News
Girl Scouts Making Headlines
March 20, 2010
Girl Scouts Patch Program Featured on "You Bet Your Garden" with host, Mike McGrath
WHYY-NPR
Mike's guests on this topic were Pat James, Education Director for the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and Cheryl Baker, Director of Marketing for the Girl Scouts of Eastern PA. Click here to find the broadcast link for March 20th. The segment begins at 13:30 of the 52:29 minute broadcast. Check out the Girl Scout Program Workbook containing all 16 activities.
February 4, 2010
Scout takes comfort in Haiti relief work
by Moni Basu | CNN
Léogâne, Haiti — Joanie Yestin walks through a small alleyway to what used to be home, now a pile of concrete and crushed belongings. A plastic flower arrangement still hangs on an exterior wall that didn't collapse in the earthquake. One wooden bathroom cabinet survived. Read more...
December, 2009
Girl Scouts Warm Up the Holidays Throughout the Region
Various Publications
The holidays were brightened for thousands of Eastern Pennsylvania residents, thanks to the dozens of projects and events GSEP Girl Scouts conducted or attended. Girls of all ages warmed up community parades in Souderton, Red Hill, Peddlers Village and Oreland. In Bethlehem, Troop 8961 helped place 500 luminaries around Moravian Village. Others took part in annual celebrations in Boyertown, Jim Thorpe, Lehighton and Oxford, and visits from Santa in Jim Thorpe and Gilbert. Junior Girl Scouts from Troop 1947 in Bechtelsville collected toys for the Salvation Army, passed out cookies and cocoa at Boyertown's Chillin' on Main event, and enlisted residents of a senior community to judge their Christmas Cookie Bake-off. Cadette Troop 2811 in Quakertown (below) collected more than 200 items for the Quakertown Food Bank when they went "Caroling for Cans."
The holiday warmth will continue well into the New Year for hundreds in-need, thanks to three successful coat drives in Bucks and Montgomery Counties. Girl Scout Troop 22874 wasn't deterred by the two feet of snow that fell on December 19. Philadelphia's NBC10-TV reported on the girls' partnership with a local church to distribute coats that day in Levittown. Brownie Girl Scouts in Ardmore collected more than 150 coats, and brand new Daisy Troop 51351 in Newtown Square (below) gathered more than they could count for the Greater Philadelphia Cares 14th Annual Winter Coat Drive One Daisy dad sent an email that triggered a donation of more than 200 coats from his co-workers at SAP. The troop rented a U-Haul to transport its total collection of coats, which filled two resident garages. All of Philadelphia's four major TV news stations reported on the coat caravan to Greater Philadelphia Cares' warehouse.
December 5, 2009
Shelly Ridge architect wins industry award
by John Timpane and Inga Saffron | The Philadelphia Inquirer
Over his long careeras a Philadelphia Architect, Peter Bohlin has designed both rustic-modern country homes supported by bare tree trunks and high tech constructions such as Apple's glass cube in Manhattan. Read more...
December 1, 2009
Bugs Are Icky But S'mores Are Great
by Deepa Lakshmin | The Reading Eagle
Deepa is a member of Girl Scout Ambassador Troop 01718 (Cumru Service Unit), a Senior at Governor Mifflin High in Shillington, and an intern for the VOICES section at the Reading Eagle. Click here to read Deepa's full account of her fond memories of camping as a Girl Scout.
November-December, 2009
Girl Scouts in the community
Various Publications
in the Lehigh Valley
Girl Scout Brownies and Juniors in Bethlehem welcomed a local soldier home and 10-year old Girl Scout Junior Michaela Miller tested a tepee in Allentown.
in Montgomery County
Girl Scout Brownies in Ambler participated in a Giving Night event; Junior Troop 71890 baked dog biscuits for the SPCA; Junior Troop 7253 recognized Veterans Day; Junior Troop 71632 experimented with global positioning.
in Philadelphia
Girl Scout Juniors and Cadettes from Manayunk learned about flag etiquette.
November 29, 2009
Scholarship fund helps girls go to camp
The Mercury
POTTSTOWN — Girl Scouts from the Pottstown area will be able to participate in one of the late Sally Moyer's favorite activities — camping — through the generosity of friends and relatives who have supported the Sally A. Moyer Fund for Camp Scholarship. Read more...
November 16, 2009
Bucks County Girl Scout Earns Medal of Honor
WPVI-6 ABC News
When 81-year old Doris Dillingham began choking during dinner at a senior residence facility in Doylestown, Girl Scout Ambassador Hannah Wisler of Perkasie sprang into action. She performed the Heimlich maneuver to save Doris’ life. On November 16, Hannah received the Girl Scouts of the USA’s Medal of Honor, one of two Lifesaving Awards GSUSA presents—rarely—to its girl members. Girls who earn the award show special character and maturity by acting in situations that would paralyze many adults. Hannah is a senior at Penn Ridge High and plans to study nursing in college. She works part-time in the dining hall where Doris lives, and is coordinating the installation of a butterfly garden at the facility to earn her Girl Scout Gold Award. See the video (large download).
From the November 10th Issue of ENews:
Humerous Spin on a Serious Subject
Girl Scouts from Saucon Valley SU (Northampton) made a YouTube video to earn their Water Drop patch. The creative documentary has more than 125 views.
Halloween activities are anything but scary
Girl Scouts from Carbon County lined up for parades in Lehighton, Palmerton and Andreas; Springtown Daisies (Bucks) rode a float; Brownie Troop 471 (Chester) dressed up downtown; and Brownie Troop 72120 (Montgomery) made decorations.
Girl Scouts keep on earning...
Mary Elizabeth Anthony (Northampton) refurbished a garden to earn her Silver; Emilie Melvin (Montgomery) was named the 2010 Miss Greater Reading Outstanding Teen with a Silver Award project to collect toys for youngsters in traumatic crime situations (Oct. 11-12, Reading Eagle); from Rock Service SU (Bucks), four Girl Scout Cadettes earned their Silvers, and 70 others were awarded at bridging ceremony (Oct. 19, Bucks County Courier Times); Brownie Troop 771 (Montgomery) earned badges at the Philadelphia Zoo.
Others in the news
Brownie Troop 91441 (Philadelphia) thanked emergency responders with cupcakes; Junior Troop 57080 (Delaware County) renewed their Promise; Oakville SU Girl Scouts (Bucks) staffed a table on Labor Day (Oct. 2, Morrisville Times); Junior Troop 51291 (Chester) enjoyed a September Camporee.
October 12, 2009
The Paca Patrol Takes the Stage With Some Furry Partners
WFMZ-69 News
Kit Hower is at the heart of the Paca Patrol--an Interest Club created by GSEP Scouts in 2004 that is dedicated to their personal study of alpacas and educating others about the beautiful, passive breed. At Blankstone Farm's recent Autumn Alpacafest, WFMZ-TV captured 12 Girl Scout Cadettes from the Paca Patrol as they presented "Top Hats and Alpaca Tails," a not-too-tricky dance routine set to music. Members of the Paca Patrol have learned the basics of raising and caring for alpacas, the tax advantages of breeding them, and the sheer fun and enjoyment of being around the animals. See the video.
October 8, 2009
Girl Scouts Learn About Leadership In Society
WFMZ-69 News
The Girl Scouts are talking about redefining leadership in society. An official from the Girl Scout Research Institute stopped by the Berks County Community Foundation this morning to talk to local Girl Scouts and community leaders. He presented results from a study called "Change It Up! What Girls Say About Redefining Leadership." The study showed that more girls would want to be leaders if given the opportunity. Michael Conn: "Society has a lot of needs, and we know that girls now and in the future can help solve the problems that we have so girl scouting is focused on energizing girl leadership so girls can make contributions to their communities, locally and globally." See the video.
August 19, 2009
Helping the Garden Grow
Hamburg, PA
Scouts from Troop #11036 cleared weeds, installed native plant material, and spread mulch along the trailhead at Port Clinton Avenue in Hamburg Borough (Berks County). See the photo.
August 13, 2009
Quakertown Scouts Create Bundles
Bucks County Herald
More than 60 girls, ranging from Girl Scout Daisies through Ambassadors, teamed up to create baby bundles for the Crossroads Pregnancy Center in Quakertown (Bucks County). See the photo.
August 1, 2009
Girl Scout Leaders Honored
Upper Dublin-Ambler Enterprise
Sue Deasy and Laura Grogan-O'Mara, leaders of Girl Scout Junior/Cadette Troop #71600 were awarded for outstanding service to the Mundock Service Unit (Montgomery County). See the photo.
July-September
Gold and Silver Awards Earned by Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania are in the News
Natalie Bank, Ashley Baugher, Laura Maniscalco and Kayla Rossi (Chester and Delaware Counties) received Congressional citations from Congressman Joe Sestak (D-Pa., 7th District). Amber Getz created tables and chairs for the storytelling area in the Palmerton Area Library (Carbon County). Bayly Kern is opening Beacon of Hope Clothes Closet at Olivet Presbyterian Church (Delaware County). Gold Awardee Stephanie Bernasconi (Chester County) was back in the news for receiving an $8,000 scholarship from the Union League of Philadelphia. Troop #8505's Mary Elizabeth Anthony (Northampton County) conducted a program about plants that are good or bad for your garden. Girl Scout Cadettes Lauren Murphy and Amanda Miller (Delaware County) organized a one-week art and dance camp for young girls. Troop leader Carol Melvin joined Scouts Kelsey Battista, Anna Harland and Kyla Lang (Delaware County) to host a Pre-Sixth Grade Activities Night. Jessica Morrell conducted a collection drive for pet food and supplies to benefit the Center for Animal Health and Welfare (Northampton County).
July 29, 2009
Scout Earns Congressional Gold Medal
Kennett Paper
Stephanie Kalena Bernasconi from the Brandywine Service Unit was presented with the Congressional Gold Medal Award at a ceremony in Washington, DC on June 25. The award was established in 1979 to recognize initiative, service and achievement in young people and is presented to only a handful of young men and women each year. Stephanie is a Scout with Troop 4619 under the leadership of Kathy Harrison, who also served as her advisor. Read more...
July 22, 2009
With economy down, camping is up, including at facilities serving Berks County
By Erin Negley | Reading Eagle
More girls this summer attending Girl Scout facilities, including camps near Pine Grove and Gilbertsville. As the recession pinches vacation plans for some families, Girl Scout leaders say camp attendance is up as a result. Read more...
July 13, 2009
Building a better Girl Scouts
By Crissa Shoemaker Debree | The Intelligencer
Five years ago, Girls Scouts of the USA came to a realization: The nearly century-old organization, known for its cookie sales, camping trips and merit badges, needed to change - or face extinction. Read more...
July 13, 2009
Camp Mosey Wood teaches Girl Scouts important skills
By Amanda Sandlin | Times Herald
A young girl sits on a wooden ledge that's stapled to the side of a tree. She forces herself to jump as her harness tightens and she swings through the forest's tree tops. She's an adventurer. She's a conqueror. She's a Girl Scout. Read more...
June 16, 2009
Girl Scouts soar with new business model
By By Richa Naik | The Times Herald
Although many nonprofits are struggling in the current economy, the Girl Scouts of Eastern PA instituted a new business model at the perfect time, and has since watched its membership, sales and revenue increase. GSEP recently met to celebrate their second successful year following the merger of three councils — Freedom Valley, headquarters in Valley Forge, Great Valley, headquarters in Allentown and Southeastern Pennsylvania, headquarters in Miquon, according to a press release. Read more...
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June 15, 2009
Beyond cookies: Girl Scouting growing
By Tony Di Domizio | The Reporter
The cookies aren't the only good thing about them. Confidence, character, leadership and courage are the real badges of honor for the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania. Cost-savings is another one to stitch on the sash, as in $1.5 million savings on overhead, or 10 percent of revenue. Read more...
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June, 2009
GSEP in the News
The message that courage, confidence and character are at the core of today's Girl Scouts experience took a bold step forward with two placements in the June 15 edition of The Reporter:
- Monica Maury, Manager of the North Penn Valley Service Unit and Leader of Troop 71030, spoke proudly of the surge in the number of older girls in her troop. "We allow the girls to be leaders within their own troops ... that's a huge reason why they stick around."
GSEP Scouts, ranging in age from 11 to 87 years, garnered significant coverage in local papers for a range of awards, projects and events:
- more than a dozen Gold Awardees were featured in consecutive editions of the Reading Eagle (June 5, 6 and 7), the Springfield Press and the Norristown Times Herald
- younger Scouts were highlighted in the Garnet Valley Press (see photo, p. 6) and The Intelligencer
- Betty Hollis was applauded as The Ambler Gazette's "Citizen of the Week," after she received her 75-year Numeral Guard at last month's Adult Awards and Recognitions Ceremony
Girl Scout Summer Camps got coverage in the Springfield Press for an Open House, and Ann Meredith was quoted as part of a local round-up feature in the Bucks County Courier Times.
June 7, 2009
Girl Scouts Thriving
By Kathleen E. Carey | Delco Daily Times
At a time when nonprofits and many for-profit organizations are struggling, the local Girl Scouts Council stands out. Read more...
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June 4, 2009
Junior High West student receives Girl Scout Silver Award
Boyertown Area Times
Katarina “Katie” Zambanini is not the average 15-year-old junior high student. Zambanini, a Barto resident and a ninth grader at Junior High West, was recently received the Girl Scout Silver Award. This is the second highest award a Girl Scout can earn. The requirements for the award include 15 hours of leadership, 40 hours of the actual project, plus many other miscellaneous requirements (including those that require involvement with the community). Read more...
June 3, 2009
GSEP appear on WFMZ-TV69 News
Reported by Melissa Fullerton
May 31, 2009
Girl Scouts Offer Model for Hope
By Brian McCullough | Daily Local News
Area non-profit and even business leaders may have a new model to look at when trying to figure out how to overcome their current financial challenges: the Girl Scouts. The Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania met Saturday to celebrate its second year of a reorganization that saw three councils--Freedom Valley with headquarters in Valley Forge, Great Valley with Allentown headquarters and Southeastern Pennsylvania with headquarters in Miquon, Montgomery County -- rolled into one. Read more...
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April 26, 2009
Delco Girl Scouts Earn Gold Awards
By Amy Brisson | of the Delco Daily Times
Setting out to earn a Gold Award, the highest honor in the Girl Scouts, is no light undertaking, especially for a busy high school senior. Read more...
March 15, 2009
Allentown Girl Scout troop forms first female drumline group in nation
By Kathy Lauer-Williams | Of The Morning Call
Donald Amig waved his drumsticks like batons before tapping out a rhythm on the edge of a table. A row of teenage girls, clad in jeans with pink toenails peeking out from their flip-flops and hair tied back in ponytails, stood before an assortment of drums, drumsticks ready. Read more...
March 11, 2009
Girl Scouts honor five role models from Berks County
The Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania on Tuesday inducted five women from Berks County into its Take the Lead Hall of Fame at an awards celebration in the Reading Crowne Hotel, Wyomissing. Read more...
February 20, 2009
Pride was Payoff for Hard Work on Scout Project
Girl Scout Avani Dalal of Troop 06804 in Allentown talks about her Silver Award project to improve the landscape of her Hindu Temple. Read more...
