National Girl Scout Realignment Update

In the midst of realigning our seven councils in Northern Wisconsin & Michigan's upper Peninsula we may wonder how the national realignment process is going and where are we are in the stream of things.

The creation of an efficient and effective organizational structure, utilizing the realignment process, means moving to a national system of high-capacity councils that will best serve girls. As one of the Core Business Strategies to revitalize the Girl Scout Movement, realignment is well underway across the nation. The vast majority of the 280 councils slated to realign have either completed realignment or are in the midst of it.

Council Spotlight

When Girl Scout councils merge, the circles of opportunity and resources for all girls expand. Each month we will highlight one of the seven merging organizations to learn more about our sister councils.

Girl Scouts of Woodland Council

We implement our mission through traditional troops, outdoor activities, camps and enrichment programs, as well as outreach programs in targeted settings where youth need us most – in shelters, under-resourced schools and communities and migrant family programs. As a proud community partner, GSWC specifically addresses 23 of the 40 recommended Developmental Assets for Youth into all its programming – helping build the positive relationships, opportunities, values and skills that young people need to grow up caring, healthy and responsible.

We currently have about 300 troops operating within our jurisdiction and in the past two years we have seen significant growth in our outreach programs. Throughout this program year alone, over 700 girls participated in approximately 100 Girl Scout enrichment programs. Our program department runs over 50 council-sponsored programs per year, and this past year over 4,000 girls and their family members participated.

Our council-sponsored programming is based upon the latest youth development trends as well as issues facing our girls, under the umbrella of the Girl Scout Leadership Development Program. Program focuses have included healthy living, staying safe, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), life/coping skills, and other current topics.

Over 500 girls were served last year through our summer camp program offerings. Most were held at our 60-acre camp, Camp Sacajawea. Camp offered girls a special place to participate in a broad range of experiences, from sports, arts and self-expression to horseback riding, leadership training, self-discovery, confidence and friendship.

We're in our third year of a property improvement plan and have recently completed several large new cabins (thanks to a generous donor and with the help of the Wisconsin National Guard), a primitive campsite, and updates to our four year-round lodges. Other Camp Sacajawea amenities include a treetop observation deck which was designed and built by a GSWC alum for her Silver Award project, themed hiking trails, a butterfly garden and spacious platform tents.

Our annual Teen Banquet is among our most cherished council wide events, and is a great embodiment of Girl Scout principles. The event is girl-driven, a wonderful example of the girl-adult partnership, and the girls truly discover, connect and take action. Teen girls come together twice a year from all over the council to get to know each other and choose a banquet theme. They then plan, make decorations and favors and, finally, put it all together on the day of the banquet. Our 2007 Teen Banquet was truly special as we not only honored our 18 current Girl Scout Silver and four Girl Scout Gold Awardees, but we welcomed back central Wisconsin's very first Golden Eaglet Awardee (1934), Mary Ellen Daly. Mary Ellen joined us from Texas and was escorted by her niece, the actress Tyne Daly. Mary Ellen told stories of her remarkable experiences such as becoming the first female drum major in the Big Ten, becoming one of the the first female Lieutenant Colonels in the Air Force, meeting US Presidents, traveling abroad to support women's movements, and even riding her bicycle from Wisconsin Rapids to Iowa one summer. Everyone in attendance was inspired by Mary Ellen, especially the teen Girl Scouts. We are already looking forward to next year's banquet!

As we look forward to the realignment with our fellow councils we strive for the best utilization of our resources to effectively serve the Girl Scouts of Northern Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula!

Girl Scouts Together!

While we are officially becoming a new council in 2008, the seven merging councils have already begun working together. Each month, Realignment News will highlight a collaborative project.

Collaborative Project...

Want to find out more about national realignment?

Visit: http://www.girlscouts.org/strategy, GSUSA's Core Business Strategy Web site.