Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa

100th Anniversary - Guest Blog: Schettler

2012-02-13T16:26:00.002-06:00

Thanks to Christy Schettler for blogging for us this week. Christy is one of our valued volunteers who leads a multi-level Girl Scout Troop from Breda, IA.

If you are interested in being our next guest blogger, please email us your story!

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Christy Schettler
Breda Girl Scouts Troop 273

Hi! My name is Christy Schettler and I have been a Girl Scout for as long as I can remember. When I was a young Girl Scouts, my leader was Miss Kitty (Taylor) and she was awesome!

I am now the proud mom of 25 girls (give or take) twice a month! Yes, I have one large Girl Scout troop (or group is how we should be defined since we range in age from 5-17). My troop leadership journey started out over ten years ago as this small idea... "I should just lead my own troop instead of driving my girls 15 miles to meet twice a month, I know 5 girls that will join right in town". Well the first meeting there were 10 smiling faces (okay 4 were crying but you know what I mean) and from then until now, Breda Girl Scout Troop #10273 has probably had 50 members. We have had members graduate high school, move away, and just have too busy of schedules. But we have been blessed to have the original members still in the troop and they are all now in high school.

I am honored to be a Girl Scout Leader and watch these young girl become young women. They are now excelling in so many avenues - sports, school plays, state competitions, National Honor Society, and I hope Girl Scouts played a small role in the girls becoming so confident and successful.

We are blessed to be in a small town and are able to volunteer on a regular basis. We meet Sept. - May each year with five or six large volunteer projects a year: Adopt a family, food drive, Earth day, Fall Festival, 4th of July, and many others. We helped serve the Honor flight for Veterans before they flew to Washington DC for the day and were amazed by their stories.

We also have a little fun, with some of favorites being: skating, lock-ins, Adventureland, camping, sledding, and Thinking Day. Our high school girls will be celebrating Girl Scouts 100th birthday with a trip to Savannah, GA in June.

Look us up on Facebook - Breda Girl Scouts Troop 273

- Christy Schettler

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100th Anniversary - Guest Blog: Stumme

2012-02-06T09:47:00.002-06:00

This week we are featuring a former troop leader and a lifetime member of Girl Scouts, whose passion for Scouting began when she was just a young Brownie! We want to thank Maggie Stumme for sharing three of her most memorable stories from her Girl Scout experience!

If you would like to be a guest blogger for Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa, please email us!

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Maggie Stumme
Former Girl Scout Leader
Lifetime Member

As an Army brat, not a lot was consistent in my childhood. We moved a lot, about every three years, all over Germany and Europe. The one thing that was consistent and most memorable was Girl Scouts. Every Army Post we moved to had Girl Scouts. I was a Girl Scout Brownie through Cadette, until we moved to an Army Post in the U.S. in southern Arizona and the closest Girl Scout troop was 70 miles away. It was the one thing I could always look forward to whenever we moved.

When I was a Girl Scout Brownie, one of the girls in my troop became sick. We didn’t really understand at the time what cancer was and why she couldn’t come to all of the troop meetings or why her hair was falling out. But we were excited when our friend was there and we missed her when she wasn’t. I will always remember the day our troop leader told us that she would not be coming to our meetings anymore. She was too sick. A short while after that, she passed away. It was the first time in my life that I had experienced the loss of a friend in that way. We had moved away from friends, but never lost one forever.   But much later, looking back at that experience, I could see how amazing our troop leader had handled it.   With a small group of little girls in their Brownie smocks and knee high socks with orange tabs, she took us out into the woods and we stood in a circle and we talked about our friend we lost. Then we made little rafts from twigs, put candles on them, and sent them down the stream in the woods and sang Taps.    We didn’t talk all the way back to the road and into our cars. As an adult leader, I learned about ‘Scouts Own Ceremonies’ and how important that ceremony can be, and I am glad our leader understood that for us as little Brownies.

When I was a young mother, I was so excited when my Kindergarten daughter brought home the flyer about Girl Scouts and a new program at the time (23 years ago) called Girl Scout Daisies. I signed up to be the leader of the troop and could not wait to begin. I found out there were no other parents that wanted to help in our area with the troop, so I recruited my Grandmother to be my co-leader.    She was a little reluctant at first, but really got into as we got started. All the little girls called her Nana, just like my daughter and we had an amazing year. We had each girl’s parent volunteer to help a week at a time. During that year, the girls earned their promise center and all their Daisy petals. My grandma tried very hard to teach them to knit. She taught me to knit at the age of five, so she was convinced that she could teach eight little girls to knit with my help. It was a lot of fun trying. We took them on trips around town and made more crafts than I can remember. The elementary school was wonderful and let us meet there every Tuesday evening. When those little girls bridged to Brownies, I don’t think I have ever seen bigger smiles on the girls or the parents, or my Grandmother.   I went on to nineteen more years as a leader with three more daughters, a community coordinator, a day camp director, and council trainer. My husband even got me a lifetime membership as a Christmas present twelve years ago.

My family lived in Juneau, Alaska for eight years. During that time I had the pleasure of directing Girl Scout Day Camp for a few years. My favorite two years were out at the Methodist Camp. This was out of town a little ways. It is a beautiful camp in the woods. There is one main lodge and several smaller cabin areas, a large field in the center and a lot of trails. It rains a lot in Juneau, so with planning day camp, you need to be flexible in planning indoor and outdoor activities that can be done rain or shine. One of the years, about ten years ago, when American Girl Dolls were the big rage for girls, I was trying to figure out a way to plan Girl Scout activities and work with what they were really excited about into a camp experience. My theme ended up being, “Girls Through American History.” I researched what girls were doing all through American history, throughout Alaska and throughout the entire country, and planned crafts and activities and games all based on that theme. The day camp committee and I found volunteers from all over town to come out for different activities and crafts from Native crafts to making and flying our own kites. My personal favorite activity was my assigned craft and game. I had the girls make juggling balls from balloons, filling them with dried lentils and then taught them to juggle. I had to work for four straight weeks ahead of time to teach myself to juggle first. I drove everyone I knew crazy with my juggling balls and instruction book, trying to teach myself to juggle for this activity. I did manage the basic skills and can still juggle ten years later. The girls had a great time that entire week with every activity, even in the rain.

I know that day camps throughout the country have similar experiences, but I am not sure that many of them start day camp out with bear safety training like we did. Stay in a group, sing songs so you are loud, if you see a bear, go the other way and let the adults in the cabins know… Remember, the bears are more afraid of you than you are of them.

- Maggie Stumme

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100th Anniversary - Guest Blog: Sears

2012-01-30T13:43:00.000-06:00

For this week’s guest blog entry, we are honoring Sue Sears,a Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa staff member who just celebrated her 25thAnniversary with our council. Dozensgathered together to celebrate with Sue on Friday, where she read (actually hadRuth Hamilton read)the following ‘Anniversary Speech’.

Throughout the years, many of us have laughed, cried, andshared very special memories with Sue Sears. Today, we can’t thank her enoughfor the humor, kindness and *sparkle* she has brought to Girl Scouts of GreaterIowa. Thank you, Sue, for thecommitment that you have shown to the mission of Girl Scouting!

Would you like to be our next guest blogger? Email us and tell us your story!

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25 years ago I began job hunting after staying home with mykids for 5 years.

It was on a Monday when I applied for an office job at thePost Office and a receptionist job that was advertised at an address of 10715Hickman Road (it didn’t say what the name of the business was). The Post Officeinterview went well and they were to call back by the end of the week.

Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa

The Girl Scout interview was a bit different. I was asked totake a timed typing test. I didn’t type. I locked the typewriter and SandyStotts, the person giving me the test, was on the phone so I’m thinking, “Thisis not good.” A few minutes later she came, took the test, and went to her desk. As I heard the snickering, I waswishing I could just slide out the door I came in.

I was asked to come with her and she would take me where Iwas to have my interview. I knew the big old smile on the interviewer’s facewas not because she was happy to see me. Both women were trying to refrain fromlaughing out loud.

Turns out this interviewer’s name was Ruth Hamilton. Shestarted off with, “Well you got 9 words a minute on your typing test…” and bynow she felt the urge to “chuckle” out loud. She proceeded to say, “Fortunately,this job will not require any typing!” We continued to chat as my red spotswere creeping up my neck and out of my shirt! We laughed and talked about the job a bit more and she saidshe would call me by the end of the week.

Both places called me on Wednesday. It was a huge dilemmafor me. I had to decide where I wanted to work. When Ruth called me back shetold me she wasn’t offering me the job for my typing talents but for my senseof humor – she told me I would fit right in. That must have won me over becauseit certainly was NOT the salary! I thought after typing just 9 words a minuteand she still wanted me… well that was the place I wanted to be. I started that next week.

The first day I started, the bookkeeper was to show me whatto do. Her name was Carolyn. My first encounter with Carolyn was short andsweet. To sum it up, she basically told me, “There is the phone and you need toanswer it. She, too, chuckled and went back to her office. How hard can it be?I tried answering the phone a couple times, “Good morning Moingona Girl Scouts.”I butchered the name so bad I decided to drop Moingona and shortened it to, “Goodmorning, Girl Scouts.” That worked much better for me. It sure seemed strangeto me that everyone in the place was always laughing at something.

In my second week, the CEO, Sharon Powell came up to meat the front counter. As she was hitting the counter with her pointer finger,she kept telling me, “Under NO circumstance at any time am I to accept collectcalls.” Trust me, she made it perfectly clear. That was a mistake I would nevermake. By now I’m thinking to myself and wondering what the Post Office jobwould have been like.

Well down the road a few days I answered the phone to anoperator asking if I would accept a collect call? Hearing thosetwo little words I immediately said “NO!” and hung up. The phone rings again,same operator, same question. I again said “NO!” The reds spots were out hotand heavy and I couldn’t wait for the day to be done.

The next time I saw Sharon, she said, “I want you to knowthat was me calling ‘Collect’ the other day.” I’m thinking oh, no! At that verymoment, I learned there was ONE exception to that rule!

Here’s another good one. I had a lady come to the frontcounter asking to check out a bridge…? There was nobody around to ask, so Itook it upon myself to take her out back and show her the only bridge I knewof. She got a very puzzled look on her face and says, “I was going to use itfor my bridging ceremony tomorrow and I was under the impression it wassomething I could check out and take with me.” Needless to say, she leftwithout a bridge. Becky in the shop seemed friendly so I told her the story.About 20 minutes later, she stopped laughing hysterically and explained to methere was a “check out book” under the front counter and how it all worked. Shebecame my best friend for life at that point!

I have accumulated so many fun stories and made so manylifelong friends, I couldn’t have picked a better place to work! I had the bestbosses in the world. We were family here and truly cared about one another. Welaughed every day and still did our jobs and did them well. Everything alwaysgot done. We also had the best volunteers who, too, became lifelong friends. Itwas and still is an organization I am proud to be a part of. I have gonethrough the best and the very worst times in my life right here.

So thanks Ruth for not holding those 9 words a minuteagainst me. I loved my job back then and I love it still today! And you too, Chuckie. I could write a book and a best sellerat that of my past 25 years here.

- Sue Sears

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100th Anniversary - Guest Blog: Cira

2012-01-23T13:09:00.001-06:00

Julia Cira, Camp Director at Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa Camp Tanglefoot, is our guest blogger this week. Julia's lifelong dedication to Girl Scouts continues today as she uses her passion to help girls as they travel on their own Girl Scout journey. Thank you for this fantastic guest blog entry, Julia!

If you would like to be our next guest blogger, email us!

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Girl Scouting has been an integral part of my life since I became a Brownie Girl Scout in (at that time) 1st grade. It has provided me with opportunities I wouldn’t have had otherwise, and now has given me a chance to be a “Professional Girl Scout” at a place I love, in my role as the Camp Director at Camp Tanglefoot in Clear Lake, IA.


Julia Cira Camp Director Camp Tanglefoot Clear Lake, IA I am who I am today because of Girl Scouting and because of Girl Scout Camp. It is a gift that was once given to me, and it is now my chance to pass that gift along to as many Girl Scouts as I can.

Most of my memories in Girl Scouting revolve around spending part of my summers at Camp Tanglefoot. I loved everything about being at camp – meeting new people, staying in a cabin or tent, swimming in the lake, going canoeing, sailing, singing at the top of my lungs…. It was so neat to go to a place, even once a year, where I always felt like I belonged.   To go back each summer and see familiar counselors, and of course, our wonderful Camp Director at the time – Cindy Findley – made it exciting to return.

Currently, at the end of each week of camp, we have a really cool ceremony for the girls that involves an all-camp campfire in a place at camp called “Final Council Fire”, listening to a story we tell only at camp, and then we have a beautiful candle ceremony down at the lake. It is truly magical. At the campfire, girls share the special song their unit has been learning all week, with the rest of the camp. Occasionally I get to play guitar with the groups, or Cindy Findley will play with a group. When I see girls up there really singing and giving it their all – I know in that moment that they are courageous and strong, because nothing about their performance tells me that they’re timid, shy, or self-conscious. That’s how I remember my Final Council Fires as a camper – as if in that single moment of performance I could show the world how much the week meant to me.

Three years ago, I became the Camp Director at Camp Tanglefoot. It is a dream come true for me. I am reminded daily that I have the privilege of walking in the footsteps of the great Camp Directors before me – Cindy Findley and Gertrude Fick. What a privilege it is!   Mrs. Fick passed away in 2001, when I was still a young camper. She, just as Cindy does now, returned each week for Final Council Fire.   My strongest memory of Mrs. Fick was on the night of a Final Council Fire. After supper you could sit and talk with her if you wanted to, and we were encouraged to stop by and say hello. So, I plucked up the courage, waited until there was an opening, and sat down next to her on a bench. We chatted for just a short time, but it has left me with an impression that will remain in my heart for my entire life. Whatever it was that gave me the courage to sit down next to her, I’ll never know. But especially now, to have a memory like that, is priceless.

Prior to becoming the Camp Director here, I had been a camp counselor for six summers. In that time I held various roles, from counselor to waterfront lifeguard to assistant camp director. (As I still believe, however, everyone who has a role at camp, regardless of what that role is, is first and foremost a counselor – there for the girls first, always.) In that time, and especially through college, I had family, friends, and mentors not only ask but tell me that I should “branch out” and experience other camps to see how they were run.   I acknowledge that it was good advice, but I never took it, because coming back to Camp Tanglefoot each summer provided me with knowledge I didn’t have before. Even if I were in the same role as I had been the year before, it was never the same. In hindsight, I wouldn’t change a thing.   I am so proud to be able to say to campers, parents and everyone else that I have literally been here every year since the summer before 2nd grade. How cool is that??

I believe in my heart that resident camp is the epitome of the Girl Scout Mission: “Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.”   If you’ve ever attended resident camp, there is a great chance that you remember your week away from home. Camp today provides a safe environment for girls to learn, grow, gain skills, meet new people, and make new friends. Yes, girls will learn activity skills – like archery – but what often happens is that campers learn, gain, and practice life skills – like independence, living in a community setting, confidence, a chance to make decisions, among others. Girls develop their character and learn more about who they are as an individual, and strengthen their courage as they try new activities, step outside of their comfort zone, and challenge themselves to be a better person.

I am who I am today because of Girl Scouting and because of Girl Scout Camp. It is a gift that was once given to me, and it is now my chance to pass that gift along to as many Girl Scouts as I can.

I invite and encourage every Girl Scout to attend one of our remarkable resident camp sessions this summer at Camp Tanglefoot (Clear Lake, IA), Camp Sacajawea (Boone, IA) or Joy Hollow (Westfield, IA).

Check girlscoutsiowa.org for summer resident camp information at our three camps!

- Julia Cira

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Governor's Luncheon for Scouting 2012

2012-01-20T14:52:00.001-06:00

Governor's Luncheon for Scouting

“Hi! Wow!

Look at all these smiles!

How ya doin’?”

As guests entered the Governor’s Luncheon for Scouting, the enthusiastic greetings exchanged between uniformed Scouts and suited business and civic leaders illustrated the real purpose of the event – to bring together a community of Scouting supporters to celebrate the impact Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts have on Iowa kids.

The 2012 Governor’s Luncheon for Scouting, chaired by Wendy Waugaman, CEO and President of American Equity, was the biggest on record. Here is a quick run-down of the numbers:
·        602 guests
·        18 sponsors
·        50 Scouts involved in the day, representing 40,000 Scouting families

We all know that today’s Scouts are tomorrow’s leaders. And when we look at the hundreds of pledge cards from the event, it’s obvious that many of today’s leaders were yesterday’s Scouts, as well. (More than one Girl Scout alumnae brought her sash with her to the Luncheon!)

The Governor’s Luncheon for Scouting, a collaboration of the Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa and the Mid-Iowa Council of the Boy Scouts of America, is the only one of its kind in the nation. At the Luncheon, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad a former Boy Scout, recognized the thousands of boys and girls who participate in Scouting and the role they have in the future of the State. If Scouts that spoke yesterday, Brianna, Grant, Shelby and Nick, are an example, the State is in good hands. These Scouts are poised and accomplished young leaders.

On behalf of Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, our thanks to Wendy Waugaman, Governor Terry Branstad, Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds, the sponsors, vice chairs, table hosts, donors, guests, Scouts, and staff for a great event.

(written by Pat Grote, Vice President of Fund Development for Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa)

100th Anniversary - Guest Blog: Goebel

2012-01-17T11:01:00.000-06:00

We are excited to feature multi-grade level troop leader and inspiring role model, Kiane Goebel. Thank you, Kiane, for the work you do in the community and your willingness to help build bright futures for Girl Scouts in Iowa!

Are you interested in being our next guest blogger? Email us and tell us your story!

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Kiane Goebel Troop Leader

I became a Girl Scout Leader, like many others, because my Mom had been my leader. I fondly remember doing different activities with her and it was a special time. As a Mom of three girls, I wanted to share this with my daughters. For seven years, I have lead a multilevel troop - Daisy through Cadette.

As my girls have grown, I have had the opportunity to share many unique experiences with them and watch them grow and mature. Unlike many of the other parents, I am there, watching, leading, advising, and guiding. As the girls have grown, it has been an awe inspiring experience to go from planning and leading all the activities to having some activities that are now completely planned and coordinated by the girls.

As they have gained skills, I have as well. When you think you have to 'be in control", you learn you are wrong. On the "L" subway system in Chicago, I had a girl with special needs watch the subway signs and tell me where our exit of the train was. She was exactly correct - and only in third grade. Who would have thought? The whole rest of the trip, I'd tell her where we were to get off, she'd watch the maps and we didn't miss a stop. I got a chance to sit and rest. Taking 19 Girl Scouts to Chicago is no small feat!!

I have learned that girls with a little experience can quickly teach their peers. From helping with reading, to making posters and maps for World Thinking Day or to making a craft or fishing, give them the instructions and they can fly. I have found you need to give them enough room to soar, knowing that they will at times fall. The best part is helping them figure out how to troubleshoot to avoid the same pitfalls down the road.

We have taken several trips as a troop. Chicago to the Shedd Aquarium overnight was a neat experience. My Girl Scout Cadettes bridged in Estes Park, Colorado, an experience I am sure they will never forget. We have had overnights at the Science Center of Iowa, Strategic Air Museum in Nebraska, and Disney on Ice. We have shopped ‘till we dropped at the Mall of America and lived like a pioneer at Living History Farms.

Service to our community is an integral part of our troop. Each month this past year, we have participated in service projects. We sent WWII Vets off on an Honor Guard flight. We placed flags in the cemetery with the American Legion. Annually, we donate at Christmas to the local "adopt a child" program. We have donated warm weather things to Hope Charities for the homeless. Christmas cookies to elderly shut-ins and Easter egg dyeing with the nursing home residents is a fun event. We sponsored a community 4th of July carnival and had a blast!! We collected books for the Cedar Rapids flood victims and prom dresses with the Junior League of Des Moines. We collected and donated Halloween candy for our military troops overseas and participate in the "cookies for troops" campaign.

Every year, we take a troop camping trip somewhere. Whether it's the top of the mountain or the campground in town, getting into nature is always a good time. Making s’mores out of Thanks-a-lots is a sweet Girl Scout treat.

Some people say what I do as a leader is "old fashioned". Even the New York Times had an article saying Girl Scouts was "getting away" from the craft and campfire stigma. I couldn't disagree with those statements more. Everyday, we have kids wanting to be Girl Scouts. This IS what they want.

Where are we headed this year to celebrate 100 years? Well, we are off on a whirlwind adventure to the Mall of America with 50,000 of our closest Girl Scout colleagues in March. We will be at the Camp Sac Jamboree in May. And will be spending five days camping near the lakes in Minnesota in July.

People say, "How do you have the time" or make excuses like "I'm too busy" to be leaders. They truly are the ones who lose out. Yeah, I "donate" a lot of time to Girl Scouts but the relationships that I have with my daughters is so much better because of it. The imprints I have left on the lives of the girls in my troop will last a lifetime. I guarantee you. Pledge yourself to set aside one hour a month. Contact a local leader to partner with or become a leader yourself. Give that hour to a group of girls and watch your world change!

- Kiane Goebel, Troop 10072

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100th Anniversary - Guest Blog: Cartsonis

2012-01-09T11:58:00.001-06:00

This week we are honored and privileged to feature Ms. Susan Cartsonis, both Film Producer and President of Storefront Pictures. Ms. Cartsonis was a ‘Conversations of Consequence' Speaker at the Girl Scouts National Convention and has a world of knowledge to share with both women and girls alike. Thank you, Susan, for this wonderful piece!

Email us and tell us your story! You could be our next guest blogger!

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Susan Cartsonis
Film Producer
and President of
Storefront Pictures

I’m a Hollywood Producer, which means I bring all the elements of a movie (the script, the director, the actors, and the money) together to make a movie happen. My last movie was called BEASTLY, a modern day retelling of "Beauty and the Beast". I’m Chair of the Foundation Board of Women in Film, which gives grants to female filmmakers internationally and scholarships to directors and cinematographers. We document female icons in front of and behind the camera. This foundation is important to me because there aren't enough women in front of or behind the camera and there aren't enough movies made specifically with the female audience in mind. I know that it is good business to make movies for the female audience - because that's what I've done for over 20 years—as an executive and as a producer. But it's frustrating, because not enough movies are made for this audience and women buy half the tickets!

In all my films I try to make conscious creative decisions because women and girls are looking at the images portrayed on the screen closely - projected to 100 times the size of real life. I’ve learned that through storytelling, decisions we make we have the capacity to empower through entertainment and bring about positive personal and social change. How do I know? Because I have been inspired myself by the movies that I have seen - since I was a Brownie Girl Scout! When I saw THE WIZARD OF OZ I saw a girl from a small town (like me!) who went on an adventure and overcame her fears, including intimidation, and fear of the unknown, to become a braver and better person. She also gained an appreciation of her own home town. FUNNY GIRL was another favorite movie of mine. The odd girl who didn't fit in became the biggest star in the world! It sent the message that it's ok if you don't look like everyone else and if you're an original.

When I was making AQUAMARINE, the director and I came to a conscious decision that we would dress the mermaid in a dress made from an old t-shirt that she tied in a bunch of different ways. The character who originally wore the t-shirt and gave it to the mermaid, played by Jojo Levesque, was a tomboy who didn't think much about clothing. Through the mermaid's originality and creativity, she essentially took an old rag and turned it into fashion. Thorough this, the tomboy learns to enjoy having a little style and sees how beautiful her old t-shirt could be. The message was that you don't have to have money to have style - which I think is true. Both the (female) director and I thought that too much emphasis was placed on labels rather than creativity, and we wanted to share that message with the girls who watched our film.

I know that through storytelling, we can actually change the world. After I made the movie BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER as an executive, many girls told me that it got them through difficult times in high school because even though Buffy is a fictitious character, she's pretty, powerful, and smart all at once.

In BEASTLY we tried to show the importance of knowing that one must be beautiful on the inside, and that it is more important than being beautiful on the outside. We made our leading lady, Vanessa Hudgens, a girl who is smart in school - even though she's battling a lot of problems at home.

I want to make movies that feature women as scientists, mathematicians, and engineers, while doing other things like falling in love and having adventures, because I know that if we have the images of strong powerful smart and interesting women on the screen who are in the STEM subjects, it will inspire more girls to be scientists and engineers and mathematicians! My friend, the actress Geena Davis, has founded a whole institute that examines how we are influenced by how women are portrayed on screen and how to improve things by making relatively minor changes in the way that women are shown on screen (www.seejane.org). She's taken her research to the big studios to ask them to do things differently. She's inspired by her own children to do this work and I think she's great.

We need more women OWNERS of film and media companies to really shake things up. I'm hoping a lot of Girl Scouts will go into entertainment, help Geena and me, and be the next generation of change-makers and leaders in entertainment! We need the next generation of storytellers to help change things.

Here's an idea for a romantic comedy: I want my next movie to be about a woman mathematician who is single and decides to take matters into her own hands by using discrete math to find a great guy. Or maybe a female superhero? This is my passion, this is my business, and telling stories on screen is what I live to do and what I love to do. It's so much fun.

- Susan Cartsonis

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ArtRageous: Let your inner artist shine!

2012-01-07T13:14:00.000-06:00

We're Artrageous!

Girls from across Iowa got ready for the holidays in an ‘Artrageous’ way! Girls created fabulous holiday pieces of art throughout the month of December while tapping into their artistic sides!

Girls from the Redfield/Dexter area had a fantastic time at their event! When girls first arrived, they got together to say the Pledge of Allegiance and the Girl Scout Promise. Many of the girls knew each other, but there were a couple of new faces, so Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa staff members had everyone introduce themselves. The real fun began soon after - staff members set one ground rule to kick things off… The girls were required to waddle like penguins as they switched groups!

The girls divided into three groups. The first group got creative using pieces of foam to create penguin ornaments! Some didn’t stop there, adding more than two googly eyes, scarves and hats to their penguins. They were all very unique!

Waddle, waddle, waddle…

The second group made a gift for someone at home. They stuffed tube socks with newspaper, decorated the socks with toothpicks, googly eyes and whatever else they could find to make snowmen! It made for the perfect decoration for their house or a gift for their parents.

Waddle, waddle, waddle…

The third group created holiday cards! They learned how to cut out snowflakes and used white crayon on black paper. After they were done, some of them had several to hand out to family, friends, and teachers.

Lastly, everyone waddled to the snack station and enjoyed a few holiday cookies and took some group photos!

Check out our Artrageous photostream.

January's theme is Forever Green!

100th Anniversary - Guest Blog: Wason

2012-01-02T14:41:00.000-06:00

We want to thank Lisa Wason, a lifetime member of Girl Scouts and leader of South Story Daisy Troop 92, for her thoughts on the Girl Scout experience!

If you are interested in sharing your story, please email us - you could be our next guest blogger!

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Lisa Wason
Lifetime Member
Girl Scout Leader

Girl Scouts has been a part of my life since I became a Brownie in 1990. After getting my first few Try-its, I was hooked. We had some amazing leaders who could handle all of us girls. I was able to be in plays, parades, service projects, and overnights. I continued to be in Girl Scouts even until I finished high school. After graduation I decided to become a lifetime member. I was able to go to South Korea in 2004, where I did find their country office but wasn't able to get involved. Now, I'm a mom to a little boy and decided that I needed to get back involved with Girl Scouts. I'm in my first year of being a Daisy leader.

While thinking about how Girl Scouts has impacted my life, it’s about respecting others. Everyone is different and no matter what those differences are, respect is needed. Cultures, values, beliefs, and perspective of everyone are different. I work with people with mental illnesses and have learned very quickly that when you show a person respect and understanding, they will share most of their experiences, good or bad. When people are treated with respect, it creates a better environment. Everyone is different and that is one great thing about Girl Scouts, learning to respect those differences and learning how each girl is great.

- Lisa Wason

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100th Anniversary - Guest Blog: Frotscher

2011-12-19T13:49:00.002-06:00

This week, we are featuring Sally Frotscher, someone who has known the importance of Girl Scouting her entire life. Sally is the Regional Director at our Des Moines location, and Greater Iowa is proud to have her on staff. We thank her for her reflections and thoughts on the Scouting experience.

As a reminder, our offices will be closed next week for the Holidays. If you would like to be our next guest blogger, please email us and tell us your story! Enjoy and Happy Holidays!

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Sally Frotscher Regional Director Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa

     As we approach our 100th anniversary I have been reflecting on the changes that I have seen and things that have stayed the same about Girl Scouts since I joined in 1965. As I like to tell people about the "dark ages"…. the 60’s ... the only thing for me to be involved in was Girl Scouts or 4H. Our school district, North Scott, though consolidated in 1957, did not have girl’s athletics. We signed petitions and finally got intramurals like bowling and archery; but by then I was in high school and Girl Scouts and a part time job filled up my extra time.
     I joined Girl Scouts in 3rd grade – Daisy Girl Scouts were not available for the younger grades and Brownies were second and third grade. I remember asking/begging to join and finally by third grade I was able to join my friends. Back then, North Scott was a hodge podge of older small elementary schools, and one room buildings in the area. I went to second grade in a one room building. In third grade, I went to the small elementary in Eldridge which meant I could walk to the Lutheran Church every Tuesday with my friends to Brownie meetings. Back then, Brownies did not work on badges, instead, we did a lot of service projects and had a lot of fun. In fourth grade, I was back in a one room building and continued with Girl Scouts as the buses took us to Eldridge for our meetings still on Tuesdays after school. We continued meeting on Tuesdays all through high school.
     I was a fortunate girl as two of our leaders stayed with us all the way – they were two very strong, and different, women. Mrs. Arp was a farm wife who helped run their dairy/grain farm. They always seemed to have a baby calf in the kitchen that needed just a bit of extra care and warmth to survive. She showed us that women could do anything as my own mother, also a farm wife, modeled. Our other leader was Mrs. Swanson, a wife to the manager of the grain elevator. She had a fun spirit and her hair style reminded us of a duck tail - she never minded the teasing of that! We did lots of crafts, camping, and selling of cookies.
     The culmination of Girl Scouts came after our Junior year of high school. Our troop saved money for several years, and Mrs. Arp and a woman from the GS council in Davenport – River Bend, chaperoned a group of us to Europe. We most enjoyed the nights at Our Chalet and hikes up the mountain to watch the cheese maker blow his horn to let the community know that the cheese was ready. We also met Girl Guides from England and Norway who were staying there with us.
     When I graduated high school, though I stayed in touch with my Girl Scout friends, I thought my Girl Scout days (10 years) were over. Fast forward to 1991 when my daughter comes home at the end of kindergarten with an "I’m Interested in Daisy Girl Scouts" flyer - somehow, I magically became a Girl Scout adult volunteer! I checked the box that said I would help the leader, and so did my neighbor. We became co-leaders and good friends, due to our daughter’s interests in Girl Scouts. We continued to be their leaders for nine years as they got older and interests varied they had so many more choices of things to give their free time to than I had as a child.
     While Girl Scouts has been changing with the times and working hard to keep up to the speed of girl… some things do not change. One is our continued goal to provide girls with leadership experiences. When I think back to being patrol leader of my Junior Girl Scout group, I realized I gained valuable leadership experience. I gained confidence by speaking in front of my peers in those patrol meetings. I was shy as a child and my parents raised the six of us to be “seen and not heard” as that was how they wanted their children to behave. But the good thing with Girl Scouts is it allowed me to have a voice.
     I was reminiscing with one of my sisters at Thanksgiving about our fond memories of a week at Girl Scout camp, Camp Conestoga. We are a year and a half apart in age and had different interests. For me, it a week away from the family. I had an entire week at camp all to myself – no siblings at all in the same group - it was my vacation time.
     I know that some day when my they are a mother to a girl who brings home that "I’m Interested" form, that the girls from my daughter’s troop have the courage to volunteer to help their daughters and her friends make our world a better place.

-Sally Frotscher

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100th Anniversary - Guest Blog: Carroll

2011-12-12T15:01:00.000-06:00

This week we are honored to feature Norah Carroll, a digital strategist at Lava Row, as our guest blogger. We want to thank Norah for her unique perspective on the lessons she took away from the Girl Scout experience. Enjoy!

If you are interested in becoming our next guest blogger, email us and tell us your story!

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Norah Carroll Digital Strategist Lava Row

When I was growing up, I participated in just about every activity I could find. I took ice skating lessons, piano lessons, swimming lessons, and Irish dance lessons. I was in the art club, the chess club, student council, and the school band. It might have had something to do with my mom being a teacher – “learning opportunities!” – but I was eager to seize every opportunity that came my way, and when I learned that a few of my 4th grade classmates were in a Girl Scout troop, I knew I had to join.   

I don’t remember much from the two years I was in Girl Scouts, though the Girl Scout Promise has managed to stick with me (does anyone ever really forget that?) To be honest, my time in Girl Scouts wasn’t particularly life changing. I was in a troop with girls I never got to know very well, and though I was ambitious about earning badges, Girl Scouts was never a priority among all the other activities in which I participated.

But there was one aspect of my Girl Scouts experience that changed me forever: how it ended.   By the end of my second year in Troop 870, my fellow Girl Scouts and I were in the midst of preparing for the start of middle school – saying goodbye to things like recess and playing outside after school and swapping out our flavored Lip Smackers for (gasp!) colored lip gloss. Elementary school was ending, and with that, we faced the unknowns of a new school with new expectations and social pressures. Girl Scouts took the hit.   It all started when my troop voted down a camping trip because hairdryers weren’t permitted on the packing list. I remember complaining to my mom about it when she picked me up after our troop meeting, “But I don’t even use a hairdryer!” From there, everything went downhill. The rest of the girls became convinced that Girl Scouts wasn’t cool, and our troop disbanded before we started 6th grade.   

No one ever describes middle school as the best years of their lives. For many young women, these “in between” years are our most vulnerable (and most painful), filled with uncertainty and hurt and questions and the seemingly insurmountable feeling of being alone. My Girl Scout troop disbanded on the brink of all of that, and though I knew I wasn’t ready for my Girl Scouts experience to end, I didn’t have the courage to voice the unpopular opinion. What 11-year-old does?   

Girl Scouts, if we let it, can be the bridge that carries our young women through these most confusing years. It can be the sisterhood cheering them on as they take risks; as they strive to learn and grow and to pursue their dreams; as they find their own ways, big and small, to begin changing the world. A movement that builds girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place? I may not have had the courage to stand up for it at 11, but I do now.

- Norah Carroll

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100th Anniversary - Guest Blog: Lidgett

2011-12-05T13:28:00.001-06:00

This week we bring you a guest blog entry from Liz Lidgett, co-founder of 100+ Chicks for Charity. We want to thank Liz for contributing to our guest blog and for all of the work she does in the community.

If you are interested in being our next guest blogger, email us and tell us your story!

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Liz Lidgett
co-founder
100+ Chicks for Charity

My 4th grade year, one of my best friends asked me to join her Girl Scout Junior troop. When I decided to become a Girl Scout I thought that it was going to be just a fun way for girls to get together and braid each other’s hair. Nothing important would come from it but it would be fun...

What really happened is that I had a fantastic year where I met great girl friends but also learned the importance of girls working together to create an impact.

Years later that same lesson is what stayed with me when a group of women decided to create the 100+ Women Who Care and the 100+ Chicks for Charity. Our members come from all walks of life and different financial backgrounds. As individuals we feel that it can be difficult to make a very large impact, but as a group we have the ability to contribute to the growth of our community in ways that we never thought possible.

During my year as a Girl Scout, I did end up learning how to french braid... but I also learned so many more valuable lessons that have stayed with me to this day.

-Liz Lidgett

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100th Anniversary - Guest Blog: Kennedy

2011-11-28T12:57:00.001-06:00

We welcome Mary Anne Kennedy, a prominent business owner in our community, to our guest blog. Thank you, Mary Anne, for your thoughtful words and for being a proud supporter of Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa!

If you are interested in being our next guest blogger, email us and let us know!

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Mary Anne Kennedy Owner Primary Source, Inc.

Girl Scouting made me the business & community leader than I am today!

Among the crafts, songs, games, badges and camp, there were other things going on…. Seeds were planted that I could succeed at anything I put my mind to. Leaders encouraged me to be brave to show a project in front of a group. Fellow Girl Scouts challenged me to see what I could accomplish in a game or a mission.

Looking back, that was the start of what would eventually help me fill a role as a business owner. I didn’t hesitate when I had the opportunity – I knew I could lead a company and employees to be successful, profitable, and still have fun at work!

I also saw how we, as Girl Scouts, were a respected and relied upon part of the community.
I think that feeling stayed with me. When I was sought to be president of a local chamber of commerce, I accepted the responsibility and challenge to lead that group and improve the business climate as much as possible.

I also felt very comfortable to run as president of an area chapter of the American Business Women’s Association. This was yet another opportunity to encourage other business women to be leaders in their companies and communities, as we focused on education and professional development in addition to raising scholarship money for young women.

The love of Girl Scouting and their purpose is in my heart. I grew up to be a Girl Scout troop leader! I hope I showed the girls to be leaders themselves, to not be afraid to try new things or to meet new people. I trust my positive encouragement helped my Girl Scouts think BIG about what they could achieve in school & in life. I know it laid the groundwork for fantastic possibilities, just as my young experience with Girl Scouts did!

- Mary Anne Kennedy

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I'm a Rock Star: A Rockin' Good Time

2011-11-22T14:02:00.001-06:00

“I’m a Rock Star” events have been taking place all through the month of November throughout our jurisdiction!

Girls had a blast in Yale, Iowa getting "glammed up". 25 new girls registered to be Girl Scouts that night (brought to the event by their 16 friends!) Girls learned what true teamwork means as they decorated a banner that read, “I’m a Rock Star!”

I'm a Rock Star!

Volunteers helped the girls get pizza and decorate paper bags for them to take home. Together, everyone recited the Girl Scout Promise before breaking off into five groups to begin their glamorous transformation!

At various stations, girls decorated microphones, had their faces painted, and received Girl Scout tattoos that read, “GIRLS ROCK!” Girls made gorgeous jewelry out of duct tape and rhinestones, made lip gloss and glitter lotion, and polished off their look with dress-up items! They transformed themselves into Rock Stars, full of glitter, sequins, and even some cowgirl hats! (NOTE: Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa staff members say they already knew the girls were Rock Stars—they just helped glam them up a little!)

Finally, in all of their Rock Star glory, girls got their pictures taken in front of the banner they had decorated!

Of course, girls were able to take their microphones, handmade custom jewelry, lip gloss, and glitter lotion home with them! It was a great night and the girls had a ROCKIN’ time!

Check out our Rock Star photostream!

December's themed events are just around the corner! It'll be ArtRageous!

100th Anniversary - Guest Blog: Tuttle

2011-11-21T13:22:00.001-06:00

We welcome our own Girl Scout Retail Shop Manager, Julie Tuttle, to our guest blog this week. We thank her for her positive attitude and continued passion for Girl Scouts – it serves as an inspiration to us all!

Let us know if you would liketo be our next guest blogger by emailing us yourstory.

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Julie Tuttle
Retail Shops Manager
Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa

Girl Scouts has been a big part of my life since I was a Daisy (we won’t mention how long ago that was). I remember spending time with my friends, marching in parades, selling cookies, collecting pop tabs to take to the Ronald McDonald house, and probably causing our Leaders a little more trouble than they anticipated. (We paid the price for it later because our Troop Leaders were my Mom and my best friend’s Mom)!

Making time for Girl Scouts was also a priority for me growing up. Once I got to middle school and then high school all these other activities started to present themselves. But, between softball practice, golf and volleyball practice, youth choir, basketball games, football games, having fun with my friends, and eventually working, Girl Scouts was always there for me! Somehow I managed to find time to earn both my Silver and Gold Awards (there wasn’t a Bronze Award yet), and I can remember getting ready for the Awards Ceremony with the rest of the girls in our troop. We all tried to do each other’s hair and pick outfits out for everyone (ha ha - somewhere there is a scrapbook with all of that chaos in it)!

By having Girl Scouts as a constant in my life, it has helped me to gain the confidence and courage that I have today to run all five of our council shops and our online shop. To now be working for the Girl Scouts adds a little more character every day, and I’m thankful I learned how to respect both the people and things around me, as well as organization, time management, and appreciation for the little things that make a big difference!

I am located in Des Moines, so, if you are in the area, feel free to stop in to our shop and chat with us sometime!

-Julie Tuttle

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I00th Anniversary - Guest Blog: Hernandez

2011-11-14T10:34:00.001-06:00

We are happy to feature the executive director of Chrysalis, Terry Hernandez, in our guest blog series. Thank you, Terry, for everything you do for women and girls in our community and for writing up such a thought-provoking message!

Let us know if you would liketo be our next guest blogger by emailing us yourstory.

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Terry Hernandez
Executive Director
Chrysalis

(a public
foundation
supporting girls
and women)

This is the world we live in. Scouting is one of the ways girls learn to navigate through it.

In the 4+ decades since my days as a [Girl Scout] Brownie, the world has changed dramatically. What we learn and the way we learn it – especially for young girls – may not always be through the preferred teachers.

For example, in today’s world:

American teenagers spend more than 10 hours a day consuming media, most of it filled with content that objectifies women and distorts their bodies.

53% of 12 year old girls feel unhappy with their bodies, 78% of 17 year old girls feel unhappy with their bodies, and 65% of women and girls have an eating disorder.
Rates of depression among girls and women have doubled between 2000 and 2010.
Girls are learning to see themselves as objects. The American Psychological Association calls self-objectification a national epidemic: Women and girls who self-objectify are more likely to be depressed, have lower confidence, lower ambition, and lower GPAs.
Women respond to advertisers' messages of never being good enough: American women spend more money on the pursuit of beauty than on their own education.

Is it any wonder?

For me, and for girls today, the most important place to be outside of the family is with other girls and supportive adults. Research proves it and I concur. Girl Scouts provides just that.

As I remember the excitement of wearing my uniform to school (beanie and all!), I recall the knowing look I shared with other Girl Scouts as we proudly walked the hallways. We felt we were part of something larger – part of a trusted group of friends that was doing good. We were excited about what our adult leaders had planned for our troop meetings (especially the overnight and summer trips to Camp Sacajewea) and about being with a group of girls with whom we shared a strong bond.

Girl Scouting today shares a strong position in enriching girls’ lives in the out-of-school hours, the time when we’re often alone, online, or possibly influenced by other kids and risky behaviors.

Much like the work we do at Chrysalis today, Girl Scouts provides a safe place for girls to be. Scouting builds strength and resilience that girls need to mitigate the effects of media, peers, gangs, and a society that often presents the wrong image of what a girl or woman should be. Thank goodness for scouting.

- Terry Hernandez

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100th Anniversary - Guest Blog: Lucci

2011-11-07T14:36:00.002-06:00

We are excited to celebrate our 100th anniversary and how 100 years of Girl Scoutinghas affected and impacted the lives girls lead. If you are looking to be inspired by life lessons, heartwarming stories, the history of Girl Scouts, and/or thoughts onwhat Girl Scouting has meant to so many in Iowa, and across the nation, then this guest blog series is just right for you.

We'll feature stories/quotes by Girl Scoutalumnae, prominent leaders in the community, troop leaders, and some who have soared to stardom!

Our first guest blogger, and former Girl Scout, is from the star of “All My Children,” Susan Lucci. Thank you, Susan, for your positive contribution!

Please let us know if you would liketo be our next guest blogger by emailing us and sharing yourstory. We would love to hear from you!

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Susan Lucci
Actress
"All My Children"

I just loved being a Girl Scout! I have always loved learningthings and having new experiences - then and now. Girl Scouts gave me theopportunity to set goals - achieving merit badges on my sash by learning skillsin such a wide variety of areas - from life saving to bird watching to baking!

Clearly, "Erica Kane" was never a Girl Scout, but I'm really gladI was!

Love, Susan Lucci

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Masquerade Madness: Celebrating the ‘Inner Ghoul’ of the Girl!

2011-11-02T23:09:00.000-05:00

Masquerade Madness (our October 2011 theme) was a hugesuccess! Thanks so much to everyone who attended one of our events or helpedout at one! We’ve had a great time hearing stories and seeing photos of the ‘ghouls,’which is why we want to share some of our most memorable Masquerade Madnessmoments with you all! Ghouls from all over Iowatook part in these awesome events!

Awesome Mask!

In Guthrie County, about 25 girls were dressed to impress. They weresporting witch hats, princess crowns, and true masquerade masks at theirMasquerade Madness event! There was also a vampire inattendance, a bumble bee, and even Punky Brewster! (What a great T.V. show thatwas!)

Before the event started,girls made their own name tags, picked out super-cool bat rings, and showed offa few of their dance moves before the party started! After bustin’ a move, thegirls recited the Girl Scout Promise. Girls were soon paintingpumpkins, taking part in a new and improved version of Bobbing for Apples, drinking Ghoul-Aid, and dancing to monster music!

The Halloween Olympicsfollowed. What a treat that was! Girls batted bats, rolled eyeballs, and raced plasticspiders to the finish line. The girls were having a blast cheering theirteammates to victory.

Girls then used theircreative juices to make special Girl Scout banners for their home towns…they turned out great! The Skeleton Scavenger Hunttopped off the event! Girls had to gather several scattered skeleton bones andpiece them together to create… you guessed it, a skeleton!!!

As the event wrapped up, thewitches, pirates, and princesses gathered in a circle. They chatted and passedtreat bags around, giving each and every ghoul the chance to meet tons of othernew ghouls! It served as an awesome opportunity to make new friends and havefun with old ones!

Thanks again to everyone whoattended the event! We hope you all had as much fun as we did!

Click here to view our Flickr photostream for Masquerade Madness events!

You go ghouls!

Arrivederci Europe!

2011-07-25T09:10:00.002-05:00

7/25/11: We had a fabulous time touring the 7 countries of Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France and England. We got to experience so many different things, from learning how to make cheese in the Netherlands, climbing to the top of the Mt. Pilatus and seeing the Neuschwanstein Castle, taking pictures on the cobblestone in front of Notre Dame, to watching Harry Potter in London. The stories are endless and we would like to thank EF Tours for putting on such a wonderful tour. We couldn’t be more excited to share our pictures and experiences with friends, family and fellow Girl Scouts! So until we meet again Europe!

Bonjour from Paris!

2011-07-18T09:35:00.001-05:00

7/16/11: We've spent the past two days in Paris and have been roaming the streets of Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower. This morning we got a tour of the city from a Paris tour guide, however it was interrupted by a rain shower, but don't worry we still learned a lot and got to enjoy the sights from the dry bus. In the tour we saw the different government buildings, the tunnel where Princess Diana died and of course the Eiffel Tower and amazing shopping! After our tour, we had the option of visiting the Lourve, which is the museum that the Mona Lisa is in. Believe it or not, but the Mona Lisa is actually very small. The Lourve houses many famous pictures and sculptures and is one of the world's most visited museums! After museums comes shopping and eating! Paris had many fantastics shops for all the Girl Scouts to experience as well as some amazing food. Who doesn't love crepes?! We had a great time in Paris, but we're off to bed as we leave for London very early tomorrow morning! As they say in Paris - Au revior! (Good-bye in French)

Posting by Mikaela

2011-07-15T13:33:00.000-05:00

Backtrack Post (by Mikaela): 7/10/11

Today was an early, long day. We got up at 5:30 am and got ready to leave by 6:45 am. We were heading to Shloss (castle) Neuschwanstein . It was about a 3 hour ride in the bus. It gets pretty boring in the bus, so I listen to my i-pod and read my Seventeen magazines. We stop about every two hours for a restroom break. You have to pay to use public restrooms here! It’s pretty rare to find one where you don’t have to pay. That stinks. Anyway, the castle was stunning. We had to walk a long, tiring way uphill, but it was good exercise. The castle was home to King Ludvig II, for only about 172 days before he died mysteriously. (Most likely murder.) The outside of the castle was beautiful, but the inside was absolutely, amazingly, gorgeous. I want to live there! It’s probably the most beautiful castle in the world. I’m so glad I got to see it. After Neuschwanstein, we traveled a few hours to Innsbruck, Austria, where we stopped for a little bit. They had tons of cute little tourist souvenir shops there. I got a little animal keychain. We also got a piece of chocolate cake to try at the hotel. It was really soft and yummy. Then, it was a long drive to Italy. We are currently in Lido, Italy. There’s no air conditioning in the hotel, but it cools down at night. We went to the beach at around 11:30 pm and the moonlight on the water was beautiful! I really like Italy so far. We’ve got a long hot day in Venice tomorrow!

Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland

2011-07-13T09:47:00.000-05:00

7/12/11: What a crazy last few days! We've been to three different countries and the trip keeps getting better. On Saturday, we experienced the culture of Munich while taking in the sights from a tour guide. On Sunday, we traveled to Italy, making a few stops in Innsburk, Austria and at the castle that was the inspiration of Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty, Neuschwanstein. Neuschwanstein was the castle that Ludwig II lived in for a mere 176 days before he mysteriously drown in a lake near the castle. We were able to walk throughout the castle and see rooms like the King's chamber and kitchen. It was amazing to think we walked in the same halls of Ludwig!!

After the castle we finally arrived in Venice. The city was full of history and was so beautiful to walk through. Some of the girls experienced a gondola ride through the canals. It was a wonderful, but very HOT experience. After a long day of touring St. Martin's Square, museums and shops it was time for a nice evening on the Mediterranean Sea Beach."

Can't wait to see what the next few days are going to bring us!!!

Girl Scouts in Europe

2011-07-12T10:09:00.005-05:00

7/7/11: After a flight delay and day-long layover in Chicago, the Girl Scout crew finally made it to Europe! We landed in Amsterdam this morning and went right into touring the beautiful city. After arriving at the airport, we met up with the rest of our group in the heart of the city. The group consists of students from Canada, California and a tour guide based out of Germany. We began this morning with a brief bus tour of the city, followed by a cheese farm demonstration where we ate cheese that had aged for more than 5 years - It was delicious! After our cheese demonstration, we went on a boat tour of all the canals throughout the city, followed by our own free time to enjoy the sights. The city is very busy, buzzing with people of all cultures! I can’t wait to see what the next few days have in store for us! Tomorrow we leave for Germany bright and early, so we are off to bed. Goede nacht (good night in Dutch)!