The Fourth of July is finally here! This weekend Girl Scouts will be celebrating Independence Day from sea to shining sea. Whether you’re at camp, the beach, a backyard barbecue or any other fun you may find in between; we hope you have a great holiday weekend! Below are a few tips to ensure you have a safe and super fun time. So, go out there rocking your stars and stripes and enjoy your favorite summer activities!
Sunblock is your friend Don’t forget to keep reapplying sunscreen throughout the day. Wear all the red, white and blue clothes you want this weekend but try not to turn your skin red. No one wants to look like a lobster on the 5th of July!
Fireworks Bing. Bang. BOOM! Let the professionals do all the work. There are some amazing fireworks shows throughout West Central Florida, find one that’s near you.
Sparklers We know you girls love the glitz and twinkle of sparklers. Before you get this party started, make sure you have an adult present. Hold the sparklers away from your body and others around you. Also, keep a bucket of water handy to extinguish your flames.
Beach Before you run into the surf, make sure there’s a lifeguard on duty. Don’t forget to tell Mom and Dad that you’re going in for a dip. Stay close to shore and try not to venture in water that’s too deep.
Sand Castles Please don’t throw sand at others… even if your little brother is being annoying.
Fire Do you like making s’mores over the campfire? Don’t get too close to the open flame. You want your marshmallow roasted, not your fingers!
Camping Before you head out into the wilderness make a checklist of all the supplies you need. You don’t want to get caught in the woods without enough TP!
For more information and other tips on how to stay safe this Fourth of July visit the Red Cross website.
Girl Scouts from across our country and around the world will gather for the 56th National Council Session in Orlando from July 18-20, 2023.
As we continue to prepare for our 56th National Council Session, this document outlines the items that will be placed on the agenda based on insights from local volunteers, council leaders and council staff, national leaders and GSUSA staff, and the volunteers who serve as members of the Girl Scouts of the USA Board of Directors (the “board”). The overarching goal for the 56th National Council Session is to hold an inspiring and energizing gathering—where we have productive and efficient discussions and make decisions in support of strategic objectives, and elect leaders for the next triennium. Collectively and collaboratively, we will create a strong future for Girl Scouting.
The four National Council Delegates who have been elected by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida and the other councils of Girl Scouts U.S.A. will work together in a democratic and engaging governance practice that will lay the foundation for an even brighter future for Girl Scouts—always with the girls we serve as the focus of these meetings.
View or download the seven proposed amendments that will be discussed at NCS here:
A Town Hall session will be held on July 6 at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom to discuss the proposed amendments.
Juliette Gordon Low said it best: “The work of today is the history of tomorrow, and we are its makers.” Girl Scouts convened its first National Council Session (NCS) in 1915, engaging women in a democratic process five years before the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted American women the right to vote.
Phenom by Girl Scouts, an event just for girls, will follow the 56th National Council Session on July 20-22.
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.
World Oceans Day, celebrated annually on June 8, is all about protecting the ocean. A healthy planet needs a healthy ocean, but our waters face huge risks from overfishing, climate change, and plastic pollution.
The purpose of the Day is to inform the public of the impact of human actions on the ocean, develop a worldwide movement of citizens for the ocean, and mobilize and unite the world’s population on a project for the sustainable management of the world’s oceans.
Gulfcoast Girl Scout Madison Witherspoon has a passion for environmental advocacy and decided to dedicate her 80-hour Gold Award project, “L.F.A. Program” to the cause of ocean conservation.
Madison is a high school junior in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program at Riverview High School. She has three siblings; an older brother, a twin sister, and a younger sister. In her free time, she likes to read and play volleyball.
Once Madison became aware of all the marine life and birds that were dying from unrecycled goods in the water and from beach litter, she was inspired to educate people on the importance of recycling. She did so by organizing a beach cleanup and creating an informative website on how to resolve the issues that arise due to lack of recycling.
She hosted classes for students grades K-12 where she taught students new recycling methods and shared the dangerous effects of pollution on the environment. She also collaborated with a social media influencer to get the word out about recycling through the creation of informative videos.
“Through this project, I learned that I am very good at managing uncontrollable situations,” Madison said.
Madison earned the Girl Scout Gold Award in March 2023.
She has three siblings: an older brother, a twin sister, and a younger sister. In her free time, she likes to read and play volleyball. She plans to pursue a career in pediatric oncology.
The Girl Scout Gold Award acknowledges the power behind each Gold Award Girl Scout’s dedication to not only empowering and bettering herself, but also to making the world a better place for others. Through earning the Gold Award, Girl Scouts become innovative problem solvers, empathetic leaders, confident public speakers, and focused project managers. They learn resourcefulness, tenacity, and decision-making skills, giving them an edge personally and professionally.
By earning their Gold Awards, these young women have distinguished themselves as true community leaders and change-makers who have made a meaningful and sustainable difference in the world. Their accomplishments reflect leadership and social responsibility that set them apart from their peers.
“Gold Award Girl Scouts are the dreamers and doers who take ‘make the world a better place’ to the next level,” said GSGCF CEO Mary Anne Servian. “These girls tackled issues that are important to them and their communities, and we congratulate them on this momentous accomplishment.”
GSGCF CEO Mary Anne Servian (left) and Gold Award Girl Scout Madison Witherspoon (right) at the 2023 Young Women of Distinction Award Ceremony.
According to recent research, Gold Award Girl Scouts are more likely to fill leadership roles at work and in their personal lives and are more civically engaged than their non-Girl Scout peers. Eighty-five percent of Gold Award Girl Scouts say that earning their Gold Award gave them skills to succeed in their daily lives, and eighty-seven percent say it gave them skills to help them succeed professionally.
As a bonus, the Gold Award opens doors to a variety of scholarships, preferred admission tracks for college, strong networking and amazing career opportunities, and much more. About 4,000 Girl Scouts earn their Gold Award every year, placing Madison among a prestigious community of change-makers who have achieved this honor. Since 1916, over 160,000 Girl Scouts have earned the Gold Award or its equivalent.
The Manatee Chamber of Commerce recently announced the 2023 Small Business of the Year Award Finalists. Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida is among nine other Manatee-area non-profit organizations to be recognized for this distinguished honor and will go on to compete for the title of 2023 Small Business of the Year.
“Every day, we strive to deliver programs and opportunities to the Manatee County community that will develop young women of courage, confidence, and character,” said Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida CEO Mary Anne Servian. “We are honored and excited to be selected as finalists for this year’s awards recognition, and also wish to congratulate the other organizations who were selected as finalists.”
Other non-profit organizations who are in the running for this year’s award include Avenue941, Chargers Soccer Club at Lakewood Ranch, Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County, Foundation for Dreams, Healthy Teens, Inc., Manatee County Habitat for Humanity, Parenting Matters, The Twig Cares, Inc., United Way Suncoast.
“We are thrilled to honor local small businesses and non-profit organizations that exemplify the diversity, spirit, and community-mindedness that make Manatee County special,” the Manatee Chamber of Commerce stated in their official announcement. “All nominees, finalists and award winners will be recognized.”
The award winner will be announced at the Manatee Chamber of Commerce’s Awards Celebration and Cocktail Reception on June 29 at the Bradenton Area Convention Center.
Poor menstrual hygiene caused by a lack of education, persisting taboos and stigma, limited access to hygienic menstrual products and poor sanitation infrastructure undermines the educational opportunities, health and overall social status of women and girls around the world. As a result, millions of women and girls are prevented from reaching their full potential.
Menstrual Hygiene Day is a global advocacy platform that brings together non-profits, government agencies, individuals, the private sector and the media to promote good menstrual health and hygiene More specifically, Menstrual Hygiene Day:
breaks the silence, raises awareness and changes negative social norms around menstrual health and hygeine, and
engages decision-makers to increase the political priority and catalyze action for menstrual health and hygeine, at global, national and local levels.
Menstrual Hygiene Day has grown tremendously since it was first celebrated in 2014. The goal in celebrating Menstrual Hygiene Day? That by 2030, it is possible to create a world where no one is held back because they menstruate.
Gulfcoast Girl Scout Faith Chaney recognized a need in her community for menstrual health advocacy. She dedicated over 80 hours to her project, “Periods Aren’t Taboo,” to help positively impact the lives of girls and women living and working in her community.
Recognizing the issue of period stigma and the inaccessibility of period products in schools, Faith began advocating for the installation of feminine hygiene products in school classrooms within her high school. Faith hosted a women’s health exposition to spread knowledge about women’s health, bodies, and periods.
What really inspired her to pursue this project was “the horror stories of [myself and] other girls in my school and the times they forgot their feminine products.”
She collaborated with her school’s leadership to arrange for the installation of feminine hygiene dispensers in classrooms, and enlisted the help of a student-led organization to ensure that the dispensers remain stocked with free and accessible feminine hygiene products in years to come. Following the women’s health exposition, Faith felt confident that she achieved her goal after witnessing her attendees open up comfortably about women’s health.
“Because of this project, I learned that I could make hard decisions… I also learned that I could overcome my social fears, which I usually struggle with when I feel truly passionate about a topic.”
Faith earned the Girl Scout Gold Award in March 2023.
She has been a Girl Scout for the past 13 years, and previous earned her Bronze Award and Silver Award. “My previous Girl Scout experiences, such as earning my Silver and Bronze Award helped [me] to learn resilience. While other previous community service projects taught me how to muster up support from my community.”
Faith enjoys theatre, crafting, and working in youth programs. She comes from a large family full of cousins, supportive aunts and uncles, and lives with her mom, dad, sister, and brother. She plans to go to Rollins College in the fall.
The Girl Scout Gold Award acknowledges the power behind each Gold Award Girl Scout’s dedication to not only empowering and bettering herself, but also to making the world a better place for others. Through earning the Gold Award, Girl Scouts become innovative problem solvers, empathetic leaders, confident public speakers, and focused project managers. They learn resourcefulness, tenacity, and decision-making skills, giving them an edge personally and professionally.
By earning their Gold Awards, these young women have distinguished themselves as true community leaders and change-makers who have made a meaningful and sustainable difference in the world. Their accomplishments reflect leadership and social responsibility that set them apart from their peers.
“Gold Award Girl Scouts are the dreamers and doers who take ‘make the world a better place’ to the next level,” said GSGCF CEO Mary Anne Servian. “These girls tackled issues that are important to them and their communities, and we congratulate them on this momentous accomplishment.”
According to recent research, Gold Award Girl Scouts are more likely to fill leadership roles at work and in their personal lives and are more civically engaged than their non-Girl Scout peers. Eighty-five percent of Gold Award Girl Scouts say that earning their Gold Award gave them skills to succeed in their daily lives, and eighty-seven percent say it gave them skills to help them succeed professionally.
As a bonus, the Gold Award opens doors to a variety of scholarships, preferred admission tracks for college, strong networking and amazing career opportunities, and much more. About 4,000 Girl Scouts earn their Gold Award every year, placing Faith among a prestigious community of change-makers who have achieved this honor. Since 1916, over 160,000 Girl Scouts have earned the Gold Award or its equivalent.
A total of 611 Girl Scouts from across 10 Florida counties will be honored at the annual Young Women of Distinction Ceremony on May 21, 2023 at the Charlotte Harbor Convention Center.
This annual celebration provides friends, family, troop leaders, volunteers, and council staff the opportunity to honor the outstanding achievements of Girl Scouts throughout the council.
Among those being honored are 40 Girl Scouts who earned the Silver Award, the second highest award in Girl Scouting, and the highest award that a Girl Scout Cadette can earn. 78 Girl Scouts will receive the Bronze Award; the third highest honor in Girl Scouting, and the highest award a Girl Scout Junior can earn.
Awardees will be introduced by the Class of 2023 Gold Award Girl Scouts, who recently received their Gold Award pins at the 3rd annual GSGCF Gold Award Luncheon. The Gold Award is the highest award and most prestigious honor a Girl Scout can earn.
Other awards to be presented include the My Promise, My Faith Pin, which invites girls to experience a faith journey through exploration of the Girl Scout Law and teachings from their faith; the Journey Summit Award Pin, which is earned by girls who have completed three National Leadership Journeys at their grade level; and the 10 Year Membership Pin. Graduating Girl Scouts, Girl Scout College Scholarship recipients, and Cookie Entrepreneurs will also be recognized at the celebration.
The event is made possible by several generous sponsors: Publix Supermarket Charities, Florida Power & Light, the Swift Family Foundation, and The United Way.
Girl Scouts and their families “flooded” the park on Saturday for a well-deserved day of fun and celebration. Sun Splash Water Park in Cape Coral welcomed Girl Scouts and their guests for Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida’s annual Splash Bash event. Girl Scouts who sold 750+ packages of Cookies during the 2023 Cookie Program qualify to earn this reward. The reward is offered annually and has become a tradition for Gulfcoast Girl Scouts and their families.
The gathering took place after the park had closed for the day, making this a Girl Scout exclusive event. A total of 852 guests attended, including Girl Scouts and their guests. Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida CEO Mary Anne Servian was in attendance, as well.
“It’s truly a rewarding experience to see so many familiar faces and Girl Scout minded individuals having a great time together!” said Ashley Gill, Product Program Manager for Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida.
Participating in the Girl Scout Cookie Program helps girls learn skills they need to become successful adults who will contribute to their communities and strengthen the U.S. workforce. Long before they assume adult roles, the Girl Scout Cookie Program allows girls real-world opportunities to manage money, become ethical and reliable entrepreneurs, set goals, meet deadlines, work well with others, and understand customers. This learning occurs in an environment ideally suited to ensure the lessons are integrated into their everyday lives, for these girls are active, engaged learners who are having fun as they learn and earn.
Girl Scouts are always up for new experiences—spotting owls on a night hike, learning to cook with solar power, writing poetry, or even starting a business. Sound like you? We want you in our crew. At Girl Scouts, you’ll find a place to try new things, discover new talents, and most importantly, be fully yourself. Join the squad and get ready to make awesome memories with forever friends. Learn more about becoming a Girl Scout: https://www.gsgcf.org/en/get-involved/join.html.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and recent studies show that girls are disproportionally affected by the increasing mental health crisis in America.
As Girl Scouts, we act on matters we believe in and understand the importance of mental wellness. That is why GSUSA created the Mental Wellness and Inclusion Portal. From programs designed for all grade levels to training for adults, you and your girl can participate in various activities, receive support from peers, and build social-emotional skills—all in a physically and psychologically safe environment.
Gulfcoast Girl Scout Alexis Morrison decided to champion the issue of mental health awareness for her Gold Award project, “Mental Health Awareness.”
After learning that around 30%-80% of people who suffer with mental health issues don’t seek treatment, Alexis sought to provide support resources for children and teens suffering from mental health problems to get the help they need. She was inspired to take on his project from her own experience with mental health struggles.
“I’ve struggled with my mental health since I was 12,” Alexis said. “Because of this, I’m very passionate about raising awareness and breaking the stigma surrounding it.”
Alexis worked for over 80 hours to accomplish her goal of creating social media posts and YouTube videos to inform her audience about mental health facts and resources, and to foster a supportive community for those experiencing mental health struggles.
“Overall, I really just learned that I’m strong,” Alexis said. “I completed something I didn’t think I could, at one point. I was able to continue to work on my project even when my mind made it difficult. I’m very grateful for this experience and everything it taught me. I’ve learned how to better manage my time, thoughts, and energy.”
Alexis earned the Girl Scout Gold Award in March 2023. She will be entering into the LPN program at Suncoast Technical College in the fall and aspires to become a become a nurse and travel the world. She enjoys working, playing board games and hanging out with her friends.
The Girl Scout Gold Award acknowledges the power behind each Gold Award Girl Scout’s dedication to not only empowering and bettering herself, but also to making the world a better place for others. Through earning the Gold Award, Girl Scouts become innovative problem solvers, empathetic leaders, confident public speakers, and focused project managers. They learn resourcefulness, tenacity, and decision-making skills, giving them an edge personally and professionally.
“Gold Award Girl Scouts are the dreamers and doers who take ‘make the world a better place’ to the next level,” said GSGCF CEO Mary Anne Servian. “These girls tackled issues that are important to them and their communities, and we congratulate them on this momentous accomplishment.”
By earning their Gold Awards, these young women have distinguished themselves as true community leaders and change-makers who have made a meaningful and sustainable difference in the world. Their accomplishments reflect leadership and social responsibility that set them apart from their peers.
According to recent research, Gold Award Girl Scouts are more likely to fill leadership roles at work and in their personal lives and are more civically engaged than their non-Girl Scout peers. Eighty-five percent of Gold Award Girl Scouts say that earning their Gold Award gave them skills to succeed in their daily lives, and eighty-seven percent say it gave them skills to help them succeed professionally.
As a bonus, the Gold Award opens doors to a variety of scholarships, preferred admission tracks for college, strong networking and amazing career opportunities, and much more. About 4,000 Girl Scouts earn their Gold Award every year, placing Alexis among a prestigious community of change-makers who have achieved this honor. Since 1916, over 160,000 Girl Scouts have earned the Gold Award or its equivalent.
The Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida recently took a group of 64 members, including Girl Scouts and their families, to enjoy lunch and a show at the Broadway Palm Theater in Fort Myers on Saturday, May 6. The girls enjoyed lunch with Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida CEO Mary Anne Servian, followed by a performance of Sister Act.
Sister Act, the critically acclaimed, high-spirited musical comedy, is a shining tribute to the universal power of friendship – a suitable performance for the Girl Scouts’ day at the theatre.
The trip was a Cookie Reward for girls who sold 2,023+ boxes of cookies in the 2023 Cookie Program. One thing that all Girl Scouts gain, specifically from the Girl Scout Cookie Program, are solid money smarts that will last them a lifetime. The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest entrepreneurial program for girls in the world, which offers real-world opportunities to apply lessons learned around goal setting, budgeting and planning, critical thinking, collaboration, and organization. The girls who received this reward, dubbed “CEO Luncheon,” showed extraordinary initiative, goal-setting, and decision-making skills by achieving the 2,023 Cookie package milestone.
The CEO Luncheon reward is offered annually as a chance for girls to spend a little time with the council’s CEO.
Girl Scouts are always up for new experiences—spotting owls on a night hike, learning to cook with solar power, writing poetry, or even starting a business. Sound like you? We want you in our crew. At Girl Scouts, you’ll find a place to try new things, discover new talents, and most importantly, be fully yourself. Join the squad and get ready to make awesome memories with forever friends. Learn more about becoming a Girl Scout: https://www.gsgcf.org/en/get-involved/join.html
Sister Act, the critically acclaimed, high-spirited musical comedy, is a shining tribute to the universal power of friendship – a fitting performance for the Girl Scouts’ day at the theatre.
Sister Act, the critically acclaimed, high-spirited musical comedy, is a shining tribute to the universal power of friendship – a fitting performance for the Girl Scouts’ day at the theatre.
From left to right, GSGCF CEO Mary Anne Servian poses with Girl Scout Cadette Amanda and her mother at the 2023 CEO Luncheon.
From left to right, GSGCF CEO Mary Anne Servian poses with Girl Scout Cadette Grace and GSGCF Product Program Manager Ashley Gill at the 2023 CEO Luncheon.
Sunblock is your friend
Fireworks 
Sparklers
Beach 
Sand Castles 
Fire 
Camping 
Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. 