Welcome Newsletter!

Welcome to Girl Scouting!!
I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome everyone to the 2011-2012 Girl Scout year!  Whether you are a new Girl Scout or a returning one, this year is going to be filled with fun and celebration.   This year is going to be beyond special - Girl Scouting is celebrating its 100th Anniversary!!

My name is Heidi Daily and I am a troop leader for the Cass-Midway school district.  I have been involved with Girl Scouting for14 years - 6 years as a Girl Scout and 8 years as an Adult Volunteer.  This is only my second year with the Cass-Midway Girl Scouts and after the huge success of last year, I am looking forward to promoting the growth of the Girl Scout Program in our community.

Currently, Cass-Midway has two established troops - Daisy & Brownie - and at Back-to-School night we received a lot of older girls interested in the Girl Scouting Program.  We are looking for any volunteer who is willing to take on or help out with the responsibility of a Junior Troop and a Cadette, Senior, & Ambassador Troop.   If a troop isn't something you can take on, I still encourage you to register as a parent volunteer.  The membership dues are $12 and just like your daughter, you'll receive all the added benefits of being a Girl Scout - discounted rates when it come to activities and Girl Scout activity accident insurance.

I completely understand that not everyone has the time to participate in every Girl Scout meeting, every time - especially when it comes to work and other children!  I have a family and a full time job too!  But to maintain the required adult-to-girl ratio, I will need at least one volunteer to help out with the meetings each week.  The girls quickly out number me and I appreciate all the extra hands I can get, especially during badge work.

Girl Scout Basics
Daisy Girl Scouts (K & 1st Grade) - Through leadership and willingness to volunteer, girls will have the opportunity to learn about themselves, make friends, and put into action ideas to make the world a better place.

Brownie Girl Scouts (2nd & 3rd Grade) - Brownie work together in groups, earn badges, and explorer their community.  Friendship, fun, and age-appropriate activities begin at the Brownie meeting and move out to the community and wider world.

Junior Girl Scouts (4th & 5th Grade) - With increasing independence, bonding with friends and a likeness for teamwork, the Junior Girl Scout is ready to take on more and more responsibility in the troop.  A 50/50 relationship for Girl/Adult planning is a good goal!

Cadette, Senior, & Ambassador Girl Scouts (6th - 12th Grade) - Trip planning, Silver/Gold Award projects, and money earning activities require a lot of time, energy and commitment on the part of Teen Girl Scouts.  Girls need encouragement from not only you, the Troop Advisor, but also from each other.

Troop Meeting Information
As we start this year out, the Girl Scouting Program has grown a lot in our community.  I am working hard to sort and organize troops, and determine meeting places and meeting times.  Once all the girls and volunteers are registered, I will have a clearer idea of what needs to be done.  I ask for your patience as we figure things out and get the new year rolling.  You will be notified by your daughters troop leader, as to when and where your Girl Scout meetings will begin.

No matter the time or the place of the meetings or events, I asked that parents be on time in dropping off and picking up their daughters.  And for the safety of your scout, when picking up your daughter please enter the meeting place, instead of waiting outside or in the car.   It is important to me that every child goes home with the right person!  Plus I just might have some troop information to pass on or permission slips for you to sign.

Communication
Whether or not I am your daughters troop leader, I am always here if you have any questions or concerns.  How do you get a hold of me?  Sometimes I'm sure it's easier said than done.  My life never slows down!  Along with Girl Scouting, I work a full-time job and I am a mother of 3 very active children.  Therefore, I offer a few ways to get a hold of me!  My home phone number is 816.250.2491; if I am not home you can always leave a message with my husband or on the answering machine.  My cell phone number is 816.258.9527; if I don't answer you can leave a voicemail or send me a text message.  An added bonus for the computer savvy parents, like me - who seems to only have a free moment when the dishes are done and kids are in bed; you can drop me an email, my email address is freeman.girlscouts@hotmail.com.  Just like the rest of the world, Cass-Midway Girl Scouts also has a facebook page!  To find us, just type "Cass-Midway Girl Scouts" in the search box.  While you're visiting don't forget to click the "Like" button to get troop information and reminders on your facebook page!  And finally - because "Going Green" is important to our planet, we also have a website were you can find information about our troops, along with a Calendar of events, and newsletters for all Cass-Midway troops.  Visit and bookmark us at http://midwaygirlscouts.blogspot.com/facebook page updated!

No matter how you contact me please leave your name and contact information - along with your scouts name and I will make every effort to get back to you in a timely matter. . . but please understand that I have a busy schedule too!

In Closing
I know that was a lot of information all crammed into one newsletter!  This year, I really hope that your Girl Scouting Adventure is a good one for both you and your daughter!  I am looking forward to the new year and together, through Girl Scouting we can build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place!