2017 Blue Book of Basic Documents Now Available

The 2017 edition of our Blue Book of Basic Documents contains important information and source documents, including the Constitution of Girl Scouts of the United States of America, bylaws, policies, credentials criteria and standards for councils, our Congressional Charter, and more. Click here to view the latest edition.

Girl Scout Traditions with Friends Tea Party

Saturday, March 18, 2017
12 - 2 p.m.
St. Joseph Catholic Church - Cordier Hall
512 Buckroe Avenue
Hampton, VA
$10 per person (includes event patch)
This is a money-earning activity for Troop 1289
All Girl Scouts and families are welcome

Bring your favorite doll or teddy bear and enjoy the afternoon celebrating our Girl Scout birthday with delicious desserts, adorable fruits and delightful bite-sized sandwiches as we play games and create sweet crafts. See event flier for complete details and registration form.

Maximum: 50
Deadline to register and pay is March 2, 2017.

Contact Sharon Anderson at roostarmom@gmail.com or Mei Stukes at mstukes@cox.net for more information and to register.

Shop Promotions for the Month of March

March 1-31 Adult/Girl Fleece Jackets on Sale!

• $19.99 - all sizes (While supplies last)

March 9, 10, 11, 13: Girl Scout Birthday Week

• Visit one of the shops during Girl Scout Birthday Week and receive a 20 percent discount off entire purchase and a FREE Happy Birthday Fun patch (While supplies last)

Visit the Council Shops to See Our Cookie Items!

• Cookie apron: $15
• 100th anniversary cookie Fun patches: $1.50
• 100th anniversary cookie magnet: $8
• Cookie pin 2017: $2
• Cookie table cloth - 5': $15 
• Cookie table cloth - 6': $25
• 100th anniversary cookie tote bag: $2.95

Save the Date for Spring 2017 Town Hall Meetings

Beginning in April, GSCCC will hold four Town Hall meetings. These meetings provide opportunity for volunteers to connect with Council staff, other volunteers in the community, and a space to share your thoughts and ideas. All volunteers are invited to attend the Town Hall meeting that is convenient for you.

An RSVP and opportunity for volunteers to provide input to the agenda, coming in March.

Save the dates:

Wednesday, April 26
First Christian Church
1458 Todds Lane
Hampton, VA 23666

Thursday, April 27
St. Andrews by the Sea Episcopal Church
4212 S. Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959

Community Service Opportunity in Norfolk

Community service has been a cornerstone of Girl Scouting for more than 100 years. If your troop is looking for community service opportunities in Norfolk, this is it. The Lydia Roper Home Assisted Living Facility is looking for Girl Scouts to come and spread some cheer!

Volunteer opportunities consist of:

• Singing songs
• Playing an instrument (facility has a keyboard)
• Doing craft activities
• Making seasonal cards
• Completing art projects
• Playing games and mingling with the 23 ladies who love children and especially music

Date/Time:
To make arrangements for your troop's visit, contact Christine Hoppe, Activities Coordinator, via email at CHoppe@VUMH.org. Volunteer or visit on weekdays or Saturday at 9 a.m. or 12:30 p.m.

Location:
Lydia H. Roper Home
127 E. 40th Street
Norfolk, VA 23504

Volunteer Opportunity

Are you looking for community service hours in Virginia Beach and love animals? We have an opportunity for you. The Bunny Hutch is looking for Girl Scouts who are interested in helping care for rabbits. These hours apply toward community service bars while you learn valuable skills on how to care for animals.

Date & Time: Volunteers needed immediately
Location: 1165 Jensen Drive, Virginia Beach
Ages: Open to all ages

To become a volunteer, email info@thebunnyhutch.org or call 757-321-7887.
Visit www.climates2u.org to learn more about The Bunny Hutch.

Astronomy Events for Girl Scouts

Join Back Bay Amateur Astronomers (BBAA) as they bring their scopes and expertise to bear on the galaxy during “SkyWatch” at Northwest River Park. The BBAA will also turn their attention and scopes on our sun during “SUN-days” at Elizabeth River Park.  Both events are FREE and open to the public (all ages) on select Saturday nights (see dates and times below). Weather permitting.

SkyWatch at Northwest River Park
1733 Indian Creek Road, Chesapeake

• Saturday, March 18 - 7 p.m.                      
• Saturday, April 22 - 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, May 20 - 8 p.m.              
• Saturday, June 17 - 8 p.m. 

SUN-days at Elizabeth River Park
1400 Elizabeth River Way, Chesapeake  

• Saturday, March 11, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Saturday, April 15, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Saturday, May 13, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Saturday, June 10, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m

Visit www.CityofChesapeake.net/Outdoors to register. For more information, call 757-382-1359 or email scallahan@cityofchesapeake.net.

Update: Girl Scout Leadership Training at Goddard Space Flight Center June 18–23—APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MARCH 22

Girl Scout Seniors and volunteers have the opportunity to take part in a week-long intensive space science workshop June 18–23 at NASA’s premier research facility, Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Teams from 10 councils, made up of two Girl Scout Seniors, one volunteer, and one amateur astronomer each, will enjoy presentations by NASA scientists, tours of the Goddard facility, access to remote robotic observatories, fun and engaging space science activities, and a “star party” hosted by the Goddard Astronomy Club. Teams will also receive NASA science education materials and guidelines for starting their very own Girl Scout Astronomy Club.

If interested, email camileb@gsccc.org by 4:30 p.m., March 22.

Powder Puff Derby Workshop - DATE CORRECTION

Saturday, February 25 or Sunday, February 26, 2017
9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
913 Land of Promise Road, Chesapeake VA
D/B/J/C/S/A
Cost: $5 for workshop, $7 for derby car kit.

You will find everything you need to build and decorate your derby car at this hands-on workshop. All tools and instructions will be provided to assist girls with their car building needs. Purchase your derby car kit at the workshop or contact Laurie Surface at sunfirefish@gmail.com.

Registration for workshop is not required; just show up to work on your car design!

Vote for the Design of the New Troop Camping Badge!

Girls everywhere have spoken, and the winning 2017 Girls’ Choice badge is Troop Camping! What a great way to build go-get-‘em problem-solvers, encourage challenge-seeking and expose girls to new experiences as they grow their skills, confidence and character. After all, camp life is the best life!

Between February 13 and 17, girls are invited to weigh in on the design of their new badge. Girls can vote (by grade level) for one of two designs for the Troop Camping badge they’ll be able to earn this fall. And remember, for the first time, there’s a Girls’ Choice badge for Daisies, too! So rally the troops and VOTE NOW!

Badge requirements will be available for download on June 15, 2017; badges and printed requirements will be in council shops by August.

A Message from Little Brownie Bakers…

We want you–and the girls you serve–to feel great about the delicious Girl Scout Cookies® we bake. Share “Our Cookie Story” resources with your girls and their caregivers. 

With this online feature, we share how we’re exploring new ways to offer a wide range of choices to Girl Scout Cookie customers. We outline how sustainability unlocks the human and natural goodness of our foods. And we share our passion about offering products that allow girls to make a positive impact on their local communities and the world.

To learn more, visit ourcookiestory.littlebrowniebakers.com and enter the password lbb.

At Little Brownie, we’re proud to join with Girl Scouts in caring for the planet as well as the people who live on it.

Your friends at

First-Aid/CPR/AED Training

Did you ever wonder if First-Aid/CPR/AED training that is offered completely online meets Girl Scouts’ requirements? Per Volunteer Essentials 2016-2017, page 79, “First-Aid/CPR training that is available entirely online does not satisfy Girl Scouts’ requirements. Such courses do not offer enough opportunities to practice and receive feedback on your technique.”

Register for an in-person First-Aid/CPR/AED training today by visiting the EMTA Enterprises website or Hampton Roads CPR and Safety website.

Upcoming in-person classes:

•     Thursday, February 16, 2017 – Crooks United Methodist Church
•     Saturday, February 18, 2017 – Hidenwood Presbyterian Church
•     Tuesday, February 21, 2017 – Thalia United Methodist Church
•     Sunday, February 26, 2017 – A Place for Girls

Remember to have the facilitator to sign your training card and keep your certification card for your records.

Adult Learning Classes Coming Soon

Adult learning classes coming soon.  Register through eBiz.

Girl Scout Program Basics, Part II
Thursday, February 23, 2017
6:30–8:30 p.m.
Crooks United Methodist Church

Outdoor I:  Cabin Camping
Saturday, February 25, 2017
10 a.m. –2 p.m.
A Place for Girls

Girl Scout Singalong
Sunday, February 26, 2017
1–2:30 p.m.
A Place for Girls

Ceremonies and Traditions
Sunday, February 26, 2017
3–4:30 p.m.
A Place for Girls

Challenge Course Facilitator
Sunday, March 19, 2017
9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Camp Skimino

Girl Scout Program Basics, Part II
Thursday, March 23, 2017
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Crooks United Methodist Church

Girl Scout Program Basics, Part II
Sunday, April 9, 2017
6-8 p.m.
Camden County, NC

Volunteer Toolkit Online Learning Module

Discover the Volunteer Toolkit (VTK) and learn how it will be your favorite resource as a Girl Scout Daisy, Brownie or Junior troop leader. The VTK has program content for two Journeys, It’s Your Planet – Love it! and It’s Your Story – Tell it!, as well as badge requirements. Though badge and Journey program materials for Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors are not currently loaded into the VTK, those troop leaders (along with the younger levels) will enjoy customizing their troop year, having the troop roster, and the communication abilities of the VTK.

A Junior Journey Jam: Get Moving!

Sunday, March 12, 2017
1-5 p.m.
A Place for Girls
912 Cedar Road
Chesapeake, VA
Cost: $25 (includes Journey patch and a light snack)

Let's Get Moving! Girl Scout Juniors will learn about various forms of energy and find out what it means to be energy efficient. Fun crafts, energy discussions and an energizing snack are part of the Journey.

Register via Eventbrite.

Contact Shannen at lalareb3@gmail.com for additional information.

Note: this event is a fund-raising activity for Girl Scout Ambassador Troop 292.

Special Day for Special Needs - March 26

Sunday, March 26, 2017
9-11 a.m.
Children's Museum of Virginia
221 High Street
Portsmouth, VA

The Portsmouth Museums invites children with special needs and their families to enjoy a morning of their very own on Sunday, March 26, 2017.  Attendees will experience modified exhibits, adaptive materials, art and history programming, and giveaways, all with a reduced number of visitors and reduced cost.

Admission is $5 per person, with one caregiver admitted for free. Admission is good for the day; however, rates are only applicable between 9-11 a.m.

For more details, call 757-393-8983, ext. 23 or visit childrensmuseumva.com.

Scholarship Opportunity

StudySoup is offering a $1,000 scholarship to women seeking a career in computer science and/or computer programming, a field in which they are highly underrepresented. The scholarship will be awarded to a female student who demonstrates a passion for computer science and is actively seeking opportunities for a meaningful career in the industry.

Scholarship Eligibility

Any individual at least 18 years old who meets one of the following criteria:

• Currently attending high school (or equivalent) and will be attending an accredited university or college in the next academic year. 
• Currently attending an accredited university or college (undergraduate and graduate students are both eligible).

Deadline: May 5, 2017

Visit the StudySoup website to learn more.

Camp Fury Volunteers

If you haven’t heard about Camp Fury…you will. This popular week-long program started in Hampton and has expanded this summer to Chesapeake and Norfolk as well. Side-by-side with local fire and rescue squad personnel, girls complete and compete in hands-on learning activities that challenge them both mentally and physically. We want you to be a part of this successful program.  We are in need of volunteers to assist with transportation (Council vehicles provided), supervision, and encouragement for our campers while they are enjoying this program.  There are even activities for you to join in!

Summer Camp Employment

Do you like the outdoors?
Did you attend camp and want to share that experience with a new generation of girls?
Do you need experience to add to your resume? 

If you said yes to any of these questions, consider spending your summer with us camping like a Girl Scout...and get paid!

Join us this summer as we develop the G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™ of the future! With positions in fields such as healthcare, recreation, education, aquatics, business, and food service, we can offer a summer employment experience like no other.  So if you are looking for a summer of fun, excitement, and out of the ordinary experiences, join us as a camp employee!

NASA Girl Scouts at the Virginia Air & Space Center

For Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors
Cost: $20 (includes T-shirt)
Learn more and register at ebiz.gsccc.org

Come train with NASA! Be a Go-Getter, Innovator, Risk-Taker, and a Leader by participating in Women in STEM events with NASA this spring. You will have the opportunity to train alongside NASA to deliver NASA inspired training to your fellow Girl Scouts!

Learn more about this opportunity here: ebiz.gsccc.org

Upcoming Girl Scout Events

Powder Puff Derby Workshop
Saturday, February 25 or Sunday, February 26, 2017
9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
913 Land of Promise Road, Chesapeake VA
D/B/J/C/S/A
Cost: $5 for workshop, $7 for derby car kit.

You will find everything you need to build and decorate your derby car at this hands-on workshop. All tools and instructions will be provided to assist girls with their car building needs. Purchase your derby car kit at the workshop or contact Laurie Surface at sunfirefish@gmail.com.

Registration for workshop is not required; just show up to work on your car design!

Volunteer of Excellence Award

The Volunteer of Excellence Award recognizes those volunteers who have contributed outstanding service while partnering directly with girls in any pathway to implement the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.  Remember your troop committee members and sister volunteers.

Take time to recognize these individuals by nominating them for Volunteer of Excellence. The deadline for nominations is February 28, 2017.  Download the nomination form from our website.

For questions or to submit your completed nomination packet, email customercare@gsccc.org by February 28, 2017.