Basic Flag Ceremony

Basic Flag Ceremony Commands 

Posting the colors

Girl Scouts, Attention
      (Girl Scouts stand quietly and remove all headwear; this is a signal the ceremony is about to start. At camp, we generally have a quiet arch.  When passing through the arch, remove your headgear and remain silent.)
Color Guard, Attention
     (If the color guard is standing “at ease,” it comes to “attention.”)
Color Guard, Advance
     (Color guard carries the flag(s) towards flag pole or stand.)
Color Guard, Post the Colors
     (Audience should place their hands on their hearts when the American flag hits the stand and/or the first clip is attached to the American flag; the American flag is always posted first.)
Color Guard, Salute the Colors
     (Color Guard should salute the colors and then remain silent throughout the pledge and promise.)
Please join me in the Pledge of Allegience
     (Color Guard does not recite the pledge; they remain at attention with their full focus on the flags.)
Please join me in the Girl Scout Promise
     (Color Guard does not recite the promise; they remain at attention with their full focus on the flags.)

Color Guard, Retreat

     (Color Guard retreats but remains at attention until dismissed. At camp, this is where we would have announcments.)
Color Guard, Dismissed
Girl Scouts, Dismissed

Retiring the colors

Girl Scouts, Attention
     (Girl Scouts stand quietly and remove all headwear; this is a signal the ceremony is about to start. At camp, we generally have a quiet arch.  When passing through the arch, remove your headgear and remain silent.)
Color Guard, Attention
      (If the color guard is standing “at ease,” it comes to “attention.”)
Color Guard, Advance
We will now sing "Taps"
     (Color Guard remains at attention and does not sing.)
Color Guard, Honor your Colors
     (Color Guard should salute the colors) 
Color Guard, Retire the Colors
     (Color Guard retrieves the colors and folds the flags if on a pole. If posted, the American flag is retrieved first.)
Color Guard, Retreat
     (Color Guard retreats but remains at attention until dismissed. At camp, this is where we would have announcments.)
Color Guard, Dismissed
Girl Scouts, Dismissed

Cookie Troop Product Manager Agreement and Training

You MUST do the online training in order to get access to the TPM and therefore to eBudde for booth selection.

Please read that again.  If you have an early booth selection, please be sure to have this completed by November 1st at the latest so that you can access the system on November 2nd. I cannot help you if you do not complete the online training.  Council is the gatekeeper for eBudde access under this new plan.  I recommend getting it done well before November 1st as well in case of problems that require council's assistance to solve.

NEIGHBORHOOD TRAINING

In light of this new council process, we will be dramatically altering our neighborhood training.  

Cookie training is on Monday, November 4^th.  Both the cookie manager and troop leader must attend one of these two meeting. We have 2 sessions available for you 10:00-11:30am and 6:30-8:00pm. Both trainings will be held at the Boys & Girls Clubs Of Greater Scottsdale 10515 E Lakeview Dr, Scottsdale, AZ, just like our normal monthly meetings.

We will be giving out the cookie materials at these meetings. In order to have these complete we need a bit of information from you. If you were at Monday’s leader meeting you already completed this step.

• Troop number
• Leader's name
• Cookie manager's name
• # of girls selling

Please email Teresa Dempsey tdempseyaz@cox.net with this information by 10/21.

NEW LEADERS/COOKIE MANAGERS: Please complete all of the online training before November 4th.  Bring your questions to training on November 4th.  New leaders and managers will be asked to stay the full 90 minutes with 45 minutes devoted to answering questions.  Therefore, as you do the online training, start a list of questions!  We will be doing mini training modules before Q and A and hopefully will hit some of your concerns.

EXPERIENCED LEADERS/MANAGERS: Likewise please complete the online training before November 4th at the latest. Experienced folks will be asked to stay just 45 minutes to collect materials and go over information that is not covered well by Council.  You are welcome to stay for the Q and A period but are not required to do so.  We will want your feedback on the new training process.  I can envision an even shorter training for experienced leaders next year.  Please help us transition this year.

REQUIRED COUNCIL TRAINING

To access training, please go here: http://training.girlscoutsaz.org/

• Log in
• Select Product Program Training >> Cookie Program
• NEW LEADERS/MANAGERS: you are required to complete Lesson 1 and Lesson 2.
• EXPERIENCED LEADERS/MANAGERS: you are required to complete Lesson 2 (WOW the World) to get access to the TPM/eBudde.
• Everyone must pass the quiz to get access to the TPM
• Everyone must sign the TPM to get access to eBudde

Summer Day Camp 2020: Time Travelers

Attendance Count (Girls): 18
PA spots available (grades 6-9): 16

What is Summer Day Camp?

An awesome, week-long summer day camp. The theme this year is Time Traveler.

Daily activities include swaps & crafts, science, dance, music, and sports.  Our day camp fills up fast because it's so fun, so register now!

Day Camp is planned and organized by Girl Scout Troops 2256 and, multi-level Girl Scout troops from Pima Neighborhood (part of Girl Scouts―Arizona Cactus-Pine Council, Inc.). Camp activities are led by volunteer Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Girl Scouts and supervised by adult volunteers. 

When?

We have  scheduled camp for June 22-26 (Monday-Friday), 9 am-2 pm daily.  Girls can be dropped off starting at 8:45 each day so that they camp day can start promptly at 9 am.

Where?

Girl Scout Camp will be held at Mountain View Presbyterian Church located at 

8050 E Mountain View Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85258  

Who Can Attend?

Day Camp is limited to 100 campers who are registered in a Pima neighborhood troop (Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Girl Scouts, who have just completed K-5 grades in May). An independent girl member may also attend. Our staff will be 20 older girl volunteers (grades 8+) and at least 20 adult volunteers (18+ years). 

If your daughter is in a troop outside of the Pima Neighborhood, she may attend day camp but you must be a registered and background checked volunteer who is willing to volunteer for at least two days to assist us in meeting girl/adult ratio. Cost for out-of-neighborhood Girl Scouts is $150 and registration begins May 1st for non-Pima girls.

**Girls must have current membership with Girl Scouts.** 

Girls living in the Desert Mountain High School complex or who attend Pinnacle Peak, Sonoran Sky, or Grayhawk elementary schools who are not Girl Scout members may also attend but will be required to join Girl Scouts. Membership is $25 and girls need not join a troop (although we are happy to assist you in finding a permanent Girl Scout home).  

Program Aide Program for Grades 6-9

Girl Scouts who have just completed grades 6-9 may register for a special older girl program.  This program is designed to give them the leadership skills to be camp counselors and to assist with other neighborhood programs.  Girls who enroll in this program will earn their Program Aide award during the week.  This program is limited to the first 20 registrants.  If your daughter is just completing 5th grade, she may opt to be a camper or for this new PA program.  Please think about the choice carefully; a very mature 5th grader will do fine in this program but many girls this age will "fit" better in the regular camp program. 

What is the Cost?

$100.  There will be no refunds or partial refunds for any reason.  If we have space after May 1, the cost will be $150.  We generally fill before that deadline. 

We need adult volunteers who are registered/background checked members of GSUSA.  To guarantee a spot for your camper, agree to help as an adult volunteer!  

How Do I Register?

Fill in this online form and then mail your completed permission slip/health form with a check for $100. (If you would like to pay via Venmo, please contact us for the phone number to sent payment to via Venmo.) Both steps must be completed by May 1st in order to secure a spot at camp.

The registration link is here: https://forms.gle/xwEjXWaTuMv8y4hp6

The registration link for adult volunteers is here:  https://forms.gle/MsdmmsgXipyNS6UFA

Pima volunteers may earn a rebates of up to $100 if you agree to help as an adult volunteer. As an adult volunteer, you are free to read, work, or otherwise amuse yourself.  I need your presence for ratio, but we do not need you to do more than attend.  Many of our volunteers work remotely.

The registration link for older girl volunteers is here:   https://forms.gle/UHV5FrYvX1WGWN958


Could Camp Be Cancelled?

No way!  Summer Day Camp 2020 will happen rain or shine!  The only reason camp could be cancelled is if there are not enough adult volunteers to meet minimum safety standards. 

If cancelled, all campers will be notified and registration fees refunded. You can help us out by giving us a day or two of your time!

What Does my Girl Scout Need to Bring?

Everyone should bring their own sack lunch Monday through Friday. Everyone should also bring a bottle of water each day.  Refrigerators and microwaves are not available.  
Girls need to wear closed-toe shoes and we encourage girls to according to the theme each day.

The themes for the week are as follows:

• Monday: Prehistoric Times
• Tuesday:  Ancient Civilizations
• Wednesday: Renaissance
• Thursday: Revolutionary Era: the 18th and 19th centuries  
• Friday: The Future

Drop Off, Pick Up, and Safety

We will strive to meet every Girl Scout safety recommendation.  All girls must be signed in and out by a parent/guardian each day.  If she is going home with someone else, we must receive a note from the parent.  Please pick up your camper on time.  No supervision will be provided before 8:45 or after 2:15 pm.  

What About...?

For more information, please contact Girl Scout Troop 2256 at girlscouttroop2256@gmail.com

Adopt-a-Family Program

Many members of our community need the support of others to provide their children with a special holiday.  Others may be disabled or elderly and unable to provide for themselves.  Each year over 400 families are helped for Thanksgiving and 550 for Christmas by the Holiday Adopt a Family Program.

The Holiday Program is hosted by the City of Scottsdale Human Services Division with Scottsdale Community Partners, a non-profit organization supporting Scottsdale residents in crisis.  Vista del Camino staff provides adopters with a brief biography about the family, including gift suggestions and sizes for the children.  You are asked to purchase 3 gifts chosen from the ‘wish list’ provided by each child (total spend is ~$100.)  Please also donate a $30 grocery gift card for the Christmas dinner.  If you wish to provide more for the holiday meal, please do so in the form of additional grocery gift cards (rather than one larger one.)  

In addition to Christmas, Vista will also honor other holiday traditions such as Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Ramadan.

Troop signup for the Adopt-a-Family Holiday Program is now through Monday, October 28th.  

We will email sponsored child information as soon as we receive our assignments.

Thank you on behalf of 100s of families in need in Scottsdale!

We’re making the world a better place.

Holly Snopko & Susan Vargas

Venue Ideas for Events

Here is a list of venues available to host neighborhood events. Contacts listed below are neighborhood leaders.

• Girls and Boys Club - No fee but only for adult events.  Please contact Susan V. (2010)
• Horizon Park - Fee, only for events of 100-120, reserve online 
• Scottsdale Ranch Park, small fee, ramada 10 is the one to book
• Scottsdale Prep - Fee. Please contact Kelle H (2010)
• Archway - No Fee - Hosting Thinking Day. Please contact Kelley H (4312)
• Congregational Church of the Valley - No Fee. Please contact Susan V (2010)
• Mountain View Presbyterian - Fee - Day Camp
• SUSD Schools - Fee. Reasonable for weeknight events but pricey for weekends.
• Shepherd of the Desert - low or no fee but need to find a leader who is a member to book 
• Dream City Church - Please contact Tamara (4655)
• Rio Montana Park - fee, small room
• Assumption Greek Orthodox - Please contact Penelope (981)
• McDowell Mountain Community  - Member has to reserve (Melissa C in 4727 or Kara in  4366)
• Windgate Community Center - Member has to reserve (Liz, 7156)
• Joanne's Room
• Book Maze - Lee's Book Store in Mesa

The Founding of Girl Scouts

Girl Scouting was founded in the United States with Juliette Gordon Low.  Low was born on Oct 31, 1860.  Her father, William Washington Gordon, owned Belmont Plantation in Georgia, which put him at odds with his northern-born wife, Eleanor Lytle Kinzie. 

The Gordons were uniquely placed to emerge from the war fairly unscathed because of Eleanor's northern ties. Eleanor took her children north at the war's end to live with her family in Chicago while the south underwent reconstruction.

While in Chicago, Low first met and gained an appreciation for Native Americans and their culture.  These early lessons in diversity stayed with her throughout her life.

Because of Eleanor's ties to northern wealth and influence, the family was able to recover from the war rather quickly and return to live at Belmont where Daisy (as Low was known) began a lifelong search to make a difference in the world. From an early age, Low was known for her empathy towards others and her acts of kindness and good deeds, as well as a love of being active in the out of doors.

Married at 26 to William Mackay Low, Low moved to Warwickshire, England to live a life of wealth and privilege. Low 's husband was often absent, however, spending time drinking and gambling and eventually in the arms of a mistress.  Deeply unhappy, Low filed for divorce but William died before it could be finalized.  

William left the bulk of his fortune to his mistress, forcing Low to contest the will. Emerging victorious, Low again turned her attentions to finding her life's work.  In 1911, she met Lord Robert Baden-Powell, who is credited with the founding of the Boy Scouts in England, almost accidentally as a result of writing a book intended to help boys learn how to be prepared in the case of a military invasion.  Baden-Powell emphasized that training should be fun for the boys, which was an idea that Low embraced.  

Agnes Baden-Powell, with the support of her brother and Low, soon was formed the first Girl Guide groups in England. The movement spread quickly and Juliette was instrumental in forming troops in Scotland and London, crossing social and economic boundaries to do so.  The positive impact these troops had on girls' self-esteem convinced Low to take the idea back home to Georgia.

The perhaps apocryphal account of a phone call made by Low in which she is believed to have said, "I've got something for the girls of Savannah, and all of America, and all the world, and we're going to start it tonight!" is not likely to be true.  Girl Scouts celebrate March 12 as the Girl Scouts birthday but that date was chosen because one of the girls in the troop (Florence Crane) turned 11 on that date, which was the required age to join Girl Scouts.

That first "official" troop also included Low's niece and namesake, Margaret Daisy Gordon. Margaret is remembered as the "first" member of the first troop in America, which  began under Low's leadership in Savannah, Georgia, but she was not even present at the investiture that was held on March 12, 1912. 

What is also lost in this early history is how truly forward-thinking Low was.  From its inception, Girl Scouts was a fully female-led organization in a time when women were not even allowed to vote.  In addition, the registry for the first Girl Scouts in Savannah lists the names of 17 girls residing in the local orphanage before the names of the girls in the troop that included her niece.  Given Low's lifelong interest in assisting the poor, it is not surprising that her initial instinct was to offer the program to the girls living in the orphanage.

African-American girls were also among the first to join Girl Scouts, with an early segregated patrol being led by Daisy's maid, Mamie, long before the first official African-American troop was recorded in 1917.  Troops of Native American girls and Hispanics were also established in the 1920s.  The hidden history of the founding of Girl Scouts is scattered with these examples of inclusion, diversity, and equity that are based on Low's vision of a movement for ALL girls everywhere.