BBCSU - Girl Scout Year Ahead

It's hard to believe, but the next school year is here and we're ready for a great year of Girl Scouting. Read on for important updates and info about upcoming events. There is A LOT of information here!

NEW YEAR REGISTRATION INCENTIVE!!!

September 4 - Celebrate getting BACK TO GIRL SCOUTS with troops from our service unit at Pins & Wheels roller rank! From 6-8pm, the SU will cover the entry fee for Girl Scouts (Daisy-Ambassadors) registered in the Bluebonnet Circle Service Unit as of September 3rd! Come as a troop or come as a family, but be sure your Girl Scouts are registered for the 2025-2026 Girl Scout year by Sept. 3. Please RSVP to give us an idea of how many Girl Scouts to expect.

CHANGE IS CONSTANT - Here is what you need to know

Service Unit Changes and updates - Rallyhood is going away, so we're transitioning to BAND as our main platform for information throughout the year. Get event details, ask questions, join groups, share service opportunities, etc. Join our BAND group today. The monthly newsletter and event registrations will remain on our website.

GSCTX Changes and updates - Cookie season will be one week longer in 2026 (Jan 15 - Mar 1). Council will conduct all trainings for troop cookie coordinators. Encourage your Cookie Coordinator to sign up now for the appropriate training (seasoned volunteers vs. new volunteers) - note most are virtual.

Not sure about participating in Fall Product or Cookies, sign up for Council's Product Program Rally Aug 23rd to learn the ins and outs of both.

Join CEO Paula Bookidis for an online Town Hall and discover the newest Girl Scout programs, essential tools for troop leaders, cookie program updates for 2026, and so much more. Mark your calendar for August 26, 2025, from 6:30 – 8 p.m.

No registration required–just save the Zoom info:

Meeting ID: 819 6692 7494 

Passcode: 8675309

Girl Scouts of USA Changes - Journeys at all levels are being retired Oct. 1, 2026. Girl Scouts can still complete journeys as a pre-qualification for higher awards, but now they can also learn Leadership Awards to qualify to take on higher awards. Want to learn more? Have questions that aren't answered on these links? We're working to secure a Council speaker on this topic for an upcoming Service Unit Volunteer meeting, stay tuned!

SERVICE UNIT EVENTS

The GSUSA pivot to more flexibility for girls to learn leadership skills is refreshing and maybe a bit daunting as we as Leaders consider how to help create those opportunities. Volunteering to host an event for other Girl Scouts is one great way to do so. If your troop planning an event, email bluebonnetcirclegs@gmail.com with the details and we'll promote it in the next newsletter.

Creating a new event for other Girl Scouts? Announce it in BAND to spread the word. Interested in hosting a tried-and-true SU event? We have a list and with a scale (see the key at the bottom) indicating adult/Girl Scout involvement and general amount of work. Reach out if you want to shadow or talk to a host this year or learn more about an event not yet scheduled for 2025-26. At the April SU Volunteer's meeting we'll sign up hosts for 2026-27.

Level 1	Adult coordinator sets up this event that doesn't require registration (maybe RSVPs) and takes little effort to execute the event.
Level 2	Troop led/executed; girls involved in age appropriate leadership
Level 3	Requires more significant prep work by Adult and Girl Scouts; likley need multiple adults involved unless Girl Scouts are S/A
Level 4	Planed and executed by adult/team requiring significant prep work, generally includes paid registration. S/A roles can be included.

2025-26 CAMPOUT OPPORTUNITIES

Camping is quintessential Girl Scouting and the Service Unit wants to support girls and troops in their camping experience. Therefore, all Service Unit sponsored campouts will include a $20 per Girl Scout subsidy, applied automatically when determining registration fees. We have lead volunteers for each of these campouts, but need a few more organizing hands (more hands = light work). Please sign up to help out here (or email the primary volunteer to see what help is needed).

• Nov. 14-16: Fall Campout at Camp Champions, Brownie through Ambassador campout (details below).

• March 6-8, 2026: Roxy & Me (Volunteer & Daughter) This is an opportunity for troop volunteers to spend one-on-one time with their Girl Scout, minus their troop. Cabin, hut, platform tent or bring your own tent to Bluebonnet Shores. There will be minimal scheduled activities so you can maximize relaxing and bonding.

• Spring 2026: Tent Campout, Juniors and above, camp at the group site or your own site nearby, everyone will pitch in on meals and mingle through activities.

• May 2-3, 2026: First-timers Campout, stop by for the day or spend one night, this is a great introduction to camping for Daisies.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR - And Register

Sept. 4 BACK TO GIRL SCOUTS at Pins & Wheels roller rank 6-8pm. Come as a troop or come as a family, but be sure your Girl Scouts are registered for the 2025-2026 Girl Scout year by Sept. 3 if you want the service unit to cover your Girl Scouts' entry fee. RSVP.

Sept 6 Junior Badge Fall Frenzy 2025 at the Georgetown Girl Scout House. Hosted by Troop 2028 More details and Sign Up Here.

Sept. 11 SU Volunteers Meeting - Featured speaker: Council staff will present on the new leadership awards and higher awards eligibility. Get your Fall product and SU Campout questions answered. Attendance counts towards earning bonus cookie booths for your troop (attend 4 of 6 meetings from August through January). HAND IT DOWN - Do you have Girl Scout stuff you want to pass on to troops with younger girls? Bring it for our Take-It Table.

Sept. 26-28 Trailblazers - This GSCTX hosted event is put on by seasoned volunteers to support the rest of us on our troop-leading journeys. Interested in lodging with leaders from our service unit? Sign up ASAP and join us in Starlight 1.

Oct. 9 SU Volunteers meeting - Featuring CPR training immediately following an investiture ceremony for new and returning troop leaders and an abbreviated meeting. As a reminder, the Service Unit will pay for CPR training for two leaders per troop over the 2024-25 and 2025-26 years. Not sure if your troop has used it's two trainings? Check this list.

Nov. 14-16 Fall Service Unit Campout - Brownies through Ambassadors, will take over Camp Champions for a fun filled, activity-packed weekend. A Camp Champions representative spoke at the August service unit meeting about camp activities and flood preparedness. Register your troop by September 15 to secure your space and the lowest per-Girl Scout price, subsidized by the service unit. Registrations Sept. 15 through Oct. 1st will increase $10 per Girl Scout. See more details on the registration page.

Other Events As dates are finalized, we'll update the BAND calendar, post details in the BAND feed and host registration on our website. Sign up and stay tuned! Is your troop planning an event? Email bluebonnetcirclegs@gmail.com with the details and we'll include them in the next newsletter.

---

BBCSU Girl Scouts in action

Regular meetings, fun outings, service projects, a big trip or a summer break, each troop spends the summer in their own unique way. Email us at bluebonnetcirlegs@gmail.com what your troop was up to (bonus for pictures!) and we'll feature them in the next newsletter. Your experience could be another troop leader or Girl Scout's inspiration!