The Girl Scout Network’s Campfire Chats
Upcoming Events
More events coming soon!
Past Events
How Girl Scout Troop 6000 Inspired the World
An important discussion about finding community despite challenging conditions, and experiencing joy and success in the face of hardship. These are themes exemplified in Nikita Stewart's book, Troop 6000: The Girl Scout Troop That Began in a Shelter and Inspired the World (Ballantine Books, 2020), which was called “A powerful book full of powerful women" by Chelsea Clinton. We'll hear from:
- Nikita Stewart, author of Troop 6000: The Girl Scout Troop That Began in a Shelter and Inspired the World
- Meridith Maskara, CEO of Girl Scouts of Greater New York
- Giselle Burgess, the parent who established Troop 6000 while living with her five children in the shelter system
- Moderator: Nikole Hannah-Jones, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist at The New York Times Magazine
Creating Flexibility at Work
While asking for flexible schedules has long been the domain of new moms reeling from the heavy lifting at work and home, today many employees with a wide range of needs are looking to create more flexibility in their jobs. Whether you ask for the option of working from home, flexible hours that let you accomplish the same amount of work but at different times, or even a job-share or part-time position, it’s important to see yourself as a trailblazer in your organization that’s making work-life integration easier for everyone around you.
Taught by: Lauren Smith Brody, Author of The Fifth Trimester
Personal Essay Writing
Ever thought you had a personal story to tell, but felt like you needed help? Girl Scout alum Leigh Newman, memoirist and former Books Editor of Oprah.com, will walk us through how to begin to translate your journal entries into essays with heart and soul. Leigh has edited some of America’s favorite writers — from Toni Morrison to Brené Brown and Jonathan Safran Foer — and her techniques are sure to help you produce your most original, insightful work yet.
Taught by: Leigh Newman, Author of Still Points North
Networking for Today and Tomorrow
Building your network of professional relationships is always important foundational work to lay … but the rules are different now, in this time of social distancing and career uncertainty. Join us for a discussion on how to make cultivating your network a regular activity, today, so that you have the connections in place when you’re ready for your next move.
Taught by: Ann Shoket, Former Editor-in-Chief of Seventeen and Author of The Big Life
Journal Writing in Quarantine
If you’ve ever wanted to keep a journal, but didn’t know where to start, then this class is for you. Girl Scout alum and literary whiz Leigh Newman, memoirist and former Books Editor of Oprah.com, will walk us through how to begin journaling about your life – from sharing your most authentic thoughts and feelings to describing the events that shape your world in ways that will resonate with you for years to come.
Taught by: Leigh Newman, Author of Still Points North
Navigating Team Dynamics During Quarantine
Navigating team dynamics on the job can be difficult on any given day. In a pandemic, how can you continue to foster a collaborative spirit: working together to stay productive, being sensitive to colleagues’ challenges, and still and meet your team’s goals? We’ll discuss how to work alongside your team remotely, handling stress and emotions (including your manager’s), and how to find your footing in an uncertain time. Our panel discussion includes:
- Mollie West Duffy, Author of No Hard Feelings: The Secret Power of Embracing Emotions at Work
- Jessie Punia, Co-Owner of August
- Moderator: Minda Harts, Author of The Memo
Self-Care for Overachievers
Like many women, you work hard and you’re proud of all you accomplish, both in your career and in your personal life. But, in this time of quarantine, you wonder – how do you prevent burnout when the lines between work and home are blurred? Girl Scout alum and “women and work” expert Joan Kuhl will guide us through some techniques that will help bring balance to your life.
Taught by: Joan Kuhl, Author of Dig Your Heels In
Women’s Work: Female Ambition in a Pandemic
Pandemics can rock families’ financial stability and create childcare chaos. Often, women find themselves needing to be more flexible and spending more time taking care of kids at home to the detriment of their careers. So what can be done to prevent long-term setbacks in gender equality as a result of COVID-19? Our panel discussion includes:
- Claudia Chan, Founder and CEO of S.H.E Globl and S.H.E. Summit
- Mary Pharris, Marketing and Communications Director of Fairygodboss
- Ann Shoket, Former Editor-in-Chief of Seventeen and Author of The Big Life
Creative Cupcake Decorating
We know you probably don’t have fondant lying around at home—and you don’t need one more thing to add to your online shopping cart! So we’ll show you ingenious ways to crown your cupcakes that don’t require a drawerful of pastry chef’s tools or precious ingredients. Anything — even Girl Scout Cookies! — can be repurposed as decorations.
Taught by: Sonam Sondhi, a Winner of the Food Network’s Girl Scout Cookie Championship
Procrasti-baking at Home
Forget that boxed cake mix! Even kitchen novices can whip up a simple yet delectable cake. You’ll learn how to make a basic but practical vanilla cake that doesn’t even require a mixer! Then, we’ll take you through a variety of cool flavor variations (Girl Scout cookie-flavored layer cake, anyone?) that are sure to deliver a wow factor without any tricky techniques.
Taught by: Sonam Sondhi, a Winner of the Food Network’s Girl Scout Cookie Championship
Work-Life Integration in the Time of COVID-19
In a world where work-life balance was already a struggle for most women, how does the quarantine impact our fragile home ecosystems, and how do we make it all—jobs, friendships, romantic relationships, and families—work?
- Lauren Smith Brody, Author of The Fifth Trimester
- Sarah LaFleur, CEO at M.M. LaFleur
- Ann Shoket, former Editor-in-Chief of Seventeen and author of The Big Life
Financial Health in a Time of Uncertainty
The economy has changed quickly during the pandemic, and knowing what to do about your finances can feel like a daunting task. Sallie Krawcheck, an entrepreneur who’s created a financial services company designed for women, will walk you through what to do next. She'll share some money moves you can make right now and answer common questions her team is getting about money and career.
Taught by: Sallie Krawcheck, CEO and co-founder of financial services company Ellevest
Deceptively Easy Girl Scout Cookie Desserts
In the time it takes to make a boxed pudding, you can whip up a rich, creamy homemade custard—that can then be turned into an elegant Caramel Delight-laden trifle, a Girl Scout Cookie “Dirt Cup,” and an unforgettable Thin Mint ice cream.
Taught by: Sonam Sondhi, a Winner of the Food Network’s Girl Scout Cookie Championship
Women’s Entrepreneurship Day
In honor of Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, the Girl Scout Network hosted a thought-provoking panel discussion about the Girl Scout Research Institute’s (GSRI’s) latest study, Today’s Girls, Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs. The panel showcased inspiring Girl Scout alums and supporters who’ve built multimillion-dollar businesses from the ground up—Miko Branch, cofounder and CEO of haircare line Miss Jessie's; Sallie L. Krawcheck, cofounder and CEO of investment firm Ellevest; and Brit Morin, founder and CEO of media company Brit + Co. These entrepreneurs shared the ups and downs of their journeys, along with their advice for aspiring female entrepreneurs.
You know Girl Scouts as the preeminent leadership development organization with more than a century of experience preparing girls to lead. Now, we've created a community of likeminded advocates—Girl Scout alums and supporters from across the country—who feel passionately about joining together to support girls, and each other.
Cookie Care
Buy your favorite Girl Scout Cookies online today and have them shipped to your door—or donate cookies and we'll distribute them safely to provide comfort to first responders, volunteers, and local causes in need.