It’s time to get back to Girl Scouting with new programs that just launched!
We’re so excited to launch our programs for Fall, because we have in-person and virtual opportunities for Girl Scouts to press play and get back in the swing of things. Get ready to start the Girl Scout year off right, from Becoming Me workshops to celebrations of Hispanic Heritage Month and so much more!
Inspired by former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama’s book Becoming: Adapted for Young Readers, our Becoming Me workshops help you explore the truth of your own story, use the power of your voice, and introduce you to unique experiences!
Every Girl Scout goes above and beyond to make a difference in her community and the greater world. And the skills and experiences she gains along the way set her up for special recognition through the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards.
We have training for Girl Scouts who want to earn their Bronze, Silver, or Gold Awards! We also have a special Take Action Workshop on October 13 for Girl Scouts who want to learn more about service projects and are thinking of earning a Highest Award.
Join us for a Pumpkin Smash!
It’s pumpkin smashing season! Join us for our third annual Pumpkin Smash event (various times between November 5-7) and unite with others in the effort to help divert compostable material from landfills. Bring your old pumpkins to compost…and SMASH!
Want to do more? Attend our fun Fall Fest either before or after you smash your pumpkin! Participate in various activities that include making fall themed crafts, adventuring through the forest, either on a spooky or glow hike, playing games, and enjoying a pre-packaged snack around the campfire’s glow.
During Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins on September 15 and continues until October 15, Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GSGCNWI) and Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) have some awesome ways to celebrate and show your pride!
Look out for a bilingual blog post soon, where you’ll get the full scoop on everything we have planned to celebrate!
The Leader Enrichment Activity Program is a valuable experience for all Girl Scout volunteers: take it from one volunteer, Robin! “LEAP is a fun weekend with old friends and learning new ideas, programs, crafts, and information at one of our favorite GCNWI camps! Give it a try, I am sure you’ll love it!”
We’re in the full swing of summer now, and already getting excited for the new Girl Scout year!
Before we get to fall, though, there’s still more to do! Read on to learn about what’s coming up this summer and fall with Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GSGCNWI).
Get Outdoors This Summer!
Let’s GO! Summer is here and it’s the perfect time to head outdoors. Join the Girl Scouts Love the Outdoors Challenge—complete the designated number of activities and unlock a cool new patch. Use #gsoutdoors to share your story and to see how other girls are completing this fun outdoor challenge.
Every year, Girl Scouts explore the natural wonders found across our country during the Girl Scouts Love State Parks weekend. Save the date for September 11 & 12 to share the love of the outdoors at your local state parks!
There are big things coming next Girl Scout year (like new programs from GCNWI and GSUSA), so make sure to follow our social media pages (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) to stay updated on what we’re getting up to!
Stay Tuned for Fall Product 2021!
The Fall Product Program is coming back this fall! Stay tuned for updates from our Product Program team!
Your time to shine? Now!
Time to Renew, Girl Scout!
Connecting. Testing your strength. Making a difference. Renew today to make sure you continue to shine your brightest.
Your gift to GCNWI is an investment in the lives of Girl Scouts, empowering them to be resilient leaders who make the world a better place. Give Girl Scouts the tools they need to thrive by making a gift of your choice on our website.
Every year many people celebrate Earth Day on April 22 by taking impactful action to help to stop climate change. But for us Girl Scouts, we took it to the next level and celebrated all of April! All Girl Scouts are stewards of the environment: it’s in the Girl Scout promise! That’s why Earth Day is so important to us at Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GSGCNWI): we make a commitment to making the world a better place, one tree at a time.
Keep reading to find out how staff and Girl Scouts from GCNWI made the most of Earth Month!
Planet Protectors in Action
Girl Scouts got together virtually and in-person to celebrate the completion of the It’s Your Planet, Love It Journeys over the weekend. Daisies made seed bombs with native plants, Brownies enjoyed a Cadette troop’s water presentation and worked on the challenge of removing oil from water, Juniors channeled solar energy, and Cadettes constructed windmills (pictured above)!
Thanks to our Save Our Energy patch volunteer, Ivy, who met with each group to talk about how they can save energy at home. And thanks to Exelon, who provided the funding to fuel these Journeys for the planet earth!
Troop 45420 decided to dedicate their Take Action project to a community cleanup!
Girl Scouts from Troop 46004 spent the whole month learning about Earth Day in multiple ways: virtual meetings about how to protect the planet from home, planting their own seeds to help air purification in their homes, and then, they decided to use some of the money from their cookie sales to plant a tree in their local park!
Planting flowers, pulling weeds, making space to welcome new plants in the fresh air and sun: that’s how Girl Scout Troop 55532 celebrated Earth Day!
Troop 75111 celebrated Earth Day with a guided hike along the Illinois and Michigan Canal. The weather held up perfectly for them to learn the history of Earth Day while being out in nature!
Girl Scout Troop 55355 completed their Bronze Award by installing bee hotels around their neighborhood! These bee hotels will serve as a home for different species of bees, bugs, and butterflies while helping to build the pollinator population.
Staff Day at Englewood Heritage Station
Girl Scouts weren’t the only ones celebrating Earth Day— our staff joined in on the action for a community service day at Englewood Heritage Station. They spent the day beautifying and rejuvenating this space together, and we have Laureen, Jakki, and Latoya, our planning committee, to thank for this awesome day out!
Take Earth Day to the Next Level
Today, millions of people around the world celebrate Earth Day by taking action, advocating, and learning how to help the Earth! We invite you to join in with the millions of other people and join in on the celebration–– and we have plenty for you to do.
With support from the Elliott Wildlife Values Project, American Forests, and SciStarter, GSUSA is launching the Girl Scout Tree Promise, a national protection initiative to plant 5 million trees across the United States by 2026. Fueled by their passion for protecting and preserving our planet, Girl Scouts throughout the country will lead these efforts as well as educate the public about why trees are such an imperative piece of the climate change solution.
Girl Scouts power the future—and eight Girl Scouts from Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GCNWI) are doing just that! Our Becker Eco-Advocacy Grant honorees are Girl Scouts currently working on a service or highest award project exclusively dedicated to serving and preserving the environment and are great examples of what it means to really go green for good.
The Philip J. Becker Eco-Advocacy Endowment Fund honors the memory of Philip J. Becker, a life-long educator who was devoted to inspiring young people to embrace careers in the sciences, especially physics, energy, and astronomy. He felt a deep calling to help his children, grandchildren, and all young people understand the urgency of transitioning to innovative, renewable, and sustainable energy sources. His family, with strong Girl Scout ties, honors his memory and his passion for the environment by funding these grants to inspire girls to take action to make the world a better place.
Meet these girls and read about their efforts toward making the world a better, healthier, and safer place to thrive for us and all creatures!
Powering Pollinators
Sarah, Girl Scout Ambassador, has a long history of community service, completing both her Bronze and Silver Awards during her time as a Girl Scout. Now completing her Gold Award, Sarah was awarded a grant for her continued work in supporting local pollinator populations, and her plans include installing a pollinator garden at her high school.
Her garden bed will include native Illinois plants and flowers to help pollinators increase in number by providing them food and proper resources for continued survival. “There are so many ways that the environment is being degraded,” Sarah shared, “and I feel that by taking this step, I can inspire change in my community, nationally, and globally.”
“I hope to help the community understand why pollinators are so important and inspire others to create their own pollinator gardens. I want to make people aware of exactly how important it is to have an environment that is healthy and sustainable, both now and for future generations.”
Spreading Your Wings
“If we do not take care of the earth, we will all lose,” Girl Scout Cadette Katherine shared. “We need to do all we can to preserve and repair the earth so we can leave it better than when we came. That is the Girl Scout Way.”
To accomplish this, Katherine, together with her troop, is designing, building, and planting a butterfly garden for St. John’s Church and School. This will help increase the butterfly population, improve air quality in the area, and beautify a public space. “Our impact on the environment will be strong by providing a space in the urban landscape for nature to thrive and grow.”
“We all must do a better job of caring for the earth,” Katherine asserted. “If everyone just does a little to make the earth a better place, then perhaps we can slow or reverse global warming,”
Creating Buzz
Girl Scout Ambassador Priyanka has always loved the outdoors since camping as a young Girl Scout. She believes “knowing more about animals and nature, the things that surround us all, is the only way for the world to thrive.”
In partnership with the Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center, Priyanka is earning her Gold Award by installing bee houses at the Center, and the construction has already begun. She’s responsible for designing and creating these bee houses, as well as creating an educational component for visitors.
“I think that allowing more and more people to learn about the environment, like the pollinators that help grow our food and the plans around us, will ultimately benefit both people and nature,” Priyanka stated. “People may start to make wiser, healthier decisions when it comes to taking care of the environment once they understand the importance of things normally overlooked.”
Our Nocturnal Allies
“I feel strongly that we should do everything we can to help the environment, including protecting animals and preserving their habitats in a way that allows people and animals to live in harmony.” Girl Scout Cadette Meredith is taking on her challenge, and to earn her Silver Award, is constructing bat houses for GCNWI campsites.
“I am making these bat houses so bats don’t try to make their homes in the cabins,” Meredith explained. “With the houses, the bats can make their homes safely away from predators and can play their important role in the ecosystem.”
“I hope to help people enjoy and appreciate being able to share an environment with bats, and I hope to help the bats to be safe and respected by the community.”
Trees for the People
Girl Scout Cadettes Summer, Lindsay, and Celia each have a passion for environmental advocacy, and this passion lead the three to earn their Bronze Award planting trees in parks in and around their area. “Through our research,” Summer explained, “we learned that our area lost two hundred thousand trees a few years ago due to an invasive bug.”
To combat this issue, the girls found a program in their community that will match every tree they plant, and they hope to create more oxygen in the environment, provide more habitats for insects and animals, and reduce home cooling and heating costs.
Lindsay is driven to help the environment “because I feel like I need to do something. I want to do whatever I can to help!” Celia says “it is our duty to help save our planet and reduce our carbon footprint. I believe that if enough people focus on this issue, we can obliterate global warming,”
Take it Outside
Congratulations to these trailblazing Girl Scouts for earning this fantastic grant! We wish you all luck in completing your goals and making the world a greener place.
If you’ve been itching to get outside and explore the great outdoors, this is your chance: join Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GCNWI) and Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) for the second annual Girl Scouts Love State Parks weekend from Sept. 12 to 13!
Open to all girls and families, join us, and thousands of people from across the nation for a weekend full of wildlife discovery, skill-building, and nature exploration through live webinars, in-person events, and independent activities!
Live Animals from the Indiana Dunes | Sept. 12 at 4:30 p.m. | Zoom
With Lake Michigan at its northern border and a history of glacial advance and melting, the Indiana Dunes has several diverse habitats that provide homes for many different reptiles and amphibians. All ages are invited to join an Indiana State Park Interpretive Naturalist virtually for this live animal program that showcases some reptiles and amphibians that are specially adapted to survive in the Indiana Dunes State Park!
Scavenger Hunt at the Indiana Dunes | Sept. 12 – 13 | In-Person
From the beach to the dunes, there are clues to be found! All ages of Girl Scouts are welcome to visit the Indiana Dunes State Park any time over the weekend to comb the sand and land for hints.
Anyone who registers will receive the scavenger hunt ahead of time and can visit the park any time during the weekend. Make sure to visit the Nature Center once you have completed the scavenger hunt to receive your award!
Are you getting ready to head out on an adventure? Maybe planning a stroll in your neighborhood, a nearby community, or even in a State Park? Make sure you’re prepared by freshening up your map reading skills. Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors, join us as we take a walk down the path of all things map reading.
Have you ever walked around your neighborhood or hiked through a State Park and noticed animal tracks on the ground? Have you wondered what kinds of animals might have left these tracks? Join us to explore and learn about the local wildlife that may live in a State Park near you.
Last year, 84 Girl Scouts and parents attended the Full Moon Hike at the Indiana State Dunes, and as you can see, it was a blast! They set out to hike to the beach where the telescope was located (for some perfect up-close moon action), but just as they set off, thunder sounded. (Fun fact: July’s full moon is named the Thunder Moon!)
What followed was an evening full of quick adaptions: an impromptu snake program to wait out the thunderstorm, and after driving to the beach, an impromptu night-beach program!
It goes to show that Girl Scouts are flexible and ready for anything, especially when it comes to the outdoors!
Planning a hike or adventure?
Share your Girl Scouts Love State Parks experience and planning with us! Tag us at @girlscoutsgcnwi on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and use the hashtags #GSLOVESPARKS!
Go Cross-Country!
Looking for even MORE Girl Scouts Love State Parks activities?
Join GSUSA and councils across the nation at virtual programs all weekend long! State and national parks from all over the country are providing amazing events for Girl Scouts everywhere.
It’s time for the Summer Great Family Camp-In! Join girls and families across Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (and the nation!) for another awesome at-home camp in, free to everyone and open to all!
Through a series of virtual experiences, we’ll walk you through everything—from setting up your campsite at home (indoors or out) to outdoor skills, art projects, and even a virtual campfire sing-along!
This weekend-long event is a combination of live programs, pre-recorded videos, interactive webinars, and breaks between scheduled activities so that you can participate with us and have time to get outside and enjoy the fresh air!
We encourage you to participate in any number of activities throughout the day or even join us for the full camp day! Choose the activities you want to participate in, including art projects, outdoor skills, games, camp cooking, and more!
Don’t forget to set up your campsite outside with a tent or inside with a fort and get ready for some camp magic.
Enter our Photo Contest!
Camp-In Photo Contest Winners from May
We are hosting a second Camp-In Photo Contest! Submit a photo of your at-home campsite and you may win a Great Family Camp-in patch for everyone in the photo AND be featured on the Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GCNWI) Facebook page and blog!
Contest Rules
After you set up your awesome campsite, whether it’s indoors, outdoors, or a combination of both, take a picture of it!
Submit your photo through this form OR send them to our Outdoor Program Staff between Friday (7/24) at 6 p.m. and Saturday (7/25) at 6 p.m.
Here’s the cool part: YOU get to choose our winners! After you submit your photo, the Outdoor Program team will select the top 14 indoor finalists and 14 outdoor finalists. The photo contest finalist voted on starting Saturday evening (7/25) through Sunday (7/26) morning at 10:00 a.m.
Photo contest winners will be announced during the Great Family Camp-In: Show and Share on Sunday (7/26) at 11 a.m!
We can’t wait to see pictures of you cooking, doing art projects, learning outdoor skills, and getting outside. Share them and tag us on social media using #GCNWICAMPIN or post them right to our GSGCNWI Great Family Camp-In Facebook event page and Instagram!
Camp-In Schedule
Time
Activity
Virtual Location
Friday, July 24
6 p.m.
Campsite Photo Contest Submissions Open! Set-up your campsite, whether it’s outdoors with a tent, or indoors with a fort! You could be choose to receive camp-in fun patches for the whole family! Plus, be featured on our blog and social media!
Submit your photo through this form OR send them to our Outdoor Program Staff! The chosen photo will be announced during Sunday’s Show and Share webinar.
Saturday, July 25
10-10:20 a.m.
Kick-off & Opening Ceremony
YouTube Live Premiere
11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Art Projects Choose between “Nature Origami: and “Recycled Crafts”
Webinars
12-1:30 p.m.
Lunch & Suggested Camp Activities Check out the activity packet for camp recipes and suggested activities.
On Your Own
1:30-2:30 p.m.
Outdoor Skills Choose between “Animal Tracks” or “Map Reading”
Webinars
3-4 p.m.
Camp Fun Choose between “Camp Games” or “Camp Rhythms”
Webinars
4-4:20 p.m.
Wrap Up & Closing Ceremony
YouTube Live Premiere
4:30-7 p.m.
Dinner and Suggested Camp Activities
On Your Own
6 p.m.
Campsite Photo Contest Submissions Closed
Submit your photo through this form OR send them to our Outdoor Program Staff! The chosen photo will be announced during Sunday’s Show and Share webinar.
7-8:15 p.m.
Campfire Sing-along Our camp-in would not be complete without a campfire and songs! The first forty minutes will be full of high energy songs before slowing down the pace to sing some favorites. Comfy clothes and s’mores are encouraged!
YouTube Live Premiere
Sunday, July 26
11-11:45 a.m.
Show and Share Share about your night of camping by reflecting with other participants to wrap-up the camp fun and reveal the photo contest winners!
Webinar
Please note: to receive access to webinar links you will need to first register. Webinar links will be emailed to those who register the morning of July 24. Soon the YouTube Premiere links will be available for all to watch along.
Summer Great Family Camp-In Activity Packet
Now you can download the Summer Great Family Camp-In Activity Packet, with camp recipes, game ideas, song lyrics, and more camp fun that you can do on your own or coordinate to do with your family, friends, or troop from afar.
Below are lists of the supplies you’ll need for each activity you’ll learn in the virtual experiences.
Art Project Option 1: Nature Origami
Let’s get crafty! Join Outdoor Program Team members, Caribou and Sprout, to create some nature themed origami. Use a variety of folds to transform your paper into plants and animals. Bring your imagination to watch your paper come to life in a fun way!
6-8 sheets of computer paper
scissors
ruler
pencil
coloring utensils
Art Project Option 2: Recycled Crafts
Time to get crafty and reuse recyclables to help save the planet! We will be making animals out of the recyclables you find at home. After this session you will have a completed art project and ideas for many more! Join Outdoor Program Team members, Nacho and Strike, to make one that works for you!
empty egg carton or empty toilet paper/paper towel rolls
scissors
markers
permanent marker
construction paper
newspaper or tablecloth
googly eyes, pipe cleaners, sequins or other decoration items (optional)
Outdoor Skills Option 1: Animal Tracks
Step into the world of backyard animal tracks! You will learn about where to look for animal tracks in your neighborhood and how to identify common tracks that you might find. Join Outdoor Program Team members, Nacho and Freddie for this packed session. We will make a field guide to animal tracks, play a matching game and even make our own animal tracks!
3 pieces of plain paper
coloring utensils (markers, crayons, or colored pencil)
black or dark brown marker
scissors
ruler
2 new sponges (thin with no scrubber side preferred)
1-2 colors of washable paint
paper plate or paint tray
newspaper or tablecloth
Outdoor Skills Option 2: Map Reading
Ready to go out on a new adventure? Map reading is a core camping skill to help you navigate a new place, trail, or city. Learn all about how to read and use a map with Outdoor Program Team members, Strike and Kat. You will learn about reading a map key, explore the basics of topography, and make a map of your own!
paper
pencil
coloring utensils
molding clay
example map (any map you have access to: a state atlas, neighborhood map, theme park map, or printed google map)
Camp Fun Option 1: Camp Games
Ready, Set, Go! Camp games from home! In this interactive session, we will participate in some fun and silly camp game favorites led by Outdoor Program Team members, Sprout and Caribou. We’ll cover some go to games like “freeze dance”, bring back favorites like “ship to shore”, and even try some new games like “farm master.” If you know you love these games or want to learn, this is your chance to give it a try!
water bottle
pencil
paper
Camp Fun Option 2: Camp Rhythms
Let’s make some noise, camp style! Play some favorite camp games, like pattern changer and 7’s, focused on making fun sounds. Then join in for a Girl Scout tradition as we work together to create a Lemmi stick routine. Outdoor Program Team members, Kat and Freddie, will help you have a resounding time!
2 Lemmi/Lummi sticks (or 2 sticks or dowel rods each about 7″ long)
water bottle
Show & Share
How did your night of camping in go? Let us know! Join in with other participants of the Girl Scouts GCNWI Great Family Camp-In as we reflect on Saturday’s activities, wrap up the camp fun, and reveal the photo contest winners! Listen to others share fun and a-ha moments about their night and even share yourself!
3 pieces of paper
writing utensil (dark marker preferred)
completed camp-in projects
props needed to show off your new skills
Check Out These Lead-In Videos
Get Your Camp Swag!
Can’t wait to see you there!
We can’t wait to see you all there, whether you plan on attending just one part, or the entire day of events! If you have any questions, contact us at customercare@girlscoutsgcnwi.org.
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!
How it Works
Summer Camp Revamp offers six themed, virtual camp sessions led by our council teams and older Girl Scouts. Join us for all six, or pick-and-choose the weeks that you like best!
Each week girls will get 10+ hours of fun-filled activities through online meetings, video, and a printable activity packet for on-your-own exploration.
While activities are geared toward girls entering grades 2-8 this fall, girls in grades K-1 are welcome but may need additional parent/guardian assistance.
Older girls (grades 9-12) are welcome to join-in on weekly activities with younger girls. If you are an older girl or Counselor in Training interested in helping out with Summer Camp Revamp programs, let us know by June 29 »
Camp Supplies Delivered to Your Doorstep
Don’t feel like going to the store? Not a problem!
Each week you can add an optional activity kit that is FULL of things to enhance your experience, plus a few fun surprises! You can also order a general supply pack with materials you’ll use all summer. Learn more »
Shop Summer Camp Revamp
Just in time for Summer Camp Revamp, get your kit that includes everything you need to make your very own tie-dye t-shirt. Plus, order your fun patch! Order Now »
This program is free for all ages, and open to everyone interested in learning more about camping from the comfort of your own home—you don’t have to be a Girl Scout to attend. You’ll get to meet people from across the council, and learn some awesome camping skills!
Through a series of virtual experiences we’ll walk you through everything—from setting up your campsite at home (indoors or out) to outdoor skills, art projects, and even a virtual campfire sing-along!
THIS EVENT IS NOW FULL
Check back for YouTube Premiere links so you can watch along with the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, and the Campfire Sing-Along! Plus you can participate on your own through our activity packet!
What to Expect
Participants in the GCNWI Great Family Camp-In can take part in a variety of activities that you can choose to do on your own or with the other campers throughout the day.
Virtual programming will consist of a combination of live programs, pre-recorded videos and interactive webinars, with breaks between scheduled activities so that you can participate with us and have time to get outside!
The camp-in is presented by the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago Outdoor Program Team including Hannah “Nacho” Bovard, Lauren “Sprout” Somogyi, Kara “Caribou” Kastenholz, Katie “Katmandu” Young, Margaret “Strike” Gawlik, and Sam “Freddie” Lucheck.
Enter Our Photo Contest
Experience the fun of camp from your own home!
We know that you are all excited to camp just as much as we are and we want you to show it! When you enter our photo contest you will have a chance to win (find out)!
Contest Rules
After you set up your awesome campsite, whether it’s indoors, outdoors, or a combination of both, take a picture of it!
Here’s the cool part, YOU get to choose our winners! After you submit your photo, pictures of the photo contest finalist will be made available to be voted Saturday evening (5/23) through Sunday (5/24) morning at 9:30 a.m.
Photo contest winners will be announced during the Great Family Camp-In: Show and Share on Sunday (5/24) at 10 a.m.
We would love to see all of the other pictures you take throughout this event as well. Share with us by tagging @girlscoutsgcnwi on ALL social platforms and using the hashtag #GCNWICAMPIN.
We can’t wait to see pictures of you cooking, doing art projects, learning outdoor skills, and getting outside. Share them and tag us on social media using #gcnwicampin or post them right to our GSGCNWI Great Family Camp-In Facebook event page and Instagram!
Campsite Photo Contest! Set-up your campsite, whether it’s outdoors with a tent, or indoors with a fort! You could be chosen to receive camp-in fun patches for the whole family! Plus you’ll be featured on our social media and blog.
Submit your photo through THIS FORM! OR send them to our Outdoor Program Staff Chosen photo will be announced during Sunday’s Show and Share webinar.
10-10:30 a.m.
Kick-off & Opening Ceremony Start your camp day off right with an opening ceremony, snapshot of the day’s schedule, camp agreement, and FAQ! Meet your Outdoor Program Team hosts and get ready for some camp magic.
YouTube Live Premiere
11-11:45 a.m.
Art Projects Choose between “Salt Dough & Impression Necklace” or “Sit-Upon”
Webinars
12-2 p.m.
Lunch and Suggested Camp Activities Check out the activity packet (coming soon) for camp recipes and suggested activities.
On Your Own
2-2:45 p.m.
Outdoor Skills Choose between “Knot Tying Extravaganza” or “Letterboxing Adventure”
Webinars
3-3:45 p.m.:
Camp Fun Choose between “At-Home Circus Acts” or “Camp Games”
Webinars
4-4:30 p.m.
Wrap Up & Closing Ceremony
YouTube Live Premiere
4:30-7 p.m.
Dinner and Suggested Camp Activities
On Your Own
7-8 p.m.
Campfire Sing-along Our camp-in would not be complete without a campfire and songs! The first forty minutes will be full of high energy songs before slowing down the pace to sing some favorites. Comfy clothes and homemade s’mores are encouraged!
YouTube Live Premiere
SUNDAY, May 24
10-10:45 a.m.
Show and Share Share about your night of camping in go with other participants as we reflect, wrap-up the camp fun, and reveal the photo contest winners!
Webinar
Please note, to receive access to webinar links you will need to first register. Webinar links will be emailed to those who register the morning of May 23. Soon the YouTube Premiere links will be available for all to watch along.
The Great Family Camp-In Activity Packet
Now you can download the Great Family Camp-In Activity Packet with camp recipes, game ideas, song lyrics, and more camp fun that you can do on your own or coordinate to do with your family, friends, or Girl Scout troop from afar.
Below are lists of the supplies you’ll need for each activity you’ll learn in the virtual experiences.
Art Project Option 1: Salt Dough and Clay Impressions
Let’s get crafty! Join Outdoor Program Team members, Kat and Sprout in making salt dough out of a few ingredients commonly found in your kitchen. Then transform your salt dough or preferred clay material into a one-of-a-kind nature necklace!
Make sure you can see your screen and have a large, clear space to work in that is covered in newspaper or can be easily wiped down.
2-4 objects found in nature (like an acorn or pebble)
Toothpick/Pencil
String/Yarn/Twine
Scissors
Art Project Option 2: Sit-Upon
Prepare for your next outdoor adventure by making a traditional Girl Scout sit-upon. Join Outdoor Program Team members, Nacho and Strike, to make one that works for you!
A sit-upon is a great tool to take outdoors with you when you are going for a picnic, singing around a campfire, or to have with you at your campsite. After this session you will have something comfortable and dry to sit on so that you can fully enjoy your time outside.
Two 20″x20″ squares of waterproof material twice (either vinyl tablecloth, shower curtain, or a reusable grocery bag)
Padding (options include 15-20 plastic grocery bags, pillow fluff, foam square, or a 1-2″ stack newspapers)
Scissors
Closure options: yarn or string and hole punch OR just duct tape
Marker
Ruler (optional)
Outdoor Skills Option 1: Knot Tying Extravaganza
Outdoor Program Team members, Nacho and Freddie will teach you knot tying basics, making a simple friendship bracelet and then walk through how to do some more advanced knots.
People often say knots are difficult, let’s bust that myth together in this interactive step-by-step tutorial. Whether you want to learn how to use knots in making jewelry, setting up camp, or going rock climbing we have you covered in this knot tying adventure for all ages!
Are you interested in treasure hunts and puzzles? Challenge yourself and your family by learning the international scavenger hunt of letterboxing with Outdoor Program Team members, Caribou and Strike.
You will practice coding clues, learn how to collect stamps, make your own stamp and log book, and even get tips on how to set up your own at-home letterboxing course.
Materials
Stamp (or make your own out of a recycled bottle cap or lid, Craft foam sheets, & Glue or tape)
4-6 Small notebooks (or make your own out of 5-10 sheets of paper, a hole-punch, and yarn)
Pen/pencil
Paper (for the clues, colored paper preferred)
Scissors
Markers/crayons
Ink pad (or washable markers)
Wipes/Paper towels
3-5 small plastic containers with lids (ex. food storage containers)
Camp Fun Option 1: Camp Games
Ready, Set, Go! Camp games from home! In this interactive session, we will participate in active and silly camp game favorites led by Outdoor Program Team members, Sprout and Caribou. We’ll cover some go to games like “4 Corners”, “Moo”, “Ship to Shore”, and more! If you know you love these games or want to learn, this is your chance to give it a try!
Materials
Just yourself and some space to move!
Camp Fun Option 2: At-Home Circus Acts
WOW your friends and family with a new skill, straight from the greatest place on earth, your home! Outdoor Program Team members, Kat and Freddie will teach you some beginner circus tricks.
Learn techniques for juggling and how balance & spin household objects. Circus skills are a great way to keep your body moving and your mind active, all while having a great time!
Materials
Water bottle
Space to move around
3 bandannas (or similar substitute)
Old toothbrush
Plastic grocery bag
Small cushion (that you can hold up with one hand)
3 beanbags (you can make your own out of 3 long socks, 1.5 cups of lentil, dried beans, or birdseed), 1/4 cup measuring cup, & 3 rubber bands)
Before You Camp, Prepare with These Camping Essentials
Learn tips and tricks to use a pop-up tent, set up a campsite, and get comfortable for an outdoor adventure in your backyard or out on trail, or even in your living room!
Excited to participate in the Great Family Camp-In, but don’t have a tent? No problem! Shelter building is an important outdoor survival skill, and we’ll teach you how you can build your own indoor campsite with sheets, blankets, pillows, and furniture!
Get Your Camp Swag!
Middle and High-School Girl Scouts Can Join The Fun!
Older Girl Scouts, Program Aides (PA), and Counselors in Training (CIT): We hope this first camp-in weekend will be the first of many future virtual camp-themed programs. If you want to keep your outdoor skills fresh and provide programming to other Girl Scouts, we encourage you to participate in the Great Family Camp-In weekend.
By joining in, you will get inspired to think about the ways that you can help us share camp magic throughout the summer. If you are interested in being involved and helping lead future programs, let us know! Send us an email with the subject line: “I can help with outdoor virtual programs!”
Camp-In Premiers
Be sure to check out our LIVE camp-in videos starting at 10 a.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.!
Catch you at Camp!
We can’t wait to see you all there, whether you plan on attending just one part, or the entire day of events! If you have any questions contact us at customercare@girlscoutsgcnwi.org.
Today isn’t just any Earth Day–– it is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day! First celebrated and founded by Gaylord Nelson in 1970, the day was meant to increase climate awareness and create a movement that focused on environmental protection. On the very first Earth Day, 20 million people gathered in streets, parks, and auditoriums in order to fight against pollution that contributed oil spills, pollution from factories and power plants, toxic dumps, pesticides, extinction of wildlife, and loss of wilderness.
What was truly amazing about the first Earth Day day was that everyone, despite their different backgrounds, came together to fight for a common goal: to protect the environment from further harm. The first Earth Day had quite an impact, eventually leading to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and the passing of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts!
Today, millions of people around the world celebrate Earth Day by taking action, advocating, and learning how to help the Earth! We invite you to join in with the millions of other people and join in on the celebration–– and we have plenty for you to do.
Let’s Play Earth Day Bingo!
Looking for ideas on how to celebrate the occasion? Look no further! We have two Bingo cards for you, each with 25 items, totaling 50 activities and ways you can celebrate Earth Day not just today but EVERY day!
The “Earth” card has fun activities you can do while celebrating our lovely planet, and the “Day 50” card has ideas for lifestyle changes you can adopt into your everyday routines. When you put the two cards together, they read “Earth Day 50”!
Begin by selecting either card and completing activities to get five in a row. If you’re up for the challenge, see how many “Bingos” you can make! Can you do all the activities on one card?
Even if you’re able to complete just a few activities here and there and don’t quite get a Bingo, that’s totally OK! We encourage you to do your best and have fun with it. One small act can have a huge impact.
Save the planet while you save some energy! Earn your Save Our Energy Patch. For this patch, you will focus on what action we can do individually to slow climate change. When each of us does our part to save electricity and water at home, together we make a significant difference in reducing our carbon footprint.
How to Complete Earth Day Bingo Activities
We have put together a few resources for completing many of the Earth Day Bingo activities. First, download the activity packet that walks you through step-by-step instructions for some things you can do!
We are so excited to see what lifestyle changes you make or are planning to incorporate into your life! We would love for you to share your photos and ideas with us so we can see how our Girl Scout community is helping the earth. For the photos that you share, we ask that you write down the lifestyle change you made on a sign and pose with it while you’re in action. Be creative with your photos, and make sure your sign is visible!
