Girl Scouts wouldn’t be Girl Scouts without the great camps we offer throughout the Dakota Horizons Council.  Camping is a great way to build new skills, participate in numerous outdoor activities and make new friends.  At the many Dakota Horizons camps, girls are in a supportive and fun environment that encourages the development of their leadership potential and creative skills through various organized camp activities and classes.  All campers’ activities are done under the guidance of caring, trained adults.  Girls will discover, connect and take action as they develop new skills and explore interesting and fun outdoor activities.  Every girl should have a chance to be part of a camping adventure!

For additional information view the Camping page on this site.

Girl Scouts—Dakota Horizons will select delegates to the National Convention based upon the following information for the:

• United States citizens
• 14 years of age or older at the time of the National Council Session
• Members of the Girl Scout Movement in the United States

All delegates attending the 2008 Girl Scout National Council Session/51st Convention must register in advance through their local council. *See attached application form.

There is no limit to the number of full-time official visitors who can attend.

Convention Registration, Fees and Deadlines
All council delegates and official visitors attending the 2008 Girl Scout National Council Session/51st Convention must register to do so, in advance, through their local council.  Because of security concerns, visitor names must be submitted.

• Registrations and payments received by GSUSA before July 18, 2008 are $175.00 for girls (ages 14 – 17) and $245 for adults (18 and over) per delegate or visitor.
• Registrations and payments received by GSUSA after July 18, 2008 are $195.00 for girls (ages 14 – 17) and $275 for adults (18 and over) per delegate or visitor.
• All delegates and full time visitors must register in advance to attend.  All delegates and visitors must also be registered members of GSUSA.
• GSUSA will refund the registration fee, minus a $60.00 cancellation charge if written notice is received by August 15, 2008.
• GSUSA must receive all 2008 National Council Session/51st Convention registrations and payments no later than August 15, 2008.  Full time registrations will not be sold on site.

For both delegates and official visitors, the registration fee covers convention publications, convention credentials, shuttle bus transportation, admission to all meetings of the National Council and to the Hall of Exhibits and admission to convention events except optional events for which there is an additional charge.  Official visitors may attend all convention events except those planned specifically for delegates.

“Moving at the Speed of Girl”
National CEO Delivers Powerful Message

Over 80 Girl Scouts, volunteers and board members converged in Rapid City to hold the first Annual Meeting of the new Dakota Horizons Council. Premier to the event was the visit from Kathy Cloninger, CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA. Cloninger gave a passionate presentation on the merger of the councils across the country. She also outlined a clear and concise vision for Girl Scouts of the future.  Cloninger's enthusiasm for moving the organization forward in programs and  design left attendees enthusiastic about the changes being made to establish Girl Scouts as the premier organization for girls. As Cloninger stated during her presentation, “Some say we're moving too fast….but we’ve got to move at the 'speed of girl'."

The transformation of the Girl Scout movement will work toward showcasing what we do best and what we are most passionate about...providing girls with every opportunity to develop themselves as effective leaders for tomorrow.  What does all of this mean? Girl Scouts has been very tradition-bound, risk-averse and an internally focused culture. The new Core Business Strategy will center on one key idea…leadership. The new Leadership Experience model engages girls in discovering themselves, connecting with others and taking action to make the world a better place.

Additionally, changes are being implemented in the volunteer arena, governance structure, funding and how we brand Girl Scouts overall. With 66% of mergers complete and the new Leadership Experience ready to launch, the new Girl Scout vision will clearly differentiate the organization as the premier organization for girls…building girls of courage, confidence and character….who make the world a better place!

A Great Weekend Event

Girls, volunteers, board, and staff from across the council traveled to Rapid City to be part of the first Annual Meeting of Girl Scouts—Dakota Horizons (GSDH). Nashville artist TERESA of the Brave New Girls kicked off the event with a Girls of Courage concert at Dakota Middle School on Friday evening. Girls and women danced in the aisles to her Girl Scout inspired songs. CDs are available through the council shops.

Attendees mingled in the hospitality room over a continental breakfast on Saturday. Several pieces of new shop merchandise were big hits. Vendors displayed their goods and participated in the Vendor Bingo game that concluded with a drawing for door prizes at the end of the day.

Featured speaker Kathy Cloninger, CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA, spoke extensively about the vision for transforming the Girl Scout movement. Her presentation highlighted the challenges Girl Scouts faces and the importance of positioning the organization to serve the needs of today’s girls and generations of girls to come. Building girls of courage, confidence and character….who make the world a better place!

After lunch, break-out sessions offered options such as visiting with Mrs. Cloninger; music with TERESA; Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity Training with Laurette Pourier; a Self-Esteem workshop with Paige Carda; Discovering Five Fears with Loretta Graham; and Personality Profiling with Lori Thompson. Michelle Paulson led Board Philanthropy Training. Past and new board members were given the opportunity for leadership training with Mrs. Cloninger. 
The day concluded with the annual business meeting. The transitional Board of Directors turned over their responsibilities to the newly elected Board of Directors. Linda Salmonson, Estelline, SD, was elected President. Watch for profiles of the new board members in future issues.

Questions and comments gathered throughout the day were brought to a panel made up of Board Chair, Cheryl Chapman, GSDH CEO, Tami Haug-Davis and Kathy Cloninger. Delegates were also given a turn at the microphone to ask questions.

Color guard from Bismarck, ND presented the colors at the beginning of the morning session and color guard from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation retired the colors. At the conclusion of the event, Girl Scouts in attendance were given the opportunity for a photo shoot with Kathy Cloninger. What a great experience!