As we welcome the sun and warmth that April brings, I find myself drawn outdoors. Hiking, camping, and summer activities start to creep into my thoughts – and onto my calendar. This time of year always brings back memories of my time in Girl Scouts. Growing up in Iowa, I loved to go hiking in the woods with my troop. We liked nothing better than finding a trail - or even better, making our own trail where there was none.
Forging a trail together gave us the confidence to try something that may seem scary or impossible if done alone. We learned quickly to mark our trail as we went so we could retrace our steps if needed. And by going into the woods, we also learned how to take risks – with caution and safety in mind. And though sometimes our path would lead us to a dead-end, we continued to blaze trails, never knowing exactly where we would end up.
In Girl Scouts, girls take appropriate risks, try things even if they might fail, and learn from mistakes. When girls exhibit these attitudes and skills, they become responsible, productive, caring, and engaged citizens. Exposures like this are designed to promote girls’ social and mental development, academic achievement, leadership skills, happiness, and overall well-being.
In this month's newsletter, you'll learn about how challenges transform today's girls into tomorrow's leaders. Whether it is building a robot, ringing a neighbor's doorbell to sell cookies, or stacking milk crates as high as they can, girls are still seeking challenges today. We are so grateful to be able to offer these opportunities to girls, together.
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Roni Luckenbill
Chief Executive Officer
Girl Scouts of Western Ohio
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Spring Break Day Camp: Just the Beginning
It’s spring at Girl Scouts and that means Spring Break Day Camp. Each year, up to 700 girls who have never experienced Girl Scouts explore the outdoors during a break from school.
In 12 camps across the council, girls participate in a week of challenges, for a cost of just $25, or, for many girls, camp costs nothing with full financial assistance. Thanks to you, she will learn to build a fire, tie-dye a t-shirt, harness the power of the sun with sun art, learn from naturalists, meet new critters, and try new things. She will return to school with new skills, newfound confidence, and an appreciation for the outdoors.
Spring Break Day Camp is just the beginning. On the last day of camp, caregivers are invited to an ending program to learn what their girls have been doing and get more information on starting a troop or other Girl Scout opportunities. Many of our spring breakers continue their Girl Scout journey, thanks to the opportunity our donors make possible at day camp.
Your support brings Girl Scouts and a love of the outdoors to a new generation of challenge seekers. Thank you!
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Challenges Carry Elyse from Camp to Career
Growing up, I never really liked heights. Despite this, I tried the high ropes course at Camp Woodhaven multiple times. I would frequently make it to the top of the ladder, yet, as much as I wanted to, I was terrified to step onto the platform. I eventually decided to step up onto the platform, but I wanted to go back to the ground almost immediately. Vicki Proctor ("Yakker"), outdoor program team leader, asked if I would be willing to stay up there for a few minutes, at least. Once I agreed, she then asked if I would put one foot onto one of the paths, just to see how it felt. I immediately crossed it, as I didn’t want to just stand there with what felt like only a wire under my feet. Then I finally got to enjoy the fun part: ziplining!
While completing the high ropes course was a challenge for me, I never would have completed it if it weren't for the gentle nudging from the Girl Scout staff. The high ropes course taught me that it’s okay to be nervous or scared to do something. I also learned that it’s okay to go at your own pace, as not everyone is ready at the same time (I think it was my 7th try when I actually got up there). I also learned to trust myself. I knew whether I was ready to do something, and nobody else could decide that for me.
As a Girl Scout Alum, I attended Lourdes University and recently graduated in December 2021. I have kept in contact with Vicki and helped with Girl Scout events such as the Spookwalk. In January, I started working at the Putnam County District Library in Ottawa, Ohio, as a Youth Services Assistant. I help to plan events and activities for teens, lead storytimes for younger kids, and assist with family events. The skills I learned from the challenge courses helped me through college and aided me in planning events that will be fun and challenging for the youth I work with.
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Volunteers Rise to the Challenge
When Brent and Denise embraced the challenge of becoming involved as foster parents in 2013, they were caring for a Brownie who was about to bridge to Junior. With her troop needing a leader, the couple was hand-picked to lead the troop. The couple chose to accept this next challenge to support their foster daughter.
Their bond with the girls in the troop became so strong that even when their foster child was no longer living with them, they continued to volunteer. As their journey continued, they met challenge after challenge, becoming involved with the service unit as co-chairs, joining committees for events throughout the North region, and becoming trained archery instructors. Acknowledging that they could do more, they became outdoor facilitators, and Brent and Denise still look for ways to help their troop and service unit.
Though Denise and Brent have received a fair share of strange looks when people realize they've been involved for six years without children of their own, they see their Ambassador Girl Scouts -- now juniors in high school -- as their kids. The couple's path to volunteering has been unlike any other, but they wouldn't have it any other way.
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Thank you for investing in girls, and supporting the visionary leaders, doers, innovators, creators, and thinkers of tomorrow. Together, we can help girls discover their untapped potential and build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. Make a gift today!
Every donor who reaches $1,000 in annual support is a member of the Leadership Circle. You can make their bright future possible as an investor, advocate, networker, and mentor today!
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