More than 150 volunteers put in 900 hours during the weekend to transform camp buildings into classrooms, creating Panther Camp. Student campers even have 1700 new books to check out following a community book drive to replace books destroyed in the fire.

First day activities included outdoor classes, lots of recess time to explore the camp and a few songs. Parents said that the kids came home excited, exhausted and slightly sunburned.

There are no further plans for the lease to extend beyond mid-June. The property remains for sale, and River Valleys asks volunteers to not visit the camp for safety and privacy reasons.

Emergency Foodshelf Network is looking for assistance during the following times:

• Thursday, May 9, 4:30–6:30 pm (10–20 girls/adults)
• Saturday, May 11, 9:30–11:30 am (10–25 girls/adults)

Due to safety regulations at the warehouse, this opportunity is available for girls age 12 and up.

Where: Emergency Foodshelf Network warehouse, 8501 54 Ave N., New Hope, MN

If your troop or group of girls is interested, please email River Valleys’ Public Relations by April 22 to confirm attendance and receive further instructions.

Now through midnight on Monday, November 12, visit our contest page and answer a Girl Scout trivia question about our new online Planning Guides to enter.  25 entries will be randomly selected to receive four passes, and winners will be notified via email on Tuesday, November 13.

As a bonus, all Girl Scouts who attend the screening will receive an exclusive Girl Scouts patch.

Enter the contest here, and watch the Rise of the Guardians official trailer.

GSUSA also established a donation account that will be distributed to the highest-priority recovery needs specified by the councils. To donate directly to councils or to the general recovery fund, visit donate.girlscouts.org.

GSUSA notes that while material donations and troop offers of assistance are appreciated, the councils are not currently able process and organize them. Financial assistance is the most direct way to support the councils and girls.

The forum offered the chance for Skky and Artisha to meet other girls from around the world while working on common goals shared by each country represented. The girls spent their days in workshops, getting to know each other and exploring Chicago.

A trip to remember, Skky says that her favorite event was the international night when girls wore traditional dress from their countries.

While many people may have seen the artifacts during the Great Girl Gathering, it is worth a trip to the museum as new items such as camp songbooks and alternate uniforms are now included. The exhibit is on loan to the museum for the foreseeable future.

A visit to the museum is an excellent way to introduce girls to the history of Girl Scouting in Wisconsin and Minnesota through pictures, facts and recordings. Located at 2640 E. Seventh Avenue in North Saint Paul, the museum is open Wednesday—Friday from 1–5 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday–Tuesday as well as evenings by appointment only. For additional information, visit their website.