2008 Announcements

• Girls have a ball at the Cheetah Girls Event!

  The Cheetah Girls Movie Night was fantastic!  We had 50 girls register from different areas in Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Howard County.  We even had a couple of Girl Scouts from New Jersey who were on vacation with a relative here in Maryland. Parents were very enthusiastic; we have a group who are interested in helping to put a movie night together every month (if you would like to be a part of this group contact Rita Monroy at rmonroy@gscm.org).  Girls got their faces painted, played games and took photos in front of the Cheetah Girls backdrop.  One of the mothers, who was from India, brought some saris and helped the girls put them on for their photos.  Everyone had a great time learning about Indian culture and Girl Scouts!

• Kathy Cloninger, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of the USA since 2003, is transforming the organization to ensure it remains as relevant to girls today as when it was founded in 1912. GSUSA recently released a fascinating study on girls and their aspirations to leadership. Click here to read the edited excerpts in Business Week of what she sees for the next generation of women leaders.
• Girl Scout Kelley Mason and Mary Louise Preis spoke to Kai Jackson in an interview for On Time about each of their shadow days. Mary Louise Preis is one of the five women to be honored at the Distinguished Award Women Reception on April 3, 2008, she and her shadow spent the day between the State House in Annapolis and Baltimore City. Kelley, who shadowed honoree Sarian Bouma, spent her day at Ms. Bouma's bridal and flower shop and accompanied her as she carried out her hospital ministry. Click here to view the interview. Contact Ellen Lowe for more details about the Distinguished Women's Award Reception.

  Alex Dunbar, Caitlin's father, talks about the new nature center at Camp Ilchester.

• Alex Dunbar, father of Caitlin Dunbar, spoke with the Baltimore Sun about the new nature center opening Sunday, March 9th at Camp Ilchester in Howard County. This Caitlin Dunbar Nature Center is the second of five that Mr. Dunbar would like to be erected throughout central Maryland that will be dedicated to his daughter. Caitlin Dunbar was a Girl Scout for many years and loved the outdoors and spending time at Camps Conowingo and Ilchester. Read the full article in the Baltimore Sun.
• Kai Jackson from WJZ 13 interviewed Juanita J. and Alisha F. about their experiences with Girl Scouts of Central Maryland. The girls, both sophomores in high school, feel that scouting gives them opportunities to experience things that otherwise they would not get. Recently they went on a college tour of historically black colleges and universities across the country in order to help them identify a school that they would like to attend in the future. Girl Scouting also gives them the opportunity to mature themselves, says Juanita J. Both girls are also working toward their Gold Award and hope to complete the award requirements soon. Click here to view the interview online and hear more about their experiences.
  

• Photo by Nick Griner of the BBJ

  CEO Traci Barnett was interviewed by the Baltimore Business Journal's Heather Harlan Warnack. Here are some questions and answers:
  Q: What is the most common misconception about Girl Scouts?
  A: The most common misconception is it's all about selling cookies. Girl Scout cookies are very popular. It's an entrepreneurial program.
  Q: Were you a Girl Scout in your younger years?
  A: I wasn't. I want to clarify that because I wanted to be a Brownie so badly. That surprises people. You're never too old to become a Girl Scout. I was 39 when I became Girl Scout.
  Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
  A: My husband and I purchased a Victorian home. It's out on Middle River. We purchased it in 2003 and we have been renovating it historically.
  
  Click here to read more about Traci's interview.