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Get Ready for 2008-2009

Did you know that girls & troops can choose from a variety of fun council-sponsored program events throughout the 2008-2009 year? Girls can register with their troop or individually. For a detailed description of all 2008-2009 events, and to register, visit www.girlscoutsrv.org/programs/programs.htm.

Join Girl Scouts!

You are invited to attend Valley Lake Service Unit's Annual Recruitment Night: 7pm - Wednesday, September 3. This event will take place at Apple Valley Community Center (Multi-Purpose Room), 14603 Hayes Road, Apple Valley. If you live or attend school within the Valley Lake attendance area, we welcome you to come and find out what exciting things lay ahead for 2008-2009!

Interested in Becoming A Daisy Girl Scout?

All Kindergarten and First Grade girls are invited to join in the fun, friendship, and learning while building courage, confidence and character in Girl Scouts. Through small groups (called troops), Girl Scout Daisies develop personal relationships with caring adult volunteers and other girls their age. Girl Scout Daisies go on field trips, learn & sing new songs, play games, participate in community service, enjoy outdoor activities, and make new friends. They build on family and school experiences while having fun with other girls.

  • Daisy Troops begin forming late-August to September.
  • Attend the annual Valley Lake Recruitment Night event Wednesday, Sept. 3 @ 7pm
  • Watch for more information about joining Girl Scouts at your school's Open House prior to the start of the 2008-2009 school year.
  • For additional information, please attend a monthly Leader Meeting (next meeting is Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008 @ 6:30pm at Augustana Health Care Center), read through all of the information on this website, and/or contact our Service Unit Registrar or School Coordinator.

    New! Special Summer Reading Opportunity

    Scholastic's Summer Reading Buzz!  Especially for girls who love to read!   Kids grades (pre)K thru 8, who are interested in an easy summer service project (and chance to win a Disneyworld vacation):   Just read 4 or more books, log your books online, and a book will be donated to a child in need. Here's the link: www.scholastic.com/summerreading/index.asp.

  • Enter April 15 - September 1, for a chance to win a very happy ending!

    Smile, You're on Candid Camera!

    Don't miss the new photos from Valley Adventures Daycamp "All Star Scouts!" If you haven't visited www.FOTKI.com recently, it's time to check out all the great Valley Lake photos from our AWESOME year! Also recently added are shots from the July 4 Parade & June Awards Ceremony. Simply click here to check it out: Valley Lake Photos.   Password is required. (See Terri McArthur if you have not received the password). Note: In keeping with Safety-Wise guidelines, no G.S. photos placed on-line will be identified. (Please restrict the use of our Valley Lake password to leaders, Girl Scouts, and parents of registered Girl Scouts).

    Join Our Service Unit Team

    Here's a great opportunity! If you are looking for a fun way to meet people, network with other Girl Scout parents, and contribute to Girl Scouting--other than or in addition to being a leader, one of the open positions on our Service Unit Team for 2008-2009 is perfect for you! Just check out the Contact Us page for a complete list of Service Unit Team Open Positions. You don't have to be a Troop Leader to join the Team! Any of these roles can be filled by 1-3 adults; some positions may even be filled by a volunteering Troop. Contact team members via email, info@valleylakegirlscouts.org , or Lisa Fix/Terri McArthur, Service Unit Managers, with any questions you may have. Thanks for considering these roles!

    Community Events & Patch Programs for Girls

  • Brownie Try-It: Watching Wildlife (ages 6-9). Dates are Sept 2, 9 or 16 at Lebanon Hills, Sacajawea or Spring Lake Park Reserve; adults free, girls $6 each. To register, check out Dakota County's Spring 2008 newsletter (p. 8); or go to www.dakotacounty.us & search "courses & programs."

  • New! Girl Scout Patch Program: Co-Ops for Community - Valley Natural Foods, Apple Valley, MN. This new patch program teaches girls about the 7 principles of a co-op & involves a fun tour, with free food samples! This "green" program helps girls understand how buying locally grown foods helps our community, and makes them aware of ways in which they can reduce waste & help save the planet. (Sponsored by the National Cooperative Business Association). Just email Valley Natural Foods for FREE activity booklet and to set up your troop's tour now! More info is also available in Valley Natural Food's April/May 2008 "Co-ops for Community" newsletter.

    On-Line Registration Forms

    Get a jump on registering your Girl Scout before those busy Summer & Fall schedules squeeze your time! Here's a link to the new, 2008-2009 girl & adult registration forms on the River Valleys website: www.girlscoutsrv.org/join/join.htm; plus access printable versions of the Girl/Adult Health History form, Troop Information sheet & more.

    Updating Troop Insignia - REMINDER
    If your troop still hasn't gotten around to updating their Troop numerals ('5's & '0's, as needed, to be placed in front of old St. Croix Valley Troop #), and GSMWRV ID strips for sashes/vests, please pick them up at the Council Shop (St. Paul Service Center). There is no charge if you are a re-registering troop. If you have questions, please refer to the FAQs on the River Valleys website or call 800-845-0787.

    Council Website Change

    Please note that the former St. Croix Valley website, www.girlscoutscv.org, will no longer be in use as of June 1, 2008. The new website location is: www.girlscoutsrv.org

    You've Gotta Go . . to our Monthly Leader's Meetings!

  • Want to know what events are being planned for troops? Looking for leadership opportunities for girls? Want to get some training or learn new things to use with your troop? Want to be ready for cookie sales? All of that and so much more will be covered at monthly leaders' meetings.

  • Meetings are held the first Thursday of the month @ 6:30pm. The first leader meeting of the upcoming 2008-2009 year will be Thursday, September 4. Mark your calendar now!

    Meeting Location Augustana Health Care Center (across from Paideia, off 147th between Cedar & Galaxie); we meet on the Lower Level (use elevator near main desk & please sign in and wear a Visitor's Badge)

  • Note on parking at Augustana - click here for more info: Leader Meeting Parking
  • Check out the Info for Leaders page to read up-to-date meeting minutes.
  • Share Your Troop's Talents, Accomplishments or Projects

    :
    Bring your girls to a leaders' meeting to hold a flag ceremony, discuss their recent service project(s), or teach us a song! We want to APPLAUD our Girl Scouts, so there will be time at leaders' meetings for girl participation. Contact Lisa Fix or Terri McArthur to get your troop on the meeting's agenda!

    What's New?

  • SWAPS on our Site, that's what! Check out the Idea Incubator page of this site for even more great Girl ideas . . . and don't forget to submit your own!
  • Don't forget to head over to the Links page of our site for crafts & games ideas, plus other helpful links.
  • Valley Lake is all about ideas, fun & 'what's happenin'! All upcoming events are discussed in detail at our monthly leader's meetings.

    Can We Talk? - We have three main avenues of communication within our Service Unit:

    • This Web Site - It's always available and it's updated OFTEN. Make sure to check frequently for up-to-date announcements, & to find flyers & registration for MANY troop activities/events throughout the year.
    • Leader's Meetings - Held the first Thursday of each month, Sept. through May, at Augustana Health Care Center, off 147th across from Paideia (new location). Usually they start at 6:30pm and last one hour. These meetings are a great way to meet and learn from other leaders in our area, ask questions, get answers first-hand.

    Be sure to check out the Info for Leaders and Calendar links on our site, too, for more Girl Scout info.

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