Outdoor Programming Updates
Resident Camp Registration is open!
Registration opened on January 10th and many sessions are already filled. Don’t delay — register your Girl Scout now for the adventure of a lifetime at Camp Conowingo this summer! Click here to find a session and register!
Resident Camp Info Sessions
Join us for a summer camp preview. Camp staff will answer questions, discuss camp activities and lodging, and share helpful hints to make campers’ experiences more enjoyable. Pre-registration is required. Click here to see all available sessions.
NEW Outdoor Adventure Facilitator Position
Have your Archery certification, ropes certification or canoe/kayak certification? Want to help girls get outdoors and enjoy those activities? Then apply to be a member of our new Outdoor Adventure Facilitator Team. This is a paid position, based on activity and length of program. The job description is available here and all interested applicants can send their resume and current certifications to jobs@gscm.org.
For questions please email our Outdoors Specialist, Kelly Campbell, at kcampbell@gscm.org
Safety Activity Checkpoints Update
When preparing for any activity with girls, start by reading the Girl Scout Safety Activity Checkpoints (SAC) for that particular activity. Safety Activity Checkpoints are a resource for Girl Scout members which provides general safety standards and guidelines for activities and outings.
Safety Activity Checkpoints have been updated for 2018-2019 and are now posted on our website under Volunteer Resources. Those who prefer a hard copy of the resource may purchase one through the GSCM Shop for a nominal fee.
The updated 2018-2019 version was developed by a task group of Girl Scout councils and Girl Scouts of the USA members and staff. This group researches available safety information for each individual activity to create activity guidelines that cover many factors such as “the presence of certified instructors and lifeguards, adult-to-child ratios, travel specifications, activity progression, and activity-specific safety precautions.”
When building guidelines, the task group took into account “activity-specific loss data, Girl Scouts’ historical experience, American Camping Association recommendations, and the industry trends and standards that are considered best practices for safety.” Additionally, GSCM has reviewed all activities in relation to our safety guidelines, Maryland State Laws, and liability factors. For some activities, specific GSCM guidelines and permissions are noted. An overview of what is new and updated in the 2018-2019 Safety Activity Checkpoints can be found here.
For the convenience of our volunteers in notifying GSCM of participation in mid-risk and high-risk activities that now require council permission as defined in SAC, we have created a short, easy online notification form. The GSCM ‘Mid-risk and High-risk Permission Form’ is found on the Volunteer Resources page of www.gscm.org.
We ask for notification 3-4 weeks prior to participation so that the activity may be reviewed to ensure the safety of all girls.
Questions may be directed to membercare@gscm.org
Celebrating our Local Heroes
On Saturday, January 12, 2019, Girl Scouts met at the GSCM Program Center to pack trucks and cars full of Girl Scout Cookies that were donated through the Cookies from the Heart campaign, to send to military families—active and retired – and other first responders as a way of saying “Thank You for your service.” Click here to read more about this event and to see photos!
Destinations Deadline Approaching
Girl Scout Destinations are the ultimate adventure for individual girls ages 11 and older!
Last summer, Girl Scout Izzy had the exciting opportunity to go to Space Academy in Huntsville, Alabama. Click here to hear about her experience from application to landing on Mars and everything in between!
Your Girl Scout can choose to apply to up to four Destinations. Apply now for either 2019 or 2020. The deadline for the application WITH references is February 15th. Visit www.gscm.org/destinations to get started!
It’s not too late to get organized with the Volunteer Toolkit!
The Volunteer Toolkit (VTK) contains program and meeting plans for Daisy through Ambassador and multi-level troops!
For troop leaders, it takes the guesswork out of planning and prepping for your troop meetings and makes communicating and staying organized simple.
Thank you for doing this event. [The webinar] went great; will be recommending the tool and webinar to others. I’m a leader to 7th graders, wish this would have been around years ago. Will be showing it to the girls and parents in my troop too.
– Julia K., GSCM Volunteer
Want to learn more about the Volunteer Toolkit?
Join us for an Introduction to the Volunteer Toolkit (VTK) for Troop Leaders and Co-Leaders, Thursday, January 31st from 7:00 pm to 8 pm. Register here. In the meantime, don’t be afraid to dive in! Go to http://www.gscm.org and click on My GS to log in.
Distinguished Women’s Award Celebration Early Bird Ticket Sales have been Extended!
At Girl Scouts, we are all about practicing everyday leadership, preparing girls to empower themselves, and promoting G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader) experiences.
The Distinguished Women’s Award Celebration is Girl Scouts of Central Maryland’s annual signature fundraiser that honors Baltimore area women who reflect the attributes that Girl Scouting aspires to instill in every girl.
Don’t miss the 39th Annual Distinguished Women’s Award Celebration that will take place Wednesday, April 17, 2019, 5:30-8:30 p.m. at The Center Club in Baltimore. Early bird tickets are $100 and available now through January 31, 2019. Learn more and get your tickets here: http://bit.ly/2KU6U77
In 2018, event proceeds ensured that all girls who wanted to participate in Girl Scouts could. Funds raised helped keep program fees low, offered financial assistance for memberships and resident camp, and provided volunteer training—expanding our capacity to serve girls throughout central Maryland.
2019 Cookie Pro Contest is here!
What’s her barrier-breaking, goal-crushing, world-changing superpower? Encourage every Girl Scout you know to enter the 2019 Cookie Pro™ contest, and let us know! Girl Scouts and the inspiring DC Super Hero Girls™ are teaming up to give girls the Cookie Entrepreneur Experience of a lifetime, including a trip to sunny California; she can share her unique cookie story for a chance to win—and unlock a special patch! Enter now!
Turning Green to Gold
As a parent, you want your girl to succeed. When she becomes a Gold Award Girl Scout, she gains an edge in the college admissions process and for competitive scholarships, while also creating solutions to some of society’s biggest problems. In fact, there are many colleges and universities that specifically offer scholarships for Gold Award Girl Scouts. Additionally, Gold Award Girl Scouts who enter the military often enter with a higher rank.
To find out what you need to know to support her in her journey from green to gold, click here!
Updates from Juliette’s Closet
Leader Vests
You asked for it, you got it! Now in stock, unofficial leader vests in navy blue for $24.99. These come in unisex sizes XS – XXXL. Get yours now to proudly display your pins and participation/fun patches!
World Thinking Day
This year we are offering World Thinking Day pins, pencils and totes in addition to the WTD badges. Consider making a special order from Juliette’s Closet for your Troop or Service Unit World Thinking Day event. Just email the item name(s), quantity and your contact information to gscmstore@gscm.org at least two weeks in advance and we will notify you when they are available for pickup.
Pop-up Shop
Juliette’s Closet will be at the Camp Conowingo Clean Up day on March 16! Email gscmstore@gscm.org at least a week in advance with your order, pay over the phone and we’ll bring it that day for pickup. We will also be setting up a pop-up shop on the day of the cleanup.
Categories: VINE
Girl Scouts of Central Maryland 