My Leader is Special Because...

Girl Scout leaders are the unsung heroes of the Girl Scout movement!  They work tirelessly to make sure our girls are learning, growing and, most of all, having fun as a Girl Scout!  Each year around the nation we celebrate these amazing women (and men) on April 22, the official Girl Scout Leader Appreciation day.  This year we polled girls to find out what they think is special about their leader.  Below you will find some of their answers.  As you can see their reasons are can be silly, fun, and heartwarming.  The common thread is that the girls recognize that the leader is the person that makes the experience one that they will remember!  Thank you, troop leaders for all you do! 

My Leader is special because…

(About a college student that is their leader)

…She has endless patience. – GS Junior

…She has good style! – GS Junior

…She is really really beautiful! – GS Junior

…She is funny and cool! – GS Brownie

…She works very hard to help all of us! – GS Junior

…She can take care of us. – GS Junior

…She is awesome and fun. – GS Brownie

(About a Troop leader/Cookie mom)

…She works very hard and lets us do stuff at her house – GS Junior

…She can be very serious and fun! – GS Junior

…She knows how to get stuff done! – GS Cadette

…She is the best cookie mom ever – GS Junior

…She is funny and fun to hang around with and the BEST cookie mom ever! – GS Junior

…She is fun, funny and the BEST cookie mom ever because she is sooo encouraging and teaches us new things! – GS Cadette

(About a Troop leader/Treasurer)

…She is great and nice and funny.   – GS Brownie

…She makes really great animal impressions – GS Junior

…She has a funny personality and is also AWESOME! – GS Junior

…She is sooo kind! – GS Brownie

…She is really kind and sweet! – GS Junior

…She keeps track of our troop money and helps us know how to use it like budgets and plans and stuff. – GS Cadette

(About a Troop leader/Mentor)

…She is the one that keeps things going and teaches us so many wonderful things. I think we appreciate her more than she knows.  GS Cadette

…She puts in a lot of work, goes out of her way to help us and makes things fun and interesting.  - GS Junior 

…She is smart, kind and funny. - GS Junior

…Today is her birthday and she is here, she goes on every trip, and she is appreciated. - GS Junior

…She chose to be our troop leader and it takes a special person to lead a troop of girls. - GS Junior

…GS Junior says, "My leader is a great leader because she is fun and humble and knows a lot about Girl Scouts." Mom says: I think by modest she means more like humble because [the leader] was saying last night, "Don't write stuff about me on the board, just [about the other leaders]." 

Please take a minute today and often throughout the year to tell your Troop Leader why she is special to you.  It will make all the difference to her!! 

Let's Celebrate National Women's History Month with Candid Convos!

Let’s Celebrate National Women’s History Month with Candid Convos!

Guest Post from GSUSA Blog: blog.girlscouts.org 

                                                                             

At Girl Scouts, we’re all about girl power. That’s why, every day, all over the world, we work hard to advocate for girls and women and to elevate dialogue not only about their amazing accomplishments and unique journeys, but also about the challenges they face.

This year, the theme of the National Women’s History Project, part of National Women’s History Month, is “Weaving the Stories of Women’s Lives.” To mark the occasion, we encourage you to find opportunities to weave women’s stories—both as individuals and as part of a larger group—into the fabric of our nation’s history. This is the perfect time to have critical conversations in your own circles—with your family, friends, and neighbors—and to create a space for expression and ideas to really flourish.

Don’t stress! It doesn’t have to be anything formal. Invite a couple of friends over, set out some snacks, and get to talkin.’ Remember: big change often begins with something as simple as a conversation, in an environment that fosters authentic, open dialogue about important issues. So it’s okay to start small.

And it doesn’t all have to be so serious, either. Take this opportunity to also celebrate one another and to rejoice in the richness of women’s history and the strength that lives within all of those present at your gathering. Maybe each person can speak about a woman in history who has inspired her, changed her, or otherwise made a difference in her life.

There are so many simple, meaningful ways to celebrate National Women’s History Month—so let’s do it! Go out and start that conversation today. This month and every day, let’s continue to reflect on the amazing strides women have made in the world and the work yet to be done to ensure true equality for future generations of girls.

Happy National Women’s History Month!

Why I Continue to Give Back

From the time I was young, my parents always encouraged me to help others. I believe that is a big part of the reason why I fell in love with Girl Scouts. I started as a Daisy with my troop in San Antonio and worked my way up through Cadettes earning my Bronze Award in my final year. Unfortunately, high school band took over much of my life and I had to leave Girl Scouts. However, I never lost the love of helping others that I got from my time in Girl Scouting. It stayed with me and I always made an effort to volunteer or do whatever I could to help. When the opportunity came for me to join my church family on a mission trip in Belize, I jumped on it.

Having an experience such as this one had always been a dream of mine and I was finally ready to make it happen. The invitation to participate was one of the greatest moments of my life, but little did I know that this week-long trip would have such an impact on my life. Before this trip, I didn't know where Belize was on a map and I had never done anywhere near the type of construction work that was going to be asked of me. From my years as a Girl Scout, I knew I could learn a lot from this experience and that I would be successful in my journey.

I learned so much about Belize and saw both the beauty of the area and the poverty of the people. Being able to work with ‘Hand in Hand Ministries’, an amazing organization, allowed us to learn and be successful in our mission. The trip also had a great effect on me as an individual. I learned so much about myself and it changed my outlook on life. There is no greater feeling than immersing yourself in a foreign country and helping someone you have never met before. My team built a home for a woman named Margaret and her family and my heart filled with pride and joy on that last day when we handed her over the keys. We had created a home for someone from nothing. Our team rose to the challenge and within three days, we made it happen.

With the utmost confidence, I can say that I am ready to take on the world after this experience. I would encourage all fellow Girl Scouts to volunteer – whether it be for your local community or one abroad. There is no time like the present so be sure to always be looking for ways to help others! Experiences like this one will forever hold a place in your heart.

-Ileana Isabel Barrientez, Spring Public Relations Intern

Thank You Volunteers!

Before I became an employee of the Girl Scouts of Central Texas council, I served as a Girl Scout volunteer for six consecutive years. I was a troop leader to a very active troop, an E.L.F (Experienced Leader Friend) on our Service Team, and served as a Co-Service Unit Director for a year. My time as a volunteer was a fulfilling and rewarding experience.

When the opportunity to join the GSCTX staff as a volunteer support liaison, I jumped at the chance. What better way to continue to serve the girls and volunteers than by supporting them at the council level. I am glad I made that choice five years ago because I have met some of the most amazing people over the years. 

Volunteers can be anyone and I have met people who fit into one or more of these areas:

• Volunteers that work directly with their daughter’s troop. 
• Volunteers who don’t have daughters of their own but believe in the mission of the organization so they serve as troop leaders. 
• Volunteers that stick around after their daughters graduate high school because of the satisfaction they get from helping grow girls into leaders and from helping new volunteers. 
• Volunteers that lead girl Robotics teams. 
• Volunteers that enjoy supporting behind the scenes and handle paperwork, cookies and spreadsheets. Volunteers that love the good ol’ outdoors and some that prefer the inside.

I have met women and men, old and young, who are eager and enthusiastic about building the leaders of tomorrow and making a difference in the world. I am grateful for every volunteer and what they do to build each Girl Scout of courage, confidence and character.

Whether you give one hour a month or 20 hours a week, whether you enjoy camping or technology, whether you work with Daises or Ambassadors, my hat is off to you! I genuinely and sincerely appreciate all that you do to support our girls.

Thank you! -Heather Givens

FUN Volunteer Opportunities w/ Girl Scouts!

Travel with the Girl Scouts to exciting places this summer! If you are a Girl Scout supporter and would like to join us as a volunteer on one or all of these opportunities, we would love to have you! Please see below for more information.

*High Adventure Team Trip: North Carolina, June 11-24
The High Adventure Team will take off for North Carolina this summer to experience a backpacker’s dream trip. Travelers will spend four days backpacking the Appalachian Trail, two days paddling down New River and a day climbing to new heights at Table Rock.

GSCTX needs a couple of experienced backpacking gurus over the age of 25 who are also willing to drive a fifteen passenger van. You must provide your own food but gear and travel expenses will be covered by the council.

*Sow What Day Camp: Travis County, July 18-22
Join fellow foodies, aspiring gardeners and Girl Scout friends for a fun-filled weekend of exploring the roots of what we eat and getting the dirt on hunger and agricultural issues around the world. Digging into the Sow What? Journey, we will get a taste of local and global food networks including visitis to urban farms, grocery stores and farmer markets.

GSCTX needs a couple of adult volunteers over the age of 18 to join the group as camp counselors and a few adults who are willing to drive the vans on our field trips.

*Nature Park Trip: McKinney Roughs, July 31-August 4
Girl Scouts in grades 6th through 12th will participate in a week-long summer camp at one of the greatest nature parks around! Girls will do high and low ropes course, paddling trip, and enjoy camping and hiking around the park while learning outdoor conservation skills.

GSCTX needs a couple of adult volunteers over the age of 18 to join the group as camp counselors for the week. All food and lodging will be covered.


If you are interested or know someone who might be interested, please contact ShannonT@gsctx.org. We look forward to hearing from you!

Volunteerism Opens Doors for Girl Scout

This past Saturday marked the 20th anniversary of the Girl Scout event Race on the River and the 5th anniversary of participating in the race for Girl Scout Chynna. What brings her back each year to help out and compete in this annual race? According to her, Girl Scout events such as this one allow her to gain courage, confidence and character in her life endeavors. Through Scouting, Chynna has taken an active role in her community by volunteering with local troops, programs and events. The satisfaction of lending a helping hand is not the only benefit she receives from her involvement. Her role in Scouts has brought many scholarship opportunities her way and a chance to attend school in Australia in 2012. Chynna also adds that when it comes to meeting new people, Girl Scouts is a great way to make long-lasting friends. GSCTX is thrilled at Chynna’s accomplishments and how her time in Girl Scouting allowed her to flourish into a successful individual.

For more information on Race on the River and to view 2010 photos, please visit gsctx.org and flickr.com/GSCTX.