For the Tomahawk Leader

TOMAHAWK – As part of Girl Scout week, which began on Sunday, March 12 and will run through Saturday, March 18, Tomahawk’s scouts are continuing cookie sales and highlighting opportunities for local girls to join.

Cookie sales

The Tomahawk Girl Scouts will host cookie booths at Trig’s, 662 N. 4^th St., Tomahawk, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Saturday this month. Nine cookie varieties, including gluten-free caramel chocolate chip, will be available.

The Tomahawk Girl Scouts will be donating 25% of cookie proceeds to the Washington Square Park revitalization project.

Troops also use proceeds from cookie sales to attend camps and events, pay for troop meeting supplies and for community service projects.

“With each cookie purchase, you’re supporting Girl Scouts as they learn, grow, and thrive through all of life’s adventures,” the Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes (GSNWGL) said. “Plus, all proceeds stay local to help fund life-changing, girl-led programs, experiences and learning all year long in your community. Because you get your cookies directly from a Girl Scout (or troop), you’ll enjoy them even more knowing you’re helping local Girl Scouts gain the business experience and confidence to take on the world, one cookie at a time.”

“Proceeds from the Girl Scout Cookie Program stay local,” said Patti Shafto-Carlson, CEO of GSNWGL. “When you buy a box of Girl Scout cookies from local Girl Scouts, not only are you fueling programs and activities for the years ahead, you are empowering girls to see themselves as successful entrepreneurs. They’re learning goal setting, money management, decision making, people skills, business ethics and so much more.”

Girl Scouts’ newly updated Financial Literacy badges offer entrepreneurial playbooks for every age level.

“From the Cookie Goal Setter badge earned as a Daisy to the Entrepreneur Accelerator for girls in high school, the Girl Scout Cookie Program teaches girls financial literacy, planning, budgeting, teamwork, innovative thinking and confident decision-making,” GSNWGL stated.

Camps

There are seven Girl Scout camps within the GSNWGL, with Camp Birch Trails being the largest.

Camp Birch Trails is a 240-acre camp 12 miles from Tomahawk, surrounding private Lake Olivotti with a sandy beach and swim and boating dock, as well as a Mermaid bridge that connects the main area of camp to our Low Ropes course.

“The mermaid bridge was a Gold Award in 2010 by Valerie Thomzik, a former Tomahawk Girl Scout,” GSNWGL explained. “Her dream was to replace a 76-foot-long foot bridge for the camp.”

The camp also features a floating bog and island for primitive camping to explore.

GSNWGL said the older Cadette/Senior Troop 7227’s goal is to visit and stay overnight at all seven camps. The troop has checked five camps off their list, with the Cornell, Wis., and Gwinn, Mich., locations yet to be visited.

Most recently, they traveled to Green Bay for the Disney on Ice show before heading to Sister Bay in Door County to stay at Camp Cuesta and experience an art studio.

Membership opportunities

Girl Scouts have the opportunity to join a “movement dedicated to building girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place,” according to GSNWGL.

“Girl Scouts is a way of life that brings out the best in your girl, even in the most challenging of times,” GSNWGL stated. “While they’re learning about STEM, the outdoors, entrepreneurship and important life skills, Girl Scouts are also discovering new ways to make their family and community stronger, kinder and better for everyone.”

GSNWGL explained that Girl Scout troops typically meet weekly or every other week for an hour or two.

“Guided by adult volunteers, troop members choose the hands-on activities and projects that excite them, try new things and cheer each other on,” GSNWGL said. “Together, they earn badges to reflect their successes and show the world what they’re made of.”

The goal of the Girl Scouts is to “(make) sure girls are given the opportunity to reach their full potential by developing values and skills that will lead them to happier lives,” GSNWGL said.

A Girl Scout membership is $25.00, plus any applicable council fees. The membership year starts on Oct. 1 and last through Sept. 30 of the following year. However, memberships can start or be renewed in April.

“If your girl is ready to let her best self shine and start creating the world she wants to see, she’s ready to be a Girl Scout today,” GSNWGL stated.

To find a local Girl Scout council, visit www.girlscouts.org/en/council-finder.html.

About GSNWGL

Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes (GSNWGL) partners with 5,000 volunteers and serves approximately 10,000 girls, covering 58 counties across central and northwestern Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

For more information on how to join, volunteer, reconnect or donate, call 888-747-6945 or visit www.gsnwgl.org.