~ Girl Scouts® SPRING 2002 Girl <;:;cout Fold Girl <;:;cout Dancing Over Note Cards. Light-Up Water Ball. 2<;:;MM205. $10.00. 2<;:;M11285. $15.50. Pkg. of 10. With a press of a Now you can write a button, these colorful letter and not worry flowers light up and about finding an the fun begins! A great envelope. This trifold addition to any girl's note card is convenient room . "Girl Scouts to use and features Shine" imprint on illustrations of diverse front. Two AA batteries girls on both the inside included . 4" high. and outside. 6" x 9". Cross-<;:;titch Kit. Imported. 2<;:;M11969. $10.25. Make an adorable Girl <;:;cout Autograph Bandana. cross-stitch design with 2<;:;M15182. $7.00. this fun kit. Everything Collect all of your friends' autographs on this you need is included: fun bandana. Complete with fabric marker, instructions, embroidery bandana features 12 butterflies for autographs thread, fabric, needle and a repeating border with "Girl Scouting: and project card. For Every Girl, Everywhere" imprint. Completed design is Polyester/cotton. 21" x 21". I approximately 4" wide and 61A" high. Great for ~ framing as a gift or to ~~ ,_.4:-":'lfi decorate your home. ~~""""-~· ~- ~""\ l :!>-in-1 Glitterg Comb/Mirror Kegchain. 2<;:;M11:?>95. $4!.50. Girl Scouts will be "looking pretty" with this adorable comb/mirror keychain. Flip open the top and you will find a mirror and comb. Close the top and use it as a keychain. Great to carry wherever you go! 3 11 Contact your local Girl Scout Council or order from National Equipment Service at 1-800-221-6707. Selected items also available in the JC Penney Catalog. Prices subject to change without notice. GSUSA/N ES 3/02 ~ Girl Scouts. LEADER CONTEN TS FOR ADULTS IN GIRL SCOUTING SPRING 2002 President Co nni e L. Matsui National Executive Director Marsha John so n Evans Senior Vice President Marketing and Development Joyce Ri cha rds Senior Director Marketing and Communications El izabeth Sheppa rd Director of Publishing Suzanna Penn Editor Janet Lomba rdi Manager of Creative Design and Production Chr istina Ca nn ard-Seward Circulation Coordinator Marie Kary-Ga rgi ulo Designer Rochelle Sumner LEADER (ISSN 0017-0577) is published quarterly by: Girl Scouts of the USA, 420 Fifth Ave nue, New York, N.Y. 10018-2798. © 2002 by Girl Scouts of the United States of America. 5 Girls' Voices 22 Great Ideas for All rights reserved. This publication may not be repro Supporting Girl Scouts in Troop Sleep Overs duced in whole or in part in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, the goth Anniversary Have Fun, Learn Skills and recording, or by an information storage and retrieval National Service Project Build Troop Unity system now known or hereafter invented, without the prior written permission of Girl Scouts of the United Alex O'Rou rke Laurie Rozakis, Ph.D. States of America. For permission to reprint, write Permissions Administrator or ca ll 212-852-8133. 9 Eight Tried and True Service 25 Welcoming Girls with LEADER cannot be responsible for unsol icited manu scripts, photos, or art in its offices or in transit. Project Ideas Special Needs Thi rd-class postage paid at St. Paul , Min n., and addi Quilting and More Smoothing the Transition tional mailing offices. Libby Marks McDonell Helen Orloff SUBSCR IPTI ONS: $5 yearly (4 issues); $7.50 for all destinations outside U.S .A. and possessions; $2 Sen ior 11 Helping with a Community 27 Miraculous Ceremony Girl Scouts. Change of Address: Notify your local coun cil by giving your identification number, old and new Service Project A Mother Observes Her address. (Counci l name on registration card.) Allow More Than I Thought Daughter's Achievement eight weeks for your local council to send the informa tion to the Membership Department at headquarters. To It Would Be Nancy Blackmon order copies, e-mail [email protected]. Muniba Hassa n, Senior Girl Scout Vol. 79, No. 1, Spring 2002. 28 Helping Children Cope GS USA's Web site address: http:!!www.girfscouts.org 12 Going for the Gold! in Uncertain Times LEADER address: /[email protected] Tips and Guidelines for Pursuing Tips for Encouraging Healt~y Photos on cover and pgs. 5 & 12: Lori Ada mski- Pee k the Girl Scout Gold Award Emotional Expression Photo page 9: Marc Fuller Patricia J. Paddock Harriet S. Mosatche, Ph.D. Photo page 20: John Madere/Corbis Stock Market Illustration page 21: Courtesy of NASA Jet 16 Today's Girl Scout Volunteers 4 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Propulsion Laboratory Who Are We ... Really? Photo page 23: Chuck Savage/Corbis Stock Market Lynn Obee 6 BULLETIN BOARD Photo page 24: LWA!Corbis Stock Market Photos page 26: Deb Allen and Helen Orloff 20 Out of This World Opportunities 8 MONEY MATTERS Photo page 28: Paul Barton/Corbis Stock Market for Girl Scouts 19 WHAT'S THE BUZZ Partners in Space Rosaly Lopes, Marilyn Morgan and 30 LEADER TO LEADER Linda Fa I/o-Mitchell, Ph.D. SPRING 2002 LEADER 3 A Tradition of Service dren of Afghanistan. To further dinate a project that has a beginning, a demonstrate service and patriotism, middle and an end; to manage time; to Girl Scouts continue to help with food problem solve and to gather informa drives, flag ceremonies, tree plantings tion. Project activities may vary but and many other acts of support. girls who engage learn skills they can Our commitment to the service of apply throughout their lives. This has IN HONOR OF GIRL SCOUTING'S 90TH our country and to others is why the been true throughout the last go years Anniversary and the themes of this highest awards in Girl Scouting are of Girl Scouting. The principles have issue of LEADER-service and the Girl focused on community service. In the remained steadfast although our activ Scout Gold Award- 1 sat down with early days of Girl Scouting, the highest ities have varied to reflect the changing the first Girl Scout handbook to revisit award was named the Golden Eaglet. needs and interests of girls. In 1912, for the Movement's beginnings. I wanted In _ the November 1923 issue of example, girls could earn such badges to compare those early days to where American Girl, Juliette Gordon Low as Matron Housekeeper, Farmer and we are today. With one glance at the wrote, "The requirements for winning Child Nurse, which taught girls the title, How Girls Can Help Their Country, the Golden Eaglet are character, handi skills they needed to run households. I could see that we have remained true craft, happiness, and service and that At the same time, girls could earn to our founder's vision. Service and others will expect to find in our Golden Telegrapher, Electrician and Interpreter, patriotism have remained core com Eaglets a perfect specimen of girlhood: which emphasized skills for workers ponents of Girl Scouting. mentally, morally and physically." outside the home. Even back then, Girl Throughout the Movement's go The Girl Scout Gold Award is the Scouting was ahead of its time. year history, in times of national crisis highest award in Girl Scouting today Today's Girl Scouts are also ahead and war, Girl Scouts have been there to and it, too, has stringent require of their time as they learn skills that lend a hand. For example, upon ments, including devoting so hours to will prepare them for their roles as the America's entry into World War I, Girl a service project that makes a signifi leaders of tomorrow. Through com Scouts worked in hospitals, staffed cant impact on a girl's community. munity service and the skills acquired railroad station canteens and collect This same commitment to service is from fulfilling the requirements of the ed peach pits for use in gas-mask fil an integral part of earning the Girl Girl Scout Gold, Silver and Bronze ters. During the Depression of the Scout Silver and Bronze Awards as Awards, girls are ready to take on the 1930s, Girl Scouts aided our nation by well. Today, a Girl Scout Gold Award challenges ahead. They are strong and organizing community relief efforts, project might involve initiating a com self-confident young women who are collecting clothing, making quilts and munity mentoring project, creating a earning awards and badges in such gathering food for the poor. During brochure and program to protect areas as entrepreneurship, engineer World War II, girls operated bicycle young people using the Internet or ing and communication. courier services and promoted the sale orchestrating a heritage tour that Looking back into our go years of his of defense stamps for the war effort. includes reenactment of the path of tory makes us more convinced than ever In the 1gsos, the Cold War prompted the Underground Railroad. These proj that Girl Scouting is where girls grow Girl Scouts to sponsor civil defense ects were among the many outstand strong. Thank you for embracing and activities in their communities. ing projects developed by last year's championing this remarkable tradition. The tradition continues today as Girl Scout Gold Award Young Women Girl Scouts respond to the national cri of Distinction. sis of September 11, 2001 and its after Through community service math. Encouraged by President endeavors, girls not only develop lead George W. Bush, Girl Scouts around the ership skills but they absorb practical Connie L. Matsui nation donated personal gifts of one lessons that come from planning and National President dollar each to help support the chil- executing projects. They learn to coor- 4 LEADER SPRING 2002 Photo for ill ustrative purposes only. Girls' Voices Supporting Girl Scouts in the 90th Anniversary National Service Project by Alex O'Rourke BEGINNING IN MARCH 2002, AND CONTINUING THROUGH OCTOBER, Some Facts About Girls' Voices Girl Scouts across the nation and around the world will partici • All registered Girl Scouts can pate in Girls' Voices, a national service project to celebrate the participate. goth Anniversary of Girl Scouting. • The project time frame is Community service has always been a fundamental part of the Girl Scout program, March-October 2002. and girls are encouraged to speak out and act upon issues that are important to them. • Participation is not mandatory. For Girls' Voices, Girl Scouts will put leadership skills to use, addressing topics such as health, education, history, culture, technology, personal safety and the environment. • Girls can work on a project indi-'{idually or in a group. Leader's Role • Girls who complete a project As facilitator, you encourage, support and guide girls who want to complete Girls' earn a Girls' Voices participa Voices service projects. The girls should do the bulk of the project planning and tion patch . Girls' Voices P.hoto implementation. Here are five tips that will help you define your role in Girls'Voices: Patches can be ordered through NES by calling 1-800-221-6707 1. Let the girls generate most of the conversation and ideas. (UPC #26719, $.85). 2. Listen to each girl's ideas; girls should choose service projects that are important to them. • G irls' Voices . projects cannot 3. Work with girls to create a realistic project plan and time line. be applied to any other Girl 4. Encourage and support girls by locating helpful people and resources. Scout award. 5· Evaluate the service project with the girls and locate areas of your community • There is no minimum or maxi where the girls' work will be recognized. mum service-hour requirement. For more information on Girls' Voices, including the Leader's Guide and the Tool Alex O'Rourke is a Membership, Program Kit for Girls, contact your local Girl Scout council. and Diversity Consultant at GSUSA. SPRING 2002 LEADER 5 Happy Birthday, Girl Scoutsl 90 Years. Still Growing Strong. On March 12, 2002 Girl Scouting was officially 90 years old and Girl Scouts everywhere celebrated. In Washington, D.C., GSUSA honored renowned women leaders at a gala dinner at the National Building Museum. And, the book Every Girl Tells a Story debuted 1n Still Growing Strong bookstores throughout the country. The celebration continues throughout the year: for example, in June, Chicago Girl Scouts will gather at the Navy Pier for performances and displays and in Washington, D.C., Girl Scouts will enjoy a sing-along on the National Mall. Girls' Voices, the national community service project, was launched on March 12, 2002, giving girls an avenue to honor the anniversary .as well as express their opinions about local issues. Girls' Voices projects will commemorate the anniversary year through October 2002 in personal, unique and fun ways. For tips on helping girls with Girls' Voices projects, see page 5. Full coverage of the GSUSA 90th Anniversary gala will appear in the summer 2002 LEADER. GIVE PEACE A CHANCE Junior Girl Scout Troop 8os of Parsippany, N.J. (Morris Area Girl Scout Council, Randolph) decided a good way to promote peace is to get people thinking about it. And the two peace poles they've installed-one at their council's Camp Mogisca in Glen Spey, N.Y. and the other at a local elementary Pennsylvania Girl Scouts (from left) Jessica school-do just that. Lower, Leah Danielson, Melinda Lower, At Camp Mogisca, the fifth graders Jessica Bertalan and Jeanette Taylor assemble chose a quiet area overlooking the lake care packages for Appalachian Tra il hikers. to install their peace pole-inscribed with the word "peace" in English, PUTTING OUT THE WELCOME MAT Spanish, Greek and Chinese to repre Every year about 400 Appalachian sent the backgrounds of troop mem Trail hikers pass through Palmerton, Pa. (Girl Scouts- Great Valley Council, Girl Scouts from Morris Area Girl Scout bers. They planted flower bulbs, added Council have decorated rocks surrounding a bench and then returned to weed Allentown) and each one can count on the pole with expressions of peace. Left to and mulch to create a spot that a warm hello. Who's putting out the right, kneeling, Megan Ho and Angela Gizas welcome mat? Five members of and, left to right, standing, Jaclyn Bennett, encourages visitors to reflect on the Cadette Girl Scout Troop 112, wbrking Mary-Jean Monica, Sally Li , Katie Hubner, meaning of peace. Their efforts were Kaleigh Levoyer and Amanda Smith. part of a leadership project. with the local hospital, businesses, Not pictured is Christine Huang. and the Chamber of Commerce. The girls compile care packages of toothbrushes and toothpaste, phone cards, stamped postcards, water and Send a brief description and photo of community service efforts, awards or interesting projects. first-aid items-for travelers seeking Submit with a self-addressed stamped envelope to Girl Scouts of the USA, 420 Fifth Avenue, overnight shelter at the municipal New York, NY 10018-2798, Attn: LEADER, or via e-mail to [email protected] . Please understand that we cannot answer all submissions or guarantee return of photographs. hall. Dozens of hikers have expressed Visit the In the News section of our Web site at www.girlscouts.org. their appreciation to the Girl Scouts in the town travel log. 6 LEADER SPRING 2002 YOU DON'T KNOW ME ... BUT YOU WILL Allison Nesbitt, right, a Senior Girl Scout from Branchburg, N.J. (Girl Scouts of Rolling Hills Council, North Branch) and a champion sprinter as Sundown finds girls and their mothers breaking the Ramadan fast with dates, apricot juice and well as a scholar, was one of four Arabic coffee in a large circular tent. young women nationwide to receive a special award last fall at the Women's FACES OF FRIENDSHIP Sports Foundation Dinner in New York Junior Girl Scout Troop 72 in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia (USA Girl Scouts Overseas) is City. At the event, which featured the a mix of girls from Arab, European and North American countries who delight in slogan "You don't know me, but you sharing cultural traditions. will," she met Tiffeny Milbrett (left), During the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, for instance, troop members two-time Olympic soccer medalist. and their mothers gathered to break the daytime fast. The girls also have Allison says, "My years in Girl Scouting learned about Irish traditions and have organized a cultural show representing helped me learn how to set goals and the nationalities of all troop members. work hard to achieve them." SONG WRITING WINNERS GSUSA announces seven winners 1n the national Girl Scout Song Writing Contest! Selected from more than 350 submissions, these original songs represent an exciting assortment of styles and formats. They'll be included in our 90th Anniversary CD and cassette, Sisters Hand in Hand: New Songs for Girl Scouts Everywhere, which you'll soon be able to buy through National Equipment Service or your council. A $1,000 prize for each winning song was awarded to the song writers. Here are the names of the writers, along with the titles of their songs: Joan Reed laurie Toothill Black Diamond Girl Scout Council, Charleston, W.Va . Northwestern Connecticut Girl Scout Council, Torrington "Still a Girl" "When Girl Scouts Gather" (round) Jane Murphy Godfrey Cadette/Senior Girl Scout Troop 338 and Leader Girl Scout Council of Greater St. Louis, St. Louis, Mo. Deborah Batson "Thank You Ms Juliette" (The Ballad of Daisy Low) Girl Scouts of South Central Alabama, Montgomery "All for One" Nancee McCraw Girl Scout Council of Northwest Georgia, Atlanta Jack Hollingsworth and Bill Slawter "Sisters Hand in Hand" Girl Scouts of Western North Carolina, Pisgah Council, Asheville Junior Girl Scout Troop 435, Leader-in-Training Aryn Hall, "Find Yourself in the Girl Scouts" and Leader Laurie Toothill Northwestern Connecticut Girl Scout Council, Torrington "Girl Scout Rap" SPR IN G 2002 LEADER 7 Money-Earning and Community Service Projects by Lorraine Sabalja As girls gear up for their Girl Scout Gold, Silver and Bronze award service projects, it's important to review issues concerning financial support of these projects. Girl Scouts of the ~SA appreciates that there are often costs involved when girls implement Girl Scout Gold, Silver and Bronze award projects. Program Standard 31 : Council-Sponsored Product Sale Awards (found in Safety-Wise) allows Girl Scout councils to establish "cookie credit" or "cookie dough" as incentives for girls participating in product sales. It reads, Groups and individuals may choose to earn council product sale awards. Awards are program-related and of a type that will provide opportunities for girls to partici pate in Girl Scout activities . Program-Related Expenses to develop personally. Program suitable service projects to support Under Program Standard 31, Girl Scout Standard 29 lists the skills that other organizations include stuffing councils may choose to provide items money-earning projects are expected envelopes, delivering informational such as materials and supplies for pro to help develop in girls and directly pamphlets to businesses, helping to gram activities. For girls pursuing a addresses the Girl Scout Gold Award: organize and catalog books for a service project, expenses that are "pro When girls are planning Girl Scout library book sale, serving as aides, or gram related," or fall under "materials Gold Award projects or special service providing record keeping assistance. projects that require funds beyond the and supplies for program activities," Adult Responsibility may be covered by cookie credits. group treasury, they develop proposals Fund development to support Girl Cookie credits should be used only for that must be approved by the council Scouting is the responsibility of adults Girl Scout program activities. Councils before individuals or community busi and should not be placed on the girls. will determine Girl Scout program nesses are solicited. The girls and an All adults in Girl Scouting share activities that these credits may sup adult make the presentations to poten responsibility in raising financial sup port and are encouraged to establish tial funders. port. As leaders in Girl Scouting, it's qualifying guidelines on how credits Bottom line, the Girl Scout Gold, critical to emphasize the value of com can be exchanged for needed materials Silver and Bronze award service proj munity service projects, whether girls or supplies. If you have questions about ects are not fundraisers or a means to aspire to achieve Girl Scouting's high cookie credits, please call your council. raise money for troops or individu als- or other organizations, as stated est award or are responding to a com Develop a Proposal in Program Standard 33. This is espe munity need. Girl Scout Gold, Silver and Bronze cially important to remember as Girl Take a few minutes to look through award projects make a positive and Scouts may be cooperating with other Safety-Wise pages 74-77 as you advise lasting impact on the community, organizations in response to the your Girl Scouts on their community while providing girls the opportunity events of September 11 , 2001. Program service projects. If you're uncertain Stanc'ard 33 notes, Some examples of about anything, give your council a call. Lorraine Sabaija is a Development-Marketing Consultant at GSUSA. 8 LEADER SPR ING 2002 Eight Tried and True Service Proiect Ideas by Libby Marks McDonell Girl Scouts was founded on the ideal of service to others. Whether responding to events of September 11, 2001 or answering needs in the local community, Girl Scouts strive to make a difference. Here are eight project ideas. Scout Troop 162 made 28 lap quilts for Project Linus. Quilts BLANKET & QUILT PROJECTS were donated to Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital. FOR WHICH AGE LEVEL? Junior Girl Scout Troop 338 of Spanaway, Wash. {Girl 1ALL. Scouts-Pacific Peaks Council, Tumwater) sewed a red, white Girl Scouts can create blankets and quilts for the needy. and blue quilt to comfort a family who had lost a member One project is My Brothers' Keeper Quilt Project for the in the World Trade Center attack. When these girls were homeless. The other, Project Linus, donates homemade Daisy Girl Scouts, they had helped make a quilt for a local blankets to seriously ill or traumatized children. Junior Girl burn center. Scout Troop 3011 of Patriots' Trail Girl Scout Council (Boston, Senior Girl Scout Troop 1645 of Bedford, Mass. (Patriots' Mass.) organized an afternoon "servicethon" to make quilts Trail Girl Scout Council, Boston) started knitting their for My Brothers' Keeper Quilt Project, using old bed linens "Linus" blanket three years ago as Cadette Girl Scouts. This and towels donated by a hospital. The girls completed 12 year they proudly donated their completed afghan for use "Ugly Quilts" (named so that non-sewers would not be at a local hospital. intimidated} and donated them to the Massachusetts Log onto www.reese.org/sharonluglyhelp.htm. for "Ugly Coalition for the Homeless. Quilts" help. For Project Linus call 309-664-7814 or log onto In Westlake, Ohio {Girl Scouts of Lake Erie Council, www.projectlinus.org. For information about sewing and Cleveland}, Brownie Girl Scout Troop 273 and Junior Girl quilting service projects, go to the Home Sewing Association Web site www. sewing.org. 1. Junior Girl Scouts in Troop 338 (Spanaway, Wash.) begin their quilting 4. Flanked by their leaders Monicka Elston (left) and Melissa Blessum (right), Troop project with a lesson about Iabrie. 338 proudly displays its quilting squares. 2. Eryn Libby finds the perfect backing. 5. The finished quilt, measuring 62" X 62", was sent to the American Red Cross 3. l eader Monicka Elston watches Nichole Blessum piece together her square. ju st before the 2001 holiday season. SPRING 2002 LEADER 9 BIRTHDAY IN A BAG COOKIES AT RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE FOR WHICH AGE LEVEL? FOR WHICH AGE LEVEL? 2 ALL. 5 ALL. To create a birthday party kit, collect items to give a party: Junior Girl Scout Troop 164 of Whispering Oaks Girl Scout cake mix, frosting, baking pan, candles, decorations, bal Council (LaGrange Park, Ill.) baked cookies for families loons, paper goods, favors, signed birthday card and a small residing at a Ronald McDonald House. A five-pound tub of gift. Appropriately assemble items into kits, decorate, wrap ready-to-bake cookie dough simplified the process. and tag them with age level and gender. Cadette Girl Scout Troop 1031 of Girl Scouts of Citrus Council (Orlando, Fla.), distributed "birthday kits" through a BACKPACKS & SCHOOL SUPPLIES social services agency. Junior Girl Scout Troop 343 of Girl FOR WHICH AGE LEVEL? Scouts of Hoosier Capital Council (Indianapolis, Ind.) donat ALL. ed their kits to a shelter for homeless families. Senior Girl 6 Scout Troop 1239 of Girl Scouts of the San Antonio Area, Brownie Girl Scout Troop 1141 of the Montachusett Girl Tex., donated kits to their school district for distribution. Scout Council (Worcester, Mass.) organized a school-supply drive for kids at a homeless shelter. Donations included new and like-new backpacks, filled with school supplies for the new school year. TRAY FAVORS FOR MEALS ON WHEELS FOR WHICH AGE LEVEL? 3 DAISY, BROWNIE & JUNIOR GIRL SCOUTS. ECOLOGY-MINDED PROJECTS The girls of Junior Girl Scout Troop 626 of Girl Scouts of FOR WHICH AGE LEVEL? Freedom Valley (Valley Forge, Pa.) routinely brighten the ALL. days of homebound and hospital patients by creating 7 handmade tray favors. The girls have made turkeys, Eight years ago the Girl Scouts of Bluestem Girl Scout Valentines, snowmen and other symbols of the holidays. Council (Bartlesville, Okla.) obtained a donation of 200 Girls have also made personalized thank-you cards for vol trees and organized an Earth Day tree planting. unteers who deliver meals. Junior Girl Scout Troop 279 of Spar and Spindle Girl Scout Council (North Andover, Mass.) commemorated the lives of victims of the September 11 , 2001 terrorist attack by TOILETRY KITS planting trees. Troop member Robin Forte posted a mes sage in the Thought Catcher's pages of the Just 4 Girls sec FOR WHICH AGE LEVEL? tion of GSUSA's Web site (www.girlscouts.org). To date she's 4 ALL. received pledges from all so states and 18 countries for the Soap, shampoo, toilet paper and other items can be collect planting of more than 6,300 trees. ed and distributed in many different ways. Here are two: Other outdoor projects include clearing nature trails The first method is a "bulk" collection. Cadette/Senior Girl and planting flowers at community parks. Scout Troop 458 of Bluestem Girl Scout Council (Bartlesville, Okla.) timed their collections to correspond with the annual World Thinking Day and Juliette Low Birthday fairs. Donors FOOD MATTERS brought their contributions to the fairs where they were FOR WHICH AGE LEVEL? . accepted by a social services agency representative. JUNIOR, CADETTE & SENIOR GIRL SCOUTS . The second method is to make personal care kits. 8 Cadette Girl Scout Troop 1584 of Girl Scouts of Hoosier Cadette Girl Scout Troop 1090 of Girl Scouts of San~a Clara Capital Council (Indianapolis, Ind.) assembled sample-size County (San Jose, Calif.) participated in a senior citizen personal care items into individual kits and donated them meal project at a local church. The troop and church staff to a women's shelter. planned the menu and then decorated the dining area. They cooked and served the food, chatted with the seniors and played games. In Brookneal, Va. (Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline Council, Salem), Girl Scouts collected food for the families of 118 workers left unemployed when a local business failed. They gathered enough food to fill two large bags for each family. 10 LEADER SPRING 2002 Helping with a Community Service Project. • • More Than I Thought It Would Be by Muniba Hassan , Senior Girl Scout I sti ll remember that cold November day. It was my first year in G irl Scouting. I was even unsure of why I'd joined. "Why "Now, looking back, am I here? I'm 12 years old. I'm too old for the Girl Scouts." I can see that day was I walked with my troop into Grace Episcopal Church in White one that meant a lot Plains to help with the Soup Kitchen, the organization that serves to me. I would've never foo9 to the homeless. Our job was to help set up the tables, even been ther~ if it serve the food and sort clothing collected for the homeless. I hadn't been for joining think we all had a stereotypical view of the homeless. We pic Girl Scouts." tured them like the poor people we see on television and the beggars we see on the streets-old, dirty and looking like slobs . I was shocked to see the hallway filled with peo ple of different races, backgrounds, religions and ages. I smiled at a skinny little girl on line and she returned my smile with a sad, hungry expression. I could tell how cold, tired and mis erable she must have felt. By the time we served the food, I no longer felt ashamed I was there. I was eager to help. I looked around at all the people sitting- children, adults, the elderly and others who, if you saw them on the street, would look like normal people with normal lives. I remembered that Thanksgiving was coming up in a few days and we would be at home enjoying big meals with our families. Most of the people . here didn't even have families or homes. I guess it's instances li ke this that let you know how lucky you are. Now, looking back, I can see that day was one that meant a lot to me. I would've never even been there if it hadn't been for joining Girl Scouts. I realized that by joining Girl Scouts I was not only helping myself. I also got the chance to help others . .E Muniba Hassan, of Senior Girl Scout Troop 2290 (Girl Scouts ! ojWestchester*Putnam (Pleasantville, N.Y} is the author of ~ these reminiscences. SPRING 2002 LEADER 11 by Patricia J. Paddock Earning the Girl Scout Gold Award is a mighty achievement. Here are tips for leaders-and guide lines for girls-to make the journey manageable, rewarding and fun. The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest and most prestigious award a girl can earn in Girl Scouting. A girl who has earned the Girl Scout Gold Award can look forward to greater access .,_ to college scholarships, paid internships and community awards. She can also be nominated for consideration as a recipient of the GSUSA Gold Award Young Women of Distinction honor. Over 3,500 Senior Girl Scouts design, implement and complete Gold Award projects every year. The Girl Scout Gold Award is within reach for any registered Senior Girl Scout, provided she fills the five requirements . (For details about requirements, see page 15.) Keep in mind that most Girl Scout councils have a Girl Scout Gold Award committee that reviews and approves suggested projects. Make sure girls find out about council procedures before they start working on their projects. As a leader, you play a huge role in helping girls successfully navi gate this process. Here are five tips to assist you with your approach as you encourage girls to go for the gold. Help girls discover what the Girl Scout Gold Award is. Help them find out about the types of projects your Girl Scout council has approved. Consider inviting past Gold Award recipients to meet with the girls. Let girls know about your council's policies, procedures and deadlines. Is there a council-based Girl Scout Gold Award committee? When do they review applications? Hold interviews? What are the council's policies on money-earning? If the project is big enough, all the girls in your troop or group can work on it together. If not, girls can work in small groups, pairs or on their own. If girls choose to work collectively, however, each team member must carry equal responsibility and be given the same opportunity to learn and grow. SPRING 2002 lEADER 13 DON'T PRESS THE ISSUE Not everyone wants to earn the Girl Scout Gold Award. If one girl in a group does, great! Support her, but don't make her Girl Scout Gold Award the focus of every get-together. She can occasionally rely on the group for brainstorming or use them as a sounding board. But don't make it a requirement that everyone takes part in a Girl Scout Gold Award project. HAVE FUN Make sure that the girls are having fun. And remember that there's more to Girl Scouting than working on a Girl Scout Gold Award project. Help them plan non-Gold Award activities, events and gatherings so they have fun and keep their projects in perspective. KEEP IT REAL Setting goals, establishing realistic expectations, breaking a large project into smaller steps and managing time are just some of the skills the girls will develop. These are life skills everyone can benefit from. Any Girl Scout in grades 9 to 12, or who is 14 to 17 years old, is eligible to earn the Girl Scout Gold Award. Here are five tips to share with girls embarking on their paths to the Girl Scout Gold Award. HARNESS YOUR PASSIONS MIND THE RULES Get in touch with your own interests before settling for a Make all the appropriate adults aware of your plans project similar to what other girls have done or one suggest before you act upon them. Also, don't start working on a ed by others. The key is to match something you are pas project or idea before having it approved by your council's sionate about with a need you identify in the community. Girl Scout Gold Award committee. EXPAND YOUR HORIZONS KEEP TRACK OF TIME Consider the Girl Scout Gold Award a great opportunity A Girl Scout Gold Award project is not like a paper for to expand your social network and the knowledge you school: you can't complete it by staying up for a couple of possess about your community. It takes courage to get nights in a row. Use a calendar to set the date for the final out and talk to new people or visit new places. Ask adults event. Then plan backwards, breaking the project into to introduce you to other adults in the community. Ask steps that will get you to that final date on time! for feedback on ways you can implement or improve on your project. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE Talking about your idea in a comfortable setting can give you the confidence you need to go into the community to gain support for your project. GIRL SCOUT GOLD AWARD Young Women of Distinction 2001 The 2001 Girl Scout Gold Award Young Women of Distinction pose on the U.S. Capitol steps. They are (left to right, first row) Stacy Jean Kirk, Lau.ra Beauchamp, La Toya Bearden; (second row) MaryBeth Scialabba, Ollie Allen, Stephanie Nguyen; (third row) Kathryn Walter, Heather Henderson, Suhani Vakil, Taryn Pream and Heather Hull. As this issue of LEADER goes to press, the 2002 Girl Scout Golc Award Young Women of Distinction are being honored at the 90th Anniversary celebration in Washington, D.C. Look for coverage in an upcoming issue and on the Girl Scout Web Site {www.girlscouts.org}. Who are GSUSA's Young Women of Distinction? Every year GSUSA selects ten Girl Scout Gold Award projects that represen the best efforts in Girl Scouting. The girls who planned those projects are hon ored on the national level at a week-long event in Washington, D.C. GIRL SCOUT GOLD AWARD Requirements Step by Step What are the requirements for earning the Girl Scout Gold Award? There are five separate parts to earning the award. The first four must be completed before the project can begin. - (@I~ A Earn four Cadette and Senior Girl Scout interest Earn the Senior Girl Scout Challenge Pin. Thi s award 1project awards on topics related to the Girl Scout 4 is a wonderful way to help girls decide on their Girl Gold Award project. , These can be found in Cadette and Scout Gold Award projects. The Senior Girl Scout Senior Girl Scout Interest Projects. If the (iirl Scout Gold Challenge helps them learn what is important to them Award project is planning and implementing an event, girls and how to set realistic goals-both for the short term might want to work on interest projects like Emergency and long term. The Challenge will enhance their com Preparedness or Public Relations. Are they working with munication skills and introduce them to many types of other people? They might want to practice with interest community service. projects like Do You Get the Message? or Understanding Plan and implement a Girl Scout Gold Award project. Yourself and Others. 5 The project includes at least so hours of work Earn the Career Exploration Pin. What do careers have and should: 2 to do with Girl Scout Gold Award projects? A lot! Earning • Meet an expressed need in the community. this award can introduce girls to people working in fields • Serve people beyond Girl Scouting. they want to explore for possible future careers. Plus, it will • Have a discernable result that will continue on. teach them about leadership, delegation and follow through. • Meet all Safety-Wise guidelines. Earn the Senior Girl Scout Leadership Award. Developing 3 leadership skills will help girls ensure a successful proj ect. After all, it takes leadership to identify a community's need, Patricia J. Pa ddock is a writer and GSUSA M em bership, Program and design a course of action, delegate work and assure completion. Diversity Co nsultant. How are the projects selected? What is the timeline for applying? GIRL SCOUT GOLD AWARD RESOURCES Girl Scout councils choose projects for Councils make their recommenda A Resource Book for Senior Girl Girl Scout national headquarters staff tions by the end of the calendar year Scouts covers the steps, requirements to review. Out of the possible projects for the following year's selection. and guidelines for earning the Girl recommended by councils, ten are GSUSA staff reviews the applications Scout Gold Award. It also describes selected to be honored. and selects the projects by February. sample projects. Now is the time to develop projects The Just 4 Girls section of the GSUSA What happens at the annual event? for 2003. Contact your local council Web site (www.girlscouts .org) is filled Girls meet each other for the first to find out about deadlines. with information about the Girl Scout time, attend workshops on such Gold Award. It offers project ideas Highlights from the 2001 Young Women topics as goal-setting, money man and suggestions, including recommen of Distinction National event can be agement and networking, tour dations for ceremonies. Access the found at http://www.girlscouts.org/ Washington, D.C. and meet with site through www.girlscouts.org, then news/archive/200 1/goldaward_ senators and representatives. highlights.html. search Gold Award. SPRING 2002 LEADER 15 Carrie Griffiths Chicago, Illinois In 1996 when interior designer Carrie Griffiths, then a single 26-year-old, helped redesign the offices of Girl Scouts of Chicago, ill. , she never envi sioned herself as Girl Scout leader. She volunteered to paint and revamp a local campsite and met once with a group of Cadette Girl Scouts at a Southside Chicago middle school to design fantasy bedrooms. Said Griffiths, "No way was I prepared to regularly lead a troop." hen the phone rang: Would Griffiths take over a troop to other activities as well. She recruited friends to mixed-age troop at a homeless shelter? On that day, demonstrate swing dancing and aerobics. She took the Tshe became leader of Troop 1054, a group of up to 12 troop camping and to council events where they could girls, ages five to 15 . sample fencing, hockey and basketball. The teens in Troop Griffiths was apprehensive about how much she would 1054 wanted to know more about hair and makeup, so have in common with the girls and whether they would accept Griffiths arranged for a beautician to attend a meeting. her. "I grew up in a suburban, middle-class environment and Through it all , she reinforced each girl's individuality. had no idea of what it's like to live in a shelter," she explained. Griffiths has mixed emotions about the temporary Griffths' unease soon disappeared. "The girls needed to nature of shelters. She's always delighted for the girls when know that I wasn't judging them from a privileged perch, so they leave the shelters, but sad she may not see them again. instead of always setting parameters, I focused on asking Griffiths has left them with one thing, however: a sense that them about their interests and lifestyles," said Griffths. the world holds many possibilities. While Griffiths' forte is art and design, she exposed her Sharon Baker-Parks Bronx, New York Feelings are important in Brownie Girl Scout Troop 1085 of Girl Scout Council of Greater New York, N.Y. Leader Sharon Baker-Parks knows what happens when people don't communicate because she sees the effects, daily, in the lives of the children she counsels as a school social worker. ach year when her troop of 15 six, seven and eight year With the encouragement of her parents, she graduated olds meets for the first time at the Kips Bay Boys and from college and earned a master's degree in social work EGirls Club in Bronx, N.Y., Parks makes sure that every from Columbia University. Married, with an 11 ~ year-old "seasoned" troop member pairs up with a new girl. daughter who belongs to a Cadette Girl Scout troop (not led "Remember how you felt when you were new?" she gently by Parks), Parks decided to lead Troop 1085 four years ago reminds them. One of her favorite Brownie Try-Its is People because she counts herself blessed and has an affinity for Are Talking. "It's important for girls to consider how other peo this age group. ple feel and how tone and body language send messages." "I know where these girls are coming from and I want to Parks grew up in the South Bronx and at times encoun be there as an added support in the community. I tell them tered low expectations from teachers and other adults. 'you can do it'.. . just the way my parents always told me." "Even today, I meet other adults who stereotype children and don't give them the respect they deserve," she said. SPRING 2002 LEADER 17 Marianna E. Olivarez Houston, Texas "I was a daddy's girl, the youngest of four children. He died when I was 1 2 and I realized I had to start doing things for myself. Luckily I was a Girl Scout," says 35-year-old Marianna E. Olivarez, now leader of her same girlhood troop, Junior Girl Scout Troop 1186, as well as Cadette Girl Scout Troop 11480 (Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council, Houston, Tex). "In Girl Scouts, I wasn't the baby or the little sister anymore, I was a leader, someone people came to for help. Girl Scouts was stability: every Monday I could go and shine at meetings." t was a lesson in empowerment this lifelong Girl Scout She certainly takes surrogate-parent pride in former troop hasn't forgotten in her contact with children and young members' achievements: A Girl Scout Gold Awardee, who'll Iwomen-most of them Hispanic like herself. As a Girl Scout soon graduate from college, started a sorority for Hi spanic leader the past 16 years, as well as a senior secretary in the women. "From our troop planning, she knew how to organ Houston Independent School District, she's learned how to ize things," boasts Ms. Olivarez. encourage girls "to open up, be somebody, do something, win Of course, both troops are learning from an organizational competitions and push to the max." wizard. In addition to regularly training Junior Girl Scout leaders, The delight Olivarez demonstrates in the company of Ms. Olivarez has chaired the San Jacinto council's awards com young people is irrepressible. "Junior and Cadette Girl mittee and the fall products sale, is a council board member and Scouts go through so many interesting moods-happy, sad, sits on the Girl Scout Gold Award committee. excited," she explains. "I love to watch them. They become Olivarez did say "no" once when she refused a mem gangbusters to get a project done." One girl reports, "Ms. bership services position that would have required her to Olivarez treats us like her daughters." give up her troop. "Not see my girls? No way," says Ms . Olivarez emphatically. Jennifer Moore Annapolis, Maryland As Jennifer Moore progressed through middle and high school, she sadly witnessed many of her friends dropping out. Raised in a single-parent home, Moore faced many of the same situations confronting her peers, but she chose a different path. Now, ten years later, she's a midshipman at the United States Naval Academy (USNA) in Annapolis, Md., major ing in oceanography. Girl Scout for 19 of her 24 years, Moore is an Campus Girl Scouts. Senior Girl Scout Sascha Silberholz (Girl unabashed supporter, noting, "that when I was 14 a Scouts of Central Maryland, Baltimore, Md.) says this about Alot of my friends were dropping out of school, hav her, "Whenever I'm kind of down about school, or whatever, ing kids. I stayed in. Girl Scouting gave me focus and hope. there's always an e-mail or letter from Jen with words of It showed me that there are other ways to grow up." encouragement. When I was in the process of earning my Girl Today, Moore is giving back. Although she carries a full Scout Silver Award, Jen's encouragement helped me get course load and is aiming for a prestigious internship in through all the rough patches. She's funny and entertaining." Antarctica, this young volunteer puts USNA Campus Girl Funny? Her sense of humor-and fast thinking-held her Scout projects at the top of her to-do list. She assists local in good stead last year when she escorted so Junior Girl Scouts Girl Scout leaders with troop encampments, mentors to tour a naval training vessel at the academy. When she got Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts working on their Girl Scout to the pier, she discovered the ship had not yet arrived. What Silver and Gold Award projects and organizes events to did Moore do with those so kids? Well, she taught them to introduce girls to science and technology. march, of course, and they loved every second of it. This energetic midshipman brings more than tireless organizing to her job as Operations Officer for the USNA Writer Lynn Obee is a frequent contributor to LEADER. 18 LEADER SPR ING 2002 WHAT'S THE BUZZ Celebrate Space Day May 2, 2002 is Space Day, the sixth annual global celebration of space exploration. Sponsored by NASA and Lockheed Martin Corporation, Space Day is intended to inspire children's interest in math, science and technology. More than 70 educa tional, non-profit, governmental and youth organizations-including Girl Scouts of the USA-participate. To learn more about Space Day, go to www.spaceday.com or contact Sarah Lowengard at [email protected]. Campus Girl Scouts Annual Conference Campus Girl Scouts of Agnes Scott College will host the third annual Campus Girl Scout National Conference June 14- 16, 2002, in Decatur, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. "Investigate the Possibilities: Maximize Your Resources" will feature workshops on discovering different approaches to Campus Girl Scouting based on the size of the group, school, community, service unit and council. For information on the 2002 Campus Girl Scout National Conference, contact Catherine Davis, 212-852-8115 or [email protected], or go to http:!!www.geocities.com/ cgsasc/2002Conj2. Cents Ability How can Junior and Cadette Girl Scouts learn the concepts and skills behind per sonal money management? Try Cents Ability, a colorful, easy-to-use kit that includes a leader's guide, girl's workbook, reproducible handout sheets, posters and activity cards. Cents Ability is the latest addition to GSUSA's financial literacy proj ect, underwritten by Mutual of America. Cents Ability introduces basic financial concepts and challenges girls to work toward a personal goal. The kit includes group activities, as well as individual proj ects, and can be ordered through National Equipment Service (UPC #40455; $10) by calling 1-800-221-6707, or faxing 1-800-643-0639· A Cents Ability pin can also be ordered (UPC #14160; $3-25). For information about Cents Ability, contact Catherine Davis, 212-852-8115 or [email protected]. by Alex O'Rourke, Membership, Program and Diversity Consultant at GSUSA. SPRING 2002 LEADER 19 Partners • Space If you had the opportunity to design a space mission, where would you go? You might want to give this question some thought since NASA's Discovery project is looking for partners in space exploration. A team might propose to go to Mars, an asteroid, a comet, Mercury, the Moon, or just about anywhere in the solar system to pursue answers to scientific questions. What does this have to do with Girl Scouts? GSUSA's partnership with NASA provides many exciting opportunities MORE ABOUT NASA'S MISSIONS for girls and adults to participate in, and learn about, space exploration. Among the missions NASA has cho sen to fly have been missions to Web sites. To learn about women at the Partners in Science: comets. Stardust, one of the first Jet Propulsion Laboratory, visit NASA Women Discovery missions, is flying to a http:!l www.jpl.nasa .gov!tours!women. Education and outreach are important comet right now. Launched in 1999, For women working at the many components of Discovery. Each mission Stardust will approach the comet other NASA sites, visit http:!! quest. includes a plan for bringing space sci Wild 2 (pronounced "Yilt" after its ence to the public by involving teachers, arc.nasa.gov! women. For women's achievements in aviation and space, visit Swiss discoverer) in January 2004. students and youth organizations. The spacecraft will zoom in closer Girl Scout adults can take advan http:!lwww. nasa.gov! women/careers! than 100 miles in front of the comet's tage of the many NASA resources female_ astronauts. htm I. nucleus ("head"), through the sur available to encourage girls to follow Ambassadors Program rounding halo of gases and dust. their interests in science and engi GSUSA's partnership with NASA/JPL neering. Women at NASA, many of also offers Girl Scout councils the The goal of the mission is to collect whom design missions, study planets opportunity to participate in their Solar dust samples. Knowing what a comet and stars and build test robots and System Ambassadors Program and is made of is important because planetary rovers, enjoy talking about open house. The Solar System comets are bel ieved to be among the their work, and are willing to speak at Ambassadors Program encourages vol oldest, most primitive bodies in the local events. unteers to help organize and conduct solar system . Visit the Stardust Web A number of NASA Web sites fea public events about space exploration. site at http:// stardust.jpl.nasa.gov. ture stories about female scientists. Visit the Web site at http://www.jpl. Many offer advice for young women Deep Impact, another Discovery nasa.gov!ambassador. interested in careers in science. As mission, is scheduled for launch in Every year in May, JPL hosts a two Donna Shirley, Manager of the Mars day open house for everyone to meet 2004. Deep Impact is a spacecraft Exploration Program at the Jet the scientists and engineers and learn that will travel to comet Tempell Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), recounted, about space and Earth science mis and release a small impactor, creat "My college advisor said, 'Girls can't be sions. Log on to http://www.jpl.nasa. ing a hole in the side of the comet. engineers.' I said, 'Yes I can! ' and I did.'' gov!pso!oh.html for information on By looking beneath the surface of a Contact the JPL Speakers Bureau at the open house as well as JPL tours comet nucleus, scientists can look 818-354-9312 and invite a female scien and traveling exhibits. for clues to the formation of the solar tist or engineer to talk at your council's Whether you are a space mission system . Images from cameras on science event. enthusiast or just cosmically curious, the impactor will be sent back to Another way to access information a Girl Scout-NASA/J PL partnership Earth in near real time (nearly simul about women role models is to log on can launch endless possibilities. taneous with the actual events) and to one of NASA /J Pl.'s women in science broadcast on television. Be sure to visit the Deep Impact Web site at Reach for the Stars is a special program for Girl Scout trainers that will be sponsored by the NASA Office of Space Science at the Edith Macy Conference Center in http://www. jpl. nasa.gov/ missions/ Briarcliff Manor, NY from April 19-23, 2002. Trainers will receive information about future/ deep impact. html. NASA's missions and learn hands-on activities to take back to leaders and girls. Contact your local council for applications. To find out more about the Discovery missions' public outreach plans, visit Rosaly Lopes is a scientist for the Calileo project at NASAIJPL, Marilyn Morgan is a graphics and http:/ / discovery.jpl.nasa.gov/ writing specialist at NASAIJPL and Linda Falla-Mitchel/ is a Membership, Program and Diversity education.html. Consultant and Manager of CirlFACTS-Cirls, Families and Communities Together in Science at CSUSA. SPRING 2002 LEADER 21 Great Ideas for Troop vers by Laurie Rozakis, Ph.D. You know that troop sleep overs provide great opportunities for girls to have fun, build troop unity and earn age-leve! awards. A troop sleep over creates lifelong memories too. But what do you do with 1 0 energetic Girl Scouts all night long? Plenty! BROWNIE GIRL SCOUTS can camp indoors at troop houses. CADETTE GIRL SCOUTS will flock to an all-night behind Play a compass game, learn Girl Scout hiking songs, and the-scene look at a mall. Invite health care professionals to make some "gorp." When the stars twinkle, bundle up for a talk about body image and health as the girls tour the night hike. Check out the air temperature, catch a few fire stores. This is a great chance to help girls acquire skills for flies and see what wonders flashlights reveal. Snack on life, including earning and managing money, becoming a make-it-yourself sandwiches and pretzels. This sleep over responsible consumer and preparing for a satisfying career. may spark an interest in outdoor camping adventures, too. Hold a scavenger hunt, do lip synching, stage a dance show No troop houses in your area? Brownie Girl Scout troops and the night will fly by! can sleep over at many museums and science centers. In a museum, the staff will have many activities that will help SENIOR GIRL SCOUTS can explore community night jobs girls earn Try-Its. Visit exhibits, make potato stampers, form by touring a bakery, police station, post office and newspa dough shapes and weave color patterns with paper strips. In per. Bunk out in a community house of worship or recre a science center, they can dig for fossils, grow crystals, exper ation center. Senior Girl Scouts can also hold a sleep over iment with static electricity, try some chemistry magic and in a local college dorm to get a taste of campus life. In conduct a magnet hunt. Shake it out every hour with addition to visiting the library and student center, girls can dancercize and don't forget to order in pizza! learn about careers and develop decision-making and communication skills. JUNIOR GIRL SCOUTS of Troop 2171, from Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital (Washington, D.c.), followed Safety First! a young humpback whale they nicknamed Norman last To make sure that troop sleep overs become good memo January during a two-day visit to the Virginia Marine ries, check Safety-Wise (Chapters 4 and 5, pages 30-60). Science Museum in Virginia Beach. Nights were spent at Follow the guidelines to ensure every girl's safety. condos in Williamsburg, Va., swimming in an indoor pool First, as the troop leader, you must inform your local Girl and stargazing from the condo decks. Daylight hours Scout council of your planned overnight adventure and included a boat trip to observe Norman and conduct obtain permission to proceed. With younger girls, you'll hands-on science experiments. want to hold off announcing sleep over plans until you have Not yet into the outdoors? Junior Girl Scouts can sleep obtained both council and parent permission. over in a gym, athletic club or roller rink and spend the night working on health and fitness. Have girls test their strength, (Continued on page 24) flexibility and endurance as they skate, jump rope or cycle. 22 LEADER SPRING 2002 T I P S FOR T R 0 0 P SLEEP 0 V E R S Plan enough activities to keep the in Girl Scout publications or you hear groups for varied activities. Check 1girls occupied, but don't pack about them through the grapevine. Safety-Wise (Standard 13, page 6g) for every minute. Allow for some rest proper girl/adult ratios. Make sure that the site you've time during the night. 5 selected can legally accommodate Consider using Girl Scout ban Make sure the girls are involved in your troop. Just because another 9 danas or T-shirts to help keep track 2 the planning process, which can troop held an overnight there in the of your group. be as educational and enjoyable as past doesn't mean that it's OK. Think ahead and remember the sleep over itself. Read site instructions carefully, 10 to plan for breakfast! Few Mix educational activities with 6 because sites often have specific places provide it. 3 play time. Games, songs and fin rules about luggage, food, number of ger plays are loads of fun during sleep adults permitted and so on. BE SAFETY-WISE! overs- especially for Cadette and Check your Girl Scout handbooks Senior Girl Scouts! They bring back to take advantage of award fond memories while building Girl 7 requirements. Many sleep over activ Scout unity. ities can fulfill parts of, or entire, Be sure to consult the GSUSA resource Safety-Wise Popular sleep over sites such as award requirements. before engaging in any program activities. museums, science centers and 4 Take as many adults as the pro camp grounds fill up early. Get appli gram allows. More adults give the A Girl Scout leader for several years, Dr. Rozak is cations in as soon as the notices appear 8 girls flexibility to break into small is a frequent contributor to LEADER. 24 LEADER SPRING 2002 Welcoming Girls with Special Needs Smoothing the Transition by Helen Orloff You have been asked to expand your troop to include another girl-one with a disability. You think to yourself, all right, I just need to adapt the activities, talk with the girls and things will go on as usual. No problem, right? Then why can't you dismiss that feeling of uncertainty about how to handle this? Relax, it is not unusual. That feeling can be associated with any new challenge. There is no magic formula for including a girl with a dis ability since every girl is an individual. As with any change in a group dynamic you'll do best to follow general guid ance and then adapt to the unique circumstance. These six steps may make the transition more comfortable for all. Ask the Girl Be a savvy leader. Ask the girl what she wants and needs. Before a girl with a disability joins the troop, schedule an informal meeting with her and her parents or guardians. Who knows more about her than herself and the people she lives with? Be ready to adapt but be careful not to overcompensate. Make It Safe Girls need a welcoming environment to feel comfortable and be themselves without fear of judgment or ridicule. This is especially important for a girl with a disability who may be more self-conscious than a non-disabled girl. Before joining Girl Scouts, she may have encountered star ing, snickering or negative attitudes that hurt he:r feelings. As leaders and individuals who work with girls with dis abilities, we need to be sensitive and pass along the mes sage to every girl that it's okay to be different. There is no magic formula for including a girl with a disability since every girl is an individual. SPRING 2002 LEADER 25 Assess Your Needs Once you have a clear picture of what the girl's needs are, assess whether you will require help. There are many community organizations that focus on working with people with disabilities. Schools, hospitals and physical therapy clinics are good resources for obtaining information. You can also write ore mail organizations that focus on disabilities; they're eager to help. Refer to the GSUSA resource Focus on Ability: Serving Girls with Special Needs (Cat. # 26461, $g.oo per copy) for more ideas. Order through National Equipment Service by calling 1-800-221-6707 or faxing 1-800-643-0639· Juliette Low Camp 2001 Ask for Volunteers At the Juliette Low Camp 2001 Remember, you're not in it alone. Call your council for ideas and assistance. You wider opportunity last July, girls can also ask for volunteers with hands-on experience. Thi s includes adults with with disabilities and their non-dis disabilities, college students pursuing careers in physical therapy, teen Girl Scouts abled peers got a unique oppor with disabilities and retired professionals. Be creative. The possibilities are end tunity to swim, play games, and less when looking for volunteers. make friends with girls from all over the U.S.A. Campettes, Girl Prepare Your Troop Scout camp counselors who worked It's difficult to be the new girl on the block. It is equally under the guidance of experienced difficult to make room for that new girl. For all to special education professionals prior become comfortable with people with disabilities, frank to the start of camp, learned how and open discussions are crucial. In addition, have the girls participate in role-playing exer to work with and care for girls cises that build sensitivity and awareness. For example, with special needs. girls can participate in an activity while wearing blindfolds The Juliette Low Camp 2001 , or have them write the alphabet while wearing an oven sponsored by the Girl Scouts of mitt. The girls will gain some understanding of how it Mid-Continent Council along with feels to be disabled. Arrange a group visit to an organization or school for children with disabilities. the Downtown Rotary Club of Ask parents and volunteers to join you on the outing; it could be a great learning Kansas City, was held at the experience for everyone. Rotary Youth Camp in Kansas City, Mo. Plans for participation Have Fun. Relax. Be Confident in the Juliette Low Camp 2002- It is clear that having a troop of disabled or non-disabled girls requires prior prepa to be held this July-are well ration. But, you have done your research, spoken with the girls and have estab underway. Girls who have not lished a solid network for assistance and information. You are well prepared. applied and are interested in par Be confident when you plan activities; you know what is necessary to ensure ticipating will need to look to every girl has the chance to participate. Opportunities for non-disabled girls and 2003 events. those with special needs to learn together can be a rewarding experience for all. For further information about serving girls with disabilities, contact Helen Orloff, For more information about the Disabilities Consultant, at 212-852-8008 or [email protected]. Juliette Low Camp and other nation al and international events avail able to Cadette and Senior Girl Girl Scout Resources Available in Braille, Scouts, visit the GSUSA Web site, Large Type and Audiotape Formats www.girlscouts.org. Click on Just 4 All basic Girl Scout program resources are now available in Braille, large Girls, then access Girls on the Go type and audiotape. You can purchase them below cost through: and Travel. For more about Girl Scouting and girls with disabilities, Books for the Blind contact GSUSA's Disabilities 2123 East 38th Street Consultant Helen Orloff at 212- Brooklyn, NY 11234 852-8008 or [email protected]. 718-951-9081 [email protected] [email protected] Helen Orloff is the Disabilities Consultant jorGSUSA. 26 LEADER SPR ING 2002 Miraculous Ceremony The mother of a Girl Scout with special needs witnesses a tiny miracle. by Nancy Blackmon THE HEAVY CURTAINS OPENED SLOWLY During the ceremony, she stood as My daughter is autistic, and for her to reveal a huge American flag in the close to perfectly still as I've ever seen something as simple as standing still center of the stage. her. She needed a little prompting to and quiet for even a short time is a There were probably 300 people in follow the others, but she did it. huge challenge. Taking part in a group the audience watching as Girl Scout Now she walked off the stage with a activity that requires social interaction Troop 118 conducted the flag ceremony smile on her face. Behind the curtain, is difficult, to say the least. opening Staughn School's PTO meeting. she grabbed me around the waist and To help her understand a world that Backstage I held my breath as the squeezed hard. I squeezed back, strug at times is alien to her, she is participat ceremony began. The girls representing gling with tears instead of butterflies. ing in Girl Scouts. Three wonderful lead the four freedoms stepped up ers and a group of terrific girls one at a time and said the lines opened their hearts and their they had practiced so carefully. troop to my child Then they moved to their I know they don't under places, each shining a flash stand autism, and they aren't light, decorated to look like a always sure how to interact torch, on a corner of the flag. with my daughter. But they All day I tried not to think are making an effort to about this ceremony. Driving understand. They are accept to the school before the meet ing her and giving her an ing, I swallowed a knot in my opportunity to be a part of throat and struggled to calm something special. the butterflies in my stomach. Tuesday afternoon before the "It's just a flag ceremony," I flag ceremony, I watched my said over and over in my head. child walk up and down the "It won't last but a few min driveway. Every so often she utes; it will be fine." stopped, put her feet together Now standing out of sight and stood at attention, her behind the curtain, I pledged hands at her side. allegiance to the flag and sang Nancy Blackmon w ith daughter Mikelyn. "I think she is practicing for "God Bless America" with the the flag ceremony," I told my rest of the crowd. "You did great," I said to my child. husband over the phone. "Girl Scouts, retire the flag ," said "You did so good." Tuesday night I saw a big smile on a· the Girl Scout directing the ceremony. She squeezed me again. child's face as she walked off that Slowly and carefully, the flag was As we waited at the stage door to stage. She knew she did it. She over folded into a perfect triangle. join the audience for the rest of the came the challenges and stood almost "Girl Scouts, dismissed." program, I knew most of the people still and quiet for what must have The Girl Scouts, wearing their match had no idea what had just taken place. seemed like an eternity to her. ing shirts and white gloves, turned and It was a moving flag ceremony con The audience Tuesday night saw a walked off the stage. In the middle of ducted with great dignity by Troop 118, group of Girl Scouts conducting a flag the line was a red-haired child. but for my child it was much more. ceremony. Standing in the shadows on the edge of the stage, I saw a miracle. Nancy Blackmon, a Girl Scout alumna, wrote this article as a columnist for the Andalusia Star-News. Mikelyn is a Girl Scout with the Girl Scouts of South Central Alabama {Montgomery). SPRING 2002 LEADER 27 raumatic crises and their Taftermath can affect adults in a profound and emotional way. How do you cope with your own anxiety and confu sion while trying to help chil dren deal with theirs? And how do you encourage chil dren to express their true feel ings, which might include anger and resentment, while teaching them that tolerance is most needed and meaningful during difficult times? INDIVIDUAL REACTIONS Beg inning with the attacks of September 11, 2001, adults who previ ously had their emotions under con trol were suddenly confronted with feelings that ranged from panic to sadness to pessimism. While it might seem abnormal for someone to act as if nothing significant has happened just hours or days after a tragedy, that is exactly how some children behave. In fact, every single child and teenager can react differently to the same set of circumstances. While one girl shows fear by talking incessantly, another might appear withdrawn, even depressed. Some will show no obvious Helping Children Cope in Uncertain Times Responding to the developmental needs of children in difficult times can be a challenge. Here are common-sense tips for helping children with healthy emotional expression. by Harriet S. Mosatche, Ph.D . 28 LEADER SPRING 2002 reaction to trauma, going about their erty. And they probably need to be should not impose your ne~ds and feel daily lives as if nothing had happened. reminded that, while some people did ings on them. You can, however, sug Others may become extremely emo some very bad things, most people are gest community actions tweens can tional, even if they were not directly not bad and do care about children. take so they will be doing something to affected by the event. And remember, make a difference in the world. that in some instances, a child who 7 to 10 Year Olds seems to be coping well may begin to The attacks on September 11 , 2001, the 14 to 17 Year Olds show signs of distress long after an anthrax incidents and the U.S. military Many teens want to discuss national event has occurred. serving in a country far away are much and global issues, especially those that Recognizing your own vulnerability more real to children of this age group affect them personally or people they is critical, so you'll know when you than to younger ones. Some children, know. They often compare their feel need help and when you can support particularly if they have been directly ings with those of their peers to make others. It is also important to separate affected in some way, may have trouble sure their emotions are appropriate to your own feelings and reactions from concentrating in school or may display the situation. the emotions children experience. regressive behaviors, such as thumb Teens often use humor to reduce sucking. But they will not necessarily their anxieties, but adults still need to AGE MAKES A DIFFERENCE understand the connection between point out that comments that are Keep in mind the developmental level their reactions and the traumatic prejudiced or diminishing to others of a child as you're helping her cope. events that preceded them. are unacceptable, even when they're Don 't overwhelm her' with facts and . You can provide opportunities for said in a joke. They can learn better feelings that she's not able or ready to children of this age to discuss those methods for reducing their fears deal with. Listen carefully to what events as well as express their emo everything from yoga and meditation she's asking for-it may not be infor tions. Give them a chance to talk to community service. mation she wants but rather a hug or about their fears and their resent Since many teens are very tuned a comforting word. ments, while helping them to under into the media, particularly television, Here are specific tips for helping stand that the people who commit they may spend hours watching cover children of different ages cope and terrorist acts are not representative of age of events. Suggest that they take a build their tolerance: an entire group of people. Having chil break from the news and that they dren maintain as normal a routine as stay involved in their normal everyday 5 and 6 Year Olds possible in the aftermath of crisis or routine of school, friends and family. trauma is a vital step in helping them. Encourage them to continue to plan Children this age often mimic the feel for their futures-help them focus on ings they see expressed by the adults driving lessons and college applica around them. They are likely to be 11 to 13 Year Olds tions, the normal rites of passage dur affected by your emotions, even when Tweens will be looking not only for ing an unpredictable time. they don't fully understand what is adult guidance, but also for discus happening. Many may not compre sions with their peers. You can provide hend the permanence of loss and may opportunities for tweens to get WHEN DO YOU SEEK reconstruct a scary situation over and together to talk about their concerns, PROFESSIONAL HELP over to gain mastery. They may become intervening only to correct misinfor FOR CHILDREN? afraid that they will be abandoned, par mation or to help someone who's hav While most children are resilient ticularly if they've heard about children ing a difficult time coping with her enough to cope with even harsh ttau who have lost a parent. Reassure them strong emotions. ma, some may require expert assis that you and other adults will do all you Be aware that many tweens are tance. If a child or teenager displays can to keep them safe, but do not give more concerned about their own devel symptoms of distress that linger for absolute guarantees. opment and personal issues than they several weeks or are unusually severe, In a national crisis, children need to are about current events, no matter the help of a mental health care pro know that our government is working how grave. While you can try to help fessional may be needed. to catch the criminals involved in tweens understand the significance of harming people and destroying prop- what has happened, you cannot and Harriet S. Mosatche, Ph.D, is Director of Program Development at GSUSA and author of Girls: What's So Bad About Being Good? How to Have Fun, Survive the Preteen Years and Remain True to Yourself (Prima, 2001). SPRING 2002 LEADER 29 Let us Hear From You A Cadette Girl Scout leader asks: Got a challenge with your Girl Scouts? "What is unique in Girl Scouting for teens and almost Get advice from leaders just like you! teens? My Cadettes feel like they have 'done it all.'" Send your responses to : GSUSA A Brownie Girl Scout leader from West Virginia asked: 420 Fifth Avenue "We are expanding our troop to include New York, NY l 0018-2798 Attn: Program Development Junior Girl Scouts. In planning for the Leader to Leader [email protected] coming year, how do we make it fun for Include your name, address, and both age groups?" telephone number. Got a challenge of your own? Send it and we'll put it to the experts-leaders just like you! Here's what readers had to say: Listen and Have Fun Girl Scout CEO Mix It Up Listen to your girls; they have great Please realize that receiving a troop Last year our troop had six Brownie ideas. The most important thing is to number does not limit you to one age Girl Scouts and six Junior Girl have fun while planning. Don't forget, group. Think of your troop as a compa Scouts. Each level met on alternate the girls need to make some decisions ny with each group (Daisies, Brownies, weeks and periodically got together on their own now; they are becoming Junior Girl Scouts, etc.) as a separate as a full troop to do a project or for Junior Girl Scouts! department. This is how you build a group discussions. Sometimes we worked on Try-Its -SUE MALLOZZI proud, confident troop (company) that and badges at the same time. For Stamford, Conn. understands the role of leadership, strength and personal growth. instance, when our middle and high schools were being renovated, the Hand-In-Hand -CHERYL GABRIEL Orland Park, Ill. Brownie Girl Scouts worked on the I have a "group troop" of Brownie and Building Arts Try-It while the Junior Junior Girl Scouts so I go through both Ask for Help Girl Scouts worked on the the Brownie Try-Its and the Junior For our troop, the key has been parent Architecture Badge. As a full troop badges to find awards with similar involvement. Having more than one we visited the architect and went on requirements. Since Brownie Girl age level in a troop is not something a a tour of the construction site. I love Scouts tend to work longer on a leader can do easily on her own. It my blended troop. The varying ages requirement, Junior Girl Scouts have involves a lot of planning, since you mean more planning, but the time to complete their more extensive essentially have two meetings going rewards are well worth it! requirements. One of the "paired" Try on at the same time. But with the -TONDA SPIKER Its/badges is Penny Power (Try-It) and right team working together, it can be Searcy, Ark. Money Sen se (badge). Good Luck! a wonderful experience for everyone. -DEBBIE FRANCISCO Good luck! Hollywood, Fla. -TAMMY HOERMANN Middlesex, Vt. Compiled by Patricia J. Paddock, a writer and M embership, Program and Diversity Consu ltant at GSUSA. 30 LEADER SPRING 2002 Silver Award Classic Pen. 2GM24675. $16.00. This elegant. dependable. writing instrument has a royal blue top laser-engraved with the Silver Award symbol. Chrome barrel and clip. Refillable. Suede-like gift/storage pouch. Imported. Gold Award Pin.*' 2GM09911. $21.00. Silver Award Watch. 2GM24938. $47.00. This classic Signifies achievement of Lorus®watch features the Silver Award symbol on face of highest recognition for watch. Silvertone, adjustable link bracelet style. Imported. Senior Girl Scouts. Gold-filled. ,..-:::;;;;!1'!!!1"-".r'""-~~-,;=:-~ Gold Award Mug. Gold Award Alliance Pin.* 2GM24962. 2GM09918. $15.00. To be $10.00. Pacific worn by Gold Award recipients blue, gold who have become members of rimmed glass the Alliance. To join the mug imprinted Alliance, contact your local Girl with Gold Scout council. 1/4''x 7/s" vermeil. Silver Award Pin.* Award logo. 2GM09910. $17.00. Miniature Gold Award 13 oz. Parent Pin.* 2GM09917. Signifies achievement of highest recognition for Microwavable. $13.50. Miniature Gold Award Cadette Girl Scouts. pin may be worn by significant Sterling silver. Not adult(s) associated with Gold shown: Silver Award Award recipient. Not to be Pin*. 2GM09916. $6.75. substituted for official ..______Rhodium finish. insignia. Gold/Silver Award Notecard. 2GM24568. Gold Award Crystal Cube. 2GM24283. Gold Award Photo Album. 2GM24943. $6.00. $7.50. Package of 10. Elegant off-white linen $32.00. The perfect gift for such a presti Navy textured photo album with Girl Scout Gold notecard with matching envelope. Embossed with gious award! Square crystal cube with flat Award symbol on front. Perfect for keeping photos of the Gold/ Silver Award symbol. Perfect as an corner for standing. Etched Girl Scout Gold those special moments while earning the Girl Scout announcement or to send thank you's. 51f2''x 4114" Award symbol. In velvet-lined jewelry box. Gold Award. 61f2''x 7112''. folded. To Order: Contact your local Girl Scout Council or order from NES at 1-800-221-6707. Prices subject to change without notice. Every Girl Tells a Story A Celebration of Girls Speaking Their Minds Every girl has a dream, a point-of-view, a story only she can tell. In this book, 85 girls speak their minds and find themselves reflected in this joyous celebration of their complexity, depth, honesty, and glorious, soaring optimism. Every girL mother, father, sister, friend will want to listen to these stories and be dazzled by these extraordinary American girls. Every Girl Tells a Story is published to commemorate the 90th Anniversary of Girl Scouting, and to honor every girL Foreword by First Lady Laura Bush whether or not she is a Girl Scout. Photography by Carolyn Jones $19.95 Hard cover 10 1/4" X 10 1/4" 86 pages ISBN #0-689-84872-2 Published by Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Now available in bookstores throughout the nation, from local Girl Scout council shops, or National Equipment Service, 1-800-221-6707. NON-PROFIT ~Girl Scouts® ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Girl Scouts of the USA ST. PAUL, MN 420 Fifth Avenue PERMIT NO. 890 New York, NY 10018-2798
~ Girl Scouts®
