Kick Butts Day

On March 24, the 15th annual Kick Butts Day, hundreds of youth in every state and around the world will STAND OUT … SPEAK UP … and SEIZE CONTROL AGAINST BIG TOBACCO.

Kick Butts Day (KBD) is a national day of advocacy that empowers youth to speak up and take action against tobacco use through hundreds of events from coast to coast. Last year, we celebrated KBD with over 1,000 events across the country. Now we need your help to make KBD 2010 better than ever.

This year, KBD is going to concentrate on the three important public health initiatives:

1. Fully-funded state tobacco prevention and cessation programs.
2. Higher state tobacco taxes.
3. 100% smoke-free workplaces and public places.

Fact sheets on each of the three initiatives are available for advocates to download on the new policy corner section of our website, www.kickbuttsday.org. We’ve also loaded up our KBD website with activity ideas to help you plan an event.

Once you’ve chosen a KBD activity, registering your event is quick and easy! And after an event is registered, our KBD Media Team can help your event attract media attention.

So what are you waiting for? Will the Girl Scouts in your state join hundreds of youth advocates nationwide in standing out, speaking up, and seizing control against Big Tobacco on March 24, 2010?

Help Build a Green Lot!

Ironwood Tree Experience, 4-H, and Southwest Conservation Corp are hosting a February Community Action day at the 4-H High Ropes Course GreenLot. We need youth, especially girls, to help us shape rainwater harvesting basins: digging, rock placement, and planting; or help with the naturally-inspired challenge pathways by placing logs, boulders, and tree stumps; or be creative and help with constructing an adobe/straw bale wall in the shape of a snake. Call Suzanne at 319-9868 x 105 more all the details and specifics on the fun.

Our Girls ARE Green!

Just a few days after I sent the invitation for the Stewards of the Mountain program, I have 260 girls signed up to help with the Girl Scouts Forever Green project! I just love our community- you guys are always so willing to pitch in and help out and you all truly do make the world a better place! I’m excited about all the trails that will be rebuilt and all of the girls that will spread the word about our green initiatives. Go Green Girl Scouts Go! I’ll start posting pictures and video as soon as the projects start in March!

For now, make sure you are recycling those cookie boxes! We can all do our part to make a difference

Do you like GREEN Cookies?

We do! With our new Cookies on Demand program girls have cookies with them starting from Day 1 of the sale! This means we are lowering our carbon footprint by reducing trips to each customer and reducing the paperwork involved in taking pre-orders! And, did you know that you can recycle almost all of the cookie packaging? You can recycle everything but the plastic cookie sleeve! Proceeds from the cookie sale will help girls Take Action and continue to “Green” our community! For more information about the cookie sale or to find some Girl Scout cookies near you, visit ilovegirlscoutcookies.org! Happy Eating!

Stewards of the Mountain

Hello Troops!

I know everyone is busy getting ready for cookies, but I am looking for several troops to help with a great project on the mountain! We have received a grant from the US Forest Service to do some trail building and erosion control up at Whispering Pines. I am looking for Troops who would like to “Adopt a Trail” or help with several work weekends up on the mountain. If you choose to participate in the program, there will also be a group overnight on the mountain this summer. Projects are mainly focused towards ages 12 and older, however there will be service learning opportunities for younger girls as well.

These projects would be a great way for your troop to earn their Bronze or Silver Awards and to Take Action in our community. If you think you might be interested, please send me an email with your troop number, grade level and how many girls you have. Once I receive your email, I can provide you with more details about the different projects you can choose to work on.

Along with your Troop’s involvement, we will be hosting several work weekends that will qualify for the Disney Give a Day, Get a Day program!

Let me know if you are interested and I look forward to hearing from you all soon!