Tag Archives: Girl Scouts

5 Ways to Shake up Your Family’s Halloween Routine

by loritomlinson

lamp-halloween-lantern-pumpkinYou’ve carved the pumpkin. You’ve bobbed for apples. You already had to replace that stash of candy meant for trick-or-treaters. While Halloween is a favored time of year for many families, the routine can become as stale as last year’s candy corn.

There are many creative ways to perk up your Girl Scout family’s Halloween celebration without spending a lot of money, AND while reinforcing the things your daughter is learning in school (works for boys, too!). Here are just a few:

1. Integrate a few science-related activities into your celebration. A quick internet search for “Halloween science experiments” can lead to anything from monster slime and bubbling brew to alien eyeballs and flaming ghosts.  Click here for fun suggestions to get you started. BONUS: Capture the experiments on video, and stash the file away for your kids to share with their children someday.

20920123141_495a03d391_o2. Explore your family history and cultural heritage through Halloween traditions. Spend some time with your daughter researching how Halloween and other fall festivals were celebrated by your ancestors. Traditions can vary greatly from country to country, and you may be surprised at how much some things have changed — and how they’ve stayed the same. BONUS: if you have old family photos from Halloween time, share them with your kids.  They’ll get a kick out of seeing what costumes YOU chose as a child.

3. Get your family’s creative juices flowing by writing a progressive ghost story together. All it takes is “once upon a time, on a dark, gloomy night…” to get the ball rolling. Each person takes a turn adding the next section of the story, round-robin style. BONUS: Before you get started, take a few minutes to talk about what makes a story interesting (unique characters, plot twists, an exciting climax, resolution, etc.). It’s a great way to sneak in a literature lesson without anyone noticing!

tape-measure-269294_12804. Turn a routine trip to the pumpkin patch into a geometrical scavenger hunt. Picking out the perfect pumpkin together is fun — and you can practice those geometry skills at the same time. Create a list of specific properties, such as “20 inches tall,” “2 feet wide,” “10 inches in diameter,” and challenge everyone to find a pumpkin matching each description. Don’t forget to bring the measuring tape. BONUS: Include a mixture of English and metric measurements.

5. Explore alternatives to the same old store-bought costumes. While many girls will no doubt want to dress as a famous cartoon princess this year, encourage your daughter to consider some more unique ideas. For example, she could dress as her favorite character from a book. Or, she could design a costume that reflects the opposite of her normal personality (yes, this idea was stolen from Lucy in “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”). Or ask her, what do you want to be when you grow up? BONUS: Hold a creative costume challenge, where each person collects a few random objects from around the house, and challenges another family member to incorporate the items into a costume.

If it’s just you and your daughter, or if you have a small family, why not invite the girls from your daughter’s troop to join you in some of these activities? Coincidentally, Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Low was born on Halloween. She was famous for breaking from tradition. What a fitting way to celebrate the season!

~Lori Tomlinson is the Manager of Communications and Marketing for Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc.

Guest Blog: A Silver Award with Wings

by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida

Bradenton Girl Scouts Plant Butterfly Garden

by Olivia, guest blogger

Hi, I am Olivia, a member of Girl Scout Troop 16 in Bradenton.crowley4 crop

As our Girl Scout Silver Award project, my troop restored the butterfly garden at the Crowley Museum and Nature Center.

The Silver Award has very specific qualifications and is one of the highest honors a Cadette Troop can earn. One of the main qualifications is to pick a project that has a lasting impact on the community with a commitment of at least 50 hours of service time.

At one time or another, all my troop members assisted in the project. In December 2014, we began with a trip to Selby Gardens for a private tour. We met with the caretaker of their butterfly garden to learn the basics of maintaining a healthy butterfly garden, and to get an idea of what Florida native plants we could use. We learned to use plants that sustained the larvae population. Selby provided us with a list of butterflies and butterfly-friendly plants, and the list was very useful in deciding what plants we wanted to use and what was native to Florida.

We designated a portion of our cookie booth proceeds to fund the project and in March 2015, we started clearing the area with only gloves, a shovel, and two spades. With our modest amount, we purchased the few plants we could and planted them, but there was still much more work to be done. That is when I applied for a grant from the Serenoa Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society. Because of the generous grant we received, we were able to purchase more tools and many more plants so that we could complete the project before the heat of summer kicked in.

Some of the plants we planted were Prostrate Porter weed (Strachytarpheta jamaicentis), Tropical Sage (Salvia coccina), Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Firebush (Hamelia patens), Wild Coffee (Psychotria nervosa), and Giant Ironweed (Vernonia gigantea). We purchased our plants from both Florida Native Plants and Crowley nurseries.

Cadettes from Troop 16 (left to right): Olivia, Emily, Sydney, and Delaney.

Cadettes from Troop 16 (left to right): Olivia, Emily, Sydney, and Delaney.

We are proud of the work we accomplished and are committed to maintaining the butterfly garden throughout the years. We could not have accomplished this without the help of the Serenoa Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society and all the people we met along the way who took the time to educate us. Most of all, we thank our parents and our leaders, Antoinette Yagy, Suzanne McLauchlin, and our mentors, Gerald Yagy and Mike Amado.

Be sure to check out all the pictures we posted on the Serenoa Chapter’s Facebook page! We encourage everyone to come out to Crowley Museum and Nature Center and enjoy the peacefulness of the gardens and the beauty of nature!

—————————–

Editor’s note: This article first appeared in the Sept. 2015 newsletter of the Serenoa Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, and is shared here with their permission.

Miranda of Sarasota Goes Gold

by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida

Gold Award Project: Shadybrook Village Game Room

 See the Video Interview here: http://youtu.be/YXuHvn-Lwbc

DSC01903Miranda created Shadybrook Village Game Room in order to provide a safe place with healthy activities for youth and families in her community.  She noticed an increase of troubled situations and there was a lack of positive, family entertainment in her neighborhood.  She designed and coordinated a game room in her community, which offers a safe place for teens and youth to have fun, also focusing on family game nights bringing families and the community together.

Miranda said, “This project has given me confidence and has greatly impacted my community. There is now a safe and entertaining place people can enjoy in my neighborhood which instills community and family bonding.”

“We celebrate the Gold Award recipients for implementing community action projects that will serve those in need for years to come. These young women exemplify the Girl Scout motto of building girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place,” said Sue Stewart, Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc.

The Girl Scout Gold Award is so prestigious that some universities and colleges offer scholarships unique to Gold Award recipients, and girls who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces may receive advanced rank in recognition of their achievements. Congratulations Miranda!

Learn more about the Girl Scout Gold Award: http://www.gsgcf.org/girls/gold-award

Sydney of Sarasota Goes Gold!

by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida

Gold Award Project: Environmentalist in Training 

 See the Video Interview here: http://youtu.be/cAkkzEbjRaE

Sydney is a Senior at Pine View School in Sarasota. She is involved in student government as treasurer of her class, and she is attending Florida State University in the Fall.

Inspired by attending an environmental science class, she created curriculum based on air and water pollution to encourage a younger generation to make a difference.  Week by week, she developed and taught lessons and engaged their attention with crafts to illustrate to students how to reduce pollution and the importance of taking care of the earth. Her goal is to address the diminishing state of the environment, encouraging students to make better decisions and for them to campaign for others to do so.

IMG_8344Sydney states, “I was inspired by this project to continue advocating for community and global issues. I learned how important it is to take action and now I have the motivation to continue doing that throughout my adult life.”

“Nationwide only 5.4% of qualifying Girl Scouts earn the Girl Scout Gold Award. As Sydney enters those ranks, she has distinguished herself by standing up for what she believes and taking action to make her community better”, states Sue Stewart, Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc.

The Girl Scout Gold Award is so prestigious that some universities and colleges offer scholarships unique to Gold Award recipients, and girls who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces may receive advanced rank in recognition of their achievements.  Congratulations Sydney!

Learn more about the Girl Scout Gold Award: http://www.gsgcf.org/girls/gold-award

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Grace of Englewood Goes Gold

by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida

Gold Award Project: SPARCC Change~ Eliminating Violence through Advocacy and Martial Arts

See the Video Interview here: http://youtu.be/7m6Am1oYp4M

DSC01910Grace is a Junior at Pineview and has been in Girl Scouts for 8 years, she is also involved with Interact Club, Model UN, Tae Kwon Do, and is the President of Kickin’ It Club at her school. Grace’s project was centered on abuse and encompassed advocacy, self-defense training, and support for survivors. She started a self-defense martial arts program at her school called Kickn’. She hosted an item drive for SPARCC, an abuse and rape awareness and prevention organization, raising $2,500 dollars’ worth of items for the shelter. She also hosted Respect Week at her school which included creative messages with chalk, self-defense, and presentations to 2,000 students.

Grace is very passionate about this topic. She said, “I see myself continuing to fight for change, despite obstacles, despite setbacks, despite trials and tribulations. I have become more of a go-getter because of this project, and I am ready to start more movements, make more waves, and help more people in whatever way I can.”

“Girl Scout Gold Award recipient Grace’s “Take Action” project will make a measurable and sustainable difference in our community.  Her positive attitude, teamwork, and commitment to service defines her as an inspiring leader and role model,” states Sue Stewart, Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc.

The Girl Scout Gold Award is so prestigious that some universities and colleges offer scholarships unique to Gold Award recipients, and girls who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces may receive advanced rank in recognition of their achievements. Congratulations Grace!

Learn more about the Girl Scout Gold Award: http://www.gsgcf.org/girls/gold-award

Marissa of Fort Myers Goes Gold

by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida

Gold Award Project: Sewing Hope for Haiti

See the Video Interview here: http://youtu.be/N8Cmv93Zn8k

DSC_0251Marissa is a Junior at Fort Myers High School and enrolled in International Baccalaureate, a pre-university program. She is also in the Science National Honor Society, the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Key Club and the Vice President of CNYK.

Marissa’s project was sewing pillow case dresses for girls in Haiti. She found that many of the kids in Haiti don’t have many clothes, sometimes they don’t have anything. She wanted to create something fun that the girls would love. She started with a pillow case drive, she then taught her group how to make the dresses. All together, they made 200 dresses and sent them to Haiti with a card.

“I believe that this project really allowed me to crawl out of a shell and really use my leadership skills to create such a successful project. It was a lot of work, but it was totally worth it. The little girls in Haiti are going to just love their new dresses.”

“We celebrate the Gold Award recipients for implementing community action projects that will serve those in need for years to come. These young women exemplify the Girl Scout motto of building girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place,” said Sue Stewart, Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. Sample dress 3

The Girl Scout Gold Award is so prestigious that some universities and colleges offer scholarships unique to Gold Award recipients, and girls who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces may receive advanced rank in recognition of their achievements. Congratulations Marissa!

Check out Marissa in The News Press.

Learn more about the Girl Scout Gold Award: http://www.gsgcf.org/girls/gold-award

Sydney of Venice Goes Gold

by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida

Gold Award Project: Books and Bears for Literacy 

See the Video Interview here: http://youtu.be/47Aj-PTZcJ8

Sydney Ring (1)Sydney is a Junior at Suncoast Polytechnical High School. She has been in Girl Scouts since she was five years old. Her project focuses on encouraging preschool aged children to love books at an early age in order to improve literacy. Her original goal was to collect 500 books for children but then she included 500 bears so each child could have a “reading buddy.” In the end she collected 1,000 new bears and 1,400 new books to distribute to area preschool children.

Sydney said, “Literacy is a world need, but the awareness begins in each of our own communities.  Getting businesses, family members, and each of us personally committed to making literacy a goal for young children will allow us to ensure that we all do our part to promote the love for reading and future success of each child.”

IMG_4949 (2)“Girl Scout Gold Award recipient Sydney’s “Take Action” project will make a measurable and sustainable difference in our community.  Her positive attitude, teamwork, and commitment to service defines Sydney as an inspiring leader and role model,” states Sue Stewart, Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc.

The Girl Scout Gold Award is so prestigious that some universities and colleges offer scholarships unique to Gold Award recipients, and girls who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces may receive advanced rank in recognition of their achievements.Congratulations Sydney!

Learn more about the Girl Scout Gold Award: http://www.gsgcf.org/girls/gold-award

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Regine of Immokalee Goes Gold

by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida

Gold Award Project: Hygiene for Haiti

 See the Video Interview here: https://youtu.be/1xuVFJ9HdoQ

DSC_0254Regine, is a Senior at Immokalee High School who is dual enrolled at Florida Gulf Coast University. She has been in Girl Scouts for six years, is a part of the Beta Club, she runs cross country and track, she tutors elementary aged students after school at the Guadalupe Center.

Regine found that in her home county of Haiti, severe sanitation conditions are causing illness and death to adults and the youth. She worked with nonprofit Hope for Haiti, and other youth organizations to put together 150 hygiene kits to send to Haiti. As a community advocate, Regine states, “As the project leader, I realized my growth when other people were looking up to me to find inspiration in my actions. I know in my core that nothing is impossible. It is possible for an 18 year old girl to convince others to work together to make a positive impact and to change the world.”

YWOD 2015 085“Girl Scout Gold Award recipient Regine’s “Take Action” project will make a measurable and sustainable difference in our community.  Her positive attitude, teamwork, and commitment to service defines Regine as an inspiring leader and role model,” states Sue Stewart, Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc.

The Girl Scout Gold Award is so prestigious that some universities and colleges offer scholarships unique to Gold Award recipients, and girls who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces may receive advanced rank in recognition of their achievements. Congratulations Regine!

Regine was recently featured in People Magazine, Naples Daily News, and The News Press! 

Learn more about the Girl Scout Gold Award: http://www.gsgcf.org/girls/gold-award

Sylvia M. is the TOP Entrepreneur for the 2015 Girl Scout Cookie Program!

by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida

Top Cookie Seller 2015Congratulations to Sylvia M. of Troop 802 in Fort Myers! She is the 2015 Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc., TOP Girl Scout Cookie Entrepreneur. Sylvia sold 4,072 boxes of cookies. Sylvia is a 4th grader at Bonita Springs Preparatory Academy and Fitness Academy and also participates in Tae Kwon Do, soccer, tennis, basketball, drill team and gymnastics to name a few. She has been a Girl Scout for two years and she had this goal to become top cookie achiever since last year.

She learned that if you set a goal and really try, you’ll make it. Sylvia said, “Girl Scouts has taught me to be a unique person in a good way.”

Her troop is planning to go to Orlando on an overnight to Wet and Wild. Her favorite personal reward that she will receive is a spa day with Sue Stewart, CEO of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc.

Sylvia spent weekends at cookie booths from 10am-8pm and states that, “Girl Scout Cookies were my sleep.” She had to endure many types of weather: rain, cold, really hot, sunny. What helped her the most was a poster board progress chart which showed her customers how much more she had to sell.

Congratulations to Sylvia! She will share more about her success at the 2015 Young Women of Distinction Ceremony on May 17th in Punta Gorda. Details Here>>

20150318_170155

Samantha of Lakewood Ranch Goes Gold

by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida

Gold Award Project: Primping for Prom and Pageants 

See the Video Interview here: https://youtu.be/qA7NbN6grNU?list=UUQu2q2bmzfNZJUoW1Qz20fg

Samantha HyattSamantha is a senior at Lakewood Ranch High School. She is the head captain of the marching band color guard and president of the Latin club. After high school, she is headed to University of Florida and she wants to be a TV news broadcaster.

Samantha noticed that there weren’t as many girls participating in the school’s beauty pageant and prom. She found that many girls could not afford these dresses which inhibited them to participate in the memorable events. With the Junior Advisory Board, she has started the program which involves young women donating dresses and others borrowing these dresses free of charge for these events. This program will be sustained through the years.

Samantha said, “My project helps increase self-worth in the girls at my high school because now all girls can participate in these events in which they will always remember. This project was a stepping stone in what I hope will be a lifetime of service.”

“We celebrate the Gold Award recipients for implementing community action projects that will serve those in need for years to come. Samantha exemplifies the Girl Scout motto of building girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place,” said Sue Stewart, Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc.

The Girl Scout Gold Award is so prestigious that some universities and colleges offer scholarships unique to Gold Award recipients, and girls who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces may receive advanced rank in recognition of their achievements. Samantha will be recognized for this achievement in May 2015, at Girl Scouts Young Women of Distinction ceremony. Congratulations Samantha!

Learn more about the Girl Scout Gold Award: http://www.gsgcf.org/girls/gold-award

This slideshow requires JavaScript.