blazingnew trails

for girls2012-13 Program Essentials

Find Great Programs!

Check out our website just for girls! WorldsStrongestGirl.org Write a story about the World’s Strongest Girl, and create an animated badge!

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What’s Inside PageGirl Scout Information to Know 3How to Register 4Council Events & Happenings 5The Girl Scout Leadership Experience 6When Girls Lead 7Camp CEO 8Project Law 9Leadership (Gold, Silver, Bronze Awards, MEGS) 10Opportunities to Give Service 14Journey World 16Arts & Culture Activities and Workshops 17Environmental Education & Outdoor Skills (Camp Pathway) 24Financial Literacy & Entrepreneurship 33Product Program (Fall Product and Girl Scout Cookie Program) 43Global Awareness Activities and Workshops (Travel Pathway) 44Healthy Living Activities & Workshops 47Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) 56Uniquely Ours Patch Programs 72Registration Forms (Individual and Troop/Group) 73Sponsorship Spotlight 77

live it up!

Welcome to Our2nd Century!In 2012, we celebrated the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouting. Now it’s time to begin our 2nd Century!

It’s FUN and EASY to be a Girl Scout! Please take some time to go through this guide. Contained within these pages are amazing ways for girls to get involved, explore their interests and stay active throughout the year as individuals or as part of a troop.

Girl Scout Pathways give girls op-tions for how they want to partici-pate as Girl Scouts. This guide gives all girls a great tool to use to plan their entire year, or go moment-by-moment.

Keep this guide handy throughout the year. When you’re looking for something to help you blaze new trails, perhaps in the areas of STEM or financial literacy, this is the place to start!

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Council Website with Calendar Get up-to-the-minute information and register online for all of these opportunities at girlscoutsgcnwi.org. The site features an online calendar which enables girls, families and troops to search for events and workshops by age level, by date or by subject. Users must create

a login and password the first time they access it. Girls must be registered members of Girl Scouts in order to participate in programs.

Forms and ResourcesMany council forms are available online. To ensure use of the most recent version of each form, download forms as needed and discard previous versions. Most council forms online are PDF (portable document format) files. PDF forms are “read-only” and must be opened with Adobe Acrobat Reader (a free plug-in) and printed.

Download Adobe Acrobat Reader at: adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html. In addition, forms are available in the Girl Scout

Gathering Places located in Chicago, Homewood, Joliet, Lisle, Merrillville and Vernon Hills or through your service team.

Program ResourcesIn addition to the opportunities found in this program guide, Girl Scouts and volunteers have a wealth of resources available

to help them make the most of their Girl Scout experience. For more program ideas, talk with other volunteers, or visit any

Girl Scout Gathering Place or Council Shop or shop online at your own leisure 24 hours a day/7 days a week at shopgirlscouts.org.

What’s New? Stay Connected!Follow us on social media for up-to-the-minute additions and special announcements. Sign up for our biweekly e-Connect newsletter on our council website! Or visit the newest section of our website, “What’s New.”

Website: www.girlscoutsgcnwi.org“What’s New” blog: http://gswhatsnew.wordpress.com/Facebook: www.facebook.com/GirlScoutsGCNWITwitter: www.twitter.com/GirlScoutsGCNWIYouTube: www.youtube.com/girlscoutsgcnwi2010 Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/GSGCNWI

Program Age LevelsProgram descriptions designate Girl Scout grade level. The following abbreviations are used throughout this guide.Age Level: Grade:

Girl Scout Daisy (DA) K – 1 Girl Scout Brownie (BR) 2 – 3

Girl Scout Junior (JR) 4 – 5Girl Scout Cadette (CAD) 6 – 8

Girl Scout Senior (SR) 9 – 10Girl Scout Ambassador (AMB) 11 – 12

gs info to know

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Option 1: Register OnlineWorkshops and events for girls and adults are available at various locations throughout the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana area. To locate specific workshops and events, go to the online registration sys-tem and search by topic, level or award. On-line registration is available for council-wide programs, workshops, trainings and service projects. Pay online using a credit card, debit card or bank account draft.

Visit our online calendar and registration system by going to our home page at girlscoutsgcnwi.org and click-ing on the “Register for Programs” link featured in the page footer.

Option 2: Register by Mail, Fax or In-PersonFill out a Program Registration Form (see forms section on page 73) and drop off, mail or fax it to the attention of our Girl Scout Program Registrar at the Lisle Gathering Place, 2400 Ogden Ave. Suite 400, Lisle, IL 60532-3933. Additional registration forms are available at all Gathering Places or can be downloaded from the council website at www.girlscoutsgcnwi.org. The form may be duplicated as needed.

There is no limit to the number of programs for which you can register. Simply complete a separate registration form for each program. Individual girls or troops of girls are welcome as each program indicates. Payments can be made by check or by Visa, MasterCard, Discover or debit card.

Program registration is live as soon as you receive this guide!

SnacksDue to allergies, outside snacks are not permitted at council programs. No food will be supplied by the council unless specifically stated in the program description.

Deadlines and Min/Max RequirementsOnce registration begins, programs will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration will continue until the program has reached the maximum number allowed or the registration deadline which is two weeks prior to the program date. Programs may be cancelled if the stated minimum is not met. All programs are subject to change or cancellation.

Program FeesAll program fees must be paid in full with the registration. Fees are deposited when the registration is processed. Do not postdate checks. There will be a $25 service charge for checks returned due to insufficient funds.

Fees listed are per girl. Events/workshops listed are generally for girl members only. A limited number of programs are also available for adult participation. Adults must pay when participating as noted.

Unless specified as a family or parent/girl program, use the recommended ratios for the number of adults per girls as listed in the Safe-ty Activity Checkpoints found on our website at www.girlscoutsgcnwi.org.

Normal fee charges help cover supplies and/or facilitator’s fees. Actual costs are offset by council funding such as fall product and Girl Scout Cookie program profit, “Family Partnership” contributions, grants and other funder allocations.

SiblingsSiblings may not attend programs unless they are fully registered Girl Scouts who meet the age level recommendations for the program or if the program is specified as a family event.

AwardsInsignia such as petals and badges, journey awards and keepsakes, patches and charms are not included in the program fees unless indicated. Insignia may be purchased at any Council Shop. Requirements are achieved by the interpretation of the facilitator.

Cancellations and RefundsIf the council cancels an activity or an event for any reason, troops or families will receive a full refund. Council events and activities run rain or shine unless there are safety concerns which prompt the council to issue a cancellation notice. Participants choosing not to attend will not be issued a refund. Refunds will be made as follows:• No refunds issued on pre-purchased tickets.• Refund requests must be made in writing prior to registration deadline.• No refunds will be made for registrants not attending the program.• Girl and adult membership registration is non-refundable.

Girl-Adult RatioAdult volunteers are needed at some programs to maintain the appropriate girl/adult ratio. If space is limited, once the girl/adult ratio has been met, no additional adult registrations will be accepted.

Male VolunteersMen are encouraged and welcome to participate in Girl Scouts as volunteers or event chaperones. Separate accommoda-tions will be made as appropriate in accordance to Safety Activity Checkpoints which specifically prohibits men from sleeping in the same space as girl members. Men may participate in overnights only if separate sleeping quarters and bathrooms are available for their use. For questions on overnight event regulations, call 630-544-5900, or e-mail: programdepartment@girlscoutsgcnwi.org.

how to register

= daisies

Girl Scout Levels

= brownies

= cadettes

= juniors

= seniors

= ambassadors

= volunteers

Age

Lev

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Sign up at:register.girlscoutsgcnwi.org

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fun council events

gs

It’s the Big Bug Ball!Oct. 19, 2012

Join us for the Big Bug Ball in October at the Brookfield Zoo! Enjoy the haunted attractions of Creatures of the Night, including Xtreme Bugs, a spooky ride through the woods on the Haunted Tram, and the Trail of Terror.

Have fun getting lost and found in the Crazed Maze, a 7,000 square-foot corn maze, and witness a ceremonial pumpkin smashing every half hour.

This is a great event for Girl Scouts of all ages and their significant adult male (father, step-father, grandfather, uncle, big brother over age 18). Friends and family members are also welcome. A special private dinner is included. Stay tuned to our website and Facebook page for updates. Program code 36011

RUN !Grant Park, Chicago September 8, 2012

Register today at www.gscookieclassic.org

Help celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Girl Scouts, an organization committedto helping girls achieve gender equity in leadership in just one generation.

Join us if you love to run or walk, if you were a Girl Scout, if you are the parent of a girl, or if you just like Girl Scout Cookies!

ONE morning.ONE race.

Breaking barriers in ONE generation.Together we will set the pace for change.

5K timed race begins at 9 a.m.Celebration activities until 5 p.m.Awards for runners and walkersPopular bands and sing alongs Hands-on activities for the whole familyFood and beverages available all dayRegistration includes FREE inaugural T-shirt

All who cross the finish line receive a box of Girl Scout Cookies!We’re more than cookies. Join us for high adventure, travel, career exploration and more!

Don’t Miss: The Biggest 100th Birthday Party Ever!