Calling all Girl Scouts! The MN Lynx women's basketball team has announced the 2013 Girl Scout Night! Come out to the Target Center on June 1st for the 7pm game vs. the Connecticut Sun. Tickets start at only $18 for Girl Scouts (includes a goodie bag with patch!) Check out the flyer for ticket information.

The Daisy Petal Power program is a special four month summer mail program designed for girls entering Kindergarten or Grade 1 in the Fall of 2013.  Girls receive one packet per month, May – August, full of activities to do at home along with “get to know Girl Scouts” material for their family.

RESCHEDULED Volunteer Appreciation Event | Saturday, April 27th | 11am - 12:30pm open house | Rasmussen College, St. Cloud | RSVP to Leah Voss by April 26th
Due to the weather, our Volunteer Appreciation event has been rescheduled! The region 5 staff would like to invite all Girl Scout volunteers to our open house appreciation event on April 27th! This is a special way for us to say THANK YOU for all you've done and continue to do for the Girl Scouts in your lives. We will be having a lunch and dessert open house, come anytime from 11am - 12:30pm. This will also be our chance to acknowledge those adult volunteers and community members that have been nominated for Recognition Awards. This event is free, but please RSVP so we make sure we have enough food.
Questions or to RSVP? Contact Leah Voss (lvoss@gslakesandpines.org)

Ultimate Camper | Camp Roundelay, Minong, WI | Girls grades K-5 | 10 am April 27- 1 pm April 28 | $35 per person | Registration extended to April 15; $2 per person late fee now applies| Girls may use $15 Cookie Dough

Get ready for another season of camping!  Jump start your camping season with tips and tricks from the pros.  Review your skills and add new skills to your camping toolbox.  Expect to spend time cooking over a fire, canoeing, setting up tarps, tying knots, and explore beautiful Camp Roundelay. Become an ultimate camper! Details at our website's event calendar.

Tell Your Story at Our World, Our Family | September 6-8, 2013 | Nisswa, MN | $45-115 per person, depending  upon length of stay | grades 1-12 | Registration deadline June 14

If you have not experienced Our World, Our Family (OWOF), this is your chance to kick off your Girl Scout year in grand fashion. The 2013 theme, “Tell Your Story at Our World, Our Family” reflects a focus this year on the It’s Your Story – Tell It! Leadership Journey, giving girls a chance to bring their creativity, imagination and energy to Lakes and Pines’ biggest event of the year! Click here for registration materials.

National Parks Road Trip | Grades 7-12 | $800 per person | July 19-28, 2013 | REgister by April 1, 2013, $100 deposit (included in cost) April 1 deadline has been extended to May 15th!  Girls may use up to $400 in Cookie Dough for this trip.

Hello All!

SU 16 graciously invites any adult volunteer to join them at Shingobee Timbers for a retreat!  They have space for 40!
See the link for details and registration form: http://gslakesandpines.org/files/3873.pdf

The Daisy Petal Power program is a special four month summer mail program designed for girls entering Kindergarten or Grade 1 in the Fall of 2013.  Girls receive one packet per month, May – August, full of activities to do at home along with “get to know Girl Scouts” material for their family.

The Willmar Stingers are excited to invite the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to a Stingers Camp Out! The inaugural camp out will be on Friday, July 19th following the Stingers game against the Mankato MoonDogs. All Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and their families are welcome to join in the fun!  Each person will receive a game ticket and a concession stand voucher for a hot dog, bag of chips, and can of soda. For those who are camping out after the game, the Stingers will have games, player and mascot appearances, and will provide a light breakfast in the morning. Tickets only $12.50/person and that includes the game and the food voucher. No additional cost for the overnight, but please RSVP so we have a head count. Click here for the flyer/ticket order information.

The Willmar Stingers are excited to invite the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to a Stingers Camp Out! The inaugural camp out will be on Friday, July 19th following the Stingers game against the Mankato MoonDogs. All Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and their families are welcome to join in the fun!  Each person will receive a game ticket and a concession stand voucher for a hot dog, bag of chips, and can of soda. For those who are camping out after the game, the Stingers will have games, player and mascot appearances, and will provide a light breakfast in the morning. Tickets only $12.50/person and that includes the game and the food voucher. No additional cost for the overnight, but please RSVP so we have a head count. Click here for the flyer/ticket order information.

The details have been set for our upcoming Region 5 Spring Training Day on April 27th! Check them out here, as well as find out how to register for the Basic Outdoor Skills Training for adult volunteers and Program Aide Training for girls. Can't wait to see you all there!!

Be Fit | Saturday, May 11 | 9am–2pm | Discovery Middle School, Alexandria MN | Expanded to Grades 2-8! | $22 girl/$10 adult/girls may use $10 Cookie Dough | Deadline extended to May 3rd - $2 per person late fee now applies. To register, just click here

Who knew getting fit could be so fun?  Dance your way into exercising with Zumba fitness.  Learn new cheers, play a sport, and make new friends. Finish the day by relaxing at the pool.  Plus - meet the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders!  Cost includes lunch, energy snack, program supplies and custom patch.

Bring a Friend Bonus: Bring a friend new to Girl Scouts and each receive $10 off!

Here are some updates on what's happening at Girl Scouts in the next few months...

Girl Scout Shop: Trefoil Sale runs from March 11 thru March 22, 2013. Girl's Guides are 20% off plus lots more Girl Scout merchandise!

Remember! 2012 cookie dough (PINK cards) expires April 30, 2013.  Ask your daughter how she wants to spend her cookie dough--she can use it to help pay for council programs and camps, or buy next year's supplies and fun stuff in the shop.  The pink cookie dough has no value after April 30, 2013--don't miss out! 

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Do you miss Camp Roundelay? 

It's that time in winter when it's hard to get those fun summer memories off your mind!  Here are two chances to spend some time at Roundelay without having to wait all the way until summer:

Ultimate Camper: April 27-28, Camp Roundelay Challenge yourself to learn a new campcraft skill, or two or three! 

Camp Care Day: May 18, Camp Roundelay. Help us get ready for summer camp and receive up to $45 off camp this summer. Plant the garden, clean cabins, rake leaves, clean trails, and more.  Sign up here and bring your whole family--we can use helpers of all ages!

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Thank you, Girl Scouts, volunteers, and families, for all of your hard work in the cookie program, which we are just wrapping up! Your success stores are inspiring and we're so grateful you chose to take part. 

The Region 2 Team and Duluth Regional Center staff would like to take a moment to thank you for all you do to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Here’s a quick update on upcoming news and events from your Region 2 team!

Join us for the Region 2 Spring Learning and Development Workshop! Saturday, April 6, 2013 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Camp Roundelay, Gordon, WI. Workshops include: New Leaders Troop Pathway, Exploring the Girl Scout Journey Books and the Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting, the Self-sustaining Troop and Troop Finance, Songs and Games and Basic Outdoor Skills. Adults may choose to spend Friday night at camp, as well!

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Spring Jump Start is right around the corner! Each spring, troops have the opportunity to register early for next year. Some communities have fun events to get girls together and to get the forms turned in. If your community is planning a Jump Start Event, let the Region 2 Team know all about it! If you’d like some help putting one together, or need ideas, please contact Jamie Sands (see left column.)

Girl Scout recruitment happens year round! Let us know how we can help build Girl Scout participation in your community. Are there certain grades without troops, waiting lists of girls but no leader, etc.? Contact Jamie and she’ll work with you to grow Girl Scouts in your town!

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We all know wonderful, committed, Girl Scout women and men, who are very deserving of being recognized, don’t we? Did you know that there are national Girl Scout adult awards that can be given to outstanding adults in your community? Anyone can nominate registered Girl Scout for these awards, as long as they meet the criteria.  More info and nomination forms here.

Save the Date for Region 2’s Volunteer Recognition Dinner! Monday evening, April 29, 2013 at Jeanette Pollay Cabin from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm.

Planet Plan-It | Saturday, April 20^th, 2013 | 9am-5pm | Rice Lake Wildlife Refuge, McGregor, MN | Grades K-12 | $25 girl/$5 adults/girls may use $10 Cookie Dough | Deadline Extended to April 8 - to register, just click here                                                                                                                                                                                           After an outer space adventure with your friends, you find you’ve all landed on an unnamed planet. Spend the day exploring Planet ‘X’ and working together to get through the Silent Swamp, Frozen Fissure, Gravity Gap and Memory Mountain. Your expedition team will create a map, decode a language, break down barriers, and befriend the locals. Cost includes lunch, snack, program materials and patch.                                                         

Bring a Friend Bonus: Girl Scout fee: $15 / Friend who is new to Girl Scouts: $27 ($25 +$12 membership fee = $37, minus $10)

 Hello!


Would like to share a couple reminders and updates-

Recognitions - Adult, Beacon Award or Year of Service Pins please see our website: http://www.gslakesandpines.org/pages/Recognition/  or you can contact Bonnie

Region 3 Celebration Save the date l Thursday April 25^th l 6:30-8 pm l Central Lakes College-Cafeteria

Join us as we honor and recognize adults in our Region. Maureen will have some special R03 recognitions for top girl cookie sellers and Bronze, Silver and Gold Award precipitants will be recognized  Cake and punch will be served.

Region 3 Spring Training l 1^st Aid/CPR American Heart Association l Garrison l 9-noon l $8.00

This reduced cost has been made available by the generosity of Tabitha Witthuhn from SU14

Region Three Basic Outdoor Skills/Advanced Outdoor Skills (BOS/AOS) TBD

                BOS $10.00

                AOS$15.00

                Outdoor Education book available for $9.50 with  pre orders.

Program Aide Training | Grades 6-8 | $25 per girl/observing adults free | Girls may use up to $10 in Cookie Dough| Register 2 weeks prior to training
Get ready for summer Day Camps and to take the lead at Girl Scout events and programs! Page 30 of Cadette: The Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting provides information on how to earn a Leader in Action award and your Program Aide award. Remember that as part of the new criteria established by GSUSA, girls need to complete the Leader in Action award prior to attending a Program Aide training. To sign up, just fill out the GSMWLP Leadership Program and Events Guide registration form. Click read more for dates/locations.

Well over the months as I’ve talked with volunteers I often hear that girls have so many choices by the time they are  a Junior that we often loose them to other activities: dance, sports…..  Well I read an article this morning and I’d like to share part of it with you.

" There’s lots of buzz about how third-grade reading levels are predictors of high school success. Our National Program Portfolio is of course tied to curriculum standards. Have you shared this information?  With whom? Are you making sure all Girl Scout Daisies and Brownies are going home from Girl Scouts with their own books…and that their parents know how valuable it is to spend even a few minutes reading with their daughters?"

~Eileen

Goodness what a bonus I think you all know I feel strongly about recruiting the parent right along with the girl.  Next time I hear how girls/parents are choosing dance or sports over Girl Scouts well I think I’ll be more prepared with an awesome comeback.  What parent doesn’t want success for their child?  Reading with or to their girls is something most parents can do and learn about Girl Scouts at the same time.   I’m betting the parent reading to their child would want to volunteer too!   Girl Scouts isn’t just another activity we are helping pave the path for their successful future.

It’s not to late to nominate a deserving adult for an award.  Check out the criteria and let me know if you need assistance. I’d be happy to help: http://www.gslakesandpines.org/pages/Recognition/

Thank you for being awesome volunteers!

Bonnie

Hello,


You may have noticed in your last Connections publication details to enter the Leaders Day Card Contest

The submission deadline is March 5^th so there is still time to enter!

Girl’s say “Thanks” to great volunteers by entering the Leaders Day Card Contest

1. Create a 3.5" x 8" card representing Girl Scouts.

2. Write a greeting of appreciation to Girl Scout volunteers on the front and

leave the inside blank.

3. Include a description explaining why you chose your design,

your name, address, troop number, and program level on the

back of the card. Sorry, cards cannot be returned.

4. Use as many colors as you like

(no glitter, stamping or computer generation).

5. Mail by March 5, 2013, to:

Girl Scouts Duluth Regional Center

424 W Superior St, Ordean Bldg, Ste G3

Duluth, MN 55802

One prize will be awarded for each program age level, and one grand prize

design will be featured on the front of this year’s Girl Scout Leaders Day

Card, distributed to all Girl Scout adult members April 22.

I had a so much fun contacting the families in our region who won last year.  I hope we have some submissions from R03 again!

Four reminders for troops selling cookies...

Sarah attended Lakes and Pines destination, North Country Rock and Wilderness in 2011. The following year she returned to the Northern Lakes Canoe Base as a Guide in Training. Sarah shares how she experienced teamwork and unity through the experience. Excerpts from Sarah's story ...

"This is teamwork to a whole new dimension."

"Everyone should come out of their shell just to see it [the wilderness] and appreciate what nature and wilderness there is still left. From the crazy thunderstorms that light up the night sky, to the occasional northern lights, and the sunsets full or oranges and purples and reds, I can honestly say that I have never seen such beauty in my life."

"Another part of this incredible experience is the lack of stuff."

Read Sarah's story.

Planned Orders

Please place your planned orders in Snap by 10 p.m. on Saturday evenings to have delivery to your cupboard by the following Friday.  What you need to know: as a council we rely on troops placing planned orders to determine how many cookies to order each week and to send these cookies where they need to go.  Please help us help you by placing planned orders whenever possible. Please refer to page 26 of the pink Answer Book for Troop Product Sales Managers for complete instructions.  Remember to order in package quantities.

Booth Sales

Please continue to put your booth requests each week in Snap.  For instructions see the previous blog article on this topic. Cookie Booths continue through March 10.

ACH Debit

The first ACH debit was February 20.  If your ACH debit did not go through for any reason, please contact me about making alternate payment plans.  Remember to collect and deposit money from your families each week.  The next ACH debit will be March 20 at which time 50% of your remaining balance owed will be due.

Girls in Snap

You may have noticed some changes to your troop’s listing of girls in Snap.  This past week we did an upload of girls from our membership system to Snap.  This is the only upload of information we plan to do for this sale.  Please check your listing to make sure it is correct and remove any duplicate names.  You will need to verify that this list is correct before transferring packages to girls or placing a recognition order later on.  If you have any questions, please contact me. 

Planned Orders

Please place your planned orders in Snap by 10 p.m. on Saturday evenings to have delivery to your cupboard by the following Friday.  What you need to know: as a council we rely on troops placing planned orders to determine how many cookies to order each week and to send these cookies where they need to go.  Please help us help you by placing planned orders whenever possible. Please refer to page 26 of the pink Answer Book for Troop Product Sales Managers for complete instructions.  Remember to order in package quantities.

Booth Sales

Please continue to put your booth requests each week in Snap.  For instructions see the previous blog article on this topic. Cookie Booths continue through March 10.

ACH Debit

The first ACH debit was February 20.  If your ACH debit did not go through for any reason, please contact me about making alternate payment plans.  Remember to collect and deposit money from your families each week.  The next ACH debit will be March 20 at which time 50% of your remaining balance owed will be due.

Girls in Snap

You may have noticed some changes to your troop’s listing of girls in Snap.  This past week we did an upload of girls from our membership system to Snap.  This is the only upload of information we plan to do for this sale.  Please check your listing to make sure it is correct and remove any duplicate names.  You will need to verify that this list is correct before transferring packages to girls or placing a recognition order later on.  If you have any questions, please contact me. 

Ultimate Camper Event | Now open to girls in grades K-5! | Camp Roundely, Minong, WI | April 27-28, 2013 | 10 am-1 pm | $35 per person; girls may use $15 Cookie Dough | Register by April 1

Get ready for another season of camping!  Jump start your camping season with tips and tricks from the pros.  Review old skills and add new skills to your toolbox.  Expect to spend time cooking over a fire, canoeing, setting up tarps, tying knots and much more!  Click here to register.  Questions?  Contact the Bemidji Girl Scout office at tandrews@gslakesandpines.org.  See you at camp!