Registering for a Program
All programs are filled on a first come, first served basis. For all Council Programs, you must register through the Girl Scout Council following the instructions provided in the “To Register” category. For all Partner Programs, you must register according to the directions supplied under the “To Register” category listed for the Partner Programs. Please adhere to all registration guidelines supplied by our partnering agencies.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance is available ONLY for Council Programs. Because Partner Programs are being offered by outside organizations, we cannot offer Financial Assistance for those events. To apply for Financial Assistance you must fill out and return the Program Financial Assistance Form supplied in this book or available on our Web site (or in Volunteer Essentials). Program Financial Assistance Forms must be received with program registration forms by the registration deadline.
Cookie Dough/Candy Dough
Cookie Dough and Candy Dough can be used according to the directions printed on the back of the certificate. These uses include: council programs, partner programs, resident camp, community events, troop rental of council properties, Girl Scout Shop purchases, and membership dues.
To redeem Cookie Dough/Candy Dough:
You can redeem Cookie Dough and Candy Dough to cover a program registration fee if the program you wish to participate in is a Council Program (see pg 6 for definition). Submit the Cookie/Candy Dough certificates with your Council Program Registration Form.
If the program you wish to participate in is a Partner Program (see pg 6 for definition) that has been approved to accept Cookie/Candy Dough, submit the Cookie or Candy Dough certificates with a receipt of payment after the date of the event for reimbursement. Receipts can be submitted to:
GSWIBC
Attn: Product Sales
2710 Ski Lane
Madison, WI 53713
Trip Certificates
Trip Certificates can be used according to the directions printed on the back of the certificate. These uses include: Badgerland Council Summer Fun 2011 events at Camp Black Hawk, Camp Brandenburg, Camp Echo Valley, Camp Ehawee, Camp Oakwood Knoll, and Camp Stetler as well as GSUSA-sponsored destinations,getaways, and national events* (e.g. GSLI, National Convention).
*Please pay attention to expiration dates when using trip certificates for these events. Contact the Product Sales Department with any questions.
Cancellations/Refunds (Council Programs)
Girl Scouts of Wisconsin – Badgerland Council reserves the right to alter or cancel council programs due to weather conditions, safety concerns, staff constraints, or low registration. In the event of bad weather resulting in the cancellation of a program, every attempt will be made to contact those who registered for the program.
Refunds are only given if written cancellations are received prior to the printed registration deadline.
Full refunds are issued after the printed registration deadline for council programs only if:
(1) The program is full
(2) The program is cancelled
(3) Serious illness or death in the family (For serious illness, a doctor’s written note is required within
one week after the program)
Cancellations/Refunds—Partner Programs
All cancellations and refunds are at the partnering organization’s discretion. Please make sure you understand the policies on these issues for that particular program partner. Please contact the organization directly with questions or requests.
Non-Girl Scouts
All programs have prices set for Girl Scout members. Non-Girl Scouts pay a once yearly (October 1-September 30) $12 additional fee to become a registered Girl Scout. This fee covers Girl Scouts of the USA membership including liability insurance and is required for all programs. You may contact Badgerland Council to pay this fee.
Participants with Special Needs
Please indicate when you register if girls or adults with a special need will attend. This may include significant food allergy or diet restriction depending upon the program. With advance notice, Girl Scouts of Wisconsin – Badgerland Council and its partnering organizations will work hard to accommodate special needs.
Photography and Video
Taking photographs and/or videos of your girls at meetings, activities, ceremonies, and events is encouraged! Please take photos and/or videos of your girls and share them with the council.
Send your favorite photos in either a digital (jpg preferred) or hard copy form along with a short note about the activity to GSWIBC, c/o Communications, 2710 Ski Lane, Madison, WI 53713 or e-mail at wiersb@gsbadgerland.org. For videos, please burn to a CD or DVD and mail to GSWIBC, c/o Communications, 2710 Ski Lane, Madison, WI 53713 or e-mail to wiersb@gsbadgerland.org.
Image/Photo/Video Reminder
Safety-Wise guidelines exist regarding girls’ images for their protection and safety, particularly online (ex: a troop Web site, Facebook [13 and older only], YouTube, etc.). To ensure girls’ safety on the Internet:
• Use girls’ first names only
• Never post girls’ addresses, phone numbers, or e-mail addresses
• Always have a parent’s or guardian’s permission when using pictures of girls anywhere online
• Do not post addresses of group meeting places or dates and times of meetings, events, or trips
• Do not allow automatic posting of messages to a Web site; all postings (such as message boards or guest books) should have adult oversight and be screened prior to posting live
• Use a troop or group e-mail, or use an adult’s e-mail
Refer to Volunteer Essentials for more information or contact your membership specialist or the Communications Department for assistance.
Program Dress
Girls and adults are encouraged to wear their Girl Scout uniform components when attending programs. If you are attending an extra messy program, you may chose to wear messy clothes instead. All programs that require messy or old clothes have been noted when possible.
Tagalongs (additional child-not a registered Girl Scout)
Participation is only allowed for registered individuals. Program facilitators have the right to turn away tagalongs.
Badge Earning Programs
Not all programs that earn badges will supply the badges as part of the registration cost. All programs that include the badge as part of the cost have been noted under the “Information” section of the program description. Please read carefully.
Parents/Leaders at Programs
To make every girl’s experience fun and safe, adults are required to stay with girls at council events and partner events. Troops attending events must meet proper safety ratios as listed in the 2010 Volunteer Essentials. Individual girls (Juliettes) attending events must attend with an adult.
2 adults to every (plus 1 adult to each additional):
Girl Scout Daisies 6 girls (4 girls)
Girl Scout Brownies 12 girls (6 girls)
Girl Scout Juniors 16 girls (8 girls)
Girl Scout Cadettes 20 girls (10 girls)
Girl Scout Seniors 24 girls (12 girls)
Girl Scout Ambassadors 24 girls (12 girls)
Safety
All Girl Scout events and activities must uphold the highest safety standards. All safety standards can be found in Safety-Wise, Volunteer Essentials, and the Safety Activity Checkpoint (SAC) resources. GSUSA has developed Safety Activity Checkpoints to replace the printed Safety-Wise. SAC provide an updated resource that is easy to use and implement; the Safety Activity Checkpoints and other safety resources are available on the council Web site and on the disc included with Volunteer Essentials. Safety Activity Checkpoints are to be utilized prior to an activity to make sure that all precautions required by GSUSA and Badgerland Council are met, ensuring the highest level of safety. Before embarking on any Girl Scout activity, please make sure you check with these resources to uphold all of the Girl Scout safety standards. To receive copies of these resources, please check with your membership specialist or call the council.
Horse Stables and High Risk Activities
Because of the high-risk nature of horseback riding and the extra safety standards required, Badgerland Council has compiled a list of riding stables that meet these standards. This list may be found with the “Safety Activity Checkpoint-Horseback Riding” for your convenience. Please use an approved horse stable.
Other activities that may be classified as “High Risk” and may require extra insurance or extra permission may include: water activities (swimming, canoeing, kayaking, etc.), high and low ropes courses, rock climbing, skiing, and overnight trips over two nights long. Please check the Safety Activity Checkpoints, Volunteer Essentials, and with your membership specialist for all of the appropriate permissions and information you will need for these activities.