Girl Scouts are thinking outside the box!

Click here to see them on CBS!

Bright shiny girls!

Our outreach team is so wonderful. From mounted police to rollerskating rinks, the girls are treated to a week of fun and friendship. But it doesn't stop there! These sparkling girls even had safety courses and are certified in CPR. Wow! You go, green girls!
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Phoenix Rising

"Phoenix" is Mary Jessup's camp name. "Click Chick" is mine. Our Camp Director is more widely known as "Skipper" than by her given name. This is part of the culture at camp ... and it's fun. But don't let the fun fool you. There is serious business going on as well!

As Channel 6 featured today, Girl Scouts are serious about taking care of girls. Safety is paramount and we take great pride in knowing that our Camp Counselors are fully trained to handle emergencies. Today's feature? Weather. Are Girl Scouts prepared? You bet!

Phoenix is a great example of growing up a camper and rising to the challenge of leading and protecting younger girls ... you can hear her sound byte on http://www.newson6.com/ or read the story. Click here to go directly to the story.

'Tis the Season ...

... for camp! I can't tell you how many times I have heard adults say that they had no idea what they were learning while they were growing up in Girl Scouting. But as real life challenges start to surface in adulthood, the skills they learned as young girls with their Girl Scout troop begin to surface. Teamwork. Cooperation. Determination. Problem solving. Self sufficiency. These young girls may think they are just carrying water. But step by step they are building their future.

Our Class Rocked!

A group of brave women joined me for the first class I have taught in years. They were WONDERFUL! We talked about creating Web sites, considering alternatives to traditional sites, safely sharing news online and being COPPA compliant. I demonstrated some of the easy (not to mention free!) options available with alternatives like blogs - and took a photo of them with my phone, emailed it from my phone to this blog, and showed them their photo online immediately. What fun!

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Zandra and the United Way

Engaging, gregarious and full of life, Zandra charms everyone she speaks to during a video shoot for Tulsa Area United Way. She spoke about what being a Girl Scout means to her. Born with a rare medical condition, Zandra has to overcome many challenges that the rest of the world never things about. She was born without ribs. While you would think that would keep most people from enjoying life, Zandra has not let it slow her down one bit. In fact, she is one of our top cookie sellers! Zandra admits it is her favorite time of the year, and she thoroughly enjoys selling cookies. But above and beyond the thrill of the sale, she talks about how Girl Scouts is her chance to be around other girls and do all the exciting things Girl Scouts do. Her troop meets weekly (led by her physical therapist) and the three nurses that provide constant care also provide "taxi service" and make sure Zandra is part of everything the troop does.

Zandra's story is heartwarming and challenging, which warms my heart in and of itself. But something surprising melted my heart while we stood in Woodward Park waiting for the shoot to begin. She looked up at me, eyes sparkling, "How is your summer going?" She asked and she really wanted to know. Her pure curiosity broke through the world of busy schedules, no-time-for-others lifestyles, and other adult and work pressures. I stopped and realized that I couldn't recall anyone asking me that question, (and I don't know that I had asked anyone else, either). "Why thank you for asking," I said, "I don't know that anyone has asked me yet!" I can't remember what I mumbled initially, but I tried to tell her what I still feel at this moment ... "My summer is definitely brighter after meeting you!"