It is time to change the 'channel' to Change It Up!'s new, three-part video chat series, The Big Save, which will come to your computer screen LIVE starting on Dec. 11, 2014.

 

Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors can tune into this prime time special for fun interactive tips on how to save pennies. The Big Save series will break down the idea of "saving" money and talk (over the course of 3 episodes) about what, when, and how to save.   

 

In addition to learning about how to bulk up the piggy bank, viewers can win prizes for sharing ways they've made a "Big Save" as they chat live with experts and other Girl Scouts from across our council.

 

Episode 1 will bring in special guest Tricia Heisey-a Junior Achievement volunteer and Financial Literacy Educator at Belco Community Credit Union. Tricia will share kid-friendly tips to help girls become super savers.

 

So grab your Girl Scouts, turn on your computer, and get ready for the Big Save! Click here to register for Episode 1.

 

While you're registering for Episode 1, don't forget to sign up for Episode 2 (broadcasts Jan. 15, 2015) and Episode 3 (broadcasts Feb. 12, 2015)!

When: Big Save Episode 1 on Thursday, December 11

Time: 7 p.m.-8 p.m.

*Where: Online, from your home

Cost: $5 per girl, FREE for adults

Levels: Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors

Registration Deadline for Episode 1: 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 20, 2014 OR until spots are filled.

 

* Girls can watch from any location where a computer with a high-speed internet connection is available. 

 

 

When you Invite-A-Friend to become a Girl Scout volunteer during the month of November you can earn $50 at the Girl Scout's online store! All you have to do is invite them and let us know and all they have to do is sign up!

 

Here's how it works! As a troop leader (01), assistant troop leader(02) or a troop helper (03) you can:

• Speak to your friends about becoming a Girl Scout Volunteer for girls in grades K-5.
• If someone you recommended signs up as a GSHPA volunteer click the following link and fill out this quick survey to notify us that you invited them to be a volunteer. (https://girlscoutsusa.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_1ZEcEqy0H6KIemF&Q_JFE=0)
• Once they have officially started as a GSHPA volunteer, you will receive your GSUSA Online Store gift certificate.

You and your friend will get some amazing rewards*.

 

You will get $50 to use at Girl Scouts' Official Online Store when you successfully recruit a friend to start a new K-5 troop. The newly recruited volunteer will also get a reward! They will get a new Volunteer Resource Pack (a Girl's Guide, a Journey set, a badge pack, a tote, and pins) to kick off the fun!  

 

Reach out to excellent role models in your community- church 

members, school volunteers, family, and friends-and tell them about the HUGE impact they could have on girls in the community. 

 

As you speak to your friends, feel free to show them where they can find our volunteer application and background check form on our website at www.gshpa.org.

 

Have a question? Contact Suzanne Moore at smoore@gshpa.org or call 1.800.692.7816.

 

*GSUSA and GSHPA are partnering in the Volunteer Invite-a-Friend promotion. GSUSA is supporting our efforts by underwriting the costs of this program.

Digital Cookie

 

Parents and Girl Scouts can get excited about a game-changing new Girl Scout Cookie Program tool, Digital Cookie, which will allow Girl Scouts for the first time in the history of Girl Scout Cookies to sell their cookies online beginning on Dec. 24, 2015. Digital Cookie is a fun, safe and easy way for Girl Scouts to reach friends and family across the country and avoid snowy house-to-house sales.

 

With Digital Cookie, Girl Scouts will:

• Elevate their business skills by learning 21st century marketing techniques
• Track online orders
• Personalize their very own website with cool features like photos, videos, and emails*

Customers will be able to:

• Order cookies online
• Pay for their order with a credit card
• Have cookies shipped directly to their home or donated to a charity**
• Still visit Girl Scout Cookie Booths in their communities to satisfy any immediate cookie cravings.

Parents and volunteers will receive an email at the end of November with a link that Girl Scouts can use to register for Digital Cookie Order Card and then customize their very own Girl Scout Cookie Website.

 

*Digital Cookie Age and Usage

Girl Scouts 12 and under will work with their parents on a joint account once they read and take the Internet Safety Pledge.

 

Girl Scouts 13+ can create their own Girl Scout Cookie website under their parent's account. Once a Girl Scout makes her Digital Cookie site her parents will receive a notification to review and approve it.

 

**Customers are responsible for shipping fees. 

IMPORTANT NOTE-MUST READ! 

We are so excited the Girl Scout Cookie Program is about to take a big step into the 21st century with Digital Cookie, but please do not share this news with the media. GSUSA is working with all councils to announce this news with the media on December 1. Until then Digital Cookie news is under an embargo. 

 

15 GSHPA Delegates joined nearly 6,000 other Girl Scouts from around the world from Oct. 16-19 at the 53rd National Girl Scout Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah to invigorate the Girl Scout movement. 

 

The GSHPA Delegates, comprised of girls, volunteers, board members and staff, heard from inspiring speakers, voted on proposals from the National Council Assembly, recommitted itself to the outdoor experience and delved into hands-on sessions and workshops.

 

This year's convention theme, Discover, Connect and Take Action: Girls Change the World, couldn't be more fitting as our Girl Delegates discussed key issues affecting their communities.

 

Laura Steele, Senior Girl Scout from Troop 10490 in Newport (Perry County) attended the convention for the first time and loved meeting with other Girl Scouts. "It was amazing to see how many girls from across the country are involved. I am from a little town and when you go to the convention and see thousands of girls there you think 'Wow!'"

 

All delegates were inspired to go out live the Girl Scout mission and make the world a better place. "Going to the convention made me realize that all the girls have an idea of what they want to do to make the world a better place. We are going to make a difference in huge way'" said Aislinn Galvin Ambassador Girl Scout from Troop 30135 in Albrightsville (Carbon County).

 

We to see all the impact that our Girl Scouts will make this year. Thank you for making it all possible! 

 

 

Whether it is for a Journey, an award, or just for fun, community service projects are packed with skill building experiences as Girl Scouts Discover, Connect and Take Action to make their worlds a better place.

 

Let's break it down with a real-girl example from Troop 11027 from Middletown/Hummelstown with their Bronze Award Distracted Drivers*.

 

Discover:Troop 11027 brainstormed and brought different issues to the table to discuss what their Bronze Award project should be about. They researched different topics, both online and in their community, and voted to finalize their distracted driving awareness campaign.

 

Connect:Troop 11027 went out into the community to create a team to help further develop and carry out their project. The Girl Scouts connected with Lower Dauphin High School's principal, Safety Officer Spencer, and conducted surveys with high school students to determine the ways and frequencies of distracted driving.

 

Take Action: The Girl Scouts then put their project into action by making awareness posters that hung in the school halls informing students about distracted driving and how to stop it. Safety Officer Spencer made a presentation to the Girl Scout troop on ways to avoid distracted driving.

 

"From start to finish the troop learned how to work together as a team, talk freely and openly to community members, and reach out to the community," said their troop leader Shelia Vandernick. As the Girl Scouts worked their way through Discover, Connect, Take Action they also gained valuable leadership skills that makes our Girl Scouts change-makers in their communities.

 

Don't forget to share! With the holidays quickly approaching we know your troops are already working on different community service projects. Tell us your community service project plans by emailing  communications@gshpa.org.

 

*This is just one example out of thousands of how our Girl Scouts are making a difference. If you and your troop are interested in learning more about our Bronze, Silver and Gold Award visit: http://www.gshpa.org/girls/awardsrecognitions.html

  

Troop Leaders and Assistant Troop Leaders can tune into our latest volunteer enrichment webinar all about Troop Travel and they can do it without leaving the comfort of their couch.

 

We are offering two different days to get insider tips for planning an exciting troop trip and also learn valuable procedures and policies. Both offerings begin at 7 p.m. and they are FREE. 

 

When: Wednesday, Nov. 12

Registration deadline: Registration Closes at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014 or until spots are filled

Click here to register.

 

When: Thursday, Nov. 20

Registration deadline: Registration Closes at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014 or until spots are filled

Click here to register.

 

Troop Travel not on your calendar? Click here to check out the upcoming webinar topics like community service, traditions and more!  

 

Girl Scouts* are heading to Montana for a week of big adventures July 25-31, 2015! A select group of Cadettes, Seniors & Ambassadors (Grades 6-12) will expand their horizons with exciting adventures like horse rides, cowboy cookouts, white water rafting, fly fishing, hiking in Yellowstone National Park and more!

 

July seems far away, but it is never too early to start planning. This all-inclusive trip costs $1,550 (including airfare). Look for more information and registration to open on January 10, 2015 at www.gshpa.org. Questions email camp@gshpa.org.

 

*This is a girl-only trip.