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Volunteer Conference

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Friday, Aug. 27, 6:30-7:30 p.m. (virtual)
Saturday, Aug. 28, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (in-person) or
 Sunday, Aug. 29, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (in-person)

Come home to Girl Scouts San Diego for a weekend of learning, connection, and fun!

Ease in to the festivities by joining us online Friday evening for a heart-felt welcome, State of the Council address, and keynote speaker. Then, attend in-person at our Balboa property on either Saturday OR Sunday for learning sessions, lunch, fun activities, networking, and summertime treats.

Dozens of our community partners will be on hand to share the unique experiences they offer to Girl Scouts. Plus, you’ll be able to shop the Girl Scout store and sample the goodies in the product program preview where we’ll be sharing what’s new for 2022.

The Volunteer Conference is always an inspiring event, helping to refresh and recharge with engaging ideas and friends old and new. We hope you’ll join us!

Register by the early bird deadline, July 28, to be entered into a drawing for two round trip domestic e-passes courtesy of Southwest Airlines. 

Need help registering? Contact Customer Care at 619-610-0821.

Pricing

Members

$35 Early bird pricing–ends Wednesday, July 28, 2021

$45 Regular pricing–begins Thursday, July 29, 2021

Registration closes on Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021

Financial Aid is available to members who qualify.

VC T-Shirt

Conference T-shirts: They’re cool, they’re comfy, and they’re printed with this year’s cheery Welcome Home logo. Want one? Register and order by Wednesday, July 28, 2021. Cost: $21.55 (includes sales tax).

T-shirt back says: home [hom] noun, a place for girl scouts to join together in learning and laughter, a place where you will always be surrounded by sisters and a place where you will always belong.

Non-Members

$50 Early bird pricing–ends Wednesday, July 28, 2021

$60 Regular pricing–begins Thursday, July 29, 2021

Registration closes on Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021 

VC T-Shirt

Conference T-shirts: They’re cool, they’re comfy, and they’re printed with this year’s cheery Welcome Home logo. Want one? Register and order by Wednesday, July 28, 2021. Cost: $21.55 (includes sales tax).

T-shirt back says: home [hom] noun, a place for girl scouts to join together in learning and laughter, a place where you will always be surrounded by sisters and a place where you will always belong.

Conference Details

Schedule
Friday, Aug. 27
(virtual)		 6:30-7:30 p.m. Evening Welcome
State of the Council Address
Keynote Speaker
Saturday, Aug. 28
(in-person)		 8 a.m. Shuttles to Balboa Property begin, time with exhbitors open
  9:30 a.m. Session A
  11 a.m. Session B
  noon Lunch, networking, and time with exhibitors
  2 p.m. Session C
  3:15 p.m. Closing Ceremony
Sunday, Aug. 29
(in-person)		   Repeat of Saturday's schedule (for those who chose to attend on Sunday, rather than Saturday)

Available throughout the day

Check out Community Partner exhibits (8 a.m.-3 p.m.).

Visit the product program preview for a sweet treat and to learn what’s new.

Shop the Girl Scout store (it’s been a long time!)

Shine bright at one (or more) of the photo booths.

Ask questions—the troop support team will be in the house!

Visit the solar cooking demo by expert veteran volunteer, Pam Stubbs.

Enjoy fun activities and network with your Girl Scout sisters.

Sessions

Choose from over 30 fun and engaging sessions at this year’s conference. See the session descriptions to learn more and plan your options.

Session A

Session B

Session C
  • Archery Fun
  • Balboa Campus Tour
  • Boosting Brain Health without Meds
  • Coming to Terms
  • Community Partners
  • Constructive Conversations
  • Girl Scouts in Real Life
  • Go for Gold!
  • Go Global for Older Girls
  • Just Junk: Movie Fans
  • Power Hour and Other Marketing Strategies
  • Team Building Games
  • Trees–Yes Please!
  • Archery Fun
  • Community Partners
  • Fall Rallies
  • Flag Retirement Ceremonies
  • Gardening with Your Girl Scouts
  • Girl Scouts 101
  • Girl Scouts Travel and Destinations
  • Go for Bronze!
  • Just Junk: Movie Fans
  • Optimizing Brain Health
  • Team Building Games
  • Upstanding
  • Wilderness Hiking and Backpacking
  • Community Partners
  • Epic Adventure
  • Games for Group Management
  • Go for Silver!
  • High Balance Help
  • IMPACT Older Girls
  • Journal Making
  • Money Madness with Mission Fed
  • My GS Account+
  • My Promise, My Faith: Families
  • Navigating the New Normal
  • Younger Girls: Go Global!
How to Register

Choosing Sessions: Choose one day (either Saturday or Sunday). Then choose an A, B, and C session for that day, using the session descriptions as a guide. 

If you chose fewer than three sessions, you can use available session time to network, check out the product program preview, view the solar cooking demonstration, and enjoy other activities.

After you register: If you need to return to your registration login to My GS with your Girl Scout email and password, select My Account (top, right) and then My Events (left sidebar).

Need help registering? Contact Customer Care at 619-610-0821 or customercare@sdgirlscouts.org.

About the Virtual Kick-Off

You’ll receive a confirmation email after you register for this event and a second reminder email closer to the event date. The reminder email will include a link to log in to Zoom for the virtual event kick-off scheduled for Friday, Aug. 27 at 6:30 p.m.

If you do not receive a reminder email, check your spam folder. Then contact training@sdgirlscouts.org.

Lunch

Lunch is included in the registration fee. We will have a variety of options. Please let us know if you have special dietary needs when you register for the event so that we can plan accordingly.

Parking and Directions

The 2021 Volunteer Conference will be held at Girl Scouts San Diego’s Balboa property at 1231 Upas St, San Diego, CA 92103. However, parking will not be available on site (we’ll need the event space) or in the surrounding neighborhood (we want to be courteous neighbors). We’ll provide a space to park close-by and a shuttle service to our property.

Check back for details on parking and driving directions. Coming soon!

Spirit Stick

This year’s conference theme, Welcome Home, provided the inspiration to welcome the spirit stick home to our property at Whispering Oaks. Like always, we are looking forward to seeing all of your spirit and enthusiasm for Girl Scouts at the Volunteer Conference—not in competition, but just for the joy of it! Our plan is to reimagine the role of the spirit stick so that it continues to be a part of GSSD history that is available to all girls and volunteers. Please connect with your service unit if you have questions or training@sdgirlscouts.org if you have ideas about how girls and volunteers might engage with the spirit stick in its new home.

FAQ: COVID-19 and Safety

Do I need to wear a mask?

Many of the girls we serve are currently unable to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Though the conference is an adult event, safeguarding the health of Girl Scout families and troops as much as possible is important. If you’re unvaccinated, we ask that you wear a mask “on your honor.” We will follow the guidance provided by San Diego County at the time of the event.

Do I need to be vaccinated for COVID-19?

You are not required to be vaccinated to attend the event. We ask that unvaccinated attendees wear a mask “on your honor.” We will follow the guidance provided by San Diego County at the time of the event.

Will I need to socially distance?

Attendees will have varying comfort levels with personal space and distancing. We ask that attendees respect the comfort levels of other attendees at the conference. We will include a way to easily identify comfort level with respect to personal space and distancing. 

Will I need to be screened for COVID-19 before attending?

We will follow the guidance provided by San Diego County at the time of the event.

FAQs

General

Can I attend both in-person sessions on both Saturday and Sunday?

Registration includes the evening welcome (online) and one full day of sessions and activities on either Saturday OR Sunday. Unlike previous years, this year’s Volunteer Conference has been planned over two days to accommodate attendees comfortably on our property. Session topics will be the same both days. 

How can I order a conference T-shirt, patch, or water bottle?

This year, we’re offering a conference T-shirt, patch, and water bottle customized with our cheery “welcome home” logo. You can select these items when you register.

Item

Price

 

T-shirt

$21.55

Order by July 28, 2021

Patch

$5.39

 

Water Bottle

$43.10

 

When will I be able to visit the community partner booths?

We are proud to partner with hundreds of community organizations. Dozens will have exhibits at the conference. You can choose to visit community partners before the first session of the day begins, during a session (sign up for Community Partners as your session A, B, or C), or during lunchtime. Community partner exhibits will close at 3 p.m., just prior to the closing ceremony at 3:15 p.m.

Will the Girl Scout store be open?

The Girl Scout store will be open during the Volunteer Conference. Snap up sale items and check out what’s new, including the Volunteer Conference 2021 patch.

Is there a theme for the day?

The 2021 Volunteer Conference theme is Welcome Home. We’re throwing our gates open wide and focusing on enjoying each other’s company, sharing a meal, learning together, having fun, and recharging our Girl Scout spirit. We’re excited to showcase the property that girls and volunteers love and offer activities we haven’t been able to explore at past conferences, like archery.

What should I bring to the conference?

Bring a mask, water bottle, a phone or camera, sunscreen and/or a hat. Consider bringing pen and paper.

You can also bring SWAPs. Girl Scouts often make small tokens of friendship to exchange with the Girl Scouts they meet while traveling. These little gifts are called “SWAPS,” which stands for “Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere.” Bringing SWAPS to the conference is optional, but adds an extra element of fun. Interested? Google “Girl Scout SWAPS” for ideas or search on Pinterest. We can’t wait to see your creative side!

What if I need assistance moving from one level to the next on the Balboa property?

Shuttle service will be on hand to transport you between levels.

What is the product program preview?

The product program preview is a sneak peek of the 2021-2022 product programs. Visit the product program preview area for fun (and delicious) program activity ideas and check out the upcoming cookie reward lineup for girls. Best of all: sample fall program and cookie program products. Find a favorite (or two, or three).

Can I share photos of the conference on social media?

We’ll have photo stations you won’t want to miss! Share away! Girl Scouts San Diego can be found on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest @sdgirlscouts. This year’s event hashtag is #WelcomeHome. You can also use #sdgirlscouts, #BestPlace4Girls, #BestPlace4Volunteers. Feel free to use these hashtags and mention @sdgirlscouts in your posts.

Why is there a fee for the conference?

Girl Scouts San Diego makes a conscientious effort to provide an innovative, interactive, and information Volunteer Conference while adhering to the constraints of a tight budget. This year, though the conference is being held at home on our property, we have additional expenses for shuttles, tents, and other outdoor supplies. Like all Girl Scouts, we use resources wisely! Girl Scouts San Diego does not profit financially from this event.

Is financial assistance available?

Financial assistance is available for those who qualify. Check the box when registering for the event.

Need help? Contact training@sdgirlscouts.org if you have questions about the conference. Contact customercare@sdgirlscouts.org if you need assistance with registration.

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