Register to Sing and Play

Kaye/Cookie writes to all her many friends: 

"It doesn't seem to matter where on earth I have been during the year (sometimes that's many places), the smiles that are shared with me at the Great Escape are always extra special.   The investment of time and effort needed to register, load up my instruments, print the ‘fan’ clear my schedule, and drive up to New Hampshire has always paid greater dividends than I imagined it could.  Everyone deserves this kind of good time!"

This year Kaye is teaching stained glass snowflakes, glass mosaic nightlights and harmony singing!  Register now, because her classes always fill fast! 

Registration is now open at:  http://gsgreatescape.org/registration/

The Great Girl Scout Hike 2012

Laura writes:  As we celebrated the 100^th birthday of Girl Scouts in 2012, a special anniversary event was launched:  The Great Girl Scout Hike.  The goal was to have Girl Scouts of all ages hike bits and pieces of the Appalachian Trail during 2012.  The AT,  a National Scenic Trail, wends over 2000 miles from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine.  The Great Girl Scout Hike was inspired by Mary “Mama Boots” Sands who led hikes of sections of the AT with groups of Girl Scouts for 20 years in the 1970s and 1980s.

At Great Escape 2012, a group of us participated in the Great Girl Scout Hike.  The Appalachian Trail travels across New Hampshire north of Camp Wabasso.  One of the closest access points is about an hour’s drive away in Norwich, Vermont.  In Norwich we hiked about 7 miles round-trip to the Happy Hill Shelter, a stone and wood shelter for AT hikers built by the Dartmouth Outing Club and maintained by the Green Mountain Club.  We ate lunch at the shelter.  Although it rained lightly off and on during our hike, we had a great time.  We met several through hikers on the trail headed north and met a group hike organized by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.  They were celebrating Family Hiking Day on the AT.  We learned from them that it was a special anniversary for the Appalachian Trail as well.  2012 was the 75^th anniversary of the completion of the AT. (See a few photos from the hike at http://gsgreatescape.org/photographs/ )

Inspired by our hike last year, I will be offering a ½ day hike at Great Escape 2013,  closer to camp.  We‘ll travel to Rollins State Park in Warner and hike to the summit of Mount Kearsarge.  There are sweeping views from the rocky summit and even a fire tower.   This is a great hike for Scouts camping at Camp Wabasso.    I hope others will join me for this hike.

Workshop Preview: Me-Time Crafts

Danielle here!  As a kid, I loved camp. And given the opportunity (and time) to go back now, I would. But sometimes being with new girl friends 24/7 for two weeks can be a bit much. All the sharing, swimming, learning, and socializing can leave you feeling as if you need 10 minutes to just hang out quietly by the lake, which is why I loved "me-time." Me-time was camp speak for unscheduled, do-what-you-want between activities time (at least at Camp Chenoa -- Swift Water (Green & White Mountains), represent!).

One thing I loved to do during me-time was work on a small craft -- something that could be easily picked up and put down as time, location, and friends allowed. I hope to run an entire series of Great Escape workshops for different me-time craft ideas, but one I'll be doing this year is the me-time craft most dear to my heart: GIMP! Gimp, also known as plastic lacing, is a well-beloved craft for Girl Scouts. We'll cover a few of the basic stitches and "finishing touches" to turn your gimp items into bracelets, key chains, or other fun accessories.  http://pinterest.com/pin/424534702344197717/

We'll also explore the craftier side of every prepared Girl Scout's favorite must-have item: DUCT TAPE! It's not just gray and boring anymore. It comes in all sorts of crazy patterns and colors! We'll explore fun, easy-to-make items that you keep and can take back to your girls.

Now, go register for the Great Escape and for your workshops! http://gsgreatescape.org/workshops/

Registration Is Open!

You can register for the 2013 Great Escape by going to the link, below;

http://gsgreatescape.org/registration/

See you there; October 4 - 6, 2013!

Auction Proceeds Donation News!

As GE veterans know, proceeds from our auctions support our Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts camps, in particular, and Girl Scouting in general.  (Look on the website's auction page for more details: go to http://gsgreatescape.org/auction/ and scroll to the bottom for a summary of past donations.)

The GE committee consults with GSEM staff as to the needs we can help fill, and makes an earmarked donation.  This year's donation of $1,250.00 will support the purchase of ceiling fans/lights for the Theatre at Camp Wabasso, home of the Great Escape.  Wabasso in summer is a residential camp for Girl Scouts, specializing in horse, travel and drama programs (in addition to traditional camp activities such as swimming, boating, and crafts.)  The new fans will make the Theatre a more useful space for all users. 

Any Minute Now...

We had our spring committee meeting last night, and assigned workshop times and spaces.  There will be 29 (maybe 30!) workshop choices for you this year.  As soon as we get all that up on the website, registration will be open and you can sign up. 

 Remember, if you "Earlybird" (register before August 1st) you will save $10.00 over the regular price of $55.00.  Yes, we kept the price the same this year! 

And we discussed which camp improvement project we are going to support with a donation from the auction proceeds.  That too will be revealed; watch this site!  In the meantime, we found another way to support girls and Girl Scouting; every girl who comes to GSEM's "One If By Land, Two If By Sea" destination  will find a Great Escape tote bag on her Mass Maritime dorm bed, filled with swaps, a water bottle and information.

The 2013 Workshop List is Here!

The workshop list is now up at http://gsgreatescape.org/workshops/   Take a look at what a fantastic group of presenters and workshops are in store for 2013.  Next week the committee will meet, assign times for the workshops, and soon we'll have the registration materials available!  Watch this space.

Hope to see some of you on Tuesday at the GSEM annual meeting!