A Girl Scout understands and cares about the needs of others.  The girls would say you can teach something to someone and they good and you feel better too.  The connection to community service assisting the elderly, collecting food, picking up trash and recyclables all are examples of caring and compassionate needs for today’s citizens.

A Girl Scout wants to make the world a better place. This is part of our mission statement as well as part of our Girl Scout Law.   Leadership roles in Girl Scouting are not only being the patrol leader or the first in class; it is someone who sees something that needs to be changed and changes it.  By taking action, developing a plan, recruiting volunteers, securing supplies and implementing the plan, Girl Scouts can and have achieved goals beyond their years.  Girl Scout Gold Award recipients, the highest honor a Girl Scout can earn, complete a project with the aid of an adult advisor and many hours of service.  It is due in part with caring adults that girls feel empowered to succeed. 

Girl Scouts also want to explore the world around them through travel; meeting new friends, seeing new sights and learning about different cultures.  Ponca City and Kay County Girl Scouts have been extensive travelers this summer.  We had a troop travel to the birthplace of Girl Scouting in Savannah, Georgia; another troop traveled to San Antonio, Texas and yet another traveled through Europe and visited two Girl Scouts and Girl Guides World Centers in London and Switzerland.  All of these trips took planning, using their resources wisely, but most of all were planned for exploration and fun!

The members of Girl Scouts - Bluestem Council in partnership with the community and with the help of the United Way encourage girls to become leaders of the future who demonstrate courage, confidence and character as they make the world a better place.  Our goal is to create lasting changes in people's lives, right where you live.  With the help of United Way and Girl Scouts - Bluestem Council we are able to do so because you give to the United Way.  Your contribution gives the avenue for girls to learn, a building at 811 E. Grand for girls and adults to meet and finally the materials, support and guidance for adults to become key mentors, advisors and friends of girls age 5 to 17.  Support the United Way as it supports Girl Scouts - Bluestem Council.  For more information on how you can support Girl Scouts - Bluestem Council in Ponca City please contact 1-800-457-4475 and to support the United Way please call 765-2476.

United Way helps support the following 15 partner agencies: American Red Cross, Arthritis Foundation, Boy Scouts-Cimarron Council, Child Development Center, Domestic Violence Program of North Central Oklahoma, Girl Scouts – Bluestem Council, Golden Villa Adult Day Services, Helpline, New Emergency Resource Agency, Northern Oklahoma Youth Services, Peachtree Landing, ProTeens, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, The Salvation Army, and the YMCA.  Results you can see.

 For more information on United Way and its member agencies call 580.765.2476.

Girl Scouts – Bluestem Council has an eighteen member Board of Directors, which includes Ponca City residents, Jane Embry and Melanie Landrith. Other Ponca City volunteers include Bluestem Council Association Chair, Donna Ramey; Nominating Committee Member, James Smith; and Service Unit Chair, Traci Schulz. Each of these individuals has attributed a tremendous amount to Girl Scouts – Bluestem Council and we are thankful for their participation.

Through the generous support supplied by United Way, Girl Scouts – Bluestem Council is able to provide quality programming for the girls in our community. For more information regarding Girl Scouts – Bluestem Council, call 1-800-457-4475 or go to our website www.gsbluestem.org