Amgen Foundation Grant Funds Girl Scouts "Forever Green" Program

The “Girl Scouts Forever Green Program,” providing STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) activities focusing on water conservation was launched this summer, thanks to a generous grant from the Amgen Foundation! The program’s goal is to educate and inspire girls living in Ventura County to protect water as a critical resource.

This global effort encourages girls to take action to improve the environment and protect natural resources. 

The Forever Green program is enabling 1,300 Ventura County girls to participate in the ‘Girl Scouts Forever Green Program’ and will help promote a life-long curiosity for science, technology and conservation issues.

For more information please click: Forever Green Program press release.

Melissa Baffa Explores the Ocean Depths Aboard E/V Nautilus this August!

For the second year in a row Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast’s Melissa Baffa, VP of Program and Volunteer Services, will be boarding the E/V Nautilus this summer to explore the ocean depths along the Pacific Coast. 

Melissa has been chosen as Lead Science Communication Fellow for 2016 by the Ocean Exploration Trust (OET). As part of her fellowship, Melissa will be joining the expedition from August 1 through 14 to help promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) based research to the public, including nearly 11,000 girls belonging to GSCCC. 

Melissa and members of the Corps of Exploration will search the deep sea off the coast of Southern California. The Nautilus will be exploring all along the coast of California, including stops in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary & more. 

Got questions? 

You can send them to Melissa in real time as you watch a live dive! Melissa and the crew will participate in a live audio commentary followed by Q&A sessions via www.NautilusLive.org, while aboard the ship. 

Get dive alerts by following the team on Twitter at @EVNautilus!

Tour the E/V Nautilus in person in San Pedro (July 22) or in San Francisco (August 17). Spots are limited - visit the GSCCC Events calendar and register today!

Tune in to KVTA 1590 between 8-9 am on July 23 to hear Melissa talk about the expedition.

For more information, follow us online at www.NautilusLive.org, on Facebook and Instagram at NautilusLive, and on Twitter as @EVNautilus.

September 15 "Fork It Over" Event to Benefit Camp Arnaz!

Save the Date! 

Plan to bring your friends and sample savory appetizers and the sweetest desserts inspired by Girl Scout Cookies and made by noted chefs as Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast hosts its second annual fundraising event “Fork It Over” on Thursday, September 15.

This cookie culinary competition and fundraiser will feature recipes by noted chefs from some of your favorite local restaurants, caterers, and food trucks! Wine, beer and spirit tasting stations will be featured throughout the venue for guests to sample. The evening’s finale is a cookie culinary competition with recipes from renowned chefs from popular Southern California restaurants, caterers, and food trucks. A panel of judges will select the best creations and guests can vote on their favorite entry for the “People’s Choice” award. Guests will also enjoy a silent auction. All proceeds will benefit the Camp Arnaz Program Center on the outskirts of Ventura, toward Ojai.

Since Camp Arnaz was dedicated in the early 1980’s, tens of thousands of Girl Scouts have enjoyed the benefits of a camp experience. GSCCC’s goal is to raise money to modernize Camp Arnaz facilities, including the lodge, cabins, restroom buildings, and several rain/shine picnic shelters.

Funds from events like “Fork It Over” will also add new programs with features such as low ropes courses and additional environment and science activities. What a delicious way to support a great cause!

The event will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Palm Garden Hotel in Thousand Oaks. Tickets are $60 per person.

For information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.forkitovergsccc.com or call (805) 232-3988. For more information on Camp Arnaz, please visit www.girlscoutsccc.org/arnaz.

Friday, June 17 GSCCC offices will be closed

GSCCC offices will be closed Fri, June 17 for our Quarterly All Staff Meeting. The GSCCC retail shops will also be closed (per their normal schedule).

If you need to reach Council on Friday, please call our after hours number: 800 340-7179. Our website (including the online store) will also remain available http://www.girlscoutsccc.org

Fill a Vital Community Need

Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast is filling a vital community need.

It’s the place for girls to have fun and try new experiences such as turning ordinary household items into robots, convincing the mayor to install a swing for special-needs children in a park, having a first camp-out, kayaking, or hiking Pinnacles or Channel Islands National Parks along the central coast.

We want every girl to be excited about the adventures she’ll have with us that she can hardly wait for it, because she knows she can do anything she sets her mind to.  That feeling starts with parents who encourage their daughters, and volunteers who are role models.

    

Committed volunteers – consisting of parents and guardians along with community volunteers – are the heartbeat of Girl Scouting.

Think it's a full year commitment? Think again! Whether you volunteer for one hour or one year, you’ll have fun and feel great knowing that you have helped build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

Get started year-round.

Contact us at either www.girlscoutsccc.org/join and complete the volunteer interest form, or email info@girlscoutsccc.org and a volunteer membership manager will get in touch.
Your time as a volunteer will provide girls the free and safe environment they need to pursue interests, causes, and leadership roles that are most important to them. And, Girl Scout volunteerism is a great opportunity for parents to have awesome experiences with their daughters.


Come and  join the fun! 

What's New - June GSCCC eBulletin

JUNE 30 DEADLINE FOR EARLY BIRD RENEWAL & TROOP CONTEST

GET this colorful EARLY BIRD PATCH for each girl you renew!

• GSUSA Membership Fee is $15 for the 2017 year
• Use Troop Management to renew memberships
• Early Bird Renewal is a requirement for Honor Troop 

*NEW* EARLY BIRD TROOP CONTEST 

 - Your troop will be entered into a drawing (10 troop winners), to be reimbursed for 2017 annual girl member dues. If you want to enter the drawing, by June 30 you must:

• Renew all returning members (Girls & Adults) with complete information
• Request the 01/Troop Leader position
• Enter ALL fields of 2017 MY Troop Meeting Information. Click for detailed contest requirements.

  SUMMER IS A GREAT TIME TO START A NEW TROOP  - How? Have a  new Daisy patrol at Day Camp. Have your Older Girls help to lead a new younger troop as a fun summer activity. Need more ideas or help? Contact your Service Unit Community Liason or Membership Manager.  

 

A MESSAGE FROM NATIONAL CEO

Innovating on Behalf of Girls 

As the first and largest girl-led organization in the world, we continue to evolve our unique leadership program and implement new technologies and ways of work to enhance the Girl Scout experience for girls, volunteers, and parents. To ensure resources to support the mission, Girl Scouts of the USA's National Board has decided to increase the annual membership fee to $25, starting on October 1, 2017, for both girl and adult members. Read letter from Anna Maria Chavez, GSUSA CEO here... 

 

GSCCC TO MIGRATE WEBSITE  In September, GSCCC will join the movement of councils to a national web platform for a more streamlined and consistent user experience. The new website will be mobile responsive -meaning easily viewed on all devices. GSCCC members and prospects will benefit from national content feeds for the mission, history and campaigns that unify the brand voice of Girl Scouting while also being able to interact with content unique to GSCCC for events, activities, forms, etc. Questions or feedback relative to the migration, contact: Tammy tgentry@girlscoutsccc.org

CADETTES/SENIORS/AMBASSADORS, DO SOMETHING "CONSTRUCTIVE" THIS SUMMER AT ARNAZ Attend a unique one-week hands-on camp which teaches basic skills, such as carpentry, electrical, plumbing, painting, and masonry! Spaces Limited. Register TODAY: GSCCC Events Calendar DEADLINE: JUNE 30.   Held at Camp Arnaz, Monday, July 25 - Friday, July 29 from 8:00am to 3:00pm. Open to 13 year old Cadettes and up! Cost: $120. Financial Assistance available.   Construction Camp is sponsored by GSCCC and the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC). ADULT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR CONSTRUCTION CAMP You don't need to be handy with a hammer or wrench, but camp needs your extra hands to oversee what the girls are learning. And you might learn a thing or two as well. We can use your help, even if you can't attend all week. Cost: No cost to adult volunteers. REGISTER BY JUNE 30 GSCCC Events Calendar   Questions? Contact: Amanda ahofmann-handy@girlscoutsccc.org  EXPLORE THE OCEAN LIVE AGAIN THIS SUMMER! From August 1 - 14, GSCCC staff Melissa Baffa is aboard the E/V Nautilus again, exploring the ocean right off our own California coast. Activities supporting this unique experience include ship tours and opportunities for troops and individual girls to "dive deep" alongside Melissa. (Some are listed below.) Watch your email inbox for more details, the GSCCC Events Calendar, and the GSCCC blog.   The season for the E/V Nautilus has already begun. Explore the deep sea LIVE alongside the Corps of Exploration, at  www.nautiluslive.org DISCOVER, CONNECT, AND TAKE ACTION UPCOMING PROGRAM EVENTS The following is a partial listing of the many programs going on in the coming months. Visit the GSCCC Events Calendar for more information, and to register! Hooked on Fishing, June 4, Ventura National Trails Day, June 4, Pinnacles National Park Wilderness Skills Workshop - Wild Edibles & Useful Plants, June 11, Arnaz California Painting, June 11, Monterey Program Aide Core Training (PACT), June 12, Hollister Photography, June 18, Monterey Dodger Baseball game, July 10, Los Angeles Dive DEEP with Bob Ballard and Friends, July 13, Santa Barbara Dive DEEP - tour the E/V Nautilus!, July 22, San Pedro Dive DEEP - tour the E/V Nautilus!, August 17, San Francisco Questions? Contact: Amanda  BACKPACKING BASICS WITH REI - SPACES STILL AVAILABLE IN OXNARD & SANTA BARBARA REI will take the mystery out of Backpacking in this show and tell session. The event will cover backpacking essentials: choosing a pack; selecting proper clothing; the right footwear; and understanding the basic gear you need to reach your destination. No experience necessary! June 18 - Oxnard June 25 - Santa Barbara Register via GSCCC Events Calendar .  Questions? Contact: Amanda ahofmann-handy@girlscoutsccc.org   KALEIDOSCOPE 2017  A weekend  camporee for Junior, Cadette, Senior and Ambassador Troops that includes outdoor skills challenges, tent camping, fun & friendship.  Planning has begun. Committee Members Needed!  Committee meetings will be held monthly at the Goleta GS office. Needed: Set-up/Tear-down Coordinator and Supply Master.  Questions? Contact: Volunteer Co-Chairs: Marsha Hill,  thehills@sbceo.org  or Holly Nishida,  gollyholly@aol.com . As you get ready to gear-up your girls for this event, make sure to checkout the outdoor supplies in our summer catalog.   We love seeing pictures of the girls going on their reward adventures. Please share them at media@girlscoutsccc.org.  PRESIDENT'S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD (PVSA) recognizes individuals, families and groups that have achieved the required number of hours of service over a 12-month time period, or, for the Lifetime Award, more than 4,000 cumulative service hours over a lifetime.  All PVSA service hours must be verified by a Certifying Organization, and the Certifying Organization orders and pays for award merchandise to recognize volunteers satisfying Award requirements. Girl Scouts of California's Central Coast is a certifying organization for the PVSA.    To learn more or to register your volunteer hours click here.  Want to designate GSCCC as your Certifying Organization? Contact programs@girlscoutsccc.org.  ADULT TRAINING A variety of training opportunities are offered throughout the year. Some upcoming trainings include:   CPR/First Aid Training, June 4, Salinas   Register via  GSCCC Events Calendar   Questions? Contact programs@girlscoutsccc.org      THANK YOU AGAIN   to all our Volunteers, Parents and Girls who participated in the Cookie Program. We had an amazing season, despite some issues. Your feedback for continued improvement is very important to us. Please take a few minutes to complete the following   2015 Cookie Program Survey  to all our Volunteers, Parents and Girls who participated in the Cookie Program. We had an amazing season, despite some issues. Your feedback for continued improvement is very important to us. Please take a few minutes to complete the following  2015 Cookie Program Survey COOKIE REWARDS Troop 450+PGA and 750+ Super Seller events have been scheduled. You should have received either tickets or confirmation of your trip. If you have not received confirmation or contact information, please call Carol Chavez at 805-232-3977 or email cookies@girlscoutsccc.org  Beach Towel Back Order Update: ABC Bakers has begun shipping beach towels; Service Unit Cookie Chairs should be receiving them this week. We placed an order with ABC for those who reported shortages in recognition items, including the number patches, and expect those to ship by June 15. Questions? Contact cookies@girlscoutsccc.org SHARE YOUR COOKIE SUCCESS STORY WITH GSUSA Was your booth a work of art? Did your troop exceed its goals or, do something that made the world a better place with the money you earned? Have a parent or troop leader tell us all about it!  Every year, Girl Scouts across the country do amazing things with the money they earn selling cookies. We want to show everyone how Girl Scouts are changing the world! Got a great Girl Scout Cookie story to share? Have a parent or troop leader submit it today, by July 30, 2016, for a chance to be featured throughout the year on girlscouts.org, the Girl Scout Blog, our Facebook and Twitter pages, and more.  JUNE IS GREAT OUTDOORS MONTH Whether it is camping, hitting the waves or taking in a hike - you'll be ready for any adventure with gear from our summer catalog.   FATHER'S DAY Remember that special Significant Adult Male in your Girl Scout's life.  This is a great opportunity to thank male troop volunteers and dads.   NEW GIRLS' CHOICE BADGE REQUIREMENTS  will be available for download on the Girl Scout Shop online store website on JUNE 3 .  Downloads for both last year's Outdoor and the new Art in the Outdoors badges will be *FREE* until July 1.  After July 1, the price to download will be $0.99. CORE PRODUCT PRICE INCREASE  GSUSA will implement a price increase on core products, effective Friday, July 1, 2016. Products affected by the price increase include Girl Guide Books, Uniform Insignias, Pins and various uniform items. View price list.  Shop now before the price increase goes into effect. You can shop online, visit our council shops or email your shop order form to shop@girlscoutsccc.org. BRIDGING AND AWARD SEASON IS HERE! Bridging and Starter Kits are ready for your troops.   COUNCIL SHOPS Castroville Shop: 10550 Merritt St, Castroville, CA 95012 Come visit and check out the new store layout. Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Wednesday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Ventura Shop: 1500 Palma Drive Ventura, CA 93003 Closed June 6-10   Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Wednesday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM   Council Shops will be closed for walk-ins in July ADDITIONAL WAYS TO SUPPORT YOUR COUNCIL SAVE THE DATE! SEPTEMBER 15 - SECOND ANNUAL FORK IT OVER EVENT Mark you calendar now to attend this amazing culinary adult fundraising event benefitting the modernization of Camp Arnaz Program Center in Ventura. Being held at the Palm Garden Hotel in Thousand Oaks, notable chefs will prepare savory and sweet morsels with a key ingredient of Girl Scout Cookies for a delectable culinary competition and super fun evening supporting Arnaz. Learn more here... sponsorships and tickets available now!   AMAZON SMILE SUPPORTS GSCCC AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support GSCCC every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at  smile.amazon.com , you'll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to GSCCC. On your first visit to AmazonSmile , select Girl Scouts of California's Central Coast to receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping. Amazon will remember your selection, and then every eligible purchase you make at  smile.amazon.com  will result in a donation.   It's that easy! Questions? Contact Jody jskenderian@girlscoutsccc.org See the full newletter here.