This week on Spotlight On Maryland, Gina Crash was joined in studio by Jenny Trostel, Interim CEO, Girl Scouts of Central Maryland, (GSCM), and Anika Varma, High School student, member of the GSCM Board of Directors, and Silver Award Winner, to talk about their celebrations for Black History Month, cookie season activities and leadership opportunities for girls. Girls Scouts offers opportunities to try new things, from camping and outdoor adventures to STEM activities, arts, and meaningful service projects that make a real impact in the community.
GSCM's annual cookie sale is taking place right now. Girl Scouts can be found at cookie booths across central Maryland. Customers can find cookie booths in their zip code by visiting GSCM.org or by Googling Girl Scout Cookie Booths. They also they kicked off their Cookies from the Heart program on Valentine's Day where customers can buy and donate cookies that will be given to local heroes and sheroes: EMT's, Emergency Room staff, police, firefighters, teachers and military personnel. Anika shared her favorite part of cookie season is interacting with the community and sharing the excitement with everyone by connecting with people and representing the values of Girl Scouts. Jenny talked about how the cookie sale is one example of how GSCM develops leadership skills in their girls. They learn basic business skills and then develop a plan to make their cookie sale goal. Cookie sales goals incorporate what the girls will need to raise to implement community service projects in their communities. This is how girls learn to lead while simultaneously impacting their neighborhoods and schools.
Anika explained how she earned a Silver Award with her project where she created a free music library with over 400 items at her middle school. Many students at her school couldn't afford to buy them due to their high costs and the challenge of access to materials. She worked with local libraries, music stores and her school to establish this resource ensuring students can pursue their musical interests without financial barriers. She also earned the Silver Torch Awards and Silver + Gold Torch award for serving in various leadership roles.
GSCM is celebrating Black History Month with a day screening of the movie, The Six Triple Eight, about the women in the 6888 Battalion, at Baltimore City Community College on February 23rd and includes a campus tour.
Registration for GSCM's summer sleep-away camp is open. And next month they are celebrating Girl Scout Week and Girl Scouts' Birthday-March 12th. For more information about the Girl Scouts of Central Maryland including their programs and how girls can join the fun, visit gscm.org. You can also follow them on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.
Click the media player below to listen to the interview and find out more.
