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Girl Scouts Of Singing Sands Council
Mission
Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.
History
On January 31, 1972 Northern Indiana, Southwest Michigan and Tri-County councils merged "under the green umbrella" to become Girl Scouts of Singing Sands, Inc. headquartered in Niles, MI. As Acting President, Mrs. Christine Murdock (1972-78) served and was duly elected as Council Board President at the first GSSSC annual meeting held in May 1972. She served with Gerald B. Streb, Executive Director. Since Mrs. Murdock had been serving as a council president prior to this she resigned in May 1978. The annual meeting had been moved to the fall so First Vice President, Georgia Whitted, picked up the duties of President until the next election, November 1978. At that election, Rosalyn (Rosie) Walters (1978-84) began her two-term challenge.
The unity of the new council was strengthened by the publication of the Sandpiper, a council newsletter, distributed to all members. The national council delegates voted to lower the age limit of national council members to 14. Miss Kris Kanger and Miss Eva Lowry served as the first Senior Girl Scout members of Singing Sands Council Board of Directors. The National Board of Directors, in 1973, approved a membership change to include six year olds and/or first graders.
National program initiatives during the 70s addressed the issues of child development and human interaction. Developing membership and leadership among the Mexican American community was priority. National service projects included outreach to the elderly poor and to migrant families. Locally, outreach programs included in-school programs in Benton Harbor and South Bend. Migrant programs were conducted in Berrien, Cass, LaPorte, Marshall and St. Joseph counties. These migrant outreach programs received international recognition. Activity centers and special summer programs were initiated. Project Friendship, a week long encampment for under privileged girls was planned and staffed by Senior Girl Scouts with support from the council and adult volunteers. This program continued for five years. Troops for mentally challenged and special needs children were organized in Coldwater and St. Joseph, Michigan and South Bend, Indiana. Troops serving Spanish speaking girls were organized at South Bend's La Casa de Amistad. A troop was established at Meadowlark Center for Miami Indians. Day camp for migrant children was held in conjunction with the South Bend Community School Corporation.
The new council prepared for its first Wider Opportunity, "Spots and Props," held at Camp Shawadasee in 1973. One hundred and twenty Senior Girl Scouts from almost every state and Hawaii, Alaska (still territories then) and Puerto Rico experienced an in-depth look at the theater. The event culminated with the presentation of six one-act plays. The girls did their own costuming, lighting, make-up and scenery. The barn at camp was converted into the "theater barn" for this national event and continues to be used today.
Girls enthusiastically generate ideas for council program events including horseback riding, sailing and ski weekends, sporting events, outdoor skills and environmental challenges. The council sponsored an Open Horse Show with the proceeds going toward development of the horseback riding program at Camp Soni Springs. Troop 589 led by Nina Foust created "Our Own Troop's" Pioneer Badge which today is part of a collection of GSUSA national headquarters. The Honor Troop program was proposed.
Celebrating the nation's bicentennial, 1976, a two part national project was designed to discover "hidden heroines" and to make Girl Scout commitments to service projects to help improve community life. Six names from Singing Sands Council were submitted for inclusion in the 600 hidden heroines selected by GSUSA for a special presentation to Queen Elizabeth II. Singing Sands celebrated the bicentennial with a council fair held at Berrien Springs Youth Fairgrounds. The pewter plaque became a council award.
"Farming Midwest Style," our council's second Wider Opportunity, was held at LaLumier School, LaPorte in 1978. It introduced traditional, historical and modern agricultural technology to the seventy-eight girls who represented all Girl Scouts regions in the United States and from Denmark and Zambia.
The redesigned Girl Scout Trefoil was officially launched in 1978. A three year campaign to acquaint the public with the new contemporary identity of Girl Scouting was begun.
Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.
History
On January 31, 1972 Northern Indiana, Southwest Michigan and Tri-County councils merged "under the green umbrella" to become Girl Scouts of Singing Sands, Inc. headquartered in Niles, MI. As Acting President, Mrs. Christine Murdock (1972-78) served and was duly elected as Council Board President at the first GSSSC annual meeting held in May 1972. She served with Gerald B. Streb, Executive Director. Since Mrs. Murdock had been serving as a council president prior to this she resigned in May 1978. The annual meeting had been moved to the fall so First Vice President, Georgia Whitted, picked up the duties of President until the next election, November 1978. At that election, Rosalyn (Rosie) Walters (1978-84) began her two-term challenge.
The unity of the new council was strengthened by the publication of the Sandpiper, a council newsletter, distributed to all members. The national council delegates voted to lower the age limit of national council members to 14. Miss Kris Kanger and Miss Eva Lowry served as the first Senior Girl Scout members of Singing Sands Council Board of Directors. The National Board of Directors, in 1973, approved a membership change to include six year olds and/or first graders.
National program initiatives during the 70s addressed the issues of child development and human interaction. Developing membership and leadership among the Mexican American community was priority. National service projects included outreach to the elderly poor and to migrant families. Locally, outreach programs included in-school programs in Benton Harbor and South Bend. Migrant programs were conducted in Berrien, Cass, LaPorte, Marshall and St. Joseph counties. These migrant outreach programs received international recognition. Activity centers and special summer programs were initiated. Project Friendship, a week long encampment for under privileged girls was planned and staffed by Senior Girl Scouts with support from the council and adult volunteers. This program continued for five years. Troops for mentally challenged and special needs children were organized in Coldwater and St. Joseph, Michigan and South Bend, Indiana. Troops serving Spanish speaking girls were organized at South Bend's La Casa de Amistad. A troop was established at Meadowlark Center for Miami Indians. Day camp for migrant children was held in conjunction with the South Bend Community School Corporation.
The new council prepared for its first Wider Opportunity, "Spots and Props," held at Camp Shawadasee in 1973. One hundred and twenty Senior Girl Scouts from almost every state and Hawaii, Alaska (still territories then) and Puerto Rico experienced an in-depth look at the theater. The event culminated with the presentation of six one-act plays. The girls did their own costuming, lighting, make-up and scenery. The barn at camp was converted into the "theater barn" for this national event and continues to be used today.
Girls enthusiastically generate ideas for council program events including horseback riding, sailing and ski weekends, sporting events, outdoor skills and environmental challenges. The council sponsored an Open Horse Show with the proceeds going toward development of the horseback riding program at Camp Soni Springs. Troop 589 led by Nina Foust created "Our Own Troop's" Pioneer Badge which today is part of a collection of GSUSA national headquarters. The Honor Troop program was proposed.
Celebrating the nation's bicentennial, 1976, a two part national project was designed to discover "hidden heroines" and to make Girl Scout commitments to service projects to help improve community life. Six names from Singing Sands Council were submitted for inclusion in the 600 hidden heroines selected by GSUSA for a special presentation to Queen Elizabeth II. Singing Sands celebrated the bicentennial with a council fair held at Berrien Springs Youth Fairgrounds. The pewter plaque became a council award.
"Farming Midwest Style," our council's second Wider Opportunity, was held at LaLumier School, LaPorte in 1978. It introduced traditional, historical and modern agricultural technology to the seventy-eight girls who represented all Girl Scouts regions in the United States and from Denmark and Zambia.
The redesigned Girl Scout Trefoil was officially launched in 1978. A three year campaign to acquaint the public with the new contemporary identity of Girl Scouting was begun.