Subscribe to our email list
News from Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan!
News from Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan!
Share this:
Become A Girl Scout Volunteer Support
Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan Logo

Volunteer Newsletter
February 2016

Message from the Program Team

We love to provide the best programs possible to give girls diverse, enriching experiences that they’ll never forget. Between The Source and our summer camps, there are no shortages of amazing activities for you and your Girl Scouts to enjoy. Where else can a girl discover how to snorkel, make maple syrup, learn about history, or go to zombie survival camp? Programs give girls a way to quickly build those 15 Outcomes of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience--all while having an outrageously fun time with her friends. Speaking of summer camps - the Overnight Camp Guide is online, and the Day Camp Brochure will be at your regional centers February 15th! Explore the new camps that have been added this year and reminisce about last year's camp memories.

The best part for us? We get to see the girls and you enoying all of these awesome things. Whether it’s a few hours at a program or a week-long camping trip, it’s phenomenal to watch a girl gain self esteem and confidence trying something new. 

To prepare for all of your adventures, listen in on February’s MAC Heart to Heart Chat – it’s all about trip planning! Whether you're starting out with a Daisy troop trip across the state, or have been saving all your Cookie and Cashew Cash for a trip with Ambassadors around the world, we're here to help you make it an amazing voyage.  

Yours in Girl Scouting,

The Program Team

Jenn, Erin, Stephanie, Jen, Mariah, Michelle, and Chrissy(not pictured) 

We  have exciting news... When you stay at Camp O'The Hills a delicious breakfast buffet for $5.00 (per person) and lunch for $7.00 (per person) is available. You have the option to purchase both or just one, whatever fits best for your troop. During Girl Scout Week, March 6-12, when you purchase breakfast and lunch, the total cost is $10 (per person) for both meals. Remember, purchase this during Girl Scout week to receive this special offer.

Thinking Day-Explore the history of Thinking Day and learn about different places around the world. To explore more about this story, click here.

Benefits of the Outdoors-The sunshine, the rain...nature is great for the human body. Learn about the advantages of getting your girls out in the wilderness!  To discover the positive benefits of the outdoors, click here.

Get your troop or area to camp, click here to explore here to explore openings.

Sign up for overnight camp by March 31 and save!

Save $15 for 3 or 4 day sessions

Save $25 for 6 day session

Save $50 for 10+ day sessions

Join the summer fun at camp.

Reach new heights with Product Program this year ... because our Cookies and Treats are worth sharing!

Ann Arbor, Jackson, Kalamazoo, and Lansing

  • Cookie Booth Season starts February 19. Remember, bling your booth-It's worth it!
  • Cookie Payment Due. Initial cookie order payment is due March 9.
  • Michigan State University Cheer Off deadline for registration is February 11!
  • Set up your own Cookie Booths now. See your Troop Cookie Manager for details. (Troop Cookie Managers, reference page 16 of the Troop Manager Guide.)
  • Cookie Delivery begins February 15! Remember, any person in your troop can pick up your cookies. Be Prepared!
  • 1,000 Club: girls that sell 1,000 or more packages of Girl Scout cookies will enjoy a fun day at Michigan Adventure's on July 11, 2016. We hope that every girl earns this reward. This opportunity continues through Bonus Booths.

Saginaw

  • Treats and Reads! Initial order taking starts February 26. Register now for Sweet Reader, a Kick Off event for Saginaw Product Program (See pg. 89 in The Source).   
  • Gear up for Treats and Reads! Training starts in February! Returning troops can take online training just click here.

Saginaw- You can earn an Area Bonus too, if your area increases their Treats and Reads Area per girl selling average by $10 or they have a troop participation above 75%. Call to find out more at (989)799-9565! 

Hometown Heroes product is available now in your Regional Center.
You can work with your Area Product Manager and staff to deliver these gifts to heroes in your community. Have a conversation with your area team and girls -- were you able to reach your donation goals this year? 

Cookies are being delivered this month in Jackson, Kalamazoo, Lansing, and Ypsilanti!!! Be sure to reach those BIG goals with Cookie Booths starting February 19th. Click here for your Regional Booth Flyers. Don't see a council sponsered booth for your troop? You can set your own booth up at businesses that are not on the booth list. Great places include: banks, convenience stores, sporting events, hardware stores, and don't forget caravans. Some of our best Cookie Booths are drive thru booths in large parking lots! Check out these great drive thru booths. Not trained or ready to sell cookies? Just give us a call at 1-800-49-SCOUT and we can get you started today. The Girl Scout Cookie Program has helped this past year to open the Meadows at Camp Linden, our horse camp facility, as well as build an Adventure Unit with plumbing at Camp Merrie Woode! We know everyone wants to participate with Product Programs this year to help build on these successes.

Saginaw Strive for Five Winner

Strive for Five
Congratulations to our first Strive for Five winner: Gretchen Johnson! She purchased 5 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies from Meghan of Troop 50790, and she has just won FIVE CASES of fabulous Girl Scout cookies!

 Family Partnership Credits Ready!

Family Partnership credits are ready to be used for your troop needs. Participating troops received notice through email to leaders that credits are available in the retail stores. There's still time for girls to earn this patch. Families that donate $25 or more will receive a patch for each registered girl in their household, a donation of $50 earns a patch and label pin. Please continue to spread the word about Family Partnership and the benefits it offers girls, like keeping costs low, so more can participate in the Girl Scout experience.

For more information contact: Linda Marcon at lmarcon@gshom.org

With spring just around the corner, it's a great time to think about all the creative ways to celebrate the upcoming Girl Scout holidays. How will the girls celebrate Girl Scout week or the Girl Scout birthday? Oh, and Valentine's presents are a great opportunity to spread the love of Girl Scouting by teaching friends at school a Girl Scout song or making a fun craft to give to others--check out our Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan Pinterest page for nifty ideas the girls can create.

It's that time of year when we start to daydream about warm summer weather, which means it's a great time to reserve your troop campout. What adventure will you experience? Will it be team building at camp O'The Hills over spring break or maybe an overnight campout at Camp Merrie Woode? It's always fun to take advantage of your family's exclusive access to Deer Trails. Camping next to the lake is always a fun retreat. So many places to visit--take a peek at your Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan camps and plan your next big adventure. And remember, girls can use their Cookie and Cashew cash to make this happen.

Thinking Day is February 22, a day of celebrating international friendship, have fun starting a new troop tradition and send letters to Girl Scouts around the world or attend the Thinking Day celebration in Ypsilanti or Bay City. As many of you are thinking about Girl Scouts around the world, many Girl Scouts here in our council are gearing up for cookie booths. Remember bling your booth and take a snap shot of it all jazzed up! Then upload your picture to our Girl Scout Heart of Michigan Facebook page. Let the cookie blinging begin!

Retail News

Oh, the wonderful things you can see... like car magnets, cookie totes, even fun accessories! Visit your nearest regional store to see all of the new merchandise. Maybe you will discover tablecloths to bling your cookie booth and bobble beanie hats to keep your head toasty warm. You will be the most fashionable Girl Scout in the Heart Michigan.

Membership Renewal April 11-May 11, 2016

April showers, bring May flowers, but at Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan it' s membership renewal time! When you renew your membership from April 11-May 11, you will receive a FREE gift and a FREE day at camp. Now that's exciting news!!! Watch our website and the March Volunteer Newsletter for more details.

Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan Annual Success Report (Town Hall Meeting Webinar)

Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan Annual Success Report 

At the town hall meeting-style webinar on January 19, you heard the latest news from Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan's Chief Officers and Chief Executive Officer, Jan Barker. Click above to review the recording. We highly recommend you listen to get all the scoop.

Volunteer Essentials at gshom.org

Camp Facility Rental

It's not too early to reserve your spot at camp! Every camp has heated facilities available for rent. There's no bad weather only inappropriate clothing. .>>> Reserve your winter getaway today!

Deer Trails Family Camp

Our very own exclusive camp property is available for all Girl Scout families and troops to enjoy, and we still have winter cabins available for rent! Imagine your private winter wonderland with cozy heated cabins where you can enjoy quality time with your family. Partake in activities like snowshoeing, hiking, and fishing on site ... or travel just a few minutes for a nearby skiing or snowboarding adventure. 

Join the Heart to Heart Leader Chat. 

This month's topic: Trips and Travel.

Explore the ways you can travel with your Girl Scout troop. Join us February 23, 12-1pm or 7-8pm. Click here to Register today!

Have No Fear. Help Desk is Here!

The Help Desk staff is your one-stop-shop for any questions or concerns you may have. Forgot your eBiz password? We're on it. Need help registering for an event? You got it.

So give us a call, use the Help Desk Form, send a carrier pigeon ... whatever works best for you, we'll be here, ready to help.  

Meet Your Staff 

Everyone at Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan shares your passion for helping girls, and we are ready to assist you any way we can. For a list of staff members by region and department, visit our Selfie Directory.

Cleaning out the garage?

We are looking for used working appliances,  especially electric stoves and cabinetry. Donate yours to help your camp! We will even get them out of your space.

Contact Matt Bates at mbates@gshom.org for additional questions.


Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan Logo
Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan
1223 Turner Street
Lansing, MI 48906
gshom@gshom.org
Facebook YouTube

This email was sent to .
To ensure that you continue receiving our emails, please add us to your address book or safe list.
manage your preferences | opt out
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.