Girl Scouts of Northeast Georgia

 

* To submit info/pictures/changes for your service unit's page, click here.
Activities/Projects to do with your Troop,
and Tools to make them easier
 
This page contains a variety of resources, and should be updated quite frequently.  As this is a trial, email the webmistress and let her know if you find this page useful, if you'd like the organization of the information set up differently, etc.
Ongoing and Upcoming Community Service Projects
 

Remember:  When you do community service, please help us keep track by filling out these forms (to track your time spent, and to track our involvement with different organizations.  They can be emailed to Maria.

Age Level

Title

Details and contact information, as available
Ds/Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs/Ad Hands on Forsyth

A variety of service opportunities:  http://www.handsonforsyth.org/
Ds/Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs/Ad Operation Happy Sock

Operation Happy Sock is a fun, easy way to help homeless cats in your local animal shelter. Volunteers make simple toys, called "Happy Socks," by stuffing catnip and polyester fiberfill in the toe of a sock and tying a knot at the ankle. Simple, but a GREAT catnip toy!  Email and ask for your FREE INFO KIT. You'll receive a Word document with all the facts and photos you need to get started soon!  happysock@cox.net
Ds/Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs/Ad The Great American Bake Sale Share Our Strength's "Great American Bake Sale" www.gabs.strength.org raises money to end childhood hunger in the United States.
Ds/Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs/Ad Hands on Forsyth, donations for Senior Care

Hands on Forsyth has asked for our help gathering the following items for  Senior Care in Forsyth County.  I will take any donation that your troop  would like to include here at the Cumming GS office. 

They specifically are looking for:  travel size hand lotion, travel size hand lotion, travel size baby powder, travel size baby shampoo, assorted size band aids, zip lock sandwich bags.  Contact Laura Skinner with questions.
Ds/Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs/Ad Shore Sweep To be involved in the 2007 Lake Lanier Shore Sweep, contact www.lakelanier.org -- this year its Sept 29th...
Cds/Srs

(primarily, some other ideas may work for other ages)

Silver/Gold ideas

Prudential publishes their Spirit of Community Awards list each year -- these are great idea-generators for Community Service projects.
Ds/Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs/Ad

Great for Daisies!

Color-A-Smile
Color A Smile collects crayon drawings from school children. Every month we distribute these drawings to nursing homes, Meals on Wheels Programs, and individuals all across the country.
Ds/Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs/Ad

Stand Up Against Poverty
On October 15 and 16, there will be a global attempt to set an official Guinness World Record for the biggest number of people ever to Stand Up Against Poverty.  This will be held in a 24 hour period from 11am on Sunday, October 15 to 11am on Monday, October 16. Find out how you can join the attempt by going to http://tinyurl.co.uk/o9dh It's easy to do and girls of all ages, their families and friends can participate.

Join the Global White Band Day on 17 October - WAGGGS was part of the"Make Poverty History" campaign where people all over the world were united in their call to make poverty history by one symbol – the white band. The campaign continues in 2006 with the white band as our shared symbol of solidarity against poverty. On the 17 October, the 4th Global white band day, we will see millions of people in over a hundred countries standing up against poverty and renewing the call for trade justice, debt cancellation and more and better aid.Find out what Girl Scouts can do to celebrate by going to http://tinyurl.co.uk/x0yl

Ds/Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs/Ad

Meals on Wheels Tray Decorations

Meals on Wheels is looking for pretty decorations to liven up the trays they deliver each day.  The organization delivers approximately 150 meals per day in this area, and will happily accept any number of donations.  These can be dropped off at Service Unit meetings. Holiday or seasonal decorations are particularly adored.
Ds/Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs/Ad Atlanta 2 Day Walk for Breast Cancer

(September '08)

Helping with this event and/or cheering on walkers is a great community service event for your girls.  Specific GS opportunities are available - click on the link from www.2daywalk.org .  Be aware that leaders from our county have already signed up to walk, so we'll be supporting our own.  There are also fantastic Petal/Try-It/Badge/IP Tie-ins for this opportunity -- email Jennifer if you have any questions (she's the GS Coordinator for the walk).

Ds/Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs/Ad Let's Say Thanks (postcards for soldiers) The mission of Let's Say Thanks is to provide a way for individuals across the country to recognize U.S. soldiers stationed overseas. By submitting a message through this site you will send a free personalized postcard greeting to a deployed soldier.  The postcards, depicting patriotic scenes and hometown images, were selected from a pool of entries from children across the country.  All you have to do is click on your favorite design and write a personal message to a soldier. The postcards are then printed by Xerox and mailed in care packages by military support organization Give2TheTroops®.
Ds/Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs/Ad

Treat the Troops

Treat The Troops -- Help bake cookies for soldiers overseas.
Ds/Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs/Ad Operation Quiet Comfort

OQC creates Go Bags to honor and comfort injured U.S. Armed Forces.  Details at www.operationquietcomfort.com .  Girl Scouts across the US are involved in this operation. 

Ds/Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs/Ad Help Rebuild the N.O. Public Library Help Rebuild the New Orleans Public Library -- click here for details www.nutrias.org/~nopl/foundation/donationsfaq.htm
Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs/Ad Tiny Stitches

www.TinyStitches.org creates baby clothing and items for disadvantaged newborns. With just some very basic (or easily taught) sewing skills, you can help create burp cloths, quilts, etc.  Great badge tie-iuns

Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs/Ad Juliette Low Gravesite Restoration Project

(webmaster's note:  this is a volunteer-run project, not a function of GSUSA.  Further details are on their way)
There is a committee working with Mr. Richard Platt, Juliette Low's great-nephew, to raise money to repair cement work and shift an iron fence. For a donation of $5.00 (plus $.50 handling) you will receive a patch designed for this project. The address for donations (and patch orders) is Debby O'Grady; 1221 Lindbergh, Wyandotte, MI 48192.
Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs/Ad  Juliette Low World Friendship Fund The Juliette Low World Friendship Fund helps extend Girl Scouting and Girl Guiding to many parts of the world. The fund supports programs that foster international friendships among Girl Scouts from 145 nations. Donations support participation in training and international events.  Donations to this fund are a frequent tie-in with Thinking Day (Feb 22nd).
Ds/Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs/Ad Linking Girls to the Land Linking Girls to the Land (LGTTL) is an interagency partnership that works toward the vision that every girl will have an opportunity to participate in conservation and outdoor programs. The partnership offers funding, travel opportunities, awards, workshops, and supports projects related to environmental education, volunteer service, outdoor skills development, and career exploration.

Linking Girls to the Land is designed to encourage Girl Scouts to work with federal and state natural resource agencies in an effort to do conservation work and career exploration. However, in addition to a federal or state natural resource agency partner, it is likely that many Girl Scout troops and councils will also collaborate with county, city, and other local natural resource agencies to offer conservation and outdoor programs to girls. Additional collaborators may include non-profit and volunteer groups that offer environmental education and outdoor programs, which troops and councils can work with.

Old News Snippet:  Rebecca, a 16-year-old Girl Scout from Broward County, FL, is spearheading a program to construct and install artificial reefs to provide a thriving habitat for fish, coral, and sea plans. South Florida Girl Scouts will deploy artificial reefs. Girl Scouts who are scuba-certified will maintain and monitor the status of the artificial reef site. Girls will learn about artificial reefs, why they are important, and how they are designed. They will also explore various environment-related career opportunities.
Ds/Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs/Ad Make a Splash with Project WET Make a Splash with Project WET is a national day of water education. It is celebrated across the United States with water festivals, which are educational, fun, and interactive water celebrations where children explore a diversity of water-related topics. This year's date is Friday, September 22, 2006.  Details for the local festival are available on the website.

 
 

How Close?

Age Level

Title

Details and contact information, as available
Local Cds/Srs/Ad
check details.		 Godspell/Hush Godspell, the musical, at SFHS.  Check their website for details -- Nov 1,2,3.  This will be performed with a play called Hush, about date rape -- so check the details and look into a sensitive issues form. 
Local Ds/Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs/Ad  Honk! at SFMS

This retelling of the Ugly Duckling is the 7th grade play at SFMS this year -- will be performed on 11/9/2007 (7pm) and 3/28/2008 (7pm) (two different semesters = same play, different casts).  Contact the school for details.
Local Ds/Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs/Ad  Shenanigans by SFMS

A retelling of the Grimm Brothers tales, this musical will be formed at the SFHS Performing Arts Center -- May 15, 16, and 17 at 7pm, with a matinee on the 17th at 3pm.  Contact SFMS for details

In-Troop Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs/Ad 

Playdough Pictionary

 The theme is still the same - songs, games, movies, etc. You use the playdough to try and 'mold' your way to victory.
Local Ds/Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs/Ad (by show)

Christian Youth Theatre of Atlanta

Christian Youth Theatre of Atlanta - Alpharetta Theatre Group.  Some of the girls in our troops are involved in this theater company.
Local Cds/Srs/Ad Toastmasters International - Teen Speaking Clubs
 

Gavel clubs are public speaking groups open to all speakers from beginner to advanced levels. Gavel clubs help you overcome your fear of presentations and public speaking. Participants are encouraged to work at their own pace. The clubs welcome visitors at any time and advance registration is not necessary. So just walk on in and check us out. Why are you waiting? Bring a friend and come join all the fun!  Gavel clubs are organized by a group of girl officers and are open to all girls that are 11-17. Gavel clubs meet regionally in the following counties:
Cobb - The Cobb Cluster Club meets the first and third Saturday of the month.
DeKalb - The Sophisticated Ladies of DeKalb meet the first and third Monday of the month.
Gwinnett - The Eloquent Speakers Club meets the first and third Saturday of the month.
Contact: For more information about a gavel club near you, contact Darlene at xard@bellsouth.net or (770) 923-6143.
1 Hour Drive Cds/Srs/Ad Outdoor Adventure Club
 

Girl Scouts ages 11-17 who love the outdoors and who would like to organize and participate in a variety of outdoor activities should plan to join this new club. Girls run the club with the assistance of adult advisors. The club meets monthly at various locations north of Atlanta. The club is open to individually registered Girl Scouts, as well as girls who are registered as part of a troop. Club activity possibilities include: rock climbing, caving, whitewater rafting, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, backpacking, scuba, sailing, windsurfing and more.  Activity fees vary with activity.  This is an ongoing club with different dates and activities.  To find out more, contact Laurel Martin at cpadirector@girlscoutsnwga.org or (770) 975-9330

Downtown Atl Srs/Ad Home Improvement Interest Project Workshop
 

Would you like to learn how to restore old furniture? Are you interested in learning about different tools in order to do home repairs? Would you like to design and decorate a room complete with carpet, paint, drapery treatment and other furniture? Come learn how to keep the home safe from environmental toxins. You will also learn about quilts and textiles and how the High Museum prepares and stores them. This interest project will be "custom made" for you by the International Interior Design Association Georgia Chapter. Oct. 14, 21, and 28 (one workshop completed in three Saturdays)  9:30 a.m.-noon.  Fee: $5 per girl, adults free; fee includes interest project award; send no money with registration, payment due upon receipt of confirmation  Registration: July 1-Sept. 25
Marietta Ds/Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs/Ad  Girl Scout Back to School at White Water
 		 Cool Down from the Summer Heat with your friends and families at this fun and exciting day at Six Flags White Water! Six Flags White Water will open an hour early just for Girl Scouts and their friends and families. Also included is a picnic lunch and unlimited drinks and parking! Upon registration, you will receive your tickets, parking pass and a list of activities that you can do to earn your try-its, badges or interest project awards. You must pre-register to guarantee you will receive your parking pass. Date is late August, contact Program Specialist at Metro 1 at PSMetro1@girlscoutsnwga.org or (678) 420-2696 for details.  Time 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.  Location: Six Flags White Water Park, Marietta  Fee: $36 (includes admission, parking and buffet meal)  Registration: June 1 - Aug. 18; send full payment with registration
2-3 hours south Ds*/Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs/Ad

* read Safetywise carefully about Daisies

 The Rock Ranch We discussed The Rock Ranch at a previous SU Meeting.  This comes with great recommendations from leaders in our SU!  Day trips and overnights.
4 hours north - (beautiful fall drive!) Br*/Jrs/Cds/Srs/Ad

* strongly rec. Jrs and Older.  Only a very mature group of Br should be considered

 

 Sleep with the Sharks (Gatlinburg, TN)

Sleep with the Sharks program is great, at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies.  Local leaders have done this with great success.

 
San Francisco, CA Jrs Bridging, over the Golden Gate Bridge. Girls bridging out of Juniors have a cool opportunity to bridge on the Golden Gate. For 2007 the date is May 12, so put it on your calendars as an option!

Girls from all over come for this ceremony. For more information, click.
Ocean Springs, MS Cds/Srs/Ad Fall Fling Science Escape

Spend a weekend at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory exploring science with graduate students while working on badge requirements. Experience science hands-on and have lots of fun! Make new friends! Don't forget to bring SWAPS! We emphasize that this is "hands-on" science, you will get wet and muddy!  Our Ocean's Nursery, the Estuary IPP - learn the importance of the estuary to our ocean animals. Girl Scouts will take a boat ride to an island, learn how we catch animals, use microscopes, and explore the beach and the marsh.  Contact Alix Guidry if you have any questions at alix.guidry@usm.edu or 228/872-4251. mid-September, 2006 (email for precise dates).  Cost: $75 per girl * 1 leader free per troop * $75 each for additional adults (2 max per troop)
various - as close at Atlanta, as far away as overseas Cds/Srs/Ad

(girl driven, not typically a troop event)

 Destinations (formerly known as Wider Ops)

Destinations - Think of this as traveling Girl Scout Camp for big kids.  Look at the variety of trips available, for ages 11 and up...  Our council sponsors one in Wyoming, but there are lots of them near and far....  Talk to Angie Trantham at Council if you have questions. 

San Francisco, CA Jrs/Cds/Srs/Ad Treasure Island, July 13-20th, 2008 Treasure Island Camporee http://www.coyotehillsgs.org/ti/index.htm
Panama Cds/Srs/Ad Camping on the Zarati River Muchachas Guias (Girl Guides) in Panama invite Girl Scouts in North America to rent their campground on the Zarati River just past Sonadora, a few miles north of Penonome in Cocle province. Check out these websites for information on going to Panama for a super international experience. It will be an opportunity for girls to learn new exciting things in another country.  Mail your inquiries about renting the campground, office space or dance hall to the address below, or contact the Muchachas Guias by phone at (507) 225-2653 or fax at (507) 225-0591. 
Asociacion de Muchachas Guias de Panama
Apartado 7676, Zona 9
Panama, Republic of Panama

 

 
 
Hint from the webmistress:  If you're interested in finding out more cool badges, many councils have what's called "Council's Own" patches.  You can Google ("Council's Own" "Girl Scout"), or sign up for the councils-own-programs  group on  Yahoogroups -- there's  great searchable database in the Files section.

 

Age Level

Subject

Details and contact information, as available
Ds/Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs State Fair, Emergency Preparedness, Fun with Felines, Calendar of Sports, Juliette Gordon Lowe, Diversity/Pluralism, Desert Tortoise, California Poppy, Guide Dog Joshua Tree Council has a diverse group of patches -- http://www.girlsfirst.org/programs/patches.php
Ds/Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs

Birds of the Carolinas Badges, Creative Scrapbooking Badge, Become a Chef Badge, Railroading Badge, Night Creatures Badge, Salute to Our Armed Forces Badge, Birds of the Carolinas Try-It, Honoring Our Armed Forces Try-It, Scrapbooking Try-It , Every Vote Counts Try-It, A World of Opportunity Interest Project Patch

Pines of Carolina council has a huge number of Council's own...  http://www.pinesofcarolina.org/index.php?id=30
Ds/Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs Juliette Gordon Low, Savannah, GS History, Coastal Georgia The Savannah Council has some great Girl Scout history badges...  http://test.girlscouting.org/?page_id=45
Ds/Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs Camping, Basic Outdoor Skills patch program developed by the San Fernando Valley Girl Scout Council for teaching the basic camping skills to girls
 http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Hills/5940/8basics.html
Jrs Ice Skating, Skating Golden Plains council has a Skater badge and an Ice Skating badge (call/email for more details)
Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs Juliette Gordon Low Chesapeake Bay has an earned patch called Juliette's Birthday -- http://www.cbgsc.org/Resources/PatchesandMore/General.asp
Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs Medieval Maidens Montachusett Council just released a Try It/ Badge/ Interest Project called "Medieval Maidens" - "The Middle Ages was the
era of knights, fair ladies, princesses and castles. Learn about medieval times beyond the tales of adventure and make-believe
and find out about the lives of girls and women during this time."
http://www.mgsc.org/Default.aspx?tabid=89
Br Farming, Food, Fiber & Farming try it from Tanasi Council.  Also, you might also want to look at "It's natural" try it from Thousand Islands
council.
Br/Jrs Egyptology The Lone Star Council of Texas has an Egyptology patch for both Brownie & Junior levels.
Ds/Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs Myths, Legends and Fairy Tales The Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York (includes the pre-alignment y Hudson Valley Council)  has a patch (or is it an award) for Myths, Legends, and Fairy Tales (several activities involving Ancients).
Cds/Srs Scrapbooking  "Memory Keepers" is a Cadette/Senior IP focusing on scrapbooking. Kentuckiana's website is www.kyanags.org.
Jrs Kentucky "I Love the Bluegrass State" is a Junior badge. Kentuckiana's website is www.kyanags.org.
Ds/Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs Early Art, Pre-History Freedom Valley council of Valley Forge, Pennsylvania puts out an Early Art patch
http://www.gsfvc.org/programs/Resource%20Center/patches__pins.htm

Ds/Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs

Dinosaurs, Get Active, Fishing, Halloween Harvest, Hunger Awareness,  Let's Make Believe, Myths, Legends and Fairy Tales, Native American Culture, Overcoming Obstacles, Pots & Plots, Science Magic, Shaker Heritage, Sign Language, Underwater Fantasy, Web Watchers

A Pile of different patch and badge options from the Hudson's Valley council.

Jrs

Disc Golf

 This Troops Own badge teaches basic Disc Golf info and Skills. 

Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs

Pony Fun, Gardening

 Morris Area GS Council has some Pony Fun Try-it (know any Horse Crazy girls?) and a Gardening Try-It and Junior Badge.  Contact them for specific information on requirements.   Cumberland Valley has a beautiful Gardening patch for Br/Jr/Cd/Sr.

Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs

Smoky Mountains, Scavenger Hunt, Native People, Food-Fibers-&-Farming

 GS of Tanasi Council (Knoxville, TN) has several good agricultural and native life patches.  Click here (its part of there store, so you may get a brief security warning -- just click OK).

Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs

Bicycling,  California, Beaches, Cooking, Self Defense,  Skating

Konocti Council has several interesting council's own -- scroll down the page to see what they have available.

Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs

WAGGGS AIDS Badge

 You can see it on the WAGGGS site posted with the AIDS information. http://tinyurl.co.uk/wbvo. After completion of the AIDS Badge Curriculum, WAGGGS badges are available through the Girl Guides of Canada national office, Program Delivery department -- pasquanp@girlguides.ca or by post to 50 Merton Street,Toronto, ON M4S 1A3

Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs

Geocacheing

 Erie Shores in Ohio has a Geocaching Try-It, Junior Badge, and IP.  Webmistress should have info on these soon, and it will go up on their website soon.  Central New York Council has a Let's Go Geo Junior badge (contact them for details, its not online).

Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs

Camping and Outdoors

 If you're in a woodsy area, "Fun in the Forest" try-it and "Forest Exploration" badge from Black Hawk council. , Rolling Hills has "Nature at Night" for juniors, Mt. Wilson Vista has 8 Basic Camping Skills (multilevel).

Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs

Various, bugs, sweets (confections), camping, foreign languages, landscaping, Patriotism, cheerleading

 Virginia Skyline council has a huge pile of Council's Own badges...  Click for details.
Br (Older)

Various

 Are your Older Brownies looking for something a bit more challenging?  Swift Water council (New Hampshire) has programs called Do-Its -- they're "back-of-vest" awards, but they're a good challenge for older Brownies.
Br/Jrs

New York

 the New York State of Mind Try-it and Junior Patch
Jrs

CSI, Mystery

 Looking for a CSI twist?  Try the Marvelous Mystery badge available from Black Diamond Council.
Ds/Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs

Hawaii

 The Hawaii Council offers a patch program for girls outside Hawaii.
Cds/Srs (13-17) Filmmaking, Media Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) is pleased to announce Girls Go Film, a competition for Girl Scouts ages 13-17 in film and new media. GSUSA is inviting Girl Scout members to submit film/video creations not to exceed 10 minutes in length to their Girl Scout councils. These girl-directed films/videos must embody the philosophy of our new mission: "Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place." They can be of any genre-narrative or documentary, mixed media, animation, etc. Creativity is encouraged. All contest details, including application forms, are available at www.girlsgotech.org/girlsgofilm.html .  The deadline for girl submissions to arrive at councils is September 15, 2006. The deadline for council submissions (of the top five finalists) to arrive at GSUSA is October 31, 2006.  Recognition awards will be given to winning girls and their councils. Winning entries will also be featured on official Girl Scout Web sites. Contact your council (Angie Trantham) for more information and to indicate your interest in the competition.
Ds/Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs Plants, Growth, the Earth Roots and Shoots is an amazing program from Girl Scouts Council of the Nation's Capital. It's written with the Jane Goodall foundation. It's for every age of Girl Scout with a Try-it, Badge and IP (Daisies get a participation patch).  Consider doing this in conjunction with Make the World a Better Place during Girl Scout week 2007.
Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs Land, Natural Resources Get with the Land Patch - By earning this patch girls will learn about the Linking Girls to the Land partnership, work side by side with a federal or state natural resource agency professional and choose an environmental project or activity in which to participate or complete. To download the information, go to:
http://www.epa.gov/adopt/linkinggirls/natprograms.html  and click on "Download the patch criteria."
 
Br/Jrs/Cds/Srs