Becoming a Junior Ranger

By: Sabrina Y.

If you are interested in learning a thrilling way to experience nature with your family, earn some badges, and improve your health, take a walk with me as I share with you my experience of becoming a Georgia State Park Junior Ranger.  Most people may find it hard to connect with family and nature, but now with the Junior Ranger program offered at Georgia State Parks, people can explore nature while having a fantastic time with the family.

This free program is designed for Girl Scouts ages 6 to 12 to get in touch with nature, and to have an exceptional day with the family.  Not only do you get to have an enjoyable time, but you can work towards earning a badge!  Getting started is easy; simply visit any one of the 63 Georgia State Parks and ask a Ranger for a Junior Ranger Booklet.  The booklet will help you learn how to proceed through your journey in discovering new things. 

In the Junior Ranger program, Girl Scouts can connect with nature. Girls can observe anything from animals to plants, and even moon phases.  This program teaches you about things in nature people wouldn’t usually notice, and it teaches Girl Scouts things to be aware of nature.  In my experience, I learned how to identify different types of birds, plants, and signs of animals (including dung, tracks, sound, and smell).  I also learned about past wars and historic sites; however, my favorite part in nature was observing the wildlife.  I wrote notes about all the animals I observed such as an egret, geese, a salamander, and even a snake! The flora and fauna in nature are a spectacular site.  It is an appreciated memory that is forever in my heart.  These wondrous sights will change the way people see things in nature.  

          The Junior Ranger program also incorporates the Get out. Get dirty. Get fit. program, which mainly focuses on getting healthy and fit. This program includes hiking, biking, fishing, golfing, camping, and climbing a canyon.  Along with these activities, Girl Scouts can learn new outdoor skills, how to make a healthy/high energy trail mix, and you can enjoy a sunrise or sunset. This program helps Girl Scouts work towards a badge by doing many of these activities and checking them off as they complete each activity.  This is aimed mostly towards ages 7 – 14, but younger kids may participate as well.  In my experience, I combined some of the activities by doing them in one day.  While my family and I were going on a hike on one of the trails that were part of the Canyon Climber club, I made everyone a trail mix as a boost of energy for the trail.  On that same day, I photographed the beautiful waterfall that poured out into the peaceful river.  This club also introduced me to camping.  My sister and I built a tent and we fished together. After that my family and I saw the gorgeous sunset while making gooey s’mores above the blazing fire.  One of my favorite things was documenting my experience, so my memories will never fade of this breath-taking journey.  After I documented everything, I was eligible to earn my badge, and I now proudly wear it on my vest.  Who knew being healthy could be an exhilarating experience?! 

         Although improving your health and learning about nature is great, nothing can beat the quality time that girls can spend with their family.  They will be able to create memories with this program.  Girl Scouts can create a photo album of their journey, or maybe they will make a collage.  No matter what they choose to do with these memories, they will always be shared amongst their family.  I guarantee Girl Scouts and their family will always leave the park with a smile as bright as the sun pasted onto their faces.  My family took over 100 pictures of us together doing these pleasant activities and saved them on an online photo album. We often talk about the adventures, and always end up smiling or laughing. We had such a joyous time that we are thinking of doing it again this summer, and focusing more on being healthy.  I will never forget the time I had with my family during those few months.  We conquered a lot, and did it all together.  I personally was fond of the family bonding time.

         I highly recommend joining the Junior Ranger Program.  There are so many advantages, as well as a vast amount of knowledge that the girls can gain.  Girl Scouts and their family will never leave the Georgia State Parks unhappy.  Are you ready to begin your adventure?  Enjoy the experience!

Camping

By: Hunter F.

There are many different camps all around the United States and on other continents but there are only a small number of Girl Scout Camps around the world.

Each Girl Scout camp has its own characteristics. Some camps may have horses. Some may be built around a lake so you can go tubing and canoeing. A few camps have rope courses. Some even have zip lining and gorging (where you jump into a river off of a boulder).

Some camps have cabins or tents and some have both. There is always a camp that fits your unique personality. I have been to all of the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta original camps and Camp Misty Mountain fits my personality just fine.

          Camp Misty Mountain is located in Armuchee, Georgia. The camp is located on John’s Mountain.

I have only had one chance to go there and I am glad I took that chance. One of my best friends, Hayley, and I went up there three summers ago. I am now going to put you in my view of this little adventure that lasted a week and probably was the most memorable summer camp I ever attended.

When you are at bottom of the mountain you can see the little trails of power lines that lead down John Mountain. It doesn’t seem like the height of the mountain is so well, high. As you start going up you start to see little farms and houses on the roadside. You also start to see more and more trees and cows. As you go up higher all you see is beautiful mountains and countryside.  You also see crops growing and no department store in sight! Everything is so beautiful you forget to look down. 

Then next thing you know pines obscure your sight and oaks and your car goes higher and higher. Then you’re looking down at a huge hill full of growing trees and trees that have fallen. Scattered leaves lay everywhere. When you get to a power line trail you look down and can see the whole town and all the other mountains in the distance. You wish you were on the other side of the car so it wont fell like your weight will flip the car down the mountain. Everything looks like little ants below. You scrunch down in your seat so you can’t look down. But you are so curious you look out again and you see the hill again. The road gets curvier and your mom or dad slows the car down. Then there’s another power line trail and then another and you’re at the top.

There’s a certain spot that lets you see Camp Misty Mountain where it sits in its little valley. The camp definitely lives up to its name. It’s so misty that you can hardly see the camp. You keep driving and you don’t even have to press the gas pedal anymore and then you are at the camp gates.

You get nervous. There is so much to do that you can’t wait to get started! Horseback riding, swimming, archery, canoeing, hiking, dance, arts and crafts, basketball, sidewalk chalk, singing and more! You love the counselors. and your campsite Windy Hill. You fall in love with the camp and you can’t wait to come back next summer.

That is how I felt on my camping trip to Camp Misty Mountain. I loved it so much that I am planning on being a counselor or wrangler in training when I get older. I originally went to Camp Misty Mountain for the horses but I came back with so much more! I love Camp Misty Mountain and maybe one day you may get a chance to love it also.

How to Prevent Bullying

By: Mykela C.

The different signs of bullying are someone calls you names, makes certain face gestures, and/or rude comments.

When you are in a situation where someone is teasing you or hurting you, no matter how old or young the bully might be, the key is to tell an adult you trust. Never fear a bully - stand up for yourself. Not by fighting but by having a voice to tell them how you feel.  Bullying can affect someone in different ways.

Most victims of bullying tend to lose sleep or feel sick. Many have the urge to want to skip school. Someone who is bullied may even have the thought of killing herself or himself.

If you feel like this get help immediately! Talk to a teacher, a Girl Scout adult or even call a hotline like the National Suicide Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK). Remember, you are NOT alone.

Here is some more info on bullying from the non-profit Make Beats Not Beat Downs.

Bullying can take many forms but it usually includes the following types of behavior:

• Physical – hitting, kicking, pinching, punching, scratching, spitting or any other form of physical attack. Damage to or taking someone else’s belongings may also constitute as physical bullying.

• Verbal – name calling, insulting, making racist, sexist or homophobic jokes, remarks or teasing, using sexually suggestive or abusive language, offensive remarks

• Indirect – spreading nasty stories about someone, exclusion from social groups, being made the subject of malicious rumors, sending abusive mail, and email and text messages (cyber bullying).

• Cyber Bullying - any type of bullying that is carried out by electronic medium. There are 7 types including:

1. Text message bullying
2. Picture/video clip bullying via mobile phone cameras
3. Phone call bullying via mobile phones
4. E-mail bullying
5. Chat-room bullying
6. Bullying through instant messaging (IM)
7. Bullying via websites

Contact the State Department of Education if you are not satisfied with your school administration’s response to your reports of bullying. Their Toll Free School Safety Hotline is 1- 877- SAY STOP.

Please get help.

Events!

“Scouting rises within you and inspires you to put forth your best.”

–Juliette Gordon Low

What will you accomplish this year? Check out the 2012 events sponsored by GSGATL by clicking here.

 

Ask GiGi

Dear GiGi,

I just joined Girl Scouts and I am a bit overwhelmed by all of the things there are to do? Advice on how to decide which Journey to pick or what camp activity to sign-up for?

-New GS

Dear New GS,

My advice to you for picking a Journey is to go to www.girlscouts.org, click on programs and then pick Journeys in order to find a list of the Journey books and topics, or go to a local Girl Scout store to look at the books they have available. Pick the book that looks interesting to you and flip through it and see if you like the activities it asks you to do!

As for camp activities, go with something you think sounds fun and take into consideration the time of day you are doing the activity. I would sign up for a water activity during the hottest part of the day so you can cool off. Doing a camp activity with a friend is also a good idea, so if you and your friend sign up at the same time it can be really fun, just make sure to meet new friends as well!

-GiGi

I just spent the summer at my Dad's house and I made some awesome friends where he lives. I am now back in Georgia for school and I am worried about loosing my new friends? GiGi, what should I do? I dont want to loose my new friends?

-Living Two Lives

Dear Living Two Lives,

I would make sure to have the phone numbers and email addresses of your new friends so you can talk everyday! Keep in touch with them by calling or texting and tell them all about how things are at your Mom’s house. You could also become pen pals with them and send letters and pictures back and forth. You can even make a game out if it and create your own secret code and only write to each other using that code! Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter are also a great way to keep in touch with each other’s everyday lives. Just be sure you have your parents’ permission before you create a profile.

My last piece of advice is that every time you visit your Dad’s house, make sure you spend some time with your friends!

-GiGi

GiGi,

13 sucks! Any advice on how to survive the 9^th grade?

-Desperate

Dear Desperate,

9^th grade is one of the hardest years, but there are some things you can do to make it better. First, I suggest joining clubs and sport teams to meet a variety of new people, become as involved as you can in your school because it is very impressive on college applications!

Make sure you keep an agenda or calendar of all your activities and homework because it can be very overwhelming.

Second, make sure you do all of your work at school and get good grades because you will be thankful for it as you start to take harder classes.

Third, don’t be afraid to ask a teacher for help finding your next class or if you don’t know how to do something.

Lastly, look around your school for posters because they can keep you informed about all the things going on in your school. Just remember that you aren’t the only one, everyone has been there and everyone around you is just as afraid as you are.

-GiGi

Organization: Tips for Teens!

By: Nicole R.

Staying organized in school is not hard at all, especially if you follow these helpful tips! ☺

• Study and do homework in a quiet, well-lit area
• Write down important notes and reminders
• Keep your school locker clean and neat
• Keep all writing utensils together so they don’t get lost or stolen
• Memorize your locker combination and keep a copy of the written combination in a safe place (not inside of the locker)
• Carry an agenda with you to your classes to write down reminders and assignments      
• Study your notes daily and save them
• Keep all work and notes for each subject together  

Halloween

By: Nicole R.

When I think of Halloween, I think of dressing up in a costume and going door to door around the neighborhood collecting delicious candy. But what is the real meaning of Halloween and where does it come from?

The word Halloween is derived from the term "All Hallows Eve" which occurred on Oct. 31^st. "All Saints Day," or "All Hallows Day" was the next day, Nov. 1^st.

The origins of Halloween can be traced back to ancient Ireland and Scotland around the time of Christ. On Oct. 31^st, the Celts celebrated the end of summer. This was important because it was when animal herders would move their animals into barns and pens and prepare to ride out the winter. This was also the time of the crop harvests. This annual change in season and in lifestyle was marked by a festival called Samhain, which means 'end of summer.'

Today typical festive Halloween activities include trick-or-treating, carving jack-o'-lanterns, lighting bonfires, visiting haunted houses, playing pranks, telling scary stories, watching horror films, as well as praying, fasting and attending church services.

So there is no reason to be afraid on Oct. 31^st. After all, it’s just All Saints Day Eve.  ☺