What Is It?

The new book, Interest Projects for Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts, replaces Cadette and Senior Girl Scout Interest Projects. Project requirements have been rewritten; some patches have been eliminated and others have been added.

When Will It Be Available?

Now!

Why Was It Revised?

This last in the series of major revisions of basic Cadette and Senior Girl Scout program materials will give the program for these age levels an exciting new look and feel. (Girls are allowed a one-year transition period to finish projects in the current book.)

How Is It Organized?

The Interest Projects will be divided into five general categories:

• Life Skills

• Nature, Science, and Health

• Communications

• The Arts and History

• Sports and Recreation

Each interest project contains activities organized in four different groups: Skills Builders, Technology, Service Projects, and Career Exploration. By doing the activities,girls learn about themselves-their strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes. They will have a range of new experiences, and develop valuable skills and expertise in specific areas. To earn an interest project patch, a girl must complete at least seven activities:

• Two from Skill Builders

• One from Technology

• One from Service Projects

• One from Career Exploration

• Two from any Category she chooses

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The Skill Builders are designed to help girls build technical skills in their areas of interest. The Technology category provides exposure to ever-increasing technological advances, not just in computers and the Internet, but also in applications for media, sports, medical equipment, etc. The Service Project area gives girls an opportunity to contribute to the community. Career Exploration activities help girls begin to associate professions with their interests and hobbies. By talking to and observing people in various fields, reading about the education and expertise required and trying out career exploration exercises, girls gain insight into the preparation needed for careers they might like to pursue.

Tips are provided on interviewing people, finding new information, and working with younger girls to complete some activities. Girls are encouraged to integrate school projects and other commitments with exploration of their interests through Girl Scouting. And girls can write their own interest project, if they have a particular interest not covered in the book.

Leader Opportunities

As a girl scout leader, you can encourage girls in your troop/group to take advantage of each leadership workshop, training and opportunity available to them. If girls in your troop/group are interested in earning Girl Scout recognitions or participating in prom grams that will enhance their leadership skills, they can consider the following. Have girls check their Girl Scout handbooks for more information on additional Girl Scout leadership recognitions.

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OLDER GIRL PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES:

Programs:
Cadette and Senior Planning Committee: Girls at the Cadette and Senior Girl Scout levels can assist with the design of programs and services offered to older girls at the council level. Girls on this planning committee also give their input to help market program opportunities to older girls and share the Girl Scouting experience with non-members. If girls in your troop need more information, or wish to join the committee, contact the Program Director.
Girl Scout Silver Award: TheGirl Scout Silver Award is the highest award a Cadette Girl Scout can achieve. This award recognizes her efforts in a range of Girl Scout and community experiences as well as her commitment to working to better her life and the lives of others. Additional information is in the Leaders' Guide and Cadette Girl Scout Handbook. If girls in your troop are interested in earning the Silver Award, contact the Program Secretary and request the Girl Scout Silver Award Packet.
Cadette Program Aide: Cadette Girl Scouts who have completed sixth grade are eligible for this training. Girls are trained to work with a troop or group, or may be involved in special events. After the core and specialization training, girls commit to at least 25 hours of service to complete their Program Aide Project. For more information, contact the Program Director at the Girl Scout Service Center.
Community Service Bars: Earning the Community Service Bar is one way for Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts to volunteer their time to improve their communities and help others in need. There are three types of Community Service Bars: the Cadette Community Service Bar, the Senior Community Service Bar, and the Community Service Bar in Girl Scouting. Girls need to select an organization, receive training from the organization and volunteer 25 hours of service to the organization. Additional information on these recognitions can be found in the Cadette and Senior Girl Scout handbooks.
Girl Scout Gold Award: The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest achievement a Senior Girl Scout can earn. Earning the Girl Scout Gold Award is a major accomplishment and symbolizes outstanding accomplishments in the areas of leadership, organizational and management skills, community service, career planning and personal development. Additional information is in the Senior Girl Scout handbook. If girls in your troop/group are interested in earning this award, contact the Program Secretary to request the Girl Scout Gold Award Packet.
Leader In Training: This leadership training is for Senior Girl Scouts who enjoy working with younger girls on an ongoing basis. The Leader in Training course is a minimum of 8 hours long. After the training, girls need to do a 3 to 5-hour troop/group observation and an internship of 25 hours, that can extend over a troop year. For more information, contact the Program Director at the Girl Scout Service Center.
Senior Girl Scout Troop Assistant Girls at the Senior Girl Scout level who have completed Leader in Training are eligible to serve as a Senior Girl Scout Troop Assistant. For more information, contact the Program Director at the Girl Scout Service Center.
Counselor-In-Training Senior Girl Scouts who have completed grade 10 and above are eligible for the Counselor-in-Training program. This program involves a great deal of hands-on training in camping skills, outdoor education and a period of internship with an experienced counselor. For more information, contact the Outdoor Program Director at the Girl Scout Service Center.
Counselor-In-Training II Counselor-in-Training II is advanced Counselor-in-Training course and allows girls to father specialize in a area of their choice. Girls must first complete the Counselor-in-Training and internship to be eligible for this course. Girls then complete approximately 6 hours of additional training in the area of their choice plus an additional internship period. For more information, contact the Outdoor Program Director at the Girl Scout Service Center.
Senior Program Aide Senior Girl Scouts who are in grades 9-12 are eligible for training. Girls are trained to work with a troop or group, or may be involved in special events. After the core and specialization training girls commit to at least 25 hours of service to complete their Program Aide Project. For more information, contact the Program Director at the Girl Scout Service Center.
Wider Opportunities Sooner or later in Girl Scout circles, the topic of Wider-Op's comes up. Wider what? Wider Opportunities are experiences beyond the troop. The Wider-Op booklet is mailed directly to all registered Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts in grades 7-11 and to Cadette and Senior Girl Scout leaders. Sixth graders who are registered as Cadette Girl Scouts will also receive a copy of the Wider-Op's booklet. A number of girls participate in Wider-Op's each year. If your troop wants to hear more about these experiences, contact the Program Director at the Service Center. *Cookie coupons can be saved for Wider-Op's.
Older Girl Recognition This celebration is conducted each year to honor the achievements of girls at the Cadette and Senior Girl Scout level in the following categories: Girl Scout Gold Award, Girl Scout Silver Award, Ten Year Pin, and Graduating High School Senior. Honorees, their families, leaders and friends are invited to attend the recognition program. This is a wonderful opportunity for younger girls to see what they can achieve as they grow in Girl Scouting. Leaders of Daisy, Brownie and Junior Girl Scout troops/groups who wish to attend this function with their troops need to contact the Program Director by the end of January.