SU Spotlights

September 2020
The Spirit Stick competition, an annual tradition honoring the symbolism of a tree branch salvaged from Girl Scouts San Diego camp properties after a wildfire, looked a bit different at this year’s Volunteer Conference. Though Sunrise Valley will remain the guardians of the Spirit Stick for one more year, service units still had an opportunity to showcase their fire of imagination and exuberance of heart.

August 2020
Clairemont Service Unit volunteers got together virtually to brainstorm how to keep girls and troops connected to Girl Scouts during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Many great ideas were shared including cooking challenges, virtual troop campouts, and badge work activities. Their innovation and determination to support girls of courage, confidence, and character is a shining example of why GSSD volunteers are the best of the bunch!

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July 2020
Troop leaders Sheila Christine from Vista Service Unit and Sandra Banfield from Rancho Vista SU expanded their collaborative work on religious patches and the My Promise My Faith pin. More than 50 girls gathered on video conference for a free event, and many leaders volunteered to help each girl share her creativity.

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June 2020
When the Rancho Bernardo Service Unit heard that not all Girl Scout councils were able to finish their cookie programs due to COVID-19, they bought 140 packages from Girl Scouts Desert Southwest council and donated them, along with handmade cards, to local grocery stores, Rachel’s House, and God’s Extended hand.

May 2020
Congratulations to Park Hills Servie Unit on a successful virtual service unit meeting. In honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month in April, they distributed Girl Scout-themed face masks, made by one of their team members, to all those in attendane.

April 2020
A couple of months ago, Canyon Crest Service Unit hosted a magical day for Daisies. Junior troop 4519 and other older girls from the service unit guided the Daisies as they worked on a Journey, raced paper airplanes, shared SWAPS, and ended the day with fun skits.

March 2020
Troop 5248 of the Chaparral Service Unit hosted a Flag Fun Ceremony event along with the Alpine VFW where girls of all program levels were invited to earn the Flag Ceremony fun patch. Activities included a flag retirement ceremony, games, guest speakers, and more. Next step for the troop: Silver Awards.

February 2020
In preparation for cookie season, the Fallbrook Service Unit hosted a two-part cookie kickoff event at the Escondido Program Center. Older girls stayed overnight for a prep-and-pizza party and facilitated the activities for younger girls the next day. In the morning, over 75 Girl Scouts arrived ready to have fun, spread their wings, and learn the ins-and-outs of running a successful cookie program!

January 2020
On Dec. 7, Oceanside Service Unit hosted a Girl Made Market. More than a dozen booths hosted by individual girls and troops displayed products ranging from hats and jewelry to Christmas cookies and handmade dolls...all of it made by girls!

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December 2019
Coronado Service Unit had an awesome time at their fall encampment! With exciting activities such as archery, challenge courses, fun '70s-themed crafts, and an epic '70s dance party, it was fun-filled weekend.

November 2019
University City Troops 3782 and 4176 (Seniors and Cadettes, respectively) hosted their service unit’s Junior Encampment at Kumeyaay Lake Campground in Mission Trails. The Western-themed campout included camp names, fun rotations, and songs around the campfire.

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October 2019
Lakeside Service Unit kicked off the new Girl Scout year with a s'mores-themed back-to-troop event at Lindo Lake park. Friends and Girl Scouts of all ages were invited to experience classic Girl Scout songs, decorate bandanas to hold back their hair as they roasted s'mores, and of course, participate in a friendship circle! Happy Girl Scout New Year!

2018-2019 Membership Year: September 2019
At G.I.R.L.palooza, Tierrasanta's "Back to Troop" event, leaders, troops, and friends gathered to see what Girl Scouting is all about! Older girls led Daisies-Juniors through Girl Scout traditions while leaders networked with the service unit team. What a way to kick off the new Girl Scout year!

August 2019
The Sunrise Valley Service Unit has ensured that local Girl Scouts stayed connected over summer break by doing outdoor activities together. Girls learned pocket knife safety, hiked Mt. Woodson (and numerous other locations), and learned foil packet cooking.

July 2019
At the Scripps Ranch bridging ceremony, 161 girls bridged, including 23 of the 44 Ambassador Girl Scouts in the service unit who bridged to adults. Each college-bound girl shared her plans. In addtion, girls presented one Gold, eight Silver, and three Bronze Award projects.

June 2019
At the Escondido Service Unit She and Me Tea Party, girls celebrated women near and dear to their hearts. They decorated and showed off fancy hats, enjoyed high tea with loads of yummy snacks, and raised money for S.H.A.R.E. with a silent auction.

May 2019
The Rancho Vista Service Unit's STEAM Team engaged nearly 100 Girl Scouts on Messy Science Day, most of whom earned their Think Like a Citizen Scientist Journey! Girls learned about the scientific method, explored the impact of the environment on plants, and observed the effects of gravity. Activities like these prepare girls for the jobs of tomorrow.

April 2019
The Carmel Valley and Mira Mesa Service Units partnered to host a technology workshop showcasing the new Cybersecurity badges. Over 100 Girl Scouts and prospective Girl Scouts learned about internet safety with their families through hands-on activities at volunteer-led activity stations.

March 2019
Valle Lindo Service Unit 612, in collaboration with the House of Pacific Relations International Cottages, hosted Girl Scouts on a trip around the world! Without even leaving Balboa Park, girls learned about diverse traditions at World Thinking Day. There was even a bagpiper outside Scotland’s cottage!

February 2019
Cadettes from Muirlands Middle School in Pacific Jewel Service Unit used their veteran cookie skills to lead Daisies and Brownies through an annual Cookie Kickoff. Stations taught safe marketing, goal setting and tracking, and more. Cookie samples and a photo booth rounded out the experience.

January 2019
For over a decade, older troops in the La Mesa Service Unit have hosted an annual ornament party and food drive where more than 100 younger Girl Scouts gather to create holiday decorations. Each girl takes home several ornaments and donates one.

December 2018
Serra Mesa Service Unit celebrated Girl Scout founder, Juliette Gordon Low, with a birthday bash. Girl Scouts gathered to create new memories, learn more about our founder, and decorate cupcakes with lots of green frosting and edible glitter!

November 2018
At Vista Service Unit’s Spy Scout Encampment, girls earned their investigation badges with scavenger hunt adventures, ziplining and low ropes, and a carnival. With secret agent names, an “escape room,” and a “time for s’mores” cypher, they couldn't help but have fun around the campfire.

October 2018
The Coronado Service Unit (SU617) is really getting to know their community and maintaining a strong presence. Even local law enforcement wants to join in on the fun! Connect with your regional recruitment specialist to see how you and your Girl Scouts can motivate others to unleash their G.I.R.L.s.
2017-2018 Membership Year: September 2018
Mission Trails Service Unit definitely had their mission in mind at this year’s Volunteer Conference! They showed their Girl Scout Spirit with a super-powered theme as they claimed the coveted Spirit Stick. Congratulations! Carry it with pride over this next Girl Scout year, and we look forward to seeing your journey together.

August 2018
Congratulations! At VCC , the Service Units listed below will receive the 2018 President’s Award! The President's Award recognizes the efforts demonstrated by an entire service unit to enhance Girl Scouting in its community during a membership year. Way to go Park Hills, Mission Trails, Tierrasanta, Escondido, Fallbrook, Sunny Trails, Magnolia Trails, Imperial Valley, Rancho Bernardo, Mira Mesa, Blue Sky, and Mountain Shadow.

July 2018
The Diamond Service Unit (SU614) celebrated their year-end leader appreciation with laughs and creativity at a painting event at Bread and Salt, a 2017 Friendship Award winner.

June 2018
Encinitas Service Unit 648 delivered over 250 spring baskets to Easter Seals Head Start preschools in their community. What started as a service project many years ago has continued as an annual tradition of giving back. More than 16 troops participated this year by donating school and fun supplies, assembling them at troop meetings, and delivering the baskets. Visiting with the children allowed them to see first-hand the impact of their efforts.

May 2018
Park Hills Service Unit is hosting a Wild about Bridging event at the San Diego Zoo on June 16! Troops will have the opportunity to bridge across the newly opened 450-foot canopy bridge that spans the canyon, and participants will receive a custom patch and bridging certificate. For more information about this wild event, email su610events@gmail.com.

April 2018
Imperial Valley Service Unit #681 greeted spring with a She and Me weekend at Camp Winacka. During a busy month, the girls welcomed special guests Troop 3292 from Pacific Jewel SU who kicked off their High Adventure Weekend at Sunbeam Lake with campfire programing. Also on the agenda: fishing, team-building activities, first aid kit building, and archery.

March 2018
At this year's World Thinking Day event, Blue Sky Service Unit’s Junior Troop 2072 welcomed over 200 girls. Thirteen co-host troops stamped passports as girls tasted Vegemite and sushi and crafted Viking helmets and Chinese lanterns. They learned about Girl Scouting around the world and collected change to support the WAGGGS mission to help girls and young women develop their full potential.

February 2018
Mira Mesa Girl Scouts kicked off the 2018 cookie season with a spirited afternoon of skill building and live music. Nearly 150 Girl Scouts enjoyed activities such as Goals in a Bottle, Booth Building Tips, Goal Getter Speeches and more. The afternoon was topped off with a rockin’ concert from The 606, Mira Mesa's own kid-led band. Parents, girls and guests danced on the patio and celebrated all that’s great about being a Girl Scout.

January 2018
The Seacoast Service Unit really knows how to start a new year! At their ice skating cookie kickoff event, 91 Girl Scouts and their families got pumped up for the upcoming Girl Scout Cookie season. Participants sampled cookies, checked out cookie rewards, practiced selling at a mock booth sale, shared SWAPS and guessed how many "s'mores" were in the jar.

December 2017
Girl Scouts from the Vista and Rancho Vista Service Unit are local celebrities after being featured on the cover of the Nov./Dec. issue of 92081 Magazine. The article highlighted Service Unit Managers Jessica Zamora and Chris Simmons’s passion for Girl Scouting as well as their girls’ achievements and plans for the future, and they invited readers to cheer them on at the upcoming Vista Christmas Parade. Kuddos to Rancho Vista and the Vista Service Units for being shining stars in their community!

November 2017
Cadette Troop 3013 of Solana Ranch SU hosted the 12th annual Service Unit Singalong and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the improved Scout House at San Dieguito Park. The girls gave house tours to community volunteers and donors, showing off the refurbishments made possible by their Girl Scout Bronze Award project. They then welcomed 130 Girl Scouts for singing, dancing, shopping at a council pop-up shop, and of course, the traditional Friendship Circle.

October 2017
The Chula Vista Service Unit has rallied their neighboring service units together to host a Discover the Outdoors recruitment event on Sunday, Nov. 19 at our Balboa Campus. This “bring-a-buddy” experience allows existing Girl Scouts to share their love of Girl Scouting with new friends while learning outdoor safety and camping basics. If you would like to attend, contact gscvevents@gmail.com. Or, to host an event like this in your community reach out to your Regional Recruitment Specialist.
2016-2017 Membership Year: September 2017
Otay Mesa Service Unit showed their Girl Scout Spirit at this year’s Volunteer Conference by taking everyone on a trip down memory lane. Dressed in vintage Girl Scout uniforms from yesteryear, they took the stage to claim their prize, the coveted Spirit Stick—Congratulations! Carry her with pride during the next Girl Scout year. We look forward to seeing your adventures together.

August 2017
Mountain Shadow Service Unit, based in Rancho Peñasquitos, is ready to experience the Great American Eclipse the Girl Scout way on Monday, Aug. 21. The girls can't wait to learn about the first visible total solar eclipse of the sun in the US in 26 years. They'll kick off their studies with a slumber party, where they'll build eye pieces, learn astronomy and enjoy some good old overnight fun before the eclipse, which will begin at 9:30 a.m. Monday morning.

July 2017
Each summer, Sunny Trails Service Unit takes off on an exciting trip … like this year’s Yosemite excursion. From biking, hiking and whitewater rafting to painting, journaling and stargazing, the SU experienced some of the park’s top attractions. You can plan an adventure, too: Join trip coordinator Consuelo Murillo in her National Parks session at VCC 2017 for sample itineraries, meal plans and other tips.

June 2017
Every June, San Marcos Service Unit hosts their much-awaited bridging and awards event. Each girl has her moment to cross over the bridge on stage, receive her flower and certificate, and hug or shake hands with her troop. Parents take photos, and friends and family enjoy refreshments and laughter. Girls look back on fond memories and forward to new adventures!

May 2017
Park Hills Service Unit definitely has an attitude of gratitude! The team plans quarterly leader socials to thank leaders with a fun opportunity to hang out together. They kicked off Volunteer Appreciation Month with a Paint Night event, where leaders expressed their artistic abilities. During the month of April, the service unit also hosted an ice-cream social to thank all the troop cookie managers for their hard work.

April 2017
Valle Lindo Service Unit in National City shared traditions with current and future Girl Scouts at their World Thinking Day event, which celebrated our international sisterhood. Troops made presentations on WAGGGS member countries around the world, taking attendees from Fiji to India to Japan. Valle Lindo troops opened this special holiday to prospective Girl Scouts … making new friends, but keeping the old!

March 2017
Vista Service Unit holds an annual showcase event for local Girl Scouts and their families. Girls and troops prepare display boards, then use them to present their accomplishments and upcoming projects. All girls, from Daisies to Ambassadors, have the opportunity to practice and develop their presentation skills by speaking to a big, supportive group!

February 2017
Imperial Valley Service Unit is growing by leaps and bounds: They've increased their girl membership by 90 percent in less than a year! Now, IV Girl Scouts are jumping into cookie season. At their Cookie Kickoff (pictured), they tested their cookie knowledge, welcomed a military visitor who spoke about Operation Thin Mint℠, and practiced their sales pitches.

January 2017
Lakeside Service Unit: During their annual cookie kickoff, Lakeside’s Girl Scouts swapped sales tips, shared cookie goals and studied up on safe selling. In the 100^th year of Girl Scouts selling cookies, the celebrations were double the fun — the service unit hosted a kickoff where younger girls could master cookie basics, and a cooking-show-inspired bake-off challenge for Cadettes-Ambassadors.

December 2016
Mountain Shadow Service Unit has a unique holiday tradition — the Candy Cane Project, now in its fifth year. Troops from Mountain Shadow and beyond decorate giant wooden candy cane cutouts for “Christmas Card Lane,” a locally famous neighborhood holiday display in Rancho Peñasquitos. The towering sweets send season’s greetings from area Girl Scouts to the wider community.

November 2016
Magnolia Trails Service Unit’s first annual Activity and Vendor Fair was a smashing success! The service unit welcomed more than 30 community partners, local businesses and troops to share Girl Scout activities and resources with leaders across East County. Attendees met The Raptor Institute’s feathered friends, made music with Staump Music School, and connected with Ambassador Troop 6450 to learn about mentorship.

October 2016
Blue Sky Service Unit made a festive sight at our Volunteer Conference. Clad in blue and gold, they brought Pixar's Finding Dory to life with cheers of, "Just keep Scouting" ... and won the Spirit Stick for their energy and creativity. Service Unit Manager Robin Evans says, "It's about getting leaders to rally behind you, not just about being loud. It's about living and breathing the Girl Scout spirit!"

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SU Spotlights

2018-2019 Membership Year

2017-2018 Membership Year

2016-2017 Membership Year