May 2019
Girl Scouts of Central Indiana
For families and volunteers
Girl Scout STEM Pledge champions I’m thrilled to tell you that Girl Scouts of Central Indiana has partnered on a first of its kind, new STEM school just for girls in grades K-8. And here’s why… Across the Girl Scout movement our organization is energized around an initiative called the Girl Scout STEM Pledge. The STEM Pledge is a promise to the country that by 2025 there will be 2.5 girls in the STEM workforce pipeline because of what they experience in Girl Scouts. And don’t be mistaken, I used the words “experience in Girl Scouts” not “experience in our STEM pillar” purposefully, because while we do have stellar STEM programming, it doesn’t stand alone. The power in the Girl Scout Leadership Experience comes from participation in all types of Journeys and badges. From trying activities in all four pillars, the integration of discovery, hands on learning, both indoors and out, and the recognition that learning can be fun – the
application of knowledge when girls “make the world a better place” means taking action. As such, Girl Scouts who earn STEM badges will be the engineers, pilots, scientists and doctors of tomorrow. Not only because of the science, technology, engineering and math they learn, but also because our activities are integrated into holistic experiences in the outdoors, with embedded life and leadership skills, alongside women role models, while having fun with friends. I am confident we will do our part to help the Girl Scout Movement achieve 2.5 million by 2025. We will do this by building on the 19,000 STEM badges earned in central Indiana last year, by continuing to invest in new opportunities for STEM camps and hands on STEM activities at Circle the City and in our Math and Science Center. We will do this by growing the number of activities offered through our STEM vans and through an exciting new program
partnership with a first in Indiana all-girls STEM school to open in fall of 2021. We are excited to be a part of what will become a rich STEM learning space for girls in grades K-8 in Indianapolis, while collaborating on how the school can be a reciprocal program site for Girl Scouts across all 45 counties.
Danielle Shockey Chief Executive Officer
Renew today All girls who renew by June 15 will receive this patch! For more information on renewing and incentives check out our renewal article inside this newsletter.
Local Girl Scouts give back on a global scale Girl Scouts embraced the opportunity to give back on a global scale with a new philanthropic reward program this past cookie season. More than 900 Girl Scouts in central Indiana donated 523 pairs of shoes to the Hope School in Kenya through this innovative program and partnership. Girl Scouts were able to choose to provide shoes to children in Kenya in place of a reward item such as a plush animal, sleeping bag, or theme park tickets. This new philanthropy opportunity was one of the first of its
kind across the country. Thanks to a collaboration with The Shoe That Grows™, a nonprofit, philanthropic organization with a mission of giving life-changing shoes to incredible kids, Girl Scouts made the world a better place, one shoe at a time. The donated shoes have a greater impact than ordinary shoes because they expand five sizes and can last for years.
to the economic development of the region. The shoes were donated to the Hope School, which is located outside of several small villages in Northern Kenya. This donation brought shoes to several children that walk roughly five miles to and from school each day. For more information on The Shoe That Grows™ check out their website at https://becauseinternational.org/.
The innovative shoes are made in Kenya, providing needed employment opportunities to those living in the area, thus contributing
Preparing her for a lifetime of success Renew today
Girl Scouts is the best leadership experience for girls. Our leadership model is designed to meet the interests and needs of girls. Girl Scouts are emboldened to travel to destinations near and far and encouraged to pursue outdoor adventures from camping to white-water rafting. Research shows that girls learn best in an all-girl, girl-led, and girl-friendly environment where their specific needs are addressed and met. Our program bolsters the benefits of school curriculum by fostering a safe, inclusive environment where girls gain hands-on skills including STEM activities and take on leadership positions. In fact, the allgirl environment is one of the major keys to our success.
With new activities in outdoor adventure and STEM, and the promise of dozens of new skills to learn, the trail is hers to blaze. Your girl is a force to be reckoned with, and we can help her unleash more of that unstoppable potential—all in a place that’s all about her, and always will be. Don’t forget to visit girlscoutsindiana.org to
renew your Girl Scout for another unforgettable year of adventures with Girl Scouts. All troops who renew 80% of their girls and two adults by June 15 receive: · A free day pass to Circle the City · Early registration (July 8) for Circle the City · Girls receive a free patch
May 2019
Volunteer appreciation
How sweet it is to be a Girl Scout The amazing women and men dedicated to building girls of courage, confidence, and character were recognized and celebrated during the 2019 Annual Meeting held March 11. During the celebration, 64 adult volunteers received the Appreciation Pin and 12 adult volunteers were awarded the Honor Pin, both awards recognize exemplary service. Erika Graham and Deborah Thompson received the Thanks Badge honoring their ongoing commitment, leadership, and service while Connie Holzhausen received the Thanks Badge II for several years of service and her contributions as day camp director at Camp Dellwood. Phyllis Coe-Martin, Stephanie Mariani-Parshley, Ruth Perkins, Katina Rossow, and Debbie Webster
received the Leadership of Excellence Award, an award unique to Girl Scouts of Central Indiana recognizing adult volunteers who serve as positive role models and have directly impacted the lives of girls. The President’s Award was given to Carmel West, Henry, Jay County, JoSheWe, Manuka, North-South Vigo, Sullivan County, and Zionsville service units. Diana Sullivan was presented the Deborah L. McCloud Administrative Award for her service as board chair and continued commitment to Girl Scouts. Pictured top right, Diana Sullivan and Deborah Thompson. Pictured right, Diana Sullivan and Phyllis Coe-Martin.
G.I.R.L. Agenda—Inspire. Prepare. Mobilize. In February and March, more than 100 Girl Scouts participated in Run like a G.I.R.L.—Intro to State Government. Girl Scouts connected with their senators and representatives, discovered the historical importance of the Statehouse, and earned the Behind the Ballot badge. On March 19, Girl Scouts from across Indiana convened at Indiana’s capitol for Girl Scout Day at the Statehouse. They spent the day meeting with elected women leaders, participating
in a joint resolution ceremony honoring the 107th anniversary of Girl Scouts in both the House and Senate chambers, and completing three of the five requirements needed to earn the I Promised a Girl Scout I Would Vote patch. Highlights of the day included welcoming remarks from Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch and Assistant Minority Leader/ Representative (District 92) Karlee Macer, along with greetings from Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice
Loretta Rush and Minority Floor Leader/Representative (District 94) Cherrish Pryor.
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Girl Scouts of Central Indiana Leadership and Learning Center 7201 Girl Scout Lane Indianapolis, IN 46214
Camp life is the best life! It’s not too late to sign up for Girl Scout summer camp. The American Camp Association recently concluded a five-year impact study digging into the benefits of camps. This research showed that camp experiences are distinct from other learning environments. Kids learn skills at camp that they do not learn in the same way in school. The research also concluded the skills campers learn at camp last far beyond the camp experience. These skills help them in school, college, and in first jobs.
already be a Girl Scout to join the adventure. All girls are welcome. Register now to ensure your girl gets to spend a summer trying new things, exploring the great outdoors, making incredible memories with awesome new friends, and much more. Visit girlscoutsindiana.org to check out all of the camp sessions.
Spending time in nature improves concentration and creative reasoning. Outdoor experiences also help promote healthy social development and increase selfesteem. Plus, the fun is big—like, really big and girls don’t have to
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