Early Bird discount for resident camp extended to April 15

The early bird discount for registering early for summer resident camp at Camp Marydale and/or Camp Whispering Pines has been extended to April 15. Applications accompanied by a $50 deposit, mailed and receipted in our office by April 15 will receive a 10 percent discount off of their total registration fee. Applications mailed after April 15 will not be eligible to receive the 10% discount. Confirmation packets will be mailed starting April 29.

The resident camp brochures were mailed to all registered Girl Scout households last week, but the information is also available online. Access the information now at  www.gsle.org/camping/residentcamp09.asp

Camp Open House at Camp Marydale is Saturday, April 18, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Open House at Camp Whispering Pines is Sunday, April 19, from 1 to 3 p.m. Camp Open House is a perfect opportunity for girls and parents to explore camp, visit camp sites and receive information before camp begins. No registration to attend either open house is necessary.

Happy Days summer program will be posted on the council website shortly in the activities and events calendar section.

Cookie Sale once again a success

Please join us in both congratulating and thanking the Girl Scouts who participated in the 2009 Girl Scout Cookie Sale and the dedicated parents and volunteers who assisted them in making this year's sale a success.

Tune in to next month's email newsletter for more information about Cookie Sale results, recognitions, and the Cookie Hall of Fame for girls who sold 400 boxes and above.

Council Adult and Girl Recognition Brunch May 9

Support our outstanding volunteers receiving council-level recognition or 20+ years of service, and graduating high school seniors and Girl Scout Gold Award recipients by attending the council’s Recognitions Brunch where they will be recognized for their efforts.  The Brunch is set for Saturday, May 9, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the First Community Antioch Baptist Church, 10860 Highway 3125, in Gramercy. Cost is $15 per person, although brunch is free for those being recognized. Register by April 17 as space is limited. Click here for the registration form.

Sign up for April & May events

Don't miss out on some great council events! Below is a list of activities set for April and May. On the website calendar, go to the appropriate month and day, and click on the link for details including registration deadlines, age levels, times, etc.

4/3 - Elmwood Cheerleading Academy Cheer & Pizza Night (all ages)

4/4 - Closed Ceramics and Clay (Jrs)

4/4 - FULL Swing into Spring (all ages)

4/4 - FULL Louisiana SPCA Girl Scouts Critters Day

4/4 - FULL Brownie Sewing Class

4/4 - Cancelled Program Aide Science, Sports, & Games Training (grades 7-12)

4/9 - Closed Nursing Exploration Day at Ochsner (Jrs)

4/11 - The Show Must Go On (Jrs)

4/11 - Break a Leg (Brs)

4/17-19 - FULL Me & My Pal Weekend (Br and up)

4/18 - Colors & Shapes (Brs)

4/18 - Program Aide Core Training (grades 7-12)

4/18 - FULL Mother/Daughter Beginners Sewing (4th grade & up)

4/18 - Project Learning Tree Day (all ages)
4/18 - Program Aide Event Planning Training (grades 7-12)
4/19 - Orleans Audubon Society Bird Watching Expedition (all ages)

4/25 - Stress Less (Jrs)

4/25 - FULL Wildlife Watching (Brs)

4/25 - Explore Scuba (Cad & up)

4/25 - Program Aide Science, Sports, & Games Training (grades 7-12)

5/2 - Preserving Our Past (Jrs)

5/2 - Program Aide Core Training (grades 7-12)

5/2 - Program Aide Day Camp Training (grades 7-12)

5/16 - Oakley Overnight (Cad & up)

5/16 - NEW Horse Badge Day at City Park's Equest Farm (Jr-Amb)

5/20 - Girl Scout Day at the State Legislature (Cad & up)

5/22 - Me & My Pal Weekend (Br and up)

5/23 - Program Aide Day Camp Training (grades 7-12)

5/29 - Girl Scout Family Night with the New Orleans Zehprs (game is all ages, sleepover is for Jr - Ambassador troops only)

5/30 - Twilight Paddle (Jrs & up)

Council Annual Meeting held

This past Saturday Girl Scouts Louisiana East held its first council Annual Meeting, in which council voting members (comprised of Board Members, non-board members of the Board Development Committee and Service Unit Delegates) elected the board (Officers and Members-at-Large), Board Development Committee members, and Board Delegate Core Committee members. Attendees also met the Girl Scouts of the USA’s national board chair Connie Lindsey (the highest ranking Girl Scout volunteer in the country) and heard various reports on state of the council, stewardship, etc.

The slate of board nominees included Melinda Bourgeois, second vice chair; Peggy Armstrong, treasurer; Patricia Day, Ann LeBlanc, Myrle LeBlanc, Darnell Waites, Tammy Woods, Margie Loud Zeno, members-at-large; and Board Developing Committee non-Board member Lois Holden. For a complete list of board members including continuing members click here.

Board Delegate Core Committee members are Carolyn Breaux, Andrea Duroncelet, Aline Jacobs, Sherry Hymel and Jodie Laurent. Committe chair is Melinda Bourgeois.

Check out Troop Spotlight

Thanks for all of the great photos!  Your photos may appear in the Troop Spotlight page on the website which is updated every 2-4 weeks, and we are presently working on the Spring issue of the GSLE Connections newsletter.  So keep getting those photos in to the communications department, attention Marianne Addy. If they don't make the spring issue, they'll be set aside for the summer newsletter.

Summer Training

There will be two special Saturday training days in June to help Girl Scout volunteers prepare for the 2009-10 Girl Scout year.  Register online soon because only a limited amount of spaces are available. 

Click here for course information.