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DECEMBER PROGRAM UPDATE

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ELGIN COMMUNITY TOY DRIVE:

Sybaquay Council is once again a co-sponsor of this community event. Troops or individuals who would like to donate new, unwrapped toys may bring them to the Girl Scout Center during regular business hours from now to Monday, December 17. Suggested price range is $5 to $25. Toys are needed for children from newborn to age 16. Each child receives 2 toys and a total of 5,000 toys are needed.

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WORKSHOP REGISTRATION OPENS JANUARY 2

Registration for council-sponsored workshops/events in February through May begins January 2, 2008.

Please be sure to look in the description of the event for:

1. Appropriate age level (Please do not register Junior Girl Scouts for Brownie events and vice versa. Activities are based on level recognitions and age appropriateness.) 2. Type of registration (troop/group or individual). If an event states registration is on an individual basis, troop/group registrations will not be accepted.

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CHANGES TO PROGRAM BOOKLET LISTINGS

Page 18:  Magic for Muggles, Location is Epworth United Methodist Church, 37W040 Highland Ave., Elgin (corner of Highland and Randall).

Page 20: Professor Presto's Magic School, Location is Epworth United Methodist Church, 37W040 Highland Ave., Elgin (corner of Highland and Randall).

Page 21: Outdoor Cook Badge workshop time change, it will now take place from 12:30 to 2 p.m.

Page 22: Movin' On Up Overnight, date has changed to April 11-12, 2008. All other information remains the same.

Page 22: Snoozeum @ The Museum of Science & Industry, Date is Friday, April 18 to Saturday, April 19, 2008.

Page 37: Program Aide Training, Sat., Feb. 9 is at the American National Bank, Sycamore (corner of Bethany Rd. and Rt. 23).

Page 37: Program Aide Training, Sat., April 5 is at the Girl Scout Center, Elgin.

Page 38: Program Aide Enrichment: Outdoor Skills and Education is at Russell Woods Forest Preserve, Genoa.

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2008 SUMMER PROGRAM

Thank you to everyone who completed the summer program survey sent out in November. Your input was very useful in determining summer program in Sybaquay. Watch your mail in late January/early February for the summer program flier. It will include information on summer program events as well as summer camping opportunities.

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2008 GIRL SCOUT LEADERSHIIP INSTITUTE (GSLI) Live HEALTHY Lead HEALTHY October 29-30, 2008

The 2008 Girl Scout Leadership Institute (GSLI) (formerly Girl Congress) is part of the leadership experience for girls in grades 6 -12, designed to develop and hone their leadership skills, provide an opportunity to discuss key health issues relevant to them and engage in a fun and interactive learning environment with peers and adults. Sponsored by Girl Scouts of the USA and Girl Scouts of Central Indiana, Inc., the GSLI will be held on October 29-30, 2008, in Indianapolis, Indiana, prior to the National Council Session.

Over 2000 girls from across the country and the world will have the opportunity to participate in this unique and exciting event. As part of this leadership experience, girls will have the opportunity to engage in a myriad of workshops in an environment that fosters inclusion and pluralism. Workshops will focus on key health issues identified by girls (e.g. eating disorders, stress management, etc.). With experts from these fields leading group sessions, girls will be provided a safe space to discuss ideas and issues that are important to them. Through participation in these workshops girls will identify ways the information is personally relevant, as well as strategies to take action back in their communities.

GSLI will offer two workshop tracks for girl participants: a middle school track (grades 6-8) and a high school track (grades 9-12). Girls will attend workshops they have selected from five different categories:

o physical health

o emotional health

o diversity/global issues

o advocacy

o physical activity

In addition, workshops will be provided for adult advisors/mentors who accompany girls to GSLI. In order to further the connectedness of the learning by all participants, they will mirror some of the topics offered to girls. In addition, adults will have an opportunity to learn about the new Girl Scout Leadership Experience. 

The registration fee for the institute is $125. Additional fees would include travel to and from Indianapolis, hotel stay for a minimum of two nights and food, as well as possible registration fee to attend one or more days of the National Convention.

Sybaquay Council will be registering a delegation of girls and adult chaperones to attend this event. Members of this delegation must be willing to develop, and participate in, strategies to put into action what they learn upon their return.

Girls and adults interested in representing Sybaquay Council at this event should contact Kay Flavin, director of program via e-mail (kay@gs-sybaquay.org), fax (847-741-5667) or mail (GS-SC, Attention: Kay, 12N124 Coombs Rd., Elgin, IL 60124) by January 21, 2008. Please indicate if you are an adult or girl member, your name, troop number or individual girl, mailing address, e-mail and phone number. Indicating interest does not guarantee participation. An application process will be conducted.

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NANOTECHNOLOGY SCOUT EVENT

What Do Scientists Do? What Is Nanotechnology? How Small Is It? How Big Will It Become?

Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturers get an up-close view of how exciting discoveries are being made in science at the world premier International Institute for Nanotechnology. Learn about nanotechnology and meet the young (not much older than you!) scientists doing much of the research in this awesome new field that is widely viewed as the most significant technological frontier currently being explored (http://www.iinano.org/). 

Institute scientists will give participants an introduction to nanotechnology and lead hands-on activities using nanomaterials, small group discussions, and lab demos of atomic force and electron scanning and tunneling microscopes, lasers, and chemistry wet labs.   

The 6th annual All Scout Nano Event will be held at Northwestern University, Evanston, IL on Saturday, March 8, 2008, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Activities are geared for Girl and Boy Scouts in grade 8 and up. To reach as many Girl and Boy Scouts interested in science as possible we suggest a maximum of 5 per troop. And yes, adult leaders can learn much at this fun event too!

Cost is $10 per person and includes a pizza party with the scientists and an event patch. For more information contact Boy Scout Troop 309 leader Mike Kleppinger at m.kleppinger@sbcglobal.net.

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REFUND POLICY

As stated on page 51 of the Program Booklet, "refunds will NOT be given to troops or individuals who cancel or fail to attend. A refund will be made ONLY if a participant cannot be placed in a program of her choice or if the program is cancelled."

The following changes are being made to this procedure: Refunds will be considered only if the request is made prior to the event in writing (e-mails to kay@gs-sybaquay.org, fax to Kay at 847-741-5667, or, if time does not allow, a phone message followed up with a written letter. If sending an e-mail, make sure "Girl Scouts" appears in the message subject line.) Any refunds requested and approved will be subject to a minimum $5 processing fee (per person). Refund requests will be reviewed at the end of each month and, if approved, refunds will be mailed mid-month. Refunds will be made to the person who made the original payment. So if a troop check was used to make the payment, the refund will be sent to the troop.

Please remember that often refunds are not possible due to supplies already being purchased or, in the case of workshops conducted by outside resources, payment is based on number registered not number attended.

When requesting a refund, include the following:

"    Name and address of participant(s) registered for the event

"    Name and date of workshop/event

"    Reason for requesting refund

"    Name of person requesting the refund with phone number

Incomplete requests will not be considered.

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Patrol System/Patrol Leaders.

Patrol systems can be very rewarding and education at the same time.

Girls are not aware but they are learning responsibility and having fun at the same time. 

 Patrol systems can also make your life as a leader easier…because by the time the girls reach

Cadettes they will be planning on their own and you will be the advisor.

Patrols are made up of small groups in the troop (a great way to get away from the

 “clicks”). One person is elected to be the patrol Leader. This position should be rotated through

out the year so that everyone in the Patrol has a chance to be the leader.

Patrols may come up with a special color, name, or symbol to represent them. 

The Patrol leader should have something to wear to signify that she is the leader,

whether it be a scarf  or a sash, and it should be in that Patrol’s color,

or some how made to signify the patrol.

Patrol are used to assign different things. examples would be with younger

girls: opening, closing, cleanup etc. As they take on more responsibility,

the patrol may be responsible for the food for a campout, permission slips, cleanup,

decorations for a party, etc.  Once they are 3^rd year Juniors, the Patrols may be responsible for

planning the different parts of the meeting; badge work, craft, refreshment. Etc.

Court of Honor is for Patrol leaders, Leaders, and troop officers if you have any. 

You should 1^st meet with your court of honor to come up with the agenda or

 decisions that will need to be taken back to the Patrols.

Once the Court of Honor has met…the Patrol Leaders will go back to the patrols

and discuss the agenda. The Patrol Leader will lead the discussion with the

Patrol and  bring the results back to the court of Hon

Patrol systems are an exciting way to watch the girls grow and become responsible young ladies.

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Kapers

A Kaper, simply put, is a job or chore that must be done. In Girl Scouting, this generally involves a "kaper chart" which indicates all of the jobs available and who is responsible for each one. This may be done with patrols or individual girls. Below is a sample of a weekend camp kaper chart. Each flower represents a patrol. Notice that each patrol gets a chance to do each job in this ideal situation.

Kaper	Duties	Sat. Breakfast	Sat. Lunch	Sat. Dinner	Sun. Breakfast
Hostess	Setting table, choosing & leading grace
Fire	Laying, lighting, & maintaining fire, making sure fire safety eqpt. is present.
Cook	Clean, prepare, & serve the planned menu
Clean-Up	Put water on to heat before dinner, make sure dish- wash set-up is done, wash pots.

If the these patrols are only in place at camp, it may be beneficial to have a chart posted at camp with who is on which patrol such as the following:

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Just for those Special Leaders           

You may be a green-neck if . . .

Every Girl Brings With Her A Precious Gift

The Green Angel

Volunteers...God Bless Them

A Girl Scout Leader is Someone Who...

You may be a green-neck if . . .

The majority of your wardrobe consists of GS t-shirts.

You own handbooks for older levels that you (or your daughter) haven't reached yet.

You still have every piece of paper relating to GS that's crossed your threshold.

Your kids have posted your name to a milk carton as missing [when you're actually at GS events].

You have green blood (it's not just for Vulcans).

You've gained more than 5 pounds during cookie time.

Your family eats fast food more than twice a week because of GS meetings.

You can't find last year's tax return but you know exactly where the instructions are for the Christmas angel craft.

You can't say no when an event needs planning.

People stop you at the market to ask how to join Girl Scouting/Guiding.

You always say, "Of course we have room for one more girl."

You never throw out ANYTHING without first thinking 'Could the troop use this in some way?'

You make campfire foods at home and serve them to your family to try out new recipes.

You take paper out of the recycling bin at your office because you know the scouts can use it for their next project.

You buy bizarre craft items at craft stores if they're on sale because you're sure that someday you'll use them.

Any of your kid's old crayons, scissors, glue that they're ready to throw out goes into the 'bucket' for the troop.

Your garage looks like a camp store.

At least one room in your house ALWAYS has some kind of Girl Scout paperwork strewn all over it.

You ask every place you visit if they do anything special for Girl Scouts for tours.

Your son knows all the Girl Scout songs (although he probably wouldn't admit it to any of his friends...).

You know at least 3 other adult members/leaders phone numbers for memory.

You buy things because they are 'girl scout' colors.

You have a recurring nightmare that your awards ceremony is coming up, and you have a pile of patches and badges and no clue who earned them.

Your husband registers as an adult member so he can see you now and then.

You buy office furniture for your home to file, store, and organize all your scouting "stuff"!

People stop you at work to buy cookies...in July...and you HAVE some.

You introduce your daughters by program level.

You buy a pair of slacks or socks because they match the color of your uniform.

You bring your daughter's handbook on vacation to see if you can knock off a few try-it/badge/IPP requirements.

You have your council's phone number on speed dial.

You can't remember a relative's birthday, but you do remember Juliette Low's.

You donate to AFG every year to make sure you can keep your collection of mugs current.

You plan your vacation around the council's day camp schedule.

You not only recruit your niece into Brownies, but get your sister to lead her troop!

You shop at the council store for birthday party gifts.

You save the cores from toilet paper and paper towels, scraps of gift wrap paper and wallpaper, scraps of ribbon, fabric, and yarn, film canisters, and the gold wrappers from Boy Scout candy bars (to make origami flowers). for the Gold Award ceremony.

You ask your colleagues and friends to save any or all of the above.

When attending college you roast mini marshmallows on a paper clip over a candle to make mini s'mores in your dorm room while singing "Rise Up O Flame."

After the hurricane/tornado/earthquake/flood knocks out your power you are happy as a clam cooking for the neighbors with your vagabond stove and cardboard box oven.

It takes a couple of hours to answer when your friends ask you to help come up with an outdoor cooking recipe for the "ladies only" camping trip as you have to have to run through all of your files!

You have a big red S on your forehead.

You have forgotten how to say NO, or how to spell it!

In looking for a new home, you try to find one that has an extra room to store your GS stuff in!!

You design and build a key hole fire place in your back yard. ...for the troop! ...just to practice! ...ok, for yourself.

When you plan a vacation to a different area of the country, you try to figure out a way to convince your husband to side track to the nearest council office for a visit and to check out if they have something your council doesn't have (ceremonies, special patches, etc.).

When, on a weekend hop, you try and convince your partner that you really should go on Thursday, so that you have Friday to check out that council, after you could get lost!

And don't forget to convince him to meet your online friends living in that area!

You beg your husband for the latest computer equipment to use just for yourself so you have more room to add as much girl scout information as you can possibly find on the internet.

You get up real early to check your e-mail for the WAGGGS list and then spend the next hour checking through all your information to e-mail back to those in need of information you have stored somewhere.

The main reason you are on an internet is to find all the Girl Scout information you could possibly want or need. Then you store it on 25 different disks, labeled appropriately (ceremonies, games, songs, websites, etc.) for that time when you need it.

You see the above posted by a true Green Neck and you've got to imprint it into your brain as it's a very good Girl Scout idea to share!!

Neighborhood children come to your house all summer long asking "Got any gimp?" and you always do.

Co workers ask if you've got: an aspirin, a needle and thread, a safety pin...and you always do!

You got tears in your eyes reading the descriptions of the Sing-along.

You were a scout from age 7 to age 18.

You post a message on the patch board late at night and within 20 minutes you have three replies already.

You hear your daughter say to her friend "I don't think we can have computer time tonight because my Mom needs some more patches."

You have a friend get patches from a friend for you to trade from another council, and she is not even a patch trader.

When going on vacation your husband asks if there is a council in the town we're going to, because if there is he knows he already gets time to watch the kids while you "shop".

You work at the Girl Scout office and take two weeks off and wear a different Girl Scout T-shirt everyday.

You carry spare Girl Scout paper work and books in a rubber maid container in your trunk just in case you run into somebody who needs something.

your family has to ask you if there is a meeting you need to attend first so they know what they can plan for the night or week.

You go back and check the issue of WAGGGS-L just to see if there really wasn't a green neck post in that issue.

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You go to a meeting/training and say "I'll see you in two hours" and your husband says "I'll see you in three hours" because he knows you will be there that extra hour just talking to others about Girl Scouts.

You update your home page to put "family" on it because you have a twinge of guilt (from reading the green neck posts) because most of it is Girl Scouts.

Or . . . Your Daughter may be a green-neck if . . .

You find her in her room, Brownie handbook open, learning the Promise in sign language. She tells you (in a tone which implies the simplest person would think of this) she is doing this in case she ever can't talk during a meeting, she can still 'say' the promise!

The only way she will go to sleep is to sing "GIRL SCOUT CAMP" and "LITTLE BAR OF SOAP".