Outdoor
How great are fireworks! They light up the sky in incredible ways and come in all kinds of patterns and colors. While its always best to go to a public show and let the professionals handle it, some families still like to set up their own home show.
So if you are going to celebrate on your own, be sure to follow these 10 firework safety tips.
Leadership
Meet Gina, a recent graduate from the University of Central Florida who found confidence, initiative, and a role model through her experience as a Girl Scout.
Gina recently graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She was also recognized with one of the highest honors that can be bestowed on a college graduate; graduating Summa Cum Laude.
Graduating Summa Cum Laude was not an easy feat. Gina dual enrolled in college courses while in high school to obtain her Associates degree, graduating with a 4.2 GPA.
How did she do it? Gina credits much of her success to her experience in Girl Scouts.
Gina began her Girl Scout experience in the 6th grade through the Get Real! mentoring program. As she became more confident and outgoing, Gina became more involved in school activities. In the face of adversity, Gina often drew from this experience and support to take action.
“My Girl Scout experience showed me that anything I dreamt of doing, I could accomplish… how to believe in myself and reach my full potential. Girl Scouts helped me take more of an initiative… to take action and lead when needed.”
Throughout her time at Girl Scouts, Gina mentioned a role model that continuously believed in her and supported her throughout middle school and high school, Cecilia Scott, the Director of Grant Programs at Girl Scouts of Citrus.
To Gina and her troop, they just know her as Miss Cece.
“Miss Cece has had such a positive impact on my life, that I probably wouldn’t be who I am and where I am, if I hadn’t met her. She has taught me to love myself for who I am and that I can become someone in life.”
When Gina graduated high school, Miss Cece gave her a book of quotes that to this day, she keeps at her desk. “I read it when I need encouragement, because it is as if [Miss Cece] is saying it. She is selfless and has the ability to overcome obstacles… and has inspired me to do the same.”
Gina plans to continue her education and obtain a Masters in criminal justice from UCF. Afterwards, she seeks to go further and obtain her PhD.
“I want to continue graduating with high honors and serve as a model for my siblings, and for other girls around the world.”
Leadership
Despite the age restrictions on many social media platforms, a study from 2014 showed that roughly three out of every five kids had their own social accounts before age 10. And although these digital communities can help teens and tweens develop their social skills and form positive relationships, the digital world can still be a tricky place to navigate.
That’s why Girl Scouts’ Developmental Psychologist, Dr. Andrea Bastiani Archibald and Senior Digital Media Director, Kayla Santalla teamed up to tackle some major issues around kids and social media. Here are a few of their top do’s and don’ts:
* DO let your daughter know from the very beginning that you will be doing spot-checks on her social media—not because you don’t trust her, but because you want to make sure she’s staying safe and that nothing inappropriate or potentially dangerous is happening on her accounts.
* DON’T make a big deal about every little thing you see on her social accounts, though. If she posts something silly but harmless, let it go—save your lectures for bigger issues that could compromise her safety or that of others.
* DO set up social media and technology rules as a family. Discuss what areas of your home should be screen-free, and during what hours social media and phones in general should be off-limits. When your kids are involved in creating the guidelines, they’ll be a lot more likely to follow them.
* DON’T forget that the social media and technology rules apply to the whole family—adults included. You might not even realize how much time you spend attached to your phone, but your children certainly do! Besides, you’re your child’s first social media role model. If you’re attached to your screens 24/7, she’ll want to be, too.
* DO talk to your kids about what is and isn’t appropriate to post online. If it’s not something they’d feel comfortable with their grandmother or a college recruiter seeing, it’s probably not worth putting online. Remember, even “temporary” or “private” posts can be captured, saved, and shared.
* DON’T post sensitive content about your daughter on your social media account. Being a tween or teen is hard enough without mom or dad posting cute-to-you but mortifying-to-her baby bath time pictures or toilet training moments. Some special memories are meant to be kept in the family—notshared with the world.
Watch the whole conversation in the video for more on navigating social media with your daughter.
Uncategorized
Gal Gadot, who plays Wonder Woman—aka Diana, Amazon Princess—discussed a plot point from the movie that parents might want to pay close attention to. “When you first meet Diana on the island, she’s 5 or 6, and she’s this very curious little girl who’s very courageous, who’s very sassy,” the actor said in an interview released by Warner Bros. “She wants to learn how to fight, but she’s being very sheltered and very protected by her mother, who does not allow her to do so.”
Wonder Woman’s mother, Queen Hippolyta, may be a Greek Goddess, but her instincts to coddle and keep watch over her daughter—even when it’s not what’s best for her—couldn’t be more human. In fact, a 2015 survey by the Pew Research Institute found that the vast majority of modern-day mothers—seven out of ten!—self-identify as overprotective of their children.
The problem is of course, that when girls are “kept safe” from even the smallest risks or failures, they are also being deprived of valuable experiences that could build up their resilience and help them grow into confident, strong, capable young women. And just as it’s only by taking the risk to leave home and her mother’s side for the first time that Diana realizes her full potential and transforms into the Wonder Woman we all know and love, your daughter may also need some freedom and space to realize her full potential.
Basically, the lesson here is whether your daughter is six or sixteen, you have to let go to let her grow. Here are just a few ways you can start doing that today:
When you see your daughter stretching to reach the cereal on a high shelf, do you walk over and grab it for her? Do you still order for her at restaurants, even though she’s old enough to read the menu and make her own decisions? When she has a problem at school, do you step in right away rather than letting her try to work it out first? If you said yes to any of these, you might be in need of some tough love similar to what Hippolyta’s sister, Antiope, had to offer—that a mother is delinquent in her duties if she doesn’t prepare her daughter for life. We might not phrase it in such harsh Amazonian terms, but the essence of the sentiment is true: when you step in, you’re essentially blocking your daughter from stepping up and growing her own skill set (and the confidence that goes along with that). Plus, you could actually be making her doubt her own abilities. After all, if she were capable of handling these situations on her own, why would you be so eager to problem solve for her?
Slumber parties and residential summer camp stays will help your daughter gain independence and see how brightly she can shine on her own. As she gets older, meeting up with friends for an unsupervised afternoon of fun—or even taking a day trip with her best friend—will give her a little more freedom and make her even more self-reliant. After all, your daughter is going to want to leave the nest someday, just as Diana knew she needed to leave her sheltered island home. These baby steps will prepare her to stand courageously on her own when that day comes.
When Diana tells Hippolyta she wants to go help end the war, her mother replies, “If you choose to leave, you may never return!” Although of course Diana joins the war effort anyway—and becomes Wonder Woman in the process—we’re pretty sure her mother’s nay-saying didn’t do much to build up her confidence. So, if you’re worried that your not-so-coordinated daughter will hurt herself if she tries skateboarding? Keep those thoughts to yourself and let her hop on board. Think your tween daughter’s dreams of going to an Ivy League college one day are unrealistic? Tell her to look into what kinds of grades and scores she’ll need to get in, then encourage her to work for it. You know how people say if you shoot for the moon, you’ll at least reach the stars? The same goes here. If your daughter’s aiming for really big or slightly out-of-reach things and doesn’t succeed, it’s not a total wash. In fact, it can be a big win in terms of her learning about herself, her abilities, and where she has room for improvement. It’ll also help her grow more resilient and ready to handle life’s ups and downs. But who knows? Maybe she’ll hit her target. Life’s full of surprises, and your daughter is, too.
STEAM
Specifically, girls will have a hands-on aviation experience, including:
This program is only open to Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors. A light snack will be provided. All participating Girl Scouts will receive a fun patch. Parents are welcome to stay and observe, or they may drop off girls and pick them up at the end of the program.
The address for the program:
Commemorative Air Force
1570 Old Ndb Rd
DeLand, FL 32724.
The final date to register for this program is September 30, 2017 however if a minimum of 15 girls is not reached by September 1st, this program may be subject to cancellation. If you need to cancel, you must do so by September 1, 2017 in order to receive a refund.
Badges and Patches
There is perhaps no better way to see the mission of Girl Scouting come to life than to hear girls talk about their Gold Award projects. On Saturday, June 10, 2017, Girl Scouts of Citrus honored 19 Girl Scouts who have completed a lengthy seven-step process to solve a problem in their communities.
Girl Scouts of Citrus CEO, Maryann Barry, penned a letter of congratulations to the young women:
This year, Girl Scouts of Citrus also introduced three new Council Awards to recognize graduating Ambassadors: Outstanding Troop, Young Entrepreneur, and Future STEM Leader.
Introducing, the Council Award winners and 2017 Gold Award Recipients!
Rebuilt a room at the Women’s Residential and Counseling Center, including new lighting, air conditioner, paint, and furniture.
Constructed a Math Coach Locker for Kid’s Place Day Care Center at Indian River City Church, complete with games, lessons, supplies, and activities, including teacher materials.
Designed signage and landscape features around two historical chimneys at Stone Mountain Park in Atlanta to teach visitors about local flora and legacy of Stone Mountain.
Created over one thousands wooden shoes to donate to local schools, daycares, and other organizations that assist kids in learning to tie their shoes.
Partnered with Greater Orlando Aviation Authority Foundation to place donation bins outside TSA checkpoints to collect loose change for a charitable foundation.
Collaborated with Firm Foundation Preschool to create a curriculum with hands-on activities for kids, including a health unit that explains the importance of healthy living and exercise.
Maggie DecourseyHeld an anti-bullying summit for girls ages 11-15 with guest speakers; created YouTube video with anti-bullying message to increase awareness.
Francesa DeVitoCreated a STEM Portal (thestemportal.com) to inspire students to enter STEM fields; created learning resources and a sustainable week-long STEM camp.
Michaela IssacsRe-landscaped the yard at Tuskawilla Nursing and Rehab Center using drought-resistant and butterfly-attracting plants.
Samantha KrellPlaced recycling bins in each classroom of her high school and educated the school’s teachers and students to increase recycling; received commitment from administration to continue efforts.
Katie LangeCollaborated with the Physical Education department at her elementary school to create a new activity that teaches children K-5 seven locomotive skills (run, walk, skip, slide, gallop, leap, hop).
Madison LoveCreated journals for campers at Camp Boggy Creek to reflect on their experiences at camp; journals presented at banquet events to encourage an increase in donations.
Elizabeth MarvinCollaborated with Hagerty High School to create murals addressing women’s positivity and self-love.
Tess MarvinCreated a Spanish library with fiction and non-fiction books at Hagerty High School.
Annaliese PolinerHeld a series of Art Appreciation Workshops for children in grades K-8; created comprehensive guides for all of her workshops for future use; painted a mural on the outside wall of the church.
Judith WagesConstructed 12 bat houses and placed them around Moss Park to improve the park’s ecosystem.
Ciara WatkinsCollaborated with Seminole County Animal Services to spay and neuter 28 animals.
Elizabeth WilliamsCreated an activity to supplement geography classes which were removed from Florida’s middle school curriculum; teaches students territorial geography.
Emily WorthingtonAdvocated for the rights of foster kids through Florida Statute Chapter 39, Paragraph 3 which only requires foster families to provide trash bags for foster children to keep their belongings in.
Outdoor
Disconnect/unplug!
Don’t let your peaceful campsite be interrupted by the ring of a cellphone or the ping of a text. We live in a world so hooked to the Internet, cell phones, and tablets. Disconnect for a few days. There are so many things to hear, see, and do on a camp adventure. You’ll miss out on experiencing the power of this place and time if you don’t unplug.
Protect yourself from the environment!
Pack and use sunscreen, hand sanitizer, and insect repellant every day. Also, pack extra dry socks to avoid blisters and a hat to protect you from the sun, rain, and cold.
Soap your pots and pans!
This is a neat trick: apply dish soap to the outside of all your pots and pans before putting them on the fire. When it’s time for cleanup, the soot from the fire will wash right off.
Leave no trace!
While camping or doing any other outdoor activity, it’s important to respect nature. Make sure to pack up all your trash and food scraps, and leave things like rocks, trees, wildlife and other natural things untouched.
Pick up after yourself!
For more than 100 years, girls have heard their leaders say, “A Girl Scout always leaves a place better than she found it.” That is also true when camping! Please pick up and pack up the litter you find on the trail, clean up your fire ring and campsite, and be good neighbors to those who are camping nearby.
Outdoor
Tell someone where you’re going!
This is super important. Always tell someone where you are going for your camp adventure and what day/hour you plan to return.
Be prepared!
Our Girl Scout motto is especially true when camping. So be prepared for safety and emergencies by packing:
Pack for all kinds of weather. You never know when it’ll rain or get cold. Yes, even in Florida it can get cold at night. It’ll be warm during the day, rain a little in the afternoon and then get a little chilly at night. So you never know.
Pack each day’s clothes in plastic bags. It’s never a good idea to sleep in clothes you’ve worn all day; that won’t be very comfortable. So be sure to pack some pajamas or something comfy to sleep in.