FAQ & Policies - VIRTUAL JOURNEYS
If you have questions after reading these, please contact us.
PROGRAM QUESTIONS
WHAT IS INCLUDED? The program content for virtual journeys is the same as for in-person journeys. The emphasis in is on issue exploration, Take Action Project development and building the necessary skills for the Highest awards - Gold, Silver or Bronze. The main difference between the virtual program and the in person sessions is that the crafts aren’t done during the live sessions. We have tutorials and instructions for the crafts and those can be done at the girls’ own time, should they choose to.
WHO RUNS THE JOURNEY?
Katie Casey-Anderson has been a GSOC volunteer for 17 years as a troop leader for Girl Scout Brownies through Ambassadors, a Volunteer Council Trainer for the Highest Awards and a member of the Older Girl Committee as a Gold Award interviewer . In 2010, she founded Workshops4girls, a company that offers Journey programs for Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors. To date, she has run over 100 Journeys for thousands of girls.
Jenny Reyes is a Girl Scout troop leader for a Junior troop and a Cadette troop, as well as a Volunteer Council Trainer for Bronze Award. Jenny is a strategic marketing and branding consultant for her own firm, with an extensive background in multinational branding and marketing. She currently services entrepreneurs in the legal, beauty, non-profit, publishing, and self-development spaces, and, conducts marketing and branding courses for entrepreneurs.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The format is a combo of live online sessions, shared google slides/docs and at home activities prior to the session and between sessions. All at home session activities are due the day before the next session.
Between the last two sessions the girls will be expected to put the finishing touches on their Take Action Plan so we can review it to make sure it meets GSUSA standards and they are ready to implement it once the session ends. In the Cadette, Senior & Ambassador journeys the final day is spent giving tips for Silver & Gold Award development.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES TO VIRTUAL JOURNEYS WITH WORKSHOPS4GIRLS?
EXPERTISE We have guided thousands of girls through the Take Action Project planning process from junior
journeys all the way though Gold Awards.
PROMOTION Our website can serve as an additional platform for girls to promote their projects.
NETWORKING Where possible, we connect girls with other troops to promote their projects.
MENTORING and inspirational guest speakers.
RESOURCES Post journey, the girls retain access to the planning tools and our advice and guidance.
REGISTRATION QUESTIONS
How do I register my daughter or troop?
Click on the registration page. for more info.
The registration deadline is passed. Can I still register?
Most sessions are full with a waiting list. You can send an email to Katie at workshops4girls@verizon.net to inquire about the status of the session. If there are spaces available, you can register after the deadline. If there are no spaces, you will be placed on
the waiting list & notified if a space opens up.
Do you allow "walk in' registrations?
No. If you want to add a girl, please contact us ahead of time to see if there is room.
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.
BOOKS & PATCHES
Our sessions are designed session to be completed with minimum use of the book. While we recommend that you buy the book it is not required.
We will be utilizing resources available in the Volunteer Tool Kit. If you want to have books, you can order them through the GSUSA Shop or your local council shop. (Link to GSOC Shop). Check for deals on shipping.
PAYMENT QUESTIONS
How do we pay ?
Troop checks, personal checks & money orders are preferred. If registering as a troop, you can send one troop check or individual payment from parents. We can accept payment through Zelle and Paypal. If you prefer that option, contact us and we will send you an invoice.
Where do I mail the payment ?
The address is found in your confirmation email.
Can we pay the journey fee with Cookie Dough?
We cannot accept "cookie dough, Juliette dollars, etc as payment ,because we are not part of GSUSA. Workshops4girls is a community partner with Girl Scouts of Orange County (outside company providing program). You can use Cookie dough for the books and patches at your local council shop.
Can I pay online with my credit card?
Troop checks, personal checks & money orders are preferred. We can accept payment through Zelle and Paypal. If you prefer to pay that way, contact us and we can send you an invoice.
REFUND POLICIES
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 will be NO refunds if notice is received less than 7 days prior to the first workshop, except for extreme medical reasons. “No Shows” will not receive a refund for any reason. There is a 3 % processing fee for refunds.
It is more than 7 days before the first meeting and I need to cancel. What do I need to do?
My Scout can't attend one of the days, can we get a discount?
There are NO partial refunds or discounts if a girl misses any of the workshops, for any reason.
A girl from our troop signed up, but now she can't attend. Can we send another girl in her place?
If you inform us before the first session of the workshop series begins, you may substitute another scout for a girl previously registered, but that girl must attend all the workshops.
What happens if the series is cancelled?
We reserve the right to cancel an event. If the program is cancelled all refunds will be made in full.
What is your policy on returned checks?
There will be a $25 fee charged for checks returned for insufficient funds.
RESPONSIBLE ADULT RATIOS
Do I have to "send" and adult? - for troops over 8 girls we may request that a leader or parent be available during the session. We may not need them the entire time, but may ask them to assist with break out groups and discussions especially during Take Action Project planning.
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 girls will create their project by the end of the session. 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 - The scouts will create a detailed written Take Action Project plan . The girls will implement the project plan after our sessions complete under parent or troop leader supervision.
WHO GUIDES THE GIRLS THROUGH PROJECT COMPLETION?
The troop leader or parent is in charge after our session ends. The final day of the session we offer a leader/parent "training" for follow up. If you can't attend or need guidance, refer to our many resources on the tabs under TAKE ACTION PROJECTS .
DOES THIS JOURNEY INCLUDE CREATING A SILVER OR GOLD AWARD PLAN?
No, the purpose of a journey is to create a Take Action Project that addresses an issue withing the journey topics. Think of it as a practice project for the Silver or Gold. It follows the same steps, but is a smaller scale project. The girls are required to finish the required journey project BEFORE starting their Silver or Gold. We do discuss tips for creating strong Silver & Gold projects and familiarize the scout with the Silver & Gold Award resource pages on our website.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MISSED SESSIONS / ABSENCE / ATTENDANCE POLICIES
My scout has a conflict for more than one session. Should we still sign up?
If a scout knows she is going to miss more than one day of the series we suggest that she sign up for a later session.
If a girl is absent for more than one session, the journey cannot be completed or "earned" in our workshop setting. Each session builds upon the previous one. Missing multiple sessions the girl misses too much of the journey process.
She is welcome to attend the remaining sessions with her troop, but the journey will not be "earned" and can’t be used as a pre-requisite for the Silver or Gold Award. However, the girl's troop leader can use the leader guide to help the girl earn the journey on her own.
My scout is going to miss one day of the workshop. Are there makeup sessions?
There are no makeup sessions.
Can she still complete the journey if she misses one session?
She can complete and “earn” the journey only if she completes the missed activities on her own. The parent or leader should contact us. We will send a list of makeup activities to be completed. She must complete it before the next meeting.
We recommend that you don't sign up girls who can't attend all sessions. That said, sometimes girls are sick or unexpected conflicts arise. If you know a scout is going to miss a single date, please let us know ahead of time, if possible. We will provide the leader or parent with guidance to assist for the absent scout(s) to fulfill the journey requirements. The activities should be completed prior to the next meeting. If you know in advance you may miss a date, please email us. Some days can be "made up" but others very difficult.
We have an unpredictable schedule. We don't know our schedule ahead of time?
Should we still sign up?
Since the journey can't really be "earned" if you miss more than one session, 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?
The workshops begin and end on time. Late arrivals may not be able to complete all workshop projects and requirements. If you know you are going to leave early or arrive late, please inform us and make arrangements for makeup materials.
FUTURE OR ALTERNATE SESSIONS
Our troop already completed the journeys you are offering? Do you offer any others?
We run aMUSE for juniors, AMAZE, MEdia & Breathe for Cadettes and Mission Sisterhood & Girltopia for Seniors, Your Voice Your World for Ambassadors.
We can't attend this session. Will you be running more journeys ?
We run journeys all year. Sunday afternoons during the school year. Consecutive morning sessions during the summer. Virtual journeys, too! 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.
Only half our troop is available this session. Should we still sign up?
Many troops break up & attend separate sessions. It's a good experience for the girls, they mix more with the larger group & get a broader view of scouts. The most common feedback we get from our journeys is that the girls loved meeting so many new scouts.
Do you run Brownie or Daisy Journeys? Not at this time.
Special Notes for Summer Journeys
MISSED SESSIONS We do not recommend signing up for a summer journey unless you can commit to all of the days. There is no time to make-up missed activities.
My troop just bridged in June. Are my girls ready for a Cadette Journey?
Middle school is a time of great changes physically, mentally, socially & academically. While all journeys are geared towards the age level specified in terms of maturity and content, the jump in complexity from Junior journeys to Cadette Journeys is a big one. Some newly bridged to Cadette girls, especially in the case of summer journeys where they will start 6th grade in the fall, will do better if they wait until they have had a some middle school experience and curriculum before starting the journey. If you have questions about this please contact us.
Special consideration for incoming 9th graders
A Senior level journey is designed for girls who are already attending high school. It is a more effective preparation for the Gold Award if you wait until the girls are older.
If you decide to send your girls to a journey the summer after 8th grade, I suggest that you use the Journey Take Action Project plan (that they create in our session) as basis for your GS program during their 9th grade year. This will help serve as a better preparation for their Gold Award.
WHAT IS INCLUDED? The program content for virtual journeys is the same as for in-person journeys. The emphasis in is on issue exploration, Take Action Project development and building the necessary skills for the Highest awards - Gold, Silver or Bronze. The main difference between the virtual program and the in person sessions is that the crafts aren’t done during the live sessions. We have tutorials and instructions for the crafts and those can be done at the girls’ own time, should they choose to.
WHO RUNS THE JOURNEY?
Katie Casey-Anderson has been a GSOC volunteer for 17 years as a troop leader for Girl Scout Brownies through Ambassadors, a Volunteer Council Trainer for the Highest Awards and a member of the Older Girl Committee as a Gold Award interviewer . In 2010, she founded Workshops4girls, a company that offers Journey programs for Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors. To date, she has run over 100 Journeys for thousands of girls.
Jenny Reyes is a Girl Scout troop leader for a Junior troop and a Cadette troop, as well as a Volunteer Council Trainer for Bronze Award. Jenny is a strategic marketing and branding consultant for her own firm, with an extensive background in multinational branding and marketing. She currently services entrepreneurs in the legal, beauty, non-profit, publishing, and self-development spaces, and, conducts marketing and branding courses for entrepreneurs.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The format is a combo of live online sessions, shared google slides/docs and at home activities prior to the session and between sessions. All at home session activities are due the day before the next session.
Between the last two sessions the girls will be expected to put the finishing touches on their Take Action Plan so we can review it to make sure it meets GSUSA standards and they are ready to implement it once the session ends. In the Cadette, Senior & Ambassador journeys the final day is spent giving tips for Silver & Gold Award development.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES TO VIRTUAL JOURNEYS WITH WORKSHOPS4GIRLS?
EXPERTISE We have guided thousands of girls through the Take Action Project planning process from junior
journeys all the way though Gold Awards.
PROMOTION Our website can serve as an additional platform for girls to promote their projects.
NETWORKING Where possible, we connect girls with other troops to promote their projects.
MENTORING and inspirational guest speakers.
RESOURCES Post journey, the girls retain access to the planning tools and our advice and guidance.
REGISTRATION QUESTIONS
How do I register my daughter or troop?
Click on the registration page. for more info.
The registration deadline is passed. Can I still register?
Most sessions are full with a waiting list. You can send an email to Katie at workshops4girls@verizon.net to inquire about the status of the session. If there are spaces available, you can register after the deadline. If there are no spaces, you will be placed on
the waiting list & notified if a space opens up.
Do you allow "walk in' registrations?
No. If you want to add a girl, please contact us ahead of time to see if there is room.
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.
BOOKS & PATCHES
Our sessions are designed session to be completed with minimum use of the book. While we recommend that you buy the book it is not required.
We will be utilizing resources available in the Volunteer Tool Kit. If you want to have books, you can order them through the GSUSA Shop or your local council shop. (Link to GSOC Shop). Check for deals on shipping.
PAYMENT QUESTIONS
How do we pay ?
Troop checks, personal checks & money orders are preferred. If registering as a troop, you can send one troop check or individual payment from parents. We can accept payment through Zelle and Paypal. If you prefer that option, contact us and we will send you an invoice.
Where do I mail the payment ?
The address is found in your confirmation email.
Can we pay the journey fee with Cookie Dough?
We cannot accept "cookie dough, Juliette dollars, etc as payment ,because we are not part of GSUSA. Workshops4girls is a community partner with Girl Scouts of Orange County (outside company providing program). You can use Cookie dough for the books and patches at your local council shop.
Can I pay online with my credit card?
Troop checks, personal checks & money orders are preferred. We can accept payment through Zelle and Paypal. If you prefer to pay that way, contact us and we can send you an invoice.
REFUND POLICIES
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 will be NO refunds if notice is received less than 7 days prior to the first workshop, except for extreme medical reasons. “No Shows” will not receive a refund for any reason. There is a 3 % processing fee for refunds.
It is more than 7 days before the first meeting and I need to cancel. What do I need to do?
- Email to inform us of your intention to cancel (7 or more days before start date of the series). Include participants name, Journey name and start date, address where refund should be sent and name of person or troop the refund check should be made out to.
My Scout can't attend one of the days, can we get a discount?
There are NO partial refunds or discounts if a girl misses any of the workshops, for any reason.
A girl from our troop signed up, but now she can't attend. Can we send another girl in her place?
If you inform us before the first session of the workshop series begins, you may substitute another scout for a girl previously registered, but that girl must attend all the workshops.
What happens if the series is cancelled?
We reserve the right to cancel an event. If the program is cancelled all refunds will be made in full.
What is your policy on returned checks?
There will be a $25 fee charged for checks returned for insufficient funds.
RESPONSIBLE ADULT RATIOS
Do I have to "send" and adult? - for troops over 8 girls we may request that a leader or parent be available during the session. We may not need them the entire time, but may ask them to assist with break out groups and discussions especially during Take Action Project planning.
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 girls will create their project by the end of the session. 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 - The scouts will create a detailed written Take Action Project plan . The girls will implement the project plan after our sessions complete under parent or troop leader supervision.
WHO GUIDES THE GIRLS THROUGH PROJECT COMPLETION?
The troop leader or parent is in charge after our session ends. The final day of the session we offer a leader/parent "training" for follow up. If you can't attend or need guidance, refer to our many resources on the tabs under TAKE ACTION PROJECTS .
DOES THIS JOURNEY INCLUDE CREATING A SILVER OR GOLD AWARD PLAN?
No, the purpose of a journey is to create a Take Action Project that addresses an issue withing the journey topics. Think of it as a practice project for the Silver or Gold. It follows the same steps, but is a smaller scale project. The girls are required to finish the required journey project BEFORE starting their Silver or Gold. We do discuss tips for creating strong Silver & Gold projects and familiarize the scout with the Silver & Gold Award resource pages on our website.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MISSED SESSIONS / ABSENCE / ATTENDANCE POLICIES
My scout has a conflict for more than one session. Should we still sign up?
If a scout knows she is going to miss more than one day of the series we suggest that she sign up for a later session.
If a girl is absent for more than one session, the journey cannot be completed or "earned" in our workshop setting. Each session builds upon the previous one. Missing multiple sessions the girl misses too much of the journey process.
She is welcome to attend the remaining sessions with her troop, but the journey will not be "earned" and can’t be used as a pre-requisite for the Silver or Gold Award. However, the girl's troop leader can use the leader guide to help the girl earn the journey on her own.
My scout is going to miss one day of the workshop. Are there makeup sessions?
There are no makeup sessions.
Can she still complete the journey if she misses one session?
She can complete and “earn” the journey only if she completes the missed activities on her own. The parent or leader should contact us. We will send a list of makeup activities to be completed. She must complete it before the next meeting.
We recommend that you don't sign up girls who can't attend all sessions. That said, sometimes girls are sick or unexpected conflicts arise. If you know a scout is going to miss a single date, please let us know ahead of time, if possible. We will provide the leader or parent with guidance to assist for the absent scout(s) to fulfill the journey requirements. The activities should be completed prior to the next meeting. If you know in advance you may miss a date, please email us. Some days can be "made up" but others very difficult.
We have an unpredictable schedule. We don't know our schedule ahead of time?
Should we still sign up?
Since the journey can't really be "earned" if you miss more than one session, 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?
The workshops begin and end on time. Late arrivals may not be able to complete all workshop projects and requirements. If you know you are going to leave early or arrive late, please inform us and make arrangements for makeup materials.
FUTURE OR ALTERNATE SESSIONS
Our troop already completed the journeys you are offering? Do you offer any others?
We run aMUSE for juniors, AMAZE, MEdia & Breathe for Cadettes and Mission Sisterhood & Girltopia for Seniors, Your Voice Your World for Ambassadors.
We can't attend this session. Will you be running more journeys ?
We run journeys all year. Sunday afternoons during the school year. Consecutive morning sessions during the summer. Virtual journeys, too! 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.
Only half our troop is available this session. Should we still sign up?
Many troops break up & attend separate sessions. It's a good experience for the girls, they mix more with the larger group & get a broader view of scouts. The most common feedback we get from our journeys is that the girls loved meeting so many new scouts.
Do you run Brownie or Daisy Journeys? Not at this time.
Special Notes for Summer Journeys
MISSED SESSIONS We do not recommend signing up for a summer journey unless you can commit to all of the days. There is no time to make-up missed activities.
My troop just bridged in June. Are my girls ready for a Cadette Journey?
Middle school is a time of great changes physically, mentally, socially & academically. While all journeys are geared towards the age level specified in terms of maturity and content, the jump in complexity from Junior journeys to Cadette Journeys is a big one. Some newly bridged to Cadette girls, especially in the case of summer journeys where they will start 6th grade in the fall, will do better if they wait until they have had a some middle school experience and curriculum before starting the journey. If you have questions about this please contact us.
Special consideration for incoming 9th graders
A Senior level journey is designed for girls who are already attending high school. It is a more effective preparation for the Gold Award if you wait until the girls are older.
If you decide to send your girls to a journey the summer after 8th grade, I suggest that you use the Journey Take Action Project plan (that they create in our session) as basis for your GS program during their 9th grade year. This will help serve as a better preparation for their Gold Award.