In the Spotlight
Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska
The Largest Girl Serving Organization in the State!
Our annual meeting was a big success and so was our vote for merger. In a landslide the voting members who attended the meeting, chose to approve the merger of all Nebraska councils into one. Effective May 1, we will join forces to become: Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska.
The new council will serve over 18,000 girls and 6,000 adults in 92 Nebraska counties and the community of Carter Lake, Iowa. This merger is part of an organizational restructuring by Girl Scouts of the USA designed to create councils that are better equipped to meet the needs of girls in today’s fast changing world.
Following a national search, Fran Marshall was chosen as CEO of Spirit of Nebraska. Many of you may already know Fran, her prior experience with Girl Scouts includes three terms on the Great Plains Council Board and as board president from 1993-1997.
“We are confident that our Girl Scouts and volunteers will see little to no disruption in their troops or other Girl Scout experiences,” said Fran. “What people will notice is that there will be more opportunities for programs, camping and statewide interaction with other girls.”
For 32 years Fran worked for First National Bank and has devoted years of service to many non-profit agencies in the community. For more information about Fran click here.
Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska’s administrative headquarters will eventually be located in west Omaha. Additional program and service centers are located in central Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island, Kearney, Hastings, Columbus, O’Neill, McCook and Ogallala.
For more information about Spirit of Nebraska visit: www.girlscoutsnebraska.org.
Girlfriend Getaway
For all you adult girls out there…get ready for the 2nd Annual Girlfriend Getaway. Join members of the Alumni Circle at Camp Maha on the bluffs overlooking the scenic Platte River, June 27 & 28. This is your chance to get away from the city and to relive your best memories of Girl Scouting.
Enjoy dinner around the cool waters of our pool, challenge yourself on the ropes course, sleep in a lodge or under the stars…or take a hike on the many trails. Open to all leaders, co-leaders, helpful moms, current & former volunteers or any woman interested in getting away from it all. $75 per person - food, beverages, and lodging included. Extra-special pampering services for additional fee(s).
For more information or reservations, please contact Alex at 402.558.8189, ext. 240.
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Around the Council
Camp Fun Ahead ~ Don't Wait, Summer is Just Around the Corner
We have been planning the most exciting camps ever at Camp Maha (day AND resident camp), Camp Crossed Arrows, all around the Omaha metro, and in several other states! Find your perfect camp in the Summer Program Book or take a look online at: www.gpgirlscouts.org.
We are excited to announce more camping opportunities at Camp Crossed Arrows, near Nickerson, NE (just outside of Fremont). Camp Crossed Arrows is beautiful and includes: an awesome troop lodge, cabins, picnic areas, covered wagons for sleeping, sports courts, a challenge course and almost 200 acresof unspoiled wilderness. Check out your Summer Program Book or call Tiffiny Clifton-Cich at 402.558.8189, ext. 2235.
Take a Sneak Peek at Summer Weekend Camps... but Wait, There's More!
“Clean Up, Green Up”
Love to get your hands dirty and help others and the environment in the process? “Clean Up, Green Up” at Camp Maha is for you! Girls will have the opportunity to learn about the land first hand from experts at City Sprouts; a non-profit community garden. Experience living clean and green and we’ll throw in a few of your camp favorites like swimming and campfires along the way. Get ready to roll up your sleeves and dig in for mother earth!
Ladies, Ladies, Ladies: NEW X2!!!
Because we just can’t seem to get enough of the fun at this all-female event we are offering TWO weekends this year! Moms, aunts, grandmas and female friends…come enjoy the fun at Camp Maha AND at Camp Crossed Arrows with your Girl Scout!
Ladies and Gents: Camp Maha and Camp Crossed Arrows
Bring your favorite "gent" to Camp. Dads, grandpas, uncles, etc. will get to participate in traditional camp activities like crafts, swimming, and s’ mores. This is a great way for campers to test the waters of resident camp life along with their best guy.
For all summer camp information, please logon at: www.gpgirlscouts.org. You can even register online, so there's no waiting to schedule your (or your daughter’s) next big adventure.
See you in the sun this summer!
Seeking: The Best of the Best for Summer Positions!
We have numerous, exciting opportunities available for the 2008 summer season and are looking for the very best to work with our young ladies! If you are fun, adventurous, love a challenge and want to have a rewarding experience while you work, please visit www.gpgirlscouts.org or www.careerlink.com to view available positions and to apply.
Did You Know?
The council program staff is here and ready to help you with activities, team building and other fun stuff at troop meetings and at camp! We have experts who are standing by to give you advice and guidance, we’ll even come to your meetings and help you design your next adventure, whatever it is. Want your troop to earn a particular badge, but aren’t sure how to complete some of the activities? Give us a jingle. We’re here for you! We do it all and will enrich the Girl Scout experience for you and everyone in your troop or group. Call Luther at 402.558.8189, ext. 219, lmardock@gpgirlscouts.org to explore your ideas!
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Cookie Product Program
500 Club Celebrates a Sweet Year
The Amazing Pizza Machine took on a Girl Scout twist when they hosted the 2008 500 Club celebration this month. Girl Scouts (92 of them) from every corner of the Great Plains Council were on hand to receive their awards for a job well done…each of them selling 500 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies or more. Look for a list of the 500 Club and a photo of their smiling faces in the upcoming issue of Pathfinder…coming in May!
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Programs and Events
G-force is Going to Feel the G-force
Catch a ride on the bus to thrills and adventure, join us for the G-force Adventureland Trip on May 10. Whether you love roller coasters or wet and wild water rides, this is the trip for you! $40 includes admission, pizza dinner, transportation and more fun than you can pack into a day in May. This event is for girls 11-17. Call or email Lori at: 402.558.8189 ext. 239, lwilliamson@gpgirlscouts.org.
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Community Collaborators
We have many Community Collaborators who design and provide programs for Girl Scouts and their troops. Below are just a few, check your Program Book for a more extensive list and for more information about each.
Tree Adventure Scout Days, May 3 & 4, 10 am to 4 pm. Enjoy Scout fun that only a forest can bring. You can embark on the new Discovery Ride, climb the Canopy Tree House, solve nature’s secrets in the Nature Explore Club Cabin, hike the trails and get a free tree ID guide and tree seedling to plant at home. Earn components toward Try-its, Badges and Patches (see your age level books for nature, science and forest requirements). Every Girl Scout in uniform becomes a Tree Adventure Envoy and receives a wooden nickel for free admission (one child) when they return with their family.
Admission: Children 2 & under – Free. Children (ages 3-12) – $4.50. Adults (13 and older) – $6.50.
Discovery Ride: Children 2 & under – Free. Children (ages 3-12) – $2.50. Adults (13 and older) – $3.50.
Optional: Purchase a commemorative patch. Enjoy lunch at the Pie Garden, serving hot dogs, hamburgers, soda and cider.
For more information: (402) 873-8717, treeadventure@arbordayfarm.org, www.arbordayfarm.org
The Tree Adventure attraction is located at Arbor Day Farm, 2611 Arbor Ave., Nebraska City, Nebraska.
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Training and Certification
Save time and $Money$
NEW for 2008! If your CPR and/or First Aid is ready to expire, you may take a shorter length Review or Challenge Course to update your certification rather than take the entire course.
Please contact Leah at 558-8189, ext. 221 or Marilyn at 558-8189, ext. 218 for a schedule or view our website at: www.gpgirlscouts.org.
Review Courses
To be eligible to participate in a review course, the participant must possess a current American Red Cross certificate (or equivalent) for the course offered. Non-certificate holders may not participate in the review course option. CPR certification is good for 1 year.
First Aid certification is good for 3 years. Participants have up to 12 months after their certification expires to participate in a Review Course.
Challenge Courses
Anyone is eligible to participate in a challenge.
Individuals who do not hold a current American Red Cross certificate (or equivalent) may participate in the challenge option one time only. Non-certificate holders who do not pass the knowledge and skills tests need to take an American Red Cross full course and are not allowed to attempt the challenge again.
Individuals who possess a current American Red Cross certificate(s) (or equivalent) may challenge as often as they like, as long as the certificate(s) remain current.
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Volunteering Opportunities
Cox Classic Childcare Services
Join us again for the 2008 Cox Classic golf tournament July 30 through August 3. We are seeking older Girl Scouts (ages 13 and up) and adult members to help staff the childcare service for the professional golfers’ children. Their ages range from infant through 12 years. We will run this service at St. Vincent de Paul School at 144th and Maple from Wednesday through Sunday of the tournament; there are morning and afternoon shifts available. This is a great way to get some childcare experience for those who will want to earn money by babysitting in the near future. Staff and adult volunteers will be on hand to help and to supervise.
To sign up or for more information, please contact Alex at 558-8189, ext. 240.
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Juliette’s Boutique – It’s a Groovy Girl Scout Thing
Spirit of Nebraska Council ID Strips Are Here!
The new Spirit of Nebraska Council ID Strips are now available in the store for all age levels. Show the world that we are united; wear your new ID strip with PRIDE!
Groovy New Accessories
The fabulous Girl Scout Groovy Girls now have groovy new accessories to collect. Every Girl Scout Groovy Girl needs a “Camptacular Chair Set” or a “Hip Hiker Pack.” There are also groovy new pets for your girl. Come to Juliette’s Boutique and get groovy-fied.
Basic in a Bag
What is Basics In a Bag? It’s a promotion that prepackages basic items by age level. These are the items needed for every girl to begin her Girl Scout adventure. Merchandise is prepackaged so it’s quick and easy for parents in the fall. Easy too for leaders to tell parents, “just purchase the Basics In A Bag Starter Kit at the shop and you’ll have what you need.” It’s a win – win. Who doesn’t love a convenient time-saving tip?
Bridging Kits
These have been a great success! We are going to keep them in inventory. We want to make your life a little easier. Kits include items girls receive when they advance to the next Girl Scout program level. Just add the girls’ name to the card on the outside of the kit envelope and you’re ready to present these items at your ceremony! If you call ahead we will have the kits ready to pick up at the store, or we can mail them to you.
For more information call Marie 402-558-8189, ext. 224 or mcampbell@gpgirlscouts.org
Juliette’s Boutique Store Hours
Regular hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Open every Tuesday until 7 p.m.
First and third Saturday of each month, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
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Tell Us What You’re Been Up To
What makes an interesting story?....you. So tell us more. We would love to hear what’s going on with your troop or group, how their projects are doing and anything else you would like to share with everyone in the Great Plains Council. Send your stories, events, ideas, photos and adventures to Jessica Norton, jnorton@gpgirlscouts.org.
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