Beyond Bars Troop Unveils Banners

October 27, 2012—Girl Scout Beyond Bars troops 7140 and 7856 unveiled their banner exhibit called “Our Hopes and Dreams for the Future” at the Baltimore Circuit County Court. The project—a series of banners—was created by the troop’s members under the direction of Hannah Brancato, a community artist. During the dedication, girls were invited to speak about their banners and the dream represented in the artwork. Then all were invited to join in a traditional Girl Scout Friendship Circle while the girls were []

Lutherville Troop Members Earn Girl Scout Silver Awards

Several members of Lutherville Girl Scout troop 1635 earned their Girl Scout Silver Awards and celebrating with an awards ceremony earlier this month, the Baltimore Sun reports. The girls worked on a variety of projects to earn their awards, including a performance at College Manor in Lutherville on St. Patrick’s Day and a father-daughter dance for local Girl Scouts and their fathers and grandfathers, the Sun reports. Click here to read the full report. Congratulations, girls!

Girl Scout Named Capital Gazette Teen of the Week

Girl Scout Ambassador Jacqueline Velasquez of Troop 61 in Annapolis was named the Capital Gazette’s Teen of the Week. Jacqueline, who has been a Girl Scout since the seventh grade, said she enjoys earning badges, camping with her troop and has been busy lately selling Girl Scout Cookies in her neighborhood, the article reports. In addition to Girl Scouts, Jacqueline has taken on several leadership roles at her school, serving as a student ambassador for incoming freshmen and is involved with student []

Cookie Locator App Wins Smarties Award

The Cookie Locator app, which helps users to find Girl Scout Cookie booth sales, won a Smarties Award from the Mobile Marketing Association this week. The Cookie Locator app, created for Little Brownie Bakers by EachScape, Inc., allows users to find fun cookie facts, delicious recipes and inspiring videos about what girls learn through the cookie program and how they use their cookie money to do a world of good, in addition to finding, saving and sharing cookie booth sale locations. Download []

Cookies with a Cause: Clarksville Troop Helps Local Charities

Clarksville troop 1948 is already service-oriented, so finding a cause to dedicate their Cookie proceeds to was only natural, the Columbia Flier reports. The Girl Scouts decided they’d like to help local children and animals in need, so they donated boxes of Cookies and dedicated portions of their proceeds to the Ronald McDonald House Charities and Frisky’s Wildlife Sanctuary. Read the full report here. Way to go girls!

Girl Scouts Attend World War II’s Unsung Heroines Program

This weekend, members of Girl Scout troop 259 attended the Maryland Women Heritage Center‘s World War II’s Unsung Heroines Program. The event gathered female WWII veterans and women of that era to be recognized and honored for their contributions to the war effort abroad and at home. The Girl Scouts served as color guard, led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance and met several servicewomen members, including a woman pilot. The girls told the group about their activities in Girl Scouting []

Perseverance Pays Off: the Story of Andrea, a Girl Scout Cookie Superstar

It was a race to the finish for Girl Scout Andrea. Her goal of 1,000 boxes last year seemed just out of reach when she had sold 990 boxes and hit a selling wall. Those last 10 boxes were her biggest obstacle, but she was persistent and dedicated and ultimately made her goal. Letting customers know about your goal can help boost your cookie sales. When asked about what motivated her to be a 1000+ club member she said, “I always strive []

Tips for Cookie Rookies: How to Make Your First Cookie Volunteer Experience a Success

Serving as a Girl Scout Cookie volunteer is no easy task. After you’ve gone through Cookie training, set up your eBudde account and prepared for the sale, there may be some questions lingering or challenges you might face that are best learned from experience. That’s why we sought the expertise of Girl Scout Cookie volunteer veteran Linda Grice, who gave us some insight and advice for first time Cookie volunteers. Last year, Grice’s troop, troop 841 from Arbutus sold more than 8,000 []

From Girl Scout Cookies to Capitol Hill

During the Girl Scout Cookie sale, girls earn funds for their Girl Scout activities and learn essential skills that help them throughout their lives—but that’s not all. The Girl Scout Cookie sale gives girls a unique opportunity to network and connect to their community. This summer, Girl Scouts Helen and Marie ran a four week summer camp for Burmese-Chin refugee children in Catonsville for their Girl Scout Gold Award projects. The summer camp aimed to help the children improve their English speaking []

Claiming the Crown: the Story of Girl Scout Hope, a Cookie Superstar

Girl Scout Hope, who is a three year veteran of the Girl Scout Cookie program, sold an astonishing 2,120 boxes last cookie season. Hope said she saw the crown one of the girls received the year before for being the top seller in her area. She decided then that the next cookie crown would be hers and she set her goal to be in the 1,000 Plus Club. Hope’s troop had a goal of selling 4,000 cookies. They combined forces, especially in []

Honor Community Heroes with Cookies from the Heart

We have expanded our annual Gift of Caring campaign, which, until now, focused solely on donations to U.S. military personnel. This year, teachers, firefighters, police, EMTs, nurses and military personnel can be recipients of the Gift of Caring campaign– Cookies from the Heart. Girl Scouts will accept donations during the pre-order phase and the booth sale phase. Orders can also be made online and Girl Scout troops can be given credit for the donation. More information about the new Gift of Caring []

Eating Girl Scout Cookies Helps Kids Learn About Money

When you purchase a box of Girl Scout Cookies you’re supporting more than just a girl’s troop activities—you’re also supporting her financial education. Time magazine reports, “Students receive little financial education at school and have repeatedly failed broad tests measuring their mastery of basic personal finance and economic concepts. Just 14 states require high schools to offer a course in personal finance…” The Girl Scout Cookie Program helps fill that gap by teaching girls essential skills that will help them in business []

Sweet Success: the Story of Girl Scout Erin, a Cookie Superstar

Girl Scout Erin, the top Girl Scout Cookie seller in Carroll County for 2011-2012, has been selling Girl Scout Cookies for four years. Erin set out with an initial goal to sell 500 boxes during the pre-order phase of the sale. She more than doubled that number by the end of the sale by selling cookies at her community bowling alley, held 15 booth sales and went door-to-door selling cookies from a wagon in her neighborhood. Erin said she drew inspiration from []

If You Like Our Cookies, You’ll Love Being a Member!

While the girl who sells you cookies is working to do great things, she needs your support to learn the skills she needs to tackle whatever challenges come her way. Membership in Girl Scouting isn’t just for girls! Moms, dads, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and older siblings can join, too. As long as you support girls’ reaching their full potential, you can be a member. When you join, you help today’s girls transform their dreams into reality. More girls will find a place []

Test Your Girl Scout Knowledge — Question 10

You’ve made it! This is the final question in our 100th Anniversary trivia contest. Here we go: How do Girl Scout troops often close their meetings? This is question 10 of 10 in our 100th Anniversary trivia contest. Comment on the post with your answers. If you answer all 10 questions correctly you will win 10% off a copy of our 100th Anniversary keepsake book. To view other questions click here. Submit your answers by 5 pm Monday, August 27 to qualify []

Test Your Girl Scout Knowledge — Question 9

We’re coming down the home stretch! Tomorrow’s post will be the final question in our trivia contest. We’ll give everyone a few days to catch up and answer all of the questions before the contest closes. All answers must be submitted by 5 pm Monday, August 27 in order to qualify for the book discount. So here, we go—here’s today’s question: How many Girl Scout councils were consolidated in 1962 to create Girl Scouts of Central Maryland? This is question 9 of []

Test Your Girl Scout Knowledge — Question 8

Just three more questions to go! Here’s today’s: What two programs did GSCM initiate that are now nationally recognized? This is question 8 of 10 in our 100th Anniversary trivia contest. Comment on the post with your answers. If you answer all 10 questions correctly you will win 10% off a copy of our 100th Anniversary keepsake book. To view other questions click on the post tag “trivia.” Good luck! Note: When leaving your answer in the comments, please comment with a []

In Her Own Words – 2012 Girls’ World Forum

Earlier this summer, two GSCM Girl Scouts, Sally and Molly, traveled to Chicago for the Girls’ World Forum, the third and final in the series of Young Women’s World Forums, WAGGGS’ international centenary events. At the GWF girls and young women aged 14 to 18 years old came together from all over the world to discuss and develop action steps to address three of eight UN Millennium Development Goals that were selected by girls for World Association of Girl Guides and Girl []

Test your Girl Scout Knowledge – Questions 5, 6 and 7

We took a little break from Girl Scout trivia over the weekend so we’re catching up today. Here are the next three questions in our 100th anniversary trivia contest: Question 5: What instrument was traditionally used, and sometimes still is today, to wake up girls at Girl Scout camp? Question 6: What is the oldest GSCM Camp that is still in use today? Question 7: From what organization did Lamb Lodge at Camp Woodlands receive an Award of Merit? These are the []

Test your Girl Scout knowledge – Question 4

Yesterday’s question was a tough one so we added a hint. Be sure to check it out on yesterday’s post.  Good luck! Here is today’s trivia question: Which Maryland Senator is a lifetime Girl Scout and continued supporter of GSCM? This is question four of 10 in our 100th Anniversary trivia contest. Comment on the post with your answer. If you answer all 10 questions correctly you will win 10% off a copy of our 100th Anniversary keepsake book. To view other []

Test your Girl Scout Knowledge – Question 3

Today’s trivia question is a tough one, but I know you can get it! Here’s today’s trivia question: What was the name of central Maryland’s first campsite? Bonus: When did it open? Hint: You’ll find the answer in the Winter 2008 issue of GirlsWorld, available for download on our website. This is question three of ten in our 100th Anniversary trivia contest. Comment on the post with your answer. If you answer all 10 questions correctly you will win 10% off a []

Test Your Girl Scout Knowledge! – Question 2

Here’s today’s trivia question: Where are the two Caitlin Dunbar Nature Center locations? This is question two out of ten in our 100th Anniversary trivia contest. Comment on the post with your answer. If you answer all 10 questions correctly you will win 10% off a copy of our 100th Anniversary keepsake book. To view other questions click on the post tag “100th anniversary trivia.” Good luck! Note: When leaving your answer in the comments, please comment with a current e-mail address. []

Test Your Girl Scout Knowledge! – Question 1

Are you a Girl Scout expert? We invite you to test your Girl Scout knowledge by participating in our 100th Anniversary Trivia Contest! Over the next 10 days we will post questions here on our blog about the history of Girl Scouts in central Maryland. Comment on the post with your answer. If you answer all 10 questions correctly you will win 10% off a copy of our 100th Anniversary keepsake book. Here’s today’s question: What was the name of the first []

Troop 1962 Plans Carnival for Children at Local Shelter

Girl Scout Silver Award projects not only benefit the greater community, but they also each have their own special meaning for both the Girl Scouts and the benefiting organization or people. The members of Girl Scout Troop 1962 chose a cause that was meaningful for them—they knew that they wanted to work with disadvantaged children, because they realized that not everyone had the same opportunities and possessions they did. The girls dedicated their Girl Scout Silver Award Project by planning a carnival []

Girl Scouting – One Cadette’s Perspective

Why do girls need Girl Scouts? That is a question that is often asked; the answer varies from girl to girl. The journey begins with the Girl Scout environment itself. A girl’s leadership blooms among other girls—away from school pressures, social cliques, and boys—where she can be herself and try new things. The Girl Scout experience gives young women the confidence and the tools to lead—to find, inside the uncertain girl, the young woman who will make a difference in her world. []

At 92, Doretta “Chips” Law is still a Girl Scout at Heart

“Once a Girl Scout, always a Girl Scout” has never rang truer than in the case of Doretta “Chips” Law, who, at 92, still considers herself a Girl Scout.  Her Girl Scout nickname, Chips, has become a lifelong nickname, and she has dedicated her life to Girl Scouting. Over the years, she has been a troop leader, volunteer, and a Woodland Pioneer. She founded troop 33 in 1940 and the troop met regularly in Linthicum for 30 years.  As a troop leader, []

Ellicott City Girl Scouts Share Love of Music through Silver Award Project

Girl Scouts Nina, Bushra and Jinia, members of Ellicott City Troop 549, are working on their Girl Scout Silver Award Project to to serve sick children at Howard County General Hospital, the Baltimore Sun reported. The girls, who have played music together since elementary school, are creating story book recordings for the children to listen to while in the hospital. They’re utilizing their musical talents to record background music and sound effects to bring the stories to life. Click here to read []

GSCM Girl Scouts to Attend Girls’ World Forum in Chicago

Two GSCM Girl Scouts will be traveling to Chicago this weekend for the Girls’ World Forum, the third and final in the series of Young Women’s World Forums, WAGGGS’ international centenary events. At the GWF girls and young women aged 14 to 18 years old will come together from all over the world to discuss and develop action steps to address three of eight UN Millennium Development Goals that were selected by girls for World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts []

GSCM.org is Getting a Makeover!

We’re very excited to tell you that GSCM.org will be getting a whole new look in just one week! The new website will begin the transition process on Thursday, July 12 and will continue throughout the weekend. We may experience website downtime over the weekend and some pages may transition early and appreciate your patience during this period. We are anticipating that the website will be fully operational on Monday, July 16 and we are eagerly anticipating the improvements the new site []

Halethorpe Troop Participates in Great American Can Roundup

Girl Scouts of Central Maryland took 7th place in this year’s Great American Can Roundup (GACR) Scout/Council Challenge—a nationwide challenge in which Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts from across the U.S. are invited to participate and vie for top recycling awards.  This year 28 troops from 21 states collected aluminum beverage cans between January 15 and April 30 in a competition for prizes, awards and cash. Girl Scouts of Central Maryland Troop 496, from Halethorpe, collected 209 pounds of cans, for an []

Girl Scouts present Gold Award Projects on Capitol Hill

Girl Scouts Helen and Marie had the opportunity of a lifetime last month when they were invited by Girl Scouts of the USA to attend a briefing of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. At the briefing, they had the chance to present their Girl Scout Gold Award projects to members of Congress, congressional staff, and GSUSA CEO Anna Maria Chavez, National President Connie Lindsey, and GSUSA board members. The girl’s projects focus on helping Burmese []

Girl Scouts hit it out of the park with Girl Scouts’ Grand Slam!

The Orioles pulled off the win over the Nationals, on Sunday, with 8,000 Girl Scouts cheering them on! We celebrated our 100th Anniversary Baltimore style, as Camden Yards was filled with Orioles orange and Girl Scout green, with many Girl Scouts-young and old-sporting their uniforms proudly. The day started off with 1,000 Girl Scouts in a first time ever Girl Scout Parade on the field…it was a sight to see and the opportunity of a lifetime for all who participated! The parade []

Meet Evelyn Mogren, Chainsaw Artist

Chainsaw artist Evelyn Mogren creates art out of old fallen trees and tree stumps with, you guessed it, a chainsaw. She’s created several pieces at GSCM’s Camp Ilchester including animal carvings and a totem commemorating Girl Scouts’ 100th Anniversary. Check out the video below to see her at work. Read an interview with Evelyn in the latest issue of GirlsWorld.

Girl Scout Alumna Named to Edgewood High School Hall of Fame

Girl Scout alumna Nadine Haas Wellington was one of five named to Edgewood High School’s Hall of Fame on Tuesday, the Baltimore Sun reports. Wellington, a graduate of Edgewood High School’s class of 1972, was a student representative to  Girl Scouts of Central Maryland, the article states. She has worked as an educator for 35 years, first teaching middle school science, and is now the principal of Mountain Christian School in Joppa. The new inductees joined the Hall of Fame in a []

Girl Scouts to make presentation to Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus

Wednesday, Girl Scouts Helen and Marie, will attend a briefing of the Congressional Asian American Caucus on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. to represent Girl Scouts and inform the Caucus members of the impact Girl Scouts have on the community. The girls, who are twin sisters, will present their Girl Scout Gold Award projects, which focus on helping local Burmese-Chin refugee children learn English and American culture and customs so that they may better adapt to their new community. Working with the []

Girl Scouts celebrate Memorial Day

Towson Girl Scouts joined their classmates in celebrating Memorial Day and learning the reason for the holiday during their school’s annual Memorial Day celebration, the Baltimore Sun reports. With the Patriots and Defenders program the students work to gain a better understanding of American history by studying and memorizing parts of American history, the article states. Among other accomplishments, students recited portions of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I have a Dream” speech, learned to identify key figures in American history, as well []

Lutherville Girl Scouts Recieve Highest Award

Four Girl Scouts from Troop 4441 were awarded the highest honor in Girl Scouting, the Girl Scout Gold Award in April , the Baltimore Sun reported. To earn the award, the girls had to complete service projects that yielded lasting benefits for their community. Girl Scout Beth created an anti-bullying campaign called REACH (Respect, Empower, Achieve, Change, Help) to educate children, young adults and parents about the effects of bullying and how they can stop bullying, the article stated. Girl Scout Katharine []

100 Years, 100 Stories – Girl Scouts of Central Maryland’s 2011 Annual Report

When contemplating concepts for Girl Scouts of Central Maryland’s 2011 Annual Report, we wanted find a special way to mark, not only the milestone of our 100th anniversary, but the stories of our members, volunteers, and supporters who make Girl Scouting in our community possible. We present to you 100 years, 100 stories. Each button on the front side of our 2011 Annual Report poster represents a story. Click here to download an interactive version of the annual report to learn all []

Girl Scouts of Central Maryland Presented with Governor’s Service Award

This week, Girl Scouts of Central Maryland was honored at the 29th annual Governor’s Service Awards for 50 years of service to girls in the central Maryland region, and 100 years of service nationwide. The Governor’s Service Awards recognize significant contributions of Maryland citizens to the life and health of the State and its people. In addition to GSCM, Girl Scout alumna and volunteer, Sarah Bryner was honored for her work on her Girl Scout Gold Award project, which focused on wildlife []

Girl Scouts Help Clean Up Baltimore on Good Neighbor Day

Over the weekend, Girl Scouts helped clean up their Baltimore neighborhood during the Comprehensive Housing Assistance Program’s Good Neighbor Day community clean up program, WJZ- CBS Baltimore reports. During the community clean up, the Girl Scout troop 1726 helped pick up trash and plant flowers. “Part of our Girl Scout is the Girl Scout Law and Girl Scout Motto and we have to be resourceful and use resources widely so our hands are today’s resources,” troop 1726’s Girl Scout Leader Atara Lazar told []

Girl Scout Shadows Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings Blake

Girl Scout Brianna had the unique opportunity earlier this month to shadow Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake as part of the Distinguished Women Shadow Program. Brianna got an inside look at the Mayor’s day attending meetings, public hearings, and more. “I was so impressed with Mayor Rawlings-Blake’s professional and straightforward approach in everything she does,” Brianna later wrote. “I admire her so much from the day I spent with her and hope that I can have this same type of dedication in my []

Get Girl Scouts NOW!

We’re excited to announce a new initiative to welcome more girls into the world of Girl Scouting–Girl Scouts NOW! Thinking about joining Girl Scouts? We invite you to join us fun, affordable events where you can participate in a few hours of Girl Scout programming and learn more about how to get involved. Already a Girl Scout? Bring a non-Girl Scout friend! We have a bunch of exciting events already lined up. Love American Girl? Come to one of our All American []

Girl Scout Shadows McGuire Woods Managing Partner Ava Lias-Booker

It’s not every day that a teenaged aspiring lawyer has a mentoring opportunity with a lawyer of 25 years experience. Through the Distinguished Women Shadow program, Girl Scout Chloe was able to spend a day with Ava Lias-Booker, Esq., Managing Partner of the McGuire Woods Baltimore Office. Chloe was able to go to court with Ms. Lias-Booker and get a glimpse of what really happens during a major case. Chloe said her experience gave her a glimpse of what court is really []

Girl Scout Gold Award Projects Shine in the Spotlight

Several Girl Scout Gold Award recipients and potential recipients were featured in the news this week. Explore Baltimore County reports that Girl Scouts Molly and Alyssa of Troop 3122 in Catonsville were honored for their completion of the Girl Scout Gold Award last weekend at the Girl Scout Gold Award Banquet in Annapolis. Alyssa used her project to raise awareness of homelessness as well as donate supplies for homeless to Arbutus Emergency Services, the article stated. Molly’s project collected and donated First []

Girl Scout Shadows Harriet Dopkin, President of the Classic Catering People

While Distinguished Women Shadow Girls are often paired with Honorees who are leaders in fields they know they’d like to work in, sometimes the shadow girls are exposed to a new field they never thought about entering. When asked why she wanted to shadow Harriet Dopkin, President of the Classic Catering People, Girl Scout Mercedez answered that culinary arts was a field she didn’t know much about and wanted to learn more. During her day with Ms. Dopkin, Mercedez toured the Classic []

Girl Scout Shadows Foundry Wealth Advisors President Marianne Fishler

Girl Scout Sarah had the opportunity to get an inside look at the field of finance and wealth management when she shadowed Distinguished Women Honoree Marianne Fishler, President of Foundry Wealth Advisors, LLC. Sarah said Ms. Fishler told her it’s important to not only find a field she’s passionate about, but also to build her network and give back to the community. “She told me I should focus on my passions first, and that my job and the rest of my life []

Girl Scout Raises Awareness of Dating Violence through ‘Project A.L.E.R.T.’

When choosing the project issue for her Girl Scout Gold Award, Girl Scout Meghan wanted to focus on an issue that everyone is impacted by or at least hears about, but is rarely talked about openly: dating violence. “Domestic violence and dating safety is a big deal and it impacts most communities, but people rarely talk about it openly,” Meghan said. She said she heard about a relative of a girl in her community who was killed as a result of an []

Girl Scout Gold Award Provides Resources to Children of Diabetics

Growing up with a parent who has diabetes can be confusing and scary for a child. That’s why Girl Scout Elizabeth, who is a child of a diabetic parent, dedicated her Gold Award project to creating learning resources for children of diabetic parents. “When you’re young and you have a parent who is diabetic you don’t necessarily understand why something is wrong and you can find yourself in situations that can be scary and you don’t know what to do,” she said. []