Connections Newsletter: Letter from the CEO, Sept. 2023

Dear Girl Scouts San Diego Community -

It has been a fantastic summer!

Girl Scouts explored the great outdoors as we welcomed over 1,870 campers to sleepaway and day camps, and we re-opened Camp Whispering Oaks. Plus, a handful of Girl Scouts adventured into the wild with the GSSD Wilderness Hiking and Backpacking program. A huge shoutout to our incredible staff and volunteers whose leadership, dedication, energy, and passion created the “Best Summer Ever” for so many campers and outdoor explorers.

Last month, more than 400 adults came together on our Balboa Campus for Volunteer Conference, presented by Mission Fed. The energy was palpable, and we are grateful to each of you who shared your experience and knowledge by hosting sessions and exhibitor booths.

I am excited that Girl Scouts San Diego’s beloved fun fundraiser, Urban Campout: Adventures Await returns this Friday, Sept. 22! There is still time to support the event and help us empower girls to seek new adventures and tackle challenges, building within them the skills to become leaders of courage, confidence, and character. Learn more and donate at sdgirlscouts.org/urbancampout.

It has been an amazing year of big wins, and we are eager to keep the momentum going as we look forward to the start of our 2024 membership year on Oct. 1., 2023. We are jumpstarting with programming opportunities for all Girl Scout levels and some exciting Girl Scout Rally Days for new members to try Girl Scouting. Check out the Things to Do page on our website to find a variety of workshops and events for your troop.

As an exciting way to kick off the new membership year, applications and nominations for our Emerging Leader Girl Scout and Cool Women classes of 2024 will open on Oct. 1. Learn more at sdgirlscouts.org/coolwomen.

We have two more events coming soon for adult volunteers. First, develop new skills and embrace your inner camper at Outdoor Skills Weekend at Camp Winacka on Friday-Sunday, Oct. 6-8. Later in October, we will honor all of our fabulous volunteers at the annual Volunteer Celebration. Select volunteers were nominated by their peers and will receive awards for their unique dedication to Girl Scouting. Register now and join us on Saturday, Oct. 14 at the Mingei Museum to celebrate!

There is so much to be proud of and to look forward to, thanks in great part to each of you.

Thank you for your continued commitment to this mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

Yours in Girl Scouting,

Carol M Dedrich
Chief Executive Officer