Dear GSWNY Members,
Please see the important announcements below and for questions, please contact Customer Care customercare@gswny.org or call 1-888-837-6410. In an emergency, please call 1-800-882-9268.
Thank you for all you do!
Summer Camp 2021
Last week, We were very happy to announce that we are planning to operate our summer day camp programs, Camp Piperwood and Camp Windy Meadows in person for summer 2021. We also understand how important it is for our Girl Scouts to have the full outdoor camp experience and that includes overnight camping. We are pleased to announce that starting summer 2021, troop camp overnights will be rolled out in a phased approach.
Please know that we have every intention of operating our resident camp programs, Camp Seven Hills and Camp Timbercrest in person as well.
Taste of Camp Update
Due to low attendance we will be cancelling the Sat., April 24 Taste of Camp Event at Camp Timbercrest. We will still be offering our Taste of Camp Event at Camp Seven Hills on Saturday, May 1 from 1-3. Please pre-register to attend by visiting bit.ly/gscamp2021 today!
Have you joined our new group?
We recently created a Facebook Group just for you! Our new GSWNY Members group is designed with you in mind where we share important updates for members and invite you to collaborate with others! If you have a question about Higher Awards, where to take your girls on a hike, a STEM journey, Girl Scout Cookies, and everything in between, ask for input from other volunteers and members. Learn more about the group and use the button below to Join Today.
Spring Renewal Section Header
Girls and co-leaders who renew by 4/30 11:59 pm will earn a Girl Scout branded lunch sack! Plus renew by 4/30 to get access to the exclusive members-only virtual event with Former First Lady Michelle Obama. There’s great incentives for troops too! Check out the complete list of incentives and instructions for renewal on our Renewal page.
Lifetime Members + Renewal
Lifetime Members who are leaders or SUMs must renew their positions by incentive deadlines in order to qualify. Lifetime Members do not automatically qualify for any renewal incentives (except “Adult” incentive) – their positions must be renewed for 2022 in order to earn. If you need assistance to renew your position, please contact customercare@gswny.org or 888-837-6410.
Join us for Becoming Me, a program inspired by former First Lady Michelle Obama!
Ready for another year of discovery, fun, and sisterhood? Get started now with our new Becoming Me program, where girls will earn badges, explore their stories and who they can become, and even join their Girl Scouts sisters across the country for a special members-only virtual event with Mrs. Obama on May 6!
Register for the event »
Earn Points for College Scholarships From Girl Scouts of Western New York– Renew by 5/31
This is an exclusive benefit for girls, co-leaders, and SUMs who participate in our annual Girl Scout Membership Spring Renewal Campaign and renew by 5/31. After their first year of Girl Scouts, girls, co-leaders, and SUMs can earn Tuition Reward Points when they renew their Girl Scout membership. Each 1 Point equals $1 in college tuition scholarship. Girls earn 2,500 Points and co-leaders/SUMs earn 3,500 Points. Points will be applied to SAGE Scholars accounts in July. Want more information? Visit our SAGE Scholars Page.
Troop Treasurers Virtual Finance Open House
Attention All Troop Treasurers! The opportunity to complete and submit your troop’s annual Troop Financial Activity Report (T-FAR) is right around the corner. The submission window is May 1- June 1, 2021. We are asking ALL troops to submit their T-FAR, even if you were on pause, or had limited financial activity 2020-2021.
NEW THIS YEAR – Ask Your Questions at the Virtual Finance Open House – 6:30-8:00pm on the dates below via Zoom:
- Monday, April 26
- Thursday, April 29
- Tuesday, May 4
- Wednesday, May 12
Service Unit Finance Consultants are welcome to attend too!
Hop on when you can – it’s an Open House. Find a date that works for you and click here to sign up for a session. We will send you the Zoom invite in an email the morning of the Zoom meeting you have chosen.
For any questions, please feel free to reach out to Customer Care at 1-888-837-6410.
Help Lacie earn her Gold Award
Girl Scout Lacie is seeking assistance for her Girl Scout Gold Award! She is going to be creating a video and wants help from girls all across our council. Check out her video to learn more.
For all questions or to request the instructions/script, please contact laciejcastile@gmail.com and she will follow up with you.
Register your girl for our Kindergarten Readiness Series
She’s looking forward to kindergarten, and we’re looking forward to meeting her! Make New Friends, our girl-centered kindergarten readiness series are free and open to any girl entering kindergarten this fall. We’ll help prepare her for all the new friends, new responsibilities, and for the big changes school will bring.
Use the button below to learn more about upcoming sessions and register today!
Say thank you this month!
Let’s celebrate the ones who give their all every day. Thank them! Shout them out! Make them feel loved! We have digital cards templates for older and younger girls that you can download and share with the volunteers who make a difference in your life.
Download the Younger Girl Template >>>
Download the Older Girl Template >>>
Have you tried our Badge in a Box kits yet?
For $7 to $10, you can purchase a box that contains all the supplies a girl needs to earn a badge, an easy-to-follow activity guide, and the badge itself. If your troop can’t meet in person or if your girl wants to do some badge work on her own, these boxes may be a good fit for you!
To submit your own Volunteer Spotlight, please fill out this form: http://bit.ly/gs-vol-spotlight
Retail Item of the Week: Future Girl Scout Accessories
These are perfect for the young girls who are excited to be Girl Scouts when they’re older!
- Toddler T-shirts
- Original Price: $12.50
- Spring Sale Price: $8.99 (while supplies last)
- Bib
- Original Price: $8.50
- Spring Sale Price: $5.99 (while supplies last)
Email your local Girl Scout Shop to order today!
Girl Scout Shops – Time for a Spring Sale!
The shops are having a GSWNY April Spring Sale, we will feature several items throughout the entire month and feature a select few each week.
Email us at Shop.Buffalo@gswny.org, Shop.Jamestown@gswny.org, Shop.Lockport@gswny.org & Shop.Rochester@gswny.org to learn all about these items or come check them out in person! Our shops are open Monday 1:00-4:00 pm for curbside pickup only, Wednesday 2:00-6:00 pm curbside pickup & in-person shopping and Friday 1:00-4:00 pm curbside pickup & in-person shopping during the months of April & May!
For in-person shopping we do recommend if you have a large shop order to please email them to us a few days before your visit allowing us time to have it ready and you still have plenty time to look around.
P.S.: The Lockport Shop will be OPEN for a special occasion on Saturday, April 24th from 12:00-3:00 pm. Come visit us!
April 2021 DEI Celebrations Round-Up
On behalf of the GSWNY Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee, every month we’re highlighting different holidays and events that are celebrated by people around the world. DEI Celebrations in April include the ends of Passover and Deaf History Month; National Autism Month; Easter; Ramadan; Earth Day’ and Arbor Day.
TECH SAVVY 16 is VIRTUAL this year!
Saturday, June 26, 2021
Conference registration is $10 per attendee and includes materials for workshops (books, experiment materials) and T-shirt. Materials will be mailed to attendees’ address.
You can register using the link below, and click here for the day’s schedule and here for the workshop descriptions.
FA/CPR Certification Updates
Are you in the Rochester area and need to renew your FA/CPR Certification, but missed our April 7 session? Don’t worry, we have two sessions coming up at our Rochester offices in May. On Saturday, May 1, at 10am, and Wednesday, May 5, at 6pm, GSWNY and our partner EPIC Trainings, Inc. are offering sessions of the First Aid and CPR Blended Learning Classes. To register for one of these opportunities contact EPIC Trainings, Inc via email at mail@epictrainings.com or via phone at (585)615-4379.
Girl Scouting at Home
Looking for ways to stay involved with Girl Scouts? Check out our Girl Scouting at Home page today! New resources are added regularly.
Two New Badge in a Box sets are available now!
Brownie Painter
Inspire the inner painter in you and learn to paint and color your world! Box comes complete with 18 colors of paint, three different brushes, a paint palette, and more!
Cost: $10
Junior Entertainment Technology
Learn the ins and outs of entertainment by animating your art, building a rollercoaster, creating 3D glasses and more!
Cost: $7
Grant funds are available for some areas of our Council reducing the cost of boxes down to $5.00. If there is not a grant available in your area, members can apply for Council Opportunity Funds.
There are a limited number of boxes available for curbside pick-up at the Buffalo, Rochester, Lockport, and Jamestown Service Centers and shipping for an additional cost per box. Click here to order your Badge in a Box >>
Looking for more options? Head to girlscouts.org for even more at-home opportunities for your Girl Scout.
Girl Scouts Doing Good Things
Troop 60592 (Gates Chili Service Unit) held a Food Drive recently. Each girl passed out flyers and collected food donations from their neighborhoods, then sorted and boxed it up. They chose 2 food cupboards to benefit: St Theodore’s Food Pantry and House of Mercy. Each cupboard will receive 13 boxes of donations.
We are #GirlScoutStrong! Looking forward to talking to you next Tuesday! In the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Customer Care customercare@gswny.org or call 1-888-837-6410. In an emergency, please call 1-800-882-9268.
Categories: Member Essentials
GSWNY Blog 