Author Archives: Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida

Celebrate Girl Scout Week 2026 with GSGCF! 💚

by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida

Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida is excited to celebrate Girl Scout Week 2026!

Beginning March 8 and continuing through March 14. This special week honors the birthday of our founder, Juliette Gordon Low, and celebrates 114 years of Girl Scouts making the world a better place.

Throughout the week, Girl Scouts across the country will come together to live the Girl Scout Promise and Law in meaningful ways. Here’s how we’re celebrating each day:

💚 Spirit Sunday – March 8

Do something kind in the spirit of Girl Scouts. Spread joy with a simple act of kindness—compliment a stranger or lend a hand to a neighbor.

💛 Affirmation Monday – March 9

Share a positive message with a friend. Start the week with good vibes by posting an uplifting quote, sending an encouraging text, or giving a compliment in person to brighten someone’s day.

💙 Troop Tuesday – March 10

Appreciate your awesome troop besties. Check in with a fellow Girl Scout and see how you can support each other this week. If you’re in cookie season, consider sending a “cheer” through Digital Cookie!

🌟 Wisdom Wednesday – March 11

Share a Girl Scout pro tip or life hack. From building new skills to life-changing discoveries, pass along something useful or meaningful you’ve learned through Girl Scouts.

🎉 National Girl Scout Day – March 12

Rock your favorite Girl Scout gear and celebrate proudly! Post a photo and tag @girlscouts, using #NationalGirlScoutDay and #BecauseOfGirlScouts to join the nationwide celebration.

🚀 Flash Forward Friday – March 13

Make your plans for a brighter future. Dream big and share a goal you’re excited about with a friend.

🤝 Service Saturday – March 14

Serve your community as a sisterhood. Volunteer locally or lend a helping hand to those in need.

Share Your Girl Scout Week

We encourage our GSGCF girls, volunteers, families, and alumnae to celebrate all week long! Share your Girl Scout Week experiences on social media by using #BecauseOfGirlScouts and #NationalGirlScoutDay, and tag @girlscouts so we can amplify your impact.

Don’t forget to snag your commemorative patch to celebrate Girl Scout Week 2026!

Here’s to 114 years of courage, confidence, and character—and to the bright future ahead for every Girl Scout in Gulfcoast Florida. 💚

Happy Girl Scout Week!

GSUSA Girl Scout WeekDownload

Girl Scouts Celebrate 100th Anniversary of World Thinking Day with Global Events Across Southwest Florida

by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida

Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida is marking the 100th anniversary of World Thinking Day, a global Girl Scout tradition that celebrates international friendship, cultural understanding, and girls’ leadership, with immersive events across Southwest Florida.

On Feb. 1, Girl Scouts will gather at Camp Caloosa in North Fort Myers for a vibrant international celebration featuring 139 registered participants, including girls and adult volunteers, representing 20 countries. The event will showcase cultural and educational displays, traditional foods, live performances, and a colorful parade of flags, providing strong visual storytelling and interview opportunities.

Founded in 1926, World Thinking Day is celebrated annually on Feb. 22 by Girl Scouts and Girl Guides in more than 150 countries around the world. The milestone anniversary marks a century of girls learning about global issues, building cross-cultural understanding, and recognizing their shared responsibility to make the world a better place.

“World Thinking Day reminds girls that they are part of something much bigger than themselves,” said Mary Anne Servian, CEO of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida. “For 100 years, this day has helped girls develop empathy, global awareness, and the confidence to lead — values that are just as important today as they were a century ago.”

The celebration at Camp Caloosa builds on an earlier World Thinking Day event held on Jan. 17 at GSGCF’s Camp Honi Hanta in Bradenton, where more than 50 Girl Scouts participated, representing five countries through hands-on cultural activities and educational exhibits.

The global celebrations coincide with Girl Scout Cookie Season, when girls put leadership and entrepreneurship skills into action. Cookie booths open Feb. 6 at 4 p.m., with proceeds supporting local Girl Scout programming, leadership development, and experiential learning opportunities like World Thinking Day.

Community members can find Girl Scout Cookies by texting “Cookies” to 59618 or visiting www.gsgcf.org.

Event Highlights Include:

  • Cultural and educational country displays
  • International food tastings
  • Live performances and traditional attire
  • Parade of flags representing participating nations

Unlock Creativity with 9 New Maker Badges for Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors

by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida

From the GSUSA Blog

Calling all makers! Did you know that anybody can be a maker? It’s true! All it takes are the right tools, a little bit of inspiration, and a whole lot of creativity. Of course, it never hurts to have a little help. That’s why Girl Scouts is excited to introduce our Art and Design, Create and Innovate, and Craft and Tinker badges for Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors made possible by Stanley Black & Decker. Each maker badge introduces different concepts and ways to bring ideas to life. Whether your Girl Scout is interested in woodwork, crafting a birdhouse out of milk cartons, welding, or brainstorming how to use solar energy to power a car, there’s an activity for every Girl Scout.

Art and Design

In this badge, Girl Scouts will learn about the basics of art and design. They’ll learn how to find inspiration in their world and see that anything can inspire! They’ll learn how to translate the images and ideas in their mind onto a blank page or mold a sculpture. Then they’ll discover the magic of sharing creative work with others. They’ll start learning how to share their pieces with others to spread joy.

Craft and Tinker

This badge teaches Girl Scouts how to craft new objects and improve their functionality. By tapping into their imagination, Girl Scouts will see that they can make crafts from almost anything, including recycled materials found around their house—such as turning milk cartons into paper, or using egg cartons as pots for plants. Through doing so, Girl Scouts will learn how to create with users in mind, then ask for feedback to further improve their creation.

Create and Innovate

Girl Scouts have big dreams and ideas they want to bring to life. With this badge, they’ll tap into their creativity and needed business skills, while learning more about how their big ideas could impact the world around them. Whether it’s diving into an at-home science project or making a creation to benefit the entire STEM community, Girl Scouts will get to unlock their inner innovator, learn the design thinking process, and how to share their innovations with the world.

Explore the World Of Animals with the New Badges

by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida

From the GSUSA Blog

Girl Scouts are good at so many things, from learning new skills to spreading joy and giving back to their communities. One thing that unites Girl Scouts is their desire to create positive change and help others. With their boundless curiosity, Girl Scouts have the power to make a difference in the world, not only in the lives of people, but also in the lives of every creature we share the planet with: animals!

Animals close to home can provide companionship and support, or make our lives easier. Animals far away can spark a new interest or teach us more about the world. But some animals face danger every day. Because they can’t speak up when they need help, it’s our job to protect them. When your Daisy, Junior, or Cadette starts earning one of the new Girl Scout Animal Badges, they’ll embark on a fun journey into the world of animals.

Unlock a NEW badge by downloading one of our free, fun activities! Animal Habitats and Animal Helpers badge—made possible thanks to The Elliott Wildlife Values Project. 

Animal Observer–Daisy (K-1)

Girl Scouts are naturally curious and eager to explore their surroundings. With the new Animal Observer badge, Daisy Girl Scouts will hone in on their observation skills to discover more about animals, near and far. They’ll start by using their senses to identify animal sounds, prints, and behaviors and take notes like an animal scientist. Then they’ll play games to solidify their knowledge and have the chance to visit one of their favorite animals in real life!

Animal Habitats–Junior (4-5)

Animals live in all types of homes—in trees, underground, underwater, and even on glaciers! With the Animal Habitats badge, Junior Girl Scouts can investigate different animal habitats at home and around the world. They’ll use their curiosity to explore animal homes and try their hand at building one. Then they’ll learn about endangered animals and the importance of protecting their habitats to benefit the planet.

Animal Helpers–Cadettes (6-8)

The connection between humans and animals has always existed. Whether animals are serving to protect or provide comfort in difficult times, the animal-human connection is an essential part of human history. With the Animal Helpers badge, Cadette Girl Scouts will learn about this connection and its mutual benefits. They will learn to translate knowledge into action and become advocates for animals by actively participating in organizations dedicated to animal welfare.

The Girl Scout Animal badges not only teach Girl Scouts about their favorite animals, they also help them discover more about the world around them and how to use what they learn to create positive change.

MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE THIS #GIVINGTUESDAY!

by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida

So, what is Giving Tuesday? Giving Tuesday is a worldwide movement of unity and giving that encourages people to do good for others and for their communities. Created in 2012, Giving Tuesday has inspired hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. While it’s easy to think of “giving” as making a cash donation, the true spirit of Giving Tuesday is to inspire acts of generosity of every shape and size.

Photo by EKATERINA BOLOVTSOVA on Pexels.com

This year’s Giving Tuesday is on November 28, 2023, and we can’t wait to see how our troops put a Girl Scout spin on this holiday. How will you give back this year? Try these simple ideas to get started:   

Make someone smile! Spread cheer with a simple wave or compliment to someone you don’t know. Small gestures go a long way in creating a better day and remind us that we are all in this together.

Volunteer your time!  Engage in a community service project to help others in need.  Whether it’s cleaning up a local park, assisting the elderly, or organizing a food drive for pets or people, these acts of kindness embody the spirit of unity and generosity.

Be a changemaker! Use your voice as a megaphone to advocate for a cause that matters to you. Tell your friends and family why you feel strongly about the cause and suggest ways how they can help make a difference too!

Host a virtual fundraiser! Donate to a nonprofit that has impacted your life, like Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida! Host a Facebook fundraiser or simply help us spread the word about our council campaign! Don’t forget to hashtag #givingtuesday  

Every act of generosity counts and contributes to making the world a better place. If your troop has a community service event or special activity planned for Giving Tuesday, please share with us by emailing marketing@gsgcf.org or filling out the Share Your Troop News Wufoo form.

Esteemed Delegates Represent Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida at 56th National Council Session

by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida

The Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida Council proudly announces the successful participation of its esteemed delegation at the 56th National Council Session of the Girl Scout Convention. Held from July 18 to July 22, 2023 at Walt Disney World® Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, this triennial business meeting brought together delegates from across the world to discuss, debate, and vote on vital issues significant to the Girl Scout Movement.

The Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida council was represented by four dedicated delegates and four accomplished delegate alternates, who demonstrated their unwavering commitment to the values and principles of the Girl Scouts. The delegation comprised two adult delegates, Juliana Meek and Christina Ottman, and two inspiring girl delegates, Julianne A. of Naples and Bryanna S. of Bradenton. Serving as alternate girl delegates were Olivia T. of Cape Coral and Michaela F. of Fort Myers. Mary Anne Servian, GSGCF CEO, and Richard Cyphers, GSGCF Board President, held the positions of alternate delegates.

The delegates and alternates fulfilled their responsibilities with utmost dedication and professionalism, ensuring they were well-prepared for their crucial roles. Prior to the National Council Session, they took personal responsibility to study the agenda, familiarize themselves with background information and recommendations from the National Board of Directors, and gain a broad array of perspectives from girl and adult members within the council.

Posing with National Girl Scout CEO Bonnie Barczykowski, from left to right, are Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida alternate girl delegates Michaela and Olivia, and girl delegates Julianne and Bryanna.

During the National Council Session, the delegates and alternates actively engaged in discussions, debates, and voting on various business items that would shape the future of the Girl Scout Movement. They collaborated with the Gulfcoast Board of Directors President and CEO to plan information gathering and report back to the council, ensuring effective representation and decision-making on behalf of the entire Gulfcoast Florida council.

Upon their return, the delegates and alternates have been steadfast in their commitment to share insights and decisions made during the National Council Session with the Gulfcoast Board of Directors and the council’s membership. Their objective is to empower the entire council with the knowledge and understanding required to support and participate in future National Council Sessions effectively.

“Our delegates’ dedication and enthusiasm were inspiring to witness,” said Mary Anne Servian, GSGCF CEO. “They embraced their roles with passion and demonstrated exemplary leadership qualities, making us proud to have them represent Gulfcoast Florida at the convention.”

As girl delegates, Julianne and Bryanna expressed their delight at being able to contribute to the discussions and vote on important proposals. Julianne remarked, “My favorite part of the convention was having my voice heard and voting on the different proposals.” Olivia, one of the girl delegate alternates, also shared her excitement about the Opening Ceremony and the delightful Disney on Broadway performance, as she is an avid lover of musical theater.

The Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida Council congratulates its delegates and alternates for their outstanding efforts in representing the council and for embodying the Girl Scout values of courage, confidence, and character. Their participation in the 56th National Council Session has further strengthened the council’s commitment to empowering girls and young women in the Gulfcoast Florida community.

GSGCF delegate Juliana Meek shows off her badges and awards in between voting sessions at the 56th National Council Session of the Girl Scouts of the USA.

View a full gallery of photos below featuring Girl Scouts from around the Gulfcoast celebrating at the National Convention:

Girl Scouts Love State Parks: Celebrate with Gulfcoast Girl Scouts Sept 9-10

by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida

Let’s celebrate our shared love of the outdoors.

Every year, Girl Scouts explore the natural wonders found across our country during the Girl Scouts Love State Parks weekend. Girl Scouts nationwide, along with their troops, friends, and families, celebrate our shared love of the outdoors.

Girl Scouts Love State Parks weekend is on September 9 and 10 this year. Grab your backpack and head out to your local state parks for self-guided tours, family hikes, watersports, stargazing, special events, and more!

Get the free Girl Scouts Love State Parks Passport NOW!

The Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida have partnered with five parks within our council’s jurisdiction to offer a weekend of events, designed for families or troops to attend together.

Participants will choose one of the five parks to attend during the hours of 10:00 am to 3:00 pm on one of the dates listed below. A small entrance fee of $5 or $6 (depending on each park) will grant each car load access to the park.

Each car load can include up to eight (8) people. It is important to tell the park staff at the gate that you would like to participate in the Girl Scouts Love State Parks Program and ask for an activity sheet. Notify park staff that you are with the Girl Scouts at the gate and they will provide each car with an activity sheet specific to that park.

Participants will complete a scavenger hunt, go on nature trails, and learn leave-no-trace practices. Entrance fee does not include patches. Patches can be ordered for $2 on the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida website the week following. Families and troops are welcome to bring their own lunch and snacks. If you are attending as a troop, you must complete the “Day Trip and Activity Travel Form: https://girlscoutsofgulfcoastflorida.wufoo.com/forms/z1te7wt10e9pllt/

Please read through the details below, as a few of the parks will be offering guided activities during a specific time frames throughout the weekend.

Dates: Saturday, September 9th and Sunday, September 10th, 2023.

Time: 10:00 am 3:00 pm on both Saturday and Sunday.

Please do not arrive before 10:00 am, and be sure you have completed your activities in time to exit the parks by 3:00 pm.

Locations:

Highlands Hammock State Park, 5931 Hammock Rd, Sebring, FL 33872

Oscar Scherer State Park, 1843 S Tamiami Trail, Osprey, FL 34229

Koreshan State Park, 3800 Corkscrew Rd, Estero, FL 33928

Collier Seminole State Park, 20200 Tamiami Trail E, Naples, FL 34114

Myakka River State Park, 13208 State Rd 72, Sarasota, FL 34241

You can order the Girl Scouts Love State Parks Patch here.

The Girl Scouts of the USA have also created a Girl Scouts Love State Parks Passport to guide your adventures throughout the weekend and unlock your Girl Scouts Love State Parks 2023 Patch.

Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida Mourn the Loss of a Dear Friend: Former CEO Sandi Stewart

by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of a remarkable woman who touched the lives of countless individuals within the Girl Scouts community. On July 19, 2023, Sandi Stewart, the previous CEO of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc., peacefully left this world, leaving behind a legacy that will forever inspire and uplift.

Sandi’s journey with Girl Scouts began over three decades ago as a dedicated volunteer, driven by her passion for empowering young girls to become confident leaders. Over the years, she served as the finance director and ultimately became the CEO in 1998. For a remarkable 23 years, she devoted herself to shaping the future of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc.

During her tenure as CEO, Sandi accomplished incredible milestones, leaving an indelible mark on the organization. One of her most significant achievements was successfully leading a groundbreaking $7.8 million capital campaign. Through her visionary leadership, two LEED-certified facilities were established on the Searcy G. Koen Regional Girl Scout Campus in Sarasota. These spaces now stand as symbols of Sandi’s commitment to both the environment and the growth of the Girl Scouts community.

Under Sandi’s guidance, Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. flourished. Despite facing challenging economic times, she ensured the organization’s financial stability, allowing the Girl Scouts’ vital work to continue unabated.

Girl Scouts tour the Sarasota Campus with former CEO Sandi Stewart.

Sandi Stewart’s became a beacon of hope and inspiration, empowering young girls to dream big and achieve their full potential as young women of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. Her compassionate spirit and tireless dedication touched the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing her.

As we bid farewell to a visionary leader and a true friend, let us remember Sandi Stewart’s remarkable legacy. We celebrate the life of a woman who selflessly dedicated herself to the betterment of others, leaving behind a world that is brighter because of her contributions.

To honor Sandi’s dedication to Girl Scouting and particularly to Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, we are dedicating our work at the 56th National Convention, which is taking place from July 18-22 at Walt Disney World Resort, in her memory.

Please join us in honoring Sandi’s memory by cherishing the values she held dear and continuing her mission to create a better future for all. Rest in peace, Sandi.

Stewart receives the GSGCF President’s Merit Award, alongside fellow employee Linda Ezzell, in 2005.

How Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida is combatting the “Summer Slide”

by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida

The joy of a sunny summer vacation is hard to beat—but if you’re like many parents, you might be worried about your daughter falling back academically while school’s out. But believe it or not, there are easy (and fun!) ways that your daughter can not only stay on track, but also learn even more before the start of the next school year.

“Summer slide” is the tendency for students, especially those from low-income families, to lose some of the research regarding summer learning loss suggests that on average, students lose about two months of grade level equivalency in math and reading achievement gains they made during the previous school year.

Because we know that the Summer Slide is such a serious issue and we want to combat it, the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida participates with the Suncoast Campaign for Grade Level Reading and Anna Maria Oyster Bar in the Dive Into Reading Program hosted in Manatee County each summer. The Anna Maria Oyster Bars’ Dive into Reading program aims to improve children’s reading levels by combating “Summer Slide.”

GSGCF Staff member Rachel Staigerwald and reading partners Kailey and Miracle enjoyed new books and a hot breakfast at Gecko’s Grill & Pub on S.R. 70 as part of the Dive Into Reading Program.

The Dive Into Reading Program has been serving Manatee County since 2017. Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida has proudly joined in the efforts to promote childhood literacy every year since the program’s genesis.

In just its first year, Dive into Reading helped students beat the “Summer Slide” and showed an increase in reading proficiency when they returned to school. In 2020, the program was offered virtually via Zoom, with 75% of the participating children showing no reading loss when they returned to school.

This year, Dive into Reading aims to mentor even more children and continue to make a positive impact on their reading skills.

Worried about your child falling behind during the summer? Follow these tips and watch her soar!

  1. Send her to camp
    You might think camp is all tents and tug-o-war, but your daughter can gain a lot of skills—and put those she learned in school last year to good use. Plus, the confidence that she gains from going away will help her feel more capable in all areas of her life, school included.
  2. Participate in Girl Scout programs during the summer
    We recently updated our summer calendar, including events now through the winter! Check out the programs we have to offer- many of which are education and family-oriented- that will keep your daughter engaged and enriched during the summer months.
  3. Give her time to play
    Whether she’s playing with dolls or being silly with her friends, playtime is actually super important for your girl. Why? Studies show that play allows the neurons in a child’s brain to form new connections. This rewiring helps boost emotional intelligence, decision-making skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities.
  4. Let her lead “book club”
    Pick a title she’d like to read, and have the whole family read it together and discuss it—with your girl asking the questions! It’ll give her a chance to lead and be the “expert,” which can boost her love of books and will keep her reading skills sharp!
  5. Encourage her to make something
    From dreaming up ideas and designing a hands-on project to testing those ideas and problem solving on her own terms (without a teacher’s instruction), making something from scratch—whether it’s a bird feeder or a pie—is one of the best ways to keep her learning this summer.
  6. Find the magic in everyday life
    How do magnets stick to the fridge? Why are leaves green? How does her phone know where she was when she took a photo? Help her investigate these questions and more as she explores how the wonderful world around her actually works and brushes up on her science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) knowledge in the process!
  7. If she’s old enough, suggest she get a summer job
    She’ll love getting a paycheck, but she’ll also get hands-on experience practicing important people skills, learn about how a business operates (whether she’s running her own dog-walking service or working for an established company!), and likely get a hefty-dose of financial literacy in the mix, too. Major bonus? College admissions teams love applicants who’ve held jobs over the summer or after school, because it shows responsibility and drive!

There’s no rule that says learning can only happen in a classroom! Let her curiosity, imagination, and passions lead the way, and she’s sure to have a summer full of enriching, educational moments.

Celebrating Juneteenth

by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida

Juneteenth combines “June” and “nineteenth.” It’s also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, and Emancipation Day.   

Even though President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation officially ending slavery in 1863, in practice it remained in some parts of the country. On June 19, 1865, word that the Civil War was over and slavery was abolished finally made it to enslaved people in Galveston, Texas—and celebrations throughout the newly free Black community followed, which in time became an annual tradition across the U.S. 

We asked our Girl Scout community how they intend to commemorate the day this year. We heard about plans to gather and celebrate with family and friends, as well as plans to educate others, learn more, and reflect on the history of the occasion.

For more on the history of Juneteenth, check out KidsKonnect’s Juneteenth facts and worksheets and the National Museum of African American History & Culture’s Historical Legacy of Juneteenth. 

This article was originally published on the GSUSA Blog.