Guest Blogger Emma Downey shares her Girl Scout Experience at the Creative Problem Solving Institution in Buffalo, NY

Our Trip to the Creative Problem Solving Institution in Buffalo

by

Emma Downey

Hustling and bustling to the airport in the early hours of the morning to catch a flight to Buffalo New York was just the beginning of our trip to the Creative Problem Solving Institution Conference (a.k.a. CPSI). Over the next week our group of 6 girls and 5 adults would become more creative, become leaders and some even CPSI presenters, experience creativity in new and extreme ways, and create friendships to last forever.
To begin with, our group of six girls had lots of fun learning the creative problem solving method in the Youthwise program. In addition we were able to meet and network with many professionals such as Tony Baxter, a Walt Disney Imagineer and the Senior Vice President of Creative Development at Walt Disney Imagineering. These experiences were invaluable and taught us about creativity and finding ourselves. We also met new role models and friends, grew close to the old ones, and bonded with each other. It seems almost impossible the amount of things we accomplished in a week!
While in Buffalo we were able to discover Niagara Falls, rock out at a Rusted Root concert, and attend Shakespeare in the Park too. So whether we were lying in the grassy lawn watching a play in the park, listening to amazing rock music, or getting soaked by the roaring falls we were always having fun! This was definitely a trip we will never forget!

GSGCF receives $5000 grant from the Manatee Community Foundation

The Manatee Community Foundation Awarded GSGCF $5000 to go towards the Pool reconstruction! Melissa Burtless, GSGCF CDO, Sue Stewart, GSGCF CEO, and Betsy Benac, GSGCF Board Member were there to accept the gift.

Girl Scouts in Lee County honor Rosemary Flemming with 80 year pin

Girl Scout Troop 2007 in Lee County organized a special event for longtime volunteer Rosemary Flemming. Rosemary received her 80 year pin in a special ceremony at Calusa Harbour. Volunteers Daralene Jones and Stormy and Girl Scout Kim Reichenbecher shared stories about Rosemary and talked about how she influenced Girl Scouting in Lee County. Rosemary's Story was featured in the News Press.

Stevie Peacock featured on Costra Rica Outward Bound Blog

While wishing there was a "Reblog" button for Blogger - Check out the Blog Post about Stevie Peacock on Your Costa Rica Outward Bound Hanashita! It shows pictures from when she carried the Olympic Torch, Project HOPE (A GSGCF Program) and her Girl Scout Bronze Award - Project Kindness.

Girl Scouts Who Earn It: Part 4

Photo above from Mary Peacock: Stevie also received the Prudential Spirit of Giving Award for the 3rd year in a Row!

Sarasota Girl Scout Troop 79 and 300 honor Veterans on Memorial Day

Sarasota Girl Scout Troop 79 and 300 came together to honor veterans on Memorial Day at Palms Memorial Park and Gardens.

Fossil Hunting in the Peace River

These Girl Scouts went hunting for Fossils in the Peace River - no word on if they found a new species of Dinosaur!

The BEST Thinking Day Pictures EVER

International Thinking Day was a worldly success this year! Here is a picture of Girl Scout Troop #121 from Sarasota as Egyptians. Girl Scout troops from Service Unit 11 created booths representing countries from all over the world. Each troop came in that country's costume, served a food from the country and of course traded SWAPS! Each troop told a few facts about their country and received stamps for their passports. One of the highlights of the evening was a fund-raising project for Haiti Relief sponsored by Brownie/Junior Troop #121. All those attending could visit their photo booth and for a donation could get their picture taken by the pyramids! A local company named go11media, two of the partners being Girl Scout parents, donated their time and materials to make this possible. The group raised $183 and sent it to Unicef so it will benefit children in Haiti.

Photos and Write Up Submitted By:
Marcia Cruce
Troop #121

Think Outside the Box Contest Winners

Congratulations to all the troops that participated, your creativity was amazing! Keep an eye out in future publications for pictures of your troop and there creative ideas.

Winners are:

Troop 844 for the Most Environmentally Friendly activity – in which the daisy troop created a vermaculture composter (composting left over vegetables using worms) and not only used recycled cookie boxes but learned the importance of composting there food scraps!

Troop 246 for the most creative – They created a Leprechaun Catcher.

Troop 78 for the Best Service Project which was birthday boxes, that were donated to Faith Lutheran Church Food Pantry

Emma Downey for creating “101 ways to reuse a cookie box” and actually making 101 things including a solar cooker and dehydrator!

Venice Girl Scout receives the Congressional Silver Medal

Venice Girl Scout Senior Stevie Peacock received her Silver medal from Congressman Vern Buchanan on Friday April 30th in his Sarasota office. Stevie has completed the Bronze, Silver and Gold certificate levels as well as the Bronze and Silver Medal requirements. She is currently working towards the Gold Medal requirements.

Her 4 areas to earn through the Silver Medal level were:
Exploration ~ 3 week trip to immerse herself in the French culture, Stevie traveled alone to France and stayed in Montesson with the DeLalande family
Physical Fitness ~ 500+ hours of Crew/rowing with the Sarasota Crew team
Personal Development ~ improving her piano skills and learning to play the drums in a band; Stevie accompanied her school chorus on the piano and enrolled in the Venice School of Rock as well as private piano and drum lesson.
Voluntary Public Service ~Traveled to Cambodia for the dedication of a School that she helped fund, supplied school supplies to Memorial Elementary in Arcadia, Oak Park School for Special Needs Students as well as Jordan's Crossing which is a Habitat for Humanity neighborhood in Sarasota. She also visited Memorial Elementary throughout the year to read and deliver holiday gifts. Stevie organized a toy drive for All Children's Hospital.

Submitted by Stevie Peacock

Special Thanks to the 2010 Cookie Task Force

Thank you to our volunteers who participated in the 2010 Product Sale Task Force! Would you like to volunteer to help guide the future of Product Sales? Well now you can! Email Corinne for how you join - corrinew@gsgcf.org! Open to girls, parents and leaders.

Sarasota Girl Scout Leader Appreciation Dinner

Girl Scout Troop Leaders in Sarasota celebrated a year of accomplishments together with special guest CEO Sue Stewart.

Venice Girl Scouts Troop 542 Plant Butterfly Garden for Bronze Award

Photos Submitted by Troop Leader Allison

Lee County Girl Scout Daisies Take Action with service project for the Humane Society

On May 1, 2010 Daisy Troop #663 completed a service project at the Gulf Coast Humane Society in Fort Myers. It was in conjunction with the United States Postal Services unveiling of the "Adopt A Shelter Pet" stamp.

Daisy Troop #663 used some of their troop cookie profits to provide the much needed items for the shelter and its animals such as dog and cat food, cat carriers and cleaning supplies for the
shelter. We learned how a shelter operates and also learned information about the USPS. All
the girls had a wonderful learning experience.

Cindy Ishley, Leader
Troop #663
Lee 14
Daisy Girl Scouts

Immokalee Girl Scout accepted to The Govenor's Academy in Mass.

Dieusica Dieujuste, a freshman at Immokalee High School, has received a full scholarship to attend the four year program at The Governor’s Academy in Byfield, Massachusetts.

The school’s mission statement states:

The Governor's Academy, founded in 1763 on New England coastal farmland, combines centuries of tradition with a dedication to educational innovation. Students flourish in a diverse community distinguished by enduring relationships with teachers and defined by a commitment to learning and a thoughtful balance of academics, athletics, arts and service to others. Academy graduates are life-long learners who embrace their civic duty and global responsibility.

Dieusica has been an active member of Girl Scouts in Immokalee for ten years. She attended the 95th Anniversary Celebration of GSUSA in Washington, D.C. and also the Girl Leadership Institute at the GSUSA National Convention in Indianapolis.

Girl Scout Brownies at SeaSnooze!

Girl Scout Brownie Troop 138 joined GSGCF Staff at Mote Marine for a Brownie Seasnooze Overnight! Girls learned about manatees, sharks and other ocean creatures and playing in the touch tanks!

Lee County Girl Scout Honored by Sheriff's Department

Girl Scout Jaclyn Granitz, from Fort Myers, was selected by the Lee County Sheriff's Office for the "Do the Right Thing" Youth Recognition Program. A veremony to honor these actions was held on May 20, 2010 where Jaclyn was presented with her award in front of school and community leaders.

Girl Scout Junior from Englewood is a Media Maven!

Emily became a Media Maven when she joined CEO Sue Stewart for a radio interview about Girl Scouts in Englewood, FL. Host Karen Maurer raved about how Media Savvy Emily was. Also a special THANK YOU to SUM Niki LeVasseur for joining us and talking about Girl Scouts with us as well!

Girl Scouts make PSA for Visionary Award

Check out this video Girl Scout Senior Troop 297 made for their Girl Scout Journey Visionary Award. (The link in case the video doesn't play here...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhjfiHErpBU)

Girl Scout Recognition Ceremony Photos

Girl Scout Bronze Award Recipients

Girl Scout Religious Award Recipients

Girl Scout Graduating Seniors!

Girl Scouts who sold over 2000 packages of cookies

Girl Scouts who sold over 1500 packages of cookies

Girl Scouts who sold over 1000 packages of cookies

Girl Scout 10 Year Pin Recipients

Congratulations to all girls that received awards at the Girl Scout 2010 Recognition Ceremony!

Girl Scout Silver Award 2010 Honorees

The Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida awarded Girl Scouts from around the council with the top awards in Girl Scouting at the Girl Scout Recognition Ceremony in Punta Gorda this weekend. Girl Scouts from around the council gathered to celebrate each other’s accomplishments in leadership and service.

Fifty Eight Girl Scouts were awarded the Girl Scout Silver Award, the highest honor a Girl Scout Cadette can earn. The Girl Scout Silver Award represents a girl's accomplishments in Girl Scouting and her community as she grows and works to improve her life and the lives of others. The following girls earned the Girl Scout Silver Award this year:

Bonita Springs:
Natalie Reid

Bradenton:
Paige Parker, Jessica Smith, Jennifer Sillars, Emily Rheinheimer, Katelyn Velez, Brionna Baird, Ronja Wodtke, Shannon Mead, Kodie Brandt, Ciara Bennese, Colleen Brennan, Erica Cioffi, Erin Gillies, Frances Marcucci, Kaitlyn Mitchell, Emma Orth, Kelsey Pecenka, Shannon Carter, Samantha Howard, Regan Walker, Brandi Achenbach , Lindsey Bethany

Cape Coral:
Emmie Bileau, Erin Suggs, Jaclyn Granitz, Rebecca Coffman, Pheobe Harper, Julia Overstreet, Lauryn Klaasse, Sammy Hyatt, Carley Engelberger, Payton Douthett, Courtney Diem, Lindsey Wheeler, Alexandra Hagaman , Britteni Kayser

Estero:
Brooke Stanaland, Brianna Dewitty, Jessica Groberg

Ft. Denaud:
Crystal Lanzing

Ft. Myers:
Savannal Lococo, Melissa Meetze, Jennifer Reali, Emma Grooms

Holmes Beach:
Mackenzie Para

Myakka City:
Caitlin Greyson

Naples:
Madison Ward, Kayli Figueroa, Alyssa Page

Palmetto:
Aliyah Hurt

Parish:
Alexandra Van Den Ochten

Sarasota:
Sarah Lacomini, Lauren Golom, Kaitlyn Bailey, Audrey Shapiro, Rebecca Rocuant

Wauchula: Jessica Morris

Girl Scout Gold Award 2010 Honorees

The Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida awarded Girl Scouts from around the council with the top awards in Girl Scouting at the Girl Scout Recognition Ceremony in Punta Gorda. Girl Scouts from around the council gathered to celebrate each other’s accomplishments in leadership and service.

Nine Girl Scouts were awarded the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouting . Each Gold Award recipient completed a unique 65 hour service project filling a need in the community she is passionate about utilizing organizational, leadership and networking skills to complete her project. The following girls earned the Girl Scout Gold Award this year:

Jennifer Carlson, Sarasota
Jennifer Carlson teamed up with Students Against Destructive Decisions to get the message out at Riverview High School about the effects of alcohol on students. She wrote and distributed pamphlets called “Alcohol: What to Know and What to Do” to the staff and students at Riverview. Jennifer also hosted an assembly on the dangers of drunk driving at Riverview bringing in guest speakers.
“My father died of alcohol related reasons and I wouldn’t want anyone else to suffer the same fate as my father.”

Laurabeth Goldsmith, Sarasota
Laurabeth Goldsmith rallied her community and classmates to build a school for 300 children in Bangladesh. The school will provide clean water, food and double as an emergency shelter in the local village. With the help of local Rotary and Kiwanis clubs and hundreds of students and community supporters construction has begun on the school. Laurabeth plans on traveling to Bangladesh this summer for the opening of the school.
“I now know that I would like to go into the non-profit world as my eventual career and I believe I would like to work on similar international projects.”

Caroline Templeton, Sarasota
Caroline Templeton created a Green Roof Educational Exhibit to demonstrate the benefits of green roofs to the environment and society. The exhibit was featured at the Seventh Annual Greening Rooftops for Sustainable Communities Conference in Atlanta, Georgia and has been shown at the Rotary Club of Sarasota Bay, Laurel Park eco-fair, and to the Sarasota County water management officials, reaching over 400 people. Caroline was also featured in the fall 2009 issue of Living Architecture Monitor.
“I plan on attending Wellesley College to study geosciences.”

Frances Perry, Port Charlotte
Frances Perry wrote, produced and directed three public service announcements about Girl Scouts to educate girls about Girl Scouting. Using Girl Scouts from the teen board they created several concepts, wrote, stared in and edited the videos that will be used in schools to advertise Girl Scout recruitment.
“I plan on attending the University of Central Florida to major in film and teach other girls the beauty of film.”

Chelsea Torres, Cape Coral
Chelsea Torres created informational flyers about the proper disposal of electronic waste to distribute to her community. Working with Lee County’s Solid Waste Department she publicized local drop off days and locations for Lee County Hazardous Waste. Chelsea also provided educational materials about the environmental impact of improperly disposing of electronic waste and educated the community about organizations that provide home pick up of electronic waste.
“I evaluated what I was capable of doing and focused my project on what I thought was necessary. It took on a new goal: spreading awareness.”

Lindsay Cobb, Cape Coral
Lindsay Cobb gathered data on tree species in area parks in Cape Coral. Data collected will be used by FEMA after hurricanes incase any of the trees are damaged and destroyed. Several other city departments are using her data for other projects and created a new type of volunteer position with the city government to pass down to her sister Girl Scouts.
“I was the first non-city employee to use city equipment. Now all the trees have name plates and an aerial map of the park and description of all the trees and their locations is placed near the entrance of each park.”

Stefani Sanford, Cape Coral
Stefani Sanford worked with the children at Littleton Elementary School in Fort Myers to create sign markers for the tortoise nature trail. Stefani worked with the children to create signs to identify the native plants and provide information about the wildlife that lives on campus. Working with the teachers at the school, she was able to teach the children about the wildlife through the making of the nature trail signs.
“I learned that working with children is a joy! Also, it’s not always easy trying to organize things and make them all work out how you want them.”

Amanda Sanford, Cape Coral
Amanda Sanford created a tortoise trail at Littleton Elementary School in Fort Myers. The trail provides a safe place for wildlife away from the playground and the children while allowing opportunity for students, faculty and the community to learn more about the natural ecosystem on the school campus without destroying it.
“I think this project was successful be cause it created a safe place for the tortoises to live and the community can continue to benefit from it.”

Jessica Gross, Alva
Jessica Gross prepared and certified her church to be a Safe Place location. After the certification she held a safety festival at the church to introduce the church to the community as a Safe Place location as well as have educational materials and items available for families in the community. Working with several community partners Jessica helped provide fingerprinting and bike helmets for 75 children in her community.
“Many families were in attendance, it was a fun and educational day for everyone.”

Englewood Girl Scouts Celebrate Thinking Day!

Englewood Girl Scouts celebrate World Thinking Day

Girl Scout troops in Englewood gathered to celebrate World Thinking Day on February 23rd. Created in 1926 at the fourth Girl Guide/Girl Scout International Conference, Thinking Day is a time when Girl Scouts and Girl Guides all around the world think of each other, give thanks and appreciation to their "sister" Girl Scouts, and share their hopes for world peace. World Thinking Day offers Girl Scouts an opportunity to learn more about the world around them through activities that increase cultural awareness and emphasize the positive similarities between Girl Scouts and Girl Guides throughout the world.

To celebrate World Thinking Day, more than 100 Girl Scouts and adult volunteers from Troops 38, 75, 93, 208, 291, 411, 511, 538 and 565 learned about the United Kingdom, Mexico, Italy, France, Japan, and Switzerland. Pictured are some Girl Scout Juniors with a display on the United Kingdom created by Troop 208

Because the theme for this year’s international event emphasized ending world hunger, girls brought donations of nonperishable food items to donate to Englewood Helping Hands. Pictured are just some of the donations collected at the event.

-- By Niki LeVasseur, Troop Leader and Service Unit Manager

Girl Scout Junior Troop 925 collects Toys for Tots

Great Job Girls! Way to Take Action!

Julia Forkgen honored by the Women's Leadership Initiative!

Congratulations to Julia Forkgen who was selected to receive one of five Women’s Leadership Initiative, United Way of Manatee County “Heart to Heart” awards.

Julia is being recognized for her strives to make a difference and give back to the community through the contribution of time, talent and treasure .

The mission of the Women’s Leadership Initiative, United Way of Manatee County is to “Invest in the Youth in Our Community. In addition to this, one of the 4 goals of WLI is to celebrate the diversity of women in our community.

This year's Honorees include:

Julia Forkgen who gives generously of her time.
Marianne Moyer who gives generously of her time.
Sandy Groseclose who puts her great talents to use in numerous ways.
Barbara Johnson who is a treasure and shares unselfishly with others.
Kaycee Wells who is tomorrow’s face of leadership among women.

Girl Scouts in Lee County participate in Census Kick Off!

Girl Scout Junior and Cadette Troops 560 and 886 performed a Flag Ceremony for the 2010 Census Kick Off in Lee County! Did you mail in your form yet?

Girl Scout Junior Troop 353 promotes the Girl Scout Cookie Sale on WINK News!

Girl Scout Junior Troop 353 joined the news crew at WINK News for a Girl Scout Cookie Tasting and get the word out about the Girl Scout Cookie Sale!

Girl Scout Program Staff attend conference about TAKE ACTION

Program Staff Member Amy Gainey and Julia Onnie-Hay learned all about how to incorporate TAKE ACTION into more programs to guarantee the full Girl Scout Leadership Experience to every girl at GSUSA's Macy Training Center. They may also have gotten into a snow ball fight...

Girl Scout Brownie Troop 1 Penny Drive

Troop Leader Laura says, "Our Brownies did a penny drive this past fall to benefit the Harry Chapin Food Bank. We did this in conjunction with our Try-It - Penny Power. The girls collected pennies from friends and family members. We were also fortunate to have the fellow leaders from our Service Unit donate pennies to our cause each month at our Service Unit Meetings. The girls had a really good time and were amazed by two things: 1) How many pennnies they collected (13,149) and 2) How much they weighed! HA!"
Girl Scout Brownie Troop 1, Lee 14

First Year Girl Scout Daisy Brownie Troop in Lee does Coastal Clean Up

Troop Leader Gail Says, "Hi we are a new troop this year and we are troop #405. This past September our troop headed out to Ft. Myers beach for the Coastal Clean Up. Who says picking up trash is not fun? The girls, with their help from a parent, we able to log all the gargage they picked up and really realize what an impact humans have on nature. The best part about Daisey's and Brownie's is that they have fun doing anything and everything. It was a great day for the enviroment and a great way for us as a troop to get to know each other!"

Awesome Job Girl Scouts!

Girl Scout Junior Troop 353 Gives Back in Lee 14

Girl Scout Junior Troop 353 in Lee 14 collected donations for Second Act in Lee County. They're currently working on their Bronze Award. Way to Take Action Girl Scouts!

Girl Scout Junior Troop 421 Gives Back

Kudos to this amazing troop and all their service projects! Way to Take Action Girls!

- Submitted by Troop Leader Gina S. from Lee 14