With Gratitude, Top 10 Mission Moments of 2023

Dear Girl Scouts San Diego Community –

I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to each of you. Your commitment forms the cornerstone of our success, and I am profoundly grateful for your continued dedication.

As we immerse ourselves in the holiday season, let’s acknowledge the range of emotions it may bring. Our thoughts extend to those facing personal challenges—loss, health struggles, or difficulties. I encourage each of us to practice kindness toward self and others, taking moments for reflection and compassion. By promoting kindness, embracing healthy behaviors, and acknowledging our humanness, we collectively strengthen our resolve to approach the future with empathy, curiosity, and understanding.

Now, as we reflect on the past year, we see our organization and movement rejuvenating. Thanks to all of you, we have built great momentum, allowing us to serve more than 24,000 youth and adults across our region. Your ongoing support makes a tangible difference as we empower the next generation of leaders that our world needs.

Please join us in celebrating our top 10 mission moments of 2023. Here is a small glimpse into all that we accomplished together this year:

Membership on the Rise

Thanks to your support, more girls and adults in San Diego and Imperial counties are experiencing the benefits of Girl Scouting. Girl Scouts San Diego ended our 2023 membership year with a 12% increase in girl membership, 4.6% increase in adult membership, and 8.1% increase in lifetime membership. Let’s keep it going in 2024! Visit sdgirlscouts.org/join to learn more.

GSSD Prioritizes Mental Health, Provides Belonging

Girl Scouts San Diego continues to prioritize the mental health and well-being of our Girl Scouts.

A CDC study reported in Feb. 2023 that U.S. teen girls are experiencing increased sadness and violence. Nearly 3 in 5 felt persistently sad or hopeless in 2021, representing the highest level reported over the past decade.

In response to this crisis, we offer Youth Mental Health First Aid training for staff and volunteers. The trainings teach adults how to recognize signs and symptoms of a mental health challenge, listen without judgment, give reassurance, and refer youth to appropriate professional support and services. Keep an eye on sdgirlscouts.org/events to find upcoming workshops.

Through relationships with trusted adults—staff, volunteers, camp counselors—we are creating safe spaces where Girl Scouts can make lasting friendships, grow in confidence, discover new adventures, find joy, and create hope for their futures.

A Little Cookie Goes a Long Way

The 2023 Girl Scout Cookie Program was one of the most successful since the pandemic, with more than 9,500 Girl Scout entrepreneurs marketing 2.34 million cookie packages.

And, the Operation Thin MintSM (OTM) service project—which shares Girl Scout Cookies and handwritten “notes to show we care” with military personnel—reached an impressive four million package milestone.

Girl Scouts Make a Difference with Highest Awards

Nearly 650 Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors jumped into action this year to make the world a better place and earn their Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards. We also presented Cadette Girl Scout Amelia Umstadter with the presitigious GSUSA Medal of Honor for saving her father’s life during a choking incident at home. Congratulations to these fantastic leaders!

Girl Scouts Love the Outdoors

Girl Scouts San Diego’s summer camps welcomed more than 1,800 campers to our four San Diego County properties – Day Camps at Balboa Campus and Escondido Program Center, and Sleepaway Camps at Camps Winacka and newly-reopened Whispering Oaks!

Save the date: 2024 summer camp registration will open in Feb., 2024! Learn more at sdgirlscouts.org/camp.

Adults Learn and Grow at Volunteer Conference

On Saturday, Aug. 26, 400 adults participated in the 2023 Volunteer Conference, which featured 30 engaging learning sessions and networking time with peers and community partner organizations. It was an exciting and joyful summer day on our beautiful Balboa Campus.

Recognizing Our Fabulous Volunteers

We honored 43 all-star volunteers and corporate partners for their leadership and dedication to the Girl Scout mission on Saturday, Oct. 14 at the annual Volunteer Celebration. This special event welcomed 200 guests to the Mingei International Museum in Balboa Park. Attendees enjoyed delicious appetizers and refreshments, networked with Girl Scout friends new and old, and celebrated this year’s amazing lineup of honorees.

Thank You, Community Partners!

Girl Scouts San Diego is fortunate to collaborate with exceptional organizations in the community. This year, our more than 100 community partner organizations hosted nearly 1,000 workshops for our Girl Scouts. They also partnered with our Girl Scout Leadership Experience Program Team to provide nearly 30 council-sponsored events, programs, and badge workshops. These cooperative efforts make it possible for even more Girl Scouts to learn, grow, and discover their next big dreams in STEM, Entrepreneurship, Life Skills, and Outdoors.

Outstanding Impact from Girl Scout Outreach

Since 1980, Girl Scouts San Diego’s Outreach Program (GSO) has delivered the magic of Girl Scouts to girls (K-12) from under-resourced communities throughout San Diego County. During the 2022-23 school year, GSO served 2,054 girls in 33 Title I schools throughout San Diego County.

Help us reach 2,500 girls this school year! Donate today.

Cool Women Celebration and Urban Campout Bring Community Together

This year, we commemorated Women’s History Month with our 23rd annual Cool Women Celebration and rejoiced in September with the return of our beloved fun fundraiser, Urban Campout: Adventures Await!

These two special events collectively welcomed nearly 800 guests into the Girl Scout community to make connections and experience the power of the Girl Scout mission. We were grateful to highlight the benefits of the Girl Scout leadership experience, showcase our Emerging Leader Girl Scouts—teen leaders in grades 10-12, and emphasize how tenacious, adventurous spirits are made possible in Girl Scouting through community support.

The Cool Women Celebration returns on Thursday, March 21, 2024. Join us! Reserve your spot now at sdgirlscouts.org/coolwomen.

Thank you for being an integral part of our Girl Scouts San Diego community. Wishing you a holiday season filled with joyful moments, comfort, and the knowledge that your contributions make a meaningful difference.

With gratitude,

Carol M Dedrich