Workshops4girls VIRTUAL JOURNEYS FAQ & POLICIES
Note: We are in the process of updating our FAQ to include new info about our newest workshops.
If you have questions after reading these or about our new or upcoming programs. Contact us.
What is a Journey?
The Girl Scout Path to Leadership The Highest Awards - Bronze Silver Gold
The Girl Scout Leadership Experience builds leadership by teaching Girl Scouts to explore their community, identify the root cause of an issue, and create a Take Action Project that addresses the root cause through direct action, education and advocacy.
One way to prepare is to earn a Journey or a Take Action Award How do those help?
Journeys take Girl Scouts through the process of exploring issues within on theme and developing a Take Action Project.
Take Action Awards start with a badge, then the Scouts create a Take Action project using what they learned form the badge. Think of each as a “practice” project that builds the skills to tackle the Highest Awards.
Is your program live? Is it a webinar? How does your program work?
Each Workshops4girls Journey Program consists of 4 virtual meetings which are live, interactive, and fully guided.
Scouts will participate in collaborative activities using Google Classroom and complete a few activities at home prior to and between sessions.
Your Girl Scout will receive expert guidance through the process of issue exploration, Take Action Project development and building the necessary skills for the Highest Awards. By the end of the session the Scouts will be ready to implement their Journey Take Action Project plan.
The Girl Scout Leadership Experience builds leadership by teaching Girl Scouts to explore their community, identify the root cause of an issue, and create a Take Action Project that addresses the root cause through direct action, education and advocacy.
One way to prepare is to earn a Journey or a Take Action Award How do those help?
Journeys take Girl Scouts through the process of exploring issues within on theme and developing a Take Action Project.
Take Action Awards start with a badge, then the Scouts create a Take Action project using what they learned form the badge. Think of each as a “practice” project that builds the skills to tackle the Highest Awards.
Is your program live? Is it a webinar? How does your program work?
Each Workshops4girls Journey Program consists of 4 virtual meetings which are live, interactive, and fully guided.
Scouts will participate in collaborative activities using Google Classroom and complete a few activities at home prior to and between sessions.
Your Girl Scout will receive expert guidance through the process of issue exploration, Take Action Project development and building the necessary skills for the Highest Awards. By the end of the session the Scouts will be ready to implement their Journey Take Action Project plan.
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WHAT IS INCLUDED?
Mentoring from Gold Award interviewers and Highest Awards Experts.
We offer live, real-time guidance from experts in the Highest Awards. Participants receive individualized, tailored support to develop their Take Action Project plans. Our team has extensive experience assisting Girl Scouts in achieving the Highest Awards. We guide each participant through the same proven process utilized when mentoring Gold Award Girl Scouts, with adjustments made according to level as appropriate.
Customized Journey Take Action Plan
A journey project is a “practice” project that follows the same steps as the Highest Award, but on a smaller scale. Prior to implementing a plan, scouts at the Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador levels will go through the steps to create a plan. The step by step customized plan we help them to develop utilizes their skills, community connections, and support system and prepares them to implement the plan on their own.
Our participants report that they have a greater understanding of the process of project planning, are ready to take action, and feel more confident moving on to the Highest Awards. *Note: JUNIOR scouts will develop the plan and implement it on the final day of the Journey. Workshops4girls Peer Mentoring Team
This is the most popular part of our Journey & Take Action Award Programs. Our Mentoring Team consists of Silver and Gold Award Girl Scouts who have previously participated in Workshops4girls journey programs and/or earned their Highest Awards. We facilitate a panel discussion where members share their insights and experiences. Key topics addressed include identifying one’s passion, effective time management, leadership development, and the impact of achieving the Silver or Gold Award on future opportunities.
Resources for Scouts
Workshops4Girls Journeys participants have access to a library of online resources that support their Take Action Projects and planning for Highest Awards. Access to these resources remains available beyond the completion of the workshop. Senior and Ambassador level participants have indicated that they utilized these materials when preparing their Gold Award proposals.
Resources & Guidance for Troop Leaders/Adults
A distinctive feature of our program is the optional concluding session designed for adults who will support Girl Scouts along their path to the Highest Awards. This session provides guidance on project follow-up, information about Highest Awards, instructions on utilizing our exclusive resources, and a Q&A segment to enhance participants’ understanding of the processes required to successfully implement projects under the supervision of troop leaders or other adult mentors.
Post series support
After our series we continue to support Girl Scouts Troop Leaders and families and answer their questions.
WHY CHOOSE WORKSHOPS4GIRLS?
Expertise: We have successfully guided thousands of girls through the Take Action Project planning process, from Junior Journeys to Gold Awards.
Networking: We maintain connections with an extensive network of Gold Award Girl Scouts who are available to answer inquiries. Mentoring: Our team has served on the Gold Award Interviewing committee for many years within our home council. We provide mentorship to our Journey Scouts with the same dedication as we do to Gold Award Girl Scouts. Passion: Workshops4girls was established by experienced Girl Scout volunteers. Alongside managing these workshops as a business, we actively volunteer in our councils, specializing in the Highest Awards—Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Resources: After completing our programs, participants retain access to exclusive planning tools, as well as ongoing advice and guidance from our team. WHO RUNS THE PROGRAMS?
Katie Casey-Anderson (Owner, Journey Facilitator)
In 2010, Katie founded Workshops4girls, combining her background in vocational education with her passion for the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. She started with in person workshops in Southern California but went virtual in 2020. She has guided thousands of Girl Scouts across the country. She never expected how much her life would be enriched by empowering the next generation of Girl Scouts to change their world! She has also been an active GSOC volunteer for over 18 years. She began her Girl Scout journey (pun intended) as a troop leader for her two daughters, leading their troops from Brownies through Ambassadors. After her troops graduated, she stepped into several volunteer roles for Girl Scouts of Orange County, including Adult Volunteer Trainer, Trainer for the Highest Awards (Bronze, Silver & Gold) and her favorite role of all, Gold Award interviewer. Dianna Sundell (Journey Facilitator) is a lifetime Girl Scout, having been a member for more than 50 years! As a girl, she moved through all levels and earned the highest award at that time, the First-Class Award. She has never stopped scouting! As an adult, she has held multiple volunteer roles for the Girl Scouts of Orange County, including troop leader, Camp Sherman Counselor, member of the Board of Directors, and her current role as Gold Award interviewer. She also inspired both her daughter and granddaughter to be Girl Scouts, making them a three generation Girl Scout family! Dianna credits her success as a teacher and administrator to skills she developed in Girl Scouts. She enjoys bringing those skills to a new generation as a Workshops4girls Journey Facilitator. She loves all that Girl Scouts offers from leadership to lifelong friendships. WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED?
Our organization is headquartered in Southern California; however, all of our programs are conducted virtually. Please note that we operate on Pacific Standard Time.
WHAT Programs DO YOU OFFER?
Juniors (4th-5th grade) - aMuse Journey, True North, Bronze Award Brainstorming
Cadettes (6th-8th grade) - aMAZE, MEdia & Breathe Journeys, Take Action Award, Silver Award Planning Seniors (9th-10th grade) - Mission Sisterhood, Girltopia & Sow What, Take Action Award, Gold Award Planning Ambassadors (11th-12th grade) - Your Voice Your World & Justice , Take Action Award, Gold Award Planning We do not offer Brownie or Daisy programs at this time. WHICH JOURNEYS WILL YOU BE RUNNING NEXT?
We run journeys for each level at least 3 times a year.
We run journeys all year. Sunday afternoons during the school year. Consecutive morning sessions during the summer. Ask to be placed on our email list for next session. We usually release summer dates in March, fall dates in late spring, spring dates in October. If you have a request for one of the Journeys listed above, but it isn't on our posted schedule, email us to see when it will be offered next. |
TAKE ACTION PROJECT QUESTIONS
dOES THE jOURNEY INCLUDE THE TAKE ACTION PROJECT?
JUNIORS - For the AMUSE journey, the sessions include the Take Action Project as the requirement for that particular journey is to create a presentation "busting a stereotype" for an invited audience. The Juniors will create their project and present it to invited family and friends on the last day. We recommend that they show their presentation to others as well.
CADETTES, SENIORS & AMBASSADORS - Participants will create a detailed written Take Action Project plan. They will implement the project plan after our sessions under parent or troop leader supervision. WHO GUIDES THE GIRLS THROUGH PROJECT COMPLETION?
Project implementation will be carried out under troop leader or adult supervision.
Unique to our program is an optional wrap up session for the adults who will guide Girl Scouts as they move forward. This includes tips on project follow-up, Highest Awards, how to use our exclusive resources, and a Q and A to help them gain a better understanding of the process. After the series ends, we are available for questions. DOES a JOURNEY or take action award series INCLUDE CREATING A SILVER OR GOLD AWARD PLAN?
No, they do not create a Silver or Gold Award plan.
A Journey Take Action Project or Take Action Award project is a stand alone project that is required before BEFORE starting their Silver or Gold Award project. Think of it as a practice Silver or Gold, following the same steps on a smaller scale. On the final day of our series we spend some time looking ahead to the Highest Awards. We share discuss tips for creating strong Silver & Gold Award projects and familiarize the Girl Scouts with the Silver & Gold Award resources found in the Google classroom that they can use when they are ready for the next step. We do offer Silver Award & Gold Award planning workshops for GS who are would like support while they develop their Highest Awards proposals. REGISTRATION QUESTIONS
WHAT IS THE COST? HOW DO I PAY?
FEE
The fee varies by program. 4 meeting programs are $100 per Scout. This includes, Journeys, Take Action Awards & Gold Award Planning. 2 meeting Programs are $60 per Scout. This includes Silver Award planning & True North. Single meeting programs are $30. This includes Bronze Award Brainstorming. PAYMENT OPTIONS Zelle, Paypal, Venmo, troop checks, personal checks & money orders. WHERE DO I MAIL A CHECK? If you are paying by check, the address will be sent in your registration confirmation. See our registration page for more info. DO YOU TAKE CREDIT CARDS? You can use a credit card to pay through Paypal. Check their website for info. DO YOU PROVIDE BOOKS & PATCHES?
No, we do not provide books and patches. All sessions are designed to be completed with minimum use of the book. The book is not required. Everything you need will be provided.
You can order patches through the GSUSA Shop or your local council shop. (Link to GSOC Shop). DO YOU ACCEPT COOKIE CREDITS AS PAYMENT?
For Girl Scouts of Orange County only Our events accepts Cookie Dough, OC Bucks, and Juliette Dollars! Girls must complete online registration and pay in full. Next fill out the Reimbursement form after you have participated in the event.
For Girl Scouts of Western Washington Contact your council to make arrangements. For other Councils Contact your council to inquire. Email us if you need more information DO You Offer custom sessions?
If you have a group of 8 or more, contact us for info about setting up custom dates or times. We need a 2 month lead time to set up any custom dates.
f you have less than 8 Scouts, custom dates can be set up for an extra fee. Note: We do not offer private sessions. If we set up a custom dates, we will invite other Girl Scouts to join it. CAN SCOUTS SHARE A SCREEN?
We recommend that each Girl Scout has their own screen. If you need to share a screen, two is the recommended maximum per screen. There is no discount for sharing a screen. The fee is per participant, not per screen.
DO YOU ACCEPT LATE REGISTRATIONS?
Yes, if you would like to register after the deadline, contact us regarding availability.
POLICIES
MISSED SESSIONS
My Girl Scout has a conflict for more than one session. Should we still sign up?
If a Girl Scout will miss more than one day, she should choose another session. Each session builds on the previous one, and missing multiple days can impact her success. No-Show Policy: If a Girl Scout cannot attend a scheduled event, advance notice is required. Participants who do not show up without prior notice may forfeit their spot and any associated fees. My Scout can't attend one of the days, can we get a discount? There are NO partial refunds or discounts for missed sessions for any reason. A Scout from our troop signed up, but now she can't attend. Can we send another Scout in her place? If you inform us before the first session of the workshop series begins AND before the previous Girl Scout has joined the Google Classroom, you may substitute another scout for a girl previously registered. My Girl Scout is going to miss one day of the workshop. Are there makeup Zoom sessions? There are no makeup Zoom sessions, but contact us to make arrangements for make-up activities that will be posted for her her in the Google classroom. Make-up must be completed on her own time before the next meeting. What should I do if my Scout has to miss If you know in advance that your Girl Scout will miss a session, notify us. We can let you know some of what will be missed that day. We will create make-up in the Google classroom. If case of illness or unexpected absences, please email us a minimum of 30 minutes before the session starts so we know not to expect her. We have an unpredictable schedule. We don't know our schedule ahead of time? Should we still sign up? Since each session builds on the next, our compressed format might not be a good fit for you. We suggest trying for a session in your sports off season or during the summer when all the sessions are completed in a single week. We run journeys all year. What if we have to leave early or will arrive late? If you know you are going to leave early or arrive late, please inform us and make arrangements for makeup materials to be posted in the Google classroom. WHAT IF I NEED TO CANCEL MY REGISTRATION?
I have to cancel. Can I get a refund?
Requests for refunds must be made 8 days prior to the first meeting of a Journey series. There are no refunds if notice is received less than 8 days prior to the first workshop. “No Shows” will not receive a refund for any reason. It is more than 8 days before the first meeting, and I need to cancel. What do I need to do?
aRE THERE returned checks OR REFUND SURCHARGES?
There will be a $25 fee charged for checks returned for insufficient funds.
There is a 3% processing fee for refunds made by Paypal or Zelle. LARGE TROOP REGISTRATION DEADLINE AND CANCELLATION POLICY
The registration deadline for troops with 10 more girls is 5 weeks before the session start date. The deadline for cancellation with refund for large groups is three weeks prior to the session start date.
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No, we have had Girl Scouts attend our Journeys from across the country as shown on this map!
