2025 September Program Alerts

You don't want to miss these upcoming opportunities! Opportunity funds are available.

Patch Point: Girl Scouts Love State Parks
Celebrate State Parks with Girl Scouts on Sept. 13-14! Explore location, national, and virtual opportunities to unlock a patch.

Patch Programs - Preorder Patches Only

Birthday Bags Community Service Project
October 2025
Daisies-Ambassadors
Deadline: October 27

Create birthday bags for local food pantries in honor of founder Juliette Gordon Low's birthday!

Read and Roam Southern Illinois Library Crawl
October 2025
Daisies-Ambassadors
Deadline: October 27

Discover the magic of libraries, earn a special reading patch, and take part in the Southern Illinois Library Crawl 2025!

STEMQuest Challenge Patch Program
November 2025-January 2026
Daisies-Ambassadors
Deadline: January 5

Join us for an exciting new challenge for Girl Scouts to explore science, technology, engineering, and math! STEMQuest empowers girls to think, build, and explore like real-world innovators.

Ferret Friends Forever Patch Program
Daisies-Ambassadors
November 2025-January 2026
Deadline: January 5

Dig into the world of this year's cookie season mascot - the black-footed ferret! Through hands-on activities, fun challenges, and engaging lessons, Girl Scouts will learn all about this adorable and endangered species.

Preferred Partner Spotlight

Cache Bayou Outfitters
Canoe on the Cache River with a guided instructor or Naturalist! Email them at cacheoutfitters@gmail.com or call 618-201-4090 to set up a guided tour!

St. Louis Zoo
Multiple badge opportunities are available! Private programs can be requested as well. Visit their website to learn more.

Upcoming Programs

Visionary Voices Chat
Cadettes-Ambassadors
September 25
Virtual
Deadline: September 15

Visionary Voices is a quarterly opportunity for older Girl Scouts to come together virtually to talk about their experiences and share their thoughts about future program opportunities. Note: Adult advisors are welcome to attend, but these sessions are girl-led.

Public Lands Day Tree Promise Planting at Douglas Hart Nature Center
Daisies-Ambassadors & Families
September 27
Mattoon, IL
Deadline: September 8

Celebrate Public Lands Day with Douglas Hart Nature Center! This event will bring Girl Scouts and their families together to enhance the local tree canopy and foster environmental stewardship.

BadgeBound: Innovating STEM at SIUE
Daisies-Brownies
Juniors-Seniors
October 4
Edwardsville, IL
Deadline: September 22

Earn STEM Badges with the SIUE STEM Outreach Center!

Highest Awards Overnight - TWO LOCATIONS
Cadettes-Ambassadors
October 10-11
Edwardsville, IL
Makanda, IL
Deadline: Sept. 29

Interested in earning your Girl Scout Gold Award or Girl Scout Silver Award? Come in with an idea and leave with an action plan! We'll also enjoy camp fun like archery and team-building. A few adult chaperones are needed.

Pumpkin Pals Family and Friends Day at Rainbow Ranch
Daisies-Ambassadors; Families & Friends
October 18
Nashville, IL
Deadline: September 22

Enjoy an all-ages fall celebration that is open to Girl Scouts, their families, and friends! Experience autumnal joy while picking pumpkins and exploring the petting zoo. Plus, Girl Scouts who bring a friend who is not currently a member will earn a special "Bring a Friend" patch.

The Great Girl Scout Science Bake-In: Zombie Cookies
Juniors-Ambassadors
October 26
Virtual
Deadline: October 13

This unique event blends the magic of holiday baking with engaging lessons in STEM! Get ready to mix, measure, and marvel at the wonders of science in the kitchen. Fun patches may be purchased after the event.

Destination Unknown: A Mystery Bus Adventure
Cadettes-Ambassadors
November 22
Bus departing from Mt. Vernon
Deadline: November 3

Set off on a bus trip to a mystery location in our council area. Explore, discover, and make unforgettable memories while enjoying a day of excitement planned by our Older Girl Advisory Board.

Women in STEM Webinar
Daisies-Ambassadors
November 7
Virtual or Satellite Location in Edwardsville
Deadline: November 3

Be inspired by professional women in STEM fields! Explore the endless possibilities found in STEM with first-hand experience to ask questions and gain advice.

Fall Fest
Daisies-Ambassadors; Families & Friends
November 8
Edwardsville, IL
Deadline: October 13

Girl Scouts, along with their families and friends, are invited out for a day of fall fun at Camp Torqua!

Fall Fest Overnight for Girl Volunteers
Cadettes-Ambassadors
November 8-9
Edwardsville, IL
Deadline: October 13

Older Girl Scouts who volunteer to help at Fall Fest can enjoy a fun overnight event at Camp Torqua!

The Great Girl Scout Science Bake-In: Thanksgiving Cookies
Juniors-Ambassadors
November 23
Virtual
Deadline: November 10

Unleash your inner scientist and innovative baker by exploring the science of the kitchen. We're making Thanksgiving pumpkin cookies! Fun patches may be purchased after the event.

Cookie Crew HQ

Cookie Crew HQ is the ultimate way to prepare, connect, and have a blast getting ready for the upcoming Girl Scout Cookie Program! This exciting new opportunity combines volunteer training with a fun girl program!

For Girls: Learn from sales experts and improv actors on how to confidently approach customers, craft the perfect sales pitch, and maximize your success. Want to test your skills live? Enter for a chance to take the stage and get real-time coaching from our improv pros!

For Adults: Get all the tools you need with seasonal cookie training, plus rally ideas to bring the cookie spirit back to your troops. There is no cost for adults; however, adult volunteers must register, whether they are attending with or without their troop.

Plus: Taste the delicious new cookie lineup, enjoy games and crafts, meet cookie vendors, visit our Council Shop, win prizes and more!

Sessions:

November 1: Olney
November 15: Mt. Vernon
November 22: Collinsville
November 22: Belleville
December 6: Carbondale

Please note: This Program Alert was last updated on August 28, 2025. Be sure to check our online Event Calendar for the most up-to-date information about Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois programs.