Water Everywhere @ the McWane Center

Twelve girls of Brownie Troop 536 earned their Water Everywhere Try-It at the McWane Camp-In. The troop earned the Try-It by discovering what is made of water and how it mixes with other things so it doesn’t look like water. The girls looked at the ingredients for a variety of items and listed which ones had water and which ones didn’t. The Girl Scouts also learned about water conservation and listed three ways to conserve water for two weeks. The girls were introduced to animals that live in and around the water and they were able to touch several of them. They also enjoyed learning about water layers and did a science activity to learn about water density. By mixing water, salt and food coloring, the girls learned that fresh water stays on top because it’s not as heavy as the salt water. And finally the girls ended the night by watching the IMAX movie Under the Sea. The event was a great experience and great fun was had by all!

Pictured: Girl Scouts learning about water density

KPC Receives ACA Accreditation

The American Camp Association® (ACA) announced today that Kanawahala Program Center (KPC) has received ACA-Accredited® Camp status.

"ACA Accreditation means that KPC submitted to a thorough (up to 300 standards) review of its operation by the American Camp Association (ACA) — from staff qualifications and training to emergency management — and complied with the highest standards in the industry," said Cindy Moore, National Standards Commission.

"Parents expect their children to attend accredited schools. They also deserve a camp experience that is reviewed and accredited by an expert, independent organization," Moore said.

"KPC and ACA form a partnership that promotes summers of growth and fun in an environment committed to safety," said Carolyn Mack, Vice President of Property and Outdoor Programs for the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama. "ACA accreditation demonstrates our commitment to quality camp programming."

KPC is located in Chelsea, AL. The camp is in operation throughout the year and offers summer day camp for boys and girls and summer resident camp for girls, Girl Scout troop camping during the year, and services including meeting facilities, retreat facilities, special event facilities and picnics and other activities for Girl Scout Troops, churches, non-profits, businesses and other organizations. For more information, contact the camp at 205-678-8843, or visit the camp's Web site at www.girlscoutsnca.org/kana.php.

About Kanawahala Program Center
Kanawahala Program Center is operational twelve months of the year. It has a 40-acre private lake and junior Olympic-sized swimming pool. KPC also boasts mountain biking trails and a 35-foot climbing tower with attached high and low ropes course elements to offer challenging and adventurous activities. KPC is owned and operated by the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama.

Photo: Lake Alice at KPC

Older Girls Earn PR Interest Project Award

Pictured: Stephanie Alexander of o2Ideas teaches girls
about event planning.

Local Public Relations Council of Alabama (PRCA) members recently hosted a PR workshop for older Girl Scouts to earn their Interest Project Award. The group held sessions on event planning, PR jargon, how to be an organization’s spokesperson, campaign planning and writing for the media. Professionals also discussed different types of careers in the public relations field, and what types of college degrees are available in the field. Click here for more photos.

Girl Scouts Rock NASA

More than 150 Girl Scouts from across Alabama converged in Huntsville on November 6-7 to visit NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center and the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. Nearly two-dozen cadettes and senior-level scouts visited the Marshall Center to discuss career opportunities in science, engineering and aerospace with NASA engineers. They also toured Marshall's key engineering facilities, including the East and West test areas, where they viewed a liquid nitrogen demonstration. The group also visited the Huntsville Operations Support Center at Marshall - a mission support facility that distributes secure voice communications, video and science and spaceflight data anywhere in the world. On Saturday, Girl Scouts built rockets and launched them at the Space Center.

Girls also participated in an egg drop, which helped the girls explore gravity, drag, air pressure, and how to design a structure that would safely carry cargo to the surface of a planet. The girls worked in teams to create structures that would hold the egg and cushion it as it was dropped. They also had to design and construct a parachute to collect as much air as possible so the cargo (egg) would drift safely to the surface.. Girl Scouts also had the opportunity to view the Space and Rocket Center museum and enjoy rides simulating experiences in space. Click here to see the entire photo gallery.

Fall of the Wall

Several Girl Scouts joined CEO Trish Coghlan and other community leaders at the Fall of the Wall event hosted by the AlabamaGermany Partnership at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. This event commemorated the 20th anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall. College students and other groups decorated replica pieces of the wall with their impressions of the importance of this anniversary. Dr. James Tent and Thomas Hoheisel provided historical notes regarding the events that led up to November 9, 1989 and the significance of this event.

Pictured: Trish Coghlan, GSNCA CEO and Jerrica Tanner, America Hosch and Margaret Allen.

Central Alabama Women of Distinction Kick-Off Begins!

The Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama kicked off the planning for its 17th annual Central Alabama Women of Distinction Luncheon on November 5th. The Women of Distinction program pays tribute to women who have made special contributions to their community through civic, academic or professional involvement. In addition to the outstanding women being honored, GSNCA will honor the Gold Awardees from the past year. The Luncheon will take place on Thursday, March 4 at the Harbert Center.

This years’ Women of Distinction Luncheon chairs are Mariah Chapman of BBVA Compass and Lois Woodward of Balch & Bingham. Nomination forms will be available at www.girlscoutsnca.org/wod.php soon!

Photo:Women of Distinction Central Alabama Committee: L-R, Ann McMillan, Judge Debra Goldstein, Peggie Myles, Alice Williams, Sue Esleck and Mariah Chapman (Co-Chair). Members not pictured: Lois Woodward (Co-Chair), Leann Barr, April Deal, Susan Livingston, Chris Ross and Marjorie Trimm.

Young Women’s World Forum

GSUSA is seeking applications from young women interested in representing GSUSA at the 2010 Young Women’s World Forum. The Young Women’s World Forum, organized by Girlguiding UK in collaboration with WAGGGS is the first of three events for girls and young women taking place throughout the centenary celebrations. The Young Women’s World Forum takes place between October 19 – 24, 2010 in London, England and is open to two young women ages 18-25 (at the time of the event) from each Membership Organization. Councils can download both GSUSA and WAGGGS application forms and additional information below. Email globalgirlscouting@girlscouts.org with questions.

http://www.girlscoutsnca.org/documents/GSUSA_Nomination_Form_YWWF_2010_10_09.doc

National Military Family Appreciation Month

This November, GSNCA is proud to honor the extraordinary contributions of our nation’s military families as part of National Military Family Appreciation Month. Throughout history, the unwavering support of military families has always been a source of encouragement. They face special challenges of long deployments, family separations and frequent relocations with great courage and resolve. GSNCA is fortunate to have such a strong military base in our Council. We want to express our heartfelt appreciation to members of our Girl Scout family who are from military families who sacrifice so much—you are patriots, you are an inspiration and you make all the difference.

Green Bazaar To Benefit The Girl Scouts Of North-Central Alabama

The Wayfarers (Girl Scout alumnae group) will hold their annual Green Bazaar on Tuesday, November 10th from 10 AM to 6:30 PM at the Homewood Public Library. About 70% of the items will be handmade from either natural or recycled materials or will reflect the ecology of Alabama. Items include holiday ornaments, angels, wool scrap wreaths, dog sweaters, vintage jewelry, gift boxes, twig nativities, newspaper snowmen, pillows, scarves, baked goods and more! Proceeds from the Bazaar will benefit GSNCA camps.

President Signs Girl Scout Commemorative Coin Act

President Obama has signed the Girl Scouts of the USA Commemorative Coin Act authorizing the minting of 350,000 silver dollar coins in honor of Girl Scouts and the achievements of the 50 million women across the nation whose lives have been influenced by Girl Scouting.

“The Commemorative Coin is a wonderful honor for the Girl Scouts,” said Trish Coghlan, Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama (GSNCA). “Congress only allows the minting of two coins a year and this is a great way to recognize the impact the Girl Scout Movement has on million of girls and women. GSNCA is grateful to Rep. Roger Aderholt (R-AL), Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-AL), Rep. Artur Davis (D-AL), Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL), and Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) for their support in co-sponsoring the bill.”

U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions made the following comments today regarding the enactment of the Girl Scout Commemorative Coin Act:

“I’m delighted that Congress overwhelmingly approved the Girl Scout Commemorative Coin Act, and the president signed it into law. I learned life lessons in scouting that have served me well through my adult years, and are especially important to me during my work in the U.S. Senate. Scouting organizations are a unique opportunity for our young people to learn the leadership skills that will stay with them as they become the leaders of tomorrow. When they are minted in 2013, these commemorative coins will mark the beginning of the Girl Scouts second century of offering that opportunity.”

The legislation directs the U.S. Mint to produce 350,000 silver coins. Ten dollars from the sale of each coin will go to GSUSA to help fund much-needed renovations at the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace in Savannah, Georgia. The bill also calls for the Secretary of the Treasury, in collaboration with the GSUSA and the Commission of Fine Arts, to design the coin in a manner “emblematic of the centennial of Girl Scouts.” The coin will be minted and sold in 2013, marking the end of Girl Scouts’ yearlong centennial celebration and kicking off a new century of leadership and service to girls.

“Girl Scout programs help young girls here in Alabama and throughout the country to build good character and achieve their goals,” states Congressman Spencer Bachus. “The Girl Scouts are a positive force for young women and their families and communities, and I was pleased to support the creation of this commemorative coin celebrating their 100th anniversary.”

Girl Scouts was founded on March 12, 1912, when Juliette Gordon Low organized the first two troops consisting of 18 members in Savannah, Georgia. Today, Girl Scouts is the largest voluntary association for women and girls in the United States. More than 50 million women have been Girl Scouts, including 58 percent of the women in Congress.

The bill in the House of Representatives (H.R. 621), sponsored by U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston (R-GA), easily passed by a voice vote and with more than 300 cosponsors on October 15. A companion Senate bill (S. 451), sponsored by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), also passed unanimously on October 19.

“The Girls Scouts is a wonderful experience that helps today’s girls learn the strong leadership skills needed for their futures,” Congressman Mike Rogers states. “I am pleased to cosponsor the Girl Scout Commemorative Coin Act as a way to show my great respect for this important program and its participants.”

The minting of the coin is only one of several events Girl Scouts has planned for its yearlong centennial celebration, local council celebrations and girl projects that will commemorate our history.