GSCB Summer Camp 2013: Space and Financial Aid still available!

Your opinion matters!

A Message from GSUSA CEO Anna Maria Chávez:

I stand with all Girl Scouts across the country and around the world in offering my thoughts and prayers to all of those who have been affected by the massive and devastating tornado that tore through the Oklahoma City area on Monday. As Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin said, it was a tragic day for the people of her state and, indeed, for all of us, as the death toll now stands at 24 and includes a Girl Scout, who was a member of the Girl Scouts-Western Oklahoma Council.
All staff members of the Girl Scouts-Western Oklahoma Council, which is based in Oklahoma City, are accounted for and safe. The council appreciates all of the good wishes, but is unable to handle all of the calls and emails at this time. We ask that you not call or email the council, but instead check its website or Facebook and Twitter feeds for the latest information. The council also cannot accommodate material donations, such as blankets and other goods. Instead, the council has created the Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma Tornado Relief Fund that will help get troops back up and running, provide scholarships for program and camp participation, and offer other support to Girl Scouts in the affected areas. You can text the word GIRLS to 20222 to make a $10 donation. In addition, the council is encouraging girls to send messages or art in the shape of the Girl Scout trefoil that it will present this summer to Girl Scouts affected by the storm. Send your trefoil artwork to:

Girl Scouts-Western Oklahoma
Mary Nichols' Family Leadership Center
6100 N. Robinson Ave.
Oklahoma City, Okla. 73118

I want to thank everyone for their thoughtful messages of caring and concern for our sisters at the Girl Scouts-Western Oklahoma Council. Even as we grieve for our sister Girl Scout and all those who lost their lives, we are sustained by the resilience of the human spirit and the knowledge that the people of Oklahoma will, in time, recover and rebuild. We have endured in the past year a number of terrible and tragic events, and throughout it all, Girl Scouts have shown remarkable courage, commitment, and leadership. I know that our girls and adult volunteers will do so again in the wake of this tragedy.

Sincerely,
Anna Maria Chávez
Chief Executive Officer
Girl Scouts of the USA

GSUSA Financial Literacy Study

May 10, 2013

Girls feel optimistic about their financial futures, yet are less than fully knowledgeable about essential financial principles and instruments, from using credit cards to establishing good credit, according to a new report by the Girl Scout Research Institute. And just 12 percent of the girls surveyed say they feel confident in making financial decisions.

The study, Having It All: Girls and Financial Literacy, comes out at a time of continued economic uncertainty. The study, which surveyed 1,040 girls ages 8 to 17, found that girls are averse to debt. However, in order to avoid debt, these girls say they need more education about how credit works. In fact, nearly 4 in 10 girls say they don’t know how to use a credit card, only 38 percent know what a credit score is, and just 37 percent know how credit card interest and fees work. Perhaps not surprisingly, a vast majority (90 percent) say that it is important for them to learn how to manage their money.

”Girls know that becoming financially literate is important,” said Anne T. Hogan, CEO of Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay. ”Yet the research tells us that too many girls lack the confidence needed to become financially independent and responsible citizens.”

This generation of girls is financially empowered and independent. A great majority believe gender is no barrier to what they can accomplish financially, and they envision a future family structure where they are fully engaged in financial decision making and planning. When it comes to financial capability, 7 in 10 girls say both men and women are equally likely to be financially responsible (73 percent) or in a lot of debt (72 percent).

We're pleased to announce our 5 Boxes for 5 Skills contest winners from our GS Cookie Program:

Bob Johnston – Wilmington, DE
Jeff Bossi – Newark, DE
Patricia Turner – Denton, MD
Melissa Johnson – Hurlock, MD
Matt Brelia – Dover, DE

(Contestants were entered into a drawing to win 2 cases of cookies when they purchased 5 boxes at a GS Cookie Booth.)

Congratulations Graduates

Congratulations to our Girl Scouts who will be graduating from high school this year. It is our hope that you will want to continue and share your experiences, passion and knowledge whether it be working directly with girls or behind the scenes. You don’t have to make a big time commitment to make a big impact. You are exactly the role model that girls are telling us they want. If you would like to continue in this way, please email Renee Naughton or call 302-456-7150.

Also, if you will complete your Girl Scout Gold Award by June 30, 2013, please fill out the Delmarva Power Foundation Scholarship Form and return it to Sharisse Borst postmarked no later than July 17, 2013.

GSCB now offers online registration. Join today!

Join SU 34 June 1 at Camp Todd for a "TRY-athalon" to benefit the Family Partnerhsip Campaign. Register today!

June 1

Take Flight!

June 4

Volunteer Info. Session

June 22

Geocaching Adventure

June 22

Canoeing Basics