Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines announced today, due to the recent inclement weather experienced across its 41 county region, it will be extending its 2015 Girl Scout Cookie Sale Program through Sunday, March 8th.  Having kicked off on January 17, this year’s sale was set to come to a close on March 1. 

“We are optimistic the additional week will bring warmer temperatures and better conditions for our Girl Scouts hosting cookie booths. We want to ensure our Girl Scouts have every opportunity to sell the cookies they have so that they can achieve their goals,” said Lisa Jones, chief executive officer at Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines.

The Girl Scout Cookie sale is about much more than cookies.  At its heart, this almost 100-year old fundraiser is focused on financial literacy, leadership development and community engagement.  Girl Scouts and volunteers work hard during the sale to learn and develop the 5 Skills of the Cookie Program - goal setting, money management, teamwork, business ethics and people skills. 

Cookie money helps Girl Scouts and their troop do like going to Girl Scout camp, taking a trip abroad with their troop, and even giving back to their communities.  When customers purchase a box of cookies, they are supporting girls develop critical life and leadership skills all while helping to provide...

Not only is February 27 through March 1 National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend, it is also the last chance to get hands on that favorite Girl Scout Cookie.

Sunday, March 1, marks the end of the 2015 Girl Scout – North Carolina Coastal Pines’ cookie sale.  But don’t fret! Thousands of Girl Scouts will be stationed at various cookie booth locations over the weekend throughout the Council’s 41-central and eastern county jurisdiction. 

February 27 through March 1 also marks the third annual National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend, a celebration of all the fun and excitement girls have selling Girl Scout Cookies. The weekend aims to highlight some of its most innovative and successful cookie entrepreneurs and what they plan on doing with their cookie money to benefit their communities.

Through the cookie program’s “5 Skills,” each amazing young #cookieboss develops creative and resourceful ways to sell cookies. And the more cookies girls sell, the more money they have to invest in community service projects, learning experiences, and travel opportunities.

“Girl Scout Cookies are about so much more than a tasty treat,” said Lisa Jones, CEO of Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines. “They are about teaching girls basic business skills and instilling a lifelong sense of civic responsibility that creates leaders. At Girl Scouts, we have so many amazing girls...

Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines strives to encourage girls from all backgrounds to pursue their interests in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through hands-on, experiential learning.  We are excited to announce that we have received a $10,000 cash donation from Time Warner Cable to support our STEM programming.

“We are so pleased to partner with Time Warner Cable to offer girls an opportunity to explore the leadership possibilities that exist for them in these career fields,” said Lisa Jones, chief executive officer at Girl Scouts NC – Coastal Pines.

Girl Scouts Research Institute’s 2013 report, Generation STEM: What girls say about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, shows that 74 percent of teen girls are interested in STEM subjects and the general field of study. Further, a high 82 percent of girls see themselves as “smart enough to have a career in STEM.” And yet, few girls consider it their number-one career option: 81 percent of girls interested in STEM are interested in pursuing STEM careers, but only 13 percent say it’s their first choice.

Girls are also aware that gender barriers persist in today’s society: 57 percent of those studied concur that if they were to pursue a STEM career, they would “have to work harder than a man to be taken seriously.” Accordingly, Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines h...

Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines is proud to announce a new council patch commemorating National African American History Month. The patch was created and designed by Girl Scout Troop #3432 of Clayton, N.C., as part of the council’s Design Your Own Patch contest. As the contest winner, the patch now becomes a part of the Council Patch Program and is available for other council Girl Scouts to earn. The design of the patch honors the first African American Girl Scout troop and features the phrase “Girls United.”

Girl Scout Troop #3432 worked together to determine the theme of the patch, the patch design, and the specific requirements for earning the patch. The girls drew from their own knowledge and personal experiences as they developed the patch requirements. They wanted to ensure that Girl Scouts who earn the patch fully understand the significance of the African American contribution to American History, from the simple to the life-changing events.

The Council Patch Program is designed for Girl Scouts to earn patches by exploring a wide variety of topics. Each patch requires Girl Scouts to complete an age appropriate number of activities in the categories of Discover, Connect, and Take Action, which are the three keys to leadership central to all Girl Scout experiences. The requirements for earning the...

Everything girls do in Girl Scouts is designed to help them become leaders of tomorrow. Honoring leaders of today, like our military personnel, is part of how Girl Scouts can learn about and build their own leadership skills.  With these leaders in mind, Girl Scouts collect donations each year when selling Girl Scout Cookies so that they can send a “taste of home” to troops serving miles away from home.

“It is always wonderful to see how eager our communities are to support our military troops and Girl Scouts,” said Lisa Jones, chief executive officer. “We are very proud of this program and especially proud of all the Girl Scouts who have worked so hard to collect donations over the last ten years.”

Since 2006, Operation Cookie Drop has made it possible to ship nearly 680,000 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies to deployed military service personnel.  During the 2014 Cookie Sale program, Girl Scouts across central and eastern N.C. collected enough donations for the program to purchase over 60,000 boxes of cookies for the troops.

“I’ve got four deployments down range coming. It’s great when you’re deployed and all of the sudden you get    Girl Scout cookies. It shows us that we’re supported back home. They’re showing how much they care about us. There’s nothing better than getting a couple of Girl Scout cookies after a mission,” shared S. SGT. Boros of the 18th Airborne Corps HHB who assisted with the 2014 delivery at Fort Br...

The Girl Scouts - North Carolina Pines Cookie Sale runs January 17 through March 1, 2015

It’s Girl Scout Cookie time and Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines kicks off its 2015 Girl Scout Cookie Sale program on Saturday, January 17.

The Girl Scout Cookie Sale program, which is the organization’s largest fundraiser, is a true financial literacy program helping girls learn skills to be leaders in business and sales, manage their finances, and gain self-sufficiency and confidence handling money. This year marks the 98th year of the program and girls will be selling cookies door to door, at booths, and online through Digital Cookie – the first national platform enabling girls to sell cookies through personalized cookie websites. 

“When customers purchase a box of Girl Scout Cookies, they are supporting a program helping girls grow into leaders in their own life, in business, and in their communities,” said Lisa Jones, chief executive officer at Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines. “We are very excited about the new digital cookie experience and can’t wait for girls to have fun while learning 21st-century skills.”

This year’s sale brings with it another new cookie – Trios®. Made with real chocolate chips, real peanut butter and certified gluten free whole grain oats, Trios® will be sold this year as part of...

Thanks to the Moore Women organization, Girl Scouts in Moore County will be able to experience more of the many benefits of Girl Scouting.  Members of “A Giving Circle” presented Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines with $2,000 for start-up funds in support of troops in under resourced areas of Moore County.

"We are thrilled that this generous grant will allow Moore County troops to have the full Girl Scout experience," said Laura Douglass, membership director for Moore and Harnett Counties. "These much-welcomed funds will be well used."

The funds will be used to offset the coasts of membership dues, basic uniform pieces, pins, patches, badges, insignia, and curriculum materials (Journey books, etc.).

Moore Women-A Giving Circle is a fund under the Moore County Community Foundation, which is an affiliate of the North Carolina Community Foundation. The NCCF partners with 60 affiliate foundations to provide local resource allocation and community assistance in 67 counties across the state, ensuring that rural philanthropy has a voice at local, regional and national levels.

Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines was awarded a $10,000 Challenge Grant as part of GSK’s #GivingTuesday on December 2, 2014.  Funding from the GSK IMPACT Award Winners Challenge will allow Girl Scouts – NC Coastal Pines to bring Girl Scout healthy living programs directly to girls in remote, under-resourced areas of the Triangle region through a new Mobile Program Vehicle Project.

Girl Scouts – NC Coastal Pines will launch its Mobile Program Vehicle Project in 2015 in order to bring program opportunities to all Girl Scouts.  The additional funding from GSK’s Challenge Grant will be used to furnish the vehicle with program materials and deliver programming directly to girls. While the mobile programming project will serve girls in remote areas of the entire Council, the funding from GSK will specifically benefit girls in Chatham, Durham, Orange, and Wake counties.

Research has shown that girls from under-resourced areas are most at-risk for a host of negative consequences such as poor physical exercise, unhealthy eating habits, and lack of positive role models.  The Mobile Program Vehicle Project will help reduce barriers, build girls’ confidence, and is a preventative solution.

Initial programming for the Mobile Program Vehicle Project will focus on five program modules, one of which is healthy living.  Some of the healthy living program options include:

Learning about healthy food choices, managing stress, hea...

Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines today announced that girls from local troops will be part of Girl Scouts’ new national Digital Cookie platform, a revolutionary addition to the Girl Scout Cookie Program that will enhance and expand the program’s ability to teach girls new skills for business and life.

The groundbreaking platform adds a new digital layer that broadens and strengthens the essential 5 Skills girls learn in the traditional cookie program, including goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics. The future of the Girl Scout Cookie Program, Digital Cookie will introduce vital 21st century lessons about online marketing, application use, and e-commerce to more than 1 million excited Girl Scouts.

Digital Cookie follows Girl Scouts’ classic “hands on” approach to teaching girls new skills. Utilizing ABC Baker’s COCO Cookie Command platform, local Girl Scouts are able to create a customized, web-based business center to set and track goals, manage their cookie activities online, and even accept orders through select smartphones and tablets.

Customers who buy cookies from girls using the new COCOdirect application will be able to have their order processed, paid for, and confirmed right in front of their eyes. This platform offers an online experience that allows girls to learn about digital money management, and teaches modern skills while aligning with the interests of today’s girls.</...

Pledge to help build girls of courage, confidence, and character

Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines has joined #GivingTuesday, a first of its kind effort that will inspire people to take collaborative action to improve their local communities, give back in better, smarter ways to the charities and causes they support, and help create a better world.

And here at Girl Scouts, improving our world is an essential part of our mission.  Every day, girls are building courage, confidence and character so they can give back and make the world a better place. By participating in Girl Scouting, girls learn valuable life and leadership skills that serve them as they become thoughtful and engaged citizens in their communities and throughout their lives.

“At Girl Scouts we know that when given the opportunity, girls truly make a difference,” said Lisa Jones, chief executive officer at Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines.  “We are excited to join this world-wide celebration of generosity and giving.  By investing in Girl Scouts this Giving Tuesday, supporters will help make Girl Scouting possible for more girls so they can change our world.”

Coinciding with the Thanksgiving Holiday and the kickoff of the holiday shopping season, #GivingTuesday will take place on Tuesday, December 2, 2014.  Harness the power of social media, #GivingTuesday will to create a national moment around the holidays dedicated to giving,...

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has announced that Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines is one of nine Research Triangle winners of a 2014 GSK IMPACT Award. Girl Scouts will receive $40,000 in recognition of its exceptional achievement in contributing to a healthier Research Triangle region. GSK announced the winners in a ceremony at its RTP Campus.

“We are excited to partner with GSK in creating healthier girls and healthier communities.  This very generous support will allow our Council to provide and expand our Community Outreach programming, bringing Girl Scouting to the girls who need us most,” said Lisa Jones, chief executive officer at Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines.

Much of what influences our health happens outside the doctor’s office – in our communities. Community factors such as safety, access to healthy foods and recreational spaces, and the support of families and social networks, undeniably contribute to our health. The GSK IMPACT Awards recognize nonprofit organizations with sustainable programs that address these critical community factors.

“Today’s winners show us what it means and what it takes to build a healthier Triangle region,” said Katie Loovis, Director, US Community Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement, GSK.

The GSK IMPACT Awards are one of several charitable programs GSK offers in the US as part of a commitment to building healthier communities and a healthy America. Annually, for nearly 20 years, we h...

Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines delegates, volunteers, girls and staff joined together with more than 6,500 members at this year’s National Council Session and Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah (Oct 16-19).  As a part of the session, delegates discussed the importance of the outdoors in Girl Scouts.  It was clear that outdoor experiences have served girls well for more than a hundred years and that Girl Scouts can offer an unmatched outdoor experience for all girls.  As convention came to a close, Girl Scouts of the USA made an exciting announcement about new outdoor badges alongside their commitment to the outdoors.

Four outdoor badges will be introduced this coming March and will be available for girls to earn in Fall 2015—one badge for each of the following levels - Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, and Seniors. Girls will lead with their voices and be a part of the badge development process from the outset, deciding on the badges they can earn through a “Girls’ Choice” national vote. Voting for the outdoor badges is open October 31 through December 31. Click here to learn more and cast your vote. 

We know spending time outdoors is a great way for girls to explore leadership, build skills, and develop a deep appreciation for nature all while building friendships and having fun.  With those priorities in mind, we are so excited to announce the completion of our n...

Today more girls are showing interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) fields and STEM-based activities.  But despite this growing curiosity, girls still are not choosing medicine, science, technology and engineering as their number one career path. 

Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines has prioritized STEM in an effort to help girls bridge the existing gender gap that within these male-dominant career fields.  As a one of its main program initiatives, Girl Scouts provides opportunities for girls to enhance their exposure to and deepen their engagement in STEM. 

Girl Scout Research Institute’s report, Generation STEM: What Girls Say about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, highlights that while a majority of today’s girls have a clear interest in STEM, they do not prioritize STEM fields when thinking about their future careers.

Research in the report shows that 74 percent of teen girls are interested in STEM subjects and the general field of study. Further, a high 82 percent of girls see themselves as “smart enough to have a career in STEM.” And yet, few girls consider it their number-one career option: 81 percent of girls interested in STEM are interested in pursuing STEM careers, but only 13 percent say it’s their first choice.

Additionally, girls express that they do not know a lot about STEM careers and the opportunities afforded by these fields, with 60 percent of STEM-interested...

Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the completion of a new tree house unit at its resident camp on Kerr Lake in Vance County on Thursday, October 23, 2014.

Special ribbon cutting dignitaries included Jerry Ayscue, Vance County Manager, and John Barnes, president at Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce.  Deborah F. Brown, Vance County Commissioner and Chairperson, also made remarks at the ceremony.   Amongst those in attendance were local government officials, Weinstein Friedlein Architects, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, community leaders and Girl Scout members. 

“In expanding our Camp Graham property to include the new tree house unit, we are acting on a commitment we made to our membership,” said Lisa Jones, chief executive officer at Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines. “We are excited to see the construction completed and believe this project is an important addition to our outdoor program.”

Construction of the tree house project is part of the council’s strategic plan which includes improvements to existing camp properties. In September 2012, as part of a multi-year property development plan, Girl Scouts – North Carolina selected a tree house unit concept and site plan developed by Weinstein Friedlein Architects based in Carrboro, N.C.

The complex consists of six tree house units designed to each sleep six, a bath house, a program pavilion and campfire circle.  T...

Girl Scouts – NC Coastal Pines is excited to launch our second Invite-a-Friend campaign this November in partnership with Girl Scouts of the USA on November 1. Girl Scout volunteers, staff, parents and supporters are encouraged to share their love of Girl Scouts and invite prospective troop co-leaders to join the Girl Scout family!

Volunteers who recruit a friend to start a new Girl Scout Daisy, Brownie or Junior Troop will receive $50 to use at Girl Scouts’ Official Online Store. The new troop leader will receive a new Volunteer Resource Pack which includes a Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouts, pins, a badge pack, a Journey set, and a fun tote bag.

Interested in growing our Girl Scout sisterhood? Read our FAQs.

Interested in volunteering? Start the fun now. Girl Scout volunteers introduce girls to new experiences that show them they are capable of more than they ever imagined. Volunteers are their cheerleader, guide, and mentor, helping girls develop the skills and confidence that will last long after troop meetings are over.

Help Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines reach its goal of serving over 400 new girls in new Girl Scout Daisy, Brownie and Junior Troops this Novemb...

Reposted from Cisco Blogs.

On behalf of Cisco, I’m pleased to announce that our company has awarded the Girls Scouts -- North Carolina Coastal Pines a $20,000 community impact grant to help girls from underserved communities attend its award-winning GIRLS GO TECH program.  Every year, the GIRLS GO TECH program helps 350 North Carolina girls participate in science camp and robotics programs from Research Triangle Park and the surrounding area.

The GIRLS GO TECH program does an incredible job of opening the door to opportunities girls in the central and eastern North Carolina area.  Cisco is proud to partner with the Girl Scouts to help ignite a passion for robotics and computer science in girls across the Triangle.  Cisco has awarded the Girls Scouts -- North Carolina Coastal Pines nearly $150,000 worth of cash and technology grants over the past decade.

The funds will help girls throughout central and eastern North Carolina to participate in two programs:

1.    The GIRLS GO TECH Science Camp, which provides middle school girls access to the science and computer labs at Meredith College, where they have the opportunity to complete computer-based workshops with Computer Science and other faculty at Meredith. The girls also take a number of field trips to tech...

View this news story in Spanish.

Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines will recognize and celebrate Hispanic and Latino American culture during National Hispanic Heritage Month recognized annually beginning September 15 to October 15.

“Diversity is a core value in Girl Scouts and has been since the organization's beginning over 100 years ago," said Lisa Jones, chief executive officer at Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines. “Participating in National Hispanic Heritage Month provides opportunities for girls to begin to understand the meaning of diversity and to strengthen their appreciation of differences in others.”

To help girls and troops learn more, the Girl Scouts Council is sponsoring two events during National Hispanic Heritage Month for its members.  On Sunday, September 28, girls and adults can experience the history, culture and contributions of Hispanic Americans at an Exploring Hispanic Culture event.  Guests from countries such as Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Colombia will share their culture through stories and artifacts.  In addition, The Ballet Folklorico Guadalupan...

School. This one word can inspire a whole range of emotions in both mothers and their daughters. With homework, pencils, and paper now replacing lazy summer days—how do you set her up for success at the place she spends the most time outside of your home?

Science, math, and language skills are all important, but sending a happy, confident, and well-adjusted girl through those school doors will take her even further than skills alone.

Ask yourself: Is she ready to tackle not just new academic challenges, but all the new experiences each school year brings, such as navigating the world of changing classrooms, shifting friendships as last year’s class is traded for a new one, and more?

Here are five ways you can give her confidence and relationship skills a boost as she heads back to school:

Let her know it’s ok to put her hand up. Encourage her to speak up when she needs something, and when she has something to say. Model good communication skills. Good communication skills and the ability to find common ground with others will help her both inside and outside the classroom. Show her that doing good can be fun. There’s value in helping others. You’ll both get a sense of satisfaction, and she’ll feel pride in your accomplishments. Encourage her to step outside her comfort zone. It’s never too early to share examples of girls and women who aim high or have entered caree...

More girls in Jones County will be able to join Girl Scouts over the next two years with the support of a $2,500 grant from the Harold H. Bate Foundation. Funds will be used to provide recruitment events, volunteer training, resources for new troops, and start-up materials for girls and adults.

Expansion of the Girl Scout program in Jones County will not only bring the benefits of Girl Scouting to more girls, but will also helping fill the need for high-quality afterschool programs in this economically-stressed county. The Girl Scout Leadership Experience teaches life skills and provides girls access to the role models needed to develop positive, healthy relationships, excel at learning, avoid drugs and alcohol use, learn healthy living skills, prepare for the workforce, and contribute to their community. 

Increasing troop participation can make a life-long difference in the lives of the girls and adults involved, as well as in the workforce and community. With the support of the Harold H. Bate Foundation, more girls and adults will be able to participate in the Girl Scout troop experience.

Girl Scouts – NC Coastal Pines thanks the Harold H. Bate Foundation support our work in building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. We can’t wait to expand our reach and bring the many benefits of Girl Scouting to more girls in Jones County!

This year’s Citizen Science series takes place October 4 through November 15, 2014 and explores the impact of food production on our environment.  Girls will assume the role of scientists who feed the planet and save the world as they explore topics such as soils, water quality, erosion, plant health and growth and more.   They will also investigate different cultures and all sorts of foods.  

Girls will also learn about agronomy (the science of growing food sustainably) by participating in a real live research trial on a local educational farm! They will be harvesting crops, planting new ones, and participating in hands-on projects.  Attendance at every session is not mandatory, as each week will have a different topic.  Activities can be applied to the Cadette, Senior, or Ambassador Journey awards in the It’s Your Planet, Love It! series.  Applications for this program are due September 22, 2014.   

“How does our troop choose which Journey to do?”  “Do I have to follow the leader guide word for word?”  “What badges can we earn by doing a Journey?”  The Journey Help Line is a handy resource for parents and volunteers to ask any questions they may have about the Journey series programs that help girls gain those valuable keys to leadership:  Discover, Connect and Take Action. 

Send your questions to journeyhelp@nccoastalpines.org and a member of our program staff will be happy to assist you with your query for any grade level.  We will help you and your troop find your way to fun and exciting adventures in no time!

Repost from Girl Scouts USA blog

Pencils, backpacks, and school buses. New friends, new teachers and a brand new schedule every morning. Starting school brings a lot of change for both you and your daughter. But there are a few simple things you can do to help her walk through doors on her first day not only ready to learn, but with a big smile and a sense of confidence.

From Girl Scouts For Adults, here are 5 ways to prepare her for a happy, safe (and fun) start to her first ever school year: 

A little independence goes a long way. This is especially important if your daughter has never been away from home all day. Start small. Work on your child’s ability to do basic physical things for themselves before school starts. Can she put on and take off shoes? Check. Zip up her coat? Check. Does she know how to navigate the bathroom independently at potty time? Check. And remember, tights are tough. So is anything with lots of complicated zips, buttons and snaps. Kindergarten is a place to play, run, climb and learn, so the fancy dress you bought last week might be best saved for your next special occasion rather than her first day of school. Get to know the sc...

Hi Girl Scout friends, families and community partners,

We can’t wait to kick off the 2014-2015 program year this fall! We have a lot of exciting changes happening around Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines including our new online registration system, a fresh new website, and an online toolkit for our amazing troop leaders.

Signing up a girl for Girl Scouts will be faster and easier.  Parents and caretakers will be able to sign up girls online.  Automated emails will help parents stay informed of their girl’s status during the registration process as well as during her Girl Scout experience. 

Our new volunteer toolkit that will provide troop leaders the information and resources they need. Imagine an entire year’s plans available for a first-time troop leader. The tool kit will evolve over the next few years and grow to include resources for all Journeys, badge programs and more!

And for the 2015 Girl Scout Cookie Sale, girls will be able sell cookies online in addition to neighborhood and booth sales.  “Digital Cookie 1.0” will launch across the country, allowing Girl Scouts to use technology to set and monitor their goals, manage their money, and communicate with customers.

This is an extremely exciting time across the Council.  I believe in what Girl Scouts is doing and where we are going.  There is excitement in knowing that these changes will have a tremendous impact on volunteers, families and m...

With the 2014-15 Girl Scout year right around the corner, this is an exciting time for Girl Scouts – NC Coastal Pines!  Not only are we gearing up for Back to Troop season, but it’s when many girls and adults join the fun in Girl Scouts for the first time!  How exciting is that?! 

And to top it all off, our new Wilmington Service Center opens August 23 – hooray!  Our new Service Center will house staff offices, a retail shop, and program space for girl events, troop meetings and volunteer trainings.  And the even better news, our Girl Scout Shop is open NOW.  The shop welcomed its first shoppers on Monday, August 4.

Wilmington Service Center Grand Opening

Saturday, August 23 | 11am – 2pm

2250 Shipyard Blvd, Ste 3, Wilmington 28412

So follow the fun and join us for the exciting grand opening of our Wilmington Service Center! Come jump in our bounce houses and participate in hands-on fun. Check out Girl Scout merchandise at the retail shop.  Staff will be on hand to help answer questions about the upcoming year and share the fun of Girl Scouting.  See you there, Girl Scouts!

Come Shop with Us!

Girl Scout Retail Shop

2250 Shipyard Blvd, Ste 3

Wilmington 28412

Shop Hours

·       Monday, Wednesday, Friday – 10am-3pm

·       Tuesday and Thursd...

Changes Are Coming!

Exciting changes lie ahead for the new Girl Scout year; changes that are expanding our capacity to support our girls and families; changes that will help provide volunteers the information and resources they need - when and how they need it; and changes that will help us bring the Girl Scout experience to more girls!

Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines is one of nine councils across the country that will launch Girl Scout’s new Member Engagement Initiative this year.  This exciting initiative consists of four all-new, online tools—membership registration system, website with Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) shared content, Volunteer Toolkit, and Digital Cookie. 

Here’s a little more about each new tool:

Website

Our new website will launch with a fresh new look, consistent with the Girl Scout brand and align with other councils across the county. The new www.nccoastalpines.org will feature up-to-date information about Girl Scouts provided by GSUSA, in addition to what you need to know about Girl Scouting in central and eastern NC.  Important council resources will still be there, right at your fingertips, whether on your computer, tablet, or smartphone! And we can’t wait for you to explore the new, user-friendly Calendar of Events.

Volunteer Toolkit

And for our fabulous volunteer leaders, a new...

Girl Scout founder Juliette Gordon Low believed all girls could make a difference. She encouraged and supported their ideas and their experiences, and is remembered having said, “Whatever you do, do it with all your might.” 

And that’s exactly how 60 girls earned the highest and most prestigious achievement in Girl Scouting – the Girl Scout Gold Award.  For her award project, each Girl Scout identified an issue in her community, courageously committed to take action, and worked to create an impactful and lasting solution.

When a girl earns her Gold Award, she joins a network of award recipients and becomes a role model to other girls.  Not only does she inspire her peers, but her community and future leaders as well.  Awarded to fewer than six percent of Girl Scouts annually, approximately one million Girl Scouts have earned the Gold Award or its equivalent since its inception in 1916.

We are so proud of each of our 2013 Girl Scout Gold Award recipients.  Their accomplishments reflect the highest principles and true spirit of Girl Scouting.  Their service embodies the Girl Scout Law and Promise and each awardee is a shining example of our mission to build girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place.  We are inspired by their achievements and encouraged by their courageous leadership. 

Congratulations to all of our Gold Award recipients for earning this distinguished honor....

Blast off to Girl Scout camp this summer where girls can explore the outdoors, climb the challenger tower, kayak down the river, or go on an adventure trip with new friends.  Whether a girl interested in archery, horses, watersports, science and technology, or leadership, she will discover that anything is possible.

Girls can have fun, gain new skills and make great memories at a variety of sessions hosted at three Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines resident camps located in central and eastern North Carolina:  Camp Mary Atkinson in Johnston County, Camp Graham in Vance County, and Camp Hardee in Beaufort County.

“Girl Scout Camp is designed to give every girl a chance to succeed, build friendships, challenge herself, and have fun,” said Lisa Jones, chief executive officer at Girl Scouts – North Carolina Pines.  “When a girl goes to camp, she will grow in self-confidence while building leadership skills.”

The Girl Scout Leadership Experience is central to the camp program and through activities and experiences;  girls will gain skills to become leaders who are inspired to make the world a better place.  This year’s camp sessions include opportunities for girls to earn Red Cross First Aid & CPR and Babysitting certifications or become a camp Counselor in Training.  Older girls in seventh to twelfth grades can have a more adventurous camping experience hiking in the Pisgah National Forest, rafting the river rapid...

Kindle the magic! Purchase your commemorative brick for the Camp Graham Fire Circle today!

Every year, thousands of girls gain confidence, discover new abilities and strengthen friendships at Girl Scouts—North Carolina Coastal Pines camps. Now you can be a part of a favorite Girl Scout Camp tradition – the camp fire. Camp fires give girls time for fellowship, friendship, and reflection – and are a just plain fun!

As part of The Treehouses at Camp Graham, the Fire Circle will be a place for fun and friendship for years to come. You can honor a loved one or celebrate a milestone while you show your support for all our incredible Girl Scouts by purchasing a commemorative brick for the Camp Graham Fire Circle!

You can become a lasting part of Camp Graham history by purchasing a 4”x8” brick for $150, or an 8”x8” brick for $300. Your purchase will directly support The Tree Houses at Camp Graham, and help us build a foundation for our girls’ success for many years to come.

Click here to purchase your brick today!

Questions? Contact Addie Moody at 800-284-4475 x3315 or donate@nccoastalpines.org

irl Scouts across central and eastern North Carolina collected enough donations to purchase over 82,000 boxes of cookies for our Operation Cookie Drop program.   Girl Scout Taylor W. from Troop #877 in Knightdale sold 733 boxes for Operation Cookie Drop, making her the overall top seller for this donation program.

These cookies will be delivered to military personnel deployed from U.S. Marine installation Cherry Point in Havelock, U.S. Army base Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro. NCPacks4Patriots and the USO of NC centers in Jacksonville and RDU International Airport will also distribute a portion of the donated Girl Scout cookies to the military personnel that they serve.

Almost 350 letters to the troops from girl and adult members were collected through “Letters to the Troops,” which was part of the Council’s 2014 National Girl Scout Week activi...

Our Camp Directors and Rangers are hard at work preparing for this summer's camp season. Grass is being mowed. Pools are being cleaned. Roads are being graded. Canoes and sailboats are being taken out of storage.

Outside of the exciting Tree Houses going in at Camp Graham, there are other upgrades to facilities being unveiled this year. Cabins at Camp Mary Atkinson and Camp Graham are getting new roofs. Camp Mu-Sha-Ni will soon see a Beaverpond trail, funded in part by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The boathouse at Camp Mary Atkinson is being remolded for more effective storage of equipment.

And speaking of equipment...

New equipment has been purchased to make our Girl Scout Camps even more fun this summer. In addition to new archery equipment at all our camps, we have added paddleboards and a Gaga Ball Pit at both Camp Graham and Camp Mary Atkinson. Camp Graham also has a set of shiny new kayaks for girls to paddle around Kerr Lake, and the water trampoline has been replaced by a waterslide.

See you at Camp!  

Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines and honored guests will officially break ground on a new tree house project at its resident camp on Kerr Lake in Vance County on Monday, March 24, 2014.

“In breaking ground on the tree house project at Camp Graham, we are acting on a commitment we made to our membership,” said Lisa Jones, chief executive officer at Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines. “We are excited to see the construction begin and believe this project is an important addition to our well-rounded outdoor program.”

Construction of the tree house project included within the council’s strategic plan to make upgrades to existing camp properties. In September 2012, as part of a multi-year property development plan, Girl Scouts – North Carolina selected a tree house unit concept and site plan developed by Weinstein Friedlein Architects based in Carrboro, N.C.

The complex consists of six tree house units designed to each sleep twelve, a bath house, a program pavilion and campfire circle.  The units will be connected by an elevated walkway and will also include a lift, meeting accessibility compliance as set by the American Disability Act. 

Camp and outdoor education are core tenets of Girl Scouting and contribute positively to the overall Girl Scout experience.  “Girl Scouting provides unmatched camping experiences and we are excited to enhance our program to include tree houses,” Jones added. “When a girl goes to camp,...

2015 Early Bird Registration

April 1 is the start of our Early Bird Registration and Renewal for the 2015 membership year! We have some fantastic incentives to reward our member’s early bird efforts. Parents and Troop Leaders can process registration renewals through CORE, our online registration system. CORE has been updated and it is easier than ever to renew. It’s quick, efficient and environmentally friendly.  We can’t wait to have you join us for the 2015 Girl Scout year!

Troop and Individual Incentives

Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines and honored guests officially broke ground on a new tree house project at its resident camp on Kerr Lake in Vance County on Monday, March 24, 2014.

Camp and outdoor education are core tenets of Girl Scouting and contribute very positively to the overall Girl Scout experience. In September 2012, as part of a multi-year property development plan, Girl Scouts – North Carolina selected a tree house unit concept and site plan developed by Weinstein Friedlein Architects based in Carrboro, N.C.

The complex consists of six tree house units designed to each sleep twelve, a bath house, a program pavilion and campfire circle.  The units will be connected by an elevated walkway and will also include a lift, meeting accessibility compliance as set by the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

Located in Vance County, the 155 acre camp sits on picturesque Kerr Lake. The property currently hosts two platform tent units, two cabin units and open fields ideal for tent camping and group activities. In addition, the camp also has an open-air amphitheater and dining hall. Camp Graham is used for resident camp during the summer months and is available for troop camping, area Girl Scout events and community rental during the school year.

In addition to Camp Graham, the Girl Scout council also owns Camp Mary Atkinson near Selma in Johnston County, Camp Hardee on the Pamlico River in Beaufort County, and Camp Mu-Sha-Ni in...

Girl Scouts and faith-based communities share an enduring tradition of Girl Scouting and spiritual expression that spans our organization’s history. Indeed, the entire Girl Scout experience is based on the Girl Scout Promise and Law, which include principles and values common to most faiths.

Girl Scouts is also proudly nonpartisan, secular, and inclusive. Our membership, which currently consists of 3 million girls and volunteers as well as over 59 million alumnae, includes women and girls of varied religious traditions. In remaining secular, our intent is not to minimize a girl’s religious experience; to the contrary, Girl Scouts is a place where girls of all faiths can honor their spirituality while at the same time embracing the diversity of the Girl Scout Movement.

“Girl Scout Week celebrates our organization’s long history and honors the generations of girls and women it has influenced,” said Lisa Jones, Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines, adding, “For over a century, Girl Scouts has stayed true to the Girl Scout Promise and Law and remains passionate about building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.”

This year during Girl Scout Week, recognized Sunday March 9 through Saturday March 15, Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines will celebrate its rich history of partnership and collaboration with faith-based communities by highlighting the My Promise, My Faith p...

Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines has received a $10,000 donation from Time Warner Cable to support its STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) initiative.  

“Girl Scouts has a proud history of supporting girls’ interest in science, technology, engineering and math through our robust programs and mentoring initiatives,” said Lisa Jones, chief executive officer at Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines.  “We are excited to partner with Time Warner Cable to provide fun and engaging ways for girls to learn about STEM.”

STEM is a core focus area for Girl Scouts and the organization is working to introduce girls of every age to STEM experiences relevant to everyday life.  Whether girls are discovering how a car engine runs, how to manage finances, or exploring STEM careers, Girl Scouts wants to help girls fast-forward into the future.

With the donation from Time Warner Cable’s Connect A Million Minds initiative, Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines will work to provide opportunities for girls during 2014 to help them gain exposure to and further participate in a variety of STEM programs. 

According to the 2012 Girl Scout Research Institute report, Generation STEM: What Girls Say about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, the majority of today’s girls have a clear interest in STEM subjects, an...

The 2014 Girl Scouts ­– North Carolina Coastal Pines Annual Meeting will be held March 8 in Greenville, N.C.  Danny Boockvar, Chief Customer Officer for Girl Scouts of the USA, will deliver the keynote address. Lisa Jones, CEO at the Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines council, will present the results of the organization’s Strategic Learning process completed in December 2013.

The process, recommended by Girl Scouts of the USA, is volunteer-driven and aimed at creating and implementing a breakthrough strategy for local councils that aligns with the vision, mission, and strategic direction of the Girl Scout movement. The goal of the process is to define where a council wants to be in three years and to determine how to get there.

The key priorities identified for the Girl Scouts –North Carolina Coastal Pines council are:

·       Volunteer support and structure

·       Development of classic/traditional troops with an emphasis on K-5

·       Recruiting alumnae and strengthening the bond to Girl Scouting

·       Underserved areas/growth potential

·       Diversification of funding

The annual meeting will highlight the council’s plans to purposefully focus on customer service, member support, and...

3…2…1…Blast off!

Today we launched our 2014 Campership fundraising drive, which collects donations to help Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines provide scholarships for girls across our 41-counties to attend summer camp.

Our Girl Scout family believes that camp is for every girl, and last year we distributed over $43,000 in scholarships to give more girls the opportunity to receive the great benefits of summer camp.

By donating today to our 2014 Campership Fund, you are giving more girls the leadership and confidence-building benefits of Girl Scout camp. More girls will develop teamwork skills canoeing on beautiful Kerr Lake. More girls will share a song with their new best friends over a campfire. More girls will challenge themselves to reach the highest peak of the Alpine Tower. Your gift will help her discover that anything is possible.

Please make your gift today, and make it possible for one more girl to have a life-changing experience that will open her eyes to her potential. You may also give online at www.nccoastalpines.org/champerships or by contacting our Director of Individual Giving, Emily Hill, at 919-600-6347.

It's that time again! Spring Leaderee is now open for registration. Join your fellow volunteers and staff for an amazing day of activities, learning, and fun!

What is Leaderee, anyway?

Leaderee is one of Girl Scouts—North Carolina Coastal Pines large scale training and networking weekends for volunteers.  Leaderee is held twice a year—once in the Fall and once in the Spring.  It is a great opportunity to network with other Girl Scout leaders, learn ways to enhance the programs you are leading with your girls, and take part in fun, outdoor activities that girls can do.  This is your chance to live like a girl—and enjoy being a Girl Scout! Learn how to canoe, be a risk taker and try a challenge course, or learn how to knit…the opportunities are endless! 

Do I have to be a Troop Leader to come to Leaderee?

No, all volunteers can attend. Although many of the sessions and workshops hosted at Leaderee are targeted for our Troop volunteers, workshops are open for all volunteers. 

What types of sessions and workshops will be offered?

Have you been thinking about becoming First Aid and CPR trained?  Ever wanted to learn how to become an archery instructor?  Or are you interested in fellowship and making swaps with other adults involved in the movement?  Then t...

It’s Girl Scout Cookie time!  Local Girl Scouts will begin selling Girl Scout cookies door-to-door Saturday, January 4, as part of the Girl Scout Cookie Program. A new cookie available this year is the program’s first gluten free treat, a bite size Chocolate Chip Shortbread cookie.

 “When customers purchase a box of Girl Scout Cookies, they are supporting a program helping girls grow into leaders in their own life, in business, and in their communities,” said Lisa Jones, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines. “We are very excited for this year’s sale and pleased to be one of the councils offering the new gluten free cookie.”

Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines is one of 20 councils that will serve as a test market for the cookies that retail for $5 per package. This pilot has been developed in response to volunteers, girls and consumers who have asked for a gluten free Girl Scout cookie.   Available in a five-ounce, resealable foil pouch, these cookies have no artificial colors, no artificial flavors, no high fructose corn syrup, no palm oil and no hydrogenated oils. 

“Our new Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Shortbread cookie tastes delicious,” says Mary Alice Callaway, Vice President of Sales for ABC Bakers. “And this flavor has proven to be popular in the retail gluten free cookie market.” 

In addition to the gluten free cookie, the sale brings with it another new cookie – a Cranb...