Girls brighten patients day
with Gold Award Project

“Summer in Bloom” was the Gold Award Project for Senior Girl Scouts Virginia B. and Katherine B. from Troop #4452. They truly blossomed while working with the children at The Ronald McDonald House in Houston’s Medical Center. They planned a fun-filled and heartfelt project and worked tirelessly in creating sample craft packets for the children to make individually to hang on the Summertime tree, which brightened up the lobby of the House on a daily basis from July through Labor Day.
Here are some thoughts by Virginia B. and Katherine B.:
We met for three weeks at the Ronald McDonald House and the children eagerly greeted us daily and couldn’t wait to find out what the crafts were for that day. It was an incredibly rewarding experience for us to brighten the children’s day. We wanted the children to have fun and have a break from their daily routine. It also provided an outlet for the parents to work on the crafts or to take a break, knowing that their children were in good hands.”
  We grew attached to many of the familiar faces and loved watching them get excited while they made ladybug bell ornaments and frogs made from their handprints. We had over 20 different springtime and summer crafts from hand-painted wooden fish to butterfly jewelry pins and each child was given an appreciation gift made by us. We made countless bead animal key chains and iron-bead magnets for the children to keep. With over 300 hours combined between us, we loved every minute of it. Our only regret is that the project did not last longer because we were so enriched by the children and their parents.
  Kathy Scalf of The Ronald McDonald House expressed her appreciation to us, “Your project exceeded my vision and expectations, I commend you on a job well done. Because of you, the children had a memorable summer at the Ronald McDonald House. Having a sick child is never easy, but with the help from caring individuals like you, we were able to create an environment of comfort and love to help families in their time of need.”
  It was truly a life-changing experience for us and we thank our troop leader, Sue Botts for her enthusiasm and dedication to us. We truly “blossomed” through our Gold Award Project, “Summer in Bloom.”

Pink Ribbon Silver Award Project
by Ryanne G., Cadette Girl Scout

I am 13 years old and in the 8th grade at Friendswood Junior High. For my Silver Award, I decided to do something with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. I have run in the Komen Houston Race for the Cure® for the past two years and have always felt that it was such an important event. I decided to make and pass out bookmarks to the breast cancer survivors at the Pink Ribbon Café at the Race on October 2. My friends and I made 1,500 bookmarks. We worked very hard. I wanted to do this project because my grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer and is going through radiation treatments. Now she is a survivor. I wanted to do something special for her and all the other breast cancer survivors. On the bookmarks I included the scripture, 2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Congratulations to girls who completed the Counselor-In-Training program
by CIT Council Volunteer Coordinator Linda Loop

Thirteen girls completed the Counselor-In-Training (CIT) Core Training Session on December
4-5 at Camp Misty Meadows to earn the prestigious GSUSA CIT pin. They’re now prepared to complete an optional internship at one of the three Council camps this summer, working with Brownie or Junior campers and practicing their leadership skills. Several of the CITs, who will be 17, are excited at the prospect of applying to be paid camp staff. Others may also opt to do a two-week internship at a day camp or twilight camp.
Why did these busy teenagers, who are sophomores through seniors in high school, want to spend a weekend undergoing intensive training workshops? Answers ranged from “I had a great counselor when I was a camper, and I’ve always wanted to be like her” to “I like working with young children” to “being a counselor would be a terrific summer job.” Each CIT candidate was highly motivated and participated in the 12 hours of training that included: information about leadership, handling camper behavior, working effectively in groups, dealing with girls from diverse backgrounds, working with girls with disabilities, and planning and implementing activities in the camp environment. The girls even completed a homework assignment.
Members of the December 2004 CIT class are: Sobia B., Amy C., Sarah D., Katelan H., Lauren ., Sian ., Megan L., Brittany L., Laura M., Jami M., Caitlin M., Sarah M., and Georgia S.. They’ll all be awesome GSSJC counselors!
The next session of Counselor-In-Training will be held in partnership with the resident camp program, so check your copy of the resident camp catalog for details.