A Message From Our CEO
Welcome to another year of Girl Scouts! I’m excited to have each Girl Scout family come along for the journey of membership year 2027. Every Girl Scout, volunteer, staff member, donor, and community partner within our council footprint is what makes Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont so special. Thank you for joining this sisterhood and keeping the Girl Scout spirit strong in your community.
We kicked off our new year with Trainfest, an adult learning weekend where fun was had by all, and then a weekend of wonder and whimsy at the annual Council-wide Campout, where we were thrilled to welcome over 100 members back to Camp Pisgah in Brevard after many months of hurricane recovery. Girl Scout troops and families from across the region enjoyed traditional camp experiences, as well as magical activities like a Quidditch match. We have all missed our beloved Camp Pisgah and are grateful for everyone’s support in its reopening so families can have more adventures, memories, and friendships at camp! Troop camping reservations are open for the upcoming season, and events have also been hosted at Camp Pisgah this fall, like Trailside Treasures: Outdoor Art and Trailblazer Chefs: Outdoor Cooking. Be sure to check our calendar for exciting outdoor events and visit our website to learn more about troop camping to get back outside in the mountains and show your support for Camp Pisgah!
While we have made great strides at Camp Pisgah, we will not be reopening Camp Ginger Cascades for the 2027 membership year. We’ve used insurance proceeds to make repairs, but there’s more work to be done. Additionally, our current total membership doesn’t support the cost of operating all three camps full time from a budget standpoint. Throughout 2027, we will encourage girls exploring the great outdoors by hosting programs at Keyauwee Program Center, Camp Pisgah, and with our community partners. Stay tuned for 2027 Summer Camp details that will be available on National Camp Day, November 19!
We are all working together to grow our resources so our Girl Scout families can continue having unique experiences at camp, serving their communities, and making the world a better place. At the 2026 Chair’s Award Dinner for Juliette Circle Donors, we reached our fundraising goal and maximized a generous matching gift from one of our GSCP2P volunteers, proving what our community can do when we come together. We are so grateful for the generosity and support across our Movement. This incredible momentum is exactly what we need as we look toward our critical End-of-Year fundraising goals. While the Chair’s Dinner success gives GSCP2P a headstart, we still have milestones to reach by December 31, 2026, to ensure we keep pace with last year’s support. There are many ways to give to our council, and I encourage you to support our efforts and share these giving opportunities with your network.
We have so many great programs to offer this fall and winter, so I encourage you to check out our Fall Program Guide with your Girl Scouts and find experiences that work for you. Girl Scouts who are interested in growing their leadership and entrepreneurial skills can still participate in the Fall Product Program! There are two weeks remaining in the program, and this is a great way to help build start-up funds for your Girl Scout adventures ahead.
New this year for volunteers are the updated editions of Volunteer Essentials and Safety Activity Checkpoints. These publications can be found on our website under the Forms and Documents page and will guide you to ensure the safety and well-being of all members.
Girl Scouts is where courage, confidence, and character grow, and I’m excited to see how we grow together in the year ahead. Thank you for being here!
Elaine Loyack
CEO, Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont
Last Week of Say Yes to the Vest
“Say Yes to the Vest” and get ready for the Girl Scout adventures ahead with a new uniform! Shop at the Asheville, Gastonia, Hickory, and Triad service centers now through October 29 to enjoy a complimentary drawstring bag and patch with each full uniform purchase! Find our addresses and hours of operation.
Registrations Closing This Week
Several training courses for adult volunteers have registrations closing this week! Save your spot by Wednesday, October 28 and join us in Hickory on Saturday, November 7 to earn your Basic Camping Skills License. Already have this license? Come and earn your Primitive Camping License! Registrations for our First Aid/CPR Certification courses happening in Hickory on Thursday, November 12 and in Gastonia on Saturday, November 14 close this week as well.
Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors can attend the virtual Golden Spoon Society: Harvest Flavors meeting on Tuesday, November 3. Explore holiday traditions from around the world, share favorite dishes and family customs, and prepare a simple appetizer you can recreate for Thanksgiving or another holiday gathering. Save your spot by Friday, October 30!
Girl Scouts of all ages are invited to discover how fish, plants, water, and people work together to create a sustainable growing system at one of our aquaponics events with 100 Gardens! Girl Scouts will create their own mini aquaponics systems to take home and continue growing and learning. Registrations for our Charlotte event closes Friday, October 30.
Registrations for Safe Sitter Essentials happening on Saturday, November 7 in Forest City will also close this Friday, October 30. Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors can earn their Safe Sitter patch and certificate while learning childcare, safety, first aid, and business skills through lessons, games, and discussions.
Hopper’s Fall Product Tips
The Fall Product Program is a great way for Girl Scouts to learn business skills while earning start up funds for the amazing Girl Scout year ahead. In addition to troop proceeds, Girl Scouts who participate can earn Nut Bucks and other reward items. Plus, troops who participate in the 2026 Fall Product Program and sell at least 100 items will receive an additional $0.05 per package of cookies sold during the upcoming Girl Scout Cookie Program.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to create your avatar and online storefront! Enjoy customizing your avatar and submit your design into our Avatar Fashion Show. Our mascot, Hopper, has some tips for Fall Product Program success:
- Review your sales pitch! Do you need to adjust your messaging now that you are only accepting online orders for direct ship through November 9? Use a sense of urgency to your advantage and remind people that time is running out to support you.
- Review your product catalog! Encourage customers to check holiday shopping off their list while supporting you at the same time. Are there certain products people might enjoy as a gift? Give your recommendation! You can encourage gifts that support the love of reading by mentioning a few popular magazine titles available in your product catalog!
- Review your distribution channels! Have you tried various methods of communication like face-to-face, e-mail, text, or phone calls? With your parent’s permission, you can even post on social media to increase visibility of your efforts. Did you know that you can create a QR code online for free? That could be helpful to have on hand for any face-to-face conversations now that your paper order card is no longer being used!
Help Beautify Camp
Calling all camp lovers! Come spend the day at Keyauwee Program Center in Sophia on Saturday, December 5 for a Volunteer Workday. Enjoy lunch on us and work on beautification projects such as painting, landscaping, and trail maintenance. This event is open to all community members and Girl Scouts of all ages, but we will also have a special Brownie Bookclub at the Barn. In addition to riding time, Girl Scout Brownies can explore the literary device onomatopoeia through horse-themed learning stations and hands-on activities.
The Volunteer Workday that was originally scheduled for Camp Pisgah on Saturday, November 7 has been cancelled, but we welcome volunteers to come out and help beautify camp on a day convenient for you! Please contact info@girlscoutsp2p.org to organize dates and projects for your group.
Experience Historic Traditions at Old Salem
Enjoy a Candle Tea at the historic Single Brothers House of Old Salem on Saturday, December 12. Learn about the early Moravians’ daily activities, the earliest public water system in the United States, and how the young people in Salem were educated. Watch a candle-making demonstration, hear Christmas carolers, and visit the amazing Salem Putz and nativity scene.
Where Community Grows: Good Turn for Goodwill
Every year in the fall, Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont and Goodwill Industries partner together to kick off the annual Good Turn for Goodwill service project. This service project teaches girls about Goodwill’s employment and training programs and how the donations they give to the organization help to support these efforts. Find full details on how to participate and earn the patch on our blog!
More discoveries await! Use our Community Partner Directory to schedule unique experiences for your troop.
Adult Volunteer Resources & Trainings
Spring troop camping reservations at Camp Pisgah and Keyauwee Program Center are open! Bring your Girl Scouts to Camp Pisgah in Brevard or Keyauwee Program Center in Sophia for an outdoor experience to remember. Learn about what to expect, prices, amenities, and lodging from our Troop Camping and Service Unit Camporee Guide. Then, make your reservation in CampLife! Visit the Volunteer Outdoor Resources webpage to get started.
Wanting to reserve a less rustic space? Our Girl Scout Experience Centers located in the Asheville and Triad Girl Scout Service Centers are available for reservation! This free resource for GSCP2P members is ideal for unique meetings and sleepovers. Traveling across our footprint can be fun and affordable!
Upcoming Adult Programs:
Basic Camping Skills License
Saturday, November 7
Hickory, NC
Register by October 28.
Primitive Camping License
Saturday, November 7
Hickory, NC
Register by October 28.
VIRTUAL: Basic Camping Skills License Renewal
Monday, November 9
Register by November 2.
VIRTUAL: Troop Cookie Manager Training
Monday, November 9
VIRTUAL: Cookies 101
Thursday, November 12
Hybrid First Aid/CPR Certification
Thursday, November 12
Hickory, NC
Register by October 29.
Hybrid First Aid/CPR Certification
Saturday, November 14
Gastonia, NC
Register by October 30.
VIRTUAL: Troop Cookie Manager Training
Thursday, November 19
VIRTUAL: Cookies 101
Monday, November 23
VIRTUAL: Lead the Change: Highest Awards Info Night!
Monday, November 23
Register by November 22.
Upcoming Programs at a Glance
VIRTUAL: Adventure Awaits: Your Passport to Girl Scout Destinations!
Tuesday, November 3
Register by November 1.
VIRTUAL: The Golden Spoon Society
Tuesday, November 3
Register by October 30.
Safe Sitter Essentials
Saturday, November 7
Forest City, NC
Register by October 30.
VIRTUAL: Chapter Chats
Monday, November 9
Register by November 8.
VIRTUAL: Gold Award Training
Tuesday, November 10
Register by November 8.
Trailside Treasures: Outdoor Art
Saturday, November 14
Sophia, NC
Register by November 9.
Safe@Home by Safe Sitter
Sunday, November 15
Greensboro, NC
Register by November 1.
VIRTUAL: Safe Sitter Babysitting Course
Wednesday, November 18 – Thursday, November, 19
Register by November 1.
Craft and Tinker Badge Day
Saturday, November 21
Asheville, NC
Register by November 13.
No Horse? No Problem! Model Horse Artist
Saturday, November 21
Sophia, NC
Register by November 14.
VIRTUAL: Lead the Change: Highest Awards Info Night!
Monday, November 23
Register by November 22.
School’s Out, Camp Out
Wednesday, November 25
Sophia, NC
Register by November 11.
VIRTUAL: Gold Award Training
Wednesday, December 2
Register by November 30.
Cookie Expo
Saturday, December 5
Winston-Salem, NC
Register by November 23.
Brownie Book Club at the Barn
Saturday, December 5
Sophia, NC
Register by December 8.
VIRTUAL: Safe@Home by Safe Sitter
Monday, December 7
Register by November 23.
Trailblazer Chefs: Outdoor Cooking
Saturday, December 12
Sophia, NC
Register by December 5.
