Friday, February 26, 2016

Mililani Senior Girl Scout shares builds community gardent as Sow What Take Action project

Senior Girl Scout Kira Hunkele from Mililani shares her completed Sow What project with GSH council below. 

Preparing the land for the garden. 
Kira learned of a community service program facilitated through the First Circuit Court to make teens who have gotten into trouble with the law complete community service projects to pay back their crimes to society. Through the service, the participants learn skills to better prepare them for adulthood. When Kira learned of this program, she thought it would be a great take action project for the Sow What journey, where she could make a lasting difference.  
She planned an organic vegetable garden, researched nutritional value of individual plants, and the planting information. With the help of her mom, she made a month-to-month calendar to leave behind along with printed materials for classes as new people are brought through the program. Kira taught the instructor about each plant and explained details for caring for them. She worked with members of the Construction Management Association who were also looking for ways to help the center. 
Building the frame

They helped her clear the land, and build wooden sides that were used to frame the garden. They helped her empty bags of organic material to build depth and add nutrients into the garden. She then planted the seeds, showing the instructor what to do, and how to care for them. Kira gave a detailed lesson plan from sowing the seeds to harvesting the crops.   

Kira also received a letter from the Circuit Court of the First Circuit, thanking her for her efforts. 


Garden complete
We at GSH are so proud of all of our scouts for giving back to the community. If you have a story about a take action project share it with us! 

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Service Unit seeking volunteers for Easter egg hunt

Honolulu-Manoa Service Unit is seeking Cadette and older Girl Scouts to serve as volunteers at the Manoa Park Easter Egg Hunt.  10-12 girls are needed to help with this event.  
Who:  Cadette and older
What:  Manoa Easter Egg Hunt & Crafts
When:  Sunday Mar 20th 8:30am-11:00am
Where:  Manoa Park Gym
Address:  Manoa Rd next to Manoa Elem School
Parking:  Free on site
Duties:  Help with crafts and Easter Egg Hunt
Wear:  GS t-shirt and vest and closed shoes

If you are interested and available please contact: 
Karen French at kfrench@honolulu.gov  or 808-768-4622

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Kauai Girl Scout recognized as finalist for Prudential Spirit of Community Awards


Courtesy: Troop 823
Britnee Akau, 15, of Lihue, Hawaii, a sophomore at Kamehameha Schools Kapalama, was named among Hawaii's top youth volunteers of Hawaii 2016 by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism. Britnee was recognized as a distinguished finalist for her impressive community service activities in her community and will receive a Bronze medallion in recognition. 

Britnee is a senior girl scout in Kauai troop 823. She is an avid volunteer involved in numerous service projects, and recently collected and distributed 101 books about Hawaii through her “Gift of Aloha Book Drive.” In addition, Britnee helped combat bullying with presentations to second graders where she shared her personal experiences as a bullying victim. You can read about her project on her website here: http://giftofalohabookdrive.com/. Her projects have also been featured in the Garden Isle Newspaper. In addition she has been recognized as a Violet Richardson Awardee for 2016.
Courtesy: Troop 823

“Prudential commends each of these young volunteers for using their creativity and compassion to bring positive change to their communities,” said Prudential Chairman and CEO John Strangfeld. “We hope their stories inspire others to consider how they can make a difference, too.”

Fellow troop mate Katelyn Akau was also a state honoree in 2015. Britnee and her troop are very active in the community and can be followed on their website: http://girlscoutstroop823.com/ 
We are so proud of our Girl Scouts!
About The Prudential Spirit of Community AwardsThe Prudential Spirit of Community Awards represents the United States’ largest youth recognition program based solely on volunteer service. All public and private middle level and high schools in the country, as well as all Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and HandsOn Network affiliates, were eligible to select a student or member for a local Prudential Spirit of Community Award. These Local Honorees were then reviewed by an independent judging panel, which selected State Honorees and Distinguished Finalists based on criteria including personal initiative, effort, impact and personal growth. For more information about the program and how to nominate a girl next year click HERE.

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Archery and Self-Defense are Here!




For all of those who joined us at the Turkey Circuit back in November and told us that you'd like to see more activities like those you experienced there, this one's for you!

We are once again pleased to be working with the Inner Roar to offer the following series at the Camp Kokokahi YWCA.



Brownie Self-Defense: March 3, March 10 and March 17 (series of 3) from 6 pm to 7 pm.

Junior & Cadette Self-Defense: March 24, March 31, and April 7 (series of 3) from 6 pm to 7 pm

Cadette Archery: March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, and April 7 (series of 6) from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm

Girls who complete the Archery series will be meeting the requirements for the Cadette Archery badge and will receive the badge upon completion. Girls who complete either self-defense series will receive a GSH Self-Defense fun patch.

Registration for these series closes on February 24th, and space is limited. Head to our website to register today!


Thursday, February 4, 2016

Service Project Idea: Jared Boxes

If your troop is looking for a service project idea to do with cookie proceeds, consider the Jared Box Project.

A Jared Box is a plastic storage box filled with small gifts, toys, games, and fun activities. Each box contains items selected for a specific age and gender. The boxes are delivered to hospitals. Jared Boxes provide a special diversion for young patients in emergency rooms, patient rooms, surgical centers, and clinics as they receive chemotherapy and other medical treatments. Jared Boxes bring smiles and laughter and lift the spirits of children in the hospital. There are pictures and testimonials on the Jared Box Project Facebook page

The goal of the Jared Box Project is to lift the spirits of children in the hospital. The boxes symbolize the importance of play and are filled with well wishes, hope, and love. Over 200,000 Jared Boxes have been delivered across the United States. 

Also, thanks to some wonderful supporters, Jared Box will actually give you a donation of $50 for a troop to use to begin making Jared Boxes.   

For more information or to get involved contact: You can call organizer Cindy Kolarik at 814-353-9343 or thejaredbox@gmail.com

History:
The Jared Box project was started in 2001 by the children at Our Lady of Victory School in State College, Pennsylvania to honor their classmate and friend, Jared. Jared was diagnosed with an incurable brain stem tumor in 1999. Jared maintained his sense of humor and the joys of childhood through play. He carried a backpack full of toys and games to all appointments, and questioned why the other children didn't bring toys to their exam rooms. Jared shared his toys and invited the other children to join him in a game of UNO. Jared's battle ended on November 12, 2000. A Jared Box is the gift of play to children in the hospital. Play is important, and a life threatening illness shouldn't interfere with the need to play.


Monday, February 1, 2016

NFL Play 60 Recap

Last Saturday 110 Girl Scouts participated in the NFL Play 60 event at Kapiolani park. Girls particiapted in several quick skills, drills and games lead by professional NFL coaches. Special guest Marcus Mariota came out and participated with the girls, signing shirts in between throwing the ball. GSH wants to thank all of the parents for bringing their girls and the volunteers who were critical to the event including: Anne Rice, Nayda Ramos, Danny Sparrell, Vincent, John and Megan. A big thank you to GSH CEO Shari Chang for passing out all the patches at the end. Thank you everyone! See pictures below from the day.

Girl Scouts of Hawaii Participants


Beautiful Diamondhead in the backgroud. 

Marcus Mariota meeting the kids
KK and Analei