Girl Scouts Silver and Gold

In Nebraska, York News Times reports that the Girl Scout Gold Award has been achieved by 29 Girl Scouts in Nebraska. On June 2, one of five celebrations will be held at the State Capitol Rotunda in Lincoln.

“To acquire the Gold Award is no small task. It requires a minimum of 80 hours of work in planning and implementing the project,” said Fran Marshall, CEO, Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska. “More than 2,300 hours of community service have been completed by the 29 Girl Scouts earning their Gold Award this year.”

The range of projects varied from holding welding classes to make fire rings and benches for Crete Day Camp to creating a school garden that will tie in with science curriculum in Lincoln.

In Corpus Christi, TX, The Caller reports that Sarah Gilliam, 14, the troop president; Karlie Wilkinson, 14; Melany Escamilla, 13; and Amanda Moore, 13, are working toward their Silver Award, the second highest honor in Girl Scouts. The Silver Award will put them a step closer to the Gold Award, which is the Girl Scout equivalent of Eagle Scout.

The girls, who all attend Flour Bluff High School, have committed to participating for the next two years in the Texas Sea Grant Program's statewide Monofilament Recovery and Recycling Program. The goal is reduce the number of severed limbs, strangulations, drownings, starvations and other woes that befall birds, fishes, dolphins, sea turtles and even cats and dogs that eat or become entangled in fishing line, particularly near coastal communities.

At any given time, turtles, brown pelicans, great blue herons, laughing gulls, other birds and wildlife are recovering from fishing line injuries at the Animal Rehabilitation Keep (ARK) at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas. ARK founder Tony Amos said many of these will die; others are too disabled to ever leave the ARK.

"That's the main reason we're doing this," Sarah said. "We've seen the impact it has on the animals. And plus it just looks bad."

New Jersey's Mahwah Suburban News reports that High School junior Rebecca Damante recently earned her Girl Scout Gold Award.

Mahwah Girl Scout Rebecca Damante earned her Gold Award organizing a website of sheet music held by North New Jersey middle school bands so they can share music not in use. Rebecca has been a Girl Scout member of Troop 870 since age 5. She began as a Daisy and then bridged to become a Brownie, Junior, Cadette and Senior.

For her Gold Award project, Rebecca created a website for orchestra music inventory among middle schools in Northern New Jersey. The site lists all the sheet music each school orchestras had on hand and the contact information for the schools’ music directors.

"An orchestra cannot play all the music in their music library at once," said Rebecca. "So if a school wanted to work on a piece but did not have the funding to purchase the music, they can use my website to see which towns have the music and contact that school’s music director to borrow it."

Rebecca’s website currently has more than 1,000 titles that can be borrowed for full orchestras, string orchestras and chamber ensembles.

At school, Rebecca is a member of the orchestra, select strings ensemble, Chamber Voices, and T-bird Singers. She also participates in the Spanish Honor Society, Peer Advisor program, student council, Future Teachers Club, school newspaper, Principal’s Council and Glamour Gals.

Pennsylvania's South Whitehall Patch reports that Meredith-Ann Beam, 18, has been awarded the Girl Scout Gold Award. Beam, of Schnecksville, is a member of Girl Scout Troop 63402, which meets at Jordan Lutheran Church, South Whitehall.

The Lehigh County Commissioners recently honored Beam, along with three other Gold Award recipients —Alexis Puzzella, Avani Dalal and Colleen Vandergrift. Chairman Brad Osborne presented them with their Gold Award certificates. Beam's project included crocheting five baby blankets, knitting another five baby blankets, making 40 regular-sized blankets and making 70 bears for children at various local organizations.

“I taught the younger scouts how to knit and crochet the baby blankets and teddy bears for children to cuddle with," she said. "They were given to Bayada Pediatrics, Catholic Charities, Turning Point, Sacred Heart Hospital and Lehigh Valley Hospital.”

Beam has completed her freshman year at Liberty University. She is studying to become an elementary school teacher.

Watch Video of Anna's National Press Club Appearance

C-SPAN has video of today's National Press Club event where Anna Maria Chávez talked about the Girl Scouts' organization marking its 100th anniversary with a new effort, ToGetHerThere, promoting equal representation of women in leadership positions. She spoke about the need for young girls to be encouraged to pursue math and science education, and to see women role models in politics and business. After her speech, Chávez answered written questions submitted by members of the audience.

As Expected, Anna Maria Chávez Rocked the National Press Club Today!

Make sure you check C-SPAN for when it will air again!

Watch Live as Anna Maria Chávez Speaks at the National Press Club Today!

Anna Maria Chávez, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of the USA, will speak at a National Press Club Luncheon, May 30. Ms. Chávez will be in the nation’s capital to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouting.

Chávez recently launched a new effort, ToGetHerThere, to promote equal representation of women in leadership positions in all sectors and levels of society — within one generation. In June, thousands of girls from all over the country will “Rock the Mall,” using the power of song and dance to celebrate the centennial, along with many now-famous women who grew up as Girl Scouts.

The Press Club luncheon will begin promptly at 12:30 p.m. Remarks will begin at 1:00 p.m., followed by a question-and-answer session, ending at 2 p.m. National Press Club Luncheons are webcast live on press.org. Follow the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #NPCLunch, or on Facebook at (facebook.com/PressClubDC) and Twitter (@PressClubDC). Submit questions for speakers in advance and during the live event by sending them to @QNPCLunch on Twitter. Or email a question in advance, type GIRL SCOUTS in the subject line and send to president@press.org before 10 a.m. on the day of event.

Western New York Girl Scouts Appear on The View with First Lady Michelle Obama

In Rochester, NY, ABC News Channel 9 reports that It’s been a big year for some Western New York Girl Scouts. A troop out of Fairport, near Rochester, visited the White House back in March and on Tuesday they appeared on “The View” with First Lady Michelle Obama.

The episode focused on her new book called “American Grown,” which promotes good eating habits through gardening. The troop was among many children across the nation who participated in the spring planting of the kitchen garden at the White House earlier this year.

“It was really exciting and we never thought we would be gardening with the First Lady ever in our lives,” said one scout.

Freedom is the Theme with Girl Scouts at the White House

Today, five Girl Scouts joined members of the Juliette Gordon Low family, Girl Scouts of the USA CEO Anna Maria Chávez and National President Connie Lindsey at the White House. The girls were guests of President Barack Obama at a ceremony honoring 13 recipients of the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The medal is given to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors. Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts, was among the recipients.

Juliette Gordon Low was a visionary, whose legacy lives on in the 59 million American women who have participated in Girl Scouting at some point in their lives. She believed that all girls, regardless of culture, class, ethnic background, or economic status, should be given the opportunity to develop physically, mentally, and spiritually, and in founding Girl Scouts in 1912, she made an indelible and enduring contribution to the lives of girls and to our nation. It is fitting that during Girl Scouts’ 100th anniversary year, Juliette should be honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

“My favorite part was shaking hands with the President,” said Ambassador Girl Scout Georgie of the Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia. “He was really nice and talked to each of us!”

“Bob Dylan told me he liked our patches,” said Gold Award Girl Scout Kathleen from Girl Scouts of the Nation’s Capital. Dylan was also honored at today’s event.

The girls said they were also excited to meet awardees Madeline Albright, the first female Secretary of State and Pat Summitt, University of Tennesee Basketball coach Summitt is the all-time winningest coach in NCAA basketball history of either a men's or women's team in any division.

Diana Greymountain Excited to say Yá'át'ééh (hello) to President Barack Obama

Diana Greymountain, a 16 year-old Girl Scout from the Girl Scouts of Arizona Cactus-Pine Council is visiting the White House today.

Greymountain reports to the Huffington Post that she will be going to the White House because President Barack Obama will be posthumously awarding Juliette Gordon Low, founder of Girl Scouts of the USA, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

"I have a connection with Mrs. Low," she writes. "On March 12, 1912, in Savannah, Georgia, she founded Girl Scouts, a month before my home state of Arizona became a state. I'm from Page, Arizona, and have followed in Mrs. Low's path by becoming a Girl Scout. Tomorrow, her family will receive the Medal of Freedom -- the highest honor a civilian can get -- on Mrs. Low's behalf and I'll be there representing Girl Scouts."

Greymountain is currently working towards her Girl Scout Gold Award and is set to be the first young woman of Navajo heritage to earn the award. Her project involves working with the National Park Service to refurbish a local trail. She is leading the effort to re-mark, make signage for, and rediscover the cultural significance of the Hanging Garden Trail in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

"It will be an honor to attend the Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony because Juliette Gordon Low has inspired me throughout my life," writes Greymountain. "It was amazing to think that she founded the Girl Scouts in a time when women were not well-represented in America. Now, there are millions of us all over the country. Everywhere I go in my life, I will always meet women who were once Girl Scouts."

Indianapolis 500 Driver Katherine Legge to Support Girl Scouts

Yahoo reports that while competing in "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" on Sunday, IZOD IndyCar Series driver Katherine Legge will honor millions of Girl Scouts by wearing the Girl Scout logo on her helmet during the 96th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Legge, who attributes much of her success to the confidence and character she developed while growing up as a Girl Guide in the United Kingdom, will become the ninth woman to race in the Indianapolis 500.

The logo will be worn to call attention to Girl Scouts' ToGetHerThere campaign, and Legge's partnership with the Girl Scouts will continue beyond Sunday's race as she becomes Girl Scouts' inaugural STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) Ambassador and Girl Scouts' first motorsports athlete as a national spokesperson.

"Without a strong belief in myself, I would not be one of the few women to compete at the highest level in the male-dominated world of motorsports," said Legge. "Carrying Girl Scouts' logo on my helmet reminds me of what got me here. When I was a young girl, Girl Guides inspired me to believe that if I set my mind to it, nothing could prevent me from achieving my dreams."

Girl Scouts of the USA is celebrating its centennial this year and is using this moment to engage all members of society--mothers, fathers, all adults and IndyCar fans, corporations, government and nonprofits--to help girls reach their leadership potential. To support this effort, Girl Scouts has launched the ToGetHerThere cause campaign, the boldest advocacy initiative dedicated to girls' leadership issues in history. The goal of the campaign is to create balanced leadership in one generation.

"At Girl Scouts of the USA, we want all girls to have the opportunity to be leaders in their own lives and realize their full potential," said Chief Executive Officer, Anna Maria Chavez. "But girls can't get there alone. We're thrilled Katherine will carry Girl Scouts' logo with her during her first Indianapolis 500 race because it draws much needed attention to the cause of girls' leadership. It also shows girls that if you have a dream, and if you believe in yourself and work hard to accomplish that dream, you can do anything."

Girl Scouts of the USA has been helping girls break career barriers for 100 years. In 1913, Girl Scouts encouraged girls to consider becoming professional aviators. Today, the organization is focused entirely on giving girls the skills they need to become leaders in their own lives.

One of the ways Girl Scouts is helping encourage leadership skills is by supporting girls who wish to pursue a STEM career. Girl Scout Research Institute's recent study, Generation STEM: What Girls Say about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, found that girls are aware that gender barriers persist in today's society. The study found that 57 percent of girls agreed that if they were to pursue a STEM career, they would "have to work harder than a man to be taken seriously." The study also found that 89 percent of all girls agree that "obstacles make me stronger."

The Girl Scouts named Legge the inaugural STEM Ambassador because she exemplifies the qualities needed to succeed in a STEM field by succeeding in the male-dominated sport of racing. These qualities include having a strong understanding of math and the sciences, being team-oriented, and working diligently toward a defined goal.

Bringing Space to Earth in Arizona

Arizona's Tucson Citizen reports that the Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona’s Family Astronomy Night will bring the cosmos down to earth.

The 1st annual Imagine Astronomy Family Night on May 30th from 6 to 9 pm at Double R Arena. Imagine Astronomy Night will feature telescopic viewing, hands-on activities, and will celebrate the female pioneers in Astronomy.

Imagine Astronomy Family Night seeks to expand girls’ universe in a whole new way. Led by Girl Scout STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Director, Michelle Higgins, and Planetary Science Institute’s Senior Education Specialist Larry Lebofsky, the program will present experiments and demonstrations to supplement formal science curriculum and provide activities that can be easily repeated at home.

Girl Scouts has a long history of engaging girls in STEM activities and encouraging girls to pursue STEM interests both in and outside of the classroom. Despite recent gains gender barriers persist. According to Girl Scout Research Institute’s Generation STEM Report about half of all girls feel that STEM isn’t a typical career path for girls. Moreover, 57% of girls say that if they went into a STEM career, they’d have to work harder than a man just to be taken seriously. Imagine Astronomy is one of many Girl Scout offerings that look to debunk this myth by introducing girls those working in the field and showing that science is truly for girls just as much as boys.

Girl Scouts and AT&T are uniting to advance underserved high school girls in science and engineering. As minority students and women are gravitating away from science and engineering toward other professions, and employment in STEM fields are increasing at a faster pace than in non-STEM fields, educational experts say the U.S. must increase proficiency and interest in these areas to compete in the global economy. The Girl Scouts of the USA and AT&T are addressing this issue with a $1 million AT&T Aspire contribution to spark interest in STEM in underserved high school girls across the country.

Texas Treat Sounds Even More Sweet

In Dallas, TX, Pegasus News reports that to celebrate its 100th anniversary, the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas have commissioned a Fried Samoa Girl Scouts Cookie which they'll serve at the 2012 State Fair of Texas.

Christi Erpillo, an award-winning State Fair vendor, has devised a Samoa wrapped in a wonton skin and fried, then drizzled with chocolate, caramel, and coconut, which she says faithfully recreates the Samoa experience. Take that, Fried Butter.

The Fried Samoa will be part of a major exhibition by the Girl Scouts this year, said Girl Scouts spokeswoman Melanie Cornell. "We're taking over the Hall of State for the entire State Fair and doing a whole Girl Scout experience," she said.

They chose the Samoa as the Girl Scout cookie to fry after a year of debating which would be best.

"Somebody else did a fried Thin Mint in California, but we thought the Samoa made more sense," she said.

Erpillo, who won the Big Tex Best Taste Award in 2009 for her Deep Fried Peaches & Cream, said that the Samoa was always going to be her first choice.

"It is my favorite cookie in the world, bar none," she said. "In March I had to go to the hospital and my husband did not bring me flowers, he did not bring me candy, he brought me a box of Samoas. I love the caramel, I love the coconut."

She said that one of her main objectives when frying the cookie was to preserve the Samoa flavor.

"A lot of times when we’re frying things for the fair, you fry them but you lose the taste of what it is, and it can become gimmicky," she said. "We did not want to make it gimmicky for the Girl Scouts."

Anna Maria Chávez Welcomed the Olave Baden-Powell Society to Philadelphia

In Pennsylvania, the Plymouth-Whitemarsh Patch reports that the CEO of the Girl Scouts of the USA, Anna Maria Chávez, welcomed the Olave Baden-Powell Society to the Philadelphia area for its annual World Conference from May 16-20. This was the first time the OB-PS has held its annual meeting in the United States in 15 years.

The Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania's Shelly Ridge campsite in Miquon played host to both national scouting leadership and foreign dignitaries on May 19th, as part of a World Conference of the Olave Baden-Powell Society.

The Olave Baden-Powell Society is an international organization dedicated to female leadership, and decided to host its annual four day conference in Philadelphia to help the Girl Scouts of the USA celebrate their 100th anniversary. Olave Baden-Powell Society was welcomed to Philadelphia by Mayor Michael Nutter, who presented its leadership with a Philadelphia Bowl Award at a reception the the National Constitution Center.

On Saturday, members of the Olave Baden-Powell Society, GSUSA, and Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania's gathered at the Shelly Ridge campsite for an afternoon of workshops and a tree-planting event. Anna Maria Chávez, CEO of the Girls Scouts of the USA; HRH Princess Benedikte of Denmark, patron of the Olave Baden-Powell Society; and Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania's President Natalye Paquin all participated in the planting.

Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania's serves 41,000 girls in partnership with 15,000 volunteers in Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Delaware, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton and Philadelphia counties.

New York Law Journal Profiles Adult Girl Scout Volunteer

The New York Law Journal reports that Mary Beth Hogan, a full-time litigator at Debevoise & Plimpton, formed a Girl Scout troop for students at her daughter's school in fall 2010 and has helped lead the troop since.

She and the troop's other co-leader coordinate activities for 13 girls in third through fifth grades at the Manhattan elementary school. They meet every other week on Friday afternoons. Hogan, a former Girl Scout herself, spends several hours a month helping to plan and organize the girls' work for earning merit badges, putting together presentations, selling cookies and other activities.

She is the only woman on Debevoise & Plimpton's eight-member management committee and the co-founder of the firm's Women's Resource Group, which promotes the advancement of firm lawyers. Outside the firm, she is on the board of directors at Catalyst, the nonprofit organization that studies women's experiences in the workplace among various professions.

Hogan, 49, graduated from Rutgers School of Law in 1990 and after one year in a judicial clerkship began at Debevoise. A mother of three, she is the first litigator at the firm to become a partner while working part time. Her practice focuses on commercial litigation, regulatory and white-collar defense, employment litigation and internal investigations. She has represented companies and organizations in suits alleging discrimination, sexual harassment and wrongful termination. Her clients include JPMorgan Chase, UBS, The Carlyle Group and Syracuse University.

When asked what skills and knowledge girls in her troop learn and how can it help them in their careers, Hogan states:

"Having just made it through Girl Scout cookie season, our troop certainly sharpened their sales, arithmetic and money-handling skills. We try to plan activities that touch on many different areas. The girls have earned badges in architecture, fashion and hobbies that are "unplugged," like juggling and camping. We particularly like to have activities that involve presentations by the girls so that, from a young age (third through fifth grades), they gain confidence and comfort in speaking in front of a group."

Follow @GirlScoutEagle1 Today!

Check out this photo from the Twitter feed of Anna Maria Chávez, Chief Executive Officer of the Girl Scouts of the USA, today. In it she is "pinning" American news anchor Chris Matthews, host of Hardball with Chris Matthews, which is televised on the American cable television channel MSNBC.

On Twitter, Anna is @GirlScoutEagle1 - Make sure you follow her!

Jennifer Smith Turner Proud of Camp CEO, Gold Award Recipients

The Hartford Business Journal reports that when Jennifer Smith Turner joined the Girl Scouts of Connecticut as CEO in 2007, she inherited an organization in transition. Under her leadership, the Girl Scouts finalized the realignment of five independent scouting councils into one statewide organization while continuing to grow membership to a record 46,500 girls.

As she eyes her June retirement, after nearly 40 years in public service and non-profit work, Smith Turner talked with the Hartford Business Journal about her organization’s future challenges and opportunities, as well what she’s learned from the thousands of girls she’s been honored to serve.

When asked about her proudest accomplishments as CEO, Smith Turner states:

"One is the creation of Camp CEO, a special three-night camping experience bringing together our older Girl Scouts and prominent CEOs around the state. It was a terrific experience to bring these groups together to learn from one another. I am also proud of the number of Girl Scouts in Connecticut who have received their Gold Award, the highest and most prestigious award a Girl Scout can earn. More than 240 girls in Connecticut have received their Gold Awards since our incorporation, an enormous percentage of our demographic."

Illinois Girl Scouts IMAGINE a STEM Future

In Illinois, the Courier-News reports that at the Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois “IMAGINE Your STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Future,” about three dozen students extracted DNA from fruit and much more as they learned about careers in STEM fields.

“This is designed to show girls the balance of having both a family life and a professional one,” said Cynthia Febeles, Larson Middle School science instructor. “Traditionally these fields were more geared to boys, but the values are starting to shift with programs like this.”

In it, professional women in the science fields presented modules to the group.

“Since women are the presenters, the girls can see you can really get there,” Febeles said.

With experiments that replicated the BP oil spill and designing a switch-operated buzzer, the girls had a chance to understand and apply scientific procedures and outcomes. “We often talk about DNA but we don’t get to see it,” said Febeles. “It’s actually a string and you are holding it in your hands, so the girls realized everything has DNA, even a banana.”

To connect the lesson with a relatable topic, Febeles said the program moderators linked the DNA exercise to “CSI,” a television show about forensic evidence. “When detectives extract DNA, they have to go through a whole process. If they do not get enough material they cannot make the analysis, so the girls were able to make those connections.”

Focus on Girl Scout Troop 5227

Staten Island Live reports that Girl Scout Troop 5227 is not your ordinary Girl Scout troop. The girls come from all over Staten Island. Some are developmentally disabled; others are not. They all love coming to their monthly Girl Scout meeting at the South Shore Jewish Community Center in Greenridge with leader Lisa Rosenfeld.

Girls express themselves with words, hums, whines and gestures large and small. The room hums with activity, and the movement and sounds of everyone negotiating the use of markers and stickers while they make a spring project.

The McManus sisters and their mom are among the many friends, siblings, cousins, mothers and other helpful adults that make up the troop. Cailyn, 5, was working on her own spring scene seeing if her sister Ava, 9, needed help. Ava worked on the tray of her wheelchair and communicated mostly with a radiant smile.

"We just moved to Staten Island in September. This is a good way to meet other people in our situation, especially Cailyn, to know she is not the only one with a sister with a disability," said the girls' mother Hyemin McManus.

"It's good for Ava too, to get out. In Brooklyn, we didn't get out. It didn't have as much to offer as Staten Island," she added.

Ms. Rosenfeld is a paraprofessional at PS 37, an elementary school in Great Kills for special education where many of the students have multiple disabilities.

Guiding girls with varying limitations — nonverbal, in a wheelchair, emotionally disturbed, lacking social skills — she's developed enthusiastic Scouts.

As with all Girl Scout troops, Troop 5227 takes field trips. They have gone bowling and to Build-a-Bear in the Staten Island Mall, and they participate in Girl Scout activities such as the Father-Daughter Dance.

Overcoming Dyslexia for the Gold

California's Sierra Star reports that Yosemite High School senior MacKenzie Mitchell-Pluhar, has been involved with the Girl Scouts since she joined her Daisy Troop in kindergarten. All her dedication to Scouting paid off recently when she earned the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award. MacKenzie was one of eight Girl Scouts from the five county Girl Scouts of Central California South Council receiving the Gold Award.

The award, the highest achievement in Girl Scouts, carries a special sense of accomplishment to the determined 18-year-old. She was diagnosed the same year she joined the Daisy Troop with Dyslexia, a neurological learning condition that makes it extremely difficult in recognizing and understanding written language leading to spelling and writing challenges. She was also legally blind at birth, a condition improved with eye glasses.

"MacKenzie has had some tough and frustrating times in her life, but she has never given up," said her mother Colleen. "There were a lot of tears of joy during the ceremony last Saturday."

Mitchell-Pluhar organized an event titled "On My Way, On My Own," providing valuable information to YES seniors who will be leaving home to attend college or those staying in the community but living on their own after graduation.

Information booths featured California Highway Patrol officer Edward Green, YES consumer math teacher Rusty Oetinger and girl scout leader Sandra Idealize.

Officer Green provided safety information including self defense techniques and how to use pepper spray while Oetinger gave students information on the importance of keeping a budget, saving money and how to find inexpensive health insurance.

Idealize provided healthy living tips including nutritional facts of different foods.

"Mars Idealize demonstrated how easy it is to cook a nutritious vegetable and chicken stir-fry meal instead of a Cup of Noodles that has lots of sodium and no vitamins," Mitchell-Pluhar said. "She said 10% of students on college campuses contract scurvy due to bad diets."

She was presented a gold medal, a green jacket with "Gold Society 2012" monochromat on it and a gold necklace engraved with "Live by the Girl Scout Promise and Law."

Patricia McGuire: "Girl Scouts and God's Grace"

Patricia McGuire, President of Trinity Washington University, reports in the Huffington Post that Catholic bishops have received complaints about Girl Scout troops affiliated with Catholic parishes and schools. Among complaints are that that some troops have used materials that conflict with Catholic teaching, and a longstanding rumor about some tie to Planned Parenthood, which the Girl Scouts have repeatedly refuted.

"Real evil abounds in our world each day," writes McGuire, "and most of us are doing our level best to relieve the pain of evil's fallout -- child abuse, homelessness and hunger, poverty and corporate greed, illiteracy and the fear that ignorance nurtures, environmental destruction, senseless violence and war. Faith leaders should support the good people who work hard to make a positive difference for children in this very imperfect world. Surely, the Girl Scouts are one of the great organizations that reveal God's grace working within our culture to help girls grow well and strong, keeping them away from the dangerous precipices of destructive behaviors that consume too many young lives."

Trinity Washington University has a strong partnership with the Girl Scouts, including a Girl Scout Scholarship program that has contributed close to $2 million to support Girl Scouts in college at Trinity. Trinity also recently announced an expanded program of Girl Scout Centennial Scholarships in honor of the 100th Anniversary of the Girl Scouts. They will also be on hand with several hundred thousand Girl Scouts on June 9 to "Rock the Mall" in celebration of the Girl Scout Centennial.

The Associated Press recently addressed criticism aimed at Girl Scouts and also reported that Girl Scouts of the USA is now facing their highest-level challenge yet: An official inquiry by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

At issue are concerns about program materials that some Catholics find offensive, as well as assertions that the Scouts associate with other groups espousing stances that conflict with church teaching. The Scouts, who have numerous parish-sponsored troops, deny many of the claims and defend their alliances. One of the long-running concerns is the Girl Scouts' membership in the 145-nation World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. Some critics want the Girl Scouts of the USA to pull out of the world group; the scouts aren't budging.

"Our world is becoming smaller and our young people need to have those opportunities to engage with their peers from around the world," said the Girl Scouts' CEO, Anna Maria Chavez. "But simply being a member does not mean that we will always take the same positions or endorse the same programs as WAGGGS."

Florida Girl Scout Educates Others About Driving Hazards

Don't Text N Drive is a blog authored by Rebekah, a Girl Scout with Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, designed as one part of her Girl Scout Gold Award Project. Rebekah's project is dedicated to the memory of SPC Timothy Neil Clayton II, a soldier who was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Timothy was killed in a head on collision. Following his death, Rebakah started looking into why things like this happen, and found that that distracted driving is one of the main causes of teen deaths in America, and the number one cause of distracted driving is cell phone use.

For her Gold Award project, she decided to educate her local homeschool community about the dangers of it, particularly about texting and driving.

Geek Dad Hails Hippie Pandas for Taking FIRST

Congratulations to Girl Scout tech team The Hippie Pandas, who participated last week at the FIRST World Championship where they won 1st place in the Gracious Professionalism Award. The Gracious Professionalism Award sponsored by Johnson & Johnson celebrates outstanding sportsmanship and continuous gracious professionalism in the heat of competition, both on and off the playing field.

Wired Magazine's Geek Dad was on hand and reports that the single most impressive project of the Championship was from a group of four girls from Rochester, New York, called the Hippie Pandas, aged 11-14, faced with the need to develop a project based on food. One of the coaches of the Hippie Pandas had a cousin in the Peace Corps and found out that, because women in Nicaragua were drinking unpasteurized milk, they also experienced a higher rate of miscarriages and disease. The Hippie Pandas took this as a challenge.

In FIRST LEGO League, teams use the LEGO Education MINDSTORMS robotics system to design a robot that can solve challenges and complete missions on a LEGO-based playing field.

The Hippie Pandas used their robotics knowledge to participate in the 2011-2012 FLL Food Factor Challenge, where they were instructed to investigate their food and find a way to improve its safe delivery. As part of this project, the Hippie Pandas researched the steps taken for getting milk from the farm to the table. They learned that problems can occur while pasteurizing milk, so they designed a solar-powered milk pasteurization system that is both effective and inexpensive. Through the team’s determination and help from their coach and her contacts at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), their pasteurization system will be implemented in a village in Nicaragua. Cheryl and her contacts used their expertise in water treatment and knowledge from working in developing countries to help the Hippie Pandas understand solar pasteurization. The girls rolled mats, made reflectors, and made wax indicators because thermometers are expensive in Nicaragua. According to Ashley, “The people in Nicaragua will have safer milk than the raw milk they are drinking now. The solar pasteurizer is not very expensive, so it will not cost the people a lot of money for safe milk.”

The Hippie Pandas’ hard work and innovative idea certainly paid off, as the girls attended the World Festival. At the event, the girls met with teams from around the world and investigated the solutions those teams devised. As Emily said, “The program is really fun even if you aren’t really interested in robotics or programming; there are other things that you are able to do such as researching, designing presentations, and working on the projects.” It is this sort of teamwork that has propelled the Hippie Pandas to where they are today. Owner and Vice Chairman of the LEGO Group, Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen, sums up the FIRST experience best: "FLL encourages children to design, construct, and program their own intelligent inventions. This allows them not only to understand technology but to become masters of it.”

According to the Girl Scout Research Institute study Generation STEM: What Girls Say about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, though a majority of today's girls have a clear interest in STEM, they don't prioritize STEM fields when thinking about their future careers.

This latest offering from the Girl Scout Research Institute shows that 74 percent of teen girls are interested in STEM subjects and the general field of study. Further, a high 82 percent of girls see themselves as "smart enough to have a career in STEM." And yet, few girls consider it their number-one career option: 81 percent of girls interested in STEM are interested in pursuing STEM careers, but only 13 percent say it's their first choice. Additionally, girls express that they don't know a lot about STEM careers and the opportunities afforded by these fields, with 60 percent of STEM-interested girls acknowledging that they know more about other careers than they do about STEM careers.

Spotlight on Operation Thin Mint's Top Sellers

California's Del Mar Times reports that Girl Scout and Rancho Santa Fe resident Veronica Nelson was is this year’s Operation Thin Mint’s top cookie seller, clocking in at a whopping 4,082 boxes! Roni — along with Melissa Thomas of Rancho Santa Fe (3,009 boxes) and Caroline Sanborn (2,012 boxes) of Carmel Valley — were honored with other top cookie sellers on May 12, at Girl Scouts San Diego’s 11th annual Operation Thin Mint Sendoff aboard the USS Midway. As top sellers (defined by those who reach 2,012 or more boxes sold in 2012), the girls had the opportunity to ride in a helicopter at OTM and join other VIPs on stage and at a special reception.

Since 2002, San Diego Girl Scout troops and their cookie customers have sent more than 2 million boxes of America’s favorite cookies and countless notes of support to deployed troops serving in Afghanistan, Iraq, Africa, Japan, Korea, and the Persian Gulf, Western Pacific and Indian Ocean.

Girl Scouts Forever Green Goes International

The Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Blog reports that in February, the Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council learned it would be one of 20 councils to participate in the expansion of Girl Scouts Forever Green programming through a $1.5 million grant from Alcoa Foundation. The opportunity allows the council to offer Girl Scouts living in underserved areas of Houston more environmental awareness programs. In going global, each Girl Scout council will be paired with international Girl Guides to take this 100th anniversary Take Action initiative international.

Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council Program Manager Melissa Hardy recently made a trip to London to meet with other Girl Scout councils and Girl Guides from all over the world to discuss how this grant will allow the organization to move Girl Scouts Forever Green to an international platform.

"This is a unique opportunity for Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council and for the 15 girls who work on the project," says Hardy. "Our girls will work with 15 girls from our partner country. Through this process, all 30 girls will become better global citizens and champions for the environment."

Girl Scouts from the Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council will be twinning with Girl Guides from The United Arab Emirates.

Special-needs Prom Hosted for Gold Award Project

California's Orange County Register reports that Fountain Valley High School sophomore Rachel Phillips held a prom for special-needs students for her Girl Scouts Gold Award Project on Saturday at Huntington Beach Senior Center. Students from Edison, Westminster and Fountain Valley high schools as well as the Silcock family were treated to all of the usual prom fixin's: music, food, dancing and entertainment.

The prom hosted a total of 28 special-needs students. See a slideshow from the event here.

Deborah Taylor Tate: Raise Daughters With Healthy Self Image

Deborah Taylor Tate, former FCC commissioner and co-chair of the Healthy MEdia Commission for Positive Images of Women and Girls, received the Crittenton Award for Advocacy in Washington, D.C., last week.

On Sunday, she took to The Tennessean to recognize Geena Davis, the Academy award-winning actor, who has been an ardent advocate for improving gender equality in media, especially in children’s media.

"How did her work begin?", asked Tate. "She decided to take action as a mom, watching movies and TV with her daughter. Geena found an unequal proportion of strong, active, inspiring female characters for her daughter to emulate."

After commissioning the largest research project on gender in film and television she found that in family films, there is only one female character for every three male characters. In group scenes, only 17 percent of the characters are female. The repetitive viewing patterns of children ensure that these negative stereotypes are ingrained and imprinted over and over. Today, eight years later, the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media continues bringing groundbreaking research to content creators and families nationwide.

On May 24, Geena will bring her message of gender equality and empowerment to Nashville , joining six local female media leaders in a discussion about the impact of media — both positive and negative — on girls and women.

Good Cause Motivates North Dakota Girl Scouts

In North Dakota, INFORUM reports that the day after school ends, six Girl Scouts will start their summer by running their first 5K. The girls of Junior Troop 30490 have been training for the Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota Fargo 5K since March.

“They’re motivated. They’re ready to go,” says adult volunteer Susan Kempel.

The 10-year-olds, who run at the Casselton High School track or reservoir, are excited for race day.

“They’d done the kids’ races the past couple of years, but they wanted to get a real medal,” Kempel says.

The girls plan to pair up for the race so they don’t get lost – and so they have company.

“It’s a fun way to exercise with your friends,” says Susan’s daughter, 10-year-old Girl Scout Katie Kempel.

One dollar of each 5K race registration will go toward a new pair of Nikes. The Fargo Marathon, BCBSND and Dakota Medical Foundation will match each dollar.

“When we first mentioned that this would help kids get shoes, they all said, ‘Yes, we want to do it,’ ” says Lori Howard, BCBSND corporate wellness team leader.

Helping Animals and Going for Bronze

In New Jersey, the Galloway Patch reports that the Girl Scouts of Troop 16116 are currently working toward their Bronze award by working with the Humane Society of Atlantic City. The Humane Society houses both animals who are up for adoption and animals that are considered unadoptable for one reason or another.

The title of the project is Hands Helping Paws, and they are asking for help from the community to save the animals by spreading the word about adoption, and by donating the following items to the Humane Society: paper towels; laundry detergent; fabric softener; bleach; 409 cleaner; Dawn dish soap; "original only" canned dog and cat food; newspapers (no color ads, just Press, NY Times, etc.); Lysol cleaner; and old and/or new bath towels.

The troop also plans to clean up the area in the back of the Humane Society where families can visit with their dogs, plant flowers and play with the animals. The troop has made a special stepping stone to place in the gardens to mark their spot.

The Bronze award is the highest level they can earn as Junior Scouts. This is their final year as Juniors.

Girl Scouts Names Winner of K12 “I Want to Rock the Mall” YouTube Contest!

Girl Scouts of the USA congratulates the winners of the K12 and Girl Scouts I Want to Rock the Mall YouTube contest. Dana Marie Rogers a Girl Scout Ambassador from Old Bridge, NJ wowed the judges with an original Girl Scout Cookie Rap that landed her a spot on stage, June 9th at Girl Scouts Rock the Mall: 100th Anniversary Sing-Along.

"I am so excited to be chosen as the winner of Girl Scouts Rock the Mall, and I can't wait to perform my original Girl Scout songs for girls from across the country! Music is my passion, and I love to share it with others. I am so proud to be a Girl Scout," said Dana Marie.

The YouTube contest was created to excite and motivate the tech-savvy youth culture. Girl Scouts across the United States jumped onboard and created original songs celebrating what it means to be a Girl Scout. Some played guitars, were backed by their family band, or created cool videos for the chance to perform live onstage in Washington, DC at Girl Scouts Rock the Mall: 100th Anniversary Sing-Along before an anticipated audience of 200,000 Girl Scouts, family, friends and alumnae from around the world. Girl Scouts Rock the Mall will be the largest gathering of Girl Scouts to mark the 100th anniversary of the movement.

Thia Megia, “American Idol” finalist and K12 student will introduce Dana Marie to hundreds of thousands of Girl Scouts, family, friends and alumnae expected to converge on the National Mall to enjoy female song leaders and girl groups perform in what might be the world’s largest sing-along. She is also scheduled to perform One Day and Always. Megia said, “I am so honored to be a part of this special day and cannot wait to watch Girl Scouts Rock the Mall winner Dana Marie perform on stage.”

Girl Scouts Rock the Mall teamed-up with K12 Inc, America’s leader in online learning for students in grades kindergarten through 12, to tap the tech-savvy youth culture with the YouTube contest.

“Students using K12’s education programs have the flexibility and freedom they need to fulfill dreams inside and outside of the traditional classroom, said Ron Packard, K12 founder and CEO. ” We are so proud to be partnering with an organization that shares our vision by encouraging girls to showcase their talents and follow their dreams.”

“As we prepare to celebrate 100 years of Girl Scouting at Girl Scouts Rock the Mall, it is encouraging to listen to girls express the importance of being part of an organization that encourages inclusion, builds girls’ confidence and empowers girls to be leaders,” said Lidia Soto-Harmon, CEO of the Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital. “We thank our sponsor, K12 for making this contest possible. Every Girl Scout video entry was a winner, and every girl should continue to explore her passions.”

Girl Scouts have been writing, singing and playing songs that celebrate sisterhood and the fundamental ideals of Girl Scouting for 100 years – the only difference now is that they’re able to reach so many more as their voices are heard across the country and beyond.

Tarrytown Time Capsule Revealed

In New York, The Daily Tarrytown reports that the Girl Scouts of the Tarrytowns dug up a time capsule last week in celebration of the organization’s 100th anniversary.

A small crowd gathered Saturday at Patriot’s Park to commemorate the anniversary and open the time capsule, which was buried during the Girl Scouts’ 75th anniversary. Current and former Girl Scouts joined in song and a candlelighting ceremony to promote the organization and its values. A new time capsule was also assembled for the 125th anniversary.

Former troop leader Helen Andrews praised the Girl Scouts’ founder, Juliette Gordon Low, who started the organization in Georgia in 1912.

“She had the dream to start Girl Scouting for every girl everywhere, and she did,” Andrews said, later encouraging the crowd to “Dedicate ourselves to living the promises and the law during this year and all the years to come.”

Evans said no one had noted exactly where the time capsule had been buried, so Tarrytown Recreation Supervisor Joe Arduino made it his mission to find the box before Saturday's ceremony. The capsule, a teal Tupperware box with tape around its edges, was eventually found.

“Unfortunately, what we didn't count on was rodents, moles, gophers, who knows, but somebody was busy digging and nibbling on the plastic which allowed water to get inside,” Evans said.

Evans and her daughter Gail worked to clean up the capsule and recover what items they could, including photos and memorabilia from camping and canoeing trips, a 25th anniversary balloon and 75th year patch. Junior and Brownie troops also included troop symbols and personal notes.

Girl Scouts Celebrates Military Spouse Day!

As the U.S. Army Website reminds us, today is Military Spouse Day, a time to “recognize the sacrifices made by military spouses in support of their Soldiers.”

Girl Scouts of the USA is proud to serve girls across the world from Military families, and we salute the sacrifice and dedication of troop leaders, dads, and moms serving girls on military bases and in communities across the globe. It is because of their commitment to keeping America free and safe that all our girls have the opportunity to grow up to be anything they set their mind to.

Our military men and women – and their families – continue to set a stunning example living lives of courage, confidence and character that make the world a better place.

Deborah Taylor Tate is Calling Everyone Join Dialogue on Healthy Images for Women, Girls

This week, Common Sense Media invited Girl Scouts’ Healthy MEdia Commission Co-Chair Deborah Taylor Tate to lead a panel on Capitol Hill about the importance of promoting positive images of women and girls on screen and online.

The Common Sense Symposium on “Impact of Media on the Health and Well-Being of Children” brought together leaders from across the country to discuss how digital media is changing childhood, family life, education, and policy.

As the Nashville Tennessean reported, Tate’s panel on Healthy MEdia “encouraged parents to:

• Know which social networks and other sites their kids use.

• Put media messages in context by discussing the contents of TV shows and movies with kids.

• Arrange technology-free time for the whole family, for example, at the dinner table.

• Focus feedback around their daughters’ goals and not their looks.

• Avoid criticizing their own appearance.

Tate said policymakers, educators and parents also should encourage girls to study science, engineering and math. That way, she said, more women will have the skills to shape the direction of the technology industry.”

Also speaking on the importance of promoting positive and healthy images of women and girls at the symposium were Healthy MEdia Commission Members April McClain Delaney of Common Sense Media and Amy Zucchero of Miss Representation, U.S. Representatives Ed Markey and former Girl Scout Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz, Federal Communications Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, and former Clinton Press Secretary Dee Dee Myers.

Bronx Girl Scouts Provide Scientific American with Questions

Scientific American reports that marine biology and subway construction were the hot topics recently among two groups of Girl Scouts at New York's IS 131, Albert Einstein School.

Shenica Odom of the Girl Scouts Council of Greater New York had asked Scientific American to participate this spring in its Career Exploration Program, designed to encourage about 1,200 girls in the South Bronx to explore careers and professions that they might not have otherwise considered for themselves, including jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM jobs).

Reporters from Scientific American signed up to visit with sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders at various local schools to talk about their jobs with Scientific American as well as the school and work experiences that have helped us along the way.

Reporter Robin Lloyd kicked off her IS 131 visit by handing out “I am a Scientific American” buttons, as well as some copies of their latest issue and reproductions of the first Scientific American issue from 1845.

Girl Scouts’ Juliette Gordon Low Added to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum

The Washington Post reports that to honor the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Girl Scouts of the USA, Madame Tussauds wax museum in Washington has added a figure of the group’s founder, Juliette Gordon Low.

Dozens of Washington-area Girl Scout Daisies went to the museum Wednesday morning for the unveiling of the lifelike figure of Low, who started the scouting organization on March 12, 1912.

The unveilng is one of several events celebrating the anniversary. A concert on the Mall called “Girl Scouts Rock the Mall: 100th Anniversary Singalong” will be on June 9. More than 200,000 people are expected to attend.

Low, who was known as Daisy, started the Girl Scouts in Georgia; there were 18 members at the first meeting. Today, there are more than 3 million active Girl Scouts, and more than 50 million women have been members. Famous former Girl Scouts include actress Dakota Fanning, tennis star Venus Williams and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

East Louisiana Girl Scouts sell 1.25 Million Boxes of Cookies

In Louisiana, the Daily Comet reports that when Andris Terrebonne, 11, told her grandmother she planned to sell 500 boxes of Girl Scout cookies this year, her grandmother's jaw dropped.

“I said, ‘You did what?' ” Deborah Guidry asked.

And the cookies Andris needed to sell soon filled their Lockport double-wide trailer.

But that goal turned out to be conservative, and Andris sold 668 boxes, more cookies than any other Girl Scout in Lafourche Parish this year.

Girl Scouts Louisiana East, which encompasses 23 parishes, reported their members sold nearly 1.25 million boxes of cookies this year. Eighteen of those girls sold 500 boxes or more in Lafourche Parish.

Andris said she made almost all of the sales herself, with a little bit of help from her mother who brought the order form to her job at Domino's Pizza. But even there, Andris said she had to approach most of the employees herself.

She sold them door-to-door, in front of Walmart and Frank's supermarkets, and at her school, Larose Upper Elementary School, she said.

Her favorites are the classic Thin Mints and the newest cookie, Savannah Smiles, which were released this year to commemorate the Girls Scouts' 100th anniversary. Founder Juliette Gordon Low organized the first Girl Scout Troop on March 12, 1912, in Savannah, Ga.

One Hundred, Fun Hundred - Through the Eyes of Marina Park

Marina Park - CEO, Girl Scouts of Northern California, lawyer and mom pens a column in The San Francisco Chronicle's City Brights about Girl Scouting. This week's column reports that this past weekend over 20,000 Girl Scouts, from 38 states, Brazil, Canada, China, South Korea and Spain, celebrated Girl Scouts’ 100th Anniversary at One Hundred, Fun Hundred under perfect sunny skies and a super moon, at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton.

"Last winter, when I walked the Fairgrounds with the core team of Girl Scouts of Northern California volunteers and staff planning the event," writes Park, "I thought they might be just a little bit crazy – but crazy in the best sort of way. They pointed out 6,000 square foot exhibit halls that, for one day, would be transformed into a museum and shop, cavernous exhibit halls that would become archery ranges, BB gun ranges and hands-on science museums, a giant corral that would hold an 85 foot-long replica of the Golden Gate bridge, a front lawn area that would become “GirlTopia” with zip lines, a Radio Disney sound stage, a huge field that would become Camp S’more (complete with llamas and a huge craft project involving the creation of 12 beautiful mosaics depicting outdoor life), a courtyard that would house a temporary swimming pool for scuba lessons, a parking lot that would feature 4 rock climbing walls and U.S Tennis Association tennis courts, and an amphitheater that would host celebrations for girls who earned Girl Scouts’ highest honors this past year – the Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards — and lots of entertainment, including a girl-planned 2 hour closing ceremony and a walnut grove campground that would be home to 4,000 campers."

On May 2nd, the event sold out. On Friday May 4th, the 4,000 campers arrived and enjoyed a campfire sing-along and star-gazing. 9:00am Saturday morning the gates opened for the one day event – two years of planning, two thousand volunteers and 20,000 participants.

"And, it was awesome," writes Park. "Yes, there were some lines, but there was a magic energy in the air from start to the girl-planned closing ceremony and fireworks display at the end. I was on my feet for about 16 hours on Saturday, and I only saw a small fraction of everything that happened."

Common Man Donates to the Girl Scouts of Green and White Mountains

New Hampshire's Merrimack Patch reports that more than 1,000 people enjoyed ice cream sundaes at The Common Man family of restaurants, and Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains are reaping the benefits. This was the fifth year Common Man chefs created a dessert with a popular Girl Scout Cookie and ice cream, and donated a portion of the proceeds.

The Thin Mints Sundae featured all-natural Common Man-made mint ice cream using a base from local Hatchland Farm and crushed Thin Mints, topped with hot fudge, whipped cream and a cherry. It was served in March at seven Common Man restaurants. One dollar from every sundae ordered was donated to Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains, for a total of $1,000.

Girl Scouts accepted the check from Common Man CEO Jason Lyon on behalf of the Council at the Common Man’s Airport Diner on Brown Avenue in Manchester on April 25. This year Girl Scouts in New Hampshire and Vermont sold 1,561,621 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies. Thanks to the generosity of veterans’ groups, cookie customers, and Girl Scout troops, more than 12,000 boxes were sent to U.S. military troops around the world through Operation Cookie.

This creative collaboration between Girl Scouts, celebrating their centennial this year, and The Common Man is a natural, because community service is one of the foundations of The Common Man philosophy, and Girl Scout Cookies are great cookies for a great cause. Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains, serving New Hampshire and Vermont, is supported by 5,300 trained and dedicated volunteers. Each year our 15,600 Girl Scouts do thousands of hours of service projects as part of the Council’s mission to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

Community service has been a hallmark of The Common Man since its inception in 1971. The Common Man family and owner Alex Ray have been recognized seven times on a state level with the Restaurant Neighbor Award, and on a national level by the National Restaurant Association, for the good deeds it does.

Connecticut Girl Scouts Lend a Hand to Kennedy Center

In Connecticut, The Daily Fairfield reports that a two-foot lift might not seem like much. But for those who attend the Kennedy Center’s educational programs for people with developmental disabilities, it can be just the lift they need to turn a problem into a great learning experience. So a team of Fairfield volunteers got together last week to give them that boost.

Eric Frisk, volunteer coordinator for the Fairfield Community Garden, and a group of Girl Scouts from North Stratfield School worked together to help patients from the Kennedy Center into the garden. Frisk put together raised wooden boxes to help the wheelchair-bound Kennedy Center clients access the garden. The girls came out Friday to install and fill the boxes to get them ready for planting.

“We came and looked around, and said, ‘I don’t know if it’ll be safe for these guys to come in,’” said Ken Fossesigurani, a community inclusion counselor at the Kennedy Center. “Within a week, they called me back and said, ‘We’re going to make this work.’ ”

Fossesigurani said the garden boxes will be used in a garden-to-table educational program. Kennedy Center attendees will grow their own vegetables in the garden, harvest them and use them in cooking classes.

Along with serving families who’ve picked out plots for their own use, the garden hosts volunteer and educational groups. Seniors from the Parish Court complex across the street own a few plots and use the garden to get outside and stay active. Youth groups like the Girl Scouts use the spoils in cooking classes or as donations to the food pantry at Operation Hope.

“A lot of people grow for their own, but a lot of people also grow just to donate,” Frisk said.

In Illinois, Mentoring Delivers on the Mission of Girl Scouting

In Illinois, the Rockford Register Star reports that mentoring and learning to mentor play a very important role in the mission of the Girl Scouts of the USA, according to Ann-Marie Soderstrom, public relations manager, Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois.

“We have a special mentoring position for volunteers who are interested in mentoring new leaders,” she says. “We also have several leadership awards for girls that address mentoring.”

Girls Scout Cadettes (grades 6-8) may earn a Leadership in Action award by mentoring a Brownie (grade 2-3), in part by sharing a special talent or teaching a skill.

Cadettes may also earn the Cadette Program Aide award by earning the LIA, completing a leadership course and working with younger girls at meetings, day camps or special events.

Scout Seniors (grade 9-10) may earn the Counselor-in-Training award for mentoring younger girls in a camp setting and taking a leadership course on outdoor experiences.

Scout Seniors (grade 9 and up) may earn the Volunteer in Training award for mentoring a Daisy, Brownie, Junior or Cadette group outside of the camp experience, with the help of a mentor volunteer. “This volunteer will help the Senior through training and internship, and the Senior will help the volunteer with the group of girls for the three-to-six month period,” according to the guidelines.

Adult volunteers may apply for a one-year appointment as a New Volunteer Mentor, to provide ongoing support and resources to newly appointed volunteers.