Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Online Cookie Marketing

Once January 1st rolls around, if you'd like to be able to place orders via Facebook or email go to this link and sign up:
http://www.abcsmartcookies.com
Select the Girls menu option and then select your daughter's age level. There will be an option on the page for Online cookie marketing. You can sign up there. This will allow you to send out emails and friends can place online cookie orders. (You will still need to collect money/deliver cookies)
You can also post a Facebook app that will allow you to do the same.
Just make sure you include these orders in your cookie totals.
Thanks!

Cookie 411


Girl Scout Cookie Time is less than 2 weeks away, so I wanted to go ahead and go over some of the ins and outs of this years cookie sale.
Timeline:


January
1st - Cookie Pre-orders start January 1st.  At this thime (and not before) you can begin taking orders for cookies. I know it says otherwise on your form, but go ahead and begin collecting money for your cookies at this time. 


8th - email me all cookie orders as of this date, this will help me get started on sorting and give me a better idea on if I need to order more cookies. I initially ordered 12 cases per girl (144 boxes) that opted to sell, but we'll probably need more. Keep selling after this date, but I want to make sure I have the cookies to get those initial pre-orders filled.


9th-14th - Initial Cookie Pick up - our initial cookie pick up will be sometime between January 9-14. I don't have a solid pick up date yet (waiting on council), but if all else fails I will have them by our January 14th meeting. :)  At this time you will turn in what money you have and pick up cookies from your pre-order.  I will also send you home with extra cookies so that you can continue selling.


17th - Booth sign up begins, I will send out an email of our spots and it will be 1st come 1st serve. - More on booth sales later.
20th- Pre-Order money due (if you haven't turned in already) also please turn any other on hand cookie money in.


21st-22nd - Cookie Walk About Weekend


February
3rd - Booth Sales Start
11th - on-hand money turn in


March
11th - end of sale
12th - final money turn in


You are allowed to sell cookies all of January and all of February and I will be able to order what you need if the troop doesn't have it on-hand.  If you are selling i must have a signed permission slip from you. If I don't have one, I must have it by cookie pick up, or you will not be able to get your cookies.


We have some special cookie topics I will send through-out the week that cover "Operation Cookie Share", "Cookie Walkabout", Online, etc, so be on the look out.


Also will be posting on our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Girl-Scout-Troop-9058


If you haven't received your cookie forms and want to sell, please contact me immediately. I will need some volunteers to help with cookie distribution and money collection. If you are interested me, please let me know! Also, if you have questions, ask away!!!

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Monday, September 5, 2011

Upcoming Events

Please go over this list of events and let me know ASAP if you or your daughter would like to attend.


Upcoming Events
1) Fall for the Great Outdoors 09/10/2011 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. - For those who missed Great Outdoor Badge Day, this is a chance to explore the Great Outdoors at Lanark and learn a semester's worth of outdoor science all in one day!  Girls will hike in creeks, through forests and to the tree tops.  There will be opportunities to explore plants and animals, dig for worms and other insects, use tools such as loupes and binoculars and experience live animals and their artifacts including skins and skulls.  Girls will receive a Field Journal to use for badge-related activities.
There will be snacks provided for two breaks both morning and afternoon.  Girls will also need to bring water shoes or crocs (flip flops not recommended), a towel and a complete change of clothing including socks.  Other suggested items include additional water, sun screen and bug repellant.  Dress appropriately for the weather and activities.
Girls need to bring a sack lunch; drinks will be provided.
Adults and tag-alongs (over age 2) are welcome at a nominal fee of $5, however, they need to provide lunch and all snacks and drinks for themselves.
Daisies will receive “Hiking Fun” and “Get Outdoors” Fun Patches.  Brownies will earn “Earth and Sky”, “Water Everywhere”, “Watching Wildlife” and “Animals” Try-its.  Juniors will earn “Wildlife”, and  “Earth Connections” badges and a Hiking Fun Patch.Location:  Lanark, Millbrook (specific directions to be sent with confirmation.)
Cost:  $15 for girls, includes snacks, patches/badges, field journal
          $5 for adults and tagalongs
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, September 6, 2011


2) Drug Prevention: Get Involved for Red Ribbon Week 10/01/2011 - Wear a red ribbon for drug prevention! For Red Ribbon Week (October 23 – 31), which is a drug prevention campaign sponsored by the United States Drug Enforcement Agency, there are free participation patches available for the first 20,000 qualified participants.
In order to earn this patch, girls must attend a drug prevention program, participate in a Red Ribbon Week Activity and sign a Drug-Free Pledge. In addition, leaders must submit an online “Intent to Participate” form by October 7 and a completed “Activity Report” by November 18.  More information can be found at this site:  WWW.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com <http://WWW.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com>  , including leader forms, Red Ribbon Week activity ideas, a Drug-Free Pledge and Participation Certificates.
In order to help troops accomplish these requirements, we are offering a drug prevention program provided by SAYNO (Substance Abuse Youth Networking Organization).
On Saturday, October 1, Daisies, Brownies and Juniors are invited to attend a presentation at Church of the Ascension, 315 Clanton Street, at 12:15 p.m
Each session lasts 45 minutes and is offered at no charge. However, space is limited, so you must register by sending an email to rdijab@girlscoutssa.org  that includes your troop number, leader contact name and number and number of girls attending.   Those who do not register by email, will be admitted only if space is available.
This presentation is the extent of participation by our council.  In order to receive the patch, leaders must complete forms and other requirements as described above.
Date: October 1
Time: 12:15 p.m. (D, B, J) 
Location: Church of the Ascension (D, B, J) 
Cost: Free, must register with Renea Dijab via email.
Registration Deadline: September 30

3) Night Tails and Tales! 10/01/2011 - Explore Lanark at night to experience the sights and sounds of nature after the sun goes down.  Girls will take a night hike on a lighted trail and learn about nocturnal things that go bump in the night.  After the hike, girls will gather around the outdoor stone fireplace to make smores.
Daisies and Brownies will remain comfortable by the fire and enjoy fun Halloween stories like "The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown".  Juniors and older will take a short walk to an old home reported to be haunted and hear other spooky tales.  Not for the faint of heart!
Girls should bring a small flashlight.  Adults and tag-alongs welcome.
Who:  Girl Scout Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors
Date:  October 1, 2011
Time:  6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Location:  Lanark, Millbrook (Specific directions to be sent with confirmation)
Cost:  $10 per girl, $5 per adult/tag-along.  Girls receive fun patch.
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, September 13

4) Brownie Badge Series: Colors and Shapes 10/02/2011 - Artists use colors, lines and shapes to make art, and budding young Brownie artists are invited to experiment with colors and shapes as they create their own works of art. Abrakadoodle will be here to help girls make their own stamps and use them to create pieces of artwork, design a unique mobile, use paper to complete a weaving project and complete a yarn painting.Girls will earn the Colors and Shapes Try-It.  A snack will be provided.  There is no charge for chaperones, but due to space restrictions, only enough adults to satisfy Safety Activity Checkpoint Arts and Crafts allowed. Troops must have the adult chaperone to girl ratio for the Safety Activity Checkpoints for Arts and Crafts.
Date: October 2, 2011
Time: 2 – 4:30 p.m. 
Location: Volunteer Center, Montgomery
Cost: $25 per girl
Registration Deadline: September 19, 2011

5) Scooby Doo and the Kamp Kaper! 10/15/2011 - Join Scooby and the Gang in an attempt to discover who is stealing all the food at camp!  Girls will be inducted into Mystery, Inc., the world's finest crime-fighting organization and will set about discovering all the clues needed to solve the mystery!  Once the cuplrit is discovered and apprehended, girls will enjoy a Scooby Doo-rific picnic and watch classic episodes of this great series.
Only enough adults are allowed to satisfy the Safety Activity Checkpoints for Hiking.  No tag-alongs. 
Date:  October 15, 2011
Time:  10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Location:  Kamp Kiwanis, Eclectic
Cost:  $15 per girl, $10 per adult includes snack and lunch.  Girls receive fun patch.
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, September 27


6) Girl Scout Family Game Day at AU Women’s Soccer 10/16/2011 2 p.m.  - Girl Scouts are invited to attend the Auburn women’s soccer match-up vs. Arkansas on Sunday, October 16, at 2 p.m. at the Auburn University Soccer Complex. This game celebrates “Power in Pink Day” in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so girls are encouraged to wear pink, along with badge or sash.  Girl Scouts will sit together in a special section and be recognized during announcements. Girls will also get an informal opportunity to meet the players and get autographs after the game. In addition, there is an opportunity for 20 girls to be “Anthem Buddies.” These lucky 20 get to go on the field with the players before the game to participate in the Starting Line-up Spirit Line and stand with the starters during the National Anthem. These girls need to be at the field no later than 1:15 p.m. Also, up to 50 girls will get a special behind-the-scenes tour of the Track & Soccer Complex, which houses the team locker room, athletic training room, video room, coaches’ offices and more! Girls who participate in the tour will need to be at the Soccer Complex no later than 11:45 a.m. Girls can participate in both activities up to the maximum limit. The tour will conclude by 12:30 p.m. Due to NCAA regulations, all girls who participate in Anthem Buddies or the tour must be in the 8th grade or younger! Time in between the tour and the game will be considered free time. There is also unlimited free admittance to the game for family and tagalongs. Please indicate on your registration form if girls want to participate in the tour and/or Anthem Buddies. First-come, first-served on these limited spaces. Girls will receive a custom AU soccer patch!
Date: October 16
Time: 2 p.m. (note times for additional events of tour/Anthem Buddies)
Where: Auburn University Soccer Complex, 730 Biggio Dr., Auburn
Cost: $3 (for patch)
Registration Deadline: September 26

7) Juliette Gordon Lowe Birthday Cruise 10/29/2011 - To celebrate 100 years of Girls Scouts and the birthday of Juliette Gordon Low, the woman who made it all possible, we will set sail on Saturday, October 29, from 10 a.m. until noon for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! There will be all the festive trappings of a traditional birthday bash:  balloons, cake and a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday!”  You don’t want to miss the birthday party of the year!  Birthday “guests” will receive a fun patch. The cruise includes a chicken finger box lunch and cake. Cost is $20 for adult or child.  Tagalongs and other adults welcome.  There is no charge for children under 3 (as long as they do not want a meal).  Please use the Safety Activity Checkpoints for Hayrides to prepare for this program.
Who:  Girl Scout Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors 
Date:  October 29, 2011
Time:  10 a.m. – Noon
Where:  Hariott II Riverboat, Montgomery Riverfront
Cost:  $20 per participant includes meal and patch (for girls only).
Registration Deadline:   October  10, 2011

8) Centennial Celebration 10/29/2011 - You don’t want to miss the “Celebration” that only comes around every 100 years!  Girl Scouts, their families and the public are invited to a free festival on the grounds of the Alabama Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery on Saturday, October 29.
There will be entertainment, face painting, demonstrations of Girl Scout activities, food and more!   The new “Celebration” patch will be available for purchase to all girls who attend, and a program will be set up for girls to earn the “Discovering our 100-Year-History” patch, also available for purchase that day.  Participants can also be one of the first to own the new council 100th Anniversary Cookbook!
Troops are invited to sponsor a limited number of booths sharing a key element of girl scouting. These booths can be a craft, game or demonstration.  Some ideas include:
Crafts like swaps, braided bracelets, GS tattoos
Hula-hoop contests, skills (knots, origami, paper knife safety)
Rain Gutter Regattas, rope runners, other games, feats of strength, etc.
Troops are also welcome to rent a food vendor space to sell items like popcorn, cotton candy and drinks.  This would be a Money-Earning Activity and the usual requirements must be met.
For more information regarding troop involvement, please use the contact information below.
A Juliette Gordon Lowe Birthday Cruise is scheduled as a companion celebration that day.  You can attend either event or both.  Please see the cruise program information for separate registration.
Troops attending the cruise and wishing to sponsor a booth must make arrangements to staff the table during the cruise.  All troop-sponsored activities must stay open the entire length of the celebration.
Who:  Girl Scout Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors, their families and the general public. Girls who are not Girl Scouts can join that day and not miss a moment of celebrating the greatest year in GS history!  So, bring a Friend!!
Date:  October 29
Time:  8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Where:  Alabama Shakespeare Festival grounds, Montgomery
Cost:  Free, some items/food available for nominal cost
Registration Deadline:   N/A


9) Brownie Badge Series: Art to Wear 11/13/2011 - Art hangs on the walls of museums and galleries, but it also comes in many forms including artistic expressions on things that you wear!  Abrakadoodle will help budding Brownie artists create works of art on a T-shirt and shoelaces, plus make a mask and explore face painting! Girls will earn the Art to Wear Try-It.  A snack will be provided.  There is no charge for chaperones, but due to space restrictions, only enough adults to satisfy Safety Activity Checkpoint Arts and Crafts allowed. Girls must bring a plain white T-shirt for decorating.
Who: Girl Scout Brownies
Date: November 13, 2011
Time: 2 – 4:30 p.m. 
Location: Volunteer Center, Montgomery
Cost: $25 per girl
Registration Deadline: October 28, 2011

10) Horseshoe Bend - A Day at a National Park 11/19/2011 - Come join us for a day of outdoor fun at the beautiful Horseshoe Bend National Military Park.  We will play games, make crafts and learn about the historical significance of the park.  After a sack lunch, we will participate in the Park Service’s Junior Ranger program where we’ll learn all about a park ranger’s job and get a free ranger badge.  The girls will also receive a fun patch.  This is a great opportunity to visit a national park, learn important Alabama history and enjoy a beautiful fall day!  Girls need to wear closed-toed shoes and comfortable clothing.  Please bring a sack lunch.
Who:  Girl Scout Brownies, Juniors
Date:  November 19, 2011
Time:  10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Location: Horseshoe Bend National Military Park, Dadeville
Cost:  $10 per girl (includes cost of snack, patches, activity supplies)
Registration Deadline:  November 1, 2011

11) ADT's A Christmas Carol - Part 1 11/13/2011 - Alabama Dance Theater is again offering girls in our area a special opportunity to see behind the scenes of a ballet production, as well as attend an actual performance. Girls will attend Session I at The Armory on Sunday, November 13, at 2:30 p.m.  They will get to see and touch costumes, tour the studio, watch a dance rehearsal and talk with the dancers and the Artistic Director. At Session 2, girls will attend the public performance at the Davis Theater at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 20, which will also feature the Montgomery Youth Chorale.  After the performance, girls can again meet the dancers and ask questions.  Girls are also encouraged to recognize subtle differences from the rehearsal to actual performance. The cost of $8 includes both sessions and a ballet fun patch.  Only the required number of adult chaperones needed to meet the Safety Activity Checkpoints for large group gatherings receives the $8 ticket price.  All other adults and tagalongs are welcome to attend at the discounted group rate of $15 per ticket.
Who:  Girl Scout Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors
Date:  November 13 and 20
Time:  2:30 p.m.
Where:  11/13 The Armory.  11/20 Davis Theater.
Cost:  $8 per girl, $8 per adult required for Safety Activity Checkpoints, $15 all others

12) Girl Scout Day @ The Zoo 11/19/2011 - Someone has let the monkeys out of their cages, and Girl Scouts have to be zookeepers for a day in order to catch them and put them back where they belong!  Join us at the Montgomery Zoo for a monkey-themed treasure hunt, take a miniature train ride, feed a giraffe, take photos with Zoobeedoo (the Zoo Mascot), attend a live-animal presentation with “Birds of Prey,” enjoy a snack and receive a Zookeeper fun patch! There is a limit of 75 for the live animal presentation, but no limit on the number who can tour the zoo and participate in other activities.  Adults and tagalongs are welcome, with girls getting priority seating at the show. You are welcome to bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the zoo grounds after our program.  The zoo remains open until 5 p.m.
Who:  Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors
Time: 9:30 AM - 12 PM
Cost:    Age 12 and up:  $19
             Age 3 – 11: $16
            2 and younger: Free
These prices are for non-members.  If you are a Zoo member, your cost for adult and girl will be $10.

13) Mobile International Festival Overnighter @ Exploreum 11/19/2011 - G’Day Mates! Join us for an Australian adventure at the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center. Go on a virtual diving tour of the Great Barrier Reef, learn about Australia’s rich ecology, and even get a chance to meet Aussie critters!  Earn the brand new “Aussie Explorer” patch!
Who: Girl Scout Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors
Date: November 19-20, 2011
Time: 5 p.m. Saturday - 7 a.m. Sunday
Location:  Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center, Mobile
Cost: $40 Girl Scouts; $20 adults (includes IMAX film, Science Center Admission, Theme-Based Science  Programs Patch, Dinner, Snack, and Continental Breakfast. 
Registration Deadline: November 11


14) All Aboard the Santa Express!  12/3/2011 - Celebrate the holiday season aboard the Santa Express, with a special guest -- the jolly old elf himself!  Join us at the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum in Calera for a scenic journey riding the rails through the beautiful forests of Shelby County. Every child aboard will get a personal visit with Santa, who will accompany us on our one hour and fifteen-minute journey. Girls will also receive a goody bag with holiday and train-themed items, a fun patch and snack. Participants are welcome to bring a sack lunch, as well. There are some limited picnic facilities available on a first-come, first-served basis (availability based on weather, of course.) Tickets to this program will sell out and are not guaranteed until payment is received. This is a public train ride, and not all seats are guaranteed for us. Therefore, the deadline is only a suggestion; the earlier the better. We will place weekly ticket orders as registrations are received until the train sells out. You can continue to add to an existing registration until the deadline, or the program sells out, whichever comes first. Families are welcome. There is no charge for under 2, but they will need a ticket, so note them on the registration form.
Who: Girl Scout Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors
Date: December 3, 2011
Time: 11 a.m. 
Location: Calera
Cost: $24 per girl, $19 adult and tagalong over 2 years old
Registration Deadline: October 17, 2011


14) Brownie Badge Series: Puppetsm Dolls, and Plays 12/04/2011 -  Brownie artists understand that art comes in many forms, but may be surprised to know that puppets and dolls can also be a form of art and you can use them in plays and stories, too!
Abrakadoodle will help budding Brownie artists create finger puppets and a puppet theater, a paper bag puppet and a yarn doll.
Girls will earn the Puppets, Dolls, and Plays Try-It.  A snack will be provided.  There is no charge for chaperones, but due to space restrictions, only enough adults to satisfy Safety Activity Checkpoints allowed. Troops must have the adult chaperone to girl ratio for the Safety Activity Checkpoints for Arts and Crafts.
Girls must bring a shoebox for the puppet theater.
Who: Girl Scout Brownies
Date: December 4, 2011
Time: 2 – 4:30 p.m. 
Location: Volunteer Center, Montgomery
Cost: $25 per girl
Registration Deadline: November 21, 2011


15) Painting Party - Calling all Girl Scouts who love to camp and paint!  This Painting Party is for you! Let the artists at Corks and Canvas show you how to paint this cute camping scene.  Girls can personalize the figures in the tent by using such things as different uniform or hair color.  Paintings will be on 9X12 stretched canvas. Fee includes snack and fun patch.
Who:  Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors
Date:  December 11
Time:  2 – 4 p.m.
Where:  Corks and Canvas in Montgomery (directions with confirmation)
Cost:  $18 per girl
Registration Deadline:   November 28


16) Handmade Holiday! 12/17/2011 - Girls of all ages are invited to join in the spirit of the holiday season with handmade cards, ornaments, crafts and snacks. Girls will create their own reindeer painting with handprint antlers, make one-of-a-kind cards and ornaments and create a holiday-themed work of art that you can eat! Enjoy holiday music as you toil like Santa’s elves making all your holiday goodies.  Girls will also get a festive fun patch! Participants will need to bring a sack lunch.
Who: Girl Scout Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors
Date: December 17
Time: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Location: Enterprise (specific location to be announced with confirmation)
Cost: $20 per girl
Registration Deadline: December 1

Parent Information 2011-2012


Parent Kick Off Notes

Girl Scout Troop Troop 9058
Monday September  5th, 2011

Meetings: Monthly on Saturdays @ Frazer UMC 1:30-3:30 p.m. currently in room 3105

Membership Dues: Our troop dues will be $6 per month. The dues collected will go toward troop crafts, supplies, badges and pins and snacks. Field trips and outings will be in addition to the regular dues. Membership into GSUSA is $12 per girl annually this will include an automatic insurance coverage from the GSUSA for all outing, trips and overnighters. Parents are required join the Troop as an adult member, if they plan on attending any meetings or outing. The Adult fee of $12 and has the same coverage as the girl membership.

Supplies:
Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting - for girls age level
It's Your Story Tell It Journey - for Age Level

Basic Meeting Agenda:
Opening: Girl Scout Promise·
Daisy Circle: Girls get to share what they have been up to and also get in the 'know' on troop news.
Activities: One or more program activities or craft·
Snack: girls eat and have the opportunity to work on a simple activity while the leaders to get set up.
Clean Up: A Girl Scout leaves a place cleaner than she found it.
Closing: Friendship Circle, Good Bye squeeze

Uniform: (not required)·
Daisies: Blue Tunic or vest (with troop numbers, council patch GSSA patch and American Flag patch) -Provided by parents available at the council shop or @ http://http://shop.girlscoutssa.org/uniforms-daisy.html - Troop will provide other insignia/tabs/patches
Brownies: Brown Vest or Sash (with troop numbers, council patch GSSA patch and American Flag patch) -Provided by parents available at the council shop or @ http://shop.girlscoutssa.org/uniforms-brownie.html  - Troop will provide other insignia/tabs/patches
Juniors: Green Vest Or Sash  Brown Vest or Sash (with troop numbers, council patch GSSA patch and American Flag patch) -Provided by parents available at the council shop or @ http://shop.girlscoutssa.org/uniforms-junior.html
Cadettes: Khaki Vest or Sash (with troop numbers, council patch GSSA patch and American Flag patch) -Provided by parents available at the council shop or @ http://shop.girlscoutssa.org/uniforms-oldergirl.html