Summer Camp Revamp Rewind: Special Edition!

Girl Scouts at Chicago Park District’s Eckhart Park

In this special edition of Summer Camp Revamp Rewind, we are sharing with you how one troop of 18 Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GSGCNWI) are making the most of their social-distanced day camp!

GSGCNWI, in partnership with the Chicago Park District’s Eckhart Park, is excited to provide opportunities for girls in our community to stay connected virtually. The girls masked up and gathered to do all six weeks of the virtual Summer Camp Revamp, cultivating their own “new normal.”

The past two weeks have been busy for these girls as they get used to camp again—and they’re certainly enjoying themselves! Let’s get to know some of these super Girl Scouts a little better!

Meet the Girl Scouts!

Last week was GIRLapalooza, a week all about celebration and joy (read about it on our blog!) so what better way to close out the week than by completing the SuperHERo activity?  

The girls, in their discussion groups, both talked about identifying their personal strengths. Some girls spoke about how hard it can be to talk about themselves, noting they often pay too much attention to the things they struggle with rather than what they’re already good at.

When it comes to sports, school, family, and friends, the girls all identified what their strengths are and where they could improve—and that’s important! After all, true self-confidence is not about thinking you’re good at everything, but having the ability to celebrate what you are good at and work on what you could do better.  

What’s YOUR Super Power?

Girl Scout Rickayla told the group that her superhero powers come from “playing sports and talking to friends.” One of the things she likes the most about herself is that she is kind, and we can tell! 

Girl Scout Ania is great at plenty of things: she plays basketball, football, and floor hockey, AND likes hip-hop dance, gymnastics, painting, and doing hair. Ania believes the source of her superpowers is her athletic abilities, “because of the amount of strength you get from playing.” 

Taelor has a different perspective—she says her superpowers come from her heart and from her spirituality. She uses this superpower by donating resources to people without homes, and says, along with sports, dancing, and math, and she’s good at “showing love!”  

Girl Scout Laylani knows her skills well: she says she’s good at math, floor hockey, coloring, writing, cooking, and keeping her things organized. She likes to create art and help others, and believes creating art can become her superpower because whenever she “draws or creates anything, it comes to life!”

Find your Super Strength

These girls know themselves well, and we are excited to see where their superpowers take them in the future! Interested in finding your own inner super strengths? Download the SuperHERo activity!

Thank you to all the girls who shared with us, and we can’t wait to see what else you get up to during Summer Camp Revamp!

Join us for Movie Magic Week!

Join us for Movie Magic week from August 3 -7!

Dive into the world of movie magic and become your very own director, producer, screenwriter, or set designer. Discover the tricks of the trade of filmmaking in order to make a cinematic masterpiece of your own!

Register for Movie Magic week by July 27.

Learn more about Summer Camp Revamp and how you can become a part of the fun!

Summer Camp Revamp Rewind: GIRLapalooza!

Girl Scouts at Eckhart Park participating in Summer Camp Revamp— stay tuned for a blog post all about these girls!

Summer Camp Revamp is in full swing, and it looks like Girl Scouts across Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GCNWI) are having LOADS OF FUN!

Making tie-dye and DIY chalk, cooking up tasty carnival treats, recreating famous art pieces, and building their own festival booths–– these girls had a week full of well-deserved celebration!

Let’s learn more about what GIRLapalooza week was all about.

Celebrate Good Times

The Summer Camp Revamp girls got creative and made their own festival booths, and these Girl Scouts really went “out of the box!” Girl Scout Olivia created a mini kitten and puppy adoption booth out of a repurposed cardboard box, and her friend made a festival out of Lego toys! Great job, girls!

The girls also had a chance to complete the SuperHERo activity, where they brainstormed, talked about what makes them each a SuperHERo in their own ways, and came up with their own super-characters based on themselves! Girl Scout Sara showed us her very own SuperHERO character, and she looks SUPER.

Download the SuperHERo worksheet to unleash your hidden powers!

The snacks the girls made throughout the week looked incredible, but we’re definitely partial to the way these mango-yogurt popsicles turned out! Looks like a recipe the girls will have to share with us!

Artistic Sensibilities

The revamped recreations of famous art pieces has continued throughout the week, and what these girls turned out is IMPRESSIVE! We are so happy to share just some of the amazing work the GIRLapalooza Girl Scouts have come up with–– take a look:

Girl Scout Elizabeth as Berthe Morisot’s “Woman at Her Toilette” (1880)
Girl Scout Gina as J. Howard Miller’s “We Can Do It!” (1943)

Great job to all the girls who shared photos with us this week–– keep sharing with us! Make sure to tag us on social media @GirlScoutsGCNWI, share on our Facebook page, or on our website!

Girl Scout Member Moment!

This week’s Member Moment shout-out goes to Girl Scout Troop 55315 for their very generous donation to the West Suburban Humane Society!

“Paws up” to these girls for using their cookie sales for good!

Join us for Movie Magic Week!

Interested in joining us for Summer Camp Revamp? Join us for Movie Magic week from August 3 -7!

Dive into the world of movie magic and become your very own director, producer, screenwriter, or set designer. Discover the tricks of the trade of filmmaking in order to make a cinematic masterpiece of your own!

Register for Movie Magic week by July 27.

Learn more about Summer Camp Revamp and how you can become a part of the fun!

Share your Summer Camp Story!

Tell us all about your Girl Scout summer plans and Summer Camp Revamp creations on social media @GirlScoutsGCNWI or on our website.

Looking for more to do at home? Make sure to visit our Girl Scouts from Home page, which is full of resources and activities for girls of all ages.

Summer Camp Revamp Rewind: STEAM, Dreams, & Ice Cream!

The first week of Summer Camp Revamp kicked off last Monday, July 6, to everyone’s excitement! Girls from across Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GCNWI) got together to explore STEAM, Dreams, and Ice Cream, all from home, and from the looks of it, our girls were really in their element.

Read on to learn more about Summer Camp Revamp and what the Girl Scouts got up to last week!

Sweet Salad Science

The Summer Camp Revamp girls started the week with a webinar all about the Lifecycle of a Salad! They tracked the various cycles of vegetables, from harvest to food scraps, and discovered how plants and worms receive nutrients from the earth. They also had a little dinner party for themselves AND some worms by making delicious salads and composting the scraps! Check out Girl Scout Scarlett’s yummy-looking salad (and Sami’s empty bowl!).

I Scream for STEAM!

Day 2 of STEAM, Dreams and Ice Cream week was all about harnessing science to make yummy foods! The girls also used the power of chemical reactions to make delicious treats, like ice cream, edible marshmallow putty, and more. Making ice cream by hand is a workout, but the results looked delicious!

The girls followed up those experiments by exploring weather systems and different creative art projects–– Scarlett made a rainbow in a jar, and they also experimented with lightning!

In Their Element

Girls continued participating in awesome STEAM activities like making slime, cooking homemade pasta, experimenting with soda and Mentos, and more! The girls loved working with these fun programs that got the outdoors and their brains working to come up with new scientific discoveries to make at home!

Girl Scout Member Moment!

While we keep up with Summer Camp Revamp, our Member Monday blog series is paused, but this week, we are featuring Girl Scout Brownie Troop 55567, who bridged up to Brownies this spring! Check out their amazing virtual Bridging Ceremony above! Congratulations to these girls for making their way up the Girl Scout ladder.

Join us for Mastering Mystery Week!

Interested in joining the Summer Camp Revamp fun? Join us for Mastering Mystery Week from July 27- 31! Follow the clues to solve a Girl Scout mystery! Use all your senses as we work together to crack codes, take fingerprints, and explore our surroundings.

Register for Mastering Mystery Week by Jul. 20.

Learn more about Summer Camp Revamp and how you can become a part of the fun!

Share your Summer Camp Story!

Whether it’s this year’s Summer Camp Revamp or a visit to Camp Juniper Knoll many years ago, tell us all about your Girl Scout camp memories on social media @GirlScoutsGCNWI or on our website.

Looking for more to do at home? Make sure to visit our Girl Scouts from Home page, which is full of resources and activities for girls of all ages.

Member Monday Round-Up: Peace Love & Girl Scouts

Photo submitted by Samiha from GCNWI Staff

It’s officially the first week of Summer Camp Revamp, and summertime with Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GCNWI) is in full swing! And it seems like our girls are moving at the speed of light, keeping up with weekly virtual troop meetings, completing badges, Highest Awards, service and good deeds, even organizing their own events! We have to hand it to the Girl Scouts; they really know how to get things done.

We have some awesome Girl Scout stories to share–– read on!

Let’s Hear It for the Girls!

Girl Scout Troop 65646

Girl Scout troops are still celebrating the end of a year full of accomplishments, but they’ve had to get creative! These Daisy, Brownie, and Junior girls stopped by their leader’s “Rainbow Porch” to pick up their badges, cookie prizes, and other goodies, and move up to the next level of Girl Scouting. Congratulations to Troop 65646, and all Girl Scouts from GCNWI, on a great year!

Girl Scouts haven’t let distance stop them from staying connected and earning badges. When troop meetings went virtual, this dedicated handful of girls from Troop 45133 kept meeting, and they earned up to 12 badges in 12 weeks! The most popular badge with this group was the Junior Detective badge, where they extracted DNA from strawberries, dusted for fingerprints, and solved a mystery with bags of physical “evidence.” So cool! They’re looking forward to meeting in person again someday, but they’ll stay connected with their sister Girl Scouts all summer long!

Girl Scout Service Spotlight

Girl Scouts have also continued to provide service and resources to essential workers and people in need–– and one very special Girl Scout, Olivia T. from Chicago, IL, was recently featured on My TODAY Plaza’s Celebrates America series for going above and beyond for her service to the community.

Olivia, during her stay-at-home time, fueled by her passion and inspired by her parents, started her own non-profit to ensure people without masks, especially those without homes, can get them for free. Her determination and kindness for her community had a huge impact–– watch the video above (her story starts at the 1:55 mark) to learn more about her efforts.

Troop 45116 raised money through their cookie booths for donations–– they were poised to donate their cookies to a free community dinner hosted in Park Ridge before everything was rescheduled. Instead, the girls donated 50 boxes of cookies to Lutheran General Hospital, and 30 boxes to the Maine Township Food Pantry, along with thank you notes to the healthcare workers.

The troop was also nearing completion of the aMuse Journey when they had to shift gears to virtual meetings, but the girls stayed on track and finished the Journey, making a video about breaking down negative stereotypes against women in the sports world! The girls are now ready to tackle their Bronze Award next year!

Check out this tweet from the Franklin School Library in Grayslake, IL: it looks like Girl Scout Troop 45315 has something cooking!

Thank you to all the amazing girls who have shared their stories with us–– we are forever impressed and proud of you!

Take the Spotlight!

Tell us all about your plans, ideas, and dreams, whether you’re joining us for Summer Camp Revamp, thinking up a big way to help your community, or coming out with the next great American novel––share your story with us on our website or on social media @GirlScoutsGCNWI.

As a girl-led organization, we wholeheartedly support the passion and desire Girl Scouts have for seeking justice and making change. Our Girl Scouts and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access page now has a living list of resources for girls to start on that path.

Looking for something fun to do with your troop or on your own? The Girl Scouts from Home page is full of Badge How-To’s, videos, and more resources you can access from home!

Keep up with our upcoming Virtual Events by checking out our Calendar, which can also be found on the Girl Scouts from Home page!

Continue her Girl Scout journey by renewing today!

Member Monday Round-Up: Stories of Sisterhood

Members of Girl Scouts Troop 40681 help troop leader Deborah Beauford, top, hang a mural created by troop members at the Harrer Park pavilion. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

Another Monday, which means another week full of stories from our local Girl Scouts to share! Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GSGCNWI) is ready for a season jam-packed with activities–– between Summer Camp Revamp, our virtual programming, and Girl Scouts from Home resources (and whatever else comes up), Girl Scouts are gearing up for a summer full of exploration and growth.

Girl Scouts are also staying dedicated to service and sisterhood, modeling what it really means to be a sister to every Girl Scout and every girl. Read on for some good Girl Scout news!

Girl Scouts Standing For More

Members of Girl Scouts Troop 40681 (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

When it comes to fighting for justice and liberation, Girl Scouts are experts. These Girl Scouts from Troop 40681 are no exception–– for their Silver Award, the girls decided to step up and advocate for the very pressing and long-lasting issue of racism in the United States.

To do this, they took on the task of speaking to community leaders and educating themselves in order to create an “action resource guide,” including steps on how to call for racial justice on the individual level. The girls then hosted a Black Lives Matter demonstration in their community, featuring speakers, performers, and a moment of silence in honor of George Floyd’s life, which was unjustly ended on May 25, 2020.

Girl Scout Kailey, when speaking to the Chicago Tribune, noted: “Black Lives Matter is an issue for everyone,” Lopez said. “It’s not a Democratic issue or a Republican issue. It’s not a partisan issue. It’s a human issue.”

To listen to the calls of their community and country, to educate themselves, to take action, and to promise to continue the hard work toward racial equity––this is exactly what Girl Scouts promise to do, to make the world a better place.

Sunny Days and STEM

Exploring nature and appreciating the outdoors has never been more valuable––check out Girl Scout Makayla and her dad, Joseph, observing a bird building its nest! There are so many interesting things happening outside all the time in nature, but they can be hard to catch, so awesome job for spotting this beautiful moment!

Looking for something a little more technological? Check out our National Security Patch for Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors, which was created back in 2016 in partnership with Girl Security, an organization dedicated to providing women with training and placement in the field of national security.

Love STEAM but missing camp? Spots are still open for Summer Camp Revamp’s STEAM, Dreams and Ice Cream week taking place July 6-10. Sign her up for activities that will inspire both her inner chef and scientist!

Girl Scout Service Spotlight: Cards 4 COVID Heroes!

Cards collected by Girl Scouts Mantej S. and Prabhleen K. at at cards4covidheroes.com

Girl Scout service has been happening at lightning speed over the past few months, and not just in our council! Girl Scouts from California, Mantej S. and Prabhleen K., reached out to us about their project, Cards 4 COVID Heroes, where they have been collecting thank-you cards from all over the nation and sending them to hospitals with gift cards. Visit their website to learn more about making or donating cards, or volunteering, and to see pictures of some of the cards they’ve gotten!

Troops are Calling!

Virtual Troop Meetings for Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors are open! Any current Girl Scouts interested in joining a virtual troop can join these troops that meet weekly on Wednesdays at 3:00 p.m. CST!

Dates, times & locations are subject to change based on continued COVID-19 shelter-in-place restrictions.

Have a question? Don’t be shy! Contact us at customercare@girlscoutsgcnwi.org and ask for Jody Z.

Renew your Girl Scout Membership!

Current circumstances may have you wondering if now is the best time to renew. We believe that there is no better time than now!

Renew by June 30 and your girl will receive:

  • FREE More to Explore membership patch 
  • FREE ticket to our inaugural Sneaker Ball!
  • NEW! 15% off one week of Summer Camp Revamp!

Learn more about renewal!

Share your Summer with Us!

Tell us all about your summer plans, whether you’re joining us for Summer Camp Revamp, continuing to meet virtually with your troop, providing service to your community, or just seeing where the days take you––share your story with us on our website.

As a girl-led organization, we support our Girl Scouts’ passion and desire to make a difference within their own communities. Our Girl Scouts and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access page now has a living list of resources for girls to take action, reflect, and learn.

Looking for something fun to do with your troop or on your own? The Girl Scouts from Home page is full of Badge How-To’s, videos, and more resources you can access from home!

Keep up with our upcoming Virtual Events by checking out our Calendar, which can also be found on the Girl Scouts from Home page!

Member Monday Round-Up: Making Memories

Girl Scouts looks different than ever before, but girls from around the council have taken the changes in stride. Our girls have been staying as busy as ever, keeping up every week with virtual programming through our fun webinars, staying in touch by continuing troop meetings, and getting ready for the next school year. The Girl Scout spirit is alive and well!

This summer, the fun of connecting with others, exploring new things, and receiving snail mail combine to create a one-of-a-kind virtual experience for girls! It’s camp, reimagined… it’s Summer Camp Revamp! Learn more about it on our blog! For now, let’s check up on some Girl Scout stories.

Call and Response

Girl Scouts are the definition of sisterhood–– just take a look at Troop 55693 from Naperville! Their big goals and dreams about cookie seasons, badges they wanted to lead and earn, adventures they wanted to take, may be taking different shapes, but their spirit or dedication has remained the same, and their bond and desire to serve others is only getting stronger. Over the course of sheltering in place, this troop met over Zoom and worked on completing adoption day bags for animal shelters!

The girls have also connected on Zoom and other platforms for virtual playdates, movie nights, and even a camp-out. Pictured above are their smile jars, jars full of positive notes to remind each other that they are important, loved, and sisters! They loved making these jars so much, they made 50 more for the community and donated them to the local food pantry, hospital, and nursing home. Amazing job, girls!

Current Girl Scouts are not the only ones sharing stories with us! We recently shared advice from our older Girl Scouts to our younger ones on our Instagram, and a comment from Jill Morison proved how strong the Girl Scout experience can be even years later: “You may not know it now– but you’re building confidence and bravery. I’m a senior leader of my organization and several of my colleagues are also proud Girl Scouts too.”

Speaking of building confidence and bravery, Girl Scout Ambassadors and Seniors from GCNWI and other councils (even Puerto Rico!) have been meeting every Thursday afternoon to do just that! The girls bonded immediately and have covered all sorts of topics together, shared camping and Girl Scout memories, held a virtual prom, even made their own recipe book! The facilitator of these meetings shared with us a screenshot of a message from their group chat, a very powerful message from one girl in the group that is important for every Girl Scout (and every girl) to hear:

We hope you carry this message with you today and always!

Congratulations to the Class of 2020!

Congratulations to the Class of 2020 and to all Girl Scouts transitioning out of the organization! Savor this moment and celebrate your accomplishments.

While we have you, don’t forget you are always welcome back as a volunteer. Girl Scouts also offers a Lifetime Membership for anyone looking to remain committed to the empowerment and of young women and girls, and recent graduates can take advantage of the “young alum” discount!

Also remember we are allowing a one-time extension for 12th graders to use money-earned funds for the next membership year. Read the Graduating Seniors Funds Extension Guidelines for more details.

Sign the Girl Scouts’ Anti-Racism Pledge

Girl Scouts of USA is calling on all of us––girls, volunteers, alums, supporters, families, staff, and our suppliers and service providers––to become an active part of the mission to dismantle systemic racism and anti-Blackness in our country. Sign GSUSA’s Anti-Racism Pledge and visit our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access page to learn more about what GCNWI is doing to combat racism in our own community.

Tell us your Story

Creativity, generosity, and passion are just some of the things you bring to the table in all you do as a Girl Scout! We want to hear your stories of service, joy, and exploration–– tell us below in the comments or share your story with us on our website.

Member Monday Round-Up: Finding Joy

Drawing by Girl Scout Norah L. from Troop 50288

In uncertain and stressful times, Girl Scouts step up and speak up. Girl Scouts advocate for their communities and work fast to provide resources to those who need it. Girl Scouts are resilient and strong–– but they are also girls, children, who deserve to laugh, be silly, and enjoy the present moment in whatever way they can.

These past few weeks (and months) have been very tough on our girls as they adjust to a whole new world of distancing and difficult conversations, but local Girl Scouts continue to find ways to have fun and stay connected to their friends, like all girls should. Read on to learn about what GCNWI Girl Scouts have been doing to stay positive and find joy!

Cookin’ Up Something Good

Girl Scouts have been turning to cooking and food to come together and provide some comfort, and the results look delicious! Troop 20089 got together over Zoom to make challah together: troop leaders distributed hard to come by yeast and flour, and one of the amazing parents walked them through the process! The girls enjoyed the lessons of cooking, stewardship, and sisterhood, and of course the tasty treat at the end.

We’re keeping it going with fun and practical virtual programs for girls of all ages across the council during a time when girls need it most–– check out Girl Scout Cassandra from Troop 45422 participating in the Cooking Demo with Chef Heath! She even used the recipes from that webinar to make the entire a family a full dinner. As Cassandra’s mom told us, “Quarantine has not only been doable because of Girl Scouts–– it’s been fun and productive.”

Girl Scouts from Troop 75439 celebrated National Donut Day by decorating their own donuts–– sounds fun and delicious! Thank you to their leader for sharing these great pictures!

Some Girl Scouts are taking it a step further and catching their own food: check out this Girl Scout Makayla fishing for bass!

Girl Scout Service Spotlight!

Girl Scouts have not stopped showing their generosity, and this week we’re highlighting Girl Scout Troop 45856 from Lakemoor, IL! These girls have been donating cookies to the essential workers in their community, including postal workers, hospital staff, fire fighters, and pharmacists. Great job, girls, and keep up the great work!

We made the news!

Who caught us on ABC 7 Chicago a few weeks ago? Thanks to Roz Varon from ABC 7 Chicago for featuring our Great Family Camp-In! For those who didn’t attend, watch all the videos on our YouTube! Also make sure to read our wrap-up blog post from the event in case you missed it.

Share your thoughts with us

Creativity, generosity, and passion are just some of the things you bring to the table in all you do as a Girl Scout! We want to hear your stories of service, joy, and exploration–– tell us below in the comments or share your story with us on our website.

As a girl-led organization, we support our Girl Scouts’ passion and desire to make a difference within their own communities. Our Girl Scouts and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access page now has a living list of resources for girls to take action, reflect on current events, and learn.

Member Monday Round-Up: Spreading Kindness

​It is a challenging, stressful, emotional time for people and girls around the nation and in our own communities. This week, our Member Monday blog post is dedicated to providing  ​a sense of comfort and optimism for our members in light of our continuing conversations about how to provide resources and support for our community and sisterhood.

We will also be providing resources and ways for girls to take action and heal during this time. We stand with girls unequivocally, and protecting and promoting their joy and safety is a vital part of our mission.​Our Girl Scout curriculum inherently focuses on respecting diversity, advocating and taking action on important issues, and how be a good citizen. But we also recognize that we will need to provide more specific resources and activities. We will also be providing resources and ways for girls to take action and heal during this time. We stand with girls unequivocally, and protecting and promoting their joy and safety is a vital part of our mission.

Staying Positive

Girl Scouts from Troop 55191 did a good turn last weekend and delivered more than 1,000 painted inspirational rocks to Alexian Brothers Hospital in Elk Grove Village. The rocks, along with yard signs, handwritten cards, homemade masks, Girl Scout Cookies and hand sanitizer, were all intended to boost the morale of essential workers at the facility. That’s Girl Scouts––making the world a better place, especially in challenging times.

Taking Action

As a girl-led organization, we support our Girl Scouts’ passion and desire to make a difference within their own communities. Our Girl Scouts and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access page now has a living list of resources for girls to take action, reflect on current events, and learn. Here are some of those resources:

Raising Awesome Girls Series by GSUSA

Books:

Find out more about GCNWI’s efforts toward Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access.

Take Care

We know how passionate, intelligent, and dedicated you are to assisting your community. We want to tell the whole world. Share with us resources, actions, healing projects, and other ideas by tagging us @GirlScoutsGCNWI, posting on our Facebook page, or sharing your story on our website.

Member Monday Round-Up: Catching Up With GCNWI!

Girl Scout Troop 45435

Warm weather is finally here, and Girl Scouts from around the council have been getting ready for a different kind of summer break. Even as we continue to stay physically distant, we’ve been staying connected like never before with virtual events, at-home Patch Programs, and other activities!

Last week, GCNWI hosted the first ever Great Family Camp-In, and it was a huge success! We are to glad to hear so many of you had an awesome day camping from home–– check out our blog post to read more.

Continue reading to learn all about what GCNWI has been up to!

The Magic of Sisterhood

Girl Scouts, have you been looking for ways to feel empowered while we shelter-in-place? Girl Scout Troop 25411 has just the thing! These girls compiled The Ultimate Guide to Being a Quarantine Queen, including TONS of ideas for self-care, like yoga routines, face mask and yummy dessert recipes, DIY fashion ideas, and more! Download the activity book to get started on your self-care journey.

Girl Scouts have continued meeting virtually, and this Girl Scout worked on earning the Balloon Car Design Badge, a part of the Junior Mechanical Engineering Badge! Watch her Balloon Car go:

Cadette Girl Scout Troop 70917 found a way to celebrate their graduation from grade school to high school AND their bridging from Cadettes to Seniors, all while social distancing! This troop has been together since they were Daisies, and while there were no hugs, there were plenty of laughs and stories shared while celebrating their magical sisterhood. Congratulations, young ladies!

Also check out this super-troop leader Dionne H., drama instructor at Douglas Park and Austin Town Hall Park. She’s reading a favorite book by Green Shaw, “It Looked Like Spilt Milk!” Dionne also received an Appreciation Pin this year, recognizing her outstanding volunteer service for GCNWI! Congratulations, Dionne!

Looking for another quick pick-me-up? Girl Scout Daisies from Troop 55871 shared this awesome Virtual Hug video they made together, and we love it! Thanks for sharing, girls!

Girl Scout Service Spotlight!

Cookies from Troop 25411 

Girl Scouts have continued dedicating time and resources to helping first-responders and others in their communities, and they’ve definitely made some waves! Suzanne Le Mignot of CBS 2 Chicago spotlighted how Girl Scouts are still providing cookies to those who wish to show their gratitude for medial personnel and essential workers! Read the article and watch the clip to learn about the spotlighted Girl Scout and hear a word from our CEO, Nancy Wright.

Girl Scouts from Troop 60455 were recently recognized by the Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123 for their partnership with Advocate Christ Hospital and the Oak Lawn Food Pantry! Read about their service project to learn more.

We also got shout-outs from the Lakeview Pantry and Mercy Home, recognizing more massive donations from local Girl Scouts! Amazing!

Girl Scouts have gotten creative about how to participate in service projects from home, but they aren’t the only ones! Girl Scout Leaders from Troops 60011, 60023, 60533, 65107, 64777, 65158, 65153, 65493, 65640, 65572, 65573, 65560, and 60561 organized a drive-through parade to benefit the Orland Park Food Pantry. Leaders rallied and collected 4 trunk loads of food and over $1,000 in cash donations for the local food pantry!

It is very heartwarming to know that even though we can’t physically be together, there’s no reason we can’t figure out how to do awesome things as Girl Scouts another way. Great job, everyone!

Brownie and Junior Troop 55532 decided to donate their remaining cookies to front-line workers at Rush Copley Hospital in Aurora, IL, with a honk and honor drive-by to say their thanks! They wanted to show their appreciation to all who have gone above and beyond to help the community, and it looks like the cookies were really appreciated!

Girl Scout Avery from Troop 25818 made a sign, cards, crafts, and puzzles, as well as chocolate chip cookies, for the elderly residents at the Little Sisters of the Poor in Chicago! She wanted to brighten their days, and I certainly think she did!

Share your summer plans, service project ideas, Patch Program results, and more with us on social media, by tagging us @GirlScoutsGCNWI, posting on our Facebook page, or sharing your story on our website!

Looking for a Patch Program to do with your troop? The Girl Scouts from Home page is full of Badge How-To’s you can complete from home!

Keep up with our upcoming Virtual Events by checking out our Calendar, which can also be found on the Girl Scouts from Home page!

Girl Scouts Honoring Veterans

Girl Scouts Honoring Veterans

Throughout history, Girl Scouts across the nation have honored both the active members of our military and veterans who have sacrificed to protect our freedom. This Memorial Day is no different. Even though we are observing this day from home, Girl Scouts continue to show appreciation for our veterans. 

This week’s Member Monday falls on Memorial Day, which marks the beginning of Service Week across our council. We’re taking this opportunity to highlight Girl Scouts who have earned the Girl Scouts GCNWI Honoring our Veterans patch. 

A Girl Scout alum—who just happens to be army veteran and United States Senator Tammy Duckworth—teamed up with us to develop a special patch program so girls can connect with and honor veterans in their communities. By completing a service project, visiting a veteran, or telling a veteran’s story, girls can earn the Girl Scouts GCNWI Honoring our Veterans patch. 

Since the launch of the patch program last Veterans Day, so many Girl Scouts have shared their experiences working with veterans with us. 

The stories below are from some of the council’s service-minded Girl Scouts who dedicated time to veterans in their communities previously, before we sheltered in place to stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Serving Those who Served

Girl Scouts from three different troops from Glenview, IL, organized a Cards for Veterans Service Project for veterans at the Hines VA Hospital. The girls ended up exceeding their initial goal, collecting over 140 cards that were delivered to the hospital on Veterans Day 2019. The girls hope to inspire more people in their community to share their messages of appreciation, not only around Veterans Day, but throughout the year. 

Girl Scout Troop 75142, in celebration of Veterans Day, hosted an event filled with music, food, games, fellowship, and a performance by the Loyola University Rambler Battalion Color Guard, all in honor of the sacrifices women United States service members have made to defend our country. Later, the girls organized a donation drive to benefit the Women’s Residential Program at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center. 

Service is an essential part of the Girl Scout DNA, and Gold Award Girl Scout and Senator Duckworth knows this well. When she thinks of Girl Scouts, she thinks of “hard work… a commitment to making the community, and the country around you, a better place.”

Watch Senator Duckworth speak on the importance of service in Girl Scouting:

Visiting a Veteran

Some Girl Scouts took a more personal approach to the patch program, like Sophia, who chose to interview her stepfather. During this conversation, Sophia gained insight into someone important in her life and a deeper understanding about how to better support veterans. She learned that being home can sometimes feel harder than being away, and that a supportive friend group is essential. 

Last October, Girl Scout Anne decided to volunteer at the Manteno Veteran’s Home, where she met Jimmie, a veteran with a love for Bob Hope. Anne learned about his time in Korea and how he got to see his favorite comedian, Hope, who dedicated himself to providing laughter to active service members. Anne loved earning this patch so much she joined an Auxiliary Post with the American Legion in her community to continue helping veterans. 

A group of Girl Scouts from Chicago also kept their project close to home, connecting with their own troop leader and the father of one of the girls, both veterans. The girls listened closely to their stories, learning about the different branches of the armed forces, how to become a veteran, and the treatment of women in the army. They also learned that, like in the Girl Scouts, everyone in the military has a part to play and must “be prepared” at all times. 

Honoring our Veterans from Home

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to honor and support veterans from home. The Village of Lake Bluff will be hosting a virtual Memorial Day observance ceremony, available for online viewing on Monday, May 25 at 9:00 a.m. Filmed in front of the Veteran’s Memorial at the Village Green, the ceremony will be shared online through the Facebook pages of the Village of Lake Bluff, LakeBluffStrong, and the Lake Bluff History Museum.

Girl Scouts interested in completing the Honoring our Veterans Patch Program should complete at least two of the criteria from the list below and share their story in order to earn the patch. 

Complete a Service Project Benefitting Veterans 

You may complete two service projects to earn the patch. Below are some ideas: 

  • Send cards of appreciation 
  • Donate Girl Scout Cookies to a veteran home or program 
  • Coordinate and lead a virtual activity with a veteran 
  • Work with a local veteran or senior center to coordinate the delivery of hygiene supplies, clothes, and other needed items. 

Visit with a Veteran: While meeting in person may not be currently safe, coordinating online meetings with veterans you know or in a program can fulfill the requirement. 

Tell a Veteran’s Story: Interview a veteran virtually and tell their story through writing, video, or another way! Use digital resources and get creative with how you tell and share their story. 

Download the patch program guidelines [PDF] » 
Share your story to earn the free patch »