Badges and Patches

New Journeys and Badges added

Heading into the new Girl Scout year means new exciting badges, journeys, and opportunities for Girl Scouts of all ages! With the update of the Volunteer Toolkit brings an array of new content from Daisy to Ambassador and every girl in between. We are thrilled to announce the following badge and Journey resources have officially been released and you can start planning your new Girl Scout year as early as today in the Volunteer Toolkit online!

Daisies:

  • Space Science Explorer
  • Eco Learner
  • Progressive Cybersecurity badges:
    1. Cybersecurity Basics
    2. Cybersecurity Safeguards
    3. Cybersecurity Investigator

Brownies:

  • Space Science Adventurer
  • Eco Friend
  • Progressive Cybersecurity badges:
    1. Cybersecurity Basics
    2. Cybersecurity Safeguards
    3. Cybersecurity Investigator
  • *Brownie Quest Journey

Juniors:

  • Space Science Investigator
  • Progressive Cybersecurity badges:
    1. Cybersecurity Basics
    2. Cybersecurity Safeguards
    3. Cybersecurity Investigator
  • Mechanical Engineering badges:
    1. Balloon Car Design Challenge
    2. Crane Design Challenge
    3. Paddle Boat Design Challenge
  • *Agent of Change Journey

Cadettes:

  • Think Like an Engineer Journey
  • Think Like a Programmer Journey
  • Progressive Robotics badges:
    1. Programming Robots
    2. Designing Robots
    3. Showcasing Robots
  • Leader in Action
  • Eco Trekker

Seniors:

  • Think Like an Engineer Journey
  • Think Like a Programmer Journey
  • Progressive Robotics badges:
    1. Programming Robots
    2. Designing Robots
    3. Showcasing Robots
  • Eco Explorer

Ambassadors:

  • Think Like an Engineer Journey
  • Think Like a Programmer Journey
  • Progressive Robotics badges:
    1. Programming Robots
    2. Designing Robots
    3. Showcasing Robots
  • College Knowledge
  • Eco Advocate

*Brownie Quest and Junior Agent of Change are part of the It’s Your World – Change It! series, not new content but now available in digital format on the Volunteer Toolkit.

Progressive badges are suggested to be earned in the order they are listed for the best experience.

Remember that even though 2017-2018 content was archived on June 30, you have access to view it to see where you need to start your new year!

To ensure you have access to this amazing new content, renew your membership and troop leader status for 2019. If you are having trouble seeing specific content, try clearing your cookies and cache before reaching out to customercare@citrus-gs.org (or your local council) for support.

Happy planning!

National

Girl Scouts Ranks Top 10 in World Value Index

Courage. Confidence. Character. Individually, these three words are strong, compelling, and generally something a person strives to have or to be. Together, these words are powerful to anyone who is a Girl Scout, was a Girl Scout, or associated with one even just through buying cookies. These three words create an everlasting, nostalgic, yet effective impact that allows Girl Scouts of the USA to hold the number 10 spot out of 200 companies in the World Value Index rankings, and number 9 in the Top 10 nonprofits, overall.

As defined by enso, “The World Value Index measures the extent to which Americans are inspired by brands’ missions — and the extent to which that inspiration drives active support and purchase.” Thanks to our Girl Scout girls and adults, past and present, we are recognizable and memorable. The Girl Scout mission is strong on it’s own, but it’s our members and alumnae who bring that mission to life.

Thanks to a Gold Award Girl Scout, people are aware that Girl Scouts is so much more than camp or cookies.

Thanks to a Cadette troop’s Take Action Journey project, people find themselves with a better alignment of their beliefs supporting the Girl Scout mission.

Thanks to a leader who no longer has children of their own in Girl Scouts but continues to volunteer her time and energy because she is so passionate and excited to support a life-changing organization.

Thanks to a Girl Scout Daisy dad who is “Man Enough to Be a Girl Scout,” and wears the shirt he purchased with pride as he bumbles through his first meeting alongside his brand new co-leader.

Awareness, alignment, support, purchase. These are the four dimensions enso measures to determine the rankings of the World Value Index. Whether it’s participating as a Girl Scout, troop leader, cookie captain, donor, or even just buying a can of nuts or box of cookie, we know and are fortunate that Girl Scouts is such a highly viewed and supported organization.

And we just want to say thank you. It’s a great time to be a G.I.R.L.

Leadership

Getting to Know the VTK

What is the Volunteer Toolkit (VTK)?!

When I became a troop leader in 2009 the VTK was not available. I spent countless hours planning, researching, reading, training and asking many questions before my first troop meeting.

The VTK has truly been an incredible resource from Girl Scouts USA, and they keep adding more functions to it.

 

Setting up your My Year Plan

I use the toolkit regularly to add council events to “My Year Plan”. As the name implies, it is a resource on the VTK that guides you as the troop Co-Leader to plan your Girl Scout year with your troop. You can customize a troop plan, include the troop meeting location (time/day/meeting frequency), and even upload a troop picture of you and your girls. This is also very transparent for parents, who can see what is being planned every step of the way.

Now, I’ll be honest, I didn’t use the VTK when I planned my outdoor activities this past year. I’ve just always used another resource to enter these type of troop activities. But the more comfortable I become with the VTK, the more likely I’ll rely on it for all of my troop functions.

Keeping track of your troop

Through the VTK, you can review all contact information (email address/home address/phone numbers) for each girl and parent. This is vital to have in good order before fall product training & sales begin. I have also been able to manage specific troop position assignments and verify background check status for troop volunteers.

When it’s time for early bird I use the VTK to re-register my troop. The VTK allows me to communicate with my troop and troop parents through email.

I really like the convenience of logging into my MYGS to view all the adult and girl event registrations.

My Meeting Plan

You can also use the VTK to help plan your troop meetings. View upcoming Citrus Council events and discuss with your troop. You can access your meeting overview, set up an activity plan, and make materials list.

I also like the ability to manage troop communications through email reminders and attendance records. This helps me organize myself while keeping the girls and their parent updated on upcoming activities.

Resources

Here are just some additional resources you can find on the VTK to help guide you as a troop Co-Leader:

  • Safety and Travel forms
  • Troop Leadership
  • Volunteer Aids
  • New content to be added July 2018 include the Explore tab, Badge tracks, STEM Journeys and more for all grade levels!

 

How Do I Access the VTK?

Login to the VTK through your MYGS Member Profile at https://gsmembers.force.com/members/login.

Be sure to watch the Volunteer Toolkit Tutorial at www.girlscouts.org/en/adults/volunteer/volunteer-resources.html.

 

Some Key Things to Remember….

 

Citrus Email Preferences

Don’t miss emails from Citrus Council, Subscribe to the bi-weekly newsletter today!

www.citrus-gs.org/en/about-girl-scouts/our-council/email-preferences.html

Be sure to share the link with your adult volunteers, parents and girls.

 

Update My Troop

Maintain accurate records for your troop for easy renewal and registration.

The updates will be implemented into the MYGS community so that everyone has access to the troop information.

www.citrus-gs.org/en/about-girl-scouts/our-council/forms/UpdateMyTroop.html

Troops accepting new girls or troop volunteers can be displayed in the Citrus Council online catalog for parents or new girls to go online and register for your troop.

 

All Things Girl Scouts

Additional Troop Tips are available at https://allthingsgirlscouts.com.

Follow me at @floridagirlscout for more insights and tips on Girl Scouts.

Outdoor

Summer Camp Series: Everything I Need to Know, I…

We learn oh-so-many things at summer camp: how to roll a sleeping bag or bedroll, how to start a fire and cook a s’more, how to make a sit-upon, and how to protect our natural environment. But there are lessons learned that go way beyond practicing an outdoor skill – like sparking lifelong friendships, admitting you messed up, surviving your first friendship fight, stepping outside your comfort zone, and even surprising yourself.

When Girl Scouts enjoy a camp experience outdoors, they:

  • Discover that they can better solve problems and overcome challenges
  • Develop leadership skills, build social bonds, and are happier overall
  • Become team players and care more about protecting our environment

When girls spend quality time outdoors and increase their exposure to nature, they thrive physically, emotionally, and intellectually. Our research shows that girls who attend camp experience two types of fun: “hard fun” (overcoming challenges) and “people fun” (building strong relationships). “Hard fun” provides opportunities for challenge, mastery, and feelings of accomplishment. It involves goals, strategies, and obstacles. “People fun,” on the other hand, provides opportunities to build and strengthen social bonds and to hang out with friends. In this sort of fun, girls cooperate, communicate, and compete. Learn more about how outdoor experiences positively impact girls’ lives.

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We rounded up just a few of our favorite life lessons from Girl Scout camp, shared directly from alumnae and staff:

Camp life is like Florida weather: it changes often during the day. Just be ready.
-Cookie

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Independence. Being away from my usual routine and the people I normally rely on in everyday life was a huge step towards figuring out how to do things for myself. And not only just how to be self-sufficient, but also how rewarding it can be to be independent and be able to do things and figure things out for myself. Asking mom and dad for help is always 100% ok, but sometimes it’s really cool to be able to prove to them, and yourself, that you are capable.

Camp friends are lifelong friends. Friendships made at camp are so much stronger than friendships made anywhere else. Camp is a place where you can be yourself 100%, so the people you meet at camp know you for your true self. They love and accept you for who you are, which makes your bond so much stronger. Camp friends really are the best.
-Firefly

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Camp taught me that I can always be myself no matter what. With all the counselors wearing wacky clothes and being so confident in them, it taught me that I can do the same. It taught me that there is nothing I cannot do. I was terrified of the ropes course when I first starting going to camp and eventually I did the course for the first time and fell in love. Eventually, I became a certified instructor. Camp helps you overcome your fears!

Ahhh this makes me miss Camp so much!
-Scooby

Outdoor

Make the Most Out of Your Summer

Summertime is the BEST time to be a Girl Scout! (Ok ok, really, anytime is the best time to be a Girl Scout, but summer brings new kinds of fun!) We’re celebrating the season, soaking in the sunshine, keeping cool, exploring nature, and so much more! Here are a few ways to make the most of summer:

  • See you at Summer Camp! Whether it’s overnight resident camp, day camp, or just a one-day outdoor adventure, summer camp is where it’s at. Not only are we exploring nature, and building friendships to last a lifetime. At camp, girls practice independence and decision-making, which builds confidence. We want to see your summer camp pics! Post on Instagram with #gsoutdoors. 
  • Earn a Badge. Summer is the perfect time to explore something new. Earning badges with your troop is super fun, but you can also achieve badge success on your own, by exploring the topics that are you uniquely interesting to you. Stay tuned through the month of July, because BRAND NEW badges are coming soon. For now, check out the badge explorer, for activity topics you’ll love.
  • Attend an Event. Spend a day going beyond your usual routine. Round up a few friends from your troop or just go on your own to meet new Girl Scout sisters. Browse the calendar of events here. 
  • Invite a Friend. Don’t keep your Girl Scout fun a secret. Invite a friend to join the summer fun, or to join your troop when the school year starts. We’ve already got a worldwide sisterhood. Let’s not leave anyone out. Within the next week, tell a friend about how much fun you’ve had in Girl Scouts and invite her to join you. Bonus fun: write it in a letter, as if you’re pen pals! 
  • Renew Now. If you haven’t done so already, be sure to renew your membership for next year. Troop leaders and parents can do this in your MyGS account. Make sure your membership doesn’t lapse. Renew today.