Experience a Sailor’s Life on the Tall Ship Elissa
Girl Scouts can experience “a sailor’s life from the days of old,” in a special overnight adventure aboard the U.S.S. Elissa.
After a tour of the Elissa and a video presentation, the overnight Girl Scout crew learns some hands-on sailing skills. Girls will help set one of Elissa’s huge staysails, and they work with the ship’s volunteer crew to master rope craft and seagoing knots. During the night, girls will follow one of the oldest traditions of the sea-keeping watch over the Elissa and Galveston Harbor.

Who: Girls ages 8 and up
When: November 5, December 10, January 8
Check-in: 6:30 p.m. Friday or Saturday
Check out: 9 a.m. Saturday or Sunday
Cost: $38 per person
Event Code: 10-56-10-6242
Ratio: 1 adult per 5 girls
Min./Max: 10/40
Food: Eat dinner before arrival. Breakfast will be served aboard Elissa, and snacks will be provided.
Bring: Sleeping bag (no air mattresses), pillow, change of clothes, medical form and permission slip.
Register: Register using the Program Registration form in any issue of The Golden Link or found at www.gssjc.org.
Deadline: Register and submit payment five weeks prior to event date. Contact Council immediately to notify us of cancellations. No refunds will be issued 30 days prior to event.
Contact: For more information, contact Program Manager Sarah Boyd at 713-292-0269 or e-mail sboyd@sjgs.org.

Day Sailing on Council Big Boats
Sail the day away on Galveston Bay, on one of San Jacinto Council’s Big Boats. The Council has four sloops ranging in size from 22 – 27 foot and are captained by trained, experienced and certified volunteers.

Troops can sail on the Lois Goody, La Haina, Snow White, or First Mate, depending on the size of your group attending. Girls with an American Red Cross Level IV or YMCA Fish card and the Council’s Safe Boating Test card are eligible to sail. Troops will meet at Pier 5 of the Watergate Yacht Club in Kemah. Sailing time commences at 9 a.m. sharp so please be on time. PFD’s (personal floatation devices) are supplied on the boats and girls are required to wear them. The boats generally can accommodate 6-8 girls per boat, depending on the age level and troops should factor in the Boat Captain, First Mate and troops leader(s) when reserving the boats. The boats return to the pier at approximately noon.
Two weeks notice must be given for any cancellations or refunds. Refunds or alternate dates may be arranged due to inclement weather. Send copies of swim and Safe Boating Test cards, registration form and fee to the Girl Scout Center. In addition, bring copies of this information with you on the day of your sail. Watergate Yachting Marina is located at 1500 Marina Bay Drive, Clear Lake Shores, an approximate 10 minute drive from Camp Casa Mare.

Directions from camp: Turn Southwest on Todville Road to Second Street. Turn right onto Second Street and follow to Highway 146. Turn left onto Hwy. 146 crossing Kemah bridge and turn right at FM 2094/Kemah League City Road. Follow for 1.3 miles to the entrance on the right. Keep straight until the main office/marina and turn left following the road to Pier 5.

When: November 13, February 26
Cost: $30 per boat
Min/Max: 4/varies
Suggested items: Sunblock, hat/cap, bottled water, snacks, trash bags (please take your trash with you).
Register: Program registration form (send copies of certifications with registration).
Event Code: 10-56-10-6240
Contact: Sarah Boyd at 713-292-0269 or sboyd@sjgs.org

Looking for something fun and nautical to do around the holidays?

Mariner Girl Scouts will be participating in the 43rd Annual Christmas Boat Lane Parade on December 11. This is a great opportunity to come out and watch an exciting boat parade, and support your Girl Scouts. This year we are entering four of our big boats in the boat parade. The boats are brightly lit and decorated for this nighttime spectacle. It is GSSJC’s 11th year participating in this annual event, and the Mariners usually win a prize for their entries.

Everyone is welcome to come out and watch. The event is free to the public. The Girl Scouts will be located on the Seabrook side of the bridge, behind Pappadeaux. You can also watch from the Kemah Boardwalk. Hope to see you there! If you have any questions, contact Sarah Boyd at 713- 292-0269 or sboyd@sjgs.org.