Congratulations to our Volunteer Celebration 2014 awardees, who were honored at a ceremony after a day-long conference.

September 2014

The power of Girl Scouting starts with our volunteers!

During our 2014 Volunteer Conference and Celebration on Aug.16 at Liberty Station in Point Loma, we saluted nearly 60 caring adults for their over-the-top dedication to furthering our mission. Visit our event page to view awardees’ names, photos and my “greetings from Africa” video.

The celebration began with a fun and lively day of learning and networking, capped by Sunrise Valley Service Unit winning the Spirit Stick.

The cheering continued into the evening at the awards ceremony. One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of the Thanks Badge — Girl Scouting’s highest honor — to Heather Fryant, Deborah Lechner, Sarah Ng, Marilyn Sedlund and Howard Wygle. They exemplify the kind of leadership that shaped the life of our keynote speaker, Gold Awardee Cindy Marten. She described how Girl Scouting paved the way to her current role of superintendent of the San Diego Unified School District.

Imagine where our 30,000 local Girl Scouts are headed, thanks to the volunteers who lead the way!

Jo Dee C. Jacob
Chief Executive Officer

P.S., We’ll congregate and celebrate again at our next big gathering, Urban Campout: Adventures in Wonderland on Friday, Sept. 12. (See next item.) Hope to see you then!

Urban Campout auction goes online
For the first time, you can bid for select auction items in advance of Urban Campout: Adventures in Wonderland. Packages include irresistible offerings like a romantic night at Sofia Hotel and Currant American Brasserie … tickets to a Paul McCartney concert and Los Angeles Lakers and San Diego Padres games … and Xtreme Fun kids parties.

If you haven’t purchased Urban Campout tickets yet, book your journey down the rabbit hole now. For information, contact Annie Revel, (619) 610-0807.

Promise Circle honorees take center stage at groundbreaking
The dirt flew at the Cabin 3 groundbreaking (see photos) during an event thanking donors from our Promise and Legacy Circles. Board Chair Debbie Rider presented Jan and Wayne Loftus with the 2014 Promise Circle Award, citing their decades of service and generosity. San Diego County Supervisor Ron Roberts told guests why he supports our organization and recommended Girl Scouts San Diego to receive $25,000 in county Neighborhood Reinvestment Program funds for the Cabin 3 project.

Spirit of '45: A heroes' welcome
Girl Scouts from 14 troops joined 175 World War II veterans and 800 other attendees for “Spirit of ’45 Day” to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the end of the war and honor those who served. During the celebration at the Veterans Museum & Memorial Center in Balboa Park, Girl Scouts conducted 90 videotaped interviews, preserving the veterans’ legacy for future generations. They were joined by San Diego Police Chief and Girl Scout board member Shelley Zimmerman, and other government, military and civic leaders. See U-T San Diego feature.

Pictured: Daisy Sydney Taylor of Coronado Troop 6340 meets with 96-year-old WWII veteran Ryle G. Johnson.

Grownup getaway: Brush up your outdoor skills
Here’s a great way to introduce friends and family members to Girl Scouting: Invite them to Camp Winacka for our annual Outdoor Skills Weekend on Oct. 3-5. Pal around with them, plus make new friends, as you customize your own adventures, build skills and rejuvenate. Select from a wide range of sessions designed to spark your imagination — and get you out on the lake, into the woods or over to the archery range. Whether you attend as a group or fly solo, this is a fabulous opportunity to expand your horizons in beautiful surroundings. It’s your weekend: embrace it!

Get stylin' in Girl Scout fashions
Show off your Girl Scout pride with new tops, now available at our shops. Find sparkly and bright Girl Scouts San Diego T-shirts for all ages, in colors ranging from muted jewel tones to rich hues. Designs include beach and camp themes, along with unique Girl Scout Law word art. Plus, girls can dress it up with official GSUSA polos. Many of these and other selections are value priced.

Let Compass point the way
Girl Scouts: Map out the year with Compass — your guide to activities, events and camps. Find important dates for the cookie program, Operation Thin Mint_® Sendoff Celebration and sleepover, and other councilwide events like Finish Chelsea’s Run 5K, Girl Scout Week Open House, Stuff the Bus food drive and a springtime bridging ceremony. Plus, discover your passions, whether they’re chemistry, jewelry making or speaking out about women’s rights! Join the conversation: Tell us about your plans for the 2014-2015 membership year by using the #ICantWaitTo tag on your social media platform of choice.

• Subscribe to GS Bi-Weekly e-newsletter
• Like us on Facebook
• Follow us on Twitter
• Learn about Girl Scouts
• See photo/video gallery and news clips
• Join Promise Circle or Legacy Circle
• Donate or volunteer
• Encourage a girl to join
• Reconnect as an adult member or alumna
• Send us your feedback
  

About Girl Scouts
Founded in 1912, Girl Scouting provides the nation’s best leadership experience for girls. Through Girl Scouts, girls discover themselves, connect with others, and take action to make the world a better place.

Girl Scouts San Diego provides activities for 43,000 local girl and adult members, trains volunteers, and maintains two camps and four program and service facilities.