How to Raise Girls with Healthy Self-Esteem | AboutOurKids.org

Yikes! Here is a shocking statistic, a girl's self-esteem peaks at the age of 9 and then nosedives, according to Anita Gurian, a Clinical Assistant Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the NYU School of Medicine.

In this compelling article, How to Raise Girls with Healthy Self-Esteem on AboutOurKids.org, she looks at the main causes and offers some very helpful tips on how adults can help their girls. For example she says to watch your own stereotypes - let daughters help fix the kitchen sink and let sons help make dinner.

READ MORE HERE.

Shared via AddThis

Calling All Artists

LeBonheur Children's Medical Center is completing a massive expansion of a 610,000-square-foot hospital that will double Le Bonheur’s current space for patient care, research and teaching. This means they'll have a lot of blank walls that need decorating. You can help Le Bonheur inspire, entertain and soothe patients, families, employees and visitors with your original artwork and poetry!

The art and poetry contests are open to all students grades K-12. CLICK HERE for more information and guidelines on the contests.

Artwork must be submitted the week of November 16-20 and poetry will be collected in the spring of 2010.

COMMUNITY EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES

NEW! ONGOING: STATE OF MISSISSIPPI VETERANS HOME

Service Project Opportunity with The State of Mississippi Veterans Home at 120 Veterans Drive in Oxford, MS is looking for troops or groups who are willing to volunteer at the home.

Volunteers can assist with various recreational activities – reading to those whose eyesight is failing them, delivering mail, walking with them inside or outside, pushing their wheelchairs for a short stroll inside or outside, giving them snacks, playing checkers or cards, writing letters for them, playing or singing music for them or just simply conversing with them.

If your troop is interested in volunteering at the home, contact Janie Lunceford, Recreation Director at 662-236-7641, ext. 24.

______________________________________________________
ONGOING: HOLLEY FARM

This fall visit the heart of Mississippi's beautiful Hill Country in scenic Itawamba County. Bring your family and "Come on Down to Holley Farm" You will be pleasantly transported back to a simpler place and a simpler time. Take time to discover Mississippi's rich agrarian history by visiting beautiful Holley Farm.

Girl Scout troops & Service Units can call to reserve their dates for a weekday or evening
(662-871-6949). Ask about the "Ag in the Classroom" Programs For All Ages!

CLICK HERE for Holley Farm's website.

__________________________________________________
ONGOING: HOLT FAMILY FARMS

Holt Family Farms offers an agricultural learning area, playground and games, hay maze, covered picnic area, concessions, horse and tractor drawn hay rides, on farm market, petting zoo, and a chance to pick your own pumpkin right out of the field.


Girl Scout troops & Service Units can contact HFF to receive group rates & reserve their dates for a weekday or evening (731)364-3459, email@holtfamilyfarms.com

_____________________________________________________
OCTOBER 3 - 31: CORN MAZE & PUMPKIN PATCH

Adkins Farms houses a 2 acre corn maze and offers hayrides to the pumpkin patch where you can pick your very own pumpkin. Other amenities include a play & picnic area, campfires, seed spitting contests & corn shelling! Ask about the educational sessions on bees, corn, pumpkins or sunflowers.

WHEN: October 3 - 31, various days & times
WHERE: Adkins Farms, 373 Hwy 364, Booneville, MS 38829
WHO: All, group reservations highly suggested
COST: Group Pricing Available
QUESTIONS? 662.728.MAZE, www.adkinsfarms.com


_________________________________________________

OCTOBER 17: BOOKS A MILLION & GIRL SCOUTS

Girl Scouts Heart of the South has partnered with Books A Million in Jackson, TN!
Volunteers and friends can participate in the following Book Fairs, to promote literacy and have a percentage of the proceeds support our Girl Scouts!

All Book Fairs are on Saturday's at Books A Million "Columns" in Jackson, TN.

You must say you want to support Girl Scouts for the Council to receive credit!

October 17th 2-4 PM
November 14th 2-4 PM
December 12th 2-4 PM

**Discounts and club memberships will not be applicable during these events.

______________________________________________________
OCTOBER 24: OREN DUNN CITY MUSEUM'S ANNUAL FALL FESTIVAL & SCARECROW CONTEST

Create a scarecrow representing the Girl Scouts and enter it in the Oren Dunn Scarecrow Contest - scarecrows must be entered by Oct. 23.

Come Saturday, Oct. 24 for the Annual Fall Festival from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. with live history demonstrations, FREE museum admission, pioneers games, plus food, fun & fantastic family time!


CLICK HERE for complete details.

______________________________________________________
NOVEMBER 21: MEMPHIS YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA FALL CONCERT

Mid-South Young People's Orchestra (MYOP) provides a deeper understanding of and appreciation for music by offering excellent orchestral and personal education to young people throughout the Mid-South. You can appreciate music and young talent at their Fall Concert. Plus, plan ahead for their Spring Concert on March 5th.

WHEN: Saturday, November 21 at 7 p.m.
WHERE: Christian Brother's University Theater, 650 East Parkway, Memphis, TN 38104
COST: FREE!
QUESTIONS? Caroline Johnson at MYPO or visit their website, www.musicmypo.org
_____________________________________________________________

When registering your troop this fall, you may have noticed that Girl Scouts of the USA has moved to 5 digit troop numbers. Therefore, Girl Scouts Heart of the South is moving to 5 digit numbers as well. I know that any change can be a challenge, and many of us cherish our troop numbers long after we’ve grown out of them. I assure you that we are managing this change to be as painless as possible for you. Beginning immediately, all troops will transition to new 5 digit numbers. (And yes, the badge sash will hold 5 numerals!)

Currently, we have many troops in the council with duplicate numbers. Deciding who would need to give up their number would be a sad task for anyone, so the good news is that all troops will keep their current numbers. To eliminate duplicates we will simply add additional numbers to the beginning of every troop. We are going to do this geographically, based on council regions

So alphabetically:

• Memphis DMA troops will all begin with #1 – Crittenden County, Arkansas; Fayette, Lauderdale, Shelby and Tipton Counties in Tennessee; and DeSoto, Marshall, Panola, Tate and Tunica Counties in Mississippi
• NE MS troops will begin with a #2 - Alcorn, Benton, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Clay, Itawamba, Lee, Lowndes, Monroe, Noxubee, Oktibbeha, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Tippah, Tishomingo, Union, Webster and Winston Counties in Mississippi
• NW MS troops will all begin with #3 – Bolivar, Calhoun, Carroll, Coahoma, Grenada, Holmes, Lafayette, Leflore, Montgomery, Quitman, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Washington and Yalobusha Counties in Mississippi
• W TN troops will all begin with # 4 – Benton, Carroll, Chester, Crockett, Decatur, Dyer, Gibson, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Henry, Lake, Madison, McNairy, Obion and Weakley Counties in Tennessee

Between the first number of the five digits and the current troop number will be 0’s. Therefore, Troop #16 in Memphis will become Troop #10016, while Troop #185 in Jackson will become Troop #40185 and Troop #185 in Grenada will become #30185.

We know that you may want to wait until you have fall product sale or cookie proceeds to add numbers to girls’ sashes and vests, and that’s just fine. We are asking you to start using the new numbers on registration forms and event registrations immediately. Please use your new troop number when you register for an adult course, when completing your fall product sale order, or
when adding new girls to your troop. You’ll also want to teach it to your girls, so they can start using it.

A big plus to this system is that when your troop is at events in uniform, you will be able to tell that you’re with new friends from another part of the council, and the council will no longer be trying to manage duplicate troop numbers.

When talking with parents and girls about this change, please share the following:

1. This is a national change, and we are proud members of Girl Scouts of the USA, and this is something troops across the country are doing.
2. We have had duplicate troop numbers for the past 16 months in Girl Scouts Heart of the South, and it’s just not good business practice to continue.
3. We are doing this in a way that enables girls in duplicate troops to keep the numbers they had, rather than making some of our girls change. This way, everyone adds one or more numbers, but no one gives up their old, well-loved number entirely.

Change can be hard, but it is increasingly a way of life, and will be an even greater part of our girls’ lives. Every change brings an opportunity for us to model for our girls how to be good change agents. Thank you for your support, and for all you are doing for girls and Girl Scouts

Heart of the South!
Sincerely,
Sharon A. Baade
Interim CEO

NEW YORK, NY—Girl Scouts of the USA is pleased to announce that First Lady Michelle Obama has agreed to serve as its Honorary National President.

“It is my great pleasure to serve as Honorary National President of Girl Scouts,” said Mrs. Obama. “With their innovative new programming, ground-breaking research, and emphasis on service and leadership, Girl Scouts is preparing the women of tomorrow to be a positive force for change – in their own lives, their communities, and across the globe.”

In accepting the position, Mrs. Obama takes her place in a tradition stretching back to 1929, when Lou Henry Hoover became the first Honorary National President of the Girl Scouting movement. Since then, each successive First Lady has served in this post.

Girl Scouts plan to work with the First Lady on areas of mutual concern, such as healthy living, public service and leadership.

“From bullying to obesity to concern over the economy, our nation’s girls are facing significant challenges,” said Kathy Cloninger, Chief Executive Officer, Girl Scouts of the USA. “Girl Scouts is excited to work with the First Lady’s office to ensure that all girls can overcome the challenges they face, and that they have the skills, resources and opportunities they need to become strong, independent young leaders.”

“Girl Scouts can help girls from every background develop their self-confidence and leadership ability, and encourage them to make a difference in the world,” said Connie L. Lindsey, Girl Scouts of the USA National Board Chair. “The First Lady is a passionate, brilliant and inspirational woman – a fantastic role model for girls across the country. We look forward to an active and mutually rewarding partnership on issues important to girls’ lives.”

Meet Our New Baker

Meet your new Girl Scout Cookie baker – Little Brownie Bakers. We’re excited to play a part in your 2009/2010 Girl Scout Cookie Program Activity.

The Girl Scout Cookie Program Activity may well be the world’s best leadership development experience for girls. Selling Girl Scout Cookies® is a unique and valuable way for a girl to experience the power of goal-setting, develop self-confidence and learn early business skills. Plus, she will make lifetime friends and memories along the way.

How can you help? You can best support your Girl Scout by discussing her troop and individual goals, reviewing her progress, and ensuring that she follows safety guidelines.

Little Brownie brings you the mouthwatering cookies customers will love. In just a few bites, you’ll come to enjoy:

• Tagalongs – Creamy peanut butter, crisp vanilla cookies, and delicious chocolaty coating. You may have tried Tagalongs in your Blizzard from Dairy Queen (summer 2009).
• Do-si-dos – Smooth peanut butter filling sandwiched between crisp oatmeal cookies
• Original Samoas – Scrumptious coconut, chocolate and caramel confections that often outsell even Thin Mints! You may have enjoyed Samoas featured in Edys or Dreyers Special Edition Girl Scout ice- creams.
• Our Thin Mints – Delectable chocolate cookies made with natural oil of peppermint
• Trefoils – Traditional, tender shortbread cookies that melt in your mouth
• Lemon Chalet Cremes – These delicious sandwich cookies, with a zesty lemon crème filling, honor our Our Chalet in Switzerland.
• Dulce de Leche – Latin inspired caramel chip cookies – as fun to say as they are to eat!
• Thank U Berry Munch – with gratitude and premium cranberries, sweetened with creamy white fudge chips.

Visit www.littlebrownie.com to learn more about our activities and resources for Girl Scouts and about our Girl Scout Cookies.®

Thank-you for helping your Girl Scout to learn the life skills that last far beyond Cookie Season.

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS

_________________________________________________
ONGOING: HOLLEY FARM

This fall visit the heart of Mississippi's beautiful Hill Country in scenic Itawamba County. Bring your family and "Come on Down to Holley Farm" You will be pleasantly transported back to a simpler place and a simpler time. Take time to discover Mississippi's rich agrarian history by visiting beautiful Holley Farm.

Girl Scout troops & Service Units can call to reserve their dates for a weekday or evening
(662-871-6949). Ask about the "Ag in the Classroom" Programs For All Ages!

CLICK HERE for Holley Farm's website.

__________________________________________________
ONGOING: SEASON OPENING FOR HOLT FAMILY FARMS

Holt Family Farms offers an agricultural learning area, playground and games, hay maze, covered picnic area, concessions, horse and tractor drawn hay rides, on farm market, petting zoo, and a chance to pick your own pumpkin right out of the field.


Girl Scout troops & Service Units can contact HFF to receive group rates & reserve their dates for a weekday or evening (731)364-3459, email@holtfamilyfarms.com

_____________________________________________________
OCTOBER 1-4: PINK PALACE CRAFTS FAIR

The 37th Annual Pink Palace Crafts Fair is where you can come and see craftsmen at work, visit the petting zoo, and take home unique, hand-crafted pieces of art from over 300 Artisans around the USA!

Thursday, October 1 - 10am to 6pm
Friday, October 2 - 10am to 7pm
Saturday, October 3 - 10am to 6pm
Sunday, October 4 - 10am to 5pm

Admission Prices:
Adults $7 Seniors $5 Children $3
Special $5 Adult All-Day Admission on Friday, October 2nd
Two day pass $12
$1 off advanced tickets sales at the Pink Palace Box Office.

_____________________________________________________
OCTOBER 3: MUD ISLAND RIVER PARK FAMILY FUN DAY

Pack up the family and enjoy the free day on the mighty Mississippi at Mud Island River Park. Free petting zoo, races, games, kiddie rides, prizes & more!

WHEN: Saturday, October 3, from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
WHERE: Mud Island River Park, 125 N. Front St. Memphis, TN
QUESTIONS? 800.507.6507

_____________________________________________________
OCTOBER 3 - 31: CORN MAZE & PUMPKIN PATCH

Adkins Farms houses a 2 acre corn maze and offers hayrides to the pumpkin patch where you can pick your very own pumpkin. Other amenities include a play & picnic area, campfires, seed spitting contests & corn shelling! Ask about the educational sessions on bees, corn, pumpkins or sunflowers.

WHEN: October 3 - 31, various days & times
WHERE: Adkins Farms, 373 Hwy 364, Booneville, MS 38829
WHO: All, group reservations highly suggested
COST: Group Pricing Available
QUESTIONS? 662.728.MAZE, www.adkinsfarms.com

______________________________________________________
OCTOBER 9 - 11: FALL POW WOW

The American Indian Association of Millington, TN cordially invites you to
participate in our Kids’ Day activities. Enjoy interactive displays, Native American Dancing, music, art, demonstrations, history, Native American Food, cultural awareness and Environmental Education & Preservation.

Admission is free on Kid's Day, Friday, October 9!

WHEN: Friday, October 9th from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
WHERE: Casper Creek, 6847 Center College Rd., Millington, TN
COST: FREE!

CLICK HERE for more event flyer.

______________________________________________________
OCTOBER 10: HARVEST FALL FESTIVAL

Enjoy the 2009 Harvest Festival at the Agricenter Farmers Market! This free, family event features:

• Wheat Straw Maze
• Pumpkin Painting Contest
• Bluegrass Music
• Hay Rides
• Petting Zoo
• Moon Walk
• Carnival Games
• Cotton Candy & Popcorn
• Corn Maze/Corn Cannon

The Fall Festival is also looking for volunteers. If interested please contact Natalie Wilson at 731.676.0186, natalie.wilson@girlscoutshs.org

WHEN: October 10, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
WHERE: Agricenter International, Walnut Grove Rd., Memphis, TN
WHO: All
COST: $0
QUESTIONS? 901.757.7777, www.agricenter.org

___________________________________________________
OCTOBER 10: READ OUT ON THE MISSISSIPPI

What better place is there to enjoy a good book than on the banks of the Mississippi River?

Kids and parents, grab a blanket and head down to Read Out on the Mississippi. Imaginations will soar as special guests from the Memphis Public Library share their passion for reading and narrate their favorite books. There is no registration required.

WHEN: Saturday, October 10 from 3 - 4 p.m.
WHERE: Mud Island River Park, 125 North Front Street, Memphis, TN
WHO: Ages 3-6
COST: FREE!
CONTACT: Carmen Jones, cjones@memphisriverfront.com

_________________________________________________

OCTOBER 17: BOOKS A MILLION & GIRL SCOUTS

Girl Scouts Heart of the South has partnered with Books A Million in Jackson, TN!
Volunteers and friends can participate in the following Book Fairs, to promote literacy and have a percentage of the proceeds support our Girl Scouts!

All Book Fairs are on Saturday's at Books A Million "Columns" in Jackson, TN.

You must say you want to support Girl Scouts for the Council to receive credit!

October 17th 2-4 PM
November 14th 2-4 PM
December 12th 2-4 PM

**Discounts and club memberships will not be applicable during these events.

______________________________________________________
NOVEMBER 21: MEMPHIS YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA FALL CONCERT

Mid-South Young People's Orchestra (MYOP) provides a deeper understanding of and appreciation for music by offering excellent orchestral and personal education to young people throughout the Mid-South. You can appreciate music and young talent at their Fall Concert. Plus, plan ahead for their Spring Concert on March 5th.

WHEN: Saturday, November 21 at 7 p.m.
WHERE: Christian Brother's University Theater, 650 East Parkway, Memphis, TN 38104
COST: FREE!
QUESTIONS? Caroline Johnson at MYPO or visit their website, www.musicmypo.org
_____________________________________________________________