Waltham Girl Scouts: GSEM Links
Here's a link to the website for the new Council, Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts. (The web address is www.girlscoutseasternmass.org).
Girl Scouts of Eastern Mass Program Catalog for 2011-2012
This link takes you to the current listing of all the programs and events being offered by GSEM. You can search all of the available Council programs by following this link. In order to register online for these programs, you need to use the new Troop Management system. (See the link below for more info on that.)
GSEM Troop Management Online
This link takes you directly to the new Troop Management login page, where you can manage your troop's information, register your troop for Council events, and register yourself and other adults for training. The first time you arrive at this page, you will need to create a username and password to manage your troop. After that, you can log in anytime to register for Council programs or training or to re-register your troop during Spring re-registration for the upcoming Girl Scout year (2012-2013).
GSEM 100th Annivesary Web Page
Click the link above for GSEM web page with information on the upcoming 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts (1912-2012).
Click the links below for info on specific 100th Anniversary Council events:
For the Forever Green Party for the Planet on April 22, 2012, at Franklin Park Zoo.
For the All TogetHER Volunteer Celebration on April 28, 2012, at the UMass Boston campus.
> Click here for the Volunteer Celebration Agenda.
For the Forever Green Camporee on June 1-3, 2012, at the Barnstable Fairgrounds (tent camping for J/C/S/A).
For the Forever Green Festival on June 3, 2012, at the Barnstable Fairgrounds for GS of all ages and their families.
GSEM Training for Leaders and other Adult Positions
Here's the link to the updated training schedule for 2011-2012. From here, you can search all of the available training by dates, category, or locations, and you can also register for training online.
Volunteer Essentials Guide
This is the new Volunteer Essentials guide for 2011-2012 that contains everything volunteers need to know about leading a troop, going on field trips, what forms to fill out, etc. It's a 79-page PDF from the GSEM Council website.
Council Forms and Resources
This link takes you to the GSEM Resource Library & Forms page, which lists categories of forms that you need to fill out for various activities, awards, and troop record-keeping. (Click on "Troop Management" for the Girl Scout Activity Form, the GS Permission Form, CORI form, Troop Treasury Report, and Volunteer Agreement Form; click on "Camp" for the Campsite Reservation Form; click on "Awards" for the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Award forms, the Adult Recognitions form, etc.) Many of these forms are available under multiple categories.
Safety-Wise Checkpoints for Activities
This links to a list of safety-related documents that leaders need to read and fill out before their troop participates in activities such as arts and crafts, troop camping, hiking, hayrides, horseback riding, canoeing, etc. This is all updated information that replaces the old Safety-Wise Handbooks.
Bridging Requirements for Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, etc.
Click on this link to go to the GS USA website and a list of the specific bridging requirements for Girl Scouts to bridge from one level to the next. Girls must complete the requirements in order to receive the bridging patch for their level.
Outdoor Properties Guide: Cedar Hill
This link takes you to the Outdoor Properties Guide for the Cedar Hill Campground in Waltham. From this page, you can also check on other campsites and cabins for all of the campgrounds run by GS Eastern Mass by clicking on the drop-down list under "More Properties."
Troop Campsite Availability Listing
This link will take you to the list of all the campsites and cabins and show you the availability. Note that this is updated only every so often. You need to call the Council Office directly to get more up-to-date information (Diane Huxley at 617-350-8300 x5302). See the link below for the Troop Campsite Reservation Form.
Campsite Reservation Form
Click here for a PDF of the Campsite Reservation Form, which you need to fill out and send in to book a cabin or campsite. Once you have reserved the campsite, you need to fill out a Girl Scout Activity Form online. You must have at least one certified Troop Camper and a separate person who is certified in First Aid/CPR in order to go camping.
Council's Own Badges and Patches
Here's a link to information about the GSEM Council's own badges and patches that were developed within the Council (Brownie Try-its, Juniors Badges, Cadette/Senior/Ambassador Interest Projects, etc.)
Insignia Placement
This GSUSA site explains where to put all the badges, patches, and insignia on vests, sashes, etc., for girls at all age levels.
Certificates of Liability: Horseback riding, hayrides, etc.
Here's a link to the GSEM list of companies that have certificates of liability on file with the Council. That means that they are approved facilities/companies that we can use for field trips (horseback riding, hayrides, rock climbing, canoeing, etc.) or for renting a bus.
Girl Scout Museum at Cedar Hill
This link takes you to information about the Girl Scout Museum at Cedar Hill.
HistoricWaltham.org
Here's the official website for all sorts of information on Historic Waltham Days 2009.
MakingFriends.com
This is a great website with lots of ideas and supplies for Girl Scout crafts and badge kits for all levels (Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, etc.).
Waltham Food Pantries
This link provides information on the food pantries in Waltham. The local pantries are always looking for donations and help. Good service project ideas.
Cradles to Crayons
This link takes you to Cradles to Crayons, a non-profit organization in Quincy that takes in donations of clothing, toys, and school supplies for homeless and low-income children in Massachusetts.
Whale Watch Cruise
Click here for a link to a whale watch company out of Gloucester, Capt. Bill and Sons, who offers a Girl Scout rate for their cruises ($15 a person, instead of the usual $41 for adults and $25 for children under 16). Troop 1834 went on a cruise with this company in June 2007, saw 7 whales, and had a fabulous time!
Origami Website
Here's a link to a really cool origami website: www.origami-club.com/en/. Be sure to include "/en/" in the web address (or else the site opens in Japanese!). The instructions for each piece of origami comes in diagram form or animation (which is really easy to follow). Navigate to "Fun Origami" and then click on "Balloon" for instructions for the piece we made on Girl Scout Sunday 2008.
