Girl Recognition - Buck Harris Award Nomination

This award was established upon the retirement of Buck Harris, a former executive director of the Virginia Tidewater Girl Scout Council. Buck dedicated her life to providing the finest in camping and outdoor education programs.

The award is presented at the Annual Council Meeting each year and consists of a framed certificate and a certificate towards attending a GSCCC sponsored summer camp. To qualify for the award, a girl must be nominated by the girls in her troop, group or service unit or by an adult who is aware of her qualifications. As girls decide on their nominee, help them understand this is more than a popularity contest.

Made With Code

Girl Scouts who code can literally change the world! That's why Girl Scouts is thrilled to be a part of Google's new initiative, Made with Code.

Made with Code was designed to:

• Inspire millions of girls to experience the power of coding
• Demonstrate how coding can help girls pursue and reach their dreams
• Create a coding culture for girls based on creativity and making 
• Encourage girls to write their own future and show them that coding can take them anywhere

Made with Code offers your Girl Scouts fun and creative games, moving videos, and profiles of girls and women who are using code to achieve their dreams.

Delegate Chair Training

Delegate Chair Training is required for Service Unit Delegate Chairs to help prepare for their governance role.

Tuesday, November 10, 2015
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
A Place for Girls, Chesapeake

Register today through eBiz.

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

Recognize Outstanding Volunteers

All volunteers do wonderful things, and many go above and beyond the expectations of their position. Take time to recognize these outstanding individuals by nominating them for a GSUSA national award.

The deadline for nominations for the Thanks Badge (I and II), Honor Pin and Appreciation Pin is December 1, 2015 for volunteer service in the 2014-2015 membership year. These awards will be presented at the Annual Award Luncheon following the Annual Council Meeting on Saturday, February 6 at the Chesapeake Convention Center.

Information about the awards and nomination forms can be found here.

For questions, contact the Volunteer Services Department at volunteer@gsccc.org.

Journey Quest

Join the Kappa Delta sorority of Old Dominion University on a Journey Quest and be an Agent of Change by participating in Journey Badge activities.  Girls may complete their Take Action Project with their troop or on their own.

November 15, 2015
ODU Webb Center
Norfolk, VA
Check In: 12:30 p.m.
Workshops 1 p.m.- 4:30 p.m. (includes snack time)
Closing: 4:30 p.m.- 5 p.m.

Have You Been a Girl Scout Volunteer for 20 or More Years?

Girl Scouts of Colonial Coast formally recognizes volunteer years of service of 20 or more years of service (in increments of 5 years) at the Annual Award Luncheon. If you have served as a volunteer for 20, 25, 30, 35 or more years, let us know!

The Award Luncheon will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2016, at the Chesapeake Convention Center following the Annual Council Meeting.

Information and nomination form for the Volunteer Years of Service pin can be found here.

Contact the Volunteer Services Department at volunteer@gsccc.org for more information.

Delegate and Alternate Delegate Training

Delegate Training is required for all Delegates and Alternate Delegates to prepare for their role as voting members of the Girl Scout Council of the Colonial Coast. The training will include an explanation of the delegate job description, information on topics that will be voted on at Annual Council Meeting, an overview of Robert's Rules of Order, and a State of the Council report.

Tuesday, December 8, 2015
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
A Place for Girls, Chesapeake

OR

Wednesday, December 9, 2015
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Peninsula Service Center, Newport News

OR

Thursday, December 10, 2015
7 – 8 p.m.
Webinar

The Gala of the Royal Horses

November 1, 2015
4 p.m.
Hampton Coliseum
1000 Coliseum Drive
Hampton, VA 23666

Discounted Girl Scout admission: $15
(Tickets to Girl Scout Clinic included.)

Girl Scout Clinic will be held 30 minutes before the show doors open.
Girl Scouts will be able to meet the riders, horses and more.
Deadline for Girl Scout orders is October 28. Additional fees may apply.

Tickets available at  www.ticketmaster.com.
Charge by phone at 800-745-3000 and at the Coliseum Box Office.

Box Office Hours:
Monday–Friday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Closed Saturday and Sunday unless an event day

Girl Scout Famous Formers Luncheon

Thursday, October 29, 2015
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Norfolk Yacht & Country Club
7001 Hampton Blvd.
Norfolk, VA 23505

Time is running out! Get your tickets now for the Girl Scout Famous Formers Luncheon on Thursday, October 29 at the Norfolk Yacht and Country Club. Adult tickets are available for $40 and girl tickets are $25. Visit gsccc.org for details and purchase your ticket today.

For questions, contact Robin Thomas at 757-548-3809 or robint@gsccc.org.

Girl Scout Destinations - Round 1 Deadline is November 1, 2015

Girl Scout Destinations are the ultimate adventure for individual girls ages 11 and older. With different trips every year, there’s something amazing for everyone to experience. Make friends from all over the country as you travel with Girl Scouts from different states, see and learn new things, and pack your bags full of inspiring, life-changing experiences and memories.

2016 trips are here! If you have your heart set on a particular trip, apply during Round 1.

Girl Scouts and Family Only Ice Skating Days

Hampton Roads Iceplex
401 Village Ave.
Yorktown, VA 23693
Saturdays in November
9 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
(doors open at 8:30 a.m.)

Cost
Admission: $4 per Girl Scout
($7 for children and $8 for teens and adults who are not Girl Scouts)
Skate Rental: $3
Reservations are required for all small or large groups.

Free Lessons
Must call to reserve lessons. Lessons are for total beginners only.
Free refreshments will be served.

For questions and to make reservations contact Tommy at (757) 877-7539 or iceplexgroupsales@gmail.com.

Journey Quest

Join the Kappa Delta sorority of Old Dominion University on a Journey Quest and be an Agent of Change by participating in Journey Badge activities.  Girls may complete their Take Action Project with their troop or on their own.

November 15, 2015
ODU Webb Center
Norfolk, VA
Check In: 12:30 p.m.
Workshops 1 p.m.- 4:30 p.m. (includes snack time)
Closing: 4:30 p.m.- 5 p.m.

New Volunteer Open House - Sunday, November 15, 2015

Sunday, November 15, 2015
Open House: 1–3 p.m.
Classes: 3–6 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

The Richmond Ballet Invites Girl Scouts and Their Families to Attend The Nutcracker

Saturday, December 5, 2015
7 p.m.
Chrysler Hall
215 St. Paul's Blvd.
Norfolk, VA 23510

Discount tickets and the opportunity for a Meet and Greet with the cast are available.

Deadline: November 21, 2015

Purchase tickets by calling 804-344-0906, ext. 285.
For event questions, email pwisecrawley@richmondballet.com.

Virginia Opera’s Student Night at the Opera

Girl Scout Troops enjoy a special subscription offer of $20 for three operas!

• La Bohème (November 4, 2015 - 7 p.m.) 

• Romeo & Juliet (February 3, 2016 - 7 p.m.) 

• The Flying Dutchman (April 6, 2016 - 7 p.m.)

Single tickets are also available. For more information contact Robert Cinnante, Statewide Director of Education & Outreach, at robert.cinnante@vaopera.org or visit vaopera.org.

Become an Archery Instructor

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

Sunday, November 8, 2015
Noon – 6 p.m.
Camp Skimino
Williamsburg, VA

Register today through eBiz.

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

Service Unit Delegate Election

Hello Service Unit Delegate Chairs,

Following your special service unit meeting, complete the new electronic service unit delegate election form here, by November 10, 2015.  The service unit quota list can be found here.

NEW this year: the Delegate Consent Form is no longer required.

October Shop Promotions

“GO!” Activity Fun Patches:

• Adventure Course
•  Archery
• Biking
• Caving
• High Ropes
• Low Ropes
• Rock Climbing

New Items:

•  Barbie, Teresa, Nikki Doll: $14
• Girl Scouts Official Daisy Scarf: $10
• Girl Scouts GS Official Brownie Scarf: $10
• Girl Scouts Official Junior Scarf: $10
• Girl Scouts Official Cadette Scarf: $10
• Girl Scouts Official Senior Scarf: $10
• Official Ambassador Scarf: $10
• Official Profiles Scarf Slide: $12

October 1-15 Back to Troop
Spend $75 or more from September 1 - October 15, 2015 and receive a $10 coupon to spend on a purchase of $25 or more from November 1 - November 20, 2015. One $10 coupon will be issued per qualifying order per visit in store. Orders over $75 will generate one $10 coupon regardless of merchandise total. Each coupon is redeemable separately on an order totaling $25 or more. Only one coupon code can be redeemed per transaction and must meet the $25 minimum order threshold.

October 27-29 Celebrate Juliette Gordon Low’s Birthday
Receive a discount of 15 percent off entire purchase.

Office Max and Office Depot Discount

Our community partner, EMTA Enterprises is sharing their store purchasing discount with Girl Scouts. Visit http://emta.ctcsavings.com/ to take advantage of savings up to 80% on purchases at Office Max and Office Depot.

Girls STEAM Ahead – Deadline October 30, 2015

November 14, 2015
6–9 p.m. (Check-in starts at 5:30 p.m.)
Nauticus, Norfolk, VA
$15 (includes event patch)

Join us for a fun-filled night at Nauticus for our first girls STEAM night. Enjoy exciting, hands-on activities led by the Nauticus education team and local career professionals in the science, technology, engineering, arts and math fields! All activities will go towards earning requirements for badges from the Science and Technology category for each age level.

Minimum: 100
Maximum: 200
Deadline: October 30, 2015
This is a girl and adult event. Both pay to attend. No tagalongs.  

For event content questions contact donnaf@gsccc.org.
For registration contact support@gsccc.org.

NEW Go for Gold Training

Go for Gold training is now divided into two training components. The first required training is a convenient and interactive online module that girls can complete any time prior to attending the second module. The second module is a face-to-face training that will help girls discover a need in their community that can be addressed by completing the Girl Scout Gold Award. The online module covers the nuts and bolts of Going for Gold. Girls can start and stop this training as needed and can even go back to reference information. The online portion will cover the seven steps to Girl Scout Gold, prerequisites for the Girl Scout Gold Award, how to complete the proposal and final report paperwork, and when and how to complete a money earning activity request.

The second training will be face to face and will help girls brainstorm ideas for a successful Girl Scout Gold Award project. Girls will learn:

• How to identify a Girl Scout Gold Award project
• The difference between a community service project and a Girl Scout Gold Award project
• How to identify the root cause of an issue in her community and how to build a successful Girl Scout Gold Award project to address that issue

Register for both trainings by visiting ebiz.gsccc.org. The online portion is to be completed before you attend the face-to-face training.

For more information, contact Jacqueline Brooks at jacquelineb@gsccc.org or at 757-410-0732.

Shoot for Silver Online Training

Shoot for Silver training is not required but highly recommended. GSCCC offers Girl Scout Silver Award training for girls and advisors. This class includes information on how to complete the proposal and final reports and how to plan a Girl Scout Silver Award project. Girl Scout Juniors and Cadettes, parents, advisors and Girl Scout Cadette age-level consultants/coaches are encouraged to complete this training.

Shoot for Silver training is now an online class. There is no charge to take this class, and because it is online participants can complete it at their own pace. To register, visit ebiz.gsccc.org. Once you register, you will be emailed a link to the actual class. If participants do not have access to the Internet, an alternative paper based class is available.

For more information, contact Jacqueline Brooks at jacquelineb@gsccc.org or at 757-410-0732.

Online Risk Management Class Now Available

Safety continues to be the number one priority at Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast. All volunteers who work directly with girls shall complete a Risk Management class annually to be informed of the latest important safety guidelines.

Risk Management classes are now available online! This and other online classes can be accessed here.

For more information, contact adultlearning@gsccc.org.

Calling all Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors! - We're Starting a Team of Cookie Captains

What is a Cookie Captain?
Cookie Captains will play an important role in mentoring younger Girl Scouts about the Girl Scout Cookie Program. Cookie Captains are leaders, role models and guides for new cookie sellers. Cookie Captains will:

• Attend a troop meeting where you educate the girls and parents on cookie knowledge, safety, marketing and goal setting. Don't forget to share what’s worked for you in the past.
• Attend a Cookie Rally. Host a station designed for Cookie Rookies.
• Get some behind the scenes experience by helping at a Council or service unit initial cookie drop.
• Visit Girl Scout Daisy or Brownie booths. Give them tips on how to approach customers and what to do if someone says no.
• Girls aren’t the only Cookie Rookies – some new leaders may need guidance. Act as a resource for the service unit cookie coordinators to train new leaders.

In addition to this leadership opportunity girls who spend at least 20 hours as a Cookie Captain will also earn the Girl Scout Senior or Ambassador Community Service to Girl Scouting bar.

If you have questions, contact Chris Ramos-Smith at chrisr@gsccc.org. Interested Girl Scouts and their parents/guardians will receive additional program information by the end of October.

Online Classes for New Troop Leaders Now Available

Attention new troop leaders! Now you can get much of the training you need to get started with a new troop right from the comfort of your own home. Two new online classes have just been added to the Council website at gsccc.org: Welcome to Colonial Coast and Getting Your Troop Started.

Together, these classes will introduce you to resources available at Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast and help you through your first steps of starting a new troop.

If you’re a new troop leader, you’ll need to follow these steps:

1. Visit http://ebiz.gsccc.org to create a membership account and become a registered member ($15 annual dues).
2. Complete the volunteer application and screening process, which includes a background check.
3. Complete new leader online classes in this order:
   • Girl Scouting 101
   • Welcome to Colonial Coast
   • Getting Your Troop Started
   These classes can be accessed here.
4. Have an informational session with your service unit volunteer coordinator. If you don’t know who that is, fill out this short questionnaire and we will contact you as soon as possible.

Access the full New Troop Volunteer Checklist here.

For more information, contact volunteer@gsccc.org.

Volunteer Learning Event – More Than S'mores – Helping Volunteers Remain Relevant in This Ever-Changing World

Saturday, October 10, 2015
8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
Shiloh Baptist Church
105 Goosley Road
Yorktown, VA 23690

Everyone is invited to attend the adult learning event in Yorktown. Attend new leader classes or attend one of the enrichment classes free of charge. You’ll have the opportunity to browse displays during lunch and explore materials that can help you and the girls you mentor.

See the flier on our website for more information and register today.

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