Goal Getter Time!
National Girl Scout Cookie Day is over, but we are still celebrating with an exciting Goal Getter opportunity for girls and their troops!  Every girl who sells an additional 24 boxes or more beyond her initial order by March 29 will be automatically entered to win a Goal Getter Basket AND a $250 Girl Scouts of Connecticut Program Credit for her troop. The basket will include a special T-shirt, lip gloss, nail polish, stickers, and other fun items that she can use on her own or with friends! The winning girl’s troop will also have $250 to use towards great Girl Scout programs such as Adventure Day, Boston Museum of Science Overnight, Girl Scout Day at Lake Compounce, or any other fun activities that might grab their interest.  

Encourage your girls to ask new and repeat customers to buy more cookies. Just think if each customer bought one more box! Help with booth sales or walkabouts or encourage customers to buy some Cookies for Heroes. The Goal Getter period is a great time to walk around the neighborhood with cookies, so that the customers can buy the delicious treats that they crave right on the spot!

Booth Sales
Troops from Daisies through Ambassadors may join in the fun and participate in this valuable learning experience. Is this your first time doing a booth sale, or do you need a refresher? Get all the information you need to get started. Please consider holding a cookie booth to allow your girls to get the most out of this year’s Cookie Program!

Bling Your Booth
Make your troop’s booth stand out from the crowd by blinging it out with signs, decorations, props, etc. Tap into your girls’ creativity and allow them to use their imaginations to attract customers to their booth. As an added bonus, take a picture of their creation and submit it to Girl Scouts of Connecticut’s Bling Your Booth contest. E-mail your picture to productsales@gsofct.org by April 13, 2013. One entry per troop will be accepted and judged on creativity, originality, and cookie spirit. A winner from each age level will be selected and will receive a $30 certificate to be spent at a GSOFCT Shop, towards camping fees at any GSOFCT property, or a Celebration in a Basket including decorations and snacks. Check out these blinged out booths from last year!

Visit cookiesforheroes.com to see how many boxes of cookies we're already donated!

Cookies for Heroes Weekend
Join with others from your Service Unit and plan a Cookies for Heroes weekend event on March 9 and 10. Some ideas are a fill-a-truck event (either virtual or actually physically filling a truck), a partnership with a local VFW or veterans’ group, or making sure that all of the cookie booths in the Service Unit that weekend are decked out in red, white, and blue. Service women and men, as well as veterans, love to receive a gift of Girl Scout Cookies and it’s a great way for customers who can’t or don’t want to buy a box for themselves to support Girl Scouts. Please e-mail productsales@gsofct.org for more information.

It’s Not Too Late for Cookie Club!
Have you entered your girls into Cookie Club? If not, don’t worry – you still have time. It is easy to import your list of girls right from eBudde to get them started. Follow these instructions and your troop will be on their way to finding new customers and reaching their goals!

Cookie Updates
Cookie Delivery is quickly approaching. Deliveries will be held on Saturday and Sunday, March 2-3, and on Tuesday, March 5. Please check with your SU Cookie Manager to make sure you have the correct pick-up time/location. Also, if you are available to volunteer at delivery it would be appreciated - Girl Scout Seniors, Ambassadors, and adults are welcome.

Middletown Service Center Update
We want to share with you that the lease on our Middletown Service Center is ending on March 30, 2013. After carefully reviewing the minimal use of the Service Center versus the operational costs, a decision was made to close the Service Center at the end of our lease.  

Our volunteers in the Middletown area have already been notified. Our two Middletown staff members will be relocated to the North Haven Service Center. Volunteers and girls can be served in North Haven or any other Service Center. The Middletown staff will be available to meet with the volunteers and provide services in the Middletown area based on requests and needs.

Should you have any questions, please speak with your Membership and Marketing Manager.

Girl Scout Day at the Capitol
There is still room for those interested in being a part of Girl Scout Day at the Capitol on Wednesday, February 27. Deadline for registration is February 25. There is no fee for the event but you must register!

Earth Day 
Mother Earth is always in need of your attention. Don’t forget to talk to your girls on how they might celebrate Earth Day on Monday, April 22. They can go to our all ages Earth Day event at Camp Aspetuck in Weston or check out some ideas here. 

Background Checks
This Sunday, February 24 our Intellicorp system will be down for scheduled system maintenance. If you or someone you know is in the process of completing the application/ background check, they would need to do it before Sunday or after. Thank you for your patience.

Registered Adults
Just as a reminder, all adults, troop helpers, drivers and overnight chaperones need to go through the application and background check process. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your Membership and Marketing Manager.

New this year! Girl Scout Cookie Glass Set!

Centennial Silver Dollar -  Available February 28!
The 2013 Girl Scouts of the USA Centennial Silver Dollar will be available for sale beginning February 28 at noon! Read more about it in the GSUSA Blog. Special pricing is available until March 29 at 5:00 p.m. After that, the United States Mint has set the price at $59.99 for proof quality and $55.95 for uncirculated coins. Proof quality coins are specially made coins with a brilliant, mirror-like surface, while uncirculated coins are struck using the same process as circulated coins, but with some enhancements.

The coin of your choice can be purchased by calling the United States Mint at 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468) or, you can view the two different types of coins and then purchase online.

Spring is around the corner!
Before you know it the nice weather will be upon us and Troops/Groups will be  thinking about exploring the outdoors. Please remember that in order to use GSOFCT properties, a completed Site Reservation Application for GSOFCT Users  form must be received by the Registration Department at least 3 weeks in advance of outing. Application must be submitted with payment and include your Service Unit Manager’s signature to process.

Have you thought about holding your meeting at one of our properties? GSOFCT registered Girl Scout members may use all sites Monday through Thursday for three hours or less free of charge. While free of charge, a Site Reservation Application for GSOFCT Users must also be completed and faxed, mailed, or emailed to the Registration Department. Remember to include a Service Unit Manager’s signature to be processed. What a great way to work on Journey and Badge requirements, as well as just getting out and about! To check trainings required for your outing, see Volunteer Essentials, Chapter 1:  Sharing Your Unique Gifts.

We have increased our registration support to you!
Quality Customer Service is something that we at GSOFCT take seriously. To better support the needs of our membership, the North Haven Registration Department will now be open late Thursdays (4:30-7:00 p.m.) and on Saturdays (10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.) to provide additional assistance. Departmental staff will answer registration questions, reset passwords, and accept individual program and camp registrations.

Nomination Deadline is fast approaching!
The deadline to nominate volunteers for Council and board-approved awards is Friday, March 1, 2013 at 4:30 p.m. Please nominate someone to show your appreciation for all they do for Girl Scouting. For details, refer to the Adult Recognitions in Girl Scouting Handbook found in the Resource and Form Library. Please contact JoAnn Farrell at jfarrell@gsofct.org if you need assistance or have questions about any of our Council or GSUSA awards.

Regional Training Days
With the upcoming Camporee Season, you might want to take advantage of trainings being offered at one of our Regional Training Days. Make a S’more at Fire, Food and Fun. Renew your Camping Adventures training. Get the First Aid and CPR training you need. Choose one of the dates below! Please contact adultdev@gsofct.org with any questions. Click on the link above for registration links and more info.
• Camp Candlewood, New Fairfield - April 27
• Camp Carlson, Bristol - May 4
• Camp Pattagansett, East Lyme - May 11
• Camp Merrie-Wood, Manchester - May 18
• Camp Aspetuck, Weston - June 8   

Summer Camp Brochures
Summer Camp brochures are complete! Watch for yours in the mail and make your selections early. Don’t be left out. We’ve saved a place for you! Check out the expanded session descriptions online!

Mall Madness is March 9!
Mall Madness is moving into Enfield Square Mall on March 9 from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (90 Elm St., Enfield) Don’t just get active, get INTERACTIVE and receive a participation patch.

Archery Clubs are here!  
Check with your local Service Units or Membership and Marketing Managers for more information. Volunteer facilitators needed. GSOFCT will train one club facilitator for each club of 20 girls. Clubs run for eight sessions. Don’t miss the spring training. For more information contact Francie Winters at fwinters@gsofct.org or 800-922-2770 ext. 3511.

Programs-in-a-Box: March Recommendations
Programs-in-a-Box are up and running for the 2013 year! We have added nine boxes to coincide with the Journeys. All other boxes have been re-stocked and updated. Please contact program@gsofct.org to reserve your box. Please give two week reservation notice and return them within four weeks of your reservation.

This month we recommend these two program boxes:
Girl Scout Way (B) & (J) BDs
These boxes contain supplies to help girls learn Girl Scout songs and traditional games, including art supplies to convey history, and a sample handbook form the past. Girls may use these materials to create a celebration with others.

Living Drug-Free (All)
Increase girls’ awareness and understanding of substance abuse facts and information. Suggested activities and resources teach and reinforce positive, empowering messages about living drug-free.

 

Last November, GSUSA National CEO Anna Maria Chavez visited our museum! Read more about her visit.

New Announcement! Museum March Opening
The Girl Scouts of Connecticut Museum will open for visitation beginning March 11! The museum is located at the North Haven Service Center, room 107.  During regular business hours, self guided visits may be scheduled by contacting Hannah Granfield at hgranfield@gsofct.org. Regular Saturday and Thursday night hours will be available as scheduled below. This museum was made possible by a founding donation from Cheryl and Steve McGuff. Additional gifts were made from Peg Standley and Phyllis Palm. The museum has historical exhibits for all ages.   

Thursday, March 21 from 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 6 from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 28 from 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 4 from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Thursday May 16 from 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 1 from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 20 from 4:30-7:30 p.m.

Change of Date:  Exploration Into Health Care Careers (CSA) PG13049
Health Care careers are more than what you think! Find out what health care professionals do, why they chose their field, types of courses and training required, and suggestions for those interested in following their footsteps. Lunch and an Exploring Careers in Medicine patch included. Please note: This is a girl only event. Girls must bring an updated Health History Form. Limited adult waiting area available.
Saturday, 4/13/2013 PG13049 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m., deadline is 3/29/2013.
Where: Naugatuck Valley Community College, Waterbury
Fee: $20.00 girls
Program Contact: Cathy Monckton at cmonckton@gsofct.org

Map it!
Check out this neat interactive map! Get descriptions of service vs. take action projects, a map of take action projects done around the world, and a link to upload your own Journey, Forever Green, Bronze, Silver or Gold Award take action project. 

In the Community
Take a Hike with the CT Audubon Society!  
Join the CT Audubon Society for one of their two Badge Day Bonanzas on March 26 and April 27 from 9:00 a.m. – noon at the CAS Center at 2325 Burr Street in Fairfield. CAS teacher-naturalists lead Girl Scouts on a hike through their beautiful sanctuary all while satisfying selected badge requirements from Junior Animal Habitats, Brownie Bugs, and Brownie Hiker. For more information or to register, contact Jane Guenther at jguenther@ctaudubon.org or (203) 259-6305.

NBC Health & Wellness Expo
This is Connecticut’s largest Health and Wellness event. It will be held at the Convention Center in Hartford on Saturday and Sunday, March 9 and 10. Stop by the Girl Scout booth as we encourage the community to Live Healthy, Lead Healthy! Get more information.

Museum Information
The Springfield Museums offer Camp-Ins for Brownies, Juniors, and Cadettes as well as Daisy Museum Adventure Days. Contact the museum directly at camp-in@springfieldmuseums.org for dates and prices.

Old Sturbridge Village offers hands-on studio programs designed for Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Cadette, and Senior Girl Scouts. Each program provides the information and resources to earn badges; beginning in the Studio, followed by time within the Village and, finally, completing some at home. Girls will get their hands on history during activities led by a museum teacher in their education center or within the museum. Studios are 50-minutes unless otherwise noted. See details on their website. 

How do I find and share upcoming events, like the ones listed below?
Most council-planned events are open to individual girls and their guardians. Give your girls the opportunity to expand their activities by telling them how to find these wonderful opportunities! We know everyone is busy so if your whole troop can't make it, it's not a problem! She can go on her own (Cadette, Senior, Ambassador only) or with her guardian!

Here's how...
- Log onto gsofct.org
- Under the Participate tab, click on Program and Training Registration Area
- Then click on View and Register for Events
- From here, they can browse all that we have to offer then select, log in, and register for any of the programs. For help with username and password, call or email the Registration Department at registration@gsofct.org or (203) 239-2922 ext. 500.

Or, share your Program Resource Guide with them at one of your meetings! It is also available on our website. Just look for the cover on the right hand side under Quick Links.

For registration instructions, click here.