When: 4/17, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Cost: $7 per girl. Includes participation patch
This is a DROP-OFF event.
The flyer has more info and the required release form
Thursday, March 22, 2012
April Vacation Gymnastics Event - 4/17
When: 4/17, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Cost: $7 per girl. Includes participation patch
This is a DROP-OFF event.
The flyer has more info and the required release form
Leader Meeting Minutes - 3/20/12
Attendees: Service Unit (SU) Coordinator: Amy Kelly [73897, 71901], SU Secretary: Debbie Nearing [73891], SU Treasurer: Julia Slavin [71872], SU Recording Secretary: Alycia McGoldrick [73904], Little School Coordinator Barbara Gravel [71876], SU Cookie Coordinator: Kerstin March [71898], SU Registrar Anne Valade, Batch Coordinator [Janice Sarno [85121], Sue Kirby [73899], Brenda Wilde [65374], Christine MacInnis [71900], Cindy Russell [73917], Karen McCullough [71905], Janice Gulbicki [71905], Barbara Duff [71902], Kristin Lamont [85193, 71880], Ruth Kennedy [73899], Sue Asselin [GSEM Council]
Items requiring attention are marked in red
ASAP!! Items requiring IMMEDIATE attention are preceded by "ASAP!" and marked in red
Intro/Announcements
Meeting was called to order at 7:45 pm
Council Updates
New and updated program information can be found at http://www.girlscoutseasternmass.org/
including updated information on the 100th Anniversary Camporee.
S.E.T. in the City Event for HS girls (Science, Engineering, and Technology) on 4/28. This event takes place in Boston, includes breakfast, lunch, bus transportation to the different activities...all for just $10. Check the flyer for more info.
All Together Celebration/Workshop on 4/28 from 10-5 at UMASS Boston. Luncheon, Keynote Speaker Mel Robbins, Workshops, Vendors, and a free Duck Tour pass - all for just $55. Check the flyer for more info.
100th Anniversary Camporee, 6/1-3 (for 4th grade and up). Deadline for registration is 4/1. Sign up now with just 1 person to hold the spot and add the rest of your group later.
Sunday from 12-4 is a festival open to families. Cost is $10 is you went to the camporee, $12 if you pre-register, and $15 if you are a walk-in.
If your troop is planning on going to the Camporee (and there appeared to be at least 5 troops going), send Amy Kelly an email - she wants to know.
If you are not certified for encampment, GSEM will pair you with a troop that is. Don't let the lack of time for squeezing in the training keep you from this event!
Check out April vacation camps on www.girlscoutseasternmass.org
More trainings (especially encampment) are being offered. Check www.girlscoutseasternmass.org for up to date offerings.
Note on encampment training: If you are lodge certified and attend an overnight with a troop that is Tent Certified AND YOU PARTICIPATE IN THE CAMPFIRE, you can be grandfathered into Tent Certification!
Town Update
The Promise Circle made the front page of the North Reading Transcript! Over 100 girls and leaders attended this event! A big thank you to the Girl Council for organizing this!
Last meeting we talked about providing a 100th Anniversary patch to every registered Girl Scout. Unfortunately, due to the cost and the low attendance at events, this isn't going to happen.
Elder Services is asking that when we use the room on the 2nd floor of the 3rd Meeting House that we try to keep the noise level down. Apparently, they have had some days when the scampering of little feet overhead has been very distracting.
We are still looking for Outstanding Volunteer/Parent/Leader nominations. Please encourage leaders, co-leaders, parents, etc...to let us know if there are folk that are making a difference and going above and beyond for the girls. We want them to be thanked! These recognitions will be awarded at Fly Up. Send Amy Kelly an email.
S.H.A.R.E. kicks off on 4/1. This year, the Girl Council is planning a Share Her Artistic Renderings Exhibit. Girls will be asked to create "art" - to display at the event. The art can be anything: painting, drawing, sculpture, baking, sewing, jewelry, photography, etc...
The exhibit will be held at the High School with each troop having a space to display their art. There is likely to be a bake sale as well. Girls will be asked to bring items for the bake sale.
Admission to the exhibit will be the S.H.A.R.E. envelope. The event will be in mid to late May and a full flyer will be available at the April Leader's Meeting.
[S.H.A.R.E. is an annual Girl Scout fundraiser to offset the expenses of the various programs that GSEM runs for the girls. Annually, GSEM spends $290/girl to maintain camps, develop and run programs, develop and run trainings, etc... and looks to the families of scouts to help support their efforts. The $12 registration fee goes completely to GSUSA, none of it to GSEM.
Girl Council - is a group of 6th grade and up Scouts who are looking for more involvement. Anne Valade meets with them and they work on putting together events and give ideas to the Service Team. Girl Council is working on the following:
- Art Exhibit for S.H.A.R.E.
- A Fancy Nancy event for Daisies - May or early June, right after school
- Activities for Younger Girl Encampment - they will be attending to help
- Daisy Fly Up - date will be posted as soon as possible
Cookie Info
Cookies are done for the year - but if you need any last minute boxes, Janice Sarno has some left!
Recognitions should arrive in late April.
Town-wide, we sold more boxes than last year (overall GSEM saw an increase in sales).
The top selling girl in North Reading sold 541 boxes!
Past Events
Birthday Party Karaoke event - there were low numbers, but the girls really seemed to have fun.
Mother/Daughter Daisy Tea on Girl Scout Sunday was also nice. The feedback is that the Juliette Low impersonator was a little long-winded for the Daisy age group. FYI - the Juliette Low impersonator was funded by a grant from the Cultural Council. We can use them for next year's World Thinking Day drummers?
Let Julia Slavin know if you need more Girl Scout Sunday patches.
We will continue to collect food donations for the Food Pantry throughout the month of March. You can drop off at the Food Pantry or with Julia Slavin.
Future Events
There is a History of Scouting Exhibit in the Children's Room of the library. Contact the library and try to combine this with a tour of the library for a really fun and informative outing!
Daisy/Brownie Fairy House Event will be on 4/1, 1:30-3:30 p.m. at Camp Maude Eaton. Cost will be $5. The flyer has the details.
ASAP! Deadline for registration is 3/23!
LaserQuest Event for 4th grade and up will be on 4/18, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Laser Quest in Danvers. The cost is $15/girl. Each girl will get to play (2) 20 minute games. There is a limit of 60 girls and it is first come, first served for sign ups.
Note: We are opening this event up to friends and family.
See flyer for more info.
Gymnastics for K-3rd will be on 4/17, 1:30-3:30 p.m. The cost is $7/girl. See flyer for more details and the required release form.
Younger Girl Encampment for K-5th, 4/28-29 at Camp Cedar Hill. Deadline for registration extended to 4.1
The activities will cover the basics of Girl Scout Camping: games, songs, campfires, S.W.A.P.S.
There will be a meeting for the Leaders that will be attending Encampment - look for the email.
If you are not trained and can't get the training in time, we can pair you with a troop that IS trained so that you don't have to miss this!
Memorial Day Parade - ~ 1 mile slow walk along the parade route. Troops generally make and carry a banner that represents the troop for this. The banner gets re-used for Fly-up and can be used for the troop's lifetime.
Registration Update
Our trusty Registrar is stepping down at the end of this year.
Our Little School Coordinator is stepping down at the end of this year.
Anne does plan to hold a Daisy Registration event this spring to help get a head start on the fall and potential leaders!
Looking for volunteers who will step in to these positions. The main focus is placing girls into troops and/or forming new troops each fall. Most of the registration process has gone paperless and doesn't require involvement by the Registrar.
Hot Topic of the Evening: Where are all the girls?
We just aren't getting the numbers this year at the events...why?
We are thinking about blasting flyers to all parents and leaders for which an event would be relevant. Do we have too many emails? Do people read their emails? We will need updated email addresses from leaders for their parents.
Sue from Council said that the research shows that people don't read their emails - but they do read their text messages.
We used to do paper flyers at the Leaders Meetings - but our attendance at the Leaders Meetings is down too!
LEADERS: Event info should be passed on to the girls and the parents even if you can't attend. One of your parents might step up to take the girls. It could be a Mother/Daughter event (like the tea was). The Service Team is getting feedback from parents that they were never told about events! Please pass information along!!
Note: Flyers should state whether the event is a drop-off event or not...
Next Leaders Meeting is 4/11, 7:30 p.m., Town Hall Room 10
Items requiring attention are marked in red
ASAP!! Items requiring IMMEDIATE attention are preceded by "ASAP!" and marked in red
Intro/Announcements
Meeting was called to order at 7:45 pm
Council Updates
New and updated program information can be found at http://www.girlscoutseasternmass.org/
including updated information on the 100th Anniversary Camporee.
S.E.T. in the City Event for HS girls (Science, Engineering, and Technology) on 4/28. This event takes place in Boston, includes breakfast, lunch, bus transportation to the different activities...all for just $10. Check the flyer for more info.
All Together Celebration/Workshop on 4/28 from 10-5 at UMASS Boston. Luncheon, Keynote Speaker Mel Robbins, Workshops, Vendors, and a free Duck Tour pass - all for just $55. Check the flyer for more info.
100th Anniversary Camporee, 6/1-3 (for 4th grade and up). Deadline for registration is 4/1. Sign up now with just 1 person to hold the spot and add the rest of your group later.
Sunday from 12-4 is a festival open to families. Cost is $10 is you went to the camporee, $12 if you pre-register, and $15 if you are a walk-in.
If your troop is planning on going to the Camporee (and there appeared to be at least 5 troops going), send Amy Kelly an email - she wants to know.
If you are not certified for encampment, GSEM will pair you with a troop that is. Don't let the lack of time for squeezing in the training keep you from this event!
Check out April vacation camps on www.girlscoutseasternmass.org
More trainings (especially encampment) are being offered. Check www.girlscoutseasternmass.org for up to date offerings.
Note on encampment training: If you are lodge certified and attend an overnight with a troop that is Tent Certified AND YOU PARTICIPATE IN THE CAMPFIRE, you can be grandfathered into Tent Certification!
Town Update
The Promise Circle made the front page of the North Reading Transcript! Over 100 girls and leaders attended this event! A big thank you to the Girl Council for organizing this!
Last meeting we talked about providing a 100th Anniversary patch to every registered Girl Scout. Unfortunately, due to the cost and the low attendance at events, this isn't going to happen.
Elder Services is asking that when we use the room on the 2nd floor of the 3rd Meeting House that we try to keep the noise level down. Apparently, they have had some days when the scampering of little feet overhead has been very distracting.
We are still looking for Outstanding Volunteer/Parent/Leader nominations. Please encourage leaders, co-leaders, parents, etc...to let us know if there are folk that are making a difference and going above and beyond for the girls. We want them to be thanked! These recognitions will be awarded at Fly Up. Send Amy Kelly an email.
S.H.A.R.E. kicks off on 4/1. This year, the Girl Council is planning a Share Her Artistic Renderings Exhibit. Girls will be asked to create "art" - to display at the event. The art can be anything: painting, drawing, sculpture, baking, sewing, jewelry, photography, etc...
The exhibit will be held at the High School with each troop having a space to display their art. There is likely to be a bake sale as well. Girls will be asked to bring items for the bake sale.
Admission to the exhibit will be the S.H.A.R.E. envelope. The event will be in mid to late May and a full flyer will be available at the April Leader's Meeting.
[S.H.A.R.E. is an annual Girl Scout fundraiser to offset the expenses of the various programs that GSEM runs for the girls. Annually, GSEM spends $290/girl to maintain camps, develop and run programs, develop and run trainings, etc... and looks to the families of scouts to help support their efforts. The $12 registration fee goes completely to GSUSA, none of it to GSEM.
Girl Council - is a group of 6th grade and up Scouts who are looking for more involvement. Anne Valade meets with them and they work on putting together events and give ideas to the Service Team. Girl Council is working on the following:
- Art Exhibit for S.H.A.R.E.
- A Fancy Nancy event for Daisies - May or early June, right after school
- Activities for Younger Girl Encampment - they will be attending to help
- Daisy Fly Up - date will be posted as soon as possible
Cookie Info
Cookies are done for the year - but if you need any last minute boxes, Janice Sarno has some left!
Recognitions should arrive in late April.
Town-wide, we sold more boxes than last year (overall GSEM saw an increase in sales).
The top selling girl in North Reading sold 541 boxes!
Past Events
Birthday Party Karaoke event - there were low numbers, but the girls really seemed to have fun.
Mother/Daughter Daisy Tea on Girl Scout Sunday was also nice. The feedback is that the Juliette Low impersonator was a little long-winded for the Daisy age group. FYI - the Juliette Low impersonator was funded by a grant from the Cultural Council. We can use them for next year's World Thinking Day drummers?
Let Julia Slavin know if you need more Girl Scout Sunday patches.
We will continue to collect food donations for the Food Pantry throughout the month of March. You can drop off at the Food Pantry or with Julia Slavin.
Future Events
There is a History of Scouting Exhibit in the Children's Room of the library. Contact the library and try to combine this with a tour of the library for a really fun and informative outing!
Daisy/Brownie Fairy House Event will be on 4/1, 1:30-3:30 p.m. at Camp Maude Eaton. Cost will be $5. The flyer has the details.
ASAP! Deadline for registration is 3/23!
LaserQuest Event for 4th grade and up will be on 4/18, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Laser Quest in Danvers. The cost is $15/girl. Each girl will get to play (2) 20 minute games. There is a limit of 60 girls and it is first come, first served for sign ups.
Note: We are opening this event up to friends and family.
See flyer for more info.
Gymnastics for K-3rd will be on 4/17, 1:30-3:30 p.m. The cost is $7/girl. See flyer for more details and the required release form.
Younger Girl Encampment for K-5th, 4/28-29 at Camp Cedar Hill. Deadline for registration extended to 4.1
The activities will cover the basics of Girl Scout Camping: games, songs, campfires, S.W.A.P.S.
There will be a meeting for the Leaders that will be attending Encampment - look for the email.
If you are not trained and can't get the training in time, we can pair you with a troop that IS trained so that you don't have to miss this!
Memorial Day Parade - ~ 1 mile slow walk along the parade route. Troops generally make and carry a banner that represents the troop for this. The banner gets re-used for Fly-up and can be used for the troop's lifetime.
Registration Update
Our trusty Registrar is stepping down at the end of this year.
Our Little School Coordinator is stepping down at the end of this year.
Anne does plan to hold a Daisy Registration event this spring to help get a head start on the fall and potential leaders!
Looking for volunteers who will step in to these positions. The main focus is placing girls into troops and/or forming new troops each fall. Most of the registration process has gone paperless and doesn't require involvement by the Registrar.
Hot Topic of the Evening: Where are all the girls?
We just aren't getting the numbers this year at the events...why?
We are thinking about blasting flyers to all parents and leaders for which an event would be relevant. Do we have too many emails? Do people read their emails? We will need updated email addresses from leaders for their parents.
Sue from Council said that the research shows that people don't read their emails - but they do read their text messages.
We used to do paper flyers at the Leaders Meetings - but our attendance at the Leaders Meetings is down too!
LEADERS: Event info should be passed on to the girls and the parents even if you can't attend. One of your parents might step up to take the girls. It could be a Mother/Daughter event (like the tea was). The Service Team is getting feedback from parents that they were never told about events! Please pass information along!!
Note: Flyers should state whether the event is a drop-off event or not...
Next Leaders Meeting is 4/11, 7:30 p.m., Town Hall Room 10
Monday, March 19, 2012
GS Promise Circle
Thanks to all who joined us in celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Girl Scouting on Monday the 12th! There were lots of girls and former scouts to make it an event to remember.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Arbor Day Event at IRP - 4/27
Where: meet at IRP gazebo
When: April 27th, 6 pm
Each participating girl will receive an Arbor Day patch from the Garden Club.
Please RSVP to Ruth Kennedy so she'll know how many patches to purchase and so she can distribute the poems in advance. RSVP at: ruthekennedy@gmail.com
Hope to see you there!
Monday, March 12, 2012
Younger Girl Encampment 4/28-29!
The Spring Younger Girl Encampment is finally here! Join us for a weekend of fun, friendship, and enjoying the great outdoors.When: Saturday April 28th, 10 a.m to Sunday April 29th, 11 a.m.
Forms and payment are due by March 20th!! Don't delay!
Daisies can join the fun for Saturday, Brownies and Juniors can stay overnight.
Cost is $6 for Saturday only or $15 for overnight, per girl.
The flyer is here
Sunday, March 11, 2012
New Library Exhibit on the History of Scouting! (no longer available)
- This exhibit has been replaced. Thanks to all who visited and learned about the History of Scouting!
Come check out Troop 71876's History of Scouting display at the Flint Memorial Library!On Tuesday, the display will be up in the Children's room on the 4th floor, in the back where the bulletin board is... We don't yet know how long it will be up - but we're hoping for a good, long stretch.
Bring the whole family - there are coloring pages and word searches to add to the fun!
Thanks to Troop 71876 for all their hard work!
Saturday, March 10, 2012
North Reading Promise Circle - Pass the word!
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Fairy House Event for Daisies and Brownies - 4/1/12
When: April 1st, 1:30-3:30 pm
Where: Camp Maude Eaton
Cost: $5 per girl
Registrations are due by March 13th
For more information, check the flyer
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Have great ideas? Share them!
Send an email to the Service Team and we'll get it up onto the blog so that all can benefit. We can even scan it for you!
Leader Meeting Minutes - 2/15/12
Attendees: Service Unit (SU) Coordinator: Amy Kelly [73897, 71901], SU Secretary: Debbie Nearing [73891], SU Treasurer: Julia Slavin [71872], SU Recording Secretary: Alycia McGoldrick [73904], Little School Coordinator Barbara Gravel [71876], SU Cookie Coordinator: Kerstin March [71898], Amanda Heffernan [71888], Cindy Russell [73917], Janice Gulbicki [71905], Karen McCullough [71905], Susan West [73950], Karen Mericantante [85335], Kristin Lamont [85193, 71880], Ruth Kennedy [73899], Dawn Gonthier [71890], Kristin Puliafico
Items requiring attention are marked in red
ASAP!! Items requiring IMMEDIATE attention are preceded by "ASAP!" and marked in red
Intro/Announcements
Meeting was called to order at 7:37 pm
Council Updates
New and updated program information can be found at http://www.girlscoutseasternmass.org/
including updated information on the 100th Anniversary Camperee.
As we receive information about other towns' offerings, we will pass them along (via the blog and Monday Leader email) if we feel it is relevant.
Council wanted us to know what a great job we are doing. Their feedback to us is that North Reading has the highest % of possible girls registered in the area (341 girls). We currently have the most Cadettes we've ever had, and over 150 Daisies and Brownies! We doubled our Fall Product Sales and doubled participation. We had a terrific last spring with S.H.A.R.E. Whatever we are doing right, we should keep it up!
100th Anniversary Camporee
If you know that you are going, at least register 1 girl by 3/1...that saves you a spot. If your troop is planning on going, send Amy Kelly an email - she wants to know. If you know that you can't come on Friday, send an email to the email address on the info sheet and ask to be a Saturday arrival. They're planning on a big opening ceremony on Saturday morning, but they'll allow you to come on Saturday. On Sunday, they're extending the day to include a midway in the afternoon (for an extra fee) - there will even be hot air balloon rides (for an extra fee).
April Vacation Camps are open for K-8th grade scouts. They are fun day camps if a scout needs something to do that week.
Summer camp sign-ups have started. The local options are Camp Rice Moody in Reading (good for younger girls), and Camp Maude Eaton in Andover (good for older girls).
Council is looking for Volunteer Recognition Nominations. Please encourage leaders, co-leaders, parents, etc...to let us know if there are volunteers that are making a difference and going above and beyond for the girls. We want them to be thanked!
More trainings (especially encampment) are being offered. Check www.girlscoutseasternmass.org for up to date offerings.
Sundown Singalong at Camp Maude Eaton - 4/18 for all ages. Looks like a new offering that could introduce the girls to the traditional songs.
Town Update
There are still open slots on the Meals on Wheels sign ups. Check the blog!
There is a Younger Girl Encampment Committee meeting after this meeting. It was suggested that the Committee look into getting the Low Ropes Course for the girls.
Fly up this year is going to be HUGE (there are 57 Daisies and ~100 Brownies!).
We have decided to split Fly Up this year and do a Daisy Fly Up (Girl Council has volunteered to run it). Date TBD.
Older Girl Fly Up is tentatively 6/20 (note, if there are no snow days school will be out)
Girl Council - this is a group of 6th grade and up Scouts who are looking for more involvement. Anne Valade meets with them and they work on putting together events and give ideas to the Service Team. Girl Council is working on the following:
- Town Wide Promise Circle on 3/12...they're trying to organize a location for all Scouts past and present
- Designing a 100 year banner for the parade
- A Fancy Nancy event for Daisies
- Art Exhibit for S.H.A.R.E. - Scouts will create art for display, the ticket to view the event will be the S.H.A.R.E. envelope
- Activities for Younger Girl Encampment
Mary Lasdin has offered to run a 1st Aid/CPR training class if there are enough interested leaders. Contact Mary Lasdin for more info at lasdin@comcast.net.
Cookie Info
Cookie Delivery is complete - though it was not without its problems.
A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HELPED OUT!
Cookie orders can continue to be taken - check with Kerstin if you need cookies as she is dealing with distributing the Round Up cookies. If she can't get you the cookies, the orders will be fulfilled through the Cookie Cupboard.
As an FYI - according to the GSEM website, over 75% of the price of a box of cookies goes to Girl Scouts...meaning that the bakers earn less than $1 per box.
Data entry is due by and cookie money must be available for debit by 3/9.
The Cookie Cupboard will stay open through 3/9.
After 3/9, the Cookie Selldown begins. For the Cookie Selldown, you can buy the cookies at $2.50 per box, but you must still sell them for $4 per box. This gives your troop $1.50 profit per box, but this does not add to the girls' recognitions.
Any questions - contact Kerstin March march.family@verizon.net .
Past Events
Meet and Slide Snowtubing at Amesbury Sports Park. Only one troop went - but they did have fun! The snow was REALLY fast and so they were only able to go down in singles (not allowed to make chains). We can try again next year to generate more interest...
Future Events
Friends and Family Ice Skating will be at Burbank Arena on 2/22 (Feb vacation week) from 12:30-2:30 pm. Cost is $5 per person (Scouts get a patch) and $3 for rentals. There is a limited supply of rentals. See flyer for more information.
We will take sign-ups at the door.
Don't forget to bring a Food Pantry item or two!
Pat's Peak Scout Ski Deal - March 3rd and 4th are Scout Weekend for Friends and Family. $38 for 3-10pm lift ticket, rentals, and 5-10pm tubing. See flyer for more details.
Please keep in mind that equipment rental will be first come, first served - so try to arrive early so that you don't end up without equipment!
Note - there isn't a lot of interest for this out of the Girl Scouts...
100th Birthday Karaoke Party for all levels will be held on March 10th at the M.S. Cafetorium from 6:30-8:30.
See flyer for more details.
The deadline for singing signups is March 1st (so that they can make sure to have the right music).
Don't forget to bring a Food Pantry item or two!
NRGS is looking into providing a 100th Anniversary patch to each girl in town. More info will be provided at the next meeting.
Mother Daughter Daisy Tea will be on March 11th- We will be bringing in the Juliette Lowe actress for this event. Cost will be $5/couple. Daisy troops will be coordinating the snacks.
Girl Scout Sunday is 3/11
See flyer for more details.
Food Pantry items will also be collected that day at St Teresa's.
There will also be a "Mass of Thanksgiving" at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross on March 18th. See flyer for more details.
March is Girl Scout Food Pantry Month -
Drop off of collected items will be on March 18th at the Town Hall gym from 11-1. Tours will also be available for troops that want them.
There are flyers available:
I promised a Girl Scout
I'll come back later - Coloring flyer
I'm picking up now
The Food Pantry has made improvements, including the addition of refrigeration.
Become a friend of the Food Pantry on Facebook if you want to help and they'll post when they have critical need of items.
Daisy/Brownie Fairy House Event will be on 4/1, 1:30-3:30 p.m. at Camp Maude Eaton. Cost will be $5. Flyer will be posted on the blog and sent out in the Monday mail when available. Sign ups will be collected at the March Leader's meeting.
Laser Quest Event for 4th grade and up will be on 4/19, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. as Laser Quest in Danvers. The cost is $15/girl. Each girl will get to play (2) 20 minute games. There is a limit of 60 girls and it is first come, first served for sign ups. Sign ups will be collected at the March Leader's meeting.
Note: if we get the 60 girls, it will only be North Reading Girl Scouts playing. If we don't get the 60, we will open it up to friends and family.
See flyer for more info.
Gymnastics for K-3rd will be on 4/17. Flyer and more info is forthcoming. Look for it on the blog and in the Monday email update.
Other ideas for the (mostly older) girls:
Elite Freestyle in Reading (781-942-9898, across from Home Goods) has offered, free of charge, to teach a karate class. This includes a short discussion of self defense. It was noted pretty much every karate place will do something like this in order to get kids to try a class.
Lowell Textile Mills offers programs at a cost of ~$16 per girl. Older girls would get an opportunity to do t-shirt printing and learn about silkscreening.
From an email:
"Sew Glam involves learning the tricks behind today’s hottest fashion trend known as self-made glamour.
For this Interest Project learn sewing and embellishing techniques to unleash your creativity as you transform fabric and clothes into custom designed outfits, accessories and bedroom decor. Some supplies you would have to bring would be a pair of jeans to embellish, clothing to remake for the Learn and Do (1or2) you choose and decide which Share activity (1,2,3). You can use the GSEM website to read the aforementioned requirements. We supply the rest of the materials and instruction to complete the activity. The cost is $12 per girl, 3 1/2 hours long.
For the screen printing class, the troop will decide what design they want to use and create this design on a screen, as the screen design is drying, they will learn about ancient and colonial printing techniques. They will then screen print on a T-shirt, tour the museum and identify the evolution of printing. All supplies are included in this program, cost is 1$16 per girl, 3 1/2 hours long."
For more information about their offerings, contact Kathleen Hirbour at khirbour@athm.org.
There is a book of "Interest Projects for girls 11-17" that has more info on the steps mentioned above.
Cinnamon Rainbows, up in Hampton Beach, offers 2 hour surf camps for girls at $35/girl. Check out www.cinnamonrainbows.com
Whitewater rafting out in Charlemont is usually offered through council but can also be arranged through Crabapple Whitewater www.crabapplewhitewater.com ($55/girl) or Zoar Outdoor www.zoaroutdoor.com ($57 and up/girl).
There was a Girl 2 Girl conference at Simmons College in January - one of troops went and it was a great experience. This is open to girls in the 6th grade and up. Look for it next year on the GSEM website under Programs.
Another troop took advantage of the Scuba Diving program offered by council and loved it. It is offered at the Beverly YMCA at a cost of $42/girl. Check out GSEM's website and search Programs for "scuba".
Hot Topic of the Evening: Last month we discussed Troop Finances. Amy reported that she approached her parents about the 1/3 paid by parents, 1/3 paid by the girl, 1/3 paid by the troop - and it was enthusiastically received!
Meeting concluded at 8:50 - and an Encampment Committee meeting followed.
Items requiring attention are marked in red
ASAP!! Items requiring IMMEDIATE attention are preceded by "ASAP!" and marked in red
Intro/Announcements
Meeting was called to order at 7:37 pm
Council Updates
New and updated program information can be found at http://www.girlscoutseasternmass.org/
including updated information on the 100th Anniversary Camperee.
As we receive information about other towns' offerings, we will pass them along (via the blog and Monday Leader email) if we feel it is relevant.
Council wanted us to know what a great job we are doing. Their feedback to us is that North Reading has the highest % of possible girls registered in the area (341 girls). We currently have the most Cadettes we've ever had, and over 150 Daisies and Brownies! We doubled our Fall Product Sales and doubled participation. We had a terrific last spring with S.H.A.R.E. Whatever we are doing right, we should keep it up!
100th Anniversary Camporee
If you know that you are going, at least register 1 girl by 3/1...that saves you a spot. If your troop is planning on going, send Amy Kelly an email - she wants to know. If you know that you can't come on Friday, send an email to the email address on the info sheet and ask to be a Saturday arrival. They're planning on a big opening ceremony on Saturday morning, but they'll allow you to come on Saturday. On Sunday, they're extending the day to include a midway in the afternoon (for an extra fee) - there will even be hot air balloon rides (for an extra fee).
April Vacation Camps are open for K-8th grade scouts. They are fun day camps if a scout needs something to do that week.
Summer camp sign-ups have started. The local options are Camp Rice Moody in Reading (good for younger girls), and Camp Maude Eaton in Andover (good for older girls).
Council is looking for Volunteer Recognition Nominations. Please encourage leaders, co-leaders, parents, etc...to let us know if there are volunteers that are making a difference and going above and beyond for the girls. We want them to be thanked!
More trainings (especially encampment) are being offered. Check www.girlscoutseasternmass.org for up to date offerings.
Sundown Singalong at Camp Maude Eaton - 4/18 for all ages. Looks like a new offering that could introduce the girls to the traditional songs.
Town Update
There are still open slots on the Meals on Wheels sign ups. Check the blog!
There is a Younger Girl Encampment Committee meeting after this meeting. It was suggested that the Committee look into getting the Low Ropes Course for the girls.
Fly up this year is going to be HUGE (there are 57 Daisies and ~100 Brownies!).
We have decided to split Fly Up this year and do a Daisy Fly Up (Girl Council has volunteered to run it). Date TBD.
Older Girl Fly Up is tentatively 6/20 (note, if there are no snow days school will be out)
Girl Council - this is a group of 6th grade and up Scouts who are looking for more involvement. Anne Valade meets with them and they work on putting together events and give ideas to the Service Team. Girl Council is working on the following:
- Town Wide Promise Circle on 3/12...they're trying to organize a location for all Scouts past and present
- Designing a 100 year banner for the parade
- A Fancy Nancy event for Daisies
- Art Exhibit for S.H.A.R.E. - Scouts will create art for display, the ticket to view the event will be the S.H.A.R.E. envelope
- Activities for Younger Girl Encampment
Mary Lasdin has offered to run a 1st Aid/CPR training class if there are enough interested leaders. Contact Mary Lasdin for more info at lasdin@comcast.net.
Cookie Info
Cookie Delivery is complete - though it was not without its problems.
A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HELPED OUT!
Cookie orders can continue to be taken - check with Kerstin if you need cookies as she is dealing with distributing the Round Up cookies. If she can't get you the cookies, the orders will be fulfilled through the Cookie Cupboard.
As an FYI - according to the GSEM website, over 75% of the price of a box of cookies goes to Girl Scouts...meaning that the bakers earn less than $1 per box.
Data entry is due by and cookie money must be available for debit by 3/9.
The Cookie Cupboard will stay open through 3/9.
After 3/9, the Cookie Selldown begins. For the Cookie Selldown, you can buy the cookies at $2.50 per box, but you must still sell them for $4 per box. This gives your troop $1.50 profit per box, but this does not add to the girls' recognitions.
Any questions - contact Kerstin March march.family@verizon.net .
Past Events
Meet and Slide Snowtubing at Amesbury Sports Park. Only one troop went - but they did have fun! The snow was REALLY fast and so they were only able to go down in singles (not allowed to make chains). We can try again next year to generate more interest...
Future Events
Friends and Family Ice Skating will be at Burbank Arena on 2/22 (Feb vacation week) from 12:30-2:30 pm. Cost is $5 per person (Scouts get a patch) and $3 for rentals. There is a limited supply of rentals. See flyer for more information.
We will take sign-ups at the door.
Don't forget to bring a Food Pantry item or two!
Pat's Peak Scout Ski Deal - March 3rd and 4th are Scout Weekend for Friends and Family. $38 for 3-10pm lift ticket, rentals, and 5-10pm tubing. See flyer for more details.
Please keep in mind that equipment rental will be first come, first served - so try to arrive early so that you don't end up without equipment!
Note - there isn't a lot of interest for this out of the Girl Scouts...
100th Birthday Karaoke Party for all levels will be held on March 10th at the M.S. Cafetorium from 6:30-8:30.
See flyer for more details.
The deadline for singing signups is March 1st (so that they can make sure to have the right music).
Don't forget to bring a Food Pantry item or two!
NRGS is looking into providing a 100th Anniversary patch to each girl in town. More info will be provided at the next meeting.
Mother Daughter Daisy Tea will be on March 11th- We will be bringing in the Juliette Lowe actress for this event. Cost will be $5/couple. Daisy troops will be coordinating the snacks.
Girl Scout Sunday is 3/11
See flyer for more details.
Food Pantry items will also be collected that day at St Teresa's.
There will also be a "Mass of Thanksgiving" at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross on March 18th. See flyer for more details.
March is Girl Scout Food Pantry Month -
Drop off of collected items will be on March 18th at the Town Hall gym from 11-1. Tours will also be available for troops that want them.
There are flyers available:
I promised a Girl Scout
I'll come back later - Coloring flyer
I'm picking up now
The Food Pantry has made improvements, including the addition of refrigeration.
Become a friend of the Food Pantry on Facebook if you want to help and they'll post when they have critical need of items.
Daisy/Brownie Fairy House Event will be on 4/1, 1:30-3:30 p.m. at Camp Maude Eaton. Cost will be $5. Flyer will be posted on the blog and sent out in the Monday mail when available. Sign ups will be collected at the March Leader's meeting.
Laser Quest Event for 4th grade and up will be on 4/19, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. as Laser Quest in Danvers. The cost is $15/girl. Each girl will get to play (2) 20 minute games. There is a limit of 60 girls and it is first come, first served for sign ups. Sign ups will be collected at the March Leader's meeting.
Note: if we get the 60 girls, it will only be North Reading Girl Scouts playing. If we don't get the 60, we will open it up to friends and family.
See flyer for more info.
Gymnastics for K-3rd will be on 4/17. Flyer and more info is forthcoming. Look for it on the blog and in the Monday email update.
Other ideas for the (mostly older) girls:
Elite Freestyle in Reading (781-942-9898, across from Home Goods) has offered, free of charge, to teach a karate class. This includes a short discussion of self defense. It was noted pretty much every karate place will do something like this in order to get kids to try a class.
Lowell Textile Mills offers programs at a cost of ~$16 per girl. Older girls would get an opportunity to do t-shirt printing and learn about silkscreening.
From an email:
"Sew Glam involves learning the tricks behind today’s hottest fashion trend known as self-made glamour.
For this Interest Project learn sewing and embellishing techniques to unleash your creativity as you transform fabric and clothes into custom designed outfits, accessories and bedroom decor. Some supplies you would have to bring would be a pair of jeans to embellish, clothing to remake for the Learn and Do (1or2) you choose and decide which Share activity (1,2,3). You can use the GSEM website to read the aforementioned requirements. We supply the rest of the materials and instruction to complete the activity. The cost is $12 per girl, 3 1/2 hours long.
For the screen printing class, the troop will decide what design they want to use and create this design on a screen, as the screen design is drying, they will learn about ancient and colonial printing techniques. They will then screen print on a T-shirt, tour the museum and identify the evolution of printing. All supplies are included in this program, cost is 1$16 per girl, 3 1/2 hours long."
For more information about their offerings, contact Kathleen Hirbour at khirbour@athm.org.
There is a book of "Interest Projects for girls 11-17" that has more info on the steps mentioned above.
Cinnamon Rainbows, up in Hampton Beach, offers 2 hour surf camps for girls at $35/girl. Check out www.cinnamonrainbows.com
Whitewater rafting out in Charlemont is usually offered through council but can also be arranged through Crabapple Whitewater www.crabapplewhitewater.com ($55/girl) or Zoar Outdoor www.zoaroutdoor.com ($57 and up/girl).
There was a Girl 2 Girl conference at Simmons College in January - one of troops went and it was a great experience. This is open to girls in the 6th grade and up. Look for it next year on the GSEM website under Programs.
Another troop took advantage of the Scuba Diving program offered by council and loved it. It is offered at the Beverly YMCA at a cost of $42/girl. Check out GSEM's website and search Programs for "scuba".
Hot Topic of the Evening: Last month we discussed Troop Finances. Amy reported that she approached her parents about the 1/3 paid by parents, 1/3 paid by the girl, 1/3 paid by the troop - and it was enthusiastically received!
Meeting concluded at 8:50 - and an Encampment Committee meeting followed.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Laser Quest for 4th Grade and up - 4/18
Who: 4th Grade Scouts and up
When: 4/18/12
drop-off is 10 a.m., pick-up is 12 p.m.
Where: Laser Quest 139 Endicott Street, Danvers
Cost: $15 per girl
Don't be late! The games are scheduled and late arrivals may not get to participate in both games
There is a limit of 60 girls for this event - first come, first served! Save your space now!
See the flyer for more info
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Check out the new Boston Hostel!
This overnight will be specifically geared towards Girl Scouts in the hopes that it will spark an interest in scouts in hosteling
When: 6/23 5 p.m. - 6/24 11 a.m.
Cost: FREE!
Check out the flyer for more info (including contact info)
100 years of Catholic Girl Scouting in Boston - 3/18, 2 p.m.
The Celebrant will be His Eminence Cardinal Sean O'Malley, Archbishop of Boston
Advanced registration is welcomed and helpful, but not required.
See attached flyer for more info, or check out www.one4boston.org for more info
Science & Technology Seminar for 9th grade and up, 4/7/12
Come learn more about emerging careers in these fields.
When: Saturday April 7, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Where: Mass Maritime Academy, Buzzards Bay
Cost: $45
Enrollment is limited to the first 100 participants.
See attached flyer for more info or check out www.juniortech.org for more information
Council-wide Promise Circle - 3/12/12 at 7:12 pm!
A request from GSEM "Calling all Girl Scouts!
On March 12, 2012 we are celebrating our 100th Birthday!As we celebrate this historic day, we would love to have all Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts members join together and recite the Girl Scout Promise and Law at 7:12pm
Here are ways you can participate as together we recite the Girl Scout Promise and Law at 7:12pm:
· At a troop meeting
· At a Girl Scout event
· At home with the Girl Scouts in your family
· Skype with your troop
· Join us at one of our Girl Scout offices
Please take pictures or videos and send to Lrowe@girlscoutsesaternmass.org or upload them to the Facebook page.
For questions, please contact Loyce RoweLrowe@girlscoutseasternmass.org."
Monday, February 6, 2012
March is North Reading Food Pantry month for the Girl Scouts
Each March, the North Reading Girl Scouts support the North Reading Food Pantry! This year's drop-off of collected items will be Sunday, March 18th at the Town Hall gym from 11 am to 1 pm.We will be collecting at Friends and Family Ice Skating, 100th Birthday Karaoke Party, and Girl Scout Sunday services, as well as having a table at Stop & Shop AND asking troops to collect from friends and family. Use your imagination for ways to make this educational and fun for the girls.
Flyers are attached that can be used to give to neighbors, family, and friends for immediate pick-up, or future pick-up (I promised I'd help or Coloring page).
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
100th Anniversary Camporee! 6/1-6/3/2012! This is the big one!
Where: Barnstable County Fairgrounds
When: 6/1-6/3
Who: 4th grade and up
Cost: $35 per camper
This will be the biggest camping event you're likely to ever attend as a scout! Join hundreds of girls from across the Northeast for activities, demonstrations, and just plain fun!
See flyer for more info...!!
100th Birthday Party Karaoke Night - 3/10
Come celebrate the 100th Birthday of Girl Scouts with your friends!Time: 6:30-8:30 pm
Cost: $4 per girl
Open to all levels
Deadline for registration - 3/1
Compete for best performance by a group or individual. "Trophies" for each level (Daisies, Brownies, etc...)
Baking more your troop's style? Bring an entry to the Birthday Cake bake-off! (Cakes will be cut that night as a snack)
Note: If every girl brings a cake...that'll be a LOT of cake - so cake entries from teams/groups/troops are encouraged!
March is North Reading Girl Scout Food Pantry month...we'll be collecting items for the Food Pantry at this event!
See flyer for more info!
Friends and Family Ice Skating - 2/22
Friends and Family Ice Skating at Burbank ArenaFebruary 22, 12:30-2:30
Open to all levels
Looking for something fun during February vacation week?
Bring your friends to Burbank Arena in Reading for some open skate time. Cost is $5 to skate - and scouts get a patch! Cost to rent skates is $3.
March is North Reading Girl Scouts Food Pantry month - we will be collecting donations for the Food Pantry at this event...so bring a couple of items to donate!
See flyer for more information, including how to register.
Deadline for registration is 2/13
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Scout Weekend at Pat's Peak
For $38 you get a lift ticket that is good from 3-10 pm, rentals, and access to snow tubing from 5-10 pm!
Ski helmets are required.
See flyer for more info.
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