Marissa H. and Elizabeth D. have a lot in common. Both Girl Scouts are busy High School students with Girl Scout Leader moms who decided to became iGirls ...but for different reasons. Marissa H. became an iGirl when she entered High Technology High School in Lincroft, NJ. High Tech High is a pre-engineering career academy. The school's rigorous, specialized curriculum combined with sports activities did not allow Marissa the time to commit to a Girl Scout troop. Elizabeth D. became an iGirl as an Ambassador Girl Scout when her troop disbanded. A Senior at Point Pleasant Boro High School, Elizabeth is taking honors and AP classes, is involved in three sports, and is applying for colleges and scholarships this year. Both iGirls remain active in Girl Scouts by doing activities with and/or helping out with their Leader Moms' younger troops.

Marissa and Elizabeth have both received the Bronze Award when they were part of a troop. Elizabeth also earned the Silver Award. She finished the prerequisites for the Gold Award. Unfortunately, with her hectic schedule she did not complete her project. Both girls would like to see a summer camp program designed for busy students in which they could earn their Silver or Gold Award and 'just for fun' activities aimed at high school girls.

Seniors and Ambassadors:
Let us know what types of programs you would like to see offered! 
 

The results of the council's latest delegate Open Space workshop are available for you to review. You are encouraged to read about the issues delegates thought were important to the council as well as the responses from council staff. The link also includes the results of previous open space sessions, allowing you to track the council's progress on various issues.

The Open Space approach helps groups create inspired meetings and events. The idea is simple. People often have great conversations during coffee breaks, but those discussions rarely take place with the same intensity during the meeting itself. Through the Open Space process, participants create and manage their own agenda of parallel working sessions around central themes of strategic importance. The end result is always improved communication, creative solutions, enhanced collaboration, and increased productivity.

Click here to go to the page with the latest open space information, as well as reports from previous sessions.

The February 1st deadline is fast approaching to turn in your nominations for Council awards, and the March 1st deadline for Shore Pines Region awards is not far behind. If you need forms or more information, you can access them all right here! A drop down menu under FILES can be accessed on the toolbar - click on Council/Region Award files - for any Council nominations you wish to make. Click on Shore Pines Region files, then Shore Pines Regional Awards Nomination Form/Booklet - for any Regional nominations you wish to make. Send your nominations, or at least the names of those well-deserving volunteers, to Kelly McGraw, Director of Volunteer Development, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Don't forget to send Kelly McGraw a list of any of your Girl Scouts who will be celebrating their 10th year of Girl Scouting this year.  They will receive their 10 year membership pin from Council.

Thanks, Kelly McGraw

Cadette Troop 171 enjoyed a GSJS horse back riding program at the Chariot Rider’s indoor riding arena this week. The program was awesome! It was equally suitable for the girls who had ridden before and those who had not. The troop learned horse-grooming, leading, riding, and earned the new Animal Helpers Badge in the process. The girls highly recommend this program. For those interested, March starts a new set of horse programs. They are listed in the new Shore Things and on line. If you have any questions about any of the new outdoor programming please contact Michelle Masarik. Take a look at Troop 171's Horse Program photo gallery!

Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors are invited to Carnival on Saturday, February 4th and 25th! Enjoy games with prizes, face painting, and nail art. If this sounds like fun to you; then the Carol Kubida Carnival is the place for you to be! All the games are created and run by our own Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors. Carnival Day is a fundraiser for the Carol Kubida Fund, which provides financial assistance to older girls for larger trips. In a few years, you might benefit from the fund, so come out and join in the fun while showing your support. Snacks and drinks will be on sale. Click here for more details and to register!