Camp

 

Cookie Booths are February 26 - March 28

The Girl Scout Cookie Program Activity is the country’s premier business and economic literacy program for girls. Cookie Booths are great learning experiences for girls.  Not only do Cookie Booths help troops in achieving their goals, they also give girls valuable experience in working with the public, money management, articulating their goals and building teamwork. 

 

Find a Booth Sale!

 

Girl Scout cookies are a delicious and fun way to teach girls business and financial literacy skills. People all over the state will have their chance to do their part in supporting those skills at cookie booths in their community beginning February 26. An expected 40,000 girls throughout Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys’ jurisdiction will offer to customers everyone’s favorite cookies: Thin Mints, Samoas, Trefoils, Tagalongs, Do-Si-Dos, Dulce de Leche, and Lemon Chalet Cremes. Learn more about the facts of the Girl Scout Cookie Program Activity here.

 

Cookie Share With Meals On Wheels

Feel free to share this video with others:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Wy31SsNPv4

Girl Scouts is proud to partner with Meals and Wheels programs across our council jurisdiction to bring sweet treats to individuals receiving Meals on Wheels. The Girl Scouts Cookie Care & Share program offers opportunities for the community to do more with their cookie purchases. As part of the larger Cookie Care & Share program, the Cookie Share for Meals on Wheels activity helps cookie customers have a direct, positive impact on their local communities.

 

In the Twin Cities metro area, Girl Scouts has partnered with Meals on Wheels, M&I Bank, and KARE 11 TV to collect 10,000 packages at special Cookie Booths at M&I Bank locations on Friday and Saturdays through March. Learn more at www.mibank.com/cookies. In the Rochester area and southeastern Minnesota, Girl Scouts has partnered with Semcac, Rochester Family Services, Cumulus Radio, and KAAL/ABC 6 TV to collect 1,500 packages at all booth locations in which girls are participating in the Cookie Share program or cookie customers request packages to be donated directly to Meals on Wheels.  In Mankato, we are working with Country 103 and Z99 to collect 500 packages at Cookie Booths at the local Hy-Vee stores.  In Redwood Falls, Girl Scouts has partnered with the Redwood Falls Area Chamber to do a friendly “Chamber Challenge” to raise more than 500 packages for the local Meals on Wheels program. The partnerships highlight National Meals on Wheels Month as well as the 98th anniversary of Girl Scouts.

 

Girl Scout Cookies are currently on sale now and official Cookie Booths open everywhere Friday, February 26.

 


Save the Date - April 8, 2010

Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys will hold its second annual Women of Distinction luncheon on April 8, 2010.  Women of Distinction honors and celebrates eight local women whose determination and leadership makes them positive role models for today’s girls.  These women are outstanding leaders in their professions and in our communities.  They inspire girls to achieve their goals and dreams.

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Thursday, April 8, 2010

11 a.m. Registration

11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Luncheon

The Depot, Minneapolis

View more information

Learn more about the 2009 Women of Distinction event honorees and sponsors.

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Mae Jemison

First Woman of Color in Space

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Emcee: Robyne Robinson

News Anchor, FOX 9

 

 


Girl Scouts Can Raise Funds for Haiti Earthquake Relief Efforts

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Haitians, and their friends and families, as they begin the process of managing the aftermath of the catastrophic earthquakes in January. The outpouring of support for the people of Haiti in the wake of the devastating earthquake last week has been remarkable, and Girl Scouts across the country have pitched in to help in many different ways. We know, however, that after natural disasters like these, sending funds is often the best way to help.

 

Given the catastrophic events in Haiti, GSUSA's Executive Committee unanimously adopted, and the National Board ratified, the following:

That the Executive Committee of Girl Scouts of the USA’s National Board of Directors, on the National Board’s behalf, adopts a special rule of order to allow girl members to engage in activities, which may include the direct solicitation of money, from January 14 through September 8, 2010, to support emergency relief for the January 12 earthquake disaster in Haiti.  Monies raised shall be contributed only to organizations on the approved list of agencies (listed below); additions to the list shall be approved by the National President and CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA.

This now makes it possible for our girls to raise much needed funds for relief efforts in Haiti. Please take note that the money our girls raise can be contributed only to those agencies on the list below. The loss of life and suffering has been heartbreaking. This action by GSUSA is an opportunity for all of us as a Movement to do what we can to help the people of Haiti in their time of need.

 

River Valleys has received multiple requests from girls and troop leaders to conduct money earning activities during the timeframe of the cookie program activity which includes both order taking and cookie booths.  As a rule, girls may not participate in additional money earning activities during the timeframe of the cookie program activity.  In an effort to support Haiti and many of the organizations who have done so much to help those affected in Haiti we will allow money earning activities to take place to support organizations (approved partner list)providing relief to Haitians.  However, the following guidelines must be adhered to when earning money for this cause:

  1. The troop must complete a money earning application form and submit prior to earning any money.  This form can be found on the forms and documents page of the River Valleys website.
  2. Money earned (in its entirety) will be donated to one of the approved partners listed below.
  3. The Girl Scout troop in its entirety agrees they would like to donate money to an approved partner for relief efforts.
Click to view a list of ways to help through approved partners:
    • The American Red Cross
      The American Red Cross is accepting donations through its International Response Fund.

    • Pan American Development Foundation
      The foundation is encouraging people to donate through its Web site at www.PanAmericanRelief.org.

    • UNICEF
      UNICEF requests donations for relief for children in Haiti via their Haiti Earthquake Fund. You can also call 1-800-4UNICEF.

    • Oxfam
      You can donate to online at Oxfam America at www.oxfamamerica.org.

    • Save The Children
      Save the Children has launched an emergency relief effort for Haiti. Donate to Save the Children.

    • Mercy Corps
      Donate online, call 1-888-256-1900 or send checks to:
      Mercy Corps Haiti Earthquake Fund
      Dept NR
      PO Box 2669
      Portland, OR 97208

    • Doctors Without Borders
      Doctors Without Borders has set up clinics to treat people in Haiti. Donate to Doctors Without Borders.

    • The UN World Food Programme
      The UN World Food Programme is gathering all available resources to deliver food to the recently homeless and impoverished in Haiti. Donations can be made through www.wfp.org/donate/haiti

    • CARE
      CARE is deploying emergency team members to Port-au-Prince to assist in recovery efforts. It’s focusing its efforts on rescuing children who may still be trapped in schools that collapsed. Donate to CARE

    • The International Rescue Committee
      The International Rescue Committee is deploying an emergency response team to Haiti. Donate to the IRC Haiti Crisis Fund.

    • World Vision
      World Vision has more 370 staff members in the Haiti. Donate to World Vision.

    • United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF)
      This fund is used for emergencies like the earthquake in Haiti. Donate online.

 


2010 Long-Range Property Decision

In June 2009, River Valleys’ board of directors established a volunteer-led property task group. This group was charged with creating a long-range outdoor property recommendation and plan for both camp/program properties and service centers that will provide opportunities for girls to discover, connect, and take action in ways that build courage, confidence, and character.

 

On December 11, 2009, after reviewing current surveys, data, demographic trends, site visits, and obtaining input from River Valleys’ members and a national (Girl Scouts of the USA) property consultant, the property task group presented its findings to the board of directors. Please find the links to River Valleys' board decision and frequently asked questions below.


March SUMIT

March 22 - Redwood Falls Service Center, St. Paul - Wellstone Center, Camp Greenwood, Northfield Service Center
March 23 - Rochester Service Center, Windom - American Lutheran Church, Mankato - Benco Electric conference room, Brooklyn Park - Grace Fellowship Church, Eden Prairie - Immanuel Lutheran Church
March 25 - Call-in option (details for call will be distributed with RSVP confirmation)

 

Time of events:
6 - 6:30 p.m. - Registration, shop open at service center locations only, social time
6:30 - 8:30 p.m. - SUM information session, Break-out session for Resource Coordinators, Break out session for Registrars
8:30 - 9 p.m. - Q&A / networking

 


Girl Scouts Forever Green Community Action Project
January 25 - April 30

In 2012, Girl Scouts will celebrate its 100th anniversary. To mark this milestone and honor our founder, Juliette Gordon Low, Girl Scouts of all ages will be engaging in a nationwide Community Action Project, “Girl Scouts Forever Green.” River Valleys was selected as a pilot council for this exciting national initiative.

 

Using their leadership skills, girls will plan and implement a Take Action project in one of five environmental focus areas (air, waste management, water, energy, green space). Girls will track their environmental impact on a national website.

 

All Girl Scout troops, Juliettes, friends, and family can get involved today and be Forever Green! Please visit the Forever Green page for patch requirements, focus area information, and project ideas.

 


Join Girl Scouts!

If you can think it, you can do it.

Girls in kindergarten through grade12 learn and practice leadership as they discover new talents, skills, and strengths, connect with other girls, and take action in their communities. Trained, caring leaders and other adult volunteers help girls to practice their decision-marking skills, build teamwork, develop healthy and positive self-esteem, strengthen values, and form caring relationships. Girls make friends and memories that will last throughout their lives.

 

The Girl Scout Leadership Experience and all programs and activities – from troop meetings to camping, engineering to arts, science to service projects–are designed to challenge and prepare girls for the future. Girl Scouts builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

 

If you are interested in more information about Gil Scouts, please complete a Girl Scout Interest Indicator or contact Girl Scouts at 800-845-0787.

 

To learn more about the Girl Scout program, check out The Girl Scout Leadership Experience under Programs.

 


Featured Council-sponsored Programs

Here are some featured council-sponsored program event from each of our service center areas.  To register or learn more about these featured programs, click on the link on the title.  Don’t forget to check out or register for the nearly 1,100 other council-sponsored programs for girls to enjoy.

 

Wild West Adventure - Girl Scout Daisy through Junior

Saturday, April 24
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Brownton Community Center, Brownton MN

$10/Girl; $0/Adult

Discover what life would be like if you lived in the Wild West. You will decorate your own bandana, learn to lasso, sing songs about the region, and much more. Each girl will receive a participation patch.

Find out more here

Wild West Adventure & Leadership - Girl Scout Cadette though Ambassador

Friday, April 23 – Saturday, April 24
7 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Brownton Community Center, Brownton MN
$16/Girl; $0/Adult

Discover what it was like to live in the Wild West. Explore this region as you learn about women from this time, their clothing and supplies, create a project, and build your leadership skills to lead girls throughout the activities on Saturday.

Find out more here.

Quilting For Others - Girl Scout Junior through Ambassador

Sunday, April 10

9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Christ Lutheran Church, Blaine, MN

$4/Girl; $0/Adult

Registration Deadline: 3/25/2010

Discover the connection between math and quilting. Create a quilt and learn how 1/3 + 1/3 + 1/3 = the best bed fashion around. Quilting gives geometry a reality. Donate the finished quilt to a nonprofit agency of your choice.

Find out more here.

A Single Drop - Girl Scout Daisies through Ambassadors

Saturday, May 1

10 a.m. – noon

Minneapolis, MN

$8/Girl; $0/Adult

Registration Deadline: 4/15/2010

Join your sister Girl Scouts on a simulated journey to various countries. Walk around the lake learning about water disparity and its effect on women and girls. Watch a demonstration on how to sanitize water for the 1.2 billion people who do not have access to fresh water. Receive a participation patch.

Find out more here.

Field Sports Day - Girl Scout Brownies through Juniors

Saturday, May 22

Noon – 3 p.m.

Woodbury, MN

$4/Girl; $0/Adult

Registration Deadline: 5/6/2010

Get out on the field and play! Football and lacrosse are the names of these games. Join the MN Machines and a lacrosse team as they teach you the fundamentals of these sports. Then, play a friendly game of flag football with your sister Girl Scouts. Each girl will complete and receive the GirlSports Try-It or Field Sports badge.

Find out more here.

 


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Contact Us | Locations | Site Map | ©2010 Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys
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Boys, looking to join Cub Scouts? Visit www.northernstarbsa.org (Twin Cities Metro/western Wisconsin), www.GamehavenBSA.org (Rochester/southeastern Minnesota area) or www.twinvalleybsa.org (Mankato/southwestern Minnesota area). River Valleys and the Northern Star Council, Gamehaven Council, and Twin Valley Council, Boy Scouts of America are separate organizations, collaborating in communications efforts to help ensure that all grade school youth are invited to enjoy the benefits of a Scouting experience in their communities.

 

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