Volunteer 411

Summer Camp toggle arrow

Camping, like the cookie sale and community service, is a quintessential Girl Scout activity. Nearly all Girl Scouts participate in camping. At Girl Scout Camp, girls will have the opportunity to make new friends that will last a lifetime, gain valuable leadership and life skills, and most importantly, have fun! They'll gain independence, confidence, and return home more willing to take a risk and try again when met with an obstacle — skills we all want for our daughters.

With so many different themes and activities, there's truly something for everyone! We have several new and exciting sessions this summer and some returning favorites, including:

A Classic Camp Sampler - Perfect for new campers!
Camp Crystal Lake - Campers will stay at the Crystal Lake House building and enjoy plenty of time out on the Lake in addition to other classic camp activities. Based on last year's feedback, this session is now five nights!
K-pop Academy - A must for fans of K-pop Demon Hunters!
Camp Harriet Potter - This popular session is coming back in 2026!

Summer Camp Catalogs

Good news! The Summer 2026 Camp Catalogs were mailed in mid-January to all Girl Scouts and volunteers. You should have already received your camp catalog. If you haven't yet, you will get yours soon. If you or one of your Girl Scouts don't receive one this month, please let us know. We want every girl to get a catalog!

Are your Girl Scouts confident and enthusiastic and ready to inspire the next generation? Our Program Aide Training is designed to equip girls with the knowledge and skills needed to become successful Girl Scout Program Aides. Through hands-on training and mentorship, girls will learn how to plan engaging activities, build strong relationships with younger girls, and foster a supportive and inclusive environment. They will discover their leadership abilities as they master essential skills such as communication, problem-solving, and teamwork.

June 7
3:00 - 6:00 p.m.
For girls entering grades 6-8
$25
Camp Evelyn

Once girls complete this in-person training, the virtual Program Aide Training offered online, or the equivalent, they are able to assist at our Camp Evelyn or Camp Manitou day camps. Tasks might include prepping activities, clean-up of activities, leading games and songs, or assisting the camp counselors with day camp groups. A Program Aide application must be submitted and accepted prior to participation.

Program Aide Training

Group Registration

New this year! CampDoc now allows your troop to register and pay as a group for day camp events. Tips for group registrations:

If you are the individual paying for and registering campers for the session, you will need to create an organizer account.
Encourage all parents/guardians to make accounts for their camper on CampDoc. This ensures the parent can fill out any health information and will have access to register their camper for future camp sessions.
Have a list of first and last names handy for the registration process!

Need assistance with your group registration? Contact Hope Spies at hope@gsmanitou.org.

Promoting Summer Camp to Your Troop

Help your Girl Scouts get excited about summer camp! Here are easy and fun ideas you can use to promote summer camp to your troop:

Have the Director of Program Quality attend your troop meeting! Our Director of Program Quality, Hope (AKA Daisy), is available to attend your troop meetings (virtually or in-person if possible) to talk about camp. She'll talk about life at camp, answer questions, and help get girls excited about camp. To request a meeting with Hope, please contact her at hope@gsmanitou.org.
Bring your camp catalog day! Have girls bring their catalogs to a meeting or share a screen with the digital version. Make it an all-camp meeting! Make a camp-themed snack and do a camp-themed activity or craft. Spend time looking through the catalog and encourage girls to write down their favorite sessions. Take the camp readiness quiz in the camp catalog. Try out this fun Camp Catalog Scavenger Hunt activity. Have girls who have attended camp share their stories. Watch our summer camp video together!
Explore camp together! Attend any of the spring camp events as a troop so everyone gets to see what camp is like before the summer camping season. You can also watch the virtual tours of Camp Evelyn and Camp Manitou.

Spring Camp Events toggle arrow

We have some exciting spring events for troops and Girl Scouts to participate in, allowing girls and families to see camp with their own eyes before the summer camping season!

Camp Parent Virtual Meetings

Whether you're brand new to camp or a seasoned camp parent, you're invited to attend. During these virtual Q&As, our Director of Program Quality and seasonal camp staff will go over basic camp information. You'll have plenty of time to ask any questions you have! Make sure to pre-register even if you can't attend. There is an option to be sent a recording!

Saturday, February 14 at 10:00 a.m.
Thursday, February 26 at 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 14 at 10:00 a.m.

Camp Evelyn's Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure

Turn Camp Evelyn into a giant board game with this fun scavenger hunt adventure. Girls will combine the excitement of the Amazing Race with the challenge of solving clues and completing puzzles. Along the way, girls will also learn some Camp Evelyn and Girl Scout history. At least one adult must be present with each team. Bring walking shoes as clues will be located throughout the camp! The winning team will earn a 1-night stay in one of our camp buildings. Pick a team name before registering, as you will enter it into CampDoc when you register.

April 25 from 9:00-11:30 a.m.
For girls in grades K-12
$10 per person

Cleaning with Meaning at Camp Evelyn

We welcome everyone and anyone who loves Camp Evelyn to come join us as we "spruce up" camp for the summer season. There will be projects for everyone! The morning will start with trail maintenance, deep cleaning, organizing, and putting up our platform tents. We will make sure to celebrate our service with a delicious meal and s'mores over the campfire. In the afternoon, we will continue our work, but not without a few songs and stories from fellow campers, past, present, and future!

May 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Adults & girls in grades 6-12
FREE - lunch included

Camp Evelyn Day

Join us for a fun-filled day at Camp Evelyn! Girls will meet their camp counselors and visit the unit where they will stay at camp. Participate in classic camp activities such as archery (Brownies and up), swimming in the pool (weather permitting), arts and crafts, and hiking to Crystal Lake. Take a tour through camp and get all your questions about camp answered by one of our counselors. Bring the family or the entire troop! Lunch and s'mores over the campfire will be provided. Stay the entire time or come just for part of the day. This is not a drop-off event, and adults must attend to supervise girls.

May 30 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
For girls in grades K-12
$15 per person

Girl Scout Week toggle arrow

Throughout the year, girls and adults celebrate some very special days in Girl Scouting. Girl Scout Week is celebrated each March, starting with Girl Scout Sunday and ending with Girl Scout Sabbath on a Saturday, and it always includes the Girl Scout Birthday, March 12, which commemorates the day in 1912 when Juliette Gordon Low officially registered the organization's first 18 girl members in Savannah, Georgia. Girl Scouts is celebrating 114 years this March!

Girl Scout Sunday and Girl Scout Sabbath give girls an opportunity to attend their place of worship to be recognized as a Girl Scout. If a place of worship is a sponsor, girls may perform a service, such as greeting, ushering, or doing a flag ceremony.

Celebrate Girl Scout Week every day with a special theme to help you celebrate, learn, explore, grow, and have fun!

Sunday, March 8: Girl Scout Sunday & Spirit Sunday - do something kind in the spirit of Girl Scouts.
Monday, March 9: Affirmation Monday - share a positive message with a friend.
Tuesday, March 10: Troop Tuesday - appreciate your awesome troop besties.
Wednesday, March 11: Wisdom Wednesday - share a Girl Scout pro tip or life hack.
Thursday, March 12: Girl Scout Birthday - post a photo in your Girl Scout gear and tag Girl Scouts!
Friday, March 13: Flash Forward Friday - make your plans for a brighter future!
Saturday, March 14: Girl Scout Sabbath & Service Saturday - serve your community as a sisterhood.

More ideas and inspiration will be sent as we get closer to Girl Scout Week!

Day at the Capitol toggle arrow

It's a day to celebrate being a Girl Scout along with hundreds of your sister Girl Scouts from all around Wisconsin! Earn your Democracy badge by meeting with local legislators, experts, and organizations. You'll learn all about how our government works, your rights and responsibilities, and how your voice can make a difference. You'll also get the chance to explore Wisconsin's government and rich history inside the awe-inspiring (and huge) Capitol Building. We'll rally and make some noise - you'll leave feeling empowered and inspired!

Saturday, March 14
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
State Capitol in Madison

At this exciting event, girls will:

Meet with local legislators, experts, and organizations to learn about civic engagement.
Explore the beautiful Wisconsin State Capitol and learn about state history and government.
Earn their level's Democracy badge through a passport-style program full of hands-on and interactive activities.

Girl Scouts will participate in a passport-style program to earn their Democracy badges.

10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.: Stations throughout the State Capitol
1:00-1:30 p.m.: Influential Women in Democracy speakers
1:30-2:00 p.m.: Girl Scout Rally around the Capitol Square!

Girls will earn & receive the Democracy badge for their Girl Scout level, as well as receive a special Girl Scout Day at the Capitol patch.

The cost is $25 per Girl Scout and $5 per adult.

Snacks/food are not allowed inside the Capitol based on regulations from the WI Dept. of Administration.
Bring a packed lunch for the lawn or plan to eat at one of the nearby restaurants.
This event is not a drop-ff event; adults are required to meet safety ratios and to enjoy the program.
Dress appropriately for the weather as we will be marching around the Capitol Square to show our love for Girl Scouts! Wear comfortable shoes and your Girl Scout uniforms.

Annual Finance Report on the Volunteer Toolkit toggle arrow

Each year, we ask troop leaders to submit one report to us documenting their troop's finances for the year. It provides invaluable information in the unlikely, yet not unheard of, event that we are questioned about your troop's finances by a parent of a girl in your troop. In addition, the report also asks questions about activities your troop did, the growth of your Girl Scouts in goal-setting, planning, and independence, what you enjoyed about being a volunteer, and what additional help you need or would have appreciated. This information allows us to improve volunteer support based on your feedback and tell Girl Scout supporters about how you are building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.

You may begin entering information in the finance report at any time (it is already available). We ask that this be completed and submitted by June 5. We will send you reminders. You can go into the Volunteer Toolkit to work on the report multiple times, but don't hit submit until you are completely done.

Volunteer Training toggle arrow

NEW! Behavior Training for Troop Leaders

This training was created for troop leaders of all levels and experiences. It offers a direct, actionable path to bringing predictability and peace to your troop meetings. The course focuses on strategies that you can implement with your troop.

What you'll gain:

Learn how to co-create a truly functional Troop Agreement that girls actually follow.
Master Calm, Consistent, and Constructive responses to navigate any situation with confidence.
Get step-by-step procedures for everything from minor disruptions to serious safety concerns.
Learn exactly how and when to involve parents or seek Council assistance.

Move away from policing behavior and toward a self-sustaining troop environment. This training equips you with the tools to handle the "what-ifs" so you can focus on building leaders.

This course is available on gsLearn. It is titled "493: Creating a Calm Troop: A Consistent Approach to Positive Behavior." Please contact Director of Program Quality, Hope Spies, at hope@gsmanitou.org if you have trouble finding the course or would like the course added directly to your dashboard.

First Aid/CPR/AED Training

We are offering blended learning (in-person & online) First Aid/CPR/AED classes at the Girl Scout Center in Sheboygan. This American Heart Association course contains step-by-step, hands-on training that allows participants to respond effectively in emergency and life-threatening situations. There will be an online portion you must complete before attending one of the in-person skills training sessions. Once registered, you will receive an email with the requirements. Upon completion, you will receive a two-year certification through the American Heart Association. If you can't attend any of these classes or have questions, please contact Program Specialist, Abby Weber, at abby@gsmanitou.org.

Saturday, February 7
Saturday, March 14
Saturday, April 18
Saturday, May 9
Saturday, June 13
Saturday, July 18
Saturday, August 8

All classes are 8:00 a.m. to noon. The cost is $60 person and includes all required materials, including an adult/child & infant CPR Mask in a soft case.

Outdoor Adventures Training

Outdoor Adventures Training is an online course available on gsLearn. If you have questions about accessing the course or the content, please contact Hope at hope@gsmanitou.org.

This training is required for at least one registered adult volunteer of a troop before bringing a troop camping in tents or cooking over a fire. You will learn about safety, building fires, outdoor cooking, and all things Girl Scouting in the outdoors. By the end of the course, you will have an excellent start on planning and preparing your very first outdoor adventure with your troop. This is for volunteers of all troop levels.

If a troop leader would like a tour of camp or would prefer an in-person training session, please contact Hope at hope@gsmanitou.org.

Volunteer Appreciation Event toggle arrow

You are appreciated S'MORE than you know!

Please SAVE THE DATE for Saturday, April 18th for a day of appreciation, relaxation, education, networking, and inspiration at Camp Evelyn. More specific details will be released soon!

Bridging, Court of Awards, and Shop toggle arrow

Shop

Our council shop, Petals to Patches, is fully-stocked with all the badges your troop might have earned this year, special patches for activities like World Thinking Day and the 2026 Cookie Program, and more. If your troop is bridging to a new Girl Scout level this spring or summer, we've got you covered with Bridging Kits and all the new uniform pieces you'll need.

Plus, we have lots of other fun apparel, gifts, accessories, and more!

Stop in Monday - Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to shop. You can also shop online from the comfort of your house and have it shipped directly to you! All orders SHIP FOR FREE from our Petals to Patches store!

Staffing Update

Zoie Urness is our new Troop Systems Monitor. Please contact Zoie at zoie@gsmanitou.org for all things you have previously worked with Marina on. Marina Ritter is no longer with us at Girl Scouts of Manitou Council. We wish her all the best in her future!

Kaitlyn Traeger will be the new Retail Manager. She starts on February 12th. We are very excited to welcome Kaitlyn and hope you give her a warm welcome when you stop in or call.

Bridging & Court of Awards

Springtime is coming, which means bridging and Court of Awards season is almost here. Bridging is a ceremony that troops will often hold to celebrate girls moving to a new level of Girl Scouts. Many troops will often hold a ceremony at a park with a pedestrian bridge or in their meeting space with a pretend bridge. Girls can cross the bridge to their new Girl Scout level.

Court of Awards ceremonies showcase all the incredible achievements of the girls in the troop that year. Troop leaders can present girls with all their earned badges and awards, if not given out throughout the year. Girls can share what they learned, their favorite memory, and more, to their families in attendance.

This is the perfect way to end the school year, or start the next school year. It is fun to invite families and make a little celebratory party out of it! You can get creative. See below for some inspiration!

Upcoming Events for Girls toggle arrow

Girl Scout Aviation Day

Wisconsin Ninety-Nines, an international organization of licensed women pilots, is offering a day of aviation exploration with women from various parts of aviation. Girl Scouts will earn the Aviation badge while attending a pilot panel, instrumentation, preflighting an aircraft, rockets, tower communications, sectional chart symbology, and exploring hot air balloons (subjects may change). UPS Boeing 747 Officer Tina Hartlaub, and STEM educator, commercial pilot, and ground instructor Laurie Probst are coordinating this event with many women pilot presenters.

May 2
Morning session: Check-in at 8:30 a.m., event 9:00-11:00 a.m. Limit 50 girls.
Afternoon session: Check-in at 12:30 p.m., event 1:00-3:00 p.m. Limit 50 girls.
For Girl Scout Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors
Manitowoc County Airport, EAA Clubhouse Building - 383 Hangar (1805 Freedom Way in Manitowoc)
$15 per Girl Scout - includes cost of badge, materials, and fees

For questions, email Tina Hartlaub at thartlaub13@gmail.com. Digital submissions only. Payments via Zelle to wis99streasurer@gmail.com. If your bank does not use Zelle, reach out directly to Tina Hartlaub for alternate payment options. Questions about payments to WI Chapter 99 treasurer at wis99streasurer@gmail.com or Tina Hartlaub at thartlaub13@gmail.com. Please indicate GS Day Payment 2026 in subject line when sending questions or payments.

Registration deadline is April 22, or when capacity is met, whichever comes first.

Girl Scout Day at the Symphony

Festival City Symphony invites Girl Scouts, family members, and friends to “Pictures at an Exhibition,” a concert on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Milwaukee’s beautiful Bradley Symphony Center. Girl Scouts are encouraged to arrive early for the 1:30 pm on-stage Meet the Musicians presentation, featuring instrument demonstrations by musicians of the orchestra. Music educator Lynn Roginske will also present “Unlocking the Score,” a child-friendly pre-concert discussion about the afternoon’s music selections.

Pre-concert activities and the concert are great for Girl Scouts of all ages. Participation relates to or completes steps 1, 2, and 3 of the Junior Musician badge.

Experience the magic of musical storytelling through three vibrant orchestral masterpieces. The concert begins with Benjamin Britten’s The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra—a dazzling exploration of each section of the orchestra. Next, selections from Edvard Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite bring to life scenes of mystery and adventure, from the serene beauty of “Morning Mood” to the thrilling energy of “In the Hall of the Mountain King.” The program concludes with Modest Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, a vivid musical tour through an art gallery, where each movement transforms a painting into a dynamic, emotionally rich soundscape.

Girl Scouts will enjoy:

Commemorative patch for each Girl Scout in attendance (available at the information table on concert day)
Pre-Concert Activities (1:30 p.m. on-stage):
- Meet the Musicians presentation featuring instrument demonstrations by orchestra members
- Unlocking the Score discussion of the afternoon’s music selections
Welcome from the conductor
90-minute concert performed by Festival City Symphony’s professional 65-piece orchestra

SELL COOKIES AT THE SYMPHONY! Each participating troop can enter a drawing to host a Girl Scout Cookie Booth in the lobby during intermission, before, and after the concert. Sign up on the ticket order form. Winning troops will be notified on February 27, 2026.

Admission for this event is free with a suggested donation of $8 per person for Girl Scouts and family members.

Ticket orders will be accepted until Wednesday, February 25, 2026. Bring the entire family for a fabulous afternoon at the symphony! For more information, call (414) 257-9480 or visit festivalcitysymphony.org.

Girl Scout Day with the Milwaukee Brewers

Save the date: Girl Scout Brewers Day is happening June 13th! Cheer on the Brewers with your troop, family, and friends, as they take on the Philadelphia Phillies. Enjoy ticket savings. All uniformed Girl Scouts can participate in the pre-game parade.

To secure your tickets, please follow these steps: 1. Select your seats and proceed to checkout. 2. Access your digital tickets via the MLB Ballpark App. For more information on using the app, visit brewers.com/ballparkapp. Please be sure to purchase your tickets by May 29th. All purchasers will receive pre-game parade info 1-2 weeks before the event.

Council Finder

Important seasonal information and updates in one spot.

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