Arriving at Our Cabana, Cuernavaca Mexico

What an exhilarating day! This morning our host family drove us to Our Cabana for the beginning of what I am sure will be a very exciting week. My first impression was overwhelming - it is so beautiful, peaceful and serene! The gardens and vegetation are absolutely wonderful and it has the most amazing outdoor living areas. It brought tears to my eyes (I know that sounds silly) but it has been a dream of mine for many, many years to come to this place. For those who do not know, there are four World Centers in different countries around the globe which are affiliated with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. There are an estimated 10 million members in this wonderful organization. The website for Our Cabana tells the story that this world center was established in 1957 and has since seen over 70,000 Girl Guides and Girl Scouts pass through it's doors. It is an incredibly safe place to be, indeed since arrival in Cuernavaca over a week ago I have felt very safe here in Mexico and Nuestra Cabana continues to welcome its visitors! I will tell you more tomorrow and as the week goes on! For now, Buenos Noches!

I am here for the annual meeting of the Friends of Our Cabana. Although I have not met all of them yet they are an amazing group of women who dearly love and therefore support this little piece of paradize by giving of their time, talents and finances. I hope to learn more this week about Our Cabana and hope to encourage our scouts in Central California to come here to partake of all its' beauty and activities. I am posting a few pictures now and more will follow in my days here to come!

Cuernavaca Mexico- Jan 30 to Feb 6, 2011-Before Our Cabana

My story begins many years ago (about 46 yrs ago!) when I became a Girl Scout as a Brownie. I have continued to either be a Girl Scout as a girl or as an adult for all these many years! I love the program and how it helps girls grow to grow courage, confidence and character! I love the program and am passionate about it to the extent I want to share Girl Scouting with everyone I know!

I 2006 I was asked to be a delegate to what was then called the Mile Hi Council in Colorado so I attended the National Girl Scout Convention in Atlanta, Georgia. It was there that I met my friend, Rae Ann Dougherty from Colorado. Over the past few years Rae Ann has invited me to attend Our Cabana with her as a Friend of Our Cabana! I called her bluff and told her I would love to go with her!! Then she told me there was an opportunity to attend an immersion Spanish speaking school called Los Encuentros. I decided to accept the invitation for that so this past week I have been attending class at Los Encuentros and living with a Mexican host family in Cuernavaca, Mexico! What an adventure that has been! The teachers at our school spoke very limited English so we were forced to speak only Spanish. One day we had two ladies come to talk to us (in Spanish, of course) about what is being done in Mexico regarding the environment and how they are educating both young and old alike on pertinent issues facing our planet today. We went on a tour ov several museums where the tours took place with Spanish speaking guides - it was sink or swim!!! I was amazed at how my comprehension and vocabulary impoved during the week! I would highly recommend this school for such an experience!

Girl Scout Magazine Competition

Hey Girls!!!!

Check out JUSTINE Magazine! In collaboration with Girl Scouts of the USA, Justine magazine is offering only Girl Scouts the opportunity to be photographed and featured in their magazine. They are looking for R.E.A.L. girls... Remarkable... Energetic... Aspirational... Leaders... in other words they are looking for YOU!!!

The winner will receive an all expense paid trip for her and her mom (or legal guardian) to the Justine Photo shoot and be spotlighted in an upcoming Justine Issue in an article featuring her as a R.E.A.L. girl! Plus she will receive a $300 Justine swag bag and Justine subscriptions for herself, her school library and her Girl Scout Troop.

Visit the URL below to get an application and learn more!

http://justinemagazine.com/girl_scouts_real_girl.htm

The Deadline to enter is Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Please note: Girl Scouts of Central California South has no say in the selection process. Please direct all questions or concerns to Justine Magazine directly.

See below for contest Rules and Regulations:

Justine
Girl Scouts / R.E.A.L. Girl Contest
Rules:
1. Girls who are currently active members of Girl Scouts between the ages of 13
and 19 may enter the contest. You must not be younger than age 13 by October 1,
2009 and not older than age 19 by May 31, 2010.

2. Each applicant must complete the entry form, answering all questions.
Partially completed forms will not be accepted. Any photographs submitted will
become the property of Justine Magazine and will not be returned.

3. The completed and signed entry form, along with photo and any additional
materials should be mailed to: Justine R.E.A.L. Girl, 6263 Poplar Avenue, Suite 1154,
Memphis, TN 38119.

4. Entries for this contest must be postmarked by January 20, 2010.

5. The winner and/or finalists will be notified by February 10, 2010.
The number of finalists will be determined by the number of entries received.

6. Editorial ideas, writing samples and entry forms submitted become the property
of Justine Magazine and Justine Magazine retains the right to use any information
submitted on the entry form in Justine Magazine, on the justinemagazine.com
website, or in other promotional pieces in conjunction with the Justine Girl Scouts /
R.E.A.L. Girl contest.

7. Entries submitted by persons under 18 are not valid unless signed by a parent or
legal guardian.

8. The winner of the contest will receive an all-expenses paid trip to the Justine
photo shoot in late February /early March for herself and her mom (or legal
guardian)—plus a $300 value Justine swag bag—in addition to being featured in an
upcoming Justine article. She will also receive a subscription to Justine, as will her
school library and her entire Girl Scout troop. Other prizes may be added and
awarded at the discretion of Justine Magazine.

9. The selection will be based on information provided on the R.E.A.L. Girl entry
form and accompanying information and photos. Contest finalists may be required
to submit additional information and/or recommendations from their school to aid in
the selection process.

10. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited.
Justine Girl Scouts/REAL Girl Promotion 2009

Summer Camp Events

Hi Everybody!

Are you ready for summer? I sure hope so...since it's almost "officially" here! June 21st, the official first day of summer will shine it's way into our lives. Are you ready for everything that goes along with Summer?

Most schools have opened their doors and sent all the children running out into the world to enjoy their time exploring, learning and growing. Not to mention pool hopping, sleeping late and eating nothing but junk, but isn't that what growing up is all about? But what if you want something more? What if you want the option to spend time outdoors, run and play and learn all while eating good healthy, but VERY tasty meals and spending time with friends? Sound too good to be true? It's not!

This summer we offer three great options to spend time outside at summer camp!

Our first event Girlympics will take place next weekend and I am happy to announce it's FULL!

We will be taking 80 people (Girls, Adults, Staff and Program Aides) up to Camp El-O-Win for a fun filled weekend of friendly competition. We have five different troops attending!

Troop 71- Yellow Team

Troop 268- Red Team

Troop 368- Blue Team

Troop 651- Purple Team

Troop 2002- Orange Team

These groups with the help of their PA Captains will compete in activities from the traditional Olympic Games as well as some Silly Activities like the five lap race which included crab walking and wheelbarrow racing! Think of them and give a cheer, it's sure to be great!

Later this summer in July we will host Camp Skills 101 for Brownie and Junior Girl Scouts to learn basic camp skills and earn their camp bracelet. There are still 10 openings for this summer camp weekend. For more information visit our website at http://www.girlscoutsccs.org/

July 24-26, 2009 at Camp El-O-Win

$60.00 per person

Deadline to Register: Friday, July 17, 2009 (or until Full)

Finally this August will conclude the Summer Camp Season for Girl Scouts of Central California South with an Older Girl Mother Daughter Event! All girls 6th grade and up are welcome to come to this weekend with their mother or other special female adult (Elder Sister, Aunt, Grandmother or Great Grandmother, any female over 19 years of age)!

August 7-9, 2009 at Camp El-O-Win

$60.00 per person

Deadline to Register: Friday July 24, 2009 (or until Full)

Check back often for updates!

It's a great place to be and we'd love to have you join us!

Women Inspiring Girls Luncheon

Yesterday Girl Scouts of Central California South hosted the first annual Women Inspiring Girls Luncheon at Roger Rocka's Dinner Theatre in Fresno! Almost 200 people from around the valley attended this premier event. We honored three amazing women from Fresno; Nancy Hinds - Founder of Hinds Hospice, Olga Martinez - President and CEO of Allright Diversified Services. Inc, and Ashley Swearengin - Mayor of the City of Fresno. This spectacular event honored the achievement of these women as an ongoing inspiration to all girls throughout the valley.
The event was hosted by Girl Scout MC's Molly, Danielle and Andrea of Fresno. Molly and Andrea are currently working on their Girl Scout Gold Award and Danielle is working on her Girl Scout Silver Award. The opening was done by Girl Scouts from the Clovis area. The Brownie and Junior Girl Scouts helped people to see that when we look at the Girl Scouts of today we should not just see them as children, but as the future of our country. Maybe even the first woman president! The event was closed by a song and dance from some our local Girl Scouts.

Each of the honorees was given a special award as well as a commemorative Pendant specially designed and sponsored by Karkazian Jewelers. They were honored with a special video presentation and much more.
The event would not have been possible without the support of our sponsors:
Clawson Honda of Fresno, AT&T, Union Bank of California, Eye-Q, Catalano Fenske and Associates LLC, Heald College, Mavrick Marketing, Save Mart Super Markets, Dorthy "Penny" Buller and Sally Caglia.
We are also very thankful for our generous Media Sponsors:
CBS 47, KJEWEL 99.3 FM, KYNO 1300 AM, and The Fresno Bee.

Congratulations to the honored and thank you to all of our sponsors! You are invaluable to Girl Scouts of Central California South! Thank you for making this event a success. Check back for pictures of the event soon!

We will be hosting a second Women Inspiring Girls Luncheon in Bakersfield in the Fall of 2009. We will be looking for Honorees, Sponsors and Girl Scouts to participate. If you are interested please contact Rosie at the Bakersfield office at 1-800-490-8653 or email at rshriver@girlscoutsccs.org.

First Post: Bridge to Ambassadors, Dairy Queen Summer Special and Summer PA Opportunities

Hi Everyone!

Welcome to our new space to share information! This is the Girl Scouts of Central California South Blog and this is where all notes will be placed for your viewing/reading and commenting pleasure! This will have information for everyone, but will be specifically geared at Older Girls who are interested in making the most of what Girl Scouts has to offer them!

First up I am happy to announce that we have a new Bridge to offer those Girls who are moving from grade 10-11! The Bridge to Girl Scout Ambassador Award!

The Bridge to Girl Scout Ambassador Award is designed for Girl Scout Seniors becoming Girl Scout Ambassadors, the highest level in Girl Scouts. The Bridge to Girl Scout Ambassador Award will be available for purchase in May 2009 and, as official insignia, gets placed on the sash or vest below the membership stars and above other bridging award patches. The new award reflects the leadership keys of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. As girls complete the steps to earn the award, they are experiencing benefits of national outcomes. The new requirements will be posted up here soon!

Second! Girl Scouts & Dairy Queen Make Tasty Treats!!!

Girl Scouts USA is proud to announce that Dairy Queen has renewed their licensing agreement. The agreement brings together the iconic Blizzard Flavor Treat and Girl Scouts for a summer blockbuster of Blizzard Treats, yes I said TREATS as in more than one!

Last summer they introduced the Thin Mint Cookie Blizzard Treat. This summer this Blizzard is back, along with the NEW Girl Scouts Peanut Butter Patties Blizzard Treat. Dairy Queen will feature the Peanut Butter Patties Blizzard Treat in July and then the Thin Mint Cookie Blizzard Treat in August.

Thirdly and truly MOST Importantly! The Summer 2009 Program Aide Opportunities and Descriptions of Duties!!

1. Girlympics Camp Weekend at El-O-Win (PA Cost $35.00)

•Need 6 Girls Grades 9-12 who have completed PA Core Training in the last 24 months.
•Must be able to be at Camp El-O-Win by 3:30pm on Friday, June 26, 2009 and must be picked up from Camp El-O-Win by 12:00pm on Sunday, June 28, 2009.
•Girls must attend a mandatory orientation at the Council office on Monday, June 22, 2009 from 6:30pm – 8:00pm.
•Girls should be in good physical condition and a working understanding of most sports.

2. Camp Skills 101 Weekend at El-O-Win (PA Cost $35.00)

•Need 6 Girls Grades 7-12 who have completed PA Core Training in the last 24 months.
•Must be able to be at Camp El-O-Win by 5:00pm on Friday, July 24, 2009 and must be picked up from Camp El-O-Win by 11:30am on Sunday July 26, 2009.
•Girls must attend a mandatory orientation at the Council office on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 from 6:30pm – 8:00pm.•Girls should be able to hike, have a basic understanding of camp and outdoor skills as well as a strong understanding of camp fire safety.
•Girls are strongly encouraged to know the following skills: Fire Building, Knot Tying, Outdoor Emergency Aid, Orienteering, How to Pitch a Tent, Star Gazing, Hiking and Outdoor Cooking.

3. Zink the Zebra Zone (PA Cost $5.00)

•Need 3 Girls at each location in grades 7-12 who have completed PA Core Training in the last 24 months. (A total of 3 in Fresno, 3 in Visalia, 3 in Kern County)
•Girls must be able to get to their specific location at least 1 hour before the program is set to begin.
•Girls must read through all training materials for their age group prior to attending the event.

4. Go Nuts! (PA Cost $3.00)

•Need 10-25 Girls in Grades 7-12 who have completed PA Core Training in the last 24 months. •Girls must be able to be at the Heritage Complex in Tulare by 10:00am on Saturday, September 19, 2009 and be picked up from the Heritage Complex by 4:30pm on Saturday, September 19, 2009.
•Girls will need to participate in a conference call on Monday, September 14, 2009 at 7:00pm to receive their assignments.
•Girls should be familiar with the Girl Scout Fall Product Sale.

Reminder all girls must apply to work as a PA at an event. DO NOT register as a PA before you have received your acceptance letter. Applications can be found at www.girlscoutsccs.org under “Forms and Applications”.

I hope you all find this to be informative and helpful! Let us know what you think and what you'd like to see and hear! Posts will be made on a weekly basis! Be on the watch!