases of cookies from any Council cupboard between March 5 and March 11, 2016 and qualify for a drawing for these amazing new rewards! For every five cases your troop takes, your troop will be entered to win!

Win one of two Coleman Propane Two Burner Stoves
Individually registered girls not associated with a troop are eligible to receive these rewards.

Troops are eligible to earn more than one of the Take Five rewards.

Week One Winners for the Take Five Troop Reward Program

Congratulations to our winners!
  • Troop 142 from SU 250 Lynnhaven Shores
  • Troop 5052 from SU 110 Newport News
  • Troop 550 from SU 350 Greater Greenbrier
  • Troop 114 from SU 230 Kempsville
The lucky winners will each receive a $25 Little Caesar’s Pizza Party gift card!

Thank you to all who participated. Keep visiting the cupboards for your chance to win!

Kings Dominion Girl Scout Day

Saturday, June 11, 2016
Kings Dominion
Doswell,VA
Reduced admission: $34.50 per Girl Scout or adult
Visit https://www.kingsdominion.com/ and use promo code KDGSDAY16.

Camping Weekend
$35 per Girl Scout or adult
Any Girl Scout who wishes to participate is invited. Cost includes two nights at Pamunkey Ridge Girl Scout Camp, Friday evening campfire and breakfast on Saturday and Sunday.
To register for this event contact the Commonwealth Girl Scout Council help desk at 804-746-0590 ext. 316.

Girl Scout Discounts at Hampton Coliseum

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® presents LEGENDS
April 6–10, 2016
Hampton Coliseum
1000 Coliseum Drive
Hampton, VA 23666 

20 percent off select tickets!
Discount valid on tickets regularly priced at $20 and $25.
Discount not valid on April 6 at 7:30 p.m. or April 8 at 10:30 a.m.
Deadline for group orders is April 4, 2016.
Additional fees may apply.

Tickets available at www.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone at 800-745-3000.

Your Wild Neighbors

March 12, 2016
10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
First Landing State Park
Main Trail Center
2500 Shore Drive
Virginia Beach, VA
$5 parking fee

Ongoing activities include:
  • Children’s education and craft tables
  • Chat with members of the Wildlife Response Team
  • Meet First Landing State Park Wildlife Ambassadors
For more information visit www.wildliferesponse.org.  RSVP to suezoo@aol.com.