Ongoing Program Activities

Girl Scouts of Citrus Council has several community partners where girls can participate in educational programs throughout the year.  Be sure to check out these opportunities!


Camp Out Under the World’s Largest Rocket!  (Grades 2-9)

Saturn V rocketBring your sleeping bags and dream under the gigantic Apollo/ Saturn V Rocket. Learn about the past and future of space exploration. Meet and talk with an astronaut, perform a hands-on, minds-on Team Engineering Challenge, enjoy a private screening of a 3D IMAX film and learn the details behind NASA’s new Constellation Program - all led by our Overnight Adventure instructors. Program includes pizza dinner, midnight snack and continental breakfast. Exclusive Girl Scout Program will offer Try-It, Badge and IP links.

In the Spring there will be a two day program offered with this camp out and the Salute to Girl Scouts – watch for details in E-views or on Citrus Council’s website.

General Information
Date: Private Overnight Adventures available upon request
Location: Kennedy Space Center
Time: 4 p.m. (Day One) to 9:30 a.m. (Day Two)
Minimum Group Size: 10
Maximum: 220 Girl Scouts and adults
Cost: $85 (plus tax) per Girl Scout, $65 (plus tax) per adult (1:5 ratio)
Register with community partner: www.kennedyspacecenter.com or (321) 449-4400


Swim with the Manatees       (J and above)

This adventure begins at Crystal River, Florida where you’ll enjoy a presentation introducing you to manatees as well as Florida’s guidelines for in-water Manatee encounters. Then you’ll get fitted for your wetsuit and issued equipment including mask, fins and snorkel. Snorkeling instruction is your next step - then it’s off to a chance of a lifetime where you’ll enter the water and snorkel face-to-face with these gentle giants in their natural habitat. Crystal River is home to the largest wintering population of Florida Manatees, so participants are sure to have the most exciting day ever! Best time to see manatees is in the winter and early spring (before March) and yes it’s cold at this time of year – but with the wetsuit on it’s a very comfortable temperature – so no worries mate! Note: Participants must know how to swim to participate. Minimum of 12 participants for this program – with 36 you get free charter bus transportation. Register with partner: Sea Education Adventures:
Website: www.seaeducationadventures.com or
E-mail: seaventuresme@aol.com or Toll free: (800) 892-2364


Florida Keys Marine Science Program      (J and above)

This adventure offers a spectacular look at Florida’s aquatic environment. It is designed to instill an understanding of Florida’s aquatic environment while at the same time increasing the awareness of man’s enormous impact on our fragile resources. The program focus is on the biological, ecological and geological study of Pigeon Key (near Marathon) and it’s surrounding waters and reefs in the Florida Keys. Your adventure will begin by dropping off your luggage and getting right down to business with an educational seminar including Pigeon Key Island historical program, nocturnal eco-systems, charter boat trip with snorkeling on a beautiful coral reef, snorkeling around the island to collect specimens to take back to touch tanks to do investigations and research, tidal study (of course while snorkeling). Note: Participants must know how to swim to participate. Minimum of 12 participants for this program. Register with partner: Sea Education Adventures
Website: www.seaeducationadventures.com
E-mail: seaventuresme@aol.com or Toll free: (800) 892-2364


Rainbow River Snorkel Adventure    (J and above)

snorkelingThis adventure offers a spectacular look at Florida’s freshwater ecology. The program is designed to instill an understanding of Florida’s freshwater environment while at the same time increasing the awareness of man’s enormous impact on our fragile resources. The program focus is on the biological, ecological and geological study of the beautiful Rainbow River on the west coast of Florida. The program includes a variety of animal and plant species as well as the physical properties of the river. You’ll begin with an educational and safety brief, a discussion of wildlife observation techniques and review of usage of snorkeling equipment. When you enter the water you will receive additional instruction on snorkeling. The majority of the day will be spent on the river with face-to-face encounters with the many species of fish and wildlife, while snorkeling the crystal clear springs and river. For your snorkeling adventure you’ll take a short boat trip up the river and enter the water in groups and drift down the river where the average visibility is in excess of 200-feet while floating with the slow moving current. Lodging and food can be arranged for this trip with Sea Ed. Adventures. Note: Participants must know how to swim to participate.  Minimum of 12 participants for this program – with 36 you get free charter bus transportation. Register with community partner: Sea Education Adventures, Website: http://seaventuresme@aol.com
E-mail: seaventuresme@aol.com or Toll free: (800) 892-2364


Billie Swamp Safari at the Seminole Tribal Village

What a fun and exciting way to spend a weekend – with the Seminole Indian Tribe in the Florida Everglades at Big Cypress Seminole Reservation. You’ll experience sleeping in a native-style Indian chickee lodge (How cool is that?), then you can choose from a long list of activities: day swamp buggy eco-tour, Birds of Prey and Critter educational workshops, campfire story telling, Native American tools and a night swamp buggy eco-tour (the night buggy tour is so totally more exciting than the day tour) to name a few. If this doesn’t sound exciting – then you can design your own educational program with the staff from Billie Swamp. 

Register with community partner: Seminole Tribe at (800) 949-6101 or e-mail: safari@semtribe.com and be sure to ask for their Special Educational and group rates. You can take your own food or they have meal plans available thru the Swamp Water Café. The Ah Tiki Museum is also well worth the extra time and expense.
 

Florida Eco-Safaris

Join the staff of Forever Florida and Florida Eco-Safaris for a one hour guided eco-safari through one of the most beautiful ranches in Florida. You’ll travel through the Crescent J Ranch “a real working ranch” and learn about Florida’s rich ranching history, along with the Spanish cultural influences. You’ll see real cracker horses and cattle, along with other sites of a real working ranch. You’ll then travel through the 3,200 acre wildlife preserve, which is a strong element to preserving Florida’s rich history. While in the nature preserve you’ll learn about the different Eco-Systems and management techniques used to protect them. This tour is a really great balance of the historical side of ranching and wildlife conservation. And don’t forget Forever Florida is one of ourapproved horse stables – so take advantage of a day of great activities while being down home on the ranch.General Information: 7.5 Miles South of Holopaw (US192 & 441) (Osceola County) 1 hour eco-safari available plus lots of other exciting things on the ranch.
Register with community partner: Florida Eco-Safari at (407) 957-9794 or (888) 957-9794 toll free or visit website   www.floridaecosafaris.com.


Day at the Zoo          (B J)

Bring your troop for an outing at the Brevard Zoo!  Attend a program, earn a Brevard Zoo patch, then walk the zoo.  Choose from the Animals Try-It or Watching Wildlife Try-It for Girl Scout Brownies and Plants and Animals badge or Wildlife badge for Girl Scout Juniors.  Visit www.brevardzoo.org for more Girl Scout opportunities. Register with community partner by calling (321) 254-9453, ext. 219.


Central Florida Dance Center       

The Central Florida Dance Center is offering workshops at their beautiful new facility in Winter Garden. These workshops have been specifically designed to fulfill the requirements for the Dancercise Try-It and the Dance Badge. Daisies are welcome, too! These workshops are one hour in length and may be scheduled on Friday or Saturday afternoons. Please call to set up your troop's workshop!
Date: Ongoing
Location: Winter Garden
Cost: $12 per girl
Register with Community Partner:  Central Florida Dance Center at (407) 656-8131.


Hats, Teas & History Try-It Days      (D B)

teapot clip artJoin the Maitland Historical Society for a tour of the Waterhouse Residence Museum and a tea party! Each year the Maitland Historical Society sets aside one weekend just for Brownie and Daisy Girl Scouts. You’ll enjoy the view at beautiful Lake Lily Park as you participate in four activities that will help you earn your Manners Try-It. Activities include the opportunity to decorate your own Victorian Style hat, the chance to tour the historic Waterhouse Residence Museum built in 1884, a fun-filled lesson on manners of the past and today, and a tea party. Your tea party will feature tea sandwiches, a variety of cookies and sweets, and a variety of flavored teas all served on beautiful mixed and matched china. You’ll go home with your Manners Try-It in hand, a Maitland Historical Society patch, and a newly decorated hat. Daisies are welcome, too!
Location: Maitland Historical Society, 840 Lake Lily Dr., Maitland
Min/Max Girls: 20/60
Cost: $12 per girl. 
Register with Community Partner: (407) 644-2451 or
e-mail: jnash@maitlandhistory.org.


Maile School of Imaging

  • Image & Manners- ages 6 to 17 years: Look and feel your best, Dining Manners & Social Etiquette ($20 per girl) 2 hour class

  • Posture & Runway-Ages 6 to 17 years: Proper Introductions, Building Confidence, Poise & Beginning Runway ($5 per girl) 2 hour class

  • Public Speaking-Ages 6 to 17 years: Speaking in front of a group, Building Confidence, Video Taping and Critique ($5 per girl) 2 hour class

  • Make Up & Skin Care: Ages 11 to 18 years: Ways to take care of your skin and Proper make up application. Make up and Skin Care products provided by The Maile School. All students receive their very own set make up brushes to keep ($22 per girl) 2 hour class

  • Commercials & Acting: Ages 6 to 17 years: Performing on camera, Cold Reads, Slating and Building Confidence ($5 per girl) 2 hour class
  • Each session has a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 25 except the make up class the maximum is 22 due to space availability.


Register with Community Partner:  Debby Tapia, (407) 628-5989, ext. 13.  Located in Winter Park.


KSC Student Astronaut Training Experience   (B and above)

Student ATX immerses your Girl Scouts in the world of today’s astronaut as they experience a mission simulation and hands-on space activities. At the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, Girl Scouts engage in space exploration briefings, hands-on training, motion-based simulators and a full-scale Space Shuttle mission simulation, all designed to prepare your Girl Scouts for the rigors of spaceflight. This program is designed for teams of 13 – so get your friends together to be in the same mission crew. If you don’t have 13 – no problem – they’ll put you in with other non-Girl Scout participants.
Date: SATX’s available upon request.
Location: U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame
Times: Arrival 9 a.m., 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Cost: $45.00 (plus tax) per Girl Scout, Non-participant chaperone rate of $17.00 (plus tax), which includes admission to the U.S. Astronaut of Fame.
Register with Community Partner: www.kennedyspacecenter.com or (321) 449-4400


Orlando Ballet Family Series             (All Ages)

Orlando Ballet is offering Girl Scouts a chance to see beautiful performances of favorite stories. Enjoy a discounted prince to all performances, and meet-n-greets with the dancers. Earn portions of the Dancercise Try-It, Dance Badge or Performing Arts Interest Project. Performances take place in both Orlando and Tampa.
Date: Visit www.orlandoballet.org for performance schedule.
Location: Orlando
Cost: The Nutcracker: $15; The Little Mermaid: $12; Peter and the Wolf: $12; Romeo & Juliet; $12. Contact partner for specific dates.
Register with Community Partner: Ashley Wellsey at awillsey@orlandoballet.org or call (407) 426-1733 ext. 18.


University of Central Florida Sky Scouts      (Grades 2- 12)

woman with telescope clip artGirl Scouts can explore the beauty of the sky with students from The University of Central Florida and the UCF Astronomy Society. Your adventure will include hands-on learning activities as well as the chance to use the incredible telescope in the university’s dome. Registrations will be accepted by grade level – so please let them know when you register what your grade is. They must keep the dates separated by age level so the activities are the same. Brownies will earn their Space Explorer Try-It, Junior’s will earn their Sky Search Badge and Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors will work toward their Space Exploration IP. Girls who complete the requirements will receive their badge that night.
Date: On-going beginning August 15
Location: UCF Robinson Observatory (just off Alafaya Trail near University)
Other: Girls may register individually but must have a chaperone.
Max Girls and Adults: 24 – (2 adults per troop please – see note)
Cost: $7 per girl – includes Try-It, Patch, snack and drink.
Register with Community Partner: ucfskyscout@gmail.com

Note: Due to the limited capacity of this site – please register no more than two adults per troop. Additional adults may drop-off and pick-up but we must remain within our capacity and serve as many girls as possible. There will be facilitators who contribute to the girl/adult ratio of the event for Safety-Wise standards.