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GS
irl
Link to Leaders
couts
News and Updates for Leaders and Volunteers
of Southern Illinois
Girl Scout Cookies Are Here!
January 2015
GSSI’s Link to Leaders provides
vital information and program updates each month that Leaders and
volunteers will find helpful for
creating a great Girl Scout experience for girls in Southern Illinois.
Send comments, photos, story
ideas and feedback to Erin Johnson, LTL editor at 800.345.6858 or
by e-mail at ejohnson@gsofsi.org.
Villie M. Appoo
Chief Executive Officer
Jay Strobel
Chief Communications Officer
Tricia Higgins
Communications Manager
Erin Johnson
Editor, Link to Leaders
It’s Girl Scout Cookie Time in Southern Illinois! Girls can get pumped up at area Cookie
Rallies on Jan. 9 and start selling on Jan. 10! Council-wide booth sales will take
place across southern Illinois the weekend of Jan. 10-11 and traditional order
taking runs from Jan. 10-31. Council-wide Cookie Booth weekends will be held
from Feb. 27 to March 15. New this year is Digital Cookie - a safe online sales
platform girls can use to integrate technology into running the largest girl-led
business in the world. Read more inside this issue of Link to Leaders or visit our
website, www.gsofsi.org.
Inside this issue of Link to Leaders:
Girl Scouts of
Southern Illinois
Corporate Service Center
#4 Ginger Creek Parkway
Glen Carbon, IL 62034
618.692.0692
Regional Service Center
4102 S. Water Tower Place
Mt.Vernon, IL 62864
618.242.5079
Girl Scout Cookie Program Updates - Including eBudde News!
2015 Early Bird Registration Patch Design Contest
Deadline Extended for GSSI Girl BOD Applications! Now Jan. 15!
Easy Ways to Support GSSI
Local & National Girl Scout News
GSSI Council Shop Update
Program Updates
Girl Scouts Around the Council & Around the Council in Photos
Girl Scout Mission:
Girl Scouting builds girls of courage
courage,, confidence, and
character, who make the world a better place!
P roud P a r t n e r
Visit our website at:
www.gsofsi.org 1
Girls Can Sell Cookies Online For the First Time With Digital Cookie!
With Digital Cookie, the Girl Scout Cookie Program you know and love is now better than ever, giving you and your
cookie customers more ways to participate. Now there’s more ways to sell, more ways to buy, and more ways to learn
and have a ton of fun!
And the best part is that Digital Cookie gives you a whole new level of learning, taking the five essential skills you’re
already gaining through the Girl Scout Cookie Program and adding on tons of cool new lessons, like how to run and
promote a business online.
With Digital Cookie you can customize the way you learn and earn, using technology in a whole new way and earning
cool cookie badges along the way! You can:
Promote your cookie business and inspire more support than ever—with more ways to sell and more ways to talk to
customers about your cookie business!
Enjoy more ways to keep track of your cookie customers—because an organized cookie boss is a rock star cookie boss!
Take digital credit card orders—customers love being able to pay with credit cards. Less hassle=more support!
Ship cookies directly to customers or have them share the love with a cookie donation—cookie customers love options!
Plus, it’s all easy, fun, safe, and super cool!
The ONLY way girls can participate in this program is by having a valid parent/guardian e-mail address on file as well
as Girl Birthdate. A quick way to verify your Troop information is to log into eBiz and verify that you have:
Date of Birth for all girls
Valid Parent/Guardian e-mail address
To report/provide a correct birthdate and e-mail address, the guardian or troop leader would need to e-mail GSSI’s Help
Desk at helpdesk@gsofsi.org to replace missing information with the correct information.
Girl Scout Cookie Program Starts Jan. 10
This year our program theme is “There’s Something Amazing Inside.” Help inspire and guide your girls to make a positive change in the world around them. We encourage your Service Unit and Troops to help teach girls Five Skills: Goal
Setting, Decision Making, Money Management, People Skills, and Business Ethics.
Today, as girls learn to handle money and be self-reliant, they are also learning how to bring their own values to the business world and how to use their time, talent, and resources (including money!) to make the world a better place. When
girls develop financial savvy, business skills, and innovative thinking, they can become entrepreneurs who change the
world.
Important Dates
January 9
January 10-31
February 1
February 23-26
March 16
April/May
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Cookie Rally
Order Taking (3 weeks)
Orders due to Troop
Cookie Delivery
Cookie Payments due to Troop
Girl Rewards distributed
Council Wide Booth Weekends
January 10-11
February 27 – March 1 (National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend)
March 6-8
March 13-15
Important eBudde Updates for the 2015 Girl Scout Cookie Program
GSSI will be uploading all Troop Leaders and Girls into the eBudde system up until Jan. 8. An e-mail notification will
go out once uploading has occurred.
After Jan. 8, Troop Leaders will be allowed to enter in all NEW girls into the eBudde system. Upon saving the girls information, eBudde will prompt the Troop Leader to fill out an additional form to obtain: e-mail address, guardian name,
as well as the girl’s date of birth. This will allow the newly added girl to sell through the online Digital Cookie program.
We’ve noticed that not all troop leaders are correctly identified as “01 – Leader,” so we are missing some important data
which may cause a delay. We encourage all Service Unit teams to go into eBudde to verify correct information for their
troops after the upload is complete. This information also needs to be corrected in eBiz – updating information in one
system will not automatically update in the other at this point. Please remember to input all information when registering
to prevent complications in the future.
After Jan. 8, Troop Leaders will be allowed to enter in all NEW girls into the eBudde system. Upon saving the girl’s
information, eBudde will prompt the Troop Leader to fill out an additional form to obtain e-mail address, guardian name
and girl’s date of birth. This will allow the newly added girl to sell through the online Digital Cookie program.
For more information, please contact Director of Product Program Kelly Jansen by e-mail kjansen@gsofsi.org.
For more information, please contact our Product Program team: Director Kelly Jansen at 800.345.6858, ext. 2104 and
kjansen@gsofsi.org or Katie Grayling at 800.345.6858, ext. 2107 and kgrayling@gsofsi.org.
Sign Up Now for a Girl Scout Cookie Booth!
GSSI’s council-wide Cookie Booth Weekends on Jan. 10-11 is a great way for girls to work together while developing
valuable skills.
Council Sponsored Cookie Booth weekends are Feb. 27 – March 1, March 6-8, and March 13-15. Cookies can be ordered for those booth weekends beginning Feb. 9. If you would like to participate in a booth weekend, please see the
Cookie Booth Manual in the Forms & Publications section of our website, www.gsofsi.org. The manual will provide
instructions on how to navigate the easy online ordering system.
If you are unable to participate in the Council Sponsored Booth weekends but would still like to host a booth outside of
those dates, please contact GSSI’s Product Program team, who can provide cookies for your scheduled booth weekend.
For more information, please contact Kelly Jansen, Product Sales Director, kjansen@gsofsi.org.
 Go to Cookie Booth Manual
Nominate a Volunteer for an Adult Award by Jan. 19!
Volunteers are truly the cornerstone of Girl Scouting. There are so many wonderful people who give their time and talents to enrich the lives of girls in our communities. Every year at GSSI’s Annual Meeting, we hold a very special awards
ceremony to honor extraordinary volunteers for all that they have contributed to the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.
All nomination and endorsement forms are available on the Adult Awards page of GSSI’s website, www.gsofsi.org.
Please take a moment to review the Guidelines and Criteria to determine which award is appropriate for the fabulous
volunteers you want to recognize. Nominations must be received no later than Monday, Jan. 19, and are accepted via
e-mail, fax or mail.
 Go to Adult Awards page
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2015-2016 Membership Year
Early Bird
Patch Design
Girl Scouts we need you and your artistic talents to design
the 2015-2016 Membership Year Early Bird Patch
2015-2016 Early Bird
Patch Design Contest Rules
Girl Information
Girl Name:
Address:
Contest is open to all girls who must register for the 20152016 Girl Scout year through Early Bird Registration.
• Entries must be a girl’s original work. No downloads or
copies will be accepted.
• Complete the application section to the right.
• The design must include: “Early Bird,” Girl Scouts of
Southern Illinois” or “GSSI” AND 2015-2016.
• The submission deadline is Feb. 26, 2015 by 5 p.m. No
late entries will be accepted!
City/Zip:
Troop #:
Grade Level (Circle ONE):
Daisy
Cadette
Brownie
Senior
Junior
Ambassador
Patch Design Template
• Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois staff members will select
the winning entry. The final design may be edited to meet
vendor criteria. Due to editing and actual patch size, your
design might not appear in the same size or coloring as the
original drawing.
• Finalists will be selected one per Girl Scout Grade Level.
An overall winner will be chosen from the finalists’ entries.
The winning design will be featured as the 2015-2016 Early
Bird Registration Patch that can potentially be worn by
more than 13,500 girls throughout southern Illinois!
• All finalists will receive complimentary 2015-2016 Early
Bird Registration Patches for girls in their Troop.
• The winner will receive complimentary 2015-2016 Early
Bird Registration Patches for the girls in their Troop and
one FREE Girl Scout apparel item.
Send entries Attention to:
Cheryl Seidel
Please keep your design inside of the circle!
#4 Ginger Creek Parkway, Glen Carbon, Illinois 62034
If you have questions, please call us!
cseidel@gsofsi.org
618.692.0692
Save the Date! GSSI’s Annual Meeting & All That Glitters Is March 28!
Save the date for GSSI’s Annual Meeting & All That Glitters ceremony! The events will take place on March 28 at
Rend Lake Resort (11712 East Windy Lane in Whittington, IL 62897). Hotel rooms are available! Call 618.629.2211
to book! When calling to book a room, reference Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois or group block #4169. The hotel has
singles, two queens and king beds. All rooms are available for $75 a night. More information about the events will be
announced as it becomes available.
Girl Scouts Ages 14+ Can Apply to Be Ex-Officio Board Members
Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois is seeking girls to be ex-officio board members. We will have two (2) positions open for
the period of 4/1/15 to 3/16/16. An ex-officio member can attend Board meetings, provide input to policies and other
governance matters, but does not have a vote. This position provides a great leadership opportunity for girls wanting to
share their voice and would be a great addition to college applications. The deadline has been extended to Jan. 15!
Applications can be found in the Forms & Publications/Miscellaneous section of our website. Applications should be
returned via e-mail to Julie Fox at jfox@gsofsi.org or mailed to #4 Ginger Creek Parkway, Glen Carbon, IL 62034.
 Go to Girl Board Member Application
GSSI’s Outstanding Graduating Girl Scout Scholarship Deadline is Feb. 12
GSSI’s Outstanding Graduating Girl Scout application is available. This year we will be awarding three scholarships
to graduating Girl Scouts! Visit the awards section of the website to access the application and reference form. Only
one application and reference form is needed per girl. Please share with Girl Scouts you know who will be graduating!
 Go to Outstanding Graduating Girl Scout Application & Reference Form
Nichole Williams of Mt. Vernon Named December Pearl of the Month
Nichole Williams of Mt. Vernon has been named GSSI’s December Pearl of the Month. The Pearl of the Month Award
recognizes a Girl Scout volunteer who has delivered service beyond expectations and helped to ensure that the approximately 14,000 Girl Scouts in southern Illinois benefit from a premier Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Nominees
must meet several criteria, including completion of all required training for his or her volunteer position as well as
providing outstanding service to his or her Service Unit or the Council.
Nichole is a supportive and energetic leader to more than 70 girls ranging from Daisy to Cadette grade levels. While
that alone is quite a feat, she also serves as the Service Unit Registrar for Jefferson County. Nichole also coordinates
many spectacular events including as parade floats, Halloween Bash, Father/Daughter dance, and a self-defense class.
She always makes sure she is an enthusiastic cheerleader for the girls. In her “spare” time, Nichole also volunteers at
GSSI’s Regional Service Center.
To nominate a volunteer from your area for a Pearl of the Month award, please fill out the form on the following page
and e-mail it to awards@gsofsi.org.
Honor a Great Volunteer Through Pearl of the Month
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Girl Scout volunteers are doing great things every day -- let us know about it! GSSI’s Pearl of the Month nomination
form is now available. This is a quick and easy way to say more than “thank you” for a job well done. You can now
nominate in one of two categories: Event Coordination or Overall Contributions. Pearl nominations are accepted on an
ongoing basis and are approved by the Adult Awards committee. Any nominations that are approved will be awarded
in an upcoming month. For more information, please contact Amanda Kaemmerer, Volunteer Services Manager, at or
800.345.6858 or akaemmerer@gsofsi.org.
Pearl of the Month Nomination Form
Do you know an outstanding Girl Scout volunteer?
volunteer? Do you think they go above and beyond? Do you want to
recognize
recognize their efforts? Girl Scout of Southern Illinois knows our volunteers are the heart of our organization.
The GSSI Pearls program is our way to recognize outstanding volunteers who help provide a premier Girl Scout
Leadership Experience for the 14,000 Girl
Girl Scouts in southern Illinois.
Nominee Information:
Service Unit: ________________________
Troop Number (If Applicable): ___________
Name: ____________________________
Phone: ____________________________
E-Mail: ____________________________
Date of Nomination: __________________
Nominator Information:
Service Unit: _________________________
Troop Number (If Applicable): ___________
Name: _____________________________
Phone: _____________________________
E-Mail: _____________________________
Nominee Girl Scout Volunteer Positions Held (Past/Present):
Troop Leader (01)
Troop Co-Leader (02)
Service Team Member - Please List Position(s) ______________________________________________
Service Unit Delegate
Event Volunteer
Other (Please List) ___________________________________________________________________
Criteria & Guidelines:
• Nominee must be currently registered as an adult member of GSUSA.
• Nominee must have completed all required training for her or his volunteer position.
• Nominee must be in good financial standing with Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois.
• Nominations should represent volunteer service during the current membership year.
•
Nominations will be accepted on an ongoing basis and awarded monthly.
•
All nominations that are approved by the Adult Awards Committee will be awarded either the month they are
received or in an upcoming month.
One Pearl of the Month will be chosen as the Pearl of the Year and recognized at the Annual Meeting.
•
Please return to:
awards@gsofsi.org
Fax: 618-692-0685
Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois
Attn: Amanda Kaemmerer
#4 Ginger Creek Parkway
Glen Carbon, IL 62034
Please provide a description of outstanding service in one of the two categories below.
1.
Event Coordination
Describe in detail how the nominee supported the program or event including: planning, publicity, attendance,
girl evaluation, impact on girls or community, and how it related to the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.
2. Overall Contributions
Describe in detail how the nominee has demonstrated service beyond expectations to ensure girls benefit
from a premier Girl Scout leadership experience including: growing membership, retaining members,
developing programs, assisting other volunteers, etc.
What’s Happening Around the Council
After their school collected more than 1,100 food items, Akin Girl Scout Troops #8043 & #8021 helped put the food
into packages with wrapping paper and other holiday supplies. Troop #8043 then delivered the care packages to the
Thompsonville Community of Christ Church Food Pantry, where they try to volunteer each month.
Mt. Vernon Troop #8262 helped Toys for Tots sort and tag toys for donation to children in need.
Staunton Junior Troop #330 hosted a Frozen-themed dance for SU 107 - South Macoupin County.
Six troops in Service Unit 211, ranging from Juniors to Ambassadors, had an afternoon of holiday fun together. Each
troop brought a cake or two for a cake decorating contest and wore festive attire. Girls also played “Minute to Win It”
type games and had refreshments. After the party, the group walked to Garden Place Independent and Assisted Living
Home in Waterloo, where they sang carols for the residents.
Girl Scouts in Shawnee SU 66 are worked on a quilt for a Gallatin County high school student who is fighting cancer
and cannot attend school. When the blanket is complete, the girls want to plan a visit to deliver it in person.
Daisy Troop #431 installed a “Buddy Bench” at Freeburg Primary Center. A buddy bench promotes friendship, discourages bullying and prevents loneliness. The troop sang the song “Take My Hand and Join the Fun” at a school assembly
to present the bench to the school.
Jefferson County Girl Scouts sang Christmas carols at Time Square Mall.
Troop #231 visited the Aspen Creek Memory Support Residence in Troy. The girls brought homemade cookies and lap
blankets they made.
To celebrate Giving Tuesday on Dec. 2, DuQuoin Cadette Troop #8140 took #unselfie photos while decorating their
“Helping Hands” Christmas tree at the Expo.
Troop #43 from Fairview Heights held a “Yule Log Campout” at Camp Torqua.
At their Dec. 4 meeting, Wood River Troop #130 hosted Angela Liefer, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor at
Wellspring Resources in Alton, IL. Angela talked to girls about how the cells of the brain communicate, myths vs. facts
about mental illness and what they can do for a friend living with a mental illness. They also talked about famous people
with mental illnesses. After their discussion, girls made posters to take to their schools to help their fellow classmates
learn about mental health.
Senior Troop #517 hosted a Staunton-Livingston Christmas party for families in their towns.
In preparation for their Media Journey, Union County Girl Scout Cadette Troop #8552 toured KFVS-TV. They even
appeared on the noon broadcast!
Jefferson County Troop #8603 visited the Marion VFW where they had a holiday party with area veterans.
Brownie Troop #232 from Benld led craft and game sessions for children who came to see Santa at a community event.
Daisy Troop #8843 collected pet care supplies from their family and friends to donate to the Perry County Humane
Society, where they got to talk to staff and play with a dog and cat.
Girl Scout Troop #356 from St. Joseph’s in Freeburg enjoyed “Scout Night at the Shrine” at the National Shrine of Our
Lady of the Snows as part of their Christmas fun together.
Make Sure Your Area is Represented!
E-mail Erin Johnson at ejohnson@gsofsi.org with a note about what your troop is up to! While not every submission can
be published, we will make an effort to reflect the diverse interests, activities and areas that make GSSI so great.
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GSSI Council Shop Update
GSSI Council Shop Update:
Stay Warm With Girl Scouts’ Winter Apparel & Accessories!
Check out our new merchandise for winter and cookie time! GSSI has a multitude of new merchandise for girls and
adult volunteers. Stop by a retail shop soon or browse our virtual catalog.
Go to Virtual Catalog
GSSI Council Shops Extended Hours To Return:
GSSI Council Shops will be open from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. on the following Saturdays:
January 10, 2015
February 7, 2015
March 7, 2015
April 11, 2015
May 2, 2015
Mobile Council Shop
March 28, 2015 at Rend Lake Resort for Annual Meeting & All That Glitters Award Ceremony
Several areas are running Mobile Shops at their events. You can too!!! If interested in a running a Mobile Shop at your
local service unit or regional event, please contact the Beth Ross, Business Services Manager.
618-692-0692, ext. 1129 * e-mail: bross@gsofsi.org
GSSI Council Shop Contact Information:
Corporate Service Center: Stacey Port: 618-692-0692, ext. 1101 * e-mail: sport@gsofsi.org
Regional Service Center: Brittany Galloway: 618.242.5079, ext. 2103 • e-mail: bgalloway@gsofsi.org
Go to GSSI’s Online Shop
Go to GSSI’s Online Shop
GSSI Robotics Update
A big THANK YOU goes out to our First LEGO League coaches who have completed a spectacular season:
Wenona Woolfolk from E. St. Louis Dunbar school, Julie Herr from Belleville, Tara Holbrook from Roxana, Karmilia Prude from Washington Park Avant school, Jill Thomas and Stacy Schroeder from Albers, Jason Dothager from
Staunton, Cathy Welsh and Jill Davidson from Charleston, Melissa Lahr from Glen Carbon, Sarah Klosterman from
Belleville and Michelle Sparks from O’Fallon.
Congratulations and good Luck to Lightning Storm coached by Sarah Klosterman and the Purple Robot Penguins
coached by Michelle Sparks on your journey to the Illinois Central Championship FIRST LEGO League tournament at
the University of Illinois on January 24, 2015.
GSSI’s flagship FIRST TECH Challenge team is ready to launch. OOPS! Robotics coached by Kristi Smith of O’Fallon
consists of middle and high school girls from O’Fallon, Granite City and Belleville. They will compete in several qualifier tournaments this winter. Stop by and cheer them on at their competitions at Meramac Community College in St.
Louis on Jan. 10, SIU Carbondale’s Transportation Education Center on Jan. 31 and Decatur Hope Academy on Feb. 7.
All FIRST events are FREE and open to the public. Come out and cheer our girls on!
Junior FIRST LEGO League teams are forming for teams of up to 6 girls in kindergarten – 3rd grade. All you need
are a team of girls and two coaches. Registration fees, kits and training are provided. Contact Mary Buchanan at
800.345.6858, ext. 1115 or e-mail mbuchanan@gsofsi.org for more information.
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Four Easy Ways to Support GSSI 1) eScrip
You can support GSSI simply by shopping at Schnucks!
1. Pick up an eScrip card from Fund Development or at any Schnucks store.
2. Register your card online or call (800) 931-6258 and select Girl Scouts of
Southern Illinois as a benefitting organization.
3. When you shop at Schnucks, have your card scanned when you check out.
Up to 3% of your purchase price will be donated to GSSI – at no additional cost to you!
2) Kroger
Simply enroll your Kroger Plus Card online at kroger.com/communityrewards. Once you’ve
successfully enrolled, the organization you’ve chosen will earn rewards on all eligible
purchases you make using your Kroger Plus Card.
Learn more at www.kroger.com/communityrewards or, call Kroger Customer
Communications at 1-800-KROGERS, OPTION #3.
3) Ebay Giving Works
You can support GSSI each time you sell an item on ebay! Here’s how it works:
1. Seller lists item - List any item for your charity and donate between 10-100% of the proceeds.
2. eBay collects donation - After the item sells, PayPal Giving Fund, eBay's nonprofit partner, collects your
donated proceeds and eBay then credits your selling fees proportional to the amount donated.
3. Donation sent to charity - PayPal Giving Fund processes the donation and distributes it to your designated
charity.
Visit givingworks.ebay.com to sign up or link your existing ebay account.
4) AmazonSmile
AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite
charitable organization (GSSI) every time you shop - at no cost to you.
When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast
selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a
portion of the purchase price to your favorite charitable organization.
On your first visit to www.smile.amazon.com select Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois as your charitable organization.
For each eligible purchase, GSSI will receive .5% of your purchase price!
Program Updates
Day Camp 2015
It might be January, but Day Camp Directors and their staffs are in full swing planning programs for 2015! The descriptions, registration process and forms will be on GSSI’s website, www.gsofsi.org, in February. In the meantime, here is
a preview of the day camps that will be offered in 2015.
Muggles, Magic & Mayhem (Twilight Camp)
The adventure continues with more wizarding fun and science at this Harry Potter themed camp.
Camp Dates: June 1-5, 2015; 6-9 p.m.
Ages: K-12 grade (fall 2015)
Registration Deadline: 5/1/2015; Cost: $50 for Girl Scouts; $55 for non Girl Scouts
Location: Silver Lake Park, Highland, IL
Becoming a Well-Rounded Girl Scout
There’s a new theme for each day of camp – songs, science, crafts, sports & water!
Camp Dates: June 8-11, 2015; 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Ages: 1-6 grade (fall 2015)
Registration Deadline: 5/11/15; Cost: $40 for Girl Scouts; $55 for non Girl Scouts
Location: First Presbyterian Church, Greenville, IL
Camp Safari Survivor
Come experience a fun filled week of safari survival skills! Have fun swimming and canoeing on site lakes.
Camp Dates: June 8-12, 2015; 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Ages: 1-12 grade (fall 2015)
Registration Deadline: 5/16/15; Cost: $60 for Girl Scouts; $75 for non Girl Scouts
Location: American Legion Post 58, Freedom Farm, Freeburg, IL
Holidazed – Celebrating a Different Holiday Each Day!
It’s a camp celebration! Besides hiking and swimming, enjoy the fun of Mardi Gras, Cinco de Mayo and other holidays!
Camp Dates: June 8 – 12, 2015; 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Ages: 1-12 grade (fall 2015)
Registration Deadline: 5/15/15; Cost: for $50 Girl Scouts; $65 for non Girl Scouts
Location: Fox Ridge State Park, Charleston, IL
Around the World
It’s a world of fun as we check out games, food and crafts from around the world. It’s your passport to adventure!
Camp Dates: June 15-19, 2015; 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Ages: 1-5 grade (fall 2015); 6-12 grade can be helpers
Registration Deadline: 4/15/15; Cost: $30 for Girl Scouts; $45 for non Girl Scouts
Location: Cobden Park, Cobden, IL
Camp Wassatoga Whooo Done It! – (older girls)
We will have fun with messy experiments, and crime scene investigation at this “Whooo Done It” mystery.
Camp Dates: June 8 – 12, 2015; 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Ages: 6-12 grade (fall 2015)
Registration Deadline: 5/11/15; Cost: $75 for Girl Scouts; $90 for non Girl Scouts
Location: Camp Wassatoga, Effingham, IL
Camp Wassatoga Whooo Done It! – (younger girls)
Science is so much fun! Help solve the camp mystery while doing other fun camp stuff like hiking, cooking and singing.
Camp Dates: Daisies: 6/15-6/16; Brownies: 6/15-6/17; Juniors: 6/15-6/18;
Time: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Ages: 1-5 grade (fall 2015)
Registration Deadline: 5/11/15
Cost: $30 for Daisies; $45 for Brownies; $60 for Juniors; add $15 to fee for non Girl Scouts
Location: Camp Wassatoga, Effingham, IL
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Program Updates
Day Camp 2015 (continued)
Once Upon a Time, Chapter 3
Do you know a place where snowmen sing or toys come to life? Adventure awaits at this imaginary trip through books!
Camp Dates: June 15-19, 2015; 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Ages: 1- 8 grade (fall 2015)
Registration Date/Cost: deadline – 5/25/15; $65 for Daisies/Brownies;
$ 75 for Juniors/Cadettes; add $15 to fee for non Girl Scouts
Location: Horner Park, Lebanon, IL
Girl Scouts Reconnect with Nature (twilight camp)
Join us as we reconnect with nature at Camp Chan-Ya-Ta. Discover hiking, trail signs and the beauty of nature.
Camp Dates: June 15-19, 2015; 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Ages: 1-12 grade (fall 2015)
Registration Deadline: 5/25/2014; Cost: $40 for Girl Scouts; $55 for non Girl Scouts
Location: Camp Chan Ya Ta, Worden, IL
Fort Massac Campout (TROOP EVENT)
Troops will get together and work on patches, crafts, take hikes and visit the museum at beautiful Fort Massac.
Camp Dates: June 17-19, 2015; 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Ages: 1-12 grade (fall 2015)
Registration Deadline: 6/1/15; Cost: $5 for Girl Scouts; $20 for non Girl Scouts
Location: Fort Massac Day Camp, Metropolis, IL
Around the World in Five Days
Adventure awaits at this trip around the world! Explore different cultures through games and crafts while you swim
and hike at camp.
Camp Dates: June 22-26, 2015; 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Ages: 1-7 grade (fall 2015)
Registration Deadline: 5/15/15; Cost: $60 for Girl Scouts; $75 for Girl Scouts
Location: Camp Vandeventer, Waterloo, IL
Optional before and/or after care 7 – 9 a.m. and/ or 4 - 5:30 p.m.
Cost $5 per session or $10 per day (both sessions)
Lights, Camera, Action (Twilight Camp)
Do you love the movies? Come wander down the yellow brick road to Hogwarts and other magical movie places.
Camp Dates: June 22-26, 2015; 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Ages: 1-12 grade (fall 2015)
Registration Deadline: 5/15/15; Cost: $55 for Girl Scouts; $70 for non Girl Scouts
Location: Dupo Park, Dupo, IL
The Science of Colors
Discover a world of color and science at camp! From fire building to crafts a colorful adventure awaits.
Camp Dates: June 22-26, 2015; 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Ages: 1-7 grade (fall 2015)
Registration Deadline: 5/15/15; Cost: $60 for Girl Scouts; $75 for non Girl Scouts
Location: Camp Torqua, Edwardsville, IL
Hungry Games (Twilight Camp)
Discover the fun of food! This is a week of fantabulous food fun from spa products, to dough art, to cake decorating
and candy games.
Camp Dates: June 29-July 3, 2015; 6 p.m.– 9 p.m.
Ages: 1-12 grade (fall 2015)
Registration Deadline: 6/1/15; Cost: $50 for Girl Scouts; $65 for non Girl Scouts
Location: Camp Torqua, Edwardsville, IL
8
Program Updates
Day Camp 2015 (continued)
STEM Explosions 3: Made by Me!
A STEAM camp designed by you for you! Girls will get to choose from several exciting science, technology, engineering, art and math activities.
Camp Dates: July 6-July 10, 2015; 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Ages: 4-12 grade (fall 2015)
Registration Deadline: 6/8/15; Cost: $75 for Girl Scouts; $90 for non Girl Scouts
Location: Camp Torqua, Edwardsville, IL
Mini STEM Explosion!
Daisies and Brownies, here’s your chance! Enjoy two full days of hands- on science, technology, engineering, art and
math activities at camp.
Camp Dates: July 10-11, 2015; 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Ages: 1-3 grade (fall 2015)
Registration Deadline: 6/8/15; Cost: $35 for Girl Scouts; $50 for non Girl Scouts
Location: Camp Torqua, Edwardsville, IL
Exploring Nature
Nature is everywhere at camp! Take a hike or dip a net in the creek as we discover the fun and beauty nature offers.
Camp Dates: July 13-17, 2015: 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Ages: 1-7 grade (fall 2015)
Registration Deadline: 6/1/15; Cost: $55 for Girl Scouts; $70 for non Girl Scouts
Location: Camp Torqua, Edwardsville, IL
Spread the Bread Council-Wide Community Service Project
For this Council-wide Community Service Project, we had 660 girls participate from 83 troops in 33 service units!
These troops shared 1,000 loaves of bread in their communities! For the project, troops took time out of their busy
schedules to buy or bake a loaf of their favorite bread and wrap it with a message of hope, inspiration or gratitude.
Everyone from servicemembers, police officers, firefighters, clergy, church members, neighbors, family and friends received these gifts of appreciation. “Spread the Bread” ran from October 1 – November 30, 2014. Patches will be given
out at Service Unit Meetings this month.
GSSI Has a New & Improved Online Program Calendar!
New Tools Make Registering For Events Online a Breeze!
GSSI has a new and improved online program calendar on our website, www.gsofsi.org. There are multiple ways to
browse events & entries link to eBiz! The new calendar makes browsing available dates and events simple!
Events are also available to search directly through eBiz! Activities can be filtered by grade level, event focus, date and
geographic location. Registering online through eBiz is now the preferred method for registering for council programs
and trainings. After completing the transaction, you will receive an e-mail confirmation verifying your purchase. eBiz
also reflects up-to-date program capacities so leaders can see if their troop can attend.
Please note that the eBiz platform operates on Eastern Time, so the deadline to register is 10:59:59 p.m. in Central Time.
Once the deadline has passed or the capacity has been filled, the event will not be available for registration.
For assistance with eBiz, please contact GSSI’s Helpdesk at helpdesk@gsofsi.org.
9
Program Updates
Programs with Upcoming Deadlines!
Program information is also on our new and improved online calendar located at www.gsofsi.org.
Cupids and Hearts-Creative Valentines (Daisies & Brownies)
Date: January 31, 2015 (deadline 1/14) Sessions: 11 a.m. to noon or 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Cost: $8/girl
Place: Three Sisters Crafts, O’Fallon, IL
Love is in the air! Show your family and friends you care by designing some unique valentines just for them. Girls will
make eight valentine cards and a gift bag to carry them home.
It’s Your Story-Tell It! Journey Workshop (Cadettes-Ambassadors)
Date: January 31, 2015 (deadline 1/8) Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: $20/girl; $5/adult
Place: Camp Whispering Oaks, Salem, IL
Attending this event will help Cadettes complete MEdia, Seniors complete Mission: Sisterhood, and Ambassadors complete Bliss Journeys. Books and award sets are included in the program fees as well as take home materials, brunch, and
a snack.
Little Quilts Brownie Rainbows (Brownies)
Date: January 31, 2015 (deadline 1/15) Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: $11/girl; $1/adult
Place: National Quilt Museum Paducah, KY
Earn part of your WOW Journey. Create rainbow inspired mini quilts while learning how to use a sewing machine.
3 Cheers for Animals! (Daisies)
Date: February 7, 2015 (deadline 1/26) Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cost: $6/girl
Place: Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, Marion, IL
Begin your Daisy Journey at Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge by learning about bald eagles! Journey to an eagle
nesting site for a chance to see a real bald eagle!
Ballerina (Daisies-Brownies)
Date: February 7, 2015 (deadline 1/23) Time: 10 - 11 a.m.
Cost: $10/girl
Place: Mattoon Academy of Gymnastics & Dance, Mattoon, IL
Get ready for the pros to teach you healthy living skills and experience the beauty of ballet! Girls will earn their dance
patch, too!
Book Artist (Cadettes)
Date: February 7, 2015 (deadline 1/24) Time: 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Cost: $5/girl
Place: SIU Museum, Carbondale, IL
Find out what it takes to be a book artist!
Cheer Zone (Juniors-Cadettes)
Date: February 7, 2015 (deadline 1/26) Time: 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Cost: $10/girl
Place: Mattoon Academy of Gymnastics & Dance, Mattoon, IL
Get ready for the pros to teach you healthy living skills and shake those pom poms at this fun cheerleading session!
Comic Artist (Cadettes-Ambassadors)
Date: February 7, 2015 (deadline 1/12) Time: 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Cost: $6/girl
10 Place: SIU Craft Shop, Carbondale, IL
A comic artist is a writer, director, actor and artist all rolled into one. Roll up your sleeves and try your hand at being
a comic artist by creating your own short comic.
A Day at the Orpheum (Brownies)
Date: February 7, 2015 (deadline 1/23) Time: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Cost: $11/girl
Place: The Orpheum Children’s Museum, Champaign, IL
Take a trip to the Orpheum Children’s Museum in Champaign for a day of learning and fun! The girls will be able to
earn their Household Elf Badge as well as play at the museum.
Heavenly Jazz/Funk (Daisies-Juniors)
Date: February 7, 2015 (deadline 1/19)
Times: 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. (Daisies) or 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (Brownies and Juniors)
Cost: $8/girl
Place: Heavenly Rhythm Dance Studio, Collinsville, IL
Hurray for Dance! Girls will learn basic stretching techniques and then a simple jazz/funk routine at their visit to the
Heavenly Rhythm Dance Studio.
Longshore’s Martial Arts & Self-Defense (Daisies-Cadettes)
Date: February 28, 2015 (deadline 1/21) Times: 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Cost: $6/girl
Place: Longshore’s Tae Kwon Do & Martial Arts Academy, DuQuoin, IL
Learn self-defense moves and Tae Kwon Do at this hands-on session. Instructors will also talk to girls about how to
keep safe in many situations.
STEAM Ahead Series (Juniors)
Date: February 11, 18, & 25, 2015 (deadline 1/20) Time: 6 - 8:30 p.m.
Cost: $20/girl
Place: Camp Torqua, Edwardsville, IL
A STEM twist on the Junior Get Moving Journey! Books and awards included.
Brownie Ready, Set, Go Camping! (Brownies)
Date: February 13-14, 2015 (deadline 1/19) Time: 7 p.m. Friday – 3 p.m. Saturday
Cost: $12/girl; $10/adult
Place: Camp Torqua, Edwardsville, IL
Is your troop interested in camping, but you aren’t sure what’s so great about the GREAT outdoors?! If so, this campout
is for you and your troop!
Create Your Own Pottery Series (Brownies)
Date: February 14, 21, & 28, 2015 (deadline 1/29) 1:30 - 3 p.m.
Cost: $14/girl
Place: Jacoby Arts Center, Alton, IL
Have you ever wanted to try your hand at making simple pottery? If so, now is your chance!
Junior Birdhouse Building Workshop (Juniors)
Date: February 15, 2015 (deadline 1/28) 1 – 2:30 p.m. or 3 – 4:30 p.m.
Cost: $10/girl; $3/adult
Place: The Children’s Museum, Edwardsville, IL
Come learn about our feathered friends while you earn your Animal Habitats Badge.
Winter Fun! (Brownies)
Date: February 16, 2015 (deadline 1/26) 6 – 8 p.m.
Cost: $6/girl; $5/adult
Place: Camp Cedar Point, Makanda, IL
Have you ever been out to camp in the winter? Check out all of the ‘cool’ things you can do at camp when it is cold
outside!
11
Daisy and Brownie Bakers-in-Training (Daisies-Brownies)
Date: February 17, 2015 (deadline 1/26) Time: 4:30 - 6 p.m.
Cost: $22/girl
Place: Panera Bread, Carbondale, IL
Daisies and Brownies, here’s your chance to take over the kitchen and bake up some good times at Panera.
Sea Creature Creations Series (Brownies)
Date: February 20 & March 6, 2015 (deadline 1/26) Time: 1:30 - 3 p.m.
Cost: $9/girl
Place: SIU Craft Shop, Carbondale, IL
Earn your Pottery Badge while sculpting and painting your very own piece of pottery!
1820 American Girl (Juniors)
Date: February 21, 2015 (deadline 1/28) Time: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Cost: $16/girl
Place: 1820 Col. Benjamin Stephenson House, Edwardsville, IL
Come and experience life for a girl in the 1820s and tour this historical Colonial house.
Amazing Mural: Painting with Pastel (Brownies)
Date: February 21, 2015 (deadline 1/26) Time: 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Cost: $5/girl
Place: SIU Museum, Carbondale, IL
Participants will first view murals from the museum’s collection by artist Karl Kelpe and then pair up to paint panels for
their own murals using oil pastel. Girls will earn part of the Painting Badge.
A Day on the Slopes at Hidden Valley (Juniors - Ambassadors)
Date: February 21, 2015 (deadline 1/29) Time: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Cost: $75/girl/participating adult; $18/nonparticipating adult
Place: Hidden Valley Ski Resort, Wildwood, MO
Ready for some frozen fun? Join GSSI on a day trip skiing at Hidden Valley Resort. NOTE: Payment for bus transportation is included in fee and required for all participants.
Fabric Flowers (Juniors)
Date: February 21, 2015 (deadline 1/21) Time: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Cost: $7/girl
Place: National Quilt Museum, Paducah, KY
Learn to hand stitch while making two types of fabric flowers perfect for accessories or gift decoration. Materials, short
tour and snack included.
Self-Defense & Tae Kwon Do (Daisies- Juniors)
Date: February 21, 2015 (deadline 1/28)
Times: 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. (Brownies), 3 – 4 p.m. (Daisies), 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. (Juniors)
Cost: $11/girl
Place: McArther’s Tae Kwon Do & Fitness, Collinsville, IL
Learn self-defense moves and strategies along with Tae Kwon Do at this hands-on workshop. Leaders can purchase the
Self-Defense patch through the Program Department at the cost of $2 per patch.
Jazzy Jewelry (Daisies-Brownies)
Date: February 21, 2015 (deadline 2/4) Sessions: 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. or 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Cost: $7/girl
Place: Three Sisters Crafts, O’Fallon, IL
Beads, beads and more beads! Girls will make a necklace and bracelet as they learn about jewelry design.
12
When I Grow Up… (Daisies-Brownies)
Date: February 28, 2015 (deadline 2/4) Sessions: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. or 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Cost: $8/girl; $2/adult
Place: Goshen School, Edwardsville, IL
Do you know what you want to be when you grow up? Come and explore careers through fun hands-on activities on
the Honeybee Trail. Decorate a cookie with a baker, play bee games with the beekeeper, and much more!
Horsing Around in Kentucky (Cadettes-Ambassadors)
Date: June 12-14, 2015 (deadline 1/8 with deposit of $50)
Cost: $300/girl; $330/adult
Place: Louisville and Lexington, KY
Join GSSI in exploring the Horse Capital of the World in Louisville and Lexington, Kentucky.
IMPORTANT: Since this trip allows for an initial deposit plus payments, only a parent/guardian may register their girl
online. Troop leaders cannot purchase products with scheduled payments online for their troop members.
Chills and Thrills in Indiana: Junior Trips 2015 (Juniors)
Date: October 9-11, 2015 (deadline 1/29 with deposit of $50)
Cost: $220/girl; $235/adult
Place: Indiana
Experience Halloween chills and thrills on the Junior trip to Holiday World, the Indy Children’s Museum and the Indy
Zoo.
IMPORTANT: Since this trip allows for an initial deposit plus payments, only a parent/guardian may register their girl
online. Troop leaders cannot purchase products with scheduled payments online for their troop members.
One Match Club Patch Recipients
The girls listed below have earned the One Match Club patch! They achieved this by starting a campfire and
keeping it going for at least 5 minutes with only 1 match and without using a fire starter! Congratulations on this
accomplishment and way to go, girls! Leaders, we really want to recognize every girl who accomplishes this, but
we need your help. Please fill out all of the information for each girl who earns this patch. Thanks so much for
your help!
Girl’s Name
Gabrielle Fuchs
Kira Mantz
Kamela Straub
Caroline Stewart
Sarozjani Hunter
Kennedy Sims
Sidney Alumbaugh
Anna Erickson
Morgan Minar
Valeria Markova
Kaitlen Amacher
Kalea Yagow
Anna Sigg
Zoe Hodge
Kyleigh Matuszeuich
Oliva Bowen
Hannah Miller
Allison Harness
Troop #
248
248
248
345
345
345
547
547
547
547
2073
2073
2073
2073
8552
8552
8552
8954
Hometown
Swansea
O’Fallon
Swansea
Belleville
Shiloh
O’Fallon
O’Fallon
O’Fallon
O’Fallon
O’Fallon
Effingham
St. Elmo
Effingham
Effingham
Buncombe
Jonesboro
Anna
Olney
Troop Leader/Event Name
Roberta LaSalvia
Roberta LaSalvia
Roberta LaSalvia
Christine Stewart
Christine Stewart
Christine Stewart
Katrina Bergman
Katrina Bergman
Katrina Bergman
Katrina Bergman
Dawn Quicksall
Dawn Quicksall
Dawn Quicksall
Dawn Quicksall
Jamie Watkins
Jamie Watkins
Jamie Watkins
Mary Ann Harness
13
Winter Survival Camp Out
at Camp Chan Ya Ta
January 24, 2015 - January 25, 2015
7 p.m. Friday - 3 p.m. Saturday
Registration Deadline January 5th
$12 per girl
$10 adult
Open for Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors
Do you have a little
cabin fever?
Come out to camp for a weekend of fun,
friendship, and the GREAT outdoors!
Come out and build a campfire in the
snow (weather permitting), enjoy toasting marshmallows over the fire and try
out some traditional camp activities with
a winter twist!
Girl Scout Day
The
Girl Scout
Mission is:
Saturday, Feb. 28
SWIC Women’s Basketball Game – 1 p.m.
SWIC Men’s Basketball Game – 3 p.m.
WOMEN’S GAME
MEN’S GAME
Check-in: 12:30 p.m.
Check-in: 2:15 p.m.
Tip-off: 1 p.m.
Tip-off: 3 p.m.
Halftime: Free Throw Contest
FRO
NT PA
W
Have your troop recognized
Photo opportunity with Kashmir
Activities with cheerleaders
FRO
NT PA
W
“Girl Scouting builds
girls of courage,
confidence, and
character, who
make the world
a better place.”
BAC
K PA
W
FREE for all Girl Scouts,
including all of the above, plus a Sports Patch!
BAC
K PA
W
swic.edu
Please fill out this form and return it by Feb. 20.
_____ Will attend women’s game _____ Will attend men’s game _____ Will attend both games _____ # of Girl Scouts
Troop # __________
Please mail to: SWIC • 2500 Carlyle Ave. • Belleville, IL 62221 • Attn: Athletics
OR email to: vicki.channer@swic.edu
An email confirmation will be sent to:
Name: ___________________________________________________________________
Email address: ______________________________________________________________
For more information,
call the Athletics department
at 618-235-2700, ext. 5450.
Around the Council in Photos
Each month, GSSI features photos submitted by our membership in each edition of the Link to Leaders. Please e-mail
photos to Erin Johnson, editor, at ejohnson@gsofsi.org or mail to: GSSI, #4 Ginger Creek Parkway, Glen Carbon, IL 62034
ATTN: Communications and Marketing Dept. When e-mailing, please do not submit more than 2-3 pictures at a time, or your
e-mail may be undeliverable. You may also send photos through your Membership Development Manager. Photos cannot be
returned and may be used by GSSI for future publications, including on the website. Be sure to include your Troop/Service
Unit information with submissions. See these photos & more on GSSI’s Facebook Page!
While not every submission can be published, we will make an effort to reflect the diverse interests, activities and areas that
make GSSI so great. Please remember that we have many areas to support, so be sure to select only your best 2-3 pictures.
Troops
#8040
#8921
Troop
#43
SU
207
SU
66
Troop
#8140
Troop
#8136
Troop
#330
Troop
#431