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Girl Scouts everywhere should feel great about
making sports and physical activity part of their everyday
lives. To reward girls for the time spent on regular sports
practice and fitness exercise, GSUSA created the GirlSports
Patch Program.
Troop/group leaders are encouraged to involve
girls in planning the activities and to be creative. To earn
the patch, troops/groups must be active…watching a sports
performance is fun and educational, but it won’t count.
You may participate in one long activity or
several shorter ones. See the next page for patch requirements.
Our Council offers a wealth of opportunities for girls to
participate in sports and fitness activities. The following
are details about the programs offered. Check in the Program
section of each Golden Link during the year for up-to-date
information on all these programs.
Archery: The “Bullseye” program
is offered at all GSSJC camps on various Saturdays of the
year. During the session girls will learn all about the safety
and fundamentals of archery. There is also a “Bullseye”
patch that girls receive at the completion of the session.
Instruction for one hour is $4 per person. Troops and service
units also offer opportunities to learn archery. For further
information contact Nicole McInnes at 713-292-0353 or nmcinnes@sjgs.org
Backpacking: The backpacking groups in the
Council have organized weekend trips on a monthly basis from
October to April. Not only is backpacking a great way to keep
fit but is also a great way for novice backpackers to gain
skills and to meet more people who share the same interests
and love for the outdoors. Girls aged 13 to adult can participate
in the backpacking program. For further information contact
Deban Becker at 713-292-0203 or dbecker@sjgs.org
Canoeing: Girls can go troop canoeing at Camps
Robinwood or Agnes Arnold with a certified leader or participate
in the Council’s canoeing and paddlestroke workshops.
Summer time also brings many canoeing opportunities during
resident camp at Camp Agnes Arnold. For further information
contact Mary Fordham at 713-292-0269 or mfordham@sjgs.org
Challenge Course: Camp Silver Springs is the
location for the Council’s challenge course. You may
be flying down the Zip Line, climbing the cargo net, or challenging
yourself on the pamper pole. It’s a day of challenge
and team building for troops or groups aged 12 and up. For
further information contact Shannon Riley at 713-292-0233
or swalker@sjgs.org
 Equitation:
There are multiple opportunities for girls of all ages to
participate in horseback riding. Troops or groups camping
at Camps Silver Springs, Agnes Arnold, Robinwood, or Misty
Meadows can register for “Weekend Camper Riding”
sessions and take a trail ride or work in the ring. Girls
13 years of age or above can become SPURS (Super People Using
Riding Skills) and be involved with the equitation program
or there are opportunities during resident camp for all age
groups to ride. For further information or contact George
Ann Barrett at 713-292-0313 or gbarrett@sjgs.org
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 Fencing:
Through a collaboration with the Bayou City
Fencing Academy, girls can receive professional instruction
on how to master the skills of this exciting sport. Two-hour
instructional classes can be offered on weekends as well as
mid-week classes for homeschooled girls. For further information
contact Nicole McInnes at 713-292-0353 or nmcinnes@sjgs.org
Green
Starlettes: The Green Starlettes offer dance clinics for troops
and groups as well as individual girl registrations to join
the Green Starlettes team. The girls often perform their dance
skills at professional events such as half time performances
with the Houston Comets and Houston Rockets or at university
events, Six Flags AstroWorld, and Council events. For information
contact Shannon Walker at 713-292-0233 or walker@sjgs.org
Golf:
In a collaboration with the Girls Golf Club, Girl Scouts have
the opportunity to try their hand at golfing. Sessions are
free of charge and girls learn all the basics from qualified
instructors. Girls that have advanced from the basic level
will get to go on the course. For further information or contact
Nicole McInnes at 713-292-0353 or nmcinnes@sjgs.org
Swimming/Swim
Strokes: Girls can swim with their troop while camping or
sign up for swim stroke workshops offered by the Council to
improve their swimming skills. For further information contact
Mary Fordham at 713-292-0269 or mfordham@sjgs.org
 University
Sports: Local universities such as Rice University or University
of Houston offer clinics in a wide variety of sports to Girl
Scouts. Sometimes free or discounted tickets are available
to sporting events. Clinics offered during the year may be
basketball, football, soccer, volleyball, baseball, or softball.
For further information contact Nicole McInnes at 713-292-0353
or nmcinnes@sjgs.org
Indoor
Rock Climbing: GSSJC offers Girl Scout Days and “Lock
Ins” at Texas Rock Gym located in Clear Lake or Memorial.
Girls and leaders can learn the basics of climbing, belaying,
hand and foot techniques then advance to the more challenging
overhangs. For further information contact Nicole McInnes
at
713-292-0353 or nmcinnes@sjgs.org
Pro Sports:
Sport clinics are often organized during the year with various
local professional sports teams. Clinics may be offered with
the Houston Comets, Houston Astros, or the Houston Aeros.
For further information contact Nicole McInnes at 713-292-0353
or nmcinnes@sjgs.org
Sailing:
The sailing program has opportunities for girls to sail through
instruction weekends, JAWS weekends (Just Add Wind & Sail),
Aquatics weekends, and resident camp at Camp Casa Mare in
Seabrook. Girls who have passed the Red Cross Basic Sailing
certification may become Mariners. For further information
contact Nicole McInnes at 713-292-0353 or nmcinnes@sjgs.org
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