Your Girl Scouts Bi-Weekly News & Updates: March 31
Council Updates
Volunteer Appreciation Month 

This year we’re marking National Volunteer Month by sending a shout-out to all of our amazing council volunteers in April, but we know it will mean so much more to them to hear directly from YOU! 

Here are seven simple ways to show you care: 
  • Personalize one of these super cute (and free!) thank-you cards designed just for this purpose. 
  • Bake a special treat to brighten their day. 
  • Write on our Girl Scouts of Silver Sage Kudo Board 
  • Give them a glow-up with a special social media post. 
  • Send a quick video thanking them for all they’ve helped your troop accomplish. 
  • Choose a project from Girl Scouts at Home to make and give to your volunteer. 
  • Team up with other troop families to get them a token of appreciation from the Girl Scouts of Silver Sage Shop—when you use the code Thanks15*, you’ll get a sweet 15% off! 

When it comes to showing gratitude, we’ve got this! 

*The code is active April 1 through April 30, 2021, for a 10% discount at girlscoutshop.com. The code is for one-time use per customer, online only at girlscoutshop.com. Discount is not taken on any applicable shipping/handling or taxes for each order. 
Welcome to STEMFest 2021!

Girl Scouts of all ages and their friends are invited to a MONTH of STEMtastic fun! 

Engage in science, technology, engineering, and math in a variety of ways from anywhere. Meet STEM professionals, professors, and volunteers passionate about Girl Scouts and STEM from across our Council!

Register for any of our STEM Workshops hosted each Wednesday of the month. The content of these workshops is different from the STEMFest Box. Girls who attend will be completing new activities.
  • Week 1 April 7: Science
  • Week 2 April 14: Technology
  • Week 3 April 21: Engineering
  • Week 4 April 28: Math
Scouting Stars Applications and Nominations Close April 12!

Do you know a Girl Scout who demonstrates extraordinary vision, achievement, and leadership? If so, you know a SCOUTING STAR! NEW THIS YEAR - To make Scouting Stars more girl-led, girls themselves can apply to be a Scouting Star OR be nominated! Applications & nominations will open March 8 and close April 12. Visit here for the application and nomination forms. Selected Girl Scouts will be honored June 24th at a virtual council-wide celebration! 
Camp Registration is Open!

With camp at 50% capacity, we are recommending members sign-up for their desired camp today. Check out our Summer Camp Website to learn more about the fun sessions we are offering this summer and to register for camp!
Don't forget, if you register before April 15th, you'll receive an Early Squirrel Discount! 
GLAMP Ladies Camp registration opens April 5

Get ready to experience Camp Alice Pittenger in style August 20-22! During this special ladies-only camp, spend the weekend getting pampered, eating, drinking, and joining in Girl Scout traditions. Relive your fond memories of camp while helping today’s girls make memories of their own. Visit https://www.girlscouts-ssc.org/glamp to register. 
Upcoming Programs & Events

Come to the third of four Cookie Business Workshops for Daisies and Brownies! In this workshop, girls will learn how to manage/use cookie money, inspire, and thank customers.

Gold Award Trainings are open to all girls, 9th grade and older, parents, and advisors, who are interested in learning more about this prestigious award. Requirements and policies will be reviewed, step by step, with plenty of time for questions. This workshop is mandatory for all girls who wish to propose a Gold Award Proposal Application. This training is held virtually and starts right at 6pm. A meeting link will be sent with a conformation email shortly before the event.

Calling all Daisies! Explore technology with GSSSC and The Chickadees in this fun STEM workshop. Daisies will learn more about electricity and how to make it flow through a circuit. 

Join Mattie and Vani for this fun night of tech! This workshop costs $15 but because of our awesome STEM donors, you only pay $2!

Join Sarah and Idaho State University professor Carrie Bottenberg as we discover the technology of online map making! In this workshop we will be using the ArcGIS online platform to learn about how earthquakes happen. You will need a laptop to best participate.

Create your own STEM experience as you choose from dozens of hands-on activities, live events, fun challenges, and booth experiences! Complete Girl Scout badge and award requirements! Go behind the scenes with the Broadway League, the FBI, Instagram, NASA, and more! Explore 30+ booths that offer live chat time, inspiring videos, and fun downloads!

There will be activities for girls from kindergarten through 12th grade — and you don’t have to be a Girl Scout to join the fun! Families, parents, and caregivers please join us too! We will have special activities for you and fun ways you can learn more about Girl Scouts!
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What are some things they didn't teach us in high school? Top of that list is how to do your taxes! Well have no fear, in this workshop we will have a guest speaker talk about how to get a great credit score, how bank loans work, the ins and outs of credit cards, and where to do your taxes.

Come to the last of four Cookie Business Workshops for Daisies and Brownies! In this workshop, girls will learn how to save, give to those in need and make wise choices. The Zoom meeting link will be sent out with the confirmation email before the event.
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Join Sarah and Kailee to learn all about basic car care! In this workshop we will have a guest speaker teach us basic car maintenance, how to investigate vehicle safety, learn about safe driving practices, discover what to do in case of emergency, and how to drive for a greener world.

Love cooking? Love trying new things? Come hang out with Kailee and Sarah to learn new culinary skills, how to make a dish from another country and other delicious recipes!
Juniors will earn and receive the Simple Meals Badge and Cadettes will earn and receive the New Cuisines Badge.
Girl Scouts at Home

Date/Time: April 22, 2021: 5:30 – 6:15 pm Mountain Time with extended Q&A until 6:45 pm Mountain Time
 
Audience: For all ages with extended Q&A best suited for older girls

Love our planet? Want to create a healthy climate for future generations? Join us on Earth Day to learn about the power of trees to keep our communities strong. Danni Washington, Girl Scout Alum, science TV Host, and correspondent on season one of Mission Unstoppable on CBS, will join the fun! During the event, we’ll take the Girl Scout Tree Promise with Danni and commit to planting 5 million trees in the next five years—together!
 
Stay after the event for the opportunity to speak with Danni about her career path as a science communicator and conservationist. This extended Q&A session is best suited for older girls.
 
This event is made possible by the Elliott Wildlife Values Project.
For Every Girl! (Grades K-12)

It’s time for you to show off your own Superhero Spirit! The three activities that make up this patch are Girl Scout favorites that showcase how badges increase a girl’s ability to face any challenge that comes her way.


Join the national Girl Scout Great Space Challenge. There's no need for special equipment—just a love of the stars and a view of the sky from the great outdoors or your own bedroom window.


Looking for more fun activities? Check out the Girl Scouts of Silver Sage Event Calendar and the GSUSA Event Calendar for more!
Volunteer Resources and Updates
STEM Outreach

We are offering the following virtual badge workshops for ALL Service Units:
Daisy – Ambassador Space Science
Daisy – Ambassador STEM Career Exploration
Daisy – Ambassador Ecology
Cadette – Ambassador Media Science

If your Service Unit would like to schedule a STEM Badge workshop to complete any of the Badges above, please email Sarah Tetzloff at stetzloff@girlscouts-ssc.org to get the process started! 
Using Cookie Dough for Programs

To use Cookie Dough to pay for a registration fee for Program Activities, please contact program@girlscouts-ssc.org to make sure there is space available, complete the Program Registration Form, and then either drop off or mail both the Cookie Dough and completed form to the Boise Office (ATTN: Program Department; 8948 W Barnes St. Boise, ID 83709)

Make sure to follow all guidelines listed on the Cookie Dough. Cookie Dough should be received prior to the event date to be processed.

Stay focused on what matters most: your girls. We’ll simplify everything else. With our new Troop Leader Blueprint, you'll find tips and resources for safe in-person and virtual meetings, as well as badges, Journeys, and activities for every grade level. Best of all, everything has been adapted for today’s constantly changing world to help you and your troop thrive. It's what you need to be the support your girls need, no matter where or how your troop meets this year!
In-Person Troop Activity COVID-19 Safety Guidelines Updates 
At this time, while community spread of COVID-19 is high, we ask troops to limit their in-person meetings and activities and encourage troops to meet virtually whenever possible. As always, please discuss plans with families and explore ways to include all girls and families (including those who may not be ready to resume in-person activities). Prior to any in-person meeting or activity, please review the COVID-19 Volunteer Guidance issued on our website, as well as with your local health district. If more restrictive, follow the local restriction. 
GSSSC Offices and Store
Store Hours   

11am-6pm Wednesday-Friday
   10am-2pm 1st & 3rd Saturdays
   Closed Sunday - Tuesday

Retail Operations Update

The brick & mortar retail store is open and ready for business!  You can also shop our council’s online store, or give us a call during store hours, for curbside pickup or USPS shipping. For most standard items, shipping on orders under $100 costs only $2.95. Orders over $100 ship free. A surcharge may be necessary to ship heavy or bulky items.  
See New Items, Specials & Promotions 

Did you know that the store has its own Facebook page? We post photos & links to brand new items as they arrive. We announce money-saving specials and fun promotions there, too. Click the link and “Like” it today!