THE 2017-18 ULTIMATE GUIDE To Resources for Volunteers & Programs for Girls gsema.org GIRL SCOUTS OF EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER TOOLKIT Make the most of every Girl Scout meeting! The Volunteer Toolkit (VTK) is a digital resource that helps you spend less time planning so you can spend more time where it counts: with your girls. Plan your year: • Create a plan that aligns with your troop’s interests. • Find customizable meeting plans for the whole year. Share your plans: • Collaborate with fellow volunteers. • Update families about troop activities. Manage your records: • Track troop member information and achievements. • Keep meeting plans and more at your fingertips. Daisy, Brownie and Junior Features Pre-populated year plans for petals, badges and Journeys, with more year plan choices than ever before. Discover new badges and Journeys with the VTK! ⇨ Girls’ Choice Troop Camping badges for all levels ⇨ Robotics badges for Daisies, Brownies and Juniors ⇨ Outdoor Journeys for all levels ⇨ New STEM Journeys for Daisies, Brownies and Juniors • Think Like a Citizen Scientist • Think Like an Engineer • Think Like a Programmer Daisy Design a Robot Badge Troop leaders and volunteers can find the VTK by logging into My GS via gsema.org. Check it out today! THE 2017-18 ULTIMATE GUIDE To Resources for Volunteers & Programs for Girls Table of Contents Welcome, Girl Scouts! Volunteer Resources ........................................................... 4 Here at Girl Scouts of Eastern Girl Leadership Opportunities ....................................... 10 Massachusetts, we want every Girl Scout to realize her full Girl Programs: Plan Your Year ....................................... 14 potential, and this year’s Ultimate Daisy Program List by Date ............................................. 16 Guide includes hundreds of Brownie Program List by Date ....................................... 17 programs to help her unleash her inner G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Junior Program List by Date ........................................... 21 Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™. Cadette Program List by Date ........................................ 25 Our girl program listings begin on page 14 with “Plan Your Year,” Senior/Ambassador Program List by Date ...............28 and we hope you’ll find this to be a valuable tool in preparing for Family Program List by Date .......................................... 31 an exciting year with your girls. Programs A-C ....................................................................... 32 The Ultimate Guide is first and foremost a resource for you, the volunteer, and volunteers in turn constitute our council’s Fall Product and Cookie Programs ................................42 most important resource. We truly appreciate the invaluable Programs C-Z ........................................................................44 contribution you make throughout the year in building girls of Corporate Partner Ads ......................................................68 courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place, and we are committed to supporting you in our shared Program Partner Ads .........................................................70 mission. You’ll find our revised guide to volunteer resources Facilities and Locations .....................................................82 beginning on the very next page. Member Benefits ................................................................84 Of course, the Guide is only a starting point, and you can find comprehensive, up-to-date information online at gsema.org. We value your input and feedback, and you can reach us at [email protected], or 844-306-GSEM (4736). Together, we will continue to nurture the power in every G.I.R.L. with another fun and rewarding year ahead! Yours in Girl Scouting, Patricia A. Parcellin Chief Executive Officer Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts Welcome to a @GSEMA_CEO new year in GSEMA is committed to assuring inclusion of all population Girl Scouting! groups within its council footprint, and welcomes the participation of all girls and volunteers. Girls and volunteers requiring reasonable accommodations to fully participate in Girl Scouting should contact [email protected]. 3 gsema.org GIRL SCOUTS OF EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER RESOURCES AT-A-GLANCE You believe in the power of G.I.R.L. We believe in the power of you! Volunteers, we are committed to helping you succeed. Whether you’re just getting started, or looking to build advanced skills and leadership experience for Girl Scouting and beyond, we have a range of resources to support you. COUNCIL EDUCATIONAL ONLINE RESOURCES RESOURCES RESOURCES Customer Care Core Learning gsema.org Help is only a call or Whether you’re a new Our council website is your email away. Contact us at volunteer or moving up to a window into all things 844-306-GSEM (4736) or new level, see page 5 to learn Girl Scouting, including [email protected] to about required training for important resources like get connected with a trained troop leaders. Volunteer Essentials, staff member ready to online registration, and respond to your questions up-to-date information about or concerns. Safety and Skills programs, events, trainings Training and member benefits. Girl Scout Shops Step up your game and open the door to new opportunities Volunteer Toolkit Our three council shop for your troop by getting locations have all your certified in safety protocols This new, fully customizable Girl Scouting gear, including or honing specialized skills, digital planning tool gives uniforms, accessories, kits, like archery. See Safety and you resources and program tools and books for every Skills Training on page 6. content to get your year level. Find out more on started and keep it going page 67. smoothly. Find out more Volunteer on page 2. Enrichment Council Facilities Take your leadership LEAD Online We have beautiful camp development to a whole new properties throughout level. Learn about taking We’re rolling out a new eastern Massachusetts on council leadership roles online learning platform available for your use, as on page 7, discover a new so you can attend live well as camp equipment and way to explore special webinars and participate program kits available for topics on page 8, and find in specific trainings at troop rental. Find out more opportunities to network with your convenience, 24/7. on page 82. other volunteers on page 9. See page 8 and watch for updates throughout the year. VOLUNTEER RESOURCES VOLUNTEER 4 Financial assistance is available for volunteers. VOLUNTEER RESOURCES CORE LEARNING The Core Learning Plan for Troop Volunteers: Two Easy Steps At least one volunteer at each troop meeting or outing must have completed both of the Core Learning Plan requirements: Troop Pathway Orientation This orientation takes new troop volunteers through the process of starting a troop. Learn about membership requirements, meeting locations, troop checking accounts, strategies for involving girls’ families, required paperwork, safety guidelines, start-up costs, uniforms and the online Volunteer Toolkit. Offered in-person and online! Prerequisite: Girl Scout membership. Level-Specific Essentials Each Essentials session covers what you need to know to lead a troop at your level, including petals or badges, Journeys, high awards (for older girls), how to promote a girl-led environment, and how to incorporate the Volunteer Toolkit into meeting planning. Prerequisites: Girl Scout membership, Troop Pathway Orientation and completion of one to two troop meetings. • Daisy Essentials: two-hour, in-person sessions • Brownie Essentials: two-hour, in-person sessions • Junior Essentials: two-hour, in-person sessions • Cadette Essentials: online sessions All Core Learning Plan trainings are provided free of charge to volunteers. For dates, times, locations and online registration, visit gsema.org, click on the Volunteer tab and choose Volunteer Resources. Build your Girl Scout Volunteer Network VOLUNTEER RESOURCES VOLUNTEER • Involve families: Host a Friends and Family Network meeting. Volunteer Essentials • Make new friends: Connect with other troop volunteers. is your go-to resource for information about working with girls, financing • Connect with your community: activities, following safety guidelines Attend service unit meetings and events. and more. Find it at gsema.org by • We are here to help: Reach out to your clicking on Forms. GSEMA Volunteer Support Specialist. Contact us at [email protected] or call 844-306-GSEM (4736) 5 gsema.org SAFETY AND SKILLS TRAINING Many programs require additional volunteer training in order to keep girls safe and provide them with the best possible experiences. Take advantage of safety and skills trainings to open the door to new opportunities for you and your troop. For complete information and online registration for these and other volunteer training opportunities, visit gsema.org, click on the Volunteer tab and choose Volunteer Resources. Archery Training Take your archery skills to the next level. Learn range set-up, BE PREPARED. safety rules, procedures, commands, and how to teach the basic When preparing for any activity with girls, be sure to refer form. There is a one-hour written final exam, and passing both to safety guidelines in these places: the exam and the practical skills component will certify you as a USA Level 1 Instructor. 1. Volunteer Essentials 2. Safety Activity Checkpoints Adults: $55 Visit gsema.org and click on