Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England

Valerie Ledbetter (née Ferrent) recently shared some of her favorite camp memories. "I started at Camp Hoffman, Burrow Unit, when I was 7 years old. I was there for 2 weeks every year until I worked as a counselor in 1959. I was in the bicycle unit in 1956; and the canoeing unit in 1955. I'm now 82 and have so many fond memories of my camping days at Camp Hoffman. I was in the CIT Unit for 2 years; then became a counselor at 17 in one of the oldest cabins! I loved singing new songs just before lunch and at the campfires at night. I still remember several of the songs. I liked going on hikes, picking blueberries, swimming, and learning about nature."

On Thursday, June 20th Girl Scouts participated in a STEM Career Exploration Tour at the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT). Girl Scouts across three councils joined to explore career opportunities in project management, engineering, planning, traffic safety, finance, and maintenance in addition to many others. Over 30 participants rotated between stations to experience a mix of hands-on activities and live demonstrations! We then went to the Rhode Island State House to hear from an expansive career panel of RIDOT leaders. Participants then practiced their interviewing skills with a game of networking bingo! After a lunch break, Girl Scouts joined a session with Rhode Island Governor, Dan McKee, and First Lady Susan McKee to learn about Litter-Free Rhode Island and this special Girl Scout patch program. We encourage everyone to learn more and get started by taking the Pledge to Keep Rhody Litter Free: https://lnkd.in/e3ariGdt. This free, one-day program was open to Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors as they earned their STEM Career Exploration Badge. Thank you to the team at RIDOT for this great program!

Recently, Girl Scout Media Team members and bingo winners from the cookie season participated in a photo shoot at Camp Hoffman. Here are a few of our favorites. And you'll see more photos from this photo shoot on our website, social media, and other materials in the future! Big thank you to Photos by Mary-E!

It’s July! Maybe you’ve already dipped your feet in the sand and stocked up on your sunblock and fireworks. Maybe you’re already struggling with the summer camp schedule, with packing lists and pickups and dropoffs that leave barely six hours in the day to work and breathe. Never fear: GLAMP is around the corner! When you find yourself fantasizing about your next getaway, consider GLAMP- an all-inclusive women's retreat weekend at the iconic Camp Hoffman in South Kingstown, RI. We’ve been working hard to build an experience that balances connections, activities, and time to reflect and relax- check out the programming in our FAQs! GLAMP will kickoff Friday Sept 27th with a welcome reception, orientation and sound bath! We are so lucky to have the incredible Danielle Manseau joining us at GLAMP. Danielle is the owner and operator of Venus Rising. As an intuitive and healer pulling from many traditions, Danielle will ground us as set our intentions for the weekend. For more information on Venus Rising, check out www.venusrisingri.com. GLAMP is a new fundraiser by Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England, and our goal is for all funds raised to be in direct support of the ongoing maintenance and expansion of our properties. As we build the concept for GLAMP, we prioritized fun, connections, relaxation, and affordability- we are easily the most affordable all-inclusive women’s retreat weekend in New England! Throughout the summer, we will spotlight our many partners and sponsors who are helping us to make this vision a reality! We are so thankful to the dozens of supporters who believe in the work and mission. Sign up today and see you at GLAMP! gssne.org/glamp

Earlier this week we held our staff retreat at Camp Hoffman, where we enjoyed professional learning to better work together as a staff and to better serve our Girl Scouts and volunteers! We also worked together on a service project to beautify the outside and inside of Hoffman House. We can't wait for another summer of camp at Hoffman!

Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England is celebrating the 10th anniversary of our Leading Women of Distinction Awards! There is still time to nominate a leading woman in your life! Anyone can nominate a woman who leads by example, exemplifies the Girl Scout mission, and makes the world a better place. Nominees demonstrate qualities of leadership and excellence in their personal and professional life. Leading Women of Distinction Honorees are exemplary role models for the current and next generation who emulate positive change and innovation throughout their careers. The deadline for submissions is June 30, 2024. Nominate a Leading Woman in your life at gssne.org/leadingwomen.

GSSNE in the news! Check out The Independent’s article about Girl Scout Daphne’s Gold Award project: https://lnkd.in/emusEaAU

There is one week left to nominate a 2024 Leading Women of Distinction! Anyone can nominate a woman who leads by example, exemplifies the Girl Scout mission, and makes the world a better place. Nominees demonstrate qualities of leadership and excellence in their personal and professional life. Leading Women of Distinction Honorees are exemplary role models for the current and next generation who emulate positive change and innovation throughout their careers. The deadline for submissions is June 30, 2024. Nominate a Leading Woman in your life at gssne.org/leadingwomen.

Earlier this week volunteers from GFWC-Cranston spent the morning at Camp Hoffman where they cleaned up and spread woodchips in an area between House by the Side of the Road and Longhouse. Thank you so much to all the volunteers from GFWC-Cranston for all your hard work! If you work at a company that is interested in volunteering with Girl Scouts, please contact customercare@gssne.org.

Today we honor resilience, progress, and hope – Happy Juneteenth, Girl Scouts