Gingerbread House Contest for GSCTX

Would you guys like to participate in the Girl Scout Shop's Gingerbread House Contest?
To enter, the Troop must purchase the kit from the Girl Scout Shop for  $15, and submit the entry form. We then pick a design from the book, purchase supplies, and let our creativity lead us where it may as we decorate.

Houses must be turned in the the shop by November 30. Voting is held December 3-4. The winning troop receives a $50 GS shop gift card and will be featured in the December eNews. All entries will be donated to local charities. Troops have an option of delivering them in person, which I think would be a nice touch.

Let me know what you think!

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October 16: MVSU Registration Rally

Mustang Valle Service Unit Registration Rally!
Our troop is working this event. Scouts must arrive (in uniform) between 9 and 9:15. Parent volunteers are greatly appreciated. Everyone in attendance should wear any Girl Scout gear they own.

What is a Girl Scout Rally?

Rallies help spread the word about Scouts. Children get to participate in fun activities, and parents learn what all is involved. Hopefully we will get some new Leaders from this event, which will lead to more area troops, and a larger Service Unit. A larger Service Unit means more overall activities and events for the troops in our area. Yay!

Parking:

If you live in Austin's Colony it will be best for you to walk or ride a bike. The event is open to all girls in Manor and Del Valle School Districts. We do not know how many people to expect. There will be parking along the street and at Riverside Park. Remember that no one is allowed to park in the grass.

We will assist in set-up: arranging tables and chairs, laying out food. Girls will help decorate: streamers and balloons. Troop 1563 will be under the direction of attending Cadette Girl Scouts. Troop 1563 will teach the Cadettes how to play "Steal the Baby" so that the game can be taught later during the activity portion of the event. Troop 1563 needs to be on it's best behavior and do what is asked of them by the Cadettes and by the adults. (A Brownie is ALWAYS helpful.)

Lisa- our Service Unit Director- may ask for some Girl Scout Parents to say a few words about what Girl Scouting means to your family. If you feel comfortable speaking in front of a group, please let her know. It is also possible we will need someone outside directing people where to park. We will see what happens when we get there...

I will be speaking with new parents throughout the Rally. During the event, all children will be outside doing activities. The Cadettes are older Scouts who have all participated in babysitting training. It is important for their sense of self-assurance that we allow them to supervise and run the activities.There will be an adult periodically monitoring the Cadettes.

There will be food. If you would like to provide something breakfasty (muffins, juice, etc.) please feel free. Girls should remember that the food is for everyone and only eat a reasonable amount.

There will be several activities for the girls to enjoy. Troop 1563 is allowed to participate, but needs to keep in mind that they are working the event. If anyone (child or adult) needs help, they are to offer their assistance.
Scheduled Activities:
Astronaut Pudding
Fire Truck display
Games
Singing


The Rally officially begins at 10am. It is expected to run less than two hours, but I honestly can't estimate how long we'll be there. When everyone has left, all "working" troops will be on clean up duty. This will be easier if the kids help clean DURING the event as well. We expect smiling, happy Scouts throughout the day. Everyone's help is really appreciated. Let's have some fun and help spread the word about Girl Scouts!

Here's the flier that went home from school with area girls:

Troop Website Update

The new Possibilities catalog is out. If one was does not arrive in your mail this week, please let me know and I'll get one for you at Council on my next trip. One of our very own Scouts, Faith, is featured on the cover! FYI, you can always submit Girl Scout photos for consideration in various publications by following the link on our Troop Photos/Media tab.

You will notice that the Possibilities catalog is very thin this time around. They have reduced the bulk by only including activities worth driving great distances for. The cheaper, shorter activities are now being sent out via ePossibilities. Our Council- Girl Scouts of Central Texas- has been divided into 4 Areas for this purpose. We are in Area 4. In the left column of our Troop Website, under the "Links" header, there is a link to the Fall/Winter 2010 ePossibilities. There are still many activities posted on the Council's Events page, also under "Links."

You are free to register for any events you like. I do ask that you let me know, so other girls in the troop will feel welcome to register as well. There's always the option to register for events as a troop, but that will require a voting by the girls, and a budget plan.

Additionally the printed version of the catalog has information about Adult/Volunteer Training classes. It is suggested that all parents do the on-line volunteer orientation.
 
Various trainings are required for our troop to be able to do certain activities. Though I now have all the trainings we currently need, it would always be beneficial to have other certified adults (like First Aid or CPR,) especially if we plan a big trip- such as camping. If I was unable to attend, the trip would have to be canceled.

I am comfortable with our current level parent involvement, but as Troop 1563 continues to grow, it may be necessary to assign Volunteer positions. Parents can help out in any number of ways (being Fall Product or Cookie Manager, Do-Dads, Troop Treasurer, Gear-Haulers, Troop Nurse, Troop Baby Wrangler for Meetings, etc.)

Thursday 4/22/10: Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day

This event has passed.

Girls who went to work with a parent:

Amri
Ariana
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Original Post:

It's here once again: the official Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day! Thurs 4-22-10 (which also happens to be Girl Scout Leader's Day as well as Earth Day.)

"Designed to be more than a career day, the Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work^® program goes beyond the average “shadow” an adult. Exposing girls and boys to what a parent or mentor in their lives does during the work day is important, but showing them the value of their education, helping them discover the power and possibilities associated with a balanced work and family life, and providing them an opportunity to share how they envision the future and begin steps toward their end goals in a hands-on and interactive environment is key to their achieving success."

         -daughtersandsonstowork.org

Parents, ask around- see if anyone at work could use a mini-assistant for a day. Or ask a relative or friend you trust if their workplace is kid-friendly. Some workplaces allow children all day, others for a half day. Do what works for you.

Troop members that participate will receive a "Take Your Daughter to Work Day" patch at our next Court of Awards, after reporting their findings to the Troop, of course. (Assuming the store has not sold out.)

Helpful Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day links:
Official TODSWD website
On-Line TODSWD Activities for Kids
Barbie's "I Can Be" Career Videos via Youtube
Activities for Workplace Coordinators
Bright Ideas Guide

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New Field Trip Opportunities!

Updated 4-8-10 
Troop 1563 is Out and About: In addition to our weekly meeting, we've got lots of Earthy opportunities this month!

We've got a Field Trip to McKinney Roughs Nature Park for the Earth Day Festival Saturday 4/17.

Monday 4/19 6-7pm: Volunteers' Thank You Party, in honor of Leaders' Day. Let's show the adults of our troop just how much we appreciate them!

Keep Austin Beautiful never got back with me about doing a trash pick up. We can still organize our own, probably to be done in place of our meeting on Monday 4/26.We need some donations: rubber gloves or gardening gloves, trash bags, and safety vests. If you can offer any of these items (or your supervision during the Trash Pick Up) please let me know ASAP!

I had planned an additional field trip for Sat 4/24, but I am rescheduling it. The Hornsby Bend Bird Observatory offers multiple monthly events. Every month, they offer a bird survey, a bird walk, and an Ecological Literacy Day. I have a previous engagement on the 24th, so to lighten the load, we'll work on our Birds badge later. We will, however, make it back for the Ecological Literacy Day (before it gets too hot outside) as a Community Service Project.

Parents: If there's ever a trip you cannot attend, but your daughter wants to, just let us know. We can certainly make carpool arrangements.
Further details about these events can be found on our Troop Calendar and in upcoming Posts.
Thanks to all!

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Girls, your Assignment for the week is posted in the column to the left.
Moms and Dads, check the "Parent Reminder" feature in the column to the left, or review Assignments for the Week, listed under the Investiture Ceremony post.
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