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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Congratulations to our 159 Girl Scouts who earned their Silver Award. A ceremony was held in their honor on Sunday, March 9, at the Hill School in Pottstown. GSEP is very proud of our Girl Scouts who continue to surpass their own goals. Way to go ladies!
Congratulations also to Avriel Finder of Wynnewood and Sarah Richman of Merion, our Gold Award recipients who also attended the March 9 ceremony. The Gold Award is the highest level of achievement in Girl Scouting. We’re overjoyed with your success!
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TAKE THE LEAD TAKES OFF!
This year’s Take The Lead has been a huge success so far, and we’re eager to share the news with you. In upcoming Enews issues, we’ll take you inside each of the three Take The Lead events with photos and updates.
Take The Lead Philadelphia:
On Monday, March 3rd, we hosted GSEP’s first major fundraising event, Take The Lead, in Philadelphia. We not only surpassed our fundraising goal with a 17% increase in net revenue from last year’s event, but also succeeded in packing the house with over 475 diverse attendees—including Penn President Dr. Amy Gutmann, Mayor Michael Nutter and his wife, Lisa Johnson-Nutter, whom we honored, Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz, Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds-Brown, local, state and federal judges, and many corporate and civic leaders. Our honorees included Valerie Ferguson, Melissa Fitzgerald, Diane Melley, Carol Wong, Lisa Nutter and Juliette Gordon Low Leadership Award recipient Dr. Amy Gutmann.
Four Seasons (http://www.fourseasons.com/philadelphia/) provided us with the perfect venue for Philadelphia’s Take The Lead. The five diamond luxury hotel also provided hors d’oeuvres and a small buffet - a special treat as Philadelphia Style notes the food to be especially sumptuous.
Our talented girls stole the spotlight with their performance and tribute to our sponsors. Sabrina Bruno shows her support with a sign for Cozen O’Connor (http://www.cozen.com), a top law firm with 23 offices across America and recipient of the 2008 National Law Journal Pro Bono Award.
Joseph A. Frick, President and CEO of Philadelphia’s largest health insurer, Independence Blue Cross (http://www.ibx.com), joined us for the event as well (pictured here with Mayor Nutter and Ann Meredith). During a time where health insurance is at the forefront of political battles, Independence Blue Cross continues undaunted in its outreach and philanthropy in not only Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania, but with Health Tours, anti-defamation initiatives and marathons.
Be sure to check out our news coverage of the event:
CBS 3 - http://cbs3.com/video/?id=53603@kyw.dayport.com
NBC 10 - NBC10
6 ABC - 6ABC
Philadelphia Magazine - http://www.phillymag.com/party_pictures/gallery.html?gallery=221958&return=party_pictures/index.html#party_pics_module
What’s Next:
Take The Lead, Honoring Women of Distinction event in Berks County: March 11, 2008 at the Sheraton Reading Hotel.
Take The Lead Honoring Women of Distinction event in Lehigh Valley: April 30, 2008 at the Holiday Inn at Fogelsville.
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PROGRAM CORNER
The Piano Lesson
When: Friday, March 14, 2008 at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Arden Children’s Theater at 40 North 2nd St. in Philadelphia
Cost: $22 per ticket
Details: This is an intricate tale of an African American family and the decisions made about a treasured family heirloom. The story follows Willie Boy who battles with his sister, Bernice, over the sale of a piano to purchase land that his ancestors once worked on as slaves. His sister insists that the instrument carries too much history to cast aside. Enjoy this complicated story about lives haunted by memories of the piano and the lessons learned. Tickets for the show include a guest show tour of the theatre.
Bridging to Brownies
When: Camp Laughing Waters – Saturday, March 29, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Camp Tohikanee – Saturday, April 5, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Ages: Daisy
Cost: $15 per girl; $8 per adult
Details: Sing songs, hike, play games and make crafts at camp while working on the Bridge to Brownies patch. Activities are planned for adults as well. Bring packed lunches.
Tree Planting Service Event
When: Saturday, April 12, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Where: 3111 Doe Run Church Road in Coatesville, PA.
Ages: All
Cost: $3 per person
Details: Join Girl Scouts in planting 1600 seedlings. Attendance fulfills requirements for the Trees for the 21st Century TM patch. Tools are provided, please bring extra shovels and hand trowels if available. Snacks and gift provided.
Working It Out
When: Saturday, April 12 or Sunday, April 13 from 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Where: National Liberty Museum 321 Chestnut St. Philadelphia
Ages: Brownie
Cost: $ 8 per girl, $5 per adult over Safety-Wise ratio
Details: Learn tools to help you feel safe and strong against teasing and bullying.
Use the giant shredder exhibit to get rid of hurtful works. Jellybean children will show you a better way to work out problems. Fee includes admission and Working It Out Try-It.
Bring Out the Art in You
When: Saturday, April 19 from 10:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.
Where: Opera Delaware Studios, 4 South Poplar Street, Wilmington, DE.
Ages: Junior
Cost: $13 per girl
Details: Delve into artistic design with clay and wire, and make Japanese paper cranes (origami). Take an artist-led “art around the town” walking tour of Wilmington’s riverfront and the Grand Opera House. Art in 3D Badge included.
Daisy Meets Mother Nature
When: Shelly Ridge - Saturday, April 19, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Camp Laughing Waters – Saturday, April 26, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Ages: Daisy
Cost: $15 per girl; $8 per adult
Details: Meet some of the animals that live at camp while earning the Ready, Set, Go Camping Try-It. You will be ready to go camping when you become a Brownie.
History Hunters Festival
When: Saturday, April 22 from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Where: Cliveden, 6401 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia
Ages: Junior
Cost: $12 per girl, $3 per adult
Details: Travel history at three historic Germantown houses. Learn Native American communication techniques, and how slaves escaped to freedom. Crafts, gardening and games included. Fee includes admission and Local Lore Badge.
Creative Careers
When: Saturday, April 26 from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Where: Goggle Works Center for the Arts, 201 Washington St., Reading, PA.
Ages: Cadette, Senior
Cost: $12 per girl, $3 per adult over Safety-Wise ratio
Details: Meet a glassblower, ceramics artist, and a fibers artist. Watch them demonstrate their art and learn how they developed their careers. Work toward your Visual Arts IP.
Iron Pigs Baseball at Coca Cola Park
When: Saturday, April 26, 2008 at 7:00 a.m.
Where: Coca Cola Part at 555 Union Blvd. in Allentown, PA.
Ages: All
Cost: $11 per person
Details: GSEP family and friends are invited to an Iron Pigs baseball game for their inaugural year. Brownies through Seniors can spend the night on the field after the game for an additional $10.
Take Flight
When: Saturday, April 26, 2008
Where: Queen City Airport in Allentown
Ages: Cadette and Senior
Cost: $5 per girl
Details: Meet with women pilots, operate a flight simulator, learn the scientific aspects of flying and explore the insides of actual planes.
Camp Mehenehune (Hawaiian for Junior)
When: May 2-4, 2008
Where: Camp Green Lane
Ages: Junior
Cost: $85 per person
Details: Enjoy a Hawaiian weekend filled with challenge courses, climbing walls and archery. Play volleyball, basketball and mini golf. There will be hula lessons, making of leis for a luau and even some fishing. The pool is open, weather permitting. Troops stay in cabins with indoor facilities. Troop camp trained adults and troop first aider required. All meals included. This weekend available at no cost for adult volunteers who will assist with activities. Contact Cindy Sassi at 215-564-2030 x1108 or csassi@gsep.org.
Dorney Park Day
When: Sunday, May 18, 2008 from 9:30 a.m.
Where: Dorney Park
Ages: All girls
Cost: $26 per person
Details: Price includes admission to the park, free parking and buffet from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Water park will be closed. Families are welcome. You must purchase tickets by May 7, 2008 online, by fax (215-564-6953) or in person at the Lehigh Valley Service Center. Contact Michele Durham at 215-564-2030 x.1037 or mdurham@gsep.org for more information.
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Thinking Day Celebration
Members of Daisy Troop 11067 prepare for their rendition of the Mexican Hat Dance. Their Thinking Day Celebration included learning the meaning of the trifold, visiting 10 countries on the map, learning about cultural dress through the making of friend dolls, and of course, dancing!
World Thinking Day 2008 was February 22. Each year girls participate in activities, games and projects with global themes to honor their sister Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in other countries.
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GIRL SCOUT CAMP
Join Camp Directors for an interactive session all about summer camp. Girls and families, troops and leaders can attend to learn all about the nine camp properties and what programs are offered.
Berks County Service Center
Wednesday, March 19, 2008 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Lehigh Valley Service Center
Sunday, March 30, 2008 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Shelly Ridge Program Center
Sunday, March 30, 2008 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Seltzer Service Center
Thursday, March 27, 2008 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Service Units may request a presentation to be held at their location by calling in to the number below.
The Summer Camp Guide is coming to all Girl Scout households and can also be viewed online at www.gsep.org by clicking on camps. Registrations can be mailed in.
For more information: email aharrity@gsep.org or call (866 or 215) 564- 2030, ext 1023
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MISSION MANTRA
“Use the talents you possess for the woods would be very silent if no birds sang, except the very best.”
- Henry Van Dyke
Renee “Sneakers” Glover of New Tripoli, PA shared this quote with us. She uses it for motivation, and quite frequently, to motivate those around her during song workshops.
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ADULT DEVELOPMENT CORNER
We want to bring Training to You! We want to make your learning options as convenient as possible. If you have a group of at least five participants that need Age Level or Essentials training, contact us at training@gsep.org. We will work to partner you with a trainer that will work with you to schedule a mutually convenient time and place.
Need Outdoor Training? We have multiple opportunities for you. Classes are filling fast so please register early. The Outdoor 101 Home Study Packet is the pre-requisite for all GSEP outdoor training. It is now available for download on our website. http://www.gsep.org/pages/adult_training.html If you would like a printed copy mailed to you, please contact Teresa at 888-564-4657 ext. 1021 or at training@gsep.org
Our Spring Training Schedule is full of other learning opportunities for you. Check it out at out www.gsep.org . New opportunities are added each week.
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CONTACT US
If you know of a Leader or Service Unit Manager who does not receive GS News because she/he does not have access to a computer, please have them contact us for a mailed copy of the GS News. Please call or email Loretta Rudzinski at (215) 564-2030, ext. 1049 or lrudzinski@gsep.org.
Headquarters
Shelly Ridge Service Center
330 Manor Road
Miquon, PA 19444
Tel. (888/215) 564-4657
Fax. (215) 564-6953
Mailing address:
PO Box 27540
Philadelphia, PA 19118