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Girl Scouts are making the world brighter—thank you for lighting the way.
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Simply saying “Happy Volunteer Appreciation Month” doesn’t even begin to cut it. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for the time, creativity, care, and dedication you bring to your Girl Scout troop and to Girl Scouting as a Movement.
Whether gathering last-minute project supplies or helping your troop find the confidence to shine, you’re making such a difference in young lives, your community, and the world at large. That’s why we’ll be sharing volunteer stories and thank-yous this April—and we’d love to put the spotlight on you! Tell us your story, then follow along as we share the most inspiring and uplifting content all month long.
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Adult Awards
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Contributing to a girl's development of courage, confidence, and character is one of the many rewards associated with being a Girl Scout volunteer. Another is the honor of your contributions being recognized by your peers! Nominate a fellow volunteer for their outstanding service, and encourage girls and parents to do the same.
The nomination window for service performed in 2025 or 2026 is open until May 1, 2026.
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Early Bird Renewal is Coming!
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Keep an eye on our socials and visit the Renew Your Membership section of our website for updates.
(Helpful Tip: Last day to submit inactive girls is Apr. 15.)
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Girl Scout Voices Count (GSVC) is an annual national survey conducted by Girl Scouts of the USA. Last year, over 60,000 Girl Scouts completed the survey to tell us what’s working—and what’s not—with Girl Scouting. This year we will continue to gather feedback from Girl Scouts (like you!) to help us make our national program as engaging, inclusive, hands-on, and fun as it can be.
Your voice makes a difference—and we want to hear it! The GSVC Girl Scout Survey launches on April 6. Watch your email for your invitation.
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Insurance Update & Action Item for Council Drivers
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GSCSA’s insurance company now requires additional information to be filed with them for all drivers who drive as part of their Council volunteer or staff responsibilities. This is part of our insurance company’s underwriting process for GSCSA’s auto insurance. Effective April 1, all GSCSA volunteers who drive as part of their GS volunteer role will need to complete additional driver information:
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When they first become a GSCSA driver and
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Every 3 years when their criminal background check renews and their driving record/license is reviewed
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We are implementing this process over the next 3 years for current volunteers and immediately for all staff drivers. Nothing needs to be done until request is sent by GSCSA.
If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Berry, Chief Administrative Officer, at 865-244-4186.
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Volunteer Conferences
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Gather with fellow volunteers and council staff to embark on a journey of learning and leading. Attend classes, listen to panels, and fellowship with fellow Girl Scout adults, all while picking up tips and tricks to take back to your troop. Conferences will be from 9:30am until 3:30pm (with check-in beginning at 8:30am).
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April 11 - Kingsport Center for Higher Education
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April 18 - Chattanooga State Community College
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April 25 - Pellissippi State Community College
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Award Ceremonies for Bronze & Silver - Following the Volunteer Conferences
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Joining us in celebrating the achievements of the 2026 Class of Bronze and Silver Award Girl Scouts. Ceremonies will be 5:00pm to 6:00pm (with check-in beginning at 4:30pm).
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April 11 - Kingsport Center for Higher Education
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April 18 - Chattanooga State Community College
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April 25 - Pellissippi State Community College
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Ready, Set, Go! is a virtual, supplemental training series. Each month we will go over a different, relevant topic to help volunteers navigate their Girl Scout year. While these optional trainings are geared towards new volunteers, anyone may take them.
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Annual Financial Reports must be submitted by June 15.
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Annual Financial Reports are required to be submitted by June 15 to Council for the current year. The purpose of these reports is to provide our auditors the information required for our annual audit as well as for our annual tax return reporting to the IRS. Beginning in June, this information should be submitted through the Finance Tab in the Volunteer Toolkit.
Service Units are also required to submit an Annual Financial Report to info@girlscoutcsa.org.
What we need from each troop:
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The Financial Worksheet, a tool to help you submit to the VTK. This is the preferred worksheet. However, you may use another format that provides the same information if necessary.
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Six months of bank statements (December 2025 through May 2026).
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The VTK Summary Report. The VTK shuts down July 1 for a few days. You will not be able to submit your Annual Financial Report through VTK after that date.
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Recap: The Great Cookie Competition & Tasting
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Our 2026 Great Cookie Competition & Tasting campaign raised $15,094 for financial aid! Congrats to Katherine Smith, who raised the most funds and secured the title of East Tennessee's Favorite Cookie for Samoas. Thanks to our Cookie Competitors, everyone who donated, and an extra big thanks to our sponsors. Enjoy these photos from The Great Cookie Tasting!
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Camp Tanasi: Early Closure for Fall 2026
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Tanasi’s Water Tank will be undergoing scheduled maintenance in the fall. Our tentative schedule is for the vendor to start work around Oct. 12. The work should take approximately 2 weeks and then the water will be tested over the next 4 weeks, as required by the state. Tanasi will be closed for the fall season around October 12 and remain closed for the next 6 weeks. Our final schedule is dependent on the vendor’s availability, the weather, and the work itself. Fall 2026 reservations for Tanasi, Wildwood, and Adahi will open on the first Monday in May.
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Spread the Word by Becoming a Media Girl
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Media Girls is our budding program where Girl Scouts can participate in social media, news, radio, and promotional opportunities, developing lifelong skills like public speaking, writing, presenting, and editing skills.
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Shop Talk
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Iron-On Services
Need badges or patches ironed onto your uniform? We can do that for you while you shop! $12.00 for your insignia. $5.00 for up to 10 badges or patches on the front or back.
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Deadline extended to April 27 AND adult spots added—join your Girl Scout for this amazing event!
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Travel with GSCSA Council staff to Washington DC July 22-26, 2026 for the Girl Scouts Unite event* as part of the triennial Girl Scouts National Convention! Rising 9th graders through graduated 12th graders and their adults are welcome to attend.
Held every three years, this Girl Scout tradition is an important part of our national and international movement. We will also be joining with Girl Scouts from around the country to celebrate the United States' sesquicentennial (250th) anniversary. At the Girl Scouts Unite event you will have the opportunity to:
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Hear from inspiring speakers such as "Space Gal" Emily Calandrelli
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Meet Girl Scout book authors Sayantani DasGupta and Yamile Saied Mendez
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Experience interactive workshops and live performances
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Learn about trailblazers and barrier-breakers from past Girl Scout generations
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Venture around the nation’s capital for other events and exhibits commemorating the 250th anniversary or the U.S.
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Cost includes travel, lodging, meals, event registration fees, and a custom patch and t-shirt. A $100 deposit will reserve your spot. Payment is due in full by April 6, 2026. If you are registering after April 6, you will need to pay in full at the time of registration.
Adults should accompany their Girl Scouts (either own children or troop members) and will be considered participants for this event. They are expected to accompany the group from start to finish and participate in all activities. The adult price reflects a shared room with another Girl Scout adult. A private room can be requested for an additional fee.
*Please note: This event is separate from the National Council Session held July 20-22, 2026.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Lynnea Salinas at LSalinas@GirlScoutsCSA.org.
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Register Today for Summer Camp
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View all programming options and full details on our website. Whether you want to do Overnight or Day Camp, Glamping or Wilderness, or something in between, we've got a program for you!
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Work for Us This Summer
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We are currently hiring for the summer camp season. We need to fill positions at both Camp Tanasi AND (new this year!) at Camp Wildwood. Positions include Camp Counselor, Junior Counselor, and Kitchen staff. Please spread the word!
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GSCSA is also looking for summer camp nurses who would like to work one week or more at Camp Tanasi this summer. Room and board provided. Qualified applicants must be registered nurses who are licensed to work in Tennessee. Volunteers are eligible to work at summer camp. Please reach out to careers@girlscoutcsa.org with any questions or interest.
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Program Partner Highlight: Faith N Friends 🐴
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Faith N Friends in Luttrell, TN, is excited to invite you to Girl Scouts Day on Saturday, May 30, from 12:00pm - 2:00pm. You will enjoy hands-on learning experiences with the animals we all love! Juniors will earn their Horseback Riding badge.
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Girl Scout High Awards 💛🩶🤎
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NOTE: These are the last interview dates before summer. Gold Award interviews will resume in August.
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Looking for a Silver Award Training or Bronze Award Training? Reach out to set one up! Email us at Info@GirlScoutCSA.org.
Learn more about High Awards, including GSCSA's Joyce Maienschein Leadership Grant:
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Would you or your troop like to have a taste of Girl Scout history? We have plenty of old handbooks, from the 1920s to the 1950s, for you and your girls to use for arts and crafts, troop ideas, or history projects. Email us at museum@girlscoutcsa.org and we will supply you with the books you need for FREE!
Lovely weather means you're outside with your troop. But what happens when the weather is dreary? Our museum library has lots of ideas for things to do during bad weather. Here are some things that might appeal to your girls:
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Dress for the weather, and have a "smell" hike. Things smell different when they are wet! Can you describe the different smells?
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If you must stay indoors, write a poem. Each girl writes a short poem on a central topic. Or do a collaborative poem. Then read them aloud.
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Draw pictures of each other. Give each girl a chance to pose, and have the rest do "portraits" of her. They can decide to do simple stick figures with silly features, or they can make a portrait that is just the face.
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Learn some new songs. (The Girl Scout Shop has a great songbook and CD combination with many fun Girl Scout songs.)
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Play "I Spy" from the porch. Each girl takes a turn as "it"; she finds something interesting in the rainy neighborhood and says "I spy with my little eye ... something big/yellow/round" and the other girls take turns guessing what it is that she sees. (An extra-tall tree/a yellow flag in someone's yard/a perfectly round rock in the garden.)
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Volunteer Resource: The Power of Mentoring in Prevention
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Did you know that a strong, supportive relationship with a trusted adult is one of the most effective protective factors against substance misuse? As a Girl Scout volunteer, you have the opportunity to be that mentor. Research shows that youth who have a caring mentor are significantly less likely to engage in risky behaviors, including drug use. The Elements of Effective Practice for Mentoring guide provides best practices for fostering meaningful and impactful relationships with young people. Explore these strategies and strengthen your role as a positive influence in your troop.
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Update Profile
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