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Our monthly council newsletters include Connections, Volunteer Voice, and Family Zone. Browse the archives of previous issues below.
Other publications include Giving Wisely, a bi-annual printed newsletter for friends of Girl Scouts San Diego, and various program-specific newsletters.
Connections: This monthly collection of feature stories connecting friends of Girl Scouting with recent GSSD events, opportunities, and mission moments is published the first week of each month. View the current issue and previous issues from this year or archives of past years.
Email customercare@sdgirlscouts.org to subscribe.
Giving Wisely: Our bi-annual newsletter for friends of Girl Scouts San Diego comes out in print and as a PDF. Past issues are archived below. Find out more about making a gift to Girl Scouts San Diego.
Family Zone: Girl Scouts and their families stay in-the-know with this monthly email newsletter just for them. Look for research-driven info on issues that matter most to girls (archived below) and links to key programs and events. Become a member today!
June 2020
Expert insight: Girl Scouts encourages girls’ participation in civic engagement and respects the rights of each individual girl and adult member of our organization to make their own decisions about participating in peaceful protests. The safety and security of our Girl Scouts is our top priority. If you’re talking to your girl about racism or other civic issues and you decide to participate in an event she feels passionately about, she’s invited to wear her uniform if she chooses. Girl Scouts is a nonpolitical, nonpartisan organization which helps girls tap into their leadership potential to develop the courage, confidence, and character to make our world a better place.
May 2020
Expert insight: You don’t need an expert to tell you that stay-at-home orders have caused an increase in kids’ screen time. If it feels like time to take action, don’t panic. Some tips for managing screen time include choosing appropriate content, finding screen time you can share, and increasing other healthy activities. Try to encourage alternatives such as getting outside. Taking a walk is a simple mood-boosting activity that's good for your physical health, too.
Looking for more outdoor ideas? Girl Scouts has you covered! Take the national Girl Scouts Love the Outdoors Challenge to earn a cool new patch, join our councilwide In-Tents Campout on June 5, and register your girl for one of our themed virtual sessions of Camp…Reimagined!
April 2020
Expert insight: Evidence suggests that grateful kids are happier, more engaged, and have healthier relationships. It's Volunteer Appreciation Month, so now is the perfect time to practice gratitude with our children. Help them show their appreciation to the Girl Scout volunteers in their lives; find great ideas on the Girl Scouts San Diego and GSUSA websites.
March 2020
Expert insight: With coronavirus—and the news about it—spreading rapidly around the globe, stress and worry can feel overwhelming. Your girl could likely use a sense of calm in her life right about now, and you can help. Simply asking what she’s heard, how she’s feeling, and ensuring she’s getting correct information lets her know you’re there to support her. Check out more helpful do's and don’ts when it comes to handling this subject with care.
February 2020
Expert insight: Your girl is going to need to make smart financial decisions later in life, and Girl Scout Cookie season is the perfect time to start. Hands-on experience with goal setting, money handling, and budgeting will help her thrive. You don’t have to be a financial whiz to help her learn all about money matters. Check out more fun ways to help your Girl Scout get comfortable managing money.
January 2020
Expert insight: Sadly, international strife is nothing new. But thanks to social media and a 24-hour news cycle, kids are now exposed to the ins and outs of the global stage like never before. It’s no wonder they have questions. Luckily, you don't need to have all the answers to calm and reassure your girl. Check out these tips on how to navigate these difficult conversations and help put her mind at ease.
December 2019
Expert insight: Is your girl feeling a bit “grinchy” during this otherwise-festive season? Don't let your daughter’s mood put a damper on the holiday...get to the bottom of the problem so her holiday (and yours!) can be a whole lot happier.
November 2019
Expert insight: Thanksgiving should be a time to pause and celebrate all the wonderful things in our lives. But who has time to teach our children the value of thankfulness when you’re too busy cooking and cleaning to even sit down and eat with the family? Borrow these simple ideas and get ready to have one of your happiest holidays yet.
October 2019
Expert insight: As girls get older, the fearless sense of adventure they enjoyed in their younger years gives way to something a bit less fun: the pressure to be perfect. Let her know that trying her best and being willing to work toward improving will give her the fullest, most fun, and ultimately most successful life. Read more about how can you encourage her to test the waters and try new things.
September 2019
Expert insight: She wants to play video games, but you’d rather she was studying her times tables. An after-school schedule will help her harmonize work and play. Whether she realizes it or not, your girl gets the same feeling of accomplishment from having a game plan as you do. Read more about how to strike a happy balance and make everyone’s evening a little easier.
August 2019
Expert insight: Not every girl loves hiking, climbing, and camping. Is your girl more the indoor type? That's great! She's interested, she's engaged, and she's learning and growing. But because girls can benefit so much by getting outside and exploring nature, wouldn't it be great if she took her indoor interests outdoors? Read more about how to infuse the natural world into her traditionally inside pursuits.
July 2019
Expert insight: "Play...boost[s] emotional intelligence, decision making skills, creativity and problem solving abilities,” says Girl Scouts’ developmental psychologist, Dr. Andrea Bastiani Archibald (who, by the way, will be speaking at our Volunteer Conference on Saturday, Aug. 3). Imagination and physical dexterity are also positively impacted, giving her a leg up in school and beyond. Get some tips on how to build playtime into your girl's life.
June 2019
Expert insight: A girl’s relationship with her father lays the foundation for her confidence and her future relationships and expectations of men. Girls need (and want!) their dads and father figures in their lives just as much as they need their mothers and female mentors. Check out these four simple ways you can set your girl up for success in life.
May 2019
Expert insight: There’s no rule that learning can only happen in a classroom! Let her curiosity, imagination, and passions lead the way this summer. These seven tips will help you ensure a break full of enriching, educational moments for your girl.
April 2019
Expert insight: If your girl is facing a minor conflict, let her try to handle it on her own. Dealing with conflict is an important skill to master, and while your girl might need your guidance, it will be easier for her to weather her own storms if she starts with the small stuff. The truth is, life is hard sometimes. The sooner she starts practicing problem-solving techniques, the more confident and capable she’ll be as she grows up.
March 2019
Expert insight: Your girl is a hard worker, dedicated volunteer, or talented athlete, so she's sure to get scholarships for college, right? With young men getting roughly double the scholarship money of their female peers, girls are significantly more likely to go into debt . Have conversations from an early age about financing college—not just getting in. Investing time in these conversations will also reinforce the fact that you value her mind and dreams.
February 2019
Expert insight: Digital communities can help teens and tweens develop their social skills and form positive relationships, but the digital world can be a tricky place to navigate. Check out a few do’s and don’ts from Girl Scouts’ developmental psychologist and senior digital media director.
January 2019
Expert insight: Your ambitious girl likely has big ideas and dreams about her future in the working world. The Girl Scout Cookie Program lets her showcase her entrepreneurial spirit and helps her learn first-hand about goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics. Help her make her dreams come true.
December 2018
Expert Insight: Are you (and your girl) feeling holiday pressure? Maintain the mental health of yourself and your family with these six holiday truths that'll make everybody’s holiday a little happier.
November 2018
Expert Insight: Did you hear that 58% of female representatives elected to the 116th Congress are Girl Scout alums? Girls are inspired! Across the country, young people are making headlines, sparking national conversations, and even getting laws changed. We're here to help you support your girl as she stands up for her beliefs (even when it's a little scary) and takes the lead. Read more!
October 2018
Expert Insight: What can you do to
raise a smart, confident girl who’s equipped to succeed in this
world? Make sure she’s getting some high-quality time surrounded by
girls and girls only, where she’s allowed to be herself and learn
her own strengths on her own terms. Read
more!
Volunteer Voice: Our e-newsletter for volunteers comes out the second week of each month with up-to-date tips (archived below) and happenings for every Girl Scout program level (see buttons below). Become a member or volunteer today to get on the mailing list.
July 2020
Pro tip: 2020 isn’t quite what any of us planned, and the disruption has impacted many troop plans. But you can still strengthen your troop, explore locally, engage with your community, and get active with your girls this year. On Saturday, Aug. 1 and Saturday, Aug. 8, we’re offering a four-part webinar series called Girl-Led Funding to help you explore exciting ways to plan and fund girl-led activities. It’s time to think outside the box…and no one does that better than a Girl Scout.
June 2020
Pro tip: Just like everything else in 2020, bridging looks a little different this year than we expected. GSUSA has postponed National Bridging Week until Aug. 1-8, so you still have time to plan something special! Check out our Bridging Guide, including a downloadable Bridging at a Distance guide. If your girls are registering for Camp…Reimagined!, note they are now considered to be in next year’s program level even if you haven’t officially bridged yet.
May 2020
Pro tip: Virtual troop meetings don’t have to mean connecting from the couch. Keep your virtual meetings active with games, spirit themes, and family involvement. Games like Mad Libs and Pictionary work well, as do at-home or neighborhood scavenger hunts. If girls have access to a mobile device, they can bring their adults and take a walk “together,” pointing out plants, interesting architecture, or favorite colors. Themes like crazy hair day and school spirit work just as well for virtual meetings as they do in person.
April 2020
Pro tip: It's Volunteer Appreciation Month, the perfect time for us to say thank you, and for all of us to thank other volunteers: the experienced troop leader who provided advice, your service unit team who shared important information and ran excellent events, and the parents who managed the cookie program or coordinated meeting snacks. Whether you mail a homemade card, send a virtual high five, or create a Kudoboard, show others you appreciate them in your own special way!
March 2020
Pro tip: If your girls or parents are uncomfortable about gathering, consider virtual troop meetings. Check out free online virtual meeting spaces like Google Hangouts, Zoom, or others. Remember that human connection, even in this time of "social distancing," can help quell feelings of anxiety and uncertainty.
February 2020
Pro tip: Saturday, Feb. 22 is World Thinking Day, so this is the perfect time to elevate global awareness and appreciation by guiding your girls through an exploration of the daily life of a girl in another WAGGGS country. What does her school experience look like? What are her family responsibilities? How about social expectations? The GSUSA Global Action Days Toolkit is filled with ideas and links to use throughout the year.
January 2020
Pro tip: During cookie season we're all focused on learning while earning! Troop leaders help girls build skills through Cookie and Financial Literacy badges (You can do one of each per year!) while troop cookie managers handle product program logistics. Have fun out there, and remember to send pics of your cookie entrepreneurs to media@sdgirlscouts.org and tag @sdgirlscouts when you share on social media!
December 2019
Pro tip: The Girl Scout Cookie Program is just around the corner. Now is the time to talk to your girls about budgeting, goal setting, and all the amazing things they'll do with their proceeds! Remember, troop funds can be used to register or renew Girl Scout memberships.
November 2019
Pro tip: Have you attended a service unit meeting lately? The volunteers in your SU are a fabulous resource! In fact, our President’s Award recognizes efforts of service units who enhance Girl Scouting in their communities each membership year. Congrats to Imperial Valley, Magnolia Trails, Mission Trails, San Marcos, and Sunrise Valley (pictured winning the Spirit Stick at Volunteer Conference) for taking home the award this past year, and thanks to all our amazing volunteers! We are honored work with you to build girls of courage, confidence, and character each and every day.
October 2019
Pro tip: Did you know that troops with at least 12 girls have greater parent involvement, stay together longer, and give more girls the opportunity to participate in Girl Scouts? Submit this brief form to open your troop in the Troop Catalog, an online tool that lets girls and their families browse and join available troops in their area.
September 2019
Pro tip: It takes a village to lift up the next generation of leaders. To set the stage for a successful troop year, help parents and caregivers understand the roles they play in the troop, and empower them to stay engaged and enhance the entire group’s Girl Scout experience. Check out this article from GSUSA with tried-and-true tips for your first parent meeting.
August 2019
Pro tip: It's back-to-school time! To ensure a smooth transition into your new membership year—beginning Tuesday, Oct. 1—make sure your troop roster is up-to-date! Log into your Member Profile and check to see that your girl members and adult volunteer roles are accurate and current. Need to make changes? Contact Customer Care.
July 2019
Pro tip: Are your girls’ sights set on something big this coming year? Now’s the time to add important dates to your calendar, get the trainings you need (Volunteer Conference? Troop Tripping?), and begin planning your meetings. We have resources to make your job easier! Can’t find what you're looking for? Use our new, interactive Troop Support tool to get the help you need.
June 2019
Pro tip: Summer's here! Enjoy a break, and then jump right into planning for next year. The Volunteer Toolkit is expected to undergo maintenance during the first couple weeks of July, but your 2018-19 plans will be archived. When VTK returns better than ever in mid-July, look for 45 new badges and awards for all levels! Renew now to be able to access brand new plans and revised six-session Journeys, from Daisies to Ambassadors!
May 2019
Pro tip: Get the latest scoop on our newly-created What's New page for volunteers! Recent additions include a link to our just-released Bridging Guide, info on summer Troop Adventure Weekends, and Bronze and Silver Award resources. Learn about program updates, procedural changes, resources, and more by checking the What's New page regularly.
April 2019
Pro tip: Get a head start on the 2020 Girl Scout Year by renewing now! Early membership renewal ensures your girls are prepared to make a detailed budget and plans with their troop for the upcoming year. It’s also a perfect time to invite new friends into your troop by taking advantage of extended year membership. Additionally, girls who register any time before Friday, May 17 will receive an exclusive GSSD Spring Member patch!
March 2019
Pro tip: Become a lifetime member (at a special rate)! To applaud the contributions of all who champion the next generation of change-makers, Girl Scouts of the USA is offering longtime volunteers (ten+ years of service) lifetime memberships at a discounted rate of $200 during April, which is Volunteer Appreciation Month. Thank you to our dedicated volunteers who make the Girl Scout world go ‘round!
February 2019
Pro tip: With the Girl Scouts' birthday on Tuesday, March 12 right around the corner, remember that the resource centers (at each of our three locations) have loads of equipment for fun vintage Girl Scout activities, historical display uniforms, ceremony tools, and much more!
January 2019
Pro tip: We’re reaching out to new members in a new way. When a girl joins, her family will receive six short welcome emails to introduce Girl Scout traditions and resources. Encourage your families to open and read these, and refer to them (as well as the monthly Family Zone newsletter) to start conversations about the benefits of Girl Scouting for the whole family.
December 2018
Pro tip: As you're working with your troop to set realistic goals for the cookie program, tie your discussions into this season of giving, and remind them to plan for some of their time and funds to go toward helping others.
November 2018
Pro tip: Global issues don't just happen somewhere else. When girls participate in a holiday clothing drive, serve a meal at a homeless shelter, or collect gifts for families in need, they are addressing global issues, like hunger and poverty, in their local community. Ask, “What?...So what?...Now what?” to help them understand and appreciate their impact.
October 2018
Pro tip: Even the pros need a little help sometimes. If you or your families are having any trouble with membership (renewal or registration issues, roster inaccuracies, wrong adult role listed, etc.), contact customer care, 619-610-0821. That's why we're here!
Program-specific Newsletters
STEAMail: To receive this monthly email update on upcoming STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) events, activities, and resources to empower your Girl Scout, contact Claire.
Older Girls: Girls Scouts age 13+ and their parents receive occasional emails about opportunities, programs, scholarships, and more especially for girls in grades 6-12. Contact Rea to sign up.
Volunteers: Adults interested in short-term and episodic volunteer opportunities receive a quarterly email newsletter. Contact Loretta to sign up.
