"GROWING UP A GIRL" PARENTS' SYMPOSIUM

If you have a young girl in your life you need to attend the "Growing Up A Girl" Parents' Symposium! Gain expert insight on the tough issues facing your girls and receive hands-on tools for parenting girls during the tough adolescent/teenage years and participate in breakout sessions.

Break Out Sessions Include:
· Cyber Bullying
· "Sexting"
· Body Image & the Media
· Eating Disorders
· Divorce & a Girl's Self Esteem
· Girl Substance Abuse
· Dating & Relationships
· Relational Aggression

Featured Panel of Experts:

• Deborah Clubb, Executive Director of Memphis Regional Women's Council
• Barry Cooper, M.S., Director of Prevention and Education at Jackson Area Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency (JACOA)
• Vivian Grooms, M.S., Assistant Professor of Psychology at Jackson State Community College
• Nadine McNeal, M.S.S.W., Social Work Program Faculty at Freed Hardeman University
• Dr. Theresa Okwumabua, Ph.D., Coordinator of Outreach for the Department of Psychology University of Memphis
• Dr. Pepper Pratt, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist,Founder of Lifeworks Resource Center and Professor of Psychology at Union University
• Dr. Lynda Sagrestano, Ph.D., Director of Center for Research on Women (CROW) at University of Memphis
• Nicole Scott, L.C.S.W, Director of Counseling-Freed Hardeman University

A great learning opportunity, plus this program has been approved for yearly re-certification hours for parents who are Tennessee certified foster parents and social workers!

Transportation from Memphis is available! A council van will depart from the Memphis Regional Service Center at 10:45 a.m. and return after the symposium. (Save green & be green - transportation is FREE!)

When: May 1 from 1-4 p.m.
Where: Union University, Jackson, TN - Hyran Barefoot Student Union Harvey Auditorium
Cost: $3 for registered Girl Scout adults / $5 for general public
RSVP: Natalie Wilson, 731.668.1122 / natalie.wilson@girlscoutshs.org

Big Weekend for GSHS!

Spring is here and the weather is beautiful! Join fellow Girl Scouts and make plans to attend one of these great outdoor events.

APRIL 17: SHELBY FARMS COMMUNITY GARDEN
MEMPHIS, TN @ SHELBY FARMS
Girl Scouts Heart of the South is partnering with radio personalities Drake & Zeke from WXMX 98.1 "The Max" and Shelby Farms Park Conservancy for the 2010 Field of Greens-an organic community garden at Shelby Farms Park.

The Field of Greens Opening Celebration is next Saturday from 9am-11am at the Shelby Farms Park Ops Center (6489 Mullins Station Road). Girl Scouts will be planting the crops that we will grow and cultivate over the summer. The cameras will be there and this is a great opportunity for us to show the public what we do best... TAKE ACTION!

Make sure you and your girls make plans to attend and wear your Girl Scout gear! Girls can come with troops or their families (and bring friends!). No need to rsvp for this event and best of all, it's FREE.

After the Opening Celebration, troops, groups and/or families will have the opportunity to visit and take care of the garden over the summer. If you have questions or to plan a troop, group or family visit to the garden, simply RSVP to the Memphis regional service center, 901.767.1440 (800.727.8104) and let us know when you would like to come out.

CLICK HERE for more information.

APRIL 17: WEST TENNESSEE EARTH DAY CELEBRATION
JACKSON, TN @ PRINGLES PARK
Join Girl Scouts for over 20 "green" exhibits from local businesses, recycling centers, park rangers, biologists and community partners to learn how together we can protect Mother Earth! Girls can work on Earth friendly patches, earn the "Rocks Rock" patch and receive an "Earth Day Participation" patch, plus learn about "Linking Girls to the Land"!

Girl Scouts and their families get a special rate at the Diamond Jaxx game as they take on the Mississippi Braves.

CLICK HERE for more information and the event flyer.

SUNDAY, APRIL 18 - NATURE ROCKS & CAMP TIK-A-WITHA OPEN HOUSE
HOUSTON, MS
The weather is warming up and it will be time for Summer Camp before you know it. Come check out Camp Tik-A-Witha, meet our camp staff, and learn about all the fun activities we have planned just for you. Parents, we will answer all those questions and girls you can decide what session you want to attend. Don’t wait too long sessions fill up fast. See you there!

Where: Camp Tik-A-Witha, 365 County Rd. 117, Van Vleet, MS 38877
Time: 2 - 4 p.m.
Cost: $0
Min/Max: 0/0
Registration: None
Questions? Myra Collins, 800.624.4185 / myra.collins@girlscoutshs.org

COMMUNITY EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES

APRIL 9th, 2010

APRIL 9,10 & 11: RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM & BAILEY CIRCUS
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey ® Presents ILLUSCINATIONSM,
a fantasy filled world where thrills, wonderment and magic intersect with unparalleled powers of imagination.

Young thrillusionist, David DaVinci, invites audiences to join him in this awe-mazing, mysti-flying adventure as he bridges the believable world in which we all live and the seemingly impossible one of the circus.

United Way has generously offered us 100 $5 Courtesy Passes for the Saturday, April 10 and Sunday, April 11 matinees. CLICK HERE for complete details.

CLICK HERE for a special Girl Scout $12 ticket offer for the April 9th performance.


APRIL 17: PICNIC IN THE PARK
The Prentiss County Division of Human Services, Family and Children’s Services, would like to invite you to be a part of our Prentiss County “Picnic in the Park”.

This event will be held at Booneville’s City Park on April 17th, 2010, between the hours of 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. We have reserved Kid’s Town, the Big Pavilion, the Community Center and Basketball court. We will have food, games, activities and entertainment. There will be several quest speakers, positive role models, and fun for all. When our picnic is over we will be releasing helium filled balloons in the air as a reminder to ourselves and our community, that each and every one of us can make a difference in the life of a child.

Organizers are in need of volunteers to set up booths, do activities and crafts projects. If you, or your troop are interested please contact Kimberly Holley at 662.728.8009.

APRIL 17: TIPTON COUNTY EARTH FEST
Keep Tipton County Beautiful presents Earth Fest with a special session on "How to Hypertufa!!", taught by the Master Gardeners of Tipton County, plus free information on the environment, recycling and easy ways to “Go Green” ! There will be food, giveaways, arts & crafts, plus bird feeders & more!

Earth Fest is 1-4 p.m. at the Tipton County Museum Veterans Memorial & Nature Center located at 751 Bert Johnston Avenue, Covington, TN 38019


APRIL 18: WILDFLOWER WALK AT THE NATCHEZ TRACE
Join a Park Ranger on Sunday, April 18, 2010, at 2:00 pm at the Chickasaw Village Site (milepost 261.8 on the Natchez Trace Parkway near Tupelo, Mississippi) for a Wildflower Walk. This one hour program will take participants through both prairie and forest ecosystems, and will include wildflower identification and ecology. Visitors are encouraged to bring insect repellent, sunscreen, and wear comfortable walking shoes.

This program is free to the public. For more information about this and other Parkway programs, please visit our website at www.nps.gov/natr, or call 1-800-305-7417.


APRIL 24: WILDLIFE WEEKEND AND JUNIOR RANGER DAY AT THE NATCHEZ TRACE
Enjoy the beautiful weather and come out to the Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center for this FREE family event in recognition of National Park Week and Junior Ranger Day! The Tombigbee Pioneer Group will be on site to perform living history demonstrations, which often include corn shuck doll making, basket weaving, beading, quill pen demonstrations and a longhunter's program involving early medicines. Leatherworking and mountain dulcimers demonstrations will also be available throughout the day.

CLICK HERE for event flyer & more information!


JULY 2010: THE ALLIANCE FOR A HEALTHIER GENERATION
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a partnership between the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation, is searching for a select group of young people to serve on our Youth Advisory Board (for 2010-2011) and roll up their sleeves for a few hours a month of critical thinking, engaging conversations, good fun, new friendships, and high-profile leadership.

Applicants must be between the ages of 8 and 17 years old when membership begins July 2010 and live in the United States. Interested youth can visit empowerme2b.org for more information.

The Memphis Medical Society Endorses Girl Scouts

In our current world, our children find themselves with iPods, cell phones, computer games, easy transportation and an abundance of food. With all of the high tech, rich and plentiful food, and lack of exercise, the children in the United States frequently find themselves in front of video screens and out of shape. As obesity in youth becomes an epidemic, these children are at greater risk of diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and orthopedic injuries. The programs of the Boy Scouts of America and the Girl Scout of the USA strive to get our children off the couch or away from a video monitor; into the world we live in and into nature, while having a good time. The boys and girls learn some of the skills needed to be successful in life. They incorporate the moral values of these programs into their lives to become more successful and patriotic citizens.


We, the Board of Directors of The Memphis Medical Society feel that both the Boy Scouts of America and the Girl Scouts of the USA benefit our children with the programs they provide for living a healthy lifestyle, as well as the life skills and the values they instill. We would recommend participation in these organizations for all children.

Read more about their endorsement in The Memphis Medical Society Quarterly magazine.

GIRL SCOUTS HEART OF THE SOUTH SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Girl Scouts Heart of the South is offering two scholarship opportunities. Click the links for the application and eligibility information.

Girl Scouts Heart of the South Gold Award Scholarship

Girl Scouts Heart of the South West Tennessee Scholarship

Deadline for both scholarships has been extended to Friday, April 9.

For downloadable versions of these applications and a list of colleges and universities that offer scholarships to Gold Award recipients go to www.girlscoutshs.org, click on the Forms tab, and go to Girl Award Forms. In addition, Union University, Dyersburg State, and Lane College offer scholarship opportunities for Gold Award recipients, but are not in that list.

For special national scholarships for Girl Scouts visit the STUDIO 2B website at www.studio2b.org.

COMMUNITY EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES

APRIL 2ND, 2010

APRIL 9,10 & 11: RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM & BAILEY CIRCUS
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey ® Presents ILLUSCINATIONSM,
a fantasy filled world where thrills, wonderment and magic intersect with unparalleled powers of imagination.

Young thrillusionist, David DaVinci, invites audiences to join him in this awe-mazing, mysti-flying adventure as he bridges the believable world in which we all live and the seemingly impossible one of the circus.

United Way has generously offered us 100 $5 Courtesy Passes for the Saturday, April 10 and Sunday, April 11 matinees. CLICK HERE for complete details.

CLICK HERE for a special Girl Scout $12 ticket offer for the April 9th performance.


APRIL 17: PICNIC IN THE PARK
The Prentiss County Division of Human Services, Family and Children’s Services, would like to invite you to be a part of our Prentiss County “Picnic in the Park”.

This event will be held at Booneville’s City Park on April 17th, 2010, between the hours of 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. We have reserved Kid’s Town, the Big Pavilion, the Community Center and Basketball court. We will have food, games, activities and entertainment. There will be several quest speakers, positive role models, and fun for all. When our picnic is over we will be releasing helium filled balloons in the air as a reminder to ourselves and our community, that each and every one of us can make a difference in the life of a child.

Organizers are in need of volunteers to set up booths, do activities and crafts projects. If you, or your troop are interested please contact Kimberly Holley at 662.728.8009.

APRIL 17: TIPTON COUNTY EARTH FEST
Keep Tipton County Beautiful presents Earth Fest with a special session on "How to Hypertufa!!", taught by the Master Gardeners of Tipton County, plus free information on the environment, recycling and easy ways to “Go Green” ! There will be food, giveaways, arts & crafts, plus bird feeders & more!

Earth Fest is 1-4 p.m. at the Tipton County Museum Veterans Memorial & Nature Center located at 751 Bert Johnston Avenue, Covington, TN 38019


APRIL 18: WILDFLOWER WALK AT THE NATCHEZ TRACE
Join a Park Ranger on Sunday, April 18, 2010, at 2:00 pm at the Chickasaw Village Site (milepost 261.8 on the Natchez Trace Parkway near Tupelo, Mississippi) for a Wildflower Walk. This one hour program will take participants through both prairie and forest ecosystems, and will include wildflower identification and ecology. Visitors are encouraged to bring insect repellent, sunscreen, and wear comfortable walking shoes.

This program is free to the public. For more information about this and other Parkway programs, please visit our website at www.nps.gov/natr, or call 1-800-305-7417.


APRIL 24: WILDLIFE WEEKEND AND JUNIOR RANGER DAY AT THE NATCHEZ TRACE
Enjoy the beautiful weather and come out to the Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center for this FREE family event in recognition of National Park Week and Junior Ranger Day! The Tombigbee Pioneer Group will be on site to perform living history demonstrations, which often include corn shuck doll making, basket weaving, beading, quill pen demonstrations and a longhunter's program involving early medicines. Leatherworking and mountain dulcimers demonstrations will also be available throughout the day.

CLICK HERE for event flyer & more information!

JUNE 23: LUNCHEON WITH WOMEN HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
On Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010, Memphis Public Library and information Center will host a luncheon at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library to connect women health professionals with young women who are: in grades 8 through 12, are good students and have a keen interest in pursuing a career in health sciences.

At the luncheon, participants can look forward to communicating with professionals who will share the rewards and challenges of their career and what students should do to prepare for post college studies. They also will share the qualities that make a competent and compassionate healthcare professional and answer questions the young women pose to them. In addition, a complimentary boxed lunch will be served and the participants will be invited to tour Changing the Face of Medicine: Celebrating America's Women Physicians, a special exhibit at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library June 1 - July 10.

To recommend a young women and request an application for her to attend the luncheon, email marshallj@memphislibrary.org. Please put "Mentoring Luncheon Recommendation" in the subject line and include your connection to the young women and your contact information. Participants will be selected from among the submitted applications. The nomination deadline is April 1, 2010.


JULY 2010: THE ALLIANCE FOR A HEALTHIER GENERATION
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a partnership between the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation, is searching for a select group of young people to serve on our Youth Advisory Board (for 2010-2011) and roll up their sleeves for a few hours a month of critical thinking, engaging conversations, good fun, new friendships, and high-profile leadership.

Applicants must be between the ages of 8 and 17 years old when membership begins July 2010 and live in the United States. Interested youth can visit empowerme2b.org for more information.

Now available - training by request!

If your service unit or group has a specific training need, submit an Adult Learning Opportunity Request form to your local service center to let us know. A few things to keep in mind:

• There is a 10-person minimum for requests. If you are having trouble meeting this minimum, don’t forget to check with your membership manager or neighboring service units to see if there is a similar need.

• The ability to fulfill the request depends on the availability of a facilitator

• Requests must be received at least 6 weeks in advance of the training need.
  

Submit the Adult Learning Opportunity Request Form to set up a convenient date and time that works with your hectic schedule!

Questions? Contact Raleigh Walker at raleigh.walker@girlscoutshs.org.