Volunteer Connections by Girl Scouts of Nassau County

This is a true story shared by one of our Program Specialists. One day a girl asked me, “ What do Girl Scouts really do? ” She said “I know they sell cookies, go camping, make crafts and they do nice things for people. Why do I have to become a member to do any of those things, especially when one of those things is just being what you should be…helpful?” I am not sure if she expected the answer she got, but I do know that she did not want to be convinced or cajoled. She wanted the facts. I am sharing the facts with you as I did with her at the start of the summer. This past school year girls from all over Nassau County participated in programs where they explored the barrier islands and dissected dog sharks at the Sports Fishing Alliance Center. They learned proper archery form at C & B Archery; having seconds to prepare for a target game that challenged their newly acquired skills. More than 180 girls prepared themselves for summer jobs by earning their Babysitter badge ...

Meet the “Golden Girls” of Girl Scout Troop 520 of Girl Scouts of Nassau County. Not only have most of the girls been together since Daisies, but 10 of the 11 girls earned the Gold Award this year— and the 11th is currently waiting for final approval on her completed project. Connie, mother and adult Girl Scout Volunteer, has led her Troop of girls from Girl Scout Daisies into mature Girl Scout Gold Award honorees. “I watched these girls grow up. It’s an amazing commitment on their part — they have stuck with the program since they were in kindergarten. To watch their progress has been an amazing experience,” said Connie, whose daughter, Amanda was one of the recipients. “Most Troops don’t stay together; many groups shrink after the girls enter middle school or high school,” Fratianni-Wysota said. “With high school graduation, tests and getting ready for college, it takes a lot of effort to do this.” Congratulations to Connie and girls on a job well done! Learn more a...

We have an exciting year ahead! Throughout 2016, we will celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Girl Scouting’s top award, the Girl Scout Gold Award. Across our Movement and over the years, millions of alumnae have earned the Golden Eagle of Merit, the Golden Eaglet, the Curved Bar, First Class and the Gold Award. Over one hundred of our girl members are currently working to attain the Girl Scout Gold Award. During this centennial year, we will focus on the many benefits of earning the Girl Scout Gold Award. According to the GSRI study Girl Scouting Works: The Alumnae Impact Study (2012), Girl Scout Gold Award recipients reap greater benefit from their time and experiences in Girl Scouting than non-alumnae. Comparatively, these individuals display more positive life outcomes pertaining to sense of self, life satisfaction, leadership, life success, community service, and civic engagement. Girl Scout Gold Award recipients represent our most successful and engaged—and happiest—Gir...

This Thanksgiving, Girl Scouts of Nassau County gives thanks...  We are thankful for our Family, Friends, our Girl Scouts, our Girl Scout Volunteers, and all those who many Girl Scouting and the Girl Scout Experience possible! 

If you were to ask a non-Girl Scout what Girl Scouting is about, what would they say to you? Cookies? Crafts? S’mores? Well, we’re here to tell you, Girl Scouts is way more than Cookies, Crafts and S’mores! In a recent study of nearly 2,000 Girl Scout alumnae, 49 percent described “camping trips” as one of the most positive aspects of their Girl Scout experience—ranking it just behind “fun” and “friendships with Girl Scouts.”   (GSRI, 2014) This comes as no surprise when you consider that Girl Scout camp gives girls a chance to have FUN with both OLD AND NEW FRIENDS ! The Girl Scout Research Institute’s latest report, More Than S’mores: Successes and Surprises in Girl Scouts’ Outdoor Experiences , discusses how Girl Scout Camp not only keeps girls active, but gives girls the opportunity to spend time in nature which provides “novelty and challenge, which further enhances leadership skills.”   (GSRI, 2014) Camping is considered the number-one most memorable outdoor...

Did you know that April 22 is Girl Scout Leader and Volunteer Appreciation Day? Well... It is! This is the time of the year when Girl Scouts say "Thank You" to volunteers that give their time and share their skills through the Girl Scouting Movement. So, for all you do for Girl Scouting, we thank you!  This past weekend, GSNC held the annual Adult Recognitions  Ceremony where we recognized volunteers who were nominated by their Girl Scouts or fellow volunteers for going above and beyond. Terri DellaVecchia was honored for 70 years of volunteer service and membership to Girl Scouts and Ethel Carlson was honored for 50 years of volunteer service to Girl Scouting. Girl Scouting would not exist without volunteerism and the conviction that one’s leadership will positively impact the girls that are mentored and they in turn, will take action to make the world a better place.  We are humbled by the passion of women like Terri and Ethel; both wives, mothers, grandmother...