Troop 54's trip to Washington, D.C.

Susanne wrote to GSHCC about a trip her troop took to Washington, D.C. for the Girl Scouts 100th Anniversary celebration on March 12.  This troop saved their cookie money in order to make the trip possible. 

Well, we did it—and thank goodness we were prepared!
A huge thank you is owed to our supporters for helping us on our journey to Washington, D.C. We pack a lot in during our short trip, and saw so many things. I think, if given the opportunity, we could all sleep for the next day-and-a-half straight.

Each night, after the girls were showered and in their PJs, we gathered in one of the dorm rooms in a circle and each shared one highlight of the day. The highlights varied from the hamburger at Johnny Rockets, the orangutan on the zip-line at the national zoo, meeting Congresswoman Matsui at the capitol and meeting the women Girl Scout astronauts at NASA. But for me, I have to say, one of the greatest highlights was seeing those girls take it all in, and seeing Girl Scouts and Girl Guides from all over the world swarming into the city on droves as the big 100th event approached. By Friday, walking down the street in Washington, D.C. was impossible. We couldn't get on the Metro without running into several troops of Girl Scouts. Girls everywhere were wearing Girl Scout shirts, either self designed or from the GS Shop. A lot of girls were also wearing their vests and pins.

We were "SWAPed" out within an hour of the event on Saturday, because we had been trading SWAPS all week long.  Everyone we met was so kind and thoughtful, both Girl Scouts and others that saw that we were Girl Scouts.

As I looked across the Washington Monument grounds on Saturday at the "thousands upon thousands" of Girl Scouts, I was in awe. It brought tears to my eyes, and still does today...and you know that each and every girl on that mall was there because someone bought a box of cookies from her.

With warmest regards,
Troop leader of troop 54, Susanne

At the mall on March 12.

Girl Scouts join Sacramento Women’s Chorus for “Sisters, Sing Out!” concert, May 12

Enjoy the collective voices of more than a dozen Girl Scouts at the Sacramento Women's Chorus (SWC) spring concert, "Sisters, Sing Out!," May 12 at 7 p.m. The event take place at Christ Unity Church,* 9249 Folsom Blvd. in Sacramento.

To prepare for the concert, Girl Scouts in sixth grade and above have participated in workshops with SWC, a community-based nonprofit that often partners with other groups whose mission aligns with their own. This year, SWC selected Girl Scouts Heart of Central California (GSHCC) as its collaborating partner. As a result, SWC provided singing workshops and bolstered the girls’ performance during the big 100^th anniversary event at Cal Expo in April. SWC also performed with 300 Girl Scouts at “Singin’ on the Steps” at the California State Capitol in March. 

SWC uses music to build community, honor peace, justice, equality, and tolerance, and celebrate the lives of women. Come show your support and share a love of singing by attending “Sisters, Sing Out!” on May 12.

Tickets are $7 for children 12 and under; $15 for adults. Advance tickets are available at www.sacramentowomenschorus.org. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

*Please note: SWC rents performance spaces. They are not a religious choir and are not affiliated with Christ Unity Church.

Troop #1710 Has Run-in with ‘The Law’

Roseville Girl Scout Daisies had the pleasure of meeting Sacramento County Deputy Sheriff Aimee Eagleton on April 16. Fresh off a visit to the local firehouse, the troop learned all about authority and respect from the veteran officer.

“The police, firefighters and teachers are just some of the many people who are here to help children,” Deputy Sheriff Eagleton said. Having graduated from the academy in 2005, Eagleton was an inspiration to the girls, exhibiting the idea that American females can do whatever they set their mind to.

Learning about authority, emergencies, respect and safety, the Daisies got to examine the police interceptor and its communication, computer and tracking systems, as well as crawl through the back seat where those in police custody are transported.

Lifting each Daisy to see the aerial identification number emblazoned across her shiny interceptor’s roof, Eagleton explained one of her favorite parts of the job: “…know[ing] you have truly made a situation better for someone, no matter the circumstances.” This nobility of purpose as well as the fraternity of law enforcement—revealed by the black ribbon draped across her seven-pointed badge in honor of slain Modesto P.D. Deputy Bob Paris—was not lost on the troop or their dedicated leaders, Kristin Crossman and Stacey Garcez.

Girl Scout Daisy Troop 1710 gives a hearty thank you to Sacramento Deputy Sheriff Aimee Eagleton and the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department, both for taking the time to share about this important job and for keeping Roseville safe for law-abiding citizens.

Submitted by Peter von Bleichert, Girl Scout parent and volunteer

Roseville Girl Scout Daisy Troop 1710 learns about authority, emergencies, respect and safety.



We can’t say it enough:Thank you to our event sponsors.

For 100 years, Girl Scouts has helped girls discover, connect and take action in their communities through fun events and workshops. Our event sponsors make these large-scale, inclusive and innovative programs possible year after year. When Girl Scouts are learning, smiling and growing, our mission is accomplished. So here we go, saying it again: Thank you, sponsors, for supporting our mission of building girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. We couldn’t have put on the biggest event in our council’s history without you!

CONTRIBUTORS Alhambra • CA Grown • Granite Arch Climbing Center • Green Acres Nursery & Supply Icing on the Cupcake • Kohl’s • Let’s Go Chipper • Nancy Easton, Event Coordinator Neilson and Stayner families • Paul Mitchell, MTI • Redwood Barn Nursery • Talini’s Nursery UC Davis Arboretum

Imagine how working with a scientist could change a girl’s life.

Girls push boundaries, test limits, and look at the world around them with inquisitive eyes. They’re natural scientists! Girl Scouts introduces girls of every age to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) activities that are relevant to everyday life.

Whether they’re discovering where bugs make their home or becoming naturalists in their neigh-borhoods, girls are moving forward into the future. They can discover how medicinal flowers and herbs can help others, recommend ways to reduce light pollution, engineer improvements to a dam, and more.

Girl Scouts’ approach to STEM is unique because it’s framed in leadership. Girls use their leader¬ship skills to make the world a better place. Research shows that girls need to be hands-on, active learners and are more interested in STEM careers when they know how their work can help others.

Our program intentionally engages girls using three unique processes:
• Learning by Doing: This process involves a reflection step that engages girls in thinking about how an activity worked and what they would do differently in the future—a key skill set when conducting experiments or scientific testing.
• Girl Led: This process encourages girls to decide which topics they want to explore and how they want to go about it.
• Cooperative Learning: This process gives girls the opportunity to develop their leadership skills in the way they feel most comfortable.

Girl Scouts say, "When life gives you lemons, make ice cream!"

Those who’ve already gobbled up the last bit of their beloved Girl Scout Cookies will find an extra treat at both What’s the Scoop and Gunther’s Ice Cream in Sacramento starting today, March 30. To honor Girl Scouts of the USA’s 100th anniversary, the two shops will feature “Smart Cookies Ice Cream,” a new delicious lemony flavor imagined by Girl Scout Brownie and Daisy Troop 3921.

“Smart Cookies” is a result of a contest organized by What's the Scoop owner Angel Nazir and Girl Scouts Heart of Central California (GSHCC). For the contest, local Girl Scout troops submitted their ideas for a flavor honoring the organization’s centennial in 2012.

The winning flavor, conceived by Girl Scouts and made by Gunther’s, is a creamy lemon chiffon ice cream swirled with pieces of lemon-iced shortbread and a marshmallow ribbon.

Nazir’s idea to add a Girl Scouts-themed flavor to her shop’s menu was inspired by her sixth-grade daughter, Ashley, who was in Girl Scouts last year. “We thought it would be so fun,” Nazir said. “It started with a dream, then a phone call to the Girl Scout council, and now it’s a reality!”

Susie Burns, leader of the winning troop, said that her girls are ecstatic to have their ice cream featured—where else would such a unique opportunity arise but in Girl Scouts? On their choice of a lemon flavor she said that they knew they had to create something that stood out and represented their troop. “The girls are not chocolate and vanilla girls,” she said. “They love Lemonades, and our troop nickname is ‘Smart Cookies.’”

According to Burns, the flavor also represents this year's cookie season motto, ‘What can a cookie do?’” Burns’ troop—nine girls in kindergarten through third grade—have used the Girl Scout Cookie Program to tackle goal-setting, aiming to sell 1,200 packages and passing that goal by selling 1,902. The troop uses its funds to make the world a better place. This year, they sent a letter to their school requesting repairs on a playground, purchased toys for less fortunate children and they recycle cans to create a troop fund.

“They are constantly giving and learning about the world around them,” Burns said. “This is what Girl Scouts is all about: helping our girls to overcome obstacles life throws at them and to become the best people they can be. Our little joke has been, ‘When life hands you lemons, make ice cream!’"

Smart Cookies Ice Cream will be featured for a limited time only at What’s the Scoop Ice Cream & More (6350 Folsom Blvd, Ste. 400) and Gunther’s Ice Cream (2801 Franklin Blvd.) in Sacramento. At What’s the Scoop (not Gunther’s), girls dressed in Girl Scout attire can receive 10% off their purchase, March 30-April 30.

Good news for Girl Scout out-of-towners and their families: Smart Cookies will also be featured at GSHCC’s 100th anniversary event April 28 at Cal Expo!

Tuesday, March 13: The Poppy Patrol Homeward Bound

Day 5 of the Poppy Patrol’s adventure in Savannah for Girl Scouts’ 100th anniversary weekend:

Full of memories and loaded with keepsakes, the Poppy Patrol began to disperse. Twice there were hugs and tears at the hotel threshold as travelers took their leaves. Noel and Jasmine drove away. Holly got into her taxi to the airport, and we convinced the driver to come back for the rest of us in two hours. The remaining Poppies got quiet and somber. We walked into town for lunch and pondered the significance of all that had taken place over the weekend. Our cab driver returned for us, and our journey home began.

Now that we are all home, we are not just savoring happy memories. One of the things that came up in our sharing of memories and reflections was a desire to be back in direct service to girls. All of us have much experience in troops and camps, but have not been directly involved with girls for a few years. Three of the Poppies plan to volunteer as troop leaders in their council’s years ahead, and the other Poppies will consider serving as song leaders and teachers.

Being at the 100th birthday celebration in Savannah has inspired us all!

Answer to Poppy Patrol Pop Trivia Question #3: Sixty-nine percent of female U.S. Senators and 67% of female members of the House of Representatives were Girl Scouts. (Go GS!)