Don't Miss These Upcoming Events and Activities!

The year is quickly coming to a close and there are many fun things still to do...mark your calendars!


Sarah's Leveling-Up Skating Event is Saturday, April 1st at Central Coast Sports Arena (937 Thornburg St. Santa Maria - behind fairgrounds). $9.00 per person w/o skate rental. $11.00 per person w/skate rental. Roller skates AND roller blades are available. No need to wear uniform. For information contact Melissa Girges.

Santa Maria Main Library Tour is Monday, April 3rd at 10:00 a.m. - this is fulfills a requirement for the Book Adventurer badge. For information, contact Melissa Girges.

Katie's Leveling-up Singing Event at Merrill Gardens Senior Living is tentatively scheduled for Monday, April 17th at 4:00 (1220 Suey Rd. Santa Maria). SIGN UP at the next meeting. We need to have at least 10 girls otherwise we'll shoot for another day. Uniforms will be worn. For information, contact Jill Martin.

Pine Grove Baptist Church holds an annual Easter Egg Hunt Community Outreach every year. Hundreds of children hunt for eggs at the elementary school across the street and then come to the church for a free hot dog lunch and bounce house fun.


The church has asked if our troop could help fill plastic eggs with candy. We need 4,000 eggs filled and a few members of our congregation are busy doing just that. We are being asked to fill whatever eggs remain unfilled before the event.

So, following our regular meeting on Monday, March 27th, anyone who would like to help out and earn some service hours can stay and fill eggs. Since it is dinner time, feel free to bring a snack or a "sack dinner" to have first. It will be a time of serving and fellowship!

There will be a sign-up sheet at tomorrow's meeting so that we can have an idea of how many helpers we will have.

If you would also like to donate plastic eggs or bags of candy (individually wrapped, no hard candies) or non-candy prizes (erasers, balloons, etc)., then please bring them to the meeting.

Getting Ready For a Camping Adventure

Some Changes to Note...

Just a reminder that Mrs. G will be out of town this week so there will be NO Pray Program activities at the upcoming meeting (2/13).

Also, the Foodbank Service Project originally planned for 2/11 has been postponed. The new date is currently being determined and there will be a sign-up sheet at upcoming meetings.

Theater Badge Field Trip

We have a field trip scheduled for a backstage tour at PCPA Theater with the opportunity to visit the costume, scenery and prop shops as well if there is interest and time. Our tour guide will be Actor & PCPA Director, Mark Booher.

Note: this is a backstage tour and NOT a viewing of the performance.

When: Friday, December 16th at 3:30 (Arrive by 3:15 - I imagine it would be about an hour)
Where: Marian and Severson Theater at Allan Hancock College Campus

This outing is offered troop-wide and there will be leader supervision.

Whether you are working on this badge or not, you can still note any requirements you complete in case you work on this badge at a later date. There are several potential requirements that could be completed here - check your handbook and see what questions you should ask for credit - come with a list.

For details, see:
#7 (Explorers) - backstage tour
#10 (Any age) - visit costume shop
#11 (Any age) - learn about behind-the-scenes jobs (lighting, directing, make-up, props, etc)
#12 (Any age) - Interview an actor or actress
#13 (Pi/Pat) - backstage tour plus attend the performance (you'll have to do that on your own - #5 for all ages is also attendance of a performance)

Badge Idea - Take Advantage of the Rich Chumash History in Our Area!

As most people who live here know, the Central Coast is rich in Native American History! If you're trying to decide what badge to work on next, why not consider the Native American Badge?

Pounding Acorns for a Native
 American Meal

Requirement #5 - Learn about Squanto: Thanksgiving is the perfect time to study this famous figure in history and how he helped the Pilgrims.

Requirement #7 (Explorers) - Visit a Museum: Did you know the Lompoc Museum has a substantial collection of Chumash and other Native American artifacts? This is also a good place to visit for Requirement #8 which has you researching a local tribe.

Chumash Painted Cave

The Lompoc Museum is one of several outings you can take to thoroughly research many of the requirements for this badge at all AHG levels. You can also view authentic cave painting at the Chumash Painted Cave off Highway 154 and learn a lot from the Chumash displays at La Purisima Mission (go anytime or check their calendar for living history events with hands on Chumash activities).

*Note: the time spent at the Painted Cave can be measured in minutes - there's barely "side-of-the-road" parking for 3 cars and there's only one place to view the art. It can be a quick stop-over on your way from Santa Maria/Lompoc to Santa Barbara. HOWEVER, the dry riverbed full of rocks across the road was an endless fascination for my kids. Can anyone say "Geology Badge?"

Take the whole family and have fun with this one!

Remember to check-off and date any badge requirements that you do even if you are not officially working on the badge - you'll be that much closer if at some point you do decide to complete it.

Community Caroling and Fellowship!

In the spirit of "loving our neighbor," we are planning a Christmas Caroling outing in the neighborhood surrounding Pine Grove Baptist Church.We will simply stroll down a few streets, spreading Christmas joy for an hour or so. Then we'll head over to the church for hot chocolate and cider!

When: Saturday, December 12th - meet at 5:30

Where:  Meet at the intersection of Sagecrest and Alderwood (lots of parking on Alderwood - Trilogy neighborhood off of Rice Ranch)
Details: Wear uniform but bring a sweater and comfortable shoes - festive hats are encouraged; plan to have an early dinner at home first; we will be meeting up at the church afterwards for hot chocolate and treats so, if you would like, bring a Christmas treat to share. If you want, you can drop off any cookie/snack plates at the church at 5:15 on your way to the meet-up location

This is to be a special time for our girls to simply have fun with each other while fun celebrating our Lord and Savior.

Can We Impact Lives? You Bet We Can!

In looking up the details for caroling at Atterdag Village, I noticed some photos that looked familiar! Our recent service at the Veteran's Day Celebration on 11/11 was noted on their website (to see what they said about Erling Grumstup, click here). They even mentioned the loving gift of a retired American flag star mounted, framed, and distributed by our own Patriot, Mollie.

This is just a reminder that every simple act of love and kindness WILL impact someone's life, even if it doesn't wind up on the internet. Keep up the good work of spreading the love of Jesus wherever we go!

Blessing Seniors This Christmas

Would you like to join with our sister troop in Santa Ynez to bring Christmas joy to the elderly?

Atterdag Village 2015

What:  Christmas Caroling
Where:  Atterdag Village Retirement Center, 636 Atterdag Road, Solvang
When: December 5th, 4:00 p.m.
Details:  Wear your AHG uniform, Christmas hats and adornments encouraged. Plan to arrive a little early.

For Your Information...

Thank you for remembering to sign your daughters in and out on meeting days! 

Some may not have noticed the other sign-up sheets on the back tables. These are to help us know who and how many will be participating in various activities and service opportunities. They are also there to help communicate with YOU so that you can know what opportunities are on the Horizon.

If you aren't already in the habit of checking the back table, make sure you stop there each meeting and let us know:

1) if you have a Tenderheart or Explorer who needs to present badgework completed at home (sign-up for the preferred meeting date).

2) if you are planning to attend any of the upcoming service opportunities or family activities (put your daughter's/family's name on the appropriate sign-up sheet).