Girls Inc. has some exciting summer programming going on for teens. These programs are for teens aged 14-18 and some scholarships are available. For more information, please call Girls Inc. at 423-624-4757.
Here's what's going on in May at your Girl Scout council:
Drop a Book on April 17th
Friends groups sponsor local Park Day on Saturday, April 5th
The Friends of the Park and Friends of Moccasin Bend are recruiting volunteers for hands-on preservation work on Saturday, April 5th at three of the major units of Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park. The 11th annual Park Day is sponsored locally by the sister groups affiliated with Chickamauga & Chattanooga, and nationally by the Civil War Preservation Trust and History Channel. Volunteers are needed to staff work crews on April 5th at:
· Chickamauga Battlefield, where fence building will take place in the continuing effort to restore park lands as closely as possible to their 1863 appearance.
· Moccasin Bend, where the focus will be on removing accumulated dumped trash to get the Bend ready for development into a visitor-friendly area of the Park.
· Orchard Knob, where a number of smaller clean-up and spruce-up projects are planned.
From 9-9:30, volunteers at each location will enjoy an educational program presented by Park rangers. Work will begin at 9:30 AM and continue until 1 PM.
Volunteers should be at least 16 years of age unless accompanied by an adult guardian. Workers should dress appropriately for the weather and outdoor work, and bring their own work gloves if possible. Scout groups, church groups, school groups, civic groups and neighborhood groups are urged to participate, as are individuals.
The Friends groups are requesting the name(s) and age(s) of volunteers, along with an email address, phone number and the location where the individual or group wishes to provide service. This information can be provided in a number of ways:
· Friends of the Park Message Line (423-624-6914) or via email using ‘Contact Us’ at www.chickchatt.org
· Friends of Moccasin Bend at (423) 785-3030
· Park headquarters at (706) 866-9241.
“Park Day is a great team building opportunity,” says Jim Szyjykowski, the Park’s manager of cultural resources. “It also funnels much-appreciated service to this beautiful Park and to more than 1000 other Civil War parks and sites throughout the nation. Without the help of volunteers, Park staffs have a hard time maintaining many areas, detracting from the beauty of the parks and the quality of the experience of visiting it. We hope to welcome a great crowd of volunteers on April 5th!”
Looking for a course that focuses on building self-confidence as well as job and leadership skills?
When: Saturday, March 29, 2008
Where: Hiwassee Chapter, 304 20th St. SE, Cleveland, TN
Time: 9:00am-5:00pm
Cost: $40.00 per person (Fee includes Babysitter Handbook and Shoulder Bag, loaded with babysitting necessities such as first aid kit, flashlight, family information/emergency information pad and pen!)
The American Red Cross Babysitter's Training course includes:
Leadership skills and decision-making;
Safety precautions and safe play guidelines;
Basic care;
Check-Call-Care (emergency action steps); and
First aid for bleeding emergencies.
Call 472-1595 for more information or to register. Prepare for the many responsibilities associated with caring for young children and learn the knowledge and skills to be a safe and responsible babysitter. The Red Cross Babysitter’s Training course is intended for youth ages 11–15, teaching a range of injury prevention, first aid and basic care skills. Babysitter’s Training also provides an excellent opportunity to learn decision-making skills and practice professionalism.
Rotary Youth Exchange
As a Rotary Youth Exchange student, you’ll spend up to a year living with a few host families and attending school in a different country. Whether you participate in Rotary’s long-term or short-term Youth Exchange programs, you’ll learn a new way of living, a great deal about yourself, and maybe even a new language. You’ll also be an ambassador, teaching people you meet about your country, culture, and ideas. You can help bring the world closer – and make some good friends in the process.
More than 8,000 young people each year have experiences like these through Rotary Youth Exchange. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime. Are you ready for it?
If you are interested in living abroad next year (2008-09) and are in the 9th or 10th grade, there are a few countries still available: France*, Germany*, Mexico, Peru, Finland, Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine, Taiwan and Chec Republic. (*requires 2 years of their language).
What do you need to do to live abroad next year:
Go to http://www.rotary.org/ and click on Youth & Students to locate the Youth Exchange page. You can download the application and information for your parents to read. Get your application to Vicki Anderson ASAP. Since Rotary is a volunteer organization, the only cost to you is $850 (which includes insurance, Rotary blazer, pins, ID cards, backpack, etc.) plus your airfare and passport. The fee also includes a weekend orientation in Ohio in July (you will travel with the other exchange students and the committee) where you will meet with the country contact and other students who have recently returned from the country you will be going to and the fee includes another orientation in Asheville, NC in May. You (and your parents) will be well prepared before you ever leave home.
Want to live abroad during the 2009-10 year?
The deadline for applications is October 1, 2008 with interviews in November. Currently 33 countries are available including Italy, Brazil, Spain, Switzerland, & Australia. A complete list is available upon request. You must be age 16 or 17 at the time of the exchange. The committee recommends you go abroad your sophomore year in high school or possibly your junior year. It’s best to stay here your senior year so you can prepare college applications.
How about a short-term exchange?
Did you know you can do a family to family cultural exchange during the summer? Applications will be accepted up until mid-April. Your family would host a student for a few weeks and then you would return to their country and stay with their family a few weeks. No language skills are required. The fee is $395 + airfare & passport. The fee includes an orientation weekend, insurance, etc.
Would your family like to host an exchange student next year?
They can! Your family can welcome a student from another country to live with you during the school year. The student would attend school here (most likely a public school unless something can be worked out at a private school—we currently have a student at Baylor and one at McCallie) and become part of your family. Usually a family hosts a student for 2-3 months and then they move to another family.
Contact:
If you are interested in any of these programs, please contact:
Vicki Anderson
Hamilton Place Rotary Club
877-2688 Ext. 227, 842-5158 (h)
vanderson@mbgsc.org
Here's a sneak peek at your council's programs for March:
For more info, send me an email at nsexton@mbgsc.org or respond to this blog!
Here's a sneak peek at what's happening in February:
Plus, don't forget that we have spring break camps coming up! Email me for more info at nsexton@mbgsc.org!!!!
