When you think about your favorite childhood memories, do you find yourself remembering vacations and trips to places near or far? Can you recall a time when your horizons were widened after experiencing a different culture?

Girls who dream of seeing different parts of the country or experiencing other cultures throughout the world can make their dreams come true sooner rather than later. There are so many ways for Girl Scouts to travel and they are within reach of your Girl Scout!

For instance, Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland is going to Washington, DC this summer—and for less money than you might think. Some middle schools take trips to Washington, DC during Spring Break and the cost can run more than $1,300. But we’re offering an option for this trip that costs less than $1,000 per girl! This five day, four night trip offers the opportunity for girls to experience our nation’s capital with friends and visit national monuments, world-renowned museums, and the National Zoo. Check out the details, but hurry—the registration deadline is January 4, 2013!

Other trips within reach for Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland include trips to Chicago and Salt Lake City. And if a girl has the travel bug bad, she can start making plans now to join us on our Europe Trip: London to Lucern in 2015! Trips like this can give a girl a whole new perspective of the world and her future in it. Books and movies can tell you a lot about what’s out there, but nothing compares to seeing the sights, hearing the sounds, and smelling the aroma of another city or country.

Many people don’t get an opportunity to travel at a young age, but that doesn’t have to be the case for your Girl Scout. In addition to traveling with Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland, she can travel with Girl Scout destinations to places all over the globe. Girl Scout destinations slated for 2013 include Andes Trekking: Peru, Iceland Exploration, New Year’s in London: 2013, Wilderness Adventure Photography, and The Great Panda Adventure—and that’s just to name a few!

Opportunities are out there for traveling—don’t let your Girl Scout miss out! Encourage her to choose an adventure, make a plan, and support her along the way. Girls who sell Girl Scout cookies can earn cookie credit which is a great way for even younger girls to participate in paying her way for trips. If you ever have questions about GSMH travel opportunities, contact Leadership and Learning Specialist–GSLE Stefanie McCall at smccall@girlscoutsmoheartland.org.

by Brandi Freeman

Sometimes I feel like it hits me full force in the face just how fortunate I am. I mean, really – I’m blessed!

One of those moments was when I was flying home from visiting my little sister who is serving in the Peace Corps in Zambia. This trip to Africa was my first trip out of the United States and I absolutely loved my trip, but I was really excited to be going home. It wasn’t until the excitement of my adventure was over that I really began to realize how fortunate I am.

One of the things that jumped out at me in the capital city, Lusaka, Zambia, was the lack of infrastructure. Even in the cities, they didn’t seem to have a well-organized way of dealing with trash. Many people burn their trash or bury it, because a big truck doesn’t come by and carry it off to a landfill once a week. I’ve taken the fact that I have trash service for granted my whole life. When I moved into my house three years ago, all I had to do was call a trash company and set up service and ‘Viola!’ my trash is picked up once a week. I don’t ever have to think about it again. (Yes, I realize not thinking about our waste is a problem in America and probably contributes to why we create more trash than anywhere else in the world, but I’m grateful we have a system even if the system needs improvement!)

I also came to understand what people mean when they say America is the land of opportunity. I used to think that statement was a bit overdramatized, but when I talked to my sister about the problems people face in her village I could see that I was wrong. The life expectancy at birth in Zambia is 37.5 years and the number one underlying cause of death among children is malnutrition.

I know that a lot of people in America struggle and there are children right here in Springfield who don’t even get proper nutrition, but we have opportunities. If you don’t like your situation, there is almost always something you can do to change it in this country. Medical care is available. Education is readily available. The United Way and other organizations offer all kinds of support and programs. Not to even mention the Girl Scouts!

This is a land of opportunity, and when I see how fortunate I am I can’t help but be a bit overwhelmed. After I settle down I usually feel compelled to find new ways to pay it forward and do something to give back. How about you? When you feel blessed, do you feel like giving back to your community or less fortunate parts of the world? What do you do?

Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful and reflect on the bounties that we have. Whether they are large or small, we still need to be thankful.  Some have the glass ½ empty thoughts and are thankful, and others see the glass ½ full and are more gracious with all the little things in their lives.   Personally, I am thankful for the usual; family and friends, health, employment and food on the table. But I am truly thankful to all of the hardworking volunteers and staff that make up Girl Scouting.  So here’s to the volunteers and staff that make Girl Scouting possible!

T- Taking time to see the potential in girls

H- Having time to give to the girls

A-Always helping others

N- Never saying no to volunteering

K- Kindly including all of the girls so they feel important

F- Fulfilling the Girl Scout Promise

U-Using resources wisely

L-Loving Girl Scouts as much as I do

Thanksgiving was my grandma’s favorite holiday. It is the one holiday that she insisted all 5 of her children (and spouses), 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren must gather in Hoberg, MO to enjoy the Turkey dinner she made for us. Grandma didn’t mind if we moved our Christmas celebration to another day, or if our Easter egg hunt fell on a random Saturday. Thanksgiving, however, was to only be celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November each and every year.

To honor her request, every year my entire family would squeeze into my grandma’s tiny modular home. We would pray for nice weather so we could send all the kids outside to run around the farm so the adults could find a place to sit.

I have many fond memories of those Thanksgivings with my grandma. But I have to admit, I never looked forward to the actual Thanksgiving meal. The food itself was never very good and if you weren’t at grandmas before 11:00 a.m. there usually wasn’t any food left anyway.

But the Thanksgiving celebration wasn’t about the food or the location, it was about gathering with my family and listening to my grandma tell stories about my mom, aunts and uncles. She would tell silly jokes and laugh at all the kids while stirring up her boxed mashed potatoes.

As I’ve grown up, gotten married, and had children of my own, I realize how special those Thanksgivings really were. And having made a Thanksgiving meal myself, I now understand the actual cost of the meal and why there wasn’t much food and why the mashed potatoes came out of a box.  I understand how blessed my family was.

My family’s Thanksgiving celebrations have changed considerably since my grandma passed away. We no longer gather as one big group and there is no Turkey dinner with boxed mashed potatoes.  Instead, we honor the memory of my grandma and her favorite holiday by helping families in need around the community.

As W.J. Cameron said “Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action.”  As a Girl Scout, I know what it means to take action to make the world a better place.  There are so many ways to give your time and make an impact on someone’s life:

• Help prepare and serve a meal at a local soup kitchen
• Collect non-perishable items for a food pantry
• Make a Thanksgiving food basket for a local family
• Send a shoebox for soldiers  http://www.operationshoebox.com/
• Invite others to share  your Thanksgiving feast
• Make  “thank you” cards for veterans
• Make Thanksgiving goodie bags for a crisis nursery or women’s shelter

During this wonderful family-filled season of thanks, I challenge you to count your blessings and if you are able, take time to give back to others. “Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds.” ~Theodore Roosevelt.

We have all heard about the devastating impact Hurricane Sandy has had on families, businesses and our Girl Scout sisters on the East Coast. Many people remain displaced from their homes and are dealing with the struggles of rebuilding their lives after losing so much. Our thoughts and prayers are with the individuals, families, and Girl Scouts who are dealing with the loss and damage in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

Our own National Headquarters at GSUSA was affected by the storm and only recently reopened. Eight of our sister councils were severely affected by Hurricane Sandy, four in New Jersey and four in New York.

Here at GSMH we can relate to the feelings of loss and grief our neighbors to the east are experiencing.  Our Girl Scout families and neighbors have survived major tornados and devastating floods in the past two years.  We know that many of you are looking for ways to help our Girl Scout sisters just as many of them reached out to help us in our time of need.

In response to all the outpouring of offers to help, GSUSA has lifted fundraising restrictions to enable girls to raise money for Girl Scouting recovery efforts in the eight councils.  This means that interested troops will be able to submit applications for money earning activities to raise funds on behalf of our sister councils in New Jersey and New York.  Please note that all current GSMH money earning guidelines still apply and all activities should be completed by December 31.  If you have any questions about the money earning application process, please contact Angie Robinson Sullivan, chief development officer, at 877-312-4764 x 1343 or via email asullivan@girlscoutsmoheartland.org.

GSUSA has also established a Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund to help address the needs of councils affected by the storm. To give, go to https://donate.girlscouts.org/hurricanerecovery where you will find links to the online giving sites for all eight councils, as well as the giving form for the Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund.

Many of you have expressed an interest in donating materials or supplies to help our Girl Scout sisters; unfortunately our sister councils are not currently in a position to receive, process or organize such donations.  A local Girl Scout Troop from Indiana has taken the lead to collect donations of Girl Scout uniforms and insignia to send directly to Girl Scouts who have lost their own uniforms in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. You can find more information on Operation: Be a Sister by visiting their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OperationBeASister.

Please help share this information with girls, parents and other volunteers in your area and fulfill our Girl Scout Promise to help people at all times.

by Karen Lawrence

What inspires you?  Are you a “glass half empty” or “glass half full” kind of person?  Let me begin by addressing the latter.  I have always been a “glass half empty” kind of gal.  Whether nature or nurture I am not sure, but the pessimist in me has a tendency to creep forward if I’m not careful.  As I get older, I am coming to understand the true value in consciously choosing to see the possibilities of that glass.  When I see how girls can foster changes in their own communities and even nationally or globally, I realize the potential the glass holds.

I am inspired by young women recording the stories of our veterans and submitting the recordings to the Library of Congress.  I am inspired by young women beginning composting programs in their community and writing lesson plans for school science classes on environmental friendliness.  I am inspired by young women starting a service to provide clothing and personal care items as well as literature for rape survivors. I am inspired by young women designing and building a community prayer labyrinth.  I am inspired by young women starting a program to connect youth with the elderly through technology classes.  Do these inspire you?

These are examples of work that the young women of GSMH are doing to earn their Girl Scout Gold Award.  The Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards are the highest awards in Girl Scouting. These awards are true testaments to what can be done to fill the rest of the glasses in the world that need filling.

I can’t say that it’s very often I think about my favorite childhood memories. I mean, I don’t think I’m alone when I say that I’m just too busy for much reminiscing. But last night, I was leaving the office around 6 p.m. and as I walked to my car, a lawn crew nearby was hard at work trimming the grass. That strong, sweet smell of fresh cut grass instantly took me back to the days when my life revolved around what happened on a small, softball diamond every Tuesday and Thursday night. I remembered what it was like to lace up my cleats, snap on my catcher’s gear and huddle up with my team just before a game.

The same thing happened last week when I was at a nearby elementary school open house. Kids were excitedly dragging their parents around to show them their work hanging on hallway walls and proudly introducing them to their teachers for the new school year. In the midst of all that excitement, I was there speaking with girls and their parents about the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.  The little girls’ excitement about Girl Scouts and Girl Scout camp, in particular, took me back to some of my most cherished childhood memories: Girl Scout summer camp. Going away for week with my best friends to ride horses, stay in perma-tents, sing songs, play games, play in the lake, go on hikes, make crafts and meet new friends was a highlight of my young life. I can still remember some of my camp counselors and how I looked up to them. I wanted to grow up and be just like them so badly!

Looking back on the experience as an adult now, I can see that not only was camp an unforgettable and exciting experience it was also one in which I learned real-life skills. I can see now that I was more prepared for future independence because of the Girl Scout experiences I had in my formative years.

During those one-week trips to Girl Scout camp, I learned how to live with people who aren’t my family members and see that my family’s “normal” isn’t everyone’s. I learned that being responsible for myself and cleaning up after myself wasn’t just something my parents came up with – it’s something that’s valued and expected in regular society (and kapers are easier and more fun to do with your friends than all by yourself)! And because thrills are usually accompanied by spills when you put a group of gangly girls out in the woods for a week, I learned a bit about first aid and how to react appropriately when accidents happen. The independence and confidence I gained from spending a week away from home and with friends was priceless and unforgettable.

Hearing a little girl excitedly ask her mom if she can be a Girl Scout makes me remember just how wonderful my experiences were. I can’t help but smile and look forward to one day having a daughter of my own that I can send off to Girl Scout camp!

Times have certainly changed from exploring the five worlds of Girl Scouting through the World of Out-of –Doors, World of Well-Being, World of People, World of Today and Tomorrow, and the World of Arts.  Now we have Pathways, Journeys, and the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.

But essentially, girls are still learning what’s special about themselves (self esteem), learning about others (how we can help our communities, our country and people all around the world), learning what the future will hold (how we can be a part of the changes that are coming), exploring their talents (through art, drama, music, dancing), and using resources wisely (understanding and appreciating nature and how to protect it).

Being a part of a premier girl leadership organization can give girls experiences that they may never have otherwise gained. They can explore, challenge themselves and not feel ostracized for being who they are.  How great is that?

And what about the leaders? Those wonderful volunteers that give so much of themselves as they encourage girls to fulfill their dreams.  As a former leader, I found myself becoming more confident, more skilled in communications, better able to handle issues in an ever-changing world, and as I took more training opportunities, I was better able to pass this on to the girls.

Oh, the experiences we have shared!  From making s’mores to God’s eyes, to canoeing down the river and horseback riding. From virtual traveling Christmas story to the day I came home and my daughter had cooked supper, but did it on the open fire because she was more familiar with that than the kitchen stove.  Hmmm, maybe I should have worked on indoor cooking a little more!