GNOMS: Girls Night Out for Middle Schoolers
Mercer Island Girl Scouts - GNOMS (Girls’ Night Out, Middle Schoolers)
2020-2021 Events
What is GNOMS? GNOMS is "Girls Night Out for Middle Schoolers" (pronounced like the little elf) -an event for middle school Girl Scouts - a time to hang out in a safe space. Adults do all the planning allowing the girls to have a stress-free night of fun with friends. Dinner is usually included.
When and where is GNOMS? GNOMS are once/month on Fridays from 6-9 pm.
GNOMS meet at Lutheran Redeemer, on Island Crest Way, depending on the activity.
Who can come? Any 6th, 7th, or 8th grade registered Girl Scout from Mercer Island! In June, we invite the 5th graders so they can see what GNOMS is all about.
Cost: varies per event, (which usually includes dinner) craft materials and fun! GS Scholarship available if needed.
Permission Form: Please complete the first two pages of this form and bring to event. This is necessary only once a year, we will save the forms. Click here for Permission form
GSUSA Teen Leadership Progression:
LiA – Leadership in Action. This is the first award for Cadette leadership. There are currently 3 templates for earning this, and all require working with younger girls and creating programming that matches up with younger girl Journeys. Girls can do this on their own or in a group. If girls and leaders are very focused and careful in following the requirements, they can earn this award when they create programming for Brownie Play Day. This takes planning, reminding, and oversight by leaders to make sure LiA requirements are met. The goal is for this program is to have girls to start thinking about and gaining experience creating programming for younger girls.
PA (Program Aide) Training – After earning their LiA, girls can take a PA Workshop through GSWW in the spring of their 6th grade year. Girls can sometimes take this training in conjunction with being a PA in Training (PAT) at the SBMI Day Camp in the summer between their 6th and 7th grade year.
PA – After a girl serves her 25 hours that she records in her PA Log Book she earns her PA pin and can serve as a PA on Mercer Island, or anywhere within GS. Hours can be earned on individual or group projects. Being a PAT at SBMI Day Camp earns girls approximately 11 hours.
Cadette Service to Girl Scouting – This leadership award is given after a girl volunteers 20 hours to Girl Scouts. This can be earned before or after she achieves her PA, but she can’t use the same hours for both awards.
Cadette Journey – Cadettes must complete a Jouney before she can earn a Silver Award. The main idea is to help girls DISCOVER that they have the power/influence/ability to make a change, CONNECT with community/information about an issue, and then TAKE ACTION to make a difference, big or small, in the world.
Silver Award – The only prerequisite is that girls need to complete a Cadette Journey. Recommended project time for a Silver Award is 50 hours. Silver Award info can be found here:
MI Teen GS Programs
Goal of the Mercer Island Teen Program is to offer alternative activities, outside the troop, that provide fun and leadership opportunities to individual or small groups of similar-interest girls. These opportunities will be sent directly to teens and/or teen parents. Girls can do them with troop friends or as individuals.
GNOMS – Girls Night Out for Middle Schooler. This is a once a month Friday night event that provides MI Teen Girl Scouts a chance to hang out together. Examples of past activities are Pizza/Movie Night, Board Game night, Ceramic Painting, and Craft Night. Parents/Leaders volunteer to coordinate an event. Fee depends on activity. See MI Calendar for dates. GNOMS Program Coordinators is Kathy Zurawski.
High School Girl Scouts. This is a once a month event that provides HS Girl Scouts a chance to be together and try something new. See MI Calendar for dates.
Daisy & Brownie Play Day - Opportunity for 6th grade Cadettes to give back to our Service Unit by creating programming for younger Daisies and Brownies.
Gals & Pals – Opportunity for 7th and 8th grade Cadettes to give back to our Service Unit by creating programming for younger Daisies and Brownies.
Other Non-MI Teen GS Programs
YaYa Hikers This is a hiking group of teen GS from around Western Washington. Girls must first take Hiking 101, and they will be on the email list to receive notification of monthly hikes. Attend as you can. Day hikes happen year round, backpacking trips in warmer months. Typically one 50 miler is scheduled per year. Have fun with other outdoor minded scouts! No prior experience needed. Check out the YA YA Hikers website or contact Ellen Govan for more information.
EKC Teen Group’s First Friday Teen Night – Drop in event for teens in East King County. Teens and adult advisors make these events happen on First Friday of each month. Girls can attend one or all events. Email Shana Daum to get on the email list for First Friday events.
GSWW Teen Theater Events - Discounted Theater Events at the 5th Avenue and Paramount theaters. Girls can go as a group, troop, or with their families. To get on this distribution list contact Tami Micheletti.
2020-2021 Events
- February 26: Joint GNOMS/Friday FUN Calligraphy Event. Sign up to receive Zoom Instructions. 7 pm via Zoom. Download flyer with materials list and info.
- January 22: Joint GNOMS/Friday FUN Cooking Event: Lemon Sunshine Cake with Lori D. Sign up to receive Zoom Instructions. Buy ingredients on your own. 7 pm via zoom. Recipe.
- December 11: GNOMS Holiday Crafting Event (12 spots). Sign up. Pay $5 for your craft kit. Download flyer here with details, what you need and Zoom instructions. 7 pm via Zoom.
- November 13: GNOMS: Virtual Career Expert Talk. Panel discussion of work “experts” talking about their professions Come hear what it's like to be a doctor, chef, educator, engineer and lawyer from local women at the top of their fields. https://zoom.us/j/9974596207
- October 16: Joint Event. How to make Vietnamese Spring Rolls. A meal kit will be available for pick up prior to event, 5:30-7:00 pm. Reserve your spot and Sign up for this event. Pay for your supplies. Pick up your supplies on Oct. 14. Thank you to Uwajimaya for supporting this event!
- September 25: Joint Event. Virtual Yoga class with YogaBliss Instructor and Girl Scout Leader Rachel Lowe, 7-8 pm. More info here.
What is GNOMS? GNOMS is "Girls Night Out for Middle Schoolers" (pronounced like the little elf) -an event for middle school Girl Scouts - a time to hang out in a safe space. Adults do all the planning allowing the girls to have a stress-free night of fun with friends. Dinner is usually included.
When and where is GNOMS? GNOMS are once/month on Fridays from 6-9 pm.
GNOMS meet at Lutheran Redeemer, on Island Crest Way, depending on the activity.
Who can come? Any 6th, 7th, or 8th grade registered Girl Scout from Mercer Island! In June, we invite the 5th graders so they can see what GNOMS is all about.
Cost: varies per event, (which usually includes dinner) craft materials and fun! GS Scholarship available if needed.
Permission Form: Please complete the first two pages of this form and bring to event. This is necessary only once a year, we will save the forms. Click here for Permission form
GSUSA Teen Leadership Progression:
LiA – Leadership in Action. This is the first award for Cadette leadership. There are currently 3 templates for earning this, and all require working with younger girls and creating programming that matches up with younger girl Journeys. Girls can do this on their own or in a group. If girls and leaders are very focused and careful in following the requirements, they can earn this award when they create programming for Brownie Play Day. This takes planning, reminding, and oversight by leaders to make sure LiA requirements are met. The goal is for this program is to have girls to start thinking about and gaining experience creating programming for younger girls.
PA (Program Aide) Training – After earning their LiA, girls can take a PA Workshop through GSWW in the spring of their 6th grade year. Girls can sometimes take this training in conjunction with being a PA in Training (PAT) at the SBMI Day Camp in the summer between their 6th and 7th grade year.
PA – After a girl serves her 25 hours that she records in her PA Log Book she earns her PA pin and can serve as a PA on Mercer Island, or anywhere within GS. Hours can be earned on individual or group projects. Being a PAT at SBMI Day Camp earns girls approximately 11 hours.
Cadette Service to Girl Scouting – This leadership award is given after a girl volunteers 20 hours to Girl Scouts. This can be earned before or after she achieves her PA, but she can’t use the same hours for both awards.
Cadette Journey – Cadettes must complete a Jouney before she can earn a Silver Award. The main idea is to help girls DISCOVER that they have the power/influence/ability to make a change, CONNECT with community/information about an issue, and then TAKE ACTION to make a difference, big or small, in the world.
Silver Award – The only prerequisite is that girls need to complete a Cadette Journey. Recommended project time for a Silver Award is 50 hours. Silver Award info can be found here:
MI Teen GS Programs
Goal of the Mercer Island Teen Program is to offer alternative activities, outside the troop, that provide fun and leadership opportunities to individual or small groups of similar-interest girls. These opportunities will be sent directly to teens and/or teen parents. Girls can do them with troop friends or as individuals.
GNOMS – Girls Night Out for Middle Schooler. This is a once a month Friday night event that provides MI Teen Girl Scouts a chance to hang out together. Examples of past activities are Pizza/Movie Night, Board Game night, Ceramic Painting, and Craft Night. Parents/Leaders volunteer to coordinate an event. Fee depends on activity. See MI Calendar for dates. GNOMS Program Coordinators is Kathy Zurawski.
High School Girl Scouts. This is a once a month event that provides HS Girl Scouts a chance to be together and try something new. See MI Calendar for dates.
Daisy & Brownie Play Day - Opportunity for 6th grade Cadettes to give back to our Service Unit by creating programming for younger Daisies and Brownies.
Gals & Pals – Opportunity for 7th and 8th grade Cadettes to give back to our Service Unit by creating programming for younger Daisies and Brownies.
Other Non-MI Teen GS Programs
YaYa Hikers This is a hiking group of teen GS from around Western Washington. Girls must first take Hiking 101, and they will be on the email list to receive notification of monthly hikes. Attend as you can. Day hikes happen year round, backpacking trips in warmer months. Typically one 50 miler is scheduled per year. Have fun with other outdoor minded scouts! No prior experience needed. Check out the YA YA Hikers website or contact Ellen Govan for more information.
EKC Teen Group’s First Friday Teen Night – Drop in event for teens in East King County. Teens and adult advisors make these events happen on First Friday of each month. Girls can attend one or all events. Email Shana Daum to get on the email list for First Friday events.
GSWW Teen Theater Events - Discounted Theater Events at the 5th Avenue and Paramount theaters. Girls can go as a group, troop, or with their families. To get on this distribution list contact Tami Micheletti.