Girls Inc. Teen Camps

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.

• Emma Wheeler Health Academy (Ages 14-18)June 2-27, 2008
  Interested in a career in health? Join Girls Incorporated® of Chattanooga as we explore the options! Learn about health and health care through traditional and non-traditional careers in health. Take part in yoga, volleyball and other exercise activities. Develop a Health Care Newsletter for your peers. Go on exciting field trips around the community and bond with new friends. The Health Academy will meet from June 2-27, 2008 at different locations in Chattanooga.Fees: $500 including a $25 non-refundable deposit.Parents are required to attend a parent orientation session. Lunch is not provided.




• GirlVenture (Ages 14-18)June 2-27, 2008
  Are you a budding entrepreneur? Learn the secrets of the business world at this four-week camp hosted in downtown Chattanooga. Girls will tour local businesses and network with professional businesswomen through our GirlVenture Business Lunch series. Each girl will be paired with a professional mentor and meet with her weekly. Teams will develop a business plan and compete for prizes. GirlVenture will meet from June 2-27, 2008 at different locations in downtown Chattanooga.Fees: $500 including a $25 non-refundable deposit. Parents are required to attend an orientation session. Some lunches provided.
  

Operation Teen Book Drop

Drop a Book on April 17th

Support Teen Literature Day! Leave one copy of a teen novel, with a TBD bookplate pasted inside, in a teen gathering spot in your community. Place it where the book will be found, taken, and read. (i.e. a coffee shop, the park, your school, a bus stop.) Imagine the fun someone will have when they find your donation! This is the same day all 10,000 publisher-donated books will be dropped in pediatric hospitals across the country, and it is the same day authors and readergirlz worldwide will release their own books into their communities just as you have.

For more information, check out http://www.readergirlz.com/tbd.html !

Red Cross Babysitting Course

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.

Ever Considered Living Abroad?

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

Destinations

Have you ever wanted to travel? Do you have a special interest like the arts, the environment or other cultures? Check out the Destinations that are available for 2008. Some of them are still taking applications, so it is not too late!

A destination is your chance to go somewhere new, do something different, and meet people from everywhere you can imagine. So check them out today at http://www.studio2b.org/escape/destinations/event_list.asp?catid=0 .

2007-2008 Great Idea Competition

http://www.mayorsgreatideas.org

Mission Possible: A Great Idea Can Earn You Money for College!

• Must be a high school junior or senior attending a public, private or home school program within the Chattanooga / Hamilton County area.
• The school with the highest number of entries wins $500 for school supplies.
• The perfect computer lab assignment or school project—Great Ideas is fun, fast and paperless.

What is Great Ideas? Great Ideas Competition is a scholarship based program that rewards high school juniors and seniors (private, public and home school students) for their innovative ideas. History has shown us that some of the best ideas were first thought to be audacious—much like the crazy idea of having a company that could provide Americans with nation-wide express mail service someday—Federal Express.

The submission process is fast, fun and all online—it is the perfect computer lab or home assignment for inspiring entrepreneurs and inventors. However, it does require creative thought and at least 15 minutes to complete all three “Missions Possible” which are cleverly designed to encourage and inspire students to develop their ideas; and since innovativeness does not require any academic prerequisite or g.p.a. standard, all juniors and seniors are encouraged to participate.

Great Ideas Competition will award three deserving students: 1st Place $3,500, 2nd Place $2,500 and 3rd Place $1,500 a grand total of $7,500 in scholarship awards. 50 of the best ideas will advance to round two and attend a private party and concert hosted by the Mayor’s Office and receive an official Mayor’s Certificate of Accomplishment. Based on scores, only 12 semi-finalists will advance to round three and compete for the three scholarship awards—see links listed below for additional information:

Intellectual Property Protection
Confidentiality---Student's personal information or submission of idea will not be shared with any third parties. Website registration is secured and all information is encrypted.
Contact Headquarters---Send e-mail to: Greatideas@mail.chattanooga.gov

The Cookie Club

This FREE workshop is for girls in Grades 7-12 on Jan. 8, 6-7:30pm at the service center. This workshop for teens will help you maximize your GS cookie selling potential so you can reach your goals. We’ll be looking at how to set goals for the cookie sale, the eEntrepreneur program, and all of the teen materials girls can use to sell, sell, sell! Contact Nita Sexton at ext. 224 or by email at nsexton@mbgsc.org to RSVP.

NEW--Winter Wonderland--Session E

Winter Wonderland is a dance for father & daughters that is going to be held at the Bethlehem Center in downtown Chattanooga on Dec. 8th from 2-4pm. It will be for all ages and costs $20 per couple until November 29.

If you don't want to come to the dance but need some Program Aide hours, I can definitely use you to help. I wouldneed you from 1-5pm. This is a great chance to experience how the dances work so you'll be more prepared for the ones in the spring. Call or email me to let me know if you are available or if you have questions!


Nita Sexton
nsexton@mbgsc.org
877-2688, ext. 224

Chattanooga Teen Scene

I just found out about this really awesome magazine, Chattanooga Teen Scene! It has all sorts of stuff in it about what's going on in Chattanooga for teens and is mainly written by teens. They are looking for teens to be a part of their editorial board which would give you a say in what goes in the magazine. They are also looking for writers to publish in the magazine. You can submit articles, too. This is a great opportunity for aspiring writers! Plus, it will look good on your college applications!

If you are interested in joining the editorial board or submitting poetry or articles, send an email to chattanoogateenscene@gmail.com .

A special launch party to celebrate the premiere issue will be held at Fathom, 412 Market Street, on Saturday, Nov. 3, from 6-8 p.m. The event is free and open to the public and teens are especially encouraged to attend. For more information on Chattanooga Teen Scene and the launch party, contact Laurie Shipley at 423 425-7826.

Video Contest for Teens

Video Contest
Do you like creating videos? Want to help other students learn about bullying prevention?

Students are invited to script, film, and produce their own bullying prevention videos. The key messages include one or more of the following; how do students feel about bullying, what can students do to prevent bullying, and how can students support others who are being bullied or who are bullying.
Suggested length is one to five minutesThe "message" of the video is more than important than the "look."

Selected entries will be posted to the "Students Against Bullying" Web site, that is being developed during the 2007-08 school year.

Submit files to:

Bullying Prevention Project, PACER, 8161 Normandale Blvd., Minneapolis, MN 55437

All videos become the property of PACER Center.

Students may also apply to be part of a national panel on bullying prevention. Check out the S2B Yahoo group for more info.

Infinite Scholars Scholarship Fair

The Urban League of Greater Chattanooga, Inc. cordially invites you to attend our First Annual INFINITE SCHOLARS SCHOLARSHIP FAIR!! The fair is free and open to the public and will be held on Wednesday, November 7, 2007 from 9:00am to 3:00 pm at the Chattanooga Choo Choo’s Imperial Ballroom (1400 Market Street).

We are excited to have the following schools scheduled to participate: Air Force ROTC, Alcorn State University, Benedict College, Claflin University, Clark-Atlanta University, The Naval Academy, North Carolina State University, Purdue University, Simon Rock College, South Carolina State University, St. Louis University, Stillman College, Talladega College, Tuskegee University, UTK, UTC and Vanderbilt University.

What makes this college fair so unique is that many of the participating schools will accept and/or offer scholarships to high school seniors on the spot!!! However, in order to be considered for admission and/or scholarships, the following are required prior to the fair:
1) You must register online at www.mohela.com/infinitescholar; after you register, print the admission ticket and bring the ticket to the college fair
2) You must prepare a portfolio for each college of interest. Each portfolio must include two (2) letters of recommendation and an official transcript which includes your ACT/SAT score(s). Copies of the portfolio(s) are acceptable. Be prepared to leave your portfolio(s) with the college representative(s).

If you have any questions, please contact the Urban League at 423-756-1762 or visit the Infinite Scholars website at http://www.infinitescholar.com/ .

Make a Difference Day--Oct. 27, 2007

Make A Difference Day is the most encompassing national day of helping others -- a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors. Everyone can participate. Created by USA WEEKEND Magazine, Make A Difference Day is an annual event that takes place on the fourth Saturday of every October. The next event is Saturday, October 27, 2007. Your project can be as large or as small as you wish! Look around your community and see what needs to be done. Go to http://www.usaweekend.com/diffday/aboutmadd.html for more information.

Teen Read Week -- Oct. 14-20

Teen Read Week is coming up! Are you ready?

The YALSA & readergirlz are sponsoring chats and group forums with 31 of your favorite teen authors throughout the month of October in celebration. You can check it out at http://www.readergirlz.com/issue.html . There are also prizes and other stuff! So get ready & celebrate Teen Read Week!

FREE Dangerous Relationships Workshop

Do you need a little guidance when it comes to relationships? Are you not really sure what is considered dangerous?

GSMBC is offering a FREE Dangerous Relationships workshop for girls in 7th-12th grade on October 25th, 6pm at the Service Center. You will learn more about the warning signs and what to look out for when it comes to relationships that may be harmful.
This course is for girls ONLY.

Please RSVP to Nita Sexton by October 18th (Leave a message at ext. 224 or email nsexton@mbgsc.org with how many girls will be attending).

2008 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards

Dear Girl Scouts,

We're looking for 5th-12th grade Girl Scouts who have contributed the most to their communities through volunteer service over the past year. You can help—by encouraging eligible members of your troop to fill out applications for The 2008 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. This unique youth recognition program, sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, has recognized more than 75,000 middle and high school students—including thousands of Girl Scouts—at a local, state, and national level for outstanding acts of volunteerism over the past twelve years.

All state-level honorees will receive a special recognition; the top high school and middle school volunteers will receive silver medallions, $1,000 awards, and a fabulous trip to Washington DC for with a parent or guardian for the national awards ceremony in May 2008. The top ten winners receive an additional $5,000, a gold medallion, a crystal trophy, and a $5,000 grant from the Prudential Foundation for a charitable nonprofit organization of their choice.

This year, Girl Scouts can apply on line at www.prudential.com/spirit . Applications must be completed, printed out, signed and submitted to me at the council no later than October 20, 2007. A Volunteer Committee will then review applications and select one or more honorees to represent our council in the state-level judging. We're excited about this opportunity to re-emphasize the importance of volunteering within our council, and to possibly gain statewide or even national recognition for our Girl Scouts.

We hope we can count on your participation. Girl Scouts who have earned Gold Awards may be particularly good candidates for this program.
If you have any questions, please call me at (423) 877-2688 or 1-800-446-2472 ext. 228 or email me at cbrady@mbgsc.org .

Sincerely,
Carlene Brady
Vice President of Program Services

EAC's Friday Night Live

Do you have talent? Show it off on stage at the Community Theatre in EAC's Friday Night Live, the first Friday of each month (September-May) at 7:30 pm. Here teens can enjoy a variety of live performances by other teens in a safe, secure and controlled environment. Performances will showcase individuals and groups from local schools, city recreation centers, and youth organizations.

Want to try out? Are you 13 to 19?Call (423) 757-5319 to schedule an audition.

The next Friday Night Live will be September 7, 2007 at the Community Theatre at Memorial Auditorium, downtown Chattanooga. Doors open at 7:00 pm; show starts at 7:30 pm. Admission is $5.

Girl Scout Leadership Insititute 2008

Girl Scout of Central Indiana and Girl Scouts of the USA will be hosting a leadership institute for girls in grades 6-12 next fall in Indianapolis. It's going to be October 29-30th, 2008 and sounds like it will be a great time! You can see the flyer that I received if you are on the Studio 2B Chattanooga Yahoo group. If you haven't joined the S2B Yahoo group, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/STUDIO2BChattanooga, and sign up so you can get the full scoop! If you're interested, leave a comment or email me at nsexton@mbgsc.org and I can send you updates as I get them.

Dreams Magazine

Have you ever read Dreams, the magazine GSMBC publishes for older girls? We're working on the one for this year and we need your input.

What kinds of articles would you like to see in it? What are your interests?

Are there topics that you really want to know more about that we could put in there?

Is there a topic that you are an expert on and can write an article about to be published in the magazine?

This is your magazine, so please send me thoughts or ideas. You can post a comment here with those or you can email me at nsexton@mbgsc.org.

Connections Workshop

Connections Workshop at Hamilton Place Mall

August 4th & 11th, 10:30-4pm

Learn about healthy dating relationships and enjoy a fashion show for free!

The class is free, but you must pre-register. Call 267-5383 or log on to http://www.firstthings.org/.