2023-2024 Inspire Discovery

September 2023-May 2024

Inspire Discovery

Registration Opens Aug. 10!

Welcome to Your Year of

Discovery Each school year as a Girl Scout brings thrills and out-of-this-world experiences. Let your imagination lead the way as you try new things! Find your inspiration and discover a different side of yourself by attending a Girl Scout program, camp or event during 2023-2024. Don't miss a minute big adventures and forever friends! This is going to be the best year yet.

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contents

2023-2024 | essentials

essentials

take action

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38 40 42 46

Welcome! What's New For the 23/24 School Year?

Meet the Highest Awards Bronze Award

Silver Award Gold Award

discover

Girl Scout Round Up Girl Scout Cookie Run Community Service and April Showers Robotics Product Programs Media Team

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programs

Program Partners Ways to Participate Program Registration Program Listing

52 54 57 58

Service Center Tours Camping Programs

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Inspire Discovery

2023-2024 Inspire Discovery With support from dedicated adult volunteers, parents and staff, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri (GSEM) delivers the Girl Scout experience to girls and adults in eastern Missouri, which includes St. Louis City and the 28 surrounding Missouri counties of Adair, Audrain (Van-Far School District), Clark, Crawford, Franklin, Iron, Jefferson, Knox, Lewis, Lincoln, Linn, Macon, Marion, Monroe, Pike, Putnam, Ralls, Reynolds, Schuyler, Scotland, Shelby, St. Charles, St. Francois, St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve, Sullivan, Warren and Washington.

Inspire Discovery is an annual publication of Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri.

Natissia Small, Ed.D. Chief Executive Officer

Kelly Daleen Chief Marketing and Membership Officer

GSEM NEWS Would you like to receive our monthly e-newsletter and other GSEM updates via email? To ensure you receive these updates please login to your MyGS account, click on the “Family Profile” tab and make sure the “Email Opt In” box is checked and that the email address we have on file is accurate.

CONTACT US 314.400.4600 answercenter@girlscoutsem.org

Danielle Washington Chief Program Officer

GSEM Service Center 2300 Ball Drive St. Louis, MO 63146

Julie Cubbage Chief Administrative Officer

CAMP LOCATIONS

Camp Cedarledge Pevely, MO Camp Fiddlecreek Labadie, MO

Janine Lawler Chief Development Officer

FOLLOW US

Amanda Koehler Chief Financial Officer

Camp Tuckaho Troy, MO

facebook.com/GirlScoutsEasternMO

Editorial Inquiries communications@ girlscoutsem.org

@girlscoutsem

@GirlScoutsEM

Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri has zero tolerance for any instances of sexual abuse, physical abuse, and/or molestation of any individual. Any staff member, volunteer, or independent contractor found to have engaged in any such activity will be terminated from their employment, volunteer role, and/or any other affiliation they have with Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri. Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri will also pursue any and all legal actions warranted in the event of an instance of sexual abuse, physical abuse, and/or molestation. For more information about this policy, see the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri website at https://vr.girlscoutsem.org/sampolicy, or contact the Senior Manager, Risk Management. Sexual Abuse, Physical Abuse and Molestation Policy

If you have any concerns about, or need to report, an instance of sexual abuse, physical abuse, and/or molestation, contact the Senior Manager, Risk Management. If that person is not available, contact another Leadership Team staff member. Also remember that Missouri law states that if any person with the responsibility for the care of children has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been or may be subjected to abuse or neglect or observes a child being subjected to conditions or circumstances which would reasonably result in abuse or neglect, that person shall immediately report to the Missouri Department of Social Services Children’s Division. Mandated reporters include Girl Scout volunteers and staff.

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Soar High This School Year with Girl Scouts! know that Girls Scouts are destined to change the world around them with the right support and experiences! New this fall, GSEM will be offering expanded life skills programming, focusing on professional development and socioemotional well-being, for our Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors in 9th through 12th grades (see highlights on page 8). By partnering with educational institutions and community experts, our new and innovative programs ensure that our girl scouts and adults who support them will receive timely and relevant information. The commitment our Girl Scouts demonstrate today will equip them with skills needed to courageously navigate their future workplaces, academic, or military endeavors tomorrow. This issue of Inspire Discovery features a comprehensive list of program opportunities from September 2023 through May 2024, allowing families to sign up for an entire school year of programs in August! Coming this month, you will receive our newly printed mini-program guide to be delivered specifically for the girl in your home. We are excited for the Girl Scout year ahead and collectively our efforts will undeniably continue building girls with courage, confidence, and character! Thank you for your unwavering support of the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri.

Natissia Small, Ed.D. Chief Executive Officer

Girl Scout Families, Welcome to the 2023-2024 edition of Inspire Discovery !

As we embark upon a new year, I am overjoyed to serve as your new CEO for Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri. Through working collaboratively with each of you, we will build a stronger foundation to holistically support all Girl Scouts and their families. Through education, mentorship, professional skill building, socio-emotional support, and access to resources needed to promote lifelong success; we will ensure that the girl in your life can fulfill their dreams! Whether an expressed interest in furthering their education, learning how to camp, skills-training, or networking with community partners – we are well positioned to provide a wide variety of offerings for girls to become the confident leaders we need in our communities and global workforce. This is a pivotal time for Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri, as now, more than ever, the world needs us. I look forward to working closely with GSEM staff, girls, the Board of Directors, sister Girl Scout Councils, educational and community partners, and most importantly, our Girl Scout volunteers and families. Together, will eliminate barriers and create transformative programming for all girls to become the purposeful leaders of today and tomorrow. We

Soar High,

Natissia Small, Ed.D. Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri CEO

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Coming Up This Girl Scout Year!

Extreme Adventures Are you looking for programs that are challenging and go above and beyond traditional badge work? Formerly known as Extreme Team, the Extreme Adventures programs offer Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors unique and "extreme" outdoor-related opportunities. This year we’ll be mountain biking, rock climbing, underground kayaking, experiencing search and rescue, caving, and more! Turn to the Girl Program section on pg. 58 of this publication for more details on each adventure.

Adventure 1: Mountain Biking with WheelsUp Oct. 15, 2023

EXTREME ADVENTURES

Adventure 2: Rock Climbing at Johnson’s Shut-Ins (Overnight) Nov. 18–19, 2023

Adventure 3: Discover Scuba with Y-kiki Divers: AquaMissions Jan. 14, 2024

Extreme Adventures programs are part of a series—Girl Scouts can sign up for one, multiple, or all of the programs within the series. You do not have to have prior experience to sign up unless otherwise noted, although exposure to the activity is helpful, and a general love of the outdoors is necessary! Signing up for any of the programs in this series includes a unique Extreme Adventures patch and T-shirt. Join us on these amazing and unique adventures! Questions? Contact Hannah Dailey, Program Manager, at 314.592.2359 or hdailey@girlscoutsem.org .

Adventure 4: Underground Kayaking Feb. 18, 2024

Adventure 5: Search and Rescue Camp Out (Overnight) March 16–17, 2024

Adventure 6: Moonlight Tree Climbing (Overnight) April 20-21, 2024

Adventure 7: Wild Caving at Meramec State Park June 9, 2024

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NIFTY Program Series Calling all Juniors and Cadettes, this new program is especially for you! NASA Inspires Futures for Tomorrow's Youth, or NIFTY, is a brand new program consisting of eight events, including workshops and special field trips. Through these events, Girl Scouts will explore NASA missions and careers by participating in interactive activities and enjoying the unique opportunity to meet with NASA role models. At the completion of the program series, Girl Scout Juniors will earn their Space Science Investigator Badge and Girl Scout Cadettes will earn their Space Science Researcher Badge. Turn to the Girl Program section on pg. 58 of this publication for more details on this program series. NIFTY Program Dates: Oct. 3, Oct. 10, Oct. 17, Oct. 24, Oct. 29, Nov. 7 and Nov. 14 Start: 6 pm End: 8:30 pm $20 per Girl Scout Registration Deadline: Sept. 19

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New Life Skills Programs: Professional Development and Well-Being During the 2023-2024 Girl Scout year, GSEM is proud to offer expanded life skills programming, focusing on providing holistic support through professional development and socioemotional well being of our Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors. By partnering with educational institutions and expert organizations in our community, our expanded program offerings will allow our middle and high school Girl Scouts to dream big and then put those plans into action to achieve their goals. We are committed to supporting our Girl Scouts from their childhood all the way through adulthood, making sure our Girl Scouts and the adults who support them, receive the relevant and important information and resources they need for a lifetime of success and happiness.

Professional Prep Day Seniors, Ambassadors Feb. 1, 6-8 pm $10 per Girl Scout Register by Jan. 18 Berges Family Girl Scout Program Center How do you put your best foot forward when meeting someone new—whether that be via resume, email, phone or in-person? During this program, Girl Scouts will workshop with professionals who can provide their expertise. Girl Scouts will hear about their experiences, learn more about their careers and how they got where they are today. Girl Scouts are guaranteed to leave feeling inspired with new possibilities for their own professional futures!

College Knowledge Seniors, Ambassadors Nov. 9, 6-8 pm $10 per Girl Scout Register by Oct. 26 Berges Family Girl Scout Program Center The years after high school are an exciting time as Girl Scouts begin to discover what adult life will look like for them. Some will go to college right away, and some will take different paths. Simplify the college preparation process by tackling it step-by-step, and get ready for the next amazing chapter of your life! The Missouri Scholarship & Loan Foundation will also do a presentation with caregivers around the types of financial aid, FAFSA, scholarships, and 529 accounts. Help prepare caregivers on how to support their Girl Scout on their transition after high school.

ACT Prep Seniors, Ambassadors Feb. 4, 1-4 pm $20 per Girl Scout Register by Jan. 21 Berges Family Girl Scout Program Center Led by Rewire, this new Girl Scout workshop will help students dive into navigating the ACT assessment in a whole new way! This program will equip Girl Scouts with proven test-taking strategies and tips to ensure the completion of all questions throughout the exam with confidence. Girls will participate in a thorough review of the exam components to promote positive outcomes for each section. Resource materials for every girl that participates in this important workshop will be provided to further support their success!

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Expanded Mental Wellness Opportunities GSUSA is expanding their Mental Wellness program with three new patches designed for Girl Scouts in grades 4-12. Knowing My Emotions (Juniors), Finding My Voice (Cadettes), and Showing Up for Me and You (Seniors and Ambassadors) are designed to expand on popular mental wellness activities. These patch programs provide activities around mental wellness, behavioral issues and healthy habits. They progress as participants grow to teach them age-appropriate, positive approaches to self-care. Made possible by HCA Healthcare Foundation, the expanded patch programs have been developed in collaboration with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), leaders in the space of mental wellness.

Join Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri for a new Mental Health Overnight this spring. Mental Health Awareness Overnight Cadettes, Seniors, Ambassadors May 10-11, 5 pm-10 am $60 per Girl Scout Berges Family Girl Scout Program Center Registration Deadline: April 26

Mental health is just another part of our health overall, and one that has been ignored or forgotten for many years. Celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month with a sleepover where we will explore the world of mental health and how we can be healthier and happier in our everyday lives.

Girl Scout Round Up 2023

Join us for Girl Scout Round Up this fall, on Saturday, November 4 at Camp Cedarledge in Pevely! One amazing day of fun, activities and camp!

Girl Scout Round Up 2023 Camp Cedarledge

Saturday, Nov. 4 10 am-4 pm

Camp Cedarledge, Pevely, MO

$7 per Girl Scout or adult; includes lunch, event patch, transportation into camp and all activities

Camping is available for the weekend and costs $5 per person.

Registration is open to all members, participate with your troop or individually with a parent or caregiver but don’t wait, registration closes Oct. 13!

Event Details Event participation is very flexible for this event! We encourage troops to come together, Girl Scouts join individually with their adult or bring a few friends along with their adults. Please note, you must meet girl to adult ratio for the event if you are attending as a troop and individual Girl Scouts must have an adult registered to attend. Activities will be divided into two areas at camp, one group will be for our younger Girl Scouts, Daisy through Juniors. The other area will be for our older Girl Scouts, Cadettes through Ambassadors. The program areas will include crafts, games and hands on activities related to the four Girl Scout pillar areas of STEM, Life Skills, Entrepreneurship and Outdoors. We will also have a DJ, bounce house and team-building games! Participant parking will be available off site and bus transportation will be provided into camp property. Participants will register for the start time that works best for their schedule, with the option to return to their vehicles at any time. Bus departures times will be at 9:15 am and 10 am from the Windsor School District to travel into camp.

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Lace up those running shoes— It’s time for the sweetest race in St. Louis, the Girl Scout Cookie Run!

2023

GIRL SCOUT COOKIE RUN

Fun New Swag Options for 2023! Participants can select race swag at the time of registration. Choose from the Girl Scout Cookie Run T-shirt or the headband and temporary tattoo. Or, participants can opt out of swag and save $5 off their entry fee! An event patch will be available for purchase as well as previous run swag at discounted prices.

2023 Cookie Run T-shirt

Headband and temporary tattoo

GIRL SCOUT COOKIE RUN

RUN

2023

GIRL SCOUT COOKIE RUN

GIRL SCOUT cooki ru

MILES

RUN

2023

GIRL SCOUT COOKIE RUN

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We are excited to again offer both in-person and virtual participation options for our annual Girl Scout Cookie Run event. Participants will have the opportunity to participate in-person on Nov. 25 or complete their run/walk virtually anytime from Nov. 17-26. Ready, set, register today!

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Virtual Event Nov. 17-26

In-Person Event Sat., Nov. 25

Whether you want to run on the treadmill, jog around the

Girl Scout Service Center 2300 Ball Dr., St. Louis 63146

neighborhood or walk a local trail, our virtual event is a great option to participate in our annual event. Grab your family and friends for a 5K or 1-mile run or walk anytime from Nov. 17-26. To receive your race packet before November 17, you must register for the Virtual Option by October 31. If you register after that date, your packet may arrive after November 17. Shipping is included in your registration fee.

5K Run/Walk 8 am

1-mile Run/Walk 9 am

Packet pick up information can be found on the event registration page, vr.girlscoutsem.org/cookierun23 .

Registration Registration is open now through Nov. 25! Visit vr.girlscoutsem.org/cookierun23 to register online. Registration is required for both the in-person and virtual event options. Register early to lock in a lower price and guarantee your T-shirt size. Information on swag options and deadlines can be found on the registration page. Registration Fees • $25 (5K) or $15 (1-mile) through Sept. 21 • $30 (5K) or $18 (1-mile) Sept. 22 through Oct. 31 • $35 (5K) or $20 (1-mile) Nov. 1 through Nov. 25

Community Service

Girls who engage in community service develop a strong sense of responsibility for others. Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri provides girls with opportunities to serve, to connect with their communities and to reflect on their experience to better understand themselves, area needs and their role in making the world a better place. Community Service Partners Community Service Partners are organizations looking for Girl Scouts to provide service to their organization. These partners will be listed in future publications and on our website for easy access when your troop is looking to do a service project. Our current list of partners include: Douglass Community Services, LifeWise STL, Nurses for Newborns, Ozark Food Pantry, St. Louis Aquarium Foundation, The Little Bit Foundation, The Open Space Council for St. Louis Region. Have you worked with any agencies that regularly need volunteers and would recommend them to your fellow Girl Scouts? Please send your Community Service Partner suggestions to Abby Muir at amuir@girlscoutsem.org for consideration.

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through the registries. More information is available in the Troop Participation Guide.

All registered Girl Scouts are expected to participate in April Showers through door to-door distribution, donation collection or Showering the Community. District and Neighborhood Events scheduled for either weekend of April Showers should plan to incorporate April Showers as part of their event plans. Troops camping are expected to participate on the alternate weekend. Based on feedback, we are excited to share some updates to the patch process. All participants will be able to request an event patch or year segment through the Participation Report Form. We will also offer some fun participation incentives this year, more details provided during coordinator training in January We encourage families and friends to participate too! April Showers is a great community service project for the whole family. Non-member insurance will be provided by Girl Scouts for family and friends who volunteer for April Showers. Together we can help empower girls to team up and make the world a better place. Be on the lookout for more information from your Neighborhood April Showers Coordinator.

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April Showers 2024

Girl Scouts, their troop leaders, families and friends can help individuals and families in need by participating in Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri’s largest community service program, April Showers. For 26 years, Girl Scouts, their families and neighbors have collected more than 25 million personal care items. We are excited to be offering the community multiple ways to participate in April Showers. We will again be utilizing online registries in addition to the traditional in-person aspects of the program. Girls will place self-adhesive notes door to-door throughout eastern Missouri the weekend of April 5-7, 2024. The note will encourage households to purchase items and reuse a bag or box of their own for pick up on April 13 or to donate through our online registries. On April 6, girls will be stationed outside of local stores to encourage customers to purchase additional personal care items for donation. All items donated through the online registries will be delivered to our camps. Girls will have the opportunity to assist with counting and sorting items donated

2024 April Showers Dates

Door-to-Door Distribution: April 5-7

Showering the Community: April 6

Donation Collection: April 13

Girl Scout Robotics

FIRST® LEGO League (FLL) inspires youth to experiment and grow their critical thinking, coding and design skills with LEGO Education solutions. • Discover (K-1): teams of 2-4, $25 per girl • Explore (2-4): teams of 2-6, $35 per girl • Challenge (4-8): teams of 2-10, $45 per girl FIRST® Tech Challenge (FTC) teams design, build, program, and operate metal robots to compete in a head-to-head challenge in an alliance format. • FTC (7-12): teams of 3-15, $65 per girl SeaPerch is an innovative underwater robotics program that equips Girl Scouts with the resources they need to build an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) and navigate through obstacle courses. • SeaPerch (5-12): teams of

We encourage our Girl Scouts to become science and technology leaders through participation in the FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) and SeaPerch Robotics programs. Each team member gains hands-on STEM experience along with problem-solving, teamwork and other important life skills. Teams follow an innovative curriculum that combines basic engineering and science concepts with an exciting season theme, then show off what they have learned at an end-of-season event. No previous experience is necessary for our participants or coaches. If you have an interest in learning how to build and program, this is an amazing opportunity for you! Teams are led by adult volunteer coaches and mentors. Teams have an opportunity to compete at local and regional tournaments and win prizes.

What would I do on a Robotics team? You can do so many things! As a team member, you will:

16 Inspire Discovery 2023-2024 How can I learn more? There is more information about the robotics program on our website, girlscoutsem. org/robotics. On our page, we even have a video of our Girl Scouts in action with their very own robots! We also encourage you to join us at the Robotics Showcase or another upcoming Robotics program. This is a great way to get a sneak peek at GSEM Robotics before joining a team. • Learn about designing, building and programming robots with your teammates • Meet other robotics teams from around Missouri and sometimes even around the world! • Get creative by choosing a team name and designing your own logo or mascot. • Earn robotics badges and every year, Girl Scouts also receive a special robotics patch How can I get started? Ask other girls your age if they are interested in robotics! This could be members of your troop, friends from camp or other girls that you know. If they aren’t a Girl Scout yet, that’s okay! They would just need to join Girl Scouts when they join your robotics team. Once you have two adult volunteer coaches and the minimum number of interested girls for your program level, a coach can fill out the online application.

Learn More About Girl Scout Robotics If you want to learn more about our Robotics Program before starting or joining a team, register for an upcoming opportunity!

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Brick-or-Treat Oct. 14 All Girl Scout levels, grades K-12 10 am-noon Berges Family Girl Scout

The Art of LEGO Nov. 18 Daisy, Brownie, Junior, K-5 9:30 am-11:30 am Berges Family Girl Scout

Robotics Showcase April 28 All Girl Scout levels, grades K-12 and adults 1-4 pm Berges Family Girl Scout Program Center $10 for girls; $0 for adults Register by April 14 Celebrate our GSEM Robotics Teams and what they've accomplished this season! You'll have the chance to meet some of our teams and see their builds in action. This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone interested in learning more about FIRST and SeaPerch Robotics and participation through Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri.

Program Center $10 per Girl Scout Register by Nov. 4

Program Center $10 per Girl Scout Register by Sept. 30

The future is yours to create, Girl Scout! At this fun-filled, crafty program you will make your very own LEGO Masterpieces and artistic creations.

You're invited to a spooktacular LEGO birthday celebration for Juliette Gordon Low and Juliette Bowbot! Activities include Halloween crafts, LEGO building, Girl Scout traditions and more.

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Our GSEM Robotics Staff

Ready to get started or need support? Our GSEM Robotics Program Managers are here to support you!

Interested in joining or starting a robotics team? Please contact Brooke Stochl Clark at bclark@girlscoutsem.org or call 314.592.2377.

Are you a current team and need support? Please contact Amanda Leonard at aleonard@girlscoutsem.org or call 314.592.2376.

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GSEM Robotics Team Spotlight: The Fruity Loops Meet one of our outstanding GSEM Robotics Teams, The Fruity Loops. This FIRST LEGO League Challenge team consists of eight Girl implanted medical devices such as deep brain stimulators that treat movement disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease.

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Scouts in grades 4th through 8th who are guided by head coach, Mike Larrabee, and assistant coaches, Laura Larrabee and Julia Vollmer. In spring 2023, The Fruity Loops qualified for the FIRST Championship in Houston, Texas by earning the First Place Robot Performance Award and the First Place Champion’s Award at the Missouri Championship. To earn the First Place Champion’s Award, The Fruity Loops had to score the highest across four categories: robot games, robot design, core values and an innovation project. Their innovation project, “Power Sleeve,” uses an array of thermoelectric generators to convert body heat into electricity. This electricity is then used to wirelessly charge batteries of

At the FIRST Championship, The Fruity Loops were one of 108 teams from 45 nations that competed at the FLL Challenge World Festival; they placed 26th in the robot game with a score of 375, in the top 25 percent of teams, and of course, they impressed judges with their robot design and fully functional Power Sleeve innovation project prototype. We are thrilled to have this team moving up to the FIRST Tech Challenge program this season and can’t wait to see what they can do!

Special Thanks To Our 2023-2024 Girl Scout Robotics Supporters!

The Clifford Willard Gaylord Foundation

Building leaders in STEM—one gear and sensor at a time. Get started today! girlscoutsem.org/robotics

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Product Programs

Funding Your Troop Activities

Participating in Treats & Reads and the Cookie Program will allow YOU and your troop to fund all your fun Girl Scout activities this year, including:

When you get involved in our money-earning programs you can build your confidence, learn people skills and how to make decisions. During Treats & Reads and the Cookie Program you are your own boss, you can determine how you will participate, and you set your own goals. Girl Scouts set the bar high because no matter what you want to achieve, you can accomplish any goal that YOU set; Own Your Magic!

• Badges and Uniforms

• Troop Field Trips

• Travel

• Community Service Projects

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Meet the 2023 Treats & Reads Mascot!

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Did You Know? • Ocelots only weigh between 18-34 pounds • They live in rainforests • They are picky eaters • No two ocelot coats are the same • They are nocturnal, which means they sleep during the day

Expert Entrepreneur Tip Make a list of all your family and friends to whom you want to promote your business. Make phone calls and ask these potential customers for an active email address so that you can set them up as a customer in your M2 account. Let your friends and family know that you are looking forward to providing all their chocolate, nut and magazine needs this fall.

New Online Exclusive Products in 2023!

Girl Scout Mini BarkBox

Tervis Tumblers

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Treats & Reads 2023 What Goals Do You Want to Set? Check out a few of this year’s Treats & Reads rewards you can earn.

Large Ocelot Plush 150+ items

Small Ocelot Plush or Ocelet Socks 40+ items

Own Your Magic T-shirt 75+ items

Own Your Magic Personalized Patch

New Order Card Items for 2023!

Milk Chocolate Covered Pretzels in Holiday Tin

Girl Scout Memories Tin

with Mint Treasures

Cheddar Caramel Crunch

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Getting Started with Treats & Reads is Easy! 1. Pick up an order card from your troop; your troop not participating? Ask your leader if they can support you if you want to do it on your own 2. Look for an email to set up your personalized online store 3. Set up your personalized online storefront 4. Send emails through your online store beginning September 30 or use the share my site feature to direct customers to your site 5. Reach out to friends and family to show them your in-person order card options

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Magazines Galore! What's the "Reads" part of Treats & Reads you ask? When Girl Scouts set up an online store in M2, their customers have the option to purchase new or renewed magazine subscriptions. What a great gift for someone this holiday season!

Important Dates

Sept. 30: GO Day Online and in-person orders begin

Oct. 22: Order cards due to troop

Oct. 26: Online girl delivered order option ends; online shipping and donation sales continue

Treats & Reads University Join us for our kick-off program, where you can learn about our Treats & Reads products, check out the rewards and help build your skills so you can be the best entrepreneur you can be this fall! Check out all the full program details on pg. 58 of this publication.

Week of Nov. 13: Product delivery

Sat., Sept. 30 9-11 am Berges Family Girl Scout Program Center

Nov. 19: Program ends; online sales close

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Cookie Program 2024

Meet the 2024 Cookie Program Mascot!

Important Dates

Jan. 6: GO Day; in person and online orders may begin Jan. 28: Order cards due to troop for pre orders Week of Feb 12: Pre ordered cookies arrive for troop to pick up

We’re excited that our 2024 Cookie mascot is our friend, the axolotl. This species is nearly extinct in the wild and is native only to Lake Xochimilco in the Valley of Mexico, as well as the canals and waterways of Mexico City. Axolotls eat worms, insects, small fish, and just about anything else that can fit inside their mouth and swallow whole, including other salamanders. They can regrow body parts like hearts, spines and brains.

Feb. 16: First Cookie booths begin

March 8: Online option for free, girl-delivery closes

March 10: Girl Scout Cookie Program ends

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Tips for Entrepreneurial Skill-Building and Online Cookie Success • Set up your online cookie store as soon as you have access and add in your customer information • Create a promotional video informing customers about your 2024 Girl Scout Cookie goals and upload it to your Digital Cookie site • Create business cards with your Digital Cookie site information or a QR code to go onto your business card so that you can pass them out at school, at your adults’ workplace, your religious organization, etc. • Create door hangers with your QR Code or Digital Cookie website information and place them around your neighborhood • Set a goal to collect at least five new email addresses a week and then upload those customers to your Digital Cookie site; more emails=more cookies sold • As soon as you upload a customer, send them your welcome email and thank them for their future orders • Have your parent/caregiver help you share your Digital Cookie site to their social media pages • Ask your parent/caregiver if you can go live on their social media pages and do extra cookie promotion throughout the season • Always thank customers for a purchase—Digital Cookie has an email, and you can create your own thank you note for when you deliver any cookies in person

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2024 Cookie Rewards Check out a few of this year’s Girl Scout Cookie Program rewards you can earn.

Action Patch 20+ packages

Axolotl Socks 80+ packages

Trefoil Rewards—Your Path to Summer 2024 Fun! When you participate in the

Girl Scout Cookie Program, you can earn special rewards that can get you to a summer camp or program, like overnight camp or day camp, and even travel.

Look for the Trefoil Rewards icons on your cookie order card and in the Camp Adventure Guide . More details on how the rewards work will be in the 2024 Camp Adventure Guide , released this November, and the Cookie Family Guide. Remember—if you didn't use your 2023 Trefoil Rewards at all, you must complete the Acceptance Form and let us know which program you want them to apply to, or you must indicate you want to carry over to 2024. Carry over notification deadline is Sept. 15. Any Trefoil Rewards not requested to carry over will expire on Sept. 30, 2023.

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Axolotl Plush 170+ packages

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Crossbody Bag 425+ packages

Cookie Entrepreneur 2024 30-oz Stanley IceFlow Tumbler w/ Handle 1,000+ packages

Edward Jones Cookie College Programs Get ready for your cookie season by coming to Cookie College! Sponsored by Edward Jones, Girl Scouts of all ages will learn entrepreneurial skills that will help them build confidence, find customers, and reach their goals. Register for these two programs by Nov. 18, turn to pg. 66 for more details.

Edward Jones Cookie College and Careers Cadette, Senior, Ambassador Dec. 2 1 pm-3:30 pm $20 per Girl Scout Edward Jones South Campus

Edward Jones Cookie College Daisy, Brownie, Junior Dec. 2 9 am-noon $20 per Girl Scout Edward Jones South Campus

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Join the GSEM Media Team!

Girl Scouts Have Stories to Tell Lights, camera, action! With the right tools and some guidance, there’s no limit to what a Girl Scout can do. Joining the Media Team gives girls the opportunity to share their Girl Scout pride while learning the art of great storytelling. Media Team members serve as the official faces and voices of Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri. As a reporter, you’ll write news and feature stories, interview people about fun and fascinating topics, and direct photoshoots to help tell the story in images. You’ll record audio and speak in front of the camera. Then you’ll share the stories in one or more forms of broadcast media and see yourself in print, online and on the air. Media Team Opportunities: • Star in Girl Scout council commercials, videos and print features • Conduct interviews for TV, radio and print publications • Take part in Girl Scout videos • Become a confident public speaker while being photographed and filmed • Speak at local events • Participate in exciting Girl Scout events throughout the year

Ready to Get Started?

To apply, please visit girlscoutsem.org/mediateam and submit a completed application and a headshot to Communications Manager Kayla Bakker at kbakker@girlscoutsem.org . Once applications have been received, the Council will send a welcome packet with more information and special patch.

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GSEM Service Center Tours

2023-2024 | discover

Are you curious about what happens behind the scenes at the Girl Scout Service Center—where do all those cookies get stored, who packs the Daisy Drop Boxes and Brownie Bundles, what is the Emerson Resource Center and can I visit the Girl Scout Shop?

For this upcoming year, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri is offering 60-minute tours of the Service

Center on Tuesdays from 4-5 pm or 5-6 pm. Tours are conducted by members of the council’s senior leadership team and provide a tour of the office, overview of council operations, and an opportunity to learn about the Emerson Resource Center and the Girl Scout Shop. They are available for a troop, adult neighborhood members, caregivers, and girl combination(s) and so on. The tours are offered to registered members and it is the responsibility of the group requesting the tour to meet the girl/adult ratio.

All participants receive an "I Toured the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri Service Center" patch, a Girl Scout SWAP and will participate in a scavenger hunt about the Service Center.

Tours are available from 4-5 pm or 5-6 pm. Reservations can be made through GS Events. Please register all girls and adults participating. Tours are offered at no cost.

Tour Dates Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26, 2023 Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 2023 Nov. 7, 14, 21, 2023 Dec. 5, 12, 2023 Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30, 2024 Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27, 2024 March 5, 12, 19, 26, 2024 April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 2024 May 7, 14, 21, 28, 2024 June 4, 11, 2024

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Camping Programs

2023 Camp Open House Events Bring your family and join us for open houses at Camp Tuckaho and Camp Cedarledge. Meet camp staff, explore what living in a camp unit is like and see the amazing activity areas on our camp properties!

Labor Day Family Camp Celebrate the end of summer with your family at Girl Scout Camp! The weekend will be jam-packed with activities like swimming, canoeing, arts and crafts, campfires, games, fishing and more. Sept. 2-4 Cost: $50 per person at Camp Cedarledge, $25 per person at Camp Tuckaho and $25 per person at Camp Fiddlecreek • Camp Cedarledge: Registration includes lodging, all activities and lunch and dinner on Saturday and Sunday, and brunch on Monday • Camp Tuckaho: Registration includes lodging and activities. All meals are up to individual groups, bring cold food or cook over a campfire • Camp Fiddlecreek: Registration includes lodging and activities. All meals are up to individual groups, bring cold food or cook over a campfire. Climbing wall and zipline registration additional $15 per person for 1 st -11 th grade and adults for the 2022-2023 school year At all three camps, families can request to stay in a permanent platform tent, lodge or cabin. Each family group attending must include at least one registered Girl Scout and all adults will have to complete a background check before attending. To register campers age 4 and under, please email the Answer Center at answercenter@girlscoutsem.org .

Camp Tuckaho Sunday, October 1 2-5 pm Camp Cedarledge Sunday, Nov. 5 1-4 pm

There is no cost to attend an open house, but please register prior to attending. To register, please visit mygs.girlscouts.org

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Become a Mariner Girl Scout Make a splash with Mariner Girl Scouts! Cadette, Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts discover and develop their water-sport skills through canoeing, sailing and swimming. From mastering canoeing strokes to navigating a sailboat as a team, Mariner Girl Scouts conquer the open waters through this special interest program!

The Mariner Program Girl Scouts set sail in ships of six or more, either as an existing troop or as individual Girl Scouts and volunteers, while still maintaining registration in their existing troops. Girl Scout Mariners who are graduating high school have the opportunity to join the Barnacle Ship and help mentor other girls.

Annual Events Summer Gather All Mariners (GAM): Mariners compete in the Council’s longest-standing Mariner event, a five-day experience testing their canoeing, swimming and sailing abilities! Advanced preparation is required, and all activities are based on recognized water safety standards and follow Girl Scout water safety requirements. This event is exclusive to girls active in a ship! Winter GAM: Learn sea shanties and discover nautical skills at this weekend event in January open to any Girl Scout with an interest in water sports or the Mariner program. Participants do not get into the water during this event.

Current Participating Ship Locations Manchester • North St. Louis County • Kirkwood • St. Charles • Festus • Crystal City • Eureka • Rolla

Interested in joining Mariner Girl Scouts or adding a ship to your location? Contact:

• Aundreya Ottens, Senior Manager, Camping Programs, at aottens@girlscoutsem.org .

• Or Jennifer Fakes, Program Coordinator, at marinersgsem@gmail.com .

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Around Council Dottie Cox Daffodil Day Oct. 21 10 am-2 pm Camp Tuckaho $10 per person, includes lunch and patch Max: 100 attendees; includes male guests and Girl Scouts Daisy and Brownie Girl Scouts and their special male role model (father, uncle, grandfather or adult brother) will help beautify camp by planting daffodils in remembrance of long-time volunteer Dottie Cox.

Oct. 13-15 or Oct. 14 Oct. 13-15, full weekend $50 per person; includes lodging, fall crafts and activities, lunch/dinner, snacks and patch Oct. 14, 10 am-4 pm $30 per person; includes fall crafts and activities, lunch, snacks and patch Bring out your troop and/or family for a fall festival at Camp Fiddlecreek. Troops and/or families must provide adult/girl ratio and a licensed troop camper for the event. Adults will be required to complete a background check to attend the overnight portion of this event. Participate in different fall activities* including archery, hatchet throwing, decorating pumpkins, climbing wall and zipline and much more! OR

Fallin’ Into Fun at Camp Fiddlecreek

*dependent on weather and age of participant

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2023 Girl Scouts Love State Parks

2023-2024 | discover

It's time to lead the way at your favorite state parks and help create a better planet for all! How? By heading out to explore your local state parks during this year's Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend! On September 9 -10, you can participate in self-guided tours, family hikes, watersports, stargazing and more; all while fostering a clean environment for everyone to enjoy with Pick Up America. Do you want to earn the Girl Scouts Love State Parks patch but don't know where to start? Sign up for this patch program through Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri to earn the patch on your own or with your troop! You will receive: a list of state parks in GSEM's jurisdiction and the activities they will offer on this weekend for Girl Scouts, a sample itinerary for ideas of what to do at a park, and a patch mailed directly to your home.

To receive the patch in the mail, you will be asked to complete a simple survey telling us which park you want to go to and what you intend to do.

Register by August 26 through myGS!

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GSEM Equestrian Programs Enjoy a unique horseback riding experience at Camp Cedarledge. Located in Pevely, approximately 45 minutes from the Girl Scout Service Center, our equestrian program is run by experienced wranglers who help riders of all levels discover the joy of horses. All programs have a 12-person limit. Troops who exceed the 12-person limit can choose two time slots or contact the Answer Center for assistance in scheduling a program. Adults are welcome to register and ride, but are not required to as wranglers secure ratios on the trail ride (except Pony Tales). Adjustments to GSEM Equestrian Programs may be made once participants are on site due to horse behavior or temperament. Horses are live animals that have unique physical and personality traits, just like humans do, and they may have days where their workload needs to be limited due to soreness or fatigue. We strive to always run our programs as planned, but our first and foremost concern is Girl Scout safety.

Camp Cedarledge

Daisy/Brownie (Grades K-3) Equestrian Programs Pony Tales Length: 90 mins. Dates: Sept. 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30; Oct. 1, 14, 15

Program Description: This equestrian experience is perfect for our youngest Girl Scouts! Participants will enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of the Camp Cedarledge Equestrian Center, while also learning how to groom a horse and keep the animals healthy and happy. Girl Scouts will build their equestrian confidence with a wrangler-led horseback ride to round out this fun camp program!

Times: 9 am, 11 am, 2 pm Cost: $25 per Girl Scout (youth only) Max Girl Scouts: 15

Junior (Grades 4-5) Equestrian Programs Jr. Hoofprints Length: 90 mins. Dates: Sept. 9, 17, 23; Oct. 1, 14 Time: 2 pm OR Dates: Sept. 10, 16, 24, 30; Oct. 15 Time: 9 am

Program Description: During Hoofprints, Girl Scout Juniors will build and expand upon their equestrian skills with a horseback ride around the beautiful Camp Cedarledge arena. They will also learn the value of good horsemanship, discovering the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to form a harmonious relationship with a horse, such as treating the horse with respect and working with its natural instincts and behavior to create a safe and positive riding experience.

Cost: $35 per person Max Girl Scouts: 12

Jr. Saddle Scout Length: 3 hrs. Dates: Sept. 9, 17, 23; Oct. 1, 14 Time: 9:30 am OR Dates: Sept. 10, 16, 24, 30; Oct. 15 Time: 2:30 pm

Program Description: Saddle Scout is an exciting program for more advanced riders! During this three-hour program, Girl Scouts will further develop their equestrian skills and increase their independence with a horseback ride. At the end of this program, Girl Scouts will have completed the Camp Cedarledge Saddle Scout patch program. Patches are available for purchase in the Girl Scout Shop by troops/individuals who are want to proudly display the patch on their vest or sash.

Cost: $50 per person Max Girl Scouts: 12

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Camp Cedarledge Cadette, Senior and Ambassador (Grades 6-12) Equestrian Programs

CSA Hoofprints Length: 90 mins. Dates: Sept. 9, 17, 23; Oct. 1, 14 Time: 9 am OR Dates: Sept. 10, 16, 24, 30; Oct. 15 Time: 2 pm CSA Saddle Scout Length: 3 hrs. Dates: Sept. 9, 17, 23; Oct. 1, 14 Time: 2:30 pm OR Dates: Sept. 10, 16, 24, 30; Oct. 15 Time: 9:30 am Cost: $35 per person Max Girl Scouts: 12

Program Description: During Hoofprints, Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors will build and expand upon their equestrian skills with a horseback ride at beautiful Camp Cedarledge. They will also learn the value of good horsemanship, discovering the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to form a harmonious relationship with a horse, such as treating the horse with respect and working with its natural instincts and behavior to create a safe and positive riding experience.

2023-2024 | discover

Program Description: Saddle Scout is an exciting program for more advanced riders! During this three hour program, Girl Scouts will further develop their equestrian skills and increase their independence with a horseback ride. At the end of this program, Girl Scouts will have completed the Camp Cedarledge Saddle Scout patch program. Patches are available for purchase in the Girl Scout Shop by troops/individuals who are want to proudly display the patch on their vest or sash.

Cost: $50 per person Max Girl Scouts: 12

“Under Missouri law, an equine activity sponsor, an equine professional, a livestock activity sponsor, a livestock owner, a livestock facility, a livestock auction market, or any employee thereof is not liable for an injury to or the death of a participant in equine or livestock activities resulting from the inherent risks of equine or livestock activities pursuant to the Revised Statutes of Missouri.” All equestrian programs follow Girl Scouts of the USA Safety Standards as outlined in Safety Activity Checkpoints .

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High Adventure Opportunities

Outdoor Adventure Course at Camp Tuckaho Build team spirit, improve communication, inspire ingenuity and develop resourcefulness by participating in a fun and challenging low and high ropes course. In this extraordinary, interactive learning environment, campers are faced with decision-making situations that can be stimulating both mentally and physically, as they navigate obstacles both on the ground and among the trees at the Outdoor Adventure Course (OAC).

Troop OAC Challenge

Advanced OAC Challenge

• Once registration is received, we make every attempt to place troops interested. • Your Lead OAC Instructor will contact your troop about four weeks prior to your program participation to help you prepare for this adventure. Girl Scouts and a responsible adult will attend a short in-town meeting prior to the weekend with the Lead Instructor to prepare Individual OAC Challenge

Dates: April 1-Oct. 2024 (select weekends) Troops will need a minimum of eight people, Girl Scouts and/or adults to participate Registration will open on Aug. 10 in Doubleknot by 10 am and you will register into Cricket Corner 1 or 2 $125 for the weekend for each unit: Cricket Corner 1 and 2 When troops participate in the Troop OAC Challenge, they build teamwork, develop self-esteem and create memories that last a lifetime! • All people participating must be able to attend the entire program from Friday evening through Sunday morning. • Troops are responsible for ensuring that the adult/child ratios are met and providing food for all participants and instructors. accompany their troops are responsible for girls when they are not participating in the program, i.e. meals and at night. • Adult volunteers who

Dates: Oct 20-22, 2023

Check-in: 7 pm, Friday Check-out: 12 pm, Sunday

Camp Tuckaho

$40 per camper

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Troop or Individual OAC Challenge • Campers must be at least 12-years old and in 6th grade at the time of the program to participate. • Try out our low and high rope elements again but in new and challenging ways. Have a unique overnight experience supervised by adult OAC instructors. Fee includes lodging, meals, and program supplies. • Program will be offered again in October 2024.

Dates: April 5-7, 2024 and May 3-5, 2024 Check-in: 7 pm, Friday Check-out: 12 pm, Sunday

Camp Tuckaho

$40 per camper • When individual Girl Scouts participate, they complete fun initiative games and progress through a series of obstacles. • Perfect program for individuals or smaller troops. • Fee includes lodging, meals,

program supplies and an Outdoor Adventure Course patch.

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