This truly is one of our most beloved programs. If you missed out on Omaha or North Platte’s artVenture – there is another opportunity this weekend in Lincoln.  Here are few of the art pieces that will be up for auction; beautiful works of art created by professional artists and girls, who teamed up with the pros.

Sunday, April 28, 2012

3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Lied Center for Performing Arts, Lincoln

Cost: $20 per person
Call 402.430.1208 for ticket information.

Yours in Girl Scouting,

Erin Huerter

When I think back to my younger years, I know now that I definitely wish someone would have helped me figure out finances. Finances are not something that most adults feel comfortable talking about – so it only makes sense that girls are feeling some of that same level of discomfort.

Girl Scouts is leading the way once again with their awesome curriculum.

So, what I want to know is do you and your girlfriends want to know more about financial literacy? Leave me a comment and let’s get something set up!  We also have a Financial Empowerment packet that you can have for FREE.  Just leave me a note and will give you the tools!

Yours in Girl Scouting,

<3 Erin

– Author unknown.

Volunteering can be an amazingly fulfilling opportunity. It’s a time when usually one discovers not what they are doing for others, but what others are actually doing for them. That’s the beauty of volunteering: it’s a balance of giving and receiving.

As we approach ServeNebraska Week of Service, April 22-28 – I am reminded of how many volunteers it takes to run an organization like Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska. It’s a lot. And because of those volunteers, are able to make a difference in the lives of thousands of girls and young women throughout the state.

So, here’s to the late-night troop meeting planners, the all-day camp extravaganza leaders, the make-you-feel-better when you’re down mentors, the quick stop for ice-cream drivers and the compassionate, humble, allies who are inspiring our future (girls!) to be the thoughtful, impactful leaders of tomorrow.

Here’s to you!

If you’d like to join the elite ranks of a Girl Scout Spirit of Nebraska volunteers, contact Sheena Kennedy by email.

If you want to know more about ServeNebraska, visit their website today!

I wanted to send a shout out to program specialist, Lori Williamson, for believing in it and for putting it together each year – several times per year. I asked her a little bit about the program and this is what she told me:

“This Saturday, Girl Scouts will gather at the UNO Durham Science Center for another Magic of Chemistry experience.  This popular STEM program, a partnership offered by UNO and Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska, is in its fourth year.  The program is for Junior Girl Scouts and rotates yearly between The Case of the Unsigned Letter (a CSI-style forensic science mystery) and Fun with Polymers.  Both are full of hands-on lab experiments and lots of fun. Each fall, a Cadette level workshop, the Chemistry of Color, is also offered and Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors are encouraged to sign up as Junior Lab Assistants for the Junior-level programs. “

And we I asked Lori about the benefit to girls and to Girl Scouts, she said:

“Magic of Chemistry programs get girls onto a college campus where they can start to envision themselves, in the not-too-distant future, experiencing STEM programming in a fun and interactive way and meeting female college students pursuing careers in science.”

I have heard the quote before that “you can’t be what you can’t see” and these types of Girl Scout programs bring that idea to life. Thanks Lori, and Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska, for giving this opportunity to our girls!

Check below for 2013-2014 dates.  Workshops fill quickly so be sure to register early! Visit our website for more details and registration information.

October 12, 2013
Chemistry of Color-UNO (Cadette)

November 9, 2013
The Case of the Unsigned Letter-UNO (Junior)

Spring, 2014
The Case of the Unsigned Letter-Chadron State College (Junior)

April 5, 2014
The Case of the Unsigned Letter-UNO (Junior)

The Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts and Chicago artist, Theaster Gates, along with other sponsors, are currently working to develop a community project known as: Carver Bank.

From the press release:

 “In Gates’s unique practice, the building is a sculpture, which emerged from listening to, and imagining the needs of artists and residents in North Omaha. ‘I want to create a place and find a group of people who can create solutions for North Omaha internally,’ said Gates at the onset of the project. By inviting diverse individuals to work together, Gates proposes to create an urban anomaly that highlights existing gems of knowledge within North Omaha.”

Also in the press release, Omaha Mayor Suttle, continued, “I am excited by Carver Bank’s potential to reinvigorate North 24th Street and transform it into an arts and cultural hub. By fostering local talent and bringing unique programming into an underserved area, I am confident that Carver Bank will have a positive impact on North Omaha and the city as a whole.”

It seems appropriate that our Mayor would describe the project, much like I would describe my work in the Outreach Department here at Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska: “fostering local talent and bringing unique programming into an underserved area…”

This newly emerging collaboration between Girl Scouts and Carver Bank will become more defined as the work develops.  Currently, we are looking to add this as a new Outreach site and meetings will begin this summer, if all goes according to plan. Other plans include the use of this site for field trip destinations and possible programs for Girl Scouts in our council.

Carver Bank has many facets unrelated to our collaboration. To learn more about the entire project, please visit the Bemis Center website.

You may also want to attend the opening tomorrow evening.  Come to Carver Bank, 2416 Lake Street at 6 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

That’s right, it’s the week of Great Plains (Omaha) service center’s 10th anniversary of artVenture! Since 2003, the artVenture program has spread across the state and has grown by leaps and bounds. Our website says it best, artVenture is:

“One of the most beloved and popular programs offered by Girl Scouts… [the] creative expression, arts education-based leadership program provides girls with the opportunity to collaborate with professional artists to create an original work of art. Girls work alongside artists throughout the entire process; from conception through completion. Through this process, girls learn the value of healthy self-expression, teamwork and collaborative problem solving. These works of art, along with additional pieces donated by professional artists, are then sold at a silent auction from which all proceeds benefit Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska.”

This year in Great Plains there were 743 girl artists, 45 collaborating artists – 73 total artists, including those that simply donated their own art.

My department was able to participate this year on a few collaborative pieces between three troops and several artists. Here are some photos of the three collaborations that I was a part of as well as a few of my personal favorites:

Check out our website for more information about this year’s event and also to see the art that will be available for purchase at this year’s event. Join us if you can, it will be an exceptional and rewarding evening for ALL!

I am more proud than ever to stand with Girl Scouts as well as all girls and women around the world.

To learn more click here. Also watch for more from us at Spirit of Nebraska as the curriculum becomes available to us.

Selling cookies is the quintessential Girl Scout experience. I have worked for Girl Scouts for nearly five years and this is my first year helping girls sell. I must say – I have been missing out!

I had the opportunity to sell at a Cookie Booth this week with troop 84240. There is really no way to be truly ready for a Cookie Booth your first time around. How to set-up, what to bring, where to hang the signs, who pulls the orders and who takes the money? But, let me tell you, adults just have to sit back and double-check the change being counted back – because the girls will take care of it in their own perfect way.

I know that selling cookies is more than making money. It’s about the girls building the 5 essential skills; goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics. I have learned about them over the years – but this was my first year seeing it in action. My expectations were shattered, because really the girls in Girl Scouting have done a great job of keeping the organization’s secret. The secret that I had never even heard whispered – until I realized it this week. I almost dare not share – but I can’t help it! Selling cookies is really fun! A blast even!

And honestly – in my opinion, there should be one more skill building aspect to selling cookies. The 6th skill: trying to contain pure delight, pride and excitement in front of customers when they decide to buy 8 boxes, instead of 4… especially when you’re 7 years old! The moment those customers walked away – the turn around, fist clench “yessssss…” was the perfect ending to the transaction. Made me smile every time.

Break time!

By the end of the night, the girls were tired – and told me that they now understand why their parents are so tired when they come home from work. Which is a lesson well-learned when you are young. Working is hard – being successful and attaining goals can take a lot out of you. The troop should be very proud, they attained their goal of selling 200 boxes. Big money for those of little stature!

So, to each of you girls and young women out there this month selling cookies – I applaud your efforts – and feel honored to now have joined the elite ranks of Girl Scouting in our quintessential practice. :0)

Yours in Girl Scouting,
Erin

No one is better positioned or qualified than Girl Scouts to address the challenges of today’s girls. But we can’t do it alone. Your gift of $101 will support general financial assistance (50%) and camp programs (50%) for girls in the Spirit of Nebraska Council AND, the dollars raised in each Service Area will directly benefit the girls who live in that area. With your help we will reach our goals for girls to ensure that we provide the Girl Scout Leadership Experience to all girls who want to participate in Girl Scouting.

To read more and to make a donate, please visit our campaign website.

Congratulations on your successful project – this is going to make a difference in the lives of so many. We look forward to seeing you at a Girl Awards ceremony this year, Breanna!