Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Shop Talk in November | Holiday Open House

For November, here are some special announcements from the GSWPA Shops.

GSWPA Shop Holiday Open House (Click Here for Event Flyer)
It's that time of year again! The GSWPA Shop Holiday Open House is just around the corner, so check out all of the details here. We'll have refreshments available for you as you get a head start on your holiday shopping! The Girl Scout Shop features gifts for current Girl Scouts, troop leaders, parents, and alumnae, as well as all the gear and uniform basics needed for adventures in Girl Scouting.

Where: All Shop locations (Edinboro, Greensburg and Pittsburgh)
When: Saturday, Nov. 10 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Holiday Open House Exclusives: 
  • Bring in a non-perishable food donation* and receive 15% off your full order (some exclusions apply), or receive a free Food Drive fun patch if you are a Girl Scout Daisy-Ambassador making a donation. (Girl must be present to receive patch.) *Please check expiration dates before making donation.
  • Enjoy a free gift with your purchase of $50 or more. Supplies are limited, so shop early! 
Can’t make it on Saturday? Bummer! We'll miss you, but you don't have to miss the sale!
Visit one of the GSWPA Shops on Friday, Nov. 9 from 9 a.m.-noon to shop our Preview Sale, and get the same deals listed above!

Coming soon: Cyber Weekend Specials
Look for Cyber Weekend specials, including free shipping from Friday, Nov. 23- Monday, Nov. 26 at shop.gswpa.org.


Shop Hours Reminders:
Monday-Thursday: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Friday: Closed
Second Saturday each month (Sept.-May only): 9 a.m.- noon

Upcoming Extended Hours: 
  • Greensburg: 
    • Monday, Nov. 5: Open until 7 p.m. (prior to scheduled service unit meetings)
    • Tuesday, Nov 6: Open until 6 p.m. (prior to Service Unit Cookie Manager Training)
  • Edinboro:
    • Thursday, Nov. 8: Open until 6 p.m. (prior to Service Unit Cookie Manager Training)
  • All Shop locations (Edinboro, Greensburg, Pittsburgh):
    • Friday, Nov. 9 Holiday Open House Preview Sale: Open 9 a.m.-noon.
    • Saturday, Nov. 10 Holiday Open House: Open 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Troop camping opportunities extend beyond summer



Last month, GSWPA Troop 30487 of Erie County set off for a weekend fall camping trip to Camp Skymeadow in Armstong County. The group of eleven girls and their leaders arrived for their first camping trip at this GSWPA camp on a Friday evening and stayed through Sunday morning.

The group took full advantage of their time at Camp Skymeadow with activities like hiking, archery, building and cooking over a fire, and canoeing, which was a new experience for most of the girls.

Their troop leaders, Leanne, Angela, and Molly, said they knew the activity was beyond the comfort zone of some of the girls, a few of which made it clear ahead of time that they wouldn't go out on the water.

"Of course we would never force them," said Leanne, "but the instructor was really wonderful and walked them through each step."

With the great instructions and watching their friends out on the water, the confidence in them started to grow, and soon the whole group was in canoes learning about canoe safety, practicing switching spots with one another, and racing across the pond with their new paddle skills.

All of these experiences, including debuting a new recipe for Campfire S'mores in a Cone (A tip from the girls—add peanut butter!), made truly wonderful camping memories for the Girl Scouts and their leaders.

The troop even used Camp Skymeadow lodging as a way to help their girls get to the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium that weekend to join their sister Girl Scouts for Girl Scout Day, which reduced their usual drive to Pittsburgh from over two hours to a mere 50 minutes!

"Our weekend was filled with amazing memories, and I had a fun and awesome time," said GSWPA Cadette Emma P.

"Camp Skymeadow has many enjoyable features," said Elizabeth K., GSWPA Cadette. "From canoeing to archery, they know how to keep Girl Scouts entertained!"

Start planning your next camping trip at a GSWPA camp using the resources and online reservation system on the left side of the GSWPA camp page at gswpa.org/camp.