Happy January everyone! I’m excited the sun is coming back and for all we have scheduled for Girl Scouts this month.
Cookie season got off to a great start with cookie rallies in Anchorage, Juneau, Wrangell, and more, and at troop meetings statewide. We also had a fun Virtual Rally with over 60 girls statewide. A fun time was had by all, and for the first time in a long time it really felt like we are getting back to “normal.”
By the time you read this, we will be getting ready to turn in our cookie order to the baker. Sometimes, this process can be a little overwhelming, so if you need any help, please reach out to us and we can talk you through it! You can also watch our quick and handy video in gsLearn for help.
Even if your girl’s troop isn’t selling cookies, your Girl Scout can participate on her own. She can do Digital Cookie, which entails emailing/sharing out a link to friends and family, and she can sell person-to-person with cookies from the council. You can find everything you need to know about getting started here or contact us and we’ll help. Don’t forget, I buy a box of cookies from every Girl Scout who asks me. So, have your girl send me her link! For those of you not in the Anchorage area—I will still order from your girl and send to the Red Cross donation, so this offer is councilwide.
Even though we’re a little closer to “normal” than in the past few years, we still have one small hurdle with cookies this year. Because of nationwide shortages on ingredients, our bakers are a bit behind on getting cookies made. We will still get our cookies! The difference this year is that customers can’t order for cookies to be shipped directly to home until February 27. This is also the same date the new, yummy Raspberry Rally will be available to order online. We’ll keep you updated as these dates come closer.
We’re excited for girls to meet their goals and have fun. Remember, every dollar earned from cookies helps to fund troop activities, girls going to camp, membership, and camperships. Proceeds allow us to scholarship every girl who needs help becoming a Girl Scout and it helps us to provide camp for every girl at a price below what it costs us to run camp.
Speaking of camp! The Camp Catalog is out for summer 2023. You can sign your Girl Scout up starting February 1. Because we expect to sell out Girl Scout camp this year, Girl Scouts of Alaska members get first dibs on sessions on the 1st. The general registration for everyone else will start on February 7. We encourage you to be ready on the 1st so your Girl Scout gets in. Again, we’ll send you some reminders as we get closer to the date.
We have a lot going on this spring in addition to cookies, so be sure to check out our events page regularly.
I think most of you saw the announcement that I am leaving GSAK later this spring. It was a hard decision for me to make because I love working for Girl Scouts, with the volunteers, and especially the girls! But one day I woke up and realized I am 62 and I want to travel a little bit more, spend more time with my sweet mom, and work less. I already have trips planned to London, Copenhagen, Venice, and Croatia, and I can’t wait to see more of the world. The GSAK Board of Directors is working with the Foraker Group to find a great replacement. I know the next CEO is out there and will be a great addition to GSAK. Watch for the position link in early February and please consider sending it on to an amazing leader or applying yourself! You’ll hear from me several times more before I actually step out, so be sure to get in touch if you have any questions!
Leslie
