Camp Tecumseh September 19-20!

Camp Tecumseh is always a good idea! This year, September 19-20, was one of our best yet! We had so much fun hanging out together, exploring camp, horseback riding, doing archery, climbing, riflery, hiking through the woods and enjoying a campfire and s'mores!


It's hard to believe many of us have been returning to Camp T. for Girl Scout fun since these girls were in second grade. Time really does fly!

The weather was perfect fall weather, sunny and a little cool at night, but warm during the day. Everyone had a great weekend!

We're In The Army Now!

Military Police Officer Brooke Ellis shares one of her M.R.E.s (meals ready to eat) with the girls

Wow! What a visit we had when Brooke Ellis came to town!

Brooke is not only the daughter of Frank Hammond Principal Nancy Ellis, but she's an inspiring hero in her own right! Brooke is a trained military police officer and soon-to-become second lieutenant in the U.S. Army!

She is a senior at Purdue University, a member of the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) and a member of the National Guard!

She has won honors for her accomplishments in physical contests against her fellow students, often beating her male fellow soldiers at number of push-ups, a "hang" test, etc.!

The girls loved her visit so much they were literally begging her for more! More meals-ready-to-eat (M.R.E.s); more military-style drills (in the FHH library!), and more show-and-tell with her cool military sleeping bag system, ammo pouch, load-bearing vest and other gear!

The girls again asked some great questions as they explored the roles for women in the military.

Brooke explained that the best way to battle stereotypes that women aren't as strong as men is simply to "overcome them."

"Show guys women are just as good if not better than guys at many things," she said.

Brooke said she was inspired to go into the military by playing with GI Joe dolls growing up and the fact that her grandparents and father were in the Army. She said she has three older brothers, none of whom went into the military. Her family was supportive of her desire to be an officer, but wanted her to make sure she got an education first.

Brooke taught the girls some basic training and how to salute!

Lindsey Army crawls through as the girls "Igloo Up!"

Tori Army crawls through the troop igloo.

Brooke leads the girls through a drill called "Front! Back! Go!"

Brooke explains some of her boot-camp drills!

Who knew M.R.E.s could be so popular?! ;-)

So grateful we've had such great speakers so far!

The girls, meanwhile, are doing an awesome job filling out their journals and bringing their great ideas for a Bronze (community service) project to our meetings! Keep up the GREAT work, girls!

We got to Camp Tecumseh next weekend and then have a pause before our next meeting on Friday, October 16. The girls should be filling out their journals through "Section Three" and keep writing down any project ideas for improving our community in the Bronze (tabbed) section of the journal. If we add in any extra activities or meetings we'll keep you posted!

Moviemaker inspiration!

Kendall Goldberg, FHH graduate and 20-year-old Hollywood moviemaker!

                                     

A movie maker.

A military police officer.

A professional artist and painter.

A neonatal nurse.

What do these women have in common?

They are all busy inspiring Troop 10265 this year!

Our girls are hearing from many incredible young women as they learn about different roles for women, part of a Girl Scout journey they are taking. This leadership journey is designed to help them learn who they are now and who they may want to become in the future. 

Our first guest was the awesome Kendall Goldberg, a former Frank Hammond student and MHS 2013 graduate who is a real Hollywood moviemaker!

An award-winning director at the ripe old age of 20, Kendall has already made several short films that have been shown at film festivals. Some of her films can be seen on her website www.kendallgoldbergfilms.com. They include Washing Away, which she made while at junior at Munster High School, Water, and Bark Mitzvah. She just filmed her very first feature-length film over the summer in Michigan called Lake Effect. 

Kendall is in her junior year of film school at Chapman University in California. She spoke to the girls via FaceTime, and they were able to interview her and see her on the white board in Room 7 during our meeting. One of her filmmaking friends, Trevor, also stopped by to talk about how Kendall's work ethic and persistence inspired him to never give up on his filmmaking dreams.

Kendall on the set of her feature film, The Lake Effect

                   

                               

The girls asked Kendall all about her life as a movie maker and if she faced stereotypes and how she overcame them. Kendall said she faced stereotypes "every day" as one of a small number of female film students at her university. But she said they don't stand in her way as a filmmaker. "If anyone ever tells me I can't do something, it just motivated me and I think, 'Someday, you'll be watching my movies,' " she said.

"I'm a filmmaker who happens to be a girl," she said.

Kendall shooting her movie Water

                                  

                                              

While growing up she said her mom and grandmother inspired her to follow her dreams and work hard. "You can do anything if you put your mind to it!" they told her.

She started making movies when she was just five years old! She went on to act in plays at Wilbur Wright Middle School and Munster High School and to be a part of the high school speech and debate team. She said both helped her to be more confident when talking to people in Holkywood as a filmmaker.

After our girls talked about their favorite characters from movies or books and other entries from their journals, Kendall shared her favorites, including Katniss from the Hunger Games, Merida from Brave, Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, Anna Kendrick from Pitch Perfect and Elizabeth from Pirates of the Caribbean.

As the girls mentioned their favorites and we compared them later with Kendall's answers, we noticed a common theme: They were all brave, confident young women. Just like the girls of Troop 10265!

The girls made collages representing themselves

         

Kendall's great advice!

       

                              

Kendall directing a movie