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Tag: GSHPA

Girl Scouts in the Heart of PA executive notes that girl scout alumnae have advantages in the workplace

How would you describe your leadership style? 

Authentic, collaborative and visionary. Anytime I read an article that mentions authenticity, I hope sarcastic and irreverent count! I build relationships by letting people see the real me, admitting failure, and laughing at myself, while simultaneously inviting others to contribute to the vision. As a leader, I focus on finding ways to affirm contributions while always pushing for more and challenging my team to take something just one notch further. 

As the glass ceiling continues to be shattered in many areas of American life, what do you see as the biggest challenge in the business world for women? 

Well certainly one of challenges could be if a woman wasn’t a Girl Scout in her youth! I say that partially tongue-in-cheek; however, a 2021 report from Girl Scout Research Institute titled “The Girl Scout Alum Difference” indicates Girl Scout alumnae are more likely to be in management positions at work. Forty-two percent of Girl Scout alumnae hold management positions as compared to only 37 percent of non-alumnae.  

Another challenge for women is that as we climb the ladder, (we want to be) finding and making the time to take the time to extend a hand to women a rung or two down the ladder and sponsor them on their own climb. 

What are the keys to helping the young women of today become the leaders of tomorrow? 

Diversification of experience is key for equipping young women to be leaders. When we broaden our understanding of the world, it allows us to more effectively serve our team. Both diversification of experience, and broadening understanding of the world can also come from, you guessed it, a Girl Scout experience! Through Girl Scouts, young women develop a strong sense of self, positive values and healthy relationships while becoming community problem solvers and learn to try things even though she might fail — challenge seeking. These are all categorized as our Girl Scout Leadership Experience outcomes and provide a great pathway for becoming leaders of tomorrow. 

 If you could earn a Girl Scout badge today, what would it be?  

If I could earn a badge today, it would be the one of either the automotive badges, because they just sound cool, or the snowsports badges so I could get a behind the scenes tour of the snowmaking technology that allows us to have skiing on the east coast even in spite of less than desirable winter temps. 

About Lutricia Eberly 

Lutricia Eberly, 44, was named Chief Membership Officer of Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania in November 2022, after three years as its director of outdoor and program experiences. She previously spent more than a decade with Roundtop Mountain Resort (formerly Ski Roundtop) as director of sales and events coordinator. 

Eberly earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Elizabethtown College and and master’s degree in theology from Bethany Theological Seminary. 

She and her significant other, Dave, live in Dillsburg. 

Volunteering is crucial to improving our communities.

We invite local business leaders who have the influence and guidance to help share their talents and insight to help lead the next generation of strong, successful women.  

At Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania (GSHPA), our volunteers inspire girls: 

  • They drive forward for the moment when a Girl Scout thanks them for planning a beach trip and share happy tears when the girl sees the ocean for the first time.  
  • They pursue the moment when the shy girl in the group pushes her hair out of her face and beams a smile when she tries archery for the first time.  
  • They chase the moment filled with laughter and joy that follows the morning after an exhausting camping trip with hours of hiking and a night filled with thunderstorms.

Volunteering is not only giving time to help others, but it is an opportunity for you to pursue your own passions and interests as well. Turn your solo camping trip into a group outing and show girls how to plan and execute an outdoor excursion. Tend to your garden while also teaching girls how they can grow their own food at home. Volunteer at the local food bank you support and bring along Girl Scouts to show them the importance of giving back to our communities. 

At GSHPA we depend on dedicated volunteers to help us meet our goal of building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. According to the Girl Scout Research Institute’s (GSRI) impact study, the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE), the foundation of the Girl Scout program, has proven to help girls develop strong leadership outcomes including:  

  • Developing a strong sense of self 
  • Displaying positive values 
  • Seeking challenges
  • Forming healthy relationships 
  • Being community problem-solvers

We have almost 3,000 volunteers committing their time and energy to help deliver the GSLE to over 10,000 girls across our 30-county footprint. We are so grateful for our volunteers, but the demand still grows.  

The GSLE provides hands-on learning opportunities to girls in entrepreneurship, outdoors, life skills, and STEM. The GSRI impact study shows proof that girls who engage in active learning boost their ability to develop leadership outcomes. As a Girl Scout volunteer, you have the unique opportunity to provide this hands-on learning through activities you enjoy while igniting the same flame of passion in others.  

When we ask individuals to volunteer with GSHPA, we know we are asking them to hit pause on their professional and personal lives. To volunteer requires time, and at times, a sacrifice. At GSHPA, we offer a variety of ways to get involved with Girl Scouts’ that allow volunteers to choose the avenue of service that works best for them and their schedule. 

We have many short-term volunteer opportunities. Have a business or marketing background? Help a local troop during their Girl Scout Cookie Season and offer tips and guidance on how they can run a successful cookie business. Do you work in an outdoor or environmental field? Train and volunteer as an outdoor activity facilitator at any of our four camp properties in Adams, Dauphin, Lancaster, and Susquehanna counties. And we always welcome professionals to visit girls as subject-matter experts to share their working experience and knowledge.  

We have long-term volunteer opportunities as well, such as serving as a troop or Service Unit leader. They plan exciting meetings and activities for girls to connect and learn alongside others all year round. From teaching girls about robot prototypes with a pool noodle; to simulating techniques girls from other countries use to access clean water; to planning a morgue tour to share the role of a coroner in our society and explore forensic careers – you can lead girls through years of adventure and learning. 

These moments add up to create a picture of impact, and they would not be possible without volunteers. As a volunteer with GSHPA, you not only inspire girls to do right by themselves and their communities – the GSRI impact study revealed Girl Scout volunteers help girls pursue their goals and expand their possibilities by connecting them to people, ideas, and experiences to help them grow.  

The future of our girl leaders depends on your mentorship. We hope you join us to help build girls of courage, confidence, and character who are making our world a better place. 

 

Janet Donovan (Markell DeLoatch/for Girl Scouts, Heart of Pennsylvania)

 

Janet Donovan is the President and CEO of Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania. To learn more about volunteer opportunities please contact [email protected].  

Girl Scouts announces 42 new badges and journeys, including cybersecurity and outdoor high adventures

Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) this week announced that it has 42 new badges that enhance the organization’s existing girl-led programming, offering girls everything from adventuring in the snow or mountains to learning how to use coding to solve problems they care about.

Among the 42 new offerings are Outdoor High Adventure badges that feature, for the first time in Girl Scouts’ history, two distinct activity options, letting girls choose how they want to earn each badge.

In addition to existing badge offerings, girls in grades 6–12 can now pursue:

Nine Cybersecurity badges, through which girls learn about the inner workings of computer technology and cybersecurity and apply concepts of safety and protection to the technology they use every day. Activities range from decrypting and encrypting messages, to learning proper protection methods for devices, to exploring real-world hacking scenarios (funded by Palo Alto Networks).

Three Space Science badges, through which girls explore topics such as the universe and their place in it, properties of light, and inspiring careers in space science (funded by NASA’s Science Mission Directorate and led by the SETI Institute).

Think Like a Citizen Scientist, a Girl Scout Leadership Journey during which girls participate in interactive activities to practice observation techniques; collect data; and share their findings with real-world scientists through an online network. As with all of Girl Scouts’ Leadership Journeys, girls use their newly honed skills to take action on a community issue of their choosing (funded by Johnson & Johnson and The Coca-Cola Foundation).

Cyber Challenge events in select areas this fall. At these events, which will take place October 19, girls will learn crucial cybersecurity skills by completing challenges such as running trace routes and identifying phishing schemes (funded by Raytheon).

The new programming for girls in grades K–12 includes:

Twelve Outdoor High Adventure badges, designed for girls to explore nature and experience exciting outdoor adventures like backpacking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, rock climbing, and tree climbing—giving them the confidence to support one another, take healthy risks, and spend dedicated time in nature. These are the first Girl Scout badges that members can earn by choosing one of two self-directed paths (funded by The North Face).

Eighteen Coding for Good badges, which not only teach girls the basics of coding but also detail how every stage of the coding process provides girls with opportunities to use their skills for good. Girls will learn about algorithms through age-appropriate, creative activities, such as coding positive memes to spread a message about a cause they care about, designing a digital game to educate people about an issue, and developing an app to promote healthy habits. Every Coding for Good badge includes a plugged-in and unplugged version, so that all girls can learn the foundations of coding, regardless of their access to technology (funded by AT&T and Dell Technologies).

 

Find Thin Mints and Do-si-Dos with Girl Scout Cookie Finder app

Starting February 24, hungry Girl Scout cookie customers will be able to get their hands on the classic cookies at local scout-run cookie booths. Cookie booth sales will continue through March 26.

Use the official Girl Scout Cookie Finder app, free for your iOS or Android phone or mobile device, to find Girl Scouts selling cookies near you.

The available Girl Scout Cookies are Thin Mints, Samoas, Tagalongs, Trefoils, Savannah Smiles, and Do-si-Dos. Each variety can be purchased for $4/box.

100 years of Girl Scout cookies

Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania (GSHPA) will join other Girl Scout councils across the country February 24-26 to participate in National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend 2017, celebrating the fun and learning Girl Scouts have experienced selling cookies for 100 years. National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend will offer girls from central and northeastern PA a chance to show off their cookie-selling skills by participating in booth and door-to-door sales.

“The Girl Scout Cookie Program is about more than just cookies,” said Ellen Kyzer, CEO of GSHPA. “Girls learn integral business skills and a lifelong sense of civic responsibility that empowers them to become leaders.”

One hundred percent of the net revenue raised through Girl Scout Cookie sales in central and northeastern PA area stays with GSHPA and its troops.

“We have thousands of Girl Scouts opening up their businesses with a goal focused on earning enough proceeds to give back to their community to support a cause they are passionate about,” said Kyzer.

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