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The HeartBeat Newsletter - April '26

My journey in Girl Scouts began when I first moved to Hillsborough, NJ. As a new student in the second grade, I was terrified at the thought of leaving behind my friends and joining a new school. However, after meeting my Girl Scouts troop not long after, I realized that no matter how new everything might feel, I had just joined a group of girls I could call my best friends. Looking back on my early days as a Brownie, as I now enter my second year of college, Girl Scouts has helped me grow beyond what I could have ever first imagined.

Some of my fondest early memories of Girl Scouts include our weekly troop meetings, when we would get together and delve into our Journey books, reading each page aloud. Volunteering at local Christmas Carols, annually taking part in World Thinking Day, and spending Sundays crocheting hats for cancer patients as a part of our Silver Award project taught me early on that community is not just something you are a part of, but is something that you build and nurture.

When I got to high school, I began realizing the importance of women’s empowerment, as I felt a lack of community guiding me and my peers through our teenage years. But realizing that Girl Scouts had been the community that had helped me grow, I was determined to help bring it back and encourage more scouts to stay.

Alongside my fellow Girl Scout board members and GSHNJ Girl Experience Managers, I’ve been able to play a key role in the formation of our annual Teen Leadership Summit event. From our program’s inception in 2022 to today, the Teen Leadership Summit has connected over one hundred and fifty Girl Scouts across our footprint to engage in a day of leadership and professional development. As the first Girl Scout Advisor to date, and as our board chairperson, I’ve been able to empower my fellow scouts in middle and high school to reconnect with our Girl Scouts community, while also building skills in effective leadership, event planning, and outreach.

Girl Scouts has shaped so much of who I am and identify as today. In high school, I was able to intern with GSHNJ’s Fund Development team as an AI and Fund Development intern. In this role, I got to connect my interests in emerging technologies with my passion for women’s empowerment, and it helped build my foundational interests in finance and technology. Today, at New York University, I’m studying finance and computing/data science, with a minor in public policy and management, where I’m building on the same key interests and experiences that Girl Scouts helped me create.

Though I’m no longer a youth member, as a Girl Scout alum I will continue to stay involved with the Teen Leadership Summit, mentor scouts around our council, and embody the principles of change-making and leadership that I’ve learned. Girl Scouts helped me become who I am today—from a timid new student to a college leader—and it also helped me understand the person I want to be in the future.

Where Girl Scouts Met History Face-to-Face

Women’s History came to life this March as Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey welcomed Speranza Theatre to the Girl Scouts Leadership Center for a special performance of In Her Footsteps—an immersive experience that asked: what if history stood right in front of you?

Girl Scouts came face to face with trailblazing women including Nellie Bly, Alice Paul, Shirley Chisholm, and Dolores Huerta. Through live performances and audience engagement, history became something they could see, hear and connect to in a deeply personal way. Special guests Assemblywoman Katie Brennan, Dr. Dionne Ledford, Executive Director & Superintendent of Roseville Community Charter School, and Sara Peña, Director of External Affairs North for PSEG helped bring that connection even closer, sharing their own experiences and reinforcing that leadership and change are happening right now.

Through this powerful partnership with Speranza Theatre, Girl Scouts experienced more than a performance— they saw what’s possible. By connecting the past to present, they were reminded that voices, actions and leadership can shape what comes next.

February brought energy, excitement, and a whole lot of cookies to Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey as we celebrated another incredible Cookie Season—highlighted by our high-impact Mega Drops!

Throughout the month, Mega Drops served as a vital hub for troops picking up inventory, ensuring Girl Scouts across our council had what they needed for a successful season.

This year’s success was made even sweeter thanks to our corporate volunteer partners. Employees from Peapack Private Bank & Trust, Construction Specialties, AmeriCorps, and Chase Bank rolled up their sleeves—organizing orders, directing traffic and loading cars, turning a complex operation into a fun, smooth and collaborative experience.

Because of their support, hundreds of thousands of packages reached Girl Scouts efficiently and safely—fueling confidence, business skills, and goal-setting.

Cookie season is more than a box of Thin Mints® or Peanut Butter Patties®. It’s about leadership, perseverance, financial literacy, and community connection. And our Mega Drops are a powerful example of what happens when that community shows up.

School Partner Spotlight: Orange Public Schools

Since Fall 2023, GSHNJ has partnered with Orange Public Schools to bring the Girl Scout Leadership Experience directly into their afterschool programs. Today, more than 80 Girl Scouts across four school sites are building confidence, connection, and leadership skills through troops led by dedicated Orange Public Schools staff.

“Partnering with Girl Scouts provides students with valuable opportunities for teamwork and personal growth. Even early on, we’ve seen excitement and engagement—it’s laying a foundation for lifelong skills.”— Mr. Barry Devone, Community Engagement Officer, Orange Public School District

Thanks to support from Amwell Conservation Trust, Girl Scouts in the Amwell area of Hunterdon County are experiencing the outdoors in new, meaningful ways.

Girl Scout Service Unit 86, which serves 194 girls across Stockton, Lambertville, Kingwood Township, Delaware Township, Frenchtown, East Amwell, and West Amwell, has long prioritized outdoor education and environmental stewardship. Through the “Every Girl Outdoors” initiative, this support reduces financial barriers, covering supplies, program fees, and badge costs so every Girl Scout can participate in hands-on outdoor experiences.

Our members are horseback riding local trails, creating art inspired by nature, and paddling nearby waterways, building confidence, curiosity, and connection to the natural world.

In Southern Hunterdon County, that “backyard” stretches from preserved lands to the Delaware River.

For older Girl Scouts in Trailblazer Troop 80400, that access is opening even bigger opportunities. They include a multi-day Delaware River expedition, and partnerships with Hackensack Riverkeeper to connect kayaking experiences with badgework.

This is the power of donor support.

When organizations like the Amwell Conservation Trust invest in Girl Scouts, they’re not just funding activities, they’re opening doors to discovery, leadership, and stewardship. Together, we are cultivating a generation ready to care for—and lead—the world around them.

Targeted generosity can create lasting, visible change—and at Camp Lou Henry Hoover, it has done just that. Thanks to restricted donations designated for camp improvements, an aging dock has been fully replaced, creating a safer, more accessible waterfront experience for Girl Scouts.

For years, the dock system has served as a central hub for outdoor exploration, but time and wear had begun to limit its use. Because donors chose to invest in this critical need, the camp was able to complete this project without delay, preserving a cornerstone of the summer camp experience.

This summer, Girl Scouts will once again gather at the waterfront to swim, connect, and create lasting memories. More than a physical upgrade, the new dock expands opportunity—supporting outdoor learning, building independence, and strengthening the experiences that define Girl Scouts. As longtime donor Debbi Zvanut shared, “I like to donate to organizations that mean a lot to me and I know are making a positive impact... With such a beautiful lake, it makes sense to have the waterfront equipment be the best.”

This is the impact of donor support—strengthening programs today and ensuring future generations can learn, lead, and thrive outdoors.

Celebrating the Heart of Girl Scouts: Our Volunteers

April is National Volunteer Month—an opportunity to recognize the extraordinary individuals who bring our mission to life every day.

On April 22, National Girl Scout Leaders’ Day, our council will proudly celebrate more than 100 exceptional volunteers at our annual Volunteer Recognition Awards dinner at the Bridgewater Manor. From dedicated troop leaders and service unit teams to passionate committee members and valued community partners, these honorees reflect the spirit and impact of volunteerism.

Together, they help bring the Girl Scout Leadership Experience to more than 13,000 Girl Scouts across our council—building confidence, strengthening community connection, and shaping the next generation.

Each year, the Women of Vision Awards Breakfast—Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey’s signature event—brings together a powerful community of leaders, advocates, and supporters who believe in the potential of every Girl Scout.

On Tuesday, May 12, 2026, we will gather to celebrate individuals whose leadership reflects the values Girl Scouts build in every member: courage, confidence, and character. These leaders are making a lasting impact in their fields and communities, serving as powerful examples of what’s possible.

Their leadership not only shapes industries—it helps illuminate a path forward for girls across New Jersey and beyond.

Support of this event fuels the mission of Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey—ensuring our youth members have access to transformative experiences that build confidence, expand opportunities, and inspire them to lead with integrity.

Join us as we honor today’s leaders and invest in the next generation.

Learn more—attend, support, engage: Women of Vision 2026

Leading Change: The Gold Award Class of 2026

This May, our community will come together for a truly special occasion—celebrating 34 remarkable young leaders as they are inducted into the Gold Award Class of 2026.

As the highest achievement in Girl Scouting, the Gold Award reflects extraordinary vision, dedication, and leadership. Each recipient has designed and led a sustainable, high-impact project addressing issues that matter deeply in their communities—from environmental conservation to mental health advocacy and beyond.

Earning the Gold Award is no small feat. Fewer than six percent of Girl Scouts nationwide reach this milestone, completing a rigorous, multi-step process that challenges them to think critically, lead boldly, and create lasting change.

Behind each project is a story of passion, perseverance, and purpose—making a meaningful difference across our region.

Surrounded by proud families, mentors, and community leaders, we look forward to honoring their achievements and celebrating the bright future they are helping to shape.

Ten years ago, a passionate group of volunteers opened the doors of the Girl Scout Museum in Westfield, NJ. Today, the museum continues to bring Girl Scout history, leadership, and learning to life for members and our broader community.

The museum showcases a rich collection of Girl Scout heritage, including memorabilia, uniforms, cookie tins, and artifacts dating back to the early 1900s. Each piece connects visitors to the legacy of Girl Scouting—locally, nationally, and globally.

Volunteers Dolores Kresge, Sherley Penrose, and Nancy Avery have been at the heart of the museum since its founding, dedicating their time to preserving and sharing this history. Their commitment continues to inspire others to get involved and the museum welcomes new volunteers interested in serving as Girl Scout Historians.

Alumni, staff, and volunteers are invited to visit the museum free of charge welcomed by appointment.

Every girl deserves the opportunity to discover her strengths, build confidence, and lead with courage. You—and donors like you—make that possible.

Because of your support, Girl Scouts across New Jersey gain access to life-changing experiences, caring mentors, and a community where they are encouraged to grow, lead, and thrive. These moments don’t just shape their today—they define the leaders they will become.

But this impact only happens with you.

Your gift today fuels opportunity, unlocks potential, and ensures every girl has the support she needs to succeed.

Make your gift now—and be part of the reason she discovers just how powerful she truly is.

Contact The Heartbeat at FundDevelopment@GSHNJ.org

April 01, 2026