The Girl Scout Advantage Podcast

In this episode of our series about the impact of the pandemic on girls, we explore the benefits of the great outdoors and how Girl Scout camp can fit into the lives of girls. Our Outdoor Program Team Lead & Camp Linden Director, Audrey Reynolds, discusses the benefits of the outdoors and the ways we are here to serve girls now and always. Want to support Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan? Visit h...

In the second episode of the pandemic series, Traci Judy, GSHOM Membership Specialist with a social work background, walks us through dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) techniques that troop leaders and parents can use to help girls dealing with big emotions during these unprecedented times. Please note: These therapies are not a substitute for receiving professional health with mental health is...

Girls have experienced the impact of COVID-19 and living through a pandemic. Here at Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan, we are diving into the research about how girls specifically are impacted by quarantine, isolation, and everything else that comes with a global pandemic. Beginning with our CEO, Jan Barker, this series will dive into how girls are impacted by COVID-19, and how Girl Scouts can help.

Meet Kori Swieter, new Director of Camp O’ the Hills! In this episode, you’ll hear why Kori loves camp and the great outdoors, what she has learned at camp, and why camp is important for girls. Tune in to get to know our newest member of the Camp Team!

In the second episode focused on camp, you’ll hear from Assistant Director of Camp Linden, Nicole (otherwise known as Nickel). In this episode, we dive into anxiety and the outdoors, the Counselor in Training Program, getting girls off their phones, and all of the other magic that takes place at Girl Scout Camp. Tune in today!

Brad Peltz is the Camp Director for Camp Merrie Woode! Brad joined the team within the last year, and we can’t wait for you to hear him talk about camp! He talks about the importance of getting in the outdoors and why girl-led is such an important part of Girl Scout Camp. Tune in to hear all of this and so much more!

Girl Scouts fuels the leadership pipeline with experts in science, technology, engineering, and math. How does this happen? Through our robust badge offerings and community partnerships, we provide girls with real-life experiences that give them the skills they need to excel in life. One of these partners is GM Design, who hosts an event each year where Girl Scouts get to experience the behind-the...

Kicking off Season 3, this episode chronicles the friendship of Grace and Sue, who were in the same Girl Scout troop growing up. They share a story of their adventure that started years ago on a troop trip, which they finally completed just recently. The episode will remind you of the bond between childhood best friends, and the commitment between them. Join us as they describe the incredible adve...

Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan is proud to have two Mackinac Island Honor Guard Troops that serve on Mackinac Island each summer: Troop 609 and Troop 7901. In this episode, join us as we hear from the girls who have participated in both troops about what the program is and why it is such an incredible, girl-led opportunity for girls. For more information about the Mackinac Island Honor Guard Troops...

Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan is proud to have two Mackinac Island Honor Guard Troops that serve on Mackinac Island each summer: Troop 609 and Troop 7901. In this episode, join us as we hear from the adult leadership of both troops about what the program is and why it is such an incredible, girl-led opportunity for girls. For more information about the Mackinac Island Honor Guard Troops in Girl Sc...

Ricarah Riddle is a Girl Scout Alumna and Gold Award Girl Scout who has truly made an impact in her community to make the world a better place using her passions for social justice, youth development, sustainability, and holistic healing arts. Listen today to hear: Ricarah’s journey to success and how Girl Scouts impacted that How music and art have been healing for her The documentary she created...

Renee Svetic is a life-long Girl Scout who truly bleeds green and white.  She is a Junior Leader from Freeland, who also volunteers with her Area. Listen into Renee’s episode to get a glimpse into: The very special experience that is Mackinaw Island Honor Guard Taking girls to camp and dealing with girls who have different personalities Why it’s important to let girls experience new things and tak...

Mandy Orlando is a first year Brownie Troop Leader from Watervliet, Michigan.  Join us in this episode as she shares why Girl Scouting is such an important part of her life. Listen today to hear: How Girl Scouts has become an irreplaceable part of her family life Her perspective on the important work of Girl Scouting How she works to instill the Girl Scout Promise and Law while having fun with her...

Colleen Dawson, President of the Women’s Council of Realtors in Southwestern Michigan, is a Girl Scout alumna, former Troop Leader, and current Girl Scout Cookie Bake-Off Benefit Committee Member. During her time as a Girl Scout leader, she was amazed by the adventures and new experiences she had with her troop. Colleen shares so much wisdom in this episode as she shares about her experience with...

What does it take to work second shift full-time while caring for your family and leading your daughter’s Girl Scout troop? Christina Medina will tell you that it can be challenging, but that the challenge is beyond worth it.  Christina is  the troop leader for her daughter Isabel’s Cadette Troop in our Lansing region. This episode is a special one that was recorded over two sessions; the first pa...

Chris Holbert is a volunteer who has been involved in Girl Scouts for ten years.  Starting off her Girl Scout experience in Arizona at the age of 35, Chris eventually moved to Michigan and continued on as a leader for her daughter’s troop. Listen in to hear about Chris’s experiences and learn: What “girl-led” looks like for a Brownie compared to a Senior How camping with a troop becomes an opportu...

Mikayla Flores, of Adrian, MI, is a second grade Brownie who sold over 2200 boxes of Girl Scout cookies as a Daisy.  She has big goals again this year, and the determination and tenacity to achieve that and so much more. Listen to this episode with Mikayla and her mom, Chelsea, to learn: Mikayla’s sales pitch and why it works Why Mikayla loves selling Girl Scout Cookies (hint: their yumminess is o...

The 2019 Michigan Girl Scout Sing-Along was held on April 27, 2019 on the front lawn of the Capital Building in Lansing, Michigan.  Girl Scouts from across the state attended, gathering together to sing Girl Scout songs and enjoy time together. The event included an intermission with several activities, including SWAPS, crafting, the retail shop, and a booth commemorating Girls in Information...

Nancy and Heather Miller are a mother-daughter, lifetime Girl Scout duo from Freeland, Michigan. Nancy, having been a Girl Scout for 41 years, served as Heather’s Troop Leader, and both Millers live by the motto, “Once a Girl Scout, always a Girl Scout.” In this episode, Nancy and Heather share: How a family passion turned into a bluebird sanctuary and Girl Scout Gold Award Project The life-changi...

Maddie Rayner is a Girl Scout Alumna and a Gold Award Girl Scout with a passion for making the world a better place. Tune in to this episode to hear: What Maddie learned throughout her years at Girl Scout Camp How her Silver Award Project put Maddie in the national media spotlight The lessons she learned from completing the Highest Awards Listen today to learn all of this and more!

Cheryl Vosburg is a long-time volunteer for Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan, who has much wisdom to share about the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. She is currently the Area Manager for Marshall, Michigan, as well as the Troop Organizer, and a Trainer, instilling her knowledge into current volunteers for GSHOM. In this episode, you’ll hear Cheryl’s take on Girl Scouts, including: What she calls th...

Meet Wilson and Giggles – otherwise known as Brittani Havenaar and Naomi Sarelis.  These life-long campers are the Assistant Camp Directors at Camp Merrie Woode this summer.  The best part is that Brittani was once Naomi’s counselor; their relationship exemplifies the progression of leadership at Girl Scout camp, as well as the special relationships that develop between girls at camp. In this epis...

Audrey Reynolds is the Outdoor Program Team Lead and the Director of Camp Linden. In 2019, it’s more important than ever that girls have the chance to disconnect from technology and reconnect with nature. In this episode, Audrey, a lifelong Girl Scout and camp aficionado, explains: – How Girl Scout camp helps girls build invaluable social skills – The importance of the “in-between” mom...

Amanda Harsh is a Gold Award Girl Scout who became a Leader for her daughter’s troop before becoming the Area Manager for Heart of Lenawee. Amanda is passionate about Girl Scouts and has made great strides as the Area Manager. In this episode, you will learn: • How the Heart of Lenawee area successfully brings people together, adding another layer to the Girl Scout Experience • Amanda’s perspectiv...

Sheri Jones, news anchor for the CBS-affiliate WLNS in Lansing, is a Girl Scout Alumna who has established herself as a trustworthy and decorated professional, as well as a dedicated philanthropist who deeply values giving back. Sheri, an alumna of Michigan State University, was recently inducted into the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame, and was also honored with the Athena Award...