For the second year Girl Scout of San Jacinto Council has hosted international campers at resident camp. In 2003 campers from Mexico City joined other campers at Camp Agnes Arnold. This year Camp Casa Mare was chosen to host eight girls and four leaders from Chiba City Japan. Throughout the week the girls participated in activities of sailing, swimming, archery, dance, and crafts. The group treated the entire camp to a Japanese Tea Ceremony during the last day of camp. Dressed in traditional costumes, the girls and leaders educated and entertained the camp with the finer points of macrame crane making, teaching campers to write their names in Japanese on rice paper, and a taste test of some Japanese teas.

Hosting international Girl Guides from Japan was a wonderful experience for all the campers, counselors, and leaders. The campers had an opportunity to share with each other their languages, experiences, cultures, and many, many laughs while enjoying the fun of camp.

The Girl Guides of Japan then travelled to Hawaii before returning to Chiba City. GSSJC hopes to have more international Girl Guides at resident camp 2005.

Volunteers gathered at the 13th annual Membership Development Conference at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott in July. The two-day event was filled with entertainment, workshops, give-aways, informational booths, and more. Terry Elizondo and Renita Ferguson served as emcees.

Friday night after-dinner entertainment was Physician of Phun Mike Spiller. He got the crowd up and interacting with games and dancing. Then participants headed to the extreme booths where they could participate in games, crafts, and learn about upcoming Girl Scout activities.
At Saturday’s opening, participants learned about the 40 Assets in Learning from James Neville the owner of Development One LLC. Then it was time for workshops. There were more than 20 to choose from. They ranged in topics from Internet safety to STUDIO 2B to political

issues affecting women. The keynote address at Saturday’s luncheon was Kathleen Kimball-Baker. She spoke on how caring adults can help build strengths, skills, and resiliencies in youth. She inspired the audience to see their power to connect with young people day to day in easy ways that anyone can do.

Also at the luncheon, Pat d’Agrella and Connie Stipanic were presented the 2004 Ervan Chew Pluralism Award. They have worked together on the Silver Springs day camp. Several years ago they were asked to help run a Council-sponsored day camp for 150 girls from community centers in Montgomery and Walker Counties. They also helped design a spring

Pat d’Agrella and Connie Stipanic receive the Ervan Chew Award from Mimi Chew.

break day camp for middle school girls who might not otherwise have a opportunity to participate in Girl Scouts.

The weekend ended at the closing ceremony with door prizes and a slide presentation of pictures taken during MDC.