Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin Lakes and Pines Council

Throughout the year, Girl Scouts Lakes & Pines provided in-person and virtual programming to meet the needs of our girls and their families through both summer camps and year-round opportunities. Partner program and travel were back in full swing even traveling internationally. We were able to serve 607 youth and 323 adults through partner programs including sleep under the sea, sail away, bsu badge day, and dog sledding. Through our trips to savannah, south africa, st. louis and Girl scout national convention, we provided travel opportunities to 80 participants. This summer, we hosted both troop and overnight summer camp programming to just over 1,450 participants. Additionally, we facilitated Council events to 1,001 girls and 413 adults during our 2023 membership year. We continue to regrow our numbers from covid for our two largest events, kaleidoscope and our world our family, we reached a total of 106 and 528 participants respectively. Other highlights included mentoring Girl Scouts through our outreach program, Girl Scouts in action, providing activities to troops across the Council with programs on the go, and supporting girls as they worked to earn their bronze, silver, and gold awards.

The Girl scout cookie and fall product sales program is the largest girl-led business in the country and generates immeasurable benefits for girls, their communities, and their councils. Girls set goals to support their chosen activities for the year, to fund community service and leadership projects, to attend summer camp, to travel to destinations near and far and to provide events for girls in their community. Participating in the Girl scout product programs helps girls develop essential skills: goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics. Girls, troops, and our Council receive awesome benefits. The troop receives money for activities and girls receive recognition prizes and vouchers to use at camp, for program attendance, or in the shop. The Council proceeds help train volunteers, maintain camp properties, and keep program costs affordable.

Council sponsored camp and event programming focus on the five outcomes of the Girl scout leadership experience including sense of self, positive values, challenge seeking, community problem solving, and healthy relationships. In addition to these outcomes, girls in our programs connect with their peers, develop conflict-resolution skills, learn how to advocate for themselves, and feel empowered to make a difference in their communities.