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exclusively for leaders and volunteers
Time to pick up your troop's
Girl Scout Cookie initial order! Forget your location or time? Contact the GSCV Help Desk.
February 1, 2023
Edition

In this issue

  • Cookie Program
  • Program Events & Activities
  • 2023 Summer Camp
  • Training Opportunities
  • Black History Month Patches
Cookie Program
Change in Cookie Drive Thru location in Fredericksburg.
The cookie drive thru previously scheduled at the Fredericksburg Expo on Thursday, February 16th has been moved to the Ron Rosner YMCA located at 5700 Smith Station Rd, Fredericksburg VA 22407. When entering the Y parking lot turn to the right and head towards the playground or where the cookie cupboard is normally located.
The launch of the new Raspberry Rally cookie has been an incredible success. Our girls are perfecting their digital skills and customers are loving the new flavor. Due to this success, the Raspberry Rally will be temporarily unavailable on the Smart Cookie Direct Ship site. We anticipate it being available again February 10th. Please note this is a change from the original anticipated return date of February 6th.
Are you scheduling booths on your own for your troop? Remember to enter those in Smart Cookies so they will show up on the Cookie Finder site. Listing them in Smart Cookies enables your troop to use Smart Cookie credit card processing for electronic payments at your booth.

When scheduling your troop's booths, keep in mind guidance from Girl Scouts of the USA. Certain locations may be inappropriate for young girls based on the standards of your local community, may negatively impact the cookie program experience for girls, and/or may negatively impact our brand in your community. For clarity, girls should not sell in or in front of establishments that they themselves cannot legally patronize. For this reason, GSCV does not approve cookie booths at breweries, wineries, and dispensaries.

To enter your troop secured booth in Smart Cookies follow the steps below:
·      Log into Smart Cookies
·      Click on Booth at the top of your dashboard
·      Click on Troop Secured Booths
·      Enter the location with the complete address
·      Enter the day and time of the booth
·      Click Save
Each booth will need to be approved by a member of the GSCV staff before it shows on the Cookie Finder site or as a booth in your troop listing. Booths are approved daily.
The first-come first-serve cookie booths are currently live in Smart Cookies. On Thursday, February 2nd at 1pm the minimum number of booths a troop can sign up for will change to four booths. We will continue to add more booth locations as they become available so be sure to check back with Smart Cookies regularly. Initially, we limit troops to one booth, so everyone has a chance of getting one. Then we expand the amount a troop can sign up for as we add more opportunities.
To register for one of these booths follow the steps below:
  1. Log into Smart Cookies
  2. Click on Booth at the top of your dashboard
  3. Click on Schedule Booth
  4. Select a booth out of the available opportunities
Below is an update on the status of some of our community partners and cookie booths:
Stores Troops Can Contact to set up cookie booths:

Kroger (except Willow Lawn)
Dunkin Donuts
Sam's Club
Tractor Supply
small locally owned businesses
Stores who are currently not allowing booths to be scheduled - Troops should not contact them:

Wawa
Kohls
Target
Publix
Stores working with the council for booth opportunities - Troops should not contact them:
will be available in Smart Cookies- first come/first serve.
Walmart
JoAnne Fabrics
Triangle Rock Climbing Club
GNC
Food Lion
7-11 Travel Center (Colonial Heights)
more updates coming
2023 Important Cookie Dates
As you plan your troop 2022/2023 membership year, these are the most important cookie dates to assist in your planning.
February 15th-22nd
Traditional deliveries (rural communities)
Thursday, February 16th
Cookie Drive Thru in Fredericksburg
Friday, February 17th
Cookie Drive Thru in Richmond
Saturday, February 18th
Cookie Drive Thru in Chesterfield
Tuesday, February 21st
Cookie Cupboards open
Wednesday, March 15th
First ACH draft (50% of initial order)
Friday, March 31st
Final day of cupboard operation, last day of program
Tuesday, April 4th
Second ACH draft (balance due) and Reward orders due in Smart Cookies by Troop Leaders
Program Events and Activities
It’s time for another Real Life Academy session! Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors are invited to register for the February 16th “Thrifting your Way to a Better World” virtual event. This session will talk about the adverse environmental impact of fast fashion. Learn tips for thrifting and repurposing your way to a better world and cute closet.
STEMazing with
Mad Science
On March 18th, come have a STEMazing time with Mad Science at Camp Pamunkey Ridge. Girls will conduct experiments at different science stations. Make your own bouncy ball and receive a Mad Science patch to take home.

Black History Month Celebration
 “I’m A Girl Scout!”
Fun Patch
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements and contributions of the African American and Black communities—a time (though not the only time!) for emphasizing the central role of this varied community throughout U.S. history.

Number of activities required to complete the patch: Daisy (3) • Brownie (4) • Junior (6) • Cadette (8) Senior (10) • Ambassador (12)

Here are three of the many activities you can do this week to celebrate and work towards getting your patch!

  1. Draw a map of the African continent and label the countries that comprise it.
  2. List five Black women scientists, along with a sentence (or more!) about the work of each woman.
  3. Learn about traditional African dance and drumming from the country of your choice.
Girl Scout Program Age levels welcome to register for each program activity featured are indicated by a letter for the level.
D - Girl Scout Daisy (K-1)
B - Girl Scout Brownie (2-3)
J - Girl Scout Junior (4-5)
C - Girl Scout Cadette (6-8)
S - Girl Scout Senior (9-10)
A - Girl Scout Ambassador (11-12)

Family Events!
Sporting events are right around the corner and now we have dates! Be on the lookout for more details soon in S'more News.

Fred Nats – May 3rd 
Girl Scout Night at the Diamond – June 2nd
Tri-City Chili Peppers – June 16th
Richmond Kickers – July 1st
Bring your hot chocolate and join other Girl Scouts for a walk through the park.
Fast fashion is having an adverse impact on our environment. Learn tips for thrifting and repurposing your way to a better world and cute closet.
For girls ready to try out an overnight campout, spend the night in the cabins at Pamunkey Ridge and practice camp fundamentals.
For folks ready to just dip their toe into what camp has to offer! Ease yourself outdoors with a fun filled day where girls will get to try their hand at canoeing, classic camp crafts, and learning to cook a basic meal over the campfire. This day event is perfect for anyone interested in beginning to explore outdoors!
2023 Summer Camp
2023 is here and you know what that means – camp season is fast approaching! We are excited to share with you the 2023 Camp Book, filled with exciting new offerings and classic camp fun. As you plan your summer break this year, consider giving the gift of summer camp! Each session is a chance for campers to learn new skills, make new friends, and gain self-confidence all while having boatloads of unplugged fun in the great outdoors.

Registration opens Wednesday, February 15th, 6:30 p.m. We hope to see lots of you at camp check-in this summer!
Training Opportunities
Beginning Camping Training
Pamunkey Ridge
Let's get your troop outside! The Beginning Camping course is designed for leaders and troops who have little camping experience and want to take their troop camping. Upon completion of this course, you will be certified to take your Girl Scout Troop on a camping trip in the backyard, in a permanent structure such as a cabin at a state park, or Girl Scout Camp.

The course follows progression in the outdoors and is specifically designed for Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Leaders.

We can't wait to see you at training! This course takes place in a single day with a required prep video to watch prior to training. You will be sent the video after registration is completed and processed.

Beginning Camping Training:
May 6th | 8:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.
Camp Pamunkey Ridge
Registration closes Monday, April 24th.

Intermediate Camping Training
Camp Kitty
Required Prep Session (two locations* will be offered - choose the location that is most convenient for you):
March 21st | 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. | metro Richmond
March 23rd | 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. | metro Fredericksburg
*Each Prep Session option requires a minimum of six participants to be held.

In-person training session: March 31st-April 2nd
starts 9:00 a.m. Saturday - ends 1:00 p.m. Sunday
(Friday night is optional) | Camp Kittamaqund "Kitty"

Time to get outdoors! The Intermediate Camping Course is designed for leaders and troop volunteers seeking to take their troop tent camping. Registration closes Tuesday, March 14th for Intermediate Camping Training.

Paddlesports training (canoe, kayak, paddle boarding)
April 15-16, 2023, at Pamunkey Ridge
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. both days

By taking the Canoe, Kayak, and Standup Paddleboard (SUP) Certification, you will become certified to bring this experience to girls in your troop, service unit, and special events! Certified adult instructors are required for Girl Scout canoeing, kayaking, and SUP. Space is limited so be sure to register right away! You will receive an email from the trainer with details regarding what you will need to bring the day of the training. Register today! 
Paddlesports training (canoe only)
April 29, 2023, at Pamunkey Ridge
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

By taking the Canoe Certification, you will become certified to bring this experience to girls in your troop, service unit, and special events! Certified adult instructors are required for Girl Scout canoeing activities.

Space is limited so be sure to register right away! You will receive an email from the trainer with details regarding what you will need to bring the day of the training. Register today! 
Black History Month Patches
February is here, and it's time to celebrate Black History with these fun patches both at $1.50. Call or stop by the retail shop to purchase.

Fun Patches are a great addition to the Girl Scout Experience! Keep in mind, all fun patches are unofficial and must be placed on the back of a tunic, vest, or sash. Don't let the "Fun" stop there! Add fun patches to a favorite bucket hat, tote bag, and so much more! Earn as a troop or self-discover on your own.
Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia
804-746-0590 • 800-4SCOUT4 toll-free

office hours: Monday - Friday | 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

shop hours: Monday - Friday | 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Saturday | 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Sunday | closed

S'more News is an e-publication for troop leaders and other volunteers
of Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
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