In 2024, we made dreams come true and provided Girl Scouts with the environment and spaces to unlock their potential and discover new skills. Because of YOU, our girls grew in a number of ways.
Our girls showed us exactly how big they were dreaming through their Highest Award Take Action projects. We celebrated 129 girls earning their Bronze Award, 40 girls earning their Silver Award, and 13 girls earning their Gold Award. We are so proud of every girl who achieves this honor during their time as a Girl Scout.
Girls showed us Girl Scouts is cookies and so much more. As our girls continued to dream big, our overall membership continued to climb. We welcomed a total of 14,165 Girl Scouts in 2024.
Our Girl Scouts showed us just how much they “grow” at our Resident and Day Camps. We were thrilled to welcome 619 Girl Scouts at Resident Camp, and 1,973 Girl Scouts at Day Camp. We saw record breaking attendance at our Mad Mud (1,253) and Mall Lock-In (1,290) events.
Girl Scouts has been doing STEM for 113 years and it’s still an integral part of our programming today. We implemented an innovative new Wetland Ecosystem Exploration app with our partners at Battelle that will teach girls how to identify different animal and plant species in our wetlands at Camp Ken-Jockety.
In October, a five-year vision was realized as we cut the ribbon on our AEP Foundation STEM Leadership Center and Nationwide Foundation Environmental Center! We welcomed girls onto the new Battelle Science and Innovation Campus at Camp Ken-Jockety where they will have life-changing opportunities and experiences! Because of this, the STEM Center is being filled with exciting new STEM programs like Build It, Design It and Camp to Table! With your help, we showed girls that they belong in Girl Scouts and wherever they want to be.
We are so grateful for our girls, volunteers, staff, and donors for helping us make our dreams come true and allowing Girl Scouts to dream big!
OUR MEMBERSHIP
4,133
Daisies Grades K-1
1,864 4,240 527 3,028 4,566
Cadettes Grades 6-8
Brownies Grades 2-3
Juniors Grades 4-5
Direct Volunteers
Seniors Grades 9-10
Community Outreach Impact
In addition to traditional troops, Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland (GSOH) offers Community Outreach programs to girls in underserved and under-represented communities throughout our council. The Community Outreach Program introduces the Girl Scout Leadership Experience to girls who are in communities where barriers exist beyond their control and allows them to participate as a Girl Scout in an environment that is familiar to them.
Last year, we were able to serve 2,776 girls through Community Outreach programs. Partnerships included: Columbus Bilingual Academy, Imagine Schools Great Western Academy, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Zanesville, Columbus City Schools, Columbus Recreation & Parks, Communities In Schools, Cambridge City Schools , Chillicothe City Schools, Coshocton City Schools, Educational Academy for Girls & Boys, and many others. We are so grateful to all our community partners that help us provide all girls with a no-limits place to learn, a place to be inspired, and the tools to thrive.
373
Ambassadors Grades 11-12
Some of our current programs include:
1. Backpack Program – A program that explores a variety of fun and interactive activities while girls learn about Girl Scouts, explore the outdoors, promote kindness and empathy, experiment with STEM, and feel empowered.
2. Peace It Together – A program that addresses relation aggression, promotes kindness, and appreciates the differences in others.
3. Moneywise – A program developed for girls to sharpen their financial literacy skills as they work towards an understanding of needs versus wants, how to create a basic budget, how to set a financial goal, and all about saving, spending, and sharing.
4. World of STEM – A program designed for girls to learn all about STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) through fun hands-on activities.
ALUM SPOTLIGHT
“A circle’s round it has no end that’s how long I want to be your friend.”
— Make New Friends Song
Sinetta Maul
Sinetta’s 11 years as a Girl Scout laid the foundation for an incredible 55-year journey as a dedicated adult volunteer and lifetime member.
Her love of singing has created countless joyful memories at meetings and ceremonies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, her adaptability and willingness to embrace new technology led to the creation of Sing Along with Sinetta—a Facebook series where she shared a new song and its history every weekday, spreading cheer and connection during challenging times.
Sinetta lives by the Girl Scout Law and is truly inspiring to everyone she meets. Sinetta was awarded the prestigious Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland Alum Engagement Award in 2024 and has been awarded the following GSUSA awards; Appreciation, Honor, Thanks I and Thanks II.
Incredible Impact
Throughout her years of service, she has embraced numerous leadership roles, including:
• Troop Leader
• Service Unit 811 Manager, Delegate, Event Chair and Coordinator for Fall Product and Cookie Programs
• Autumn Adventure Presenter
• Day Camp Craft Director
Beyond these roles, Sinetta has been a mentor to new leaders, offering guidance through one-on-one meetings and remaining just a text or call away for any volunteer in need of support.
We would like to thank Sinetta for her countless hours of dedication to bringing Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland to life in her communities.
6,786
STEM Badges Earned
WHAT GIRL SCOUTS DO
What’s in a Badge?
12,630
Life Skills Badges Earned
8,426
Outdoors Badges Earned
Program Spotlight
Girl Scouts Grow
6,063
Entrepreneurship Badges Earned
Girl Scouts Grow is a special program that our partner The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company provides to girls free of cost. We send girls packets of seeds that they plant in their gardens and tend throughout the season. Then, at harvest time they collect their homegrown produce and are asked to donate it to a local food pantry near them!
Through the past six years we have had 8,299 participants in the program, with 2,000 girls participating in 2024. In 2024, over 2,088 pounds of produce were donated from Girl Scouts Grow at-home gardens. Over 255 pounds were donated from our community garden at Camp Ken-Jockety. Thank you to The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company for helping girls grow, eat, and share.
Girl Scouts learn new skills by earning Proficiency Badges created by Girl Scouts of the USA. Each badge has five steps that are designed to help girls explore subjects like STEM, life skills, the outdoors and entrepreneurship. As they progress thorugh our grade levels and complete more badges, they gain a deeper understanding of not only the world around them but also of themselves.
HIGHEST AWARDS STARS
Highest Award Ceremony
Bronze, Silver, and Gold Award Girl Scouts have what it takes to make the world a better place. At Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland, we celebrate Girl Scouts who dream of a better tomorrow and take big steps today through important Take Action projects to make change happen.
In 2024, we honored Gold and Silver Award Girl Scouts in a Highest Awards Ceremony at the Idea Foundry, an innovative and cutting-edge community art space in Columbus, Ohio. Girl Scouts spent time with President and CEO Tammy Wharton and Board Chair Shakila Ali. Attendees also had the chance to participate in an art project on site and mingle with award recipients during a unique networking reception. We are looking forward to celebrating our Gold and Silver Award recipients in 2025 at the brand-new AEP Foundation STEM Leadership Center!
Last Year We Honored...
Gold Award Spotlight
A few summers ago, Sara Kallenberg noticed that the trails at Alley Park were not accessible to people with disabilities, elderly people, and children in strollers. It was all dirt and hilly terrain, which gets muddy when wet. It was very difficult for anyone with mobility issues to enjoy this beautiful park. To fix this issue Sara advocated for a new physical space and educational approach at the park so that people who don’t normally have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors will be able to get that experience. She created an ADA accessible path and education stations to further engage park visitors of all ages and abilities. Sara worked on this project for over two years partnering with dozens of individuals, community organizations, and local businesses to advocate for the importance of Alley Park’s accessibility and made this interactive trail and exhibit a reality.
PRODUCT PROGRAM REPORT
2023 Fall Product Program
Girls Participating 5,065 Magazines Sold 70,512
Units of Product Sold 23
Fall Product Stellar Sellers
2024 Cookie Program 2,805
8,150
Girls Participating 2,044,759 Packages Sold 64,148
Operation Salute Packages
179
Cookie Stellar Sellers
In 2024, We Sold...(by packages)
CAMPS AND THE OUTDOORS
The Place You’ll Grow
Our summer at Resident Camp was full of friendship and fireflies. We welcomed back Resident Camp Director Megan “Willow” Reardon as well as counselors from around the world including Germany, England, and Ireland! Our campers participated in swimming, cookouts, as well as environmental education programming from our Nature Specialist! Some of our most popular camp sessions were Eco Chic, Wonder Women, and Artrageous.
Our outdoor fun didn’t stop there!
• 249 Girl Scouts showed their love for the outdoors through our Girl Scouts Love State Parks programs around the council.
• 24 girls joined us for our annual Outreach program Camp Amigas at Camp Ken-Jockety.
• 804 participants came out for our annual Halloween Hike at Camp Ken-Jockety for some spooky fun.
• 357 attendees came to our Tree Tappers Festival to learn all about our maple syrup operation at Camp Ken-Jockety and to enjoy some sweet maple syrup!
• 356 Girl Scouts joined us for some fall fun at Camp Crooked Lane for our revival of our annual Fall Festival.
Under the Sea
Across our 30 county district, day camp made a splash in 2024! From the ocean shore to the depths below, Girl Scouts practiced outdoor skills and explored all kinds of parks and places. Thanks to the tireless help of our day camp volunteers, 1,973 Girl Scouts found new friends and experienced camp memories that will last their whole lives.
• 463 girls put their survival skills to the test at our Zombie Bash at Camp Ken-Jockety. Can you believe that:
Learned some sweet science at Tree Tappers
girls joined us for Fall Festival
PROGRAMS WE LOVE
Mad Mud
Mad Mud 2024 took place Sat., Aug. 10 and Sun., Aug. 11. at Camp Crooked Lane in Mt. Gilead, Ohio and featured all your favorite muddy obstacles! It was our first year of combining the Mini Mad Mud and Mad Mud Challenges so that the event ran for all ages, all the time! This allowed troops who had multiple grade levels among their members to all participate at the same time. We had a messy, inspiring time and we can’t wait to do it all again in 2025!
923
199
Mad Mud Participants Mad Mud Spectators
Gearing Up For STEM
1,930 girls participated in a STEM specific program. STEM is included at all signature events. You can learn even more about our council’s commitment to STEM on page 10! To name just a few of our STEM related programs we saw:
• 251 girls and 144 adults attend Buggy for Butterflies at Franklin Park Conservatory.
• 39 girls and 28 adults attend Brownie Bug Badge with OSU.
• 55 C/S/A girls participate in 6 programs, where they learned to use new tools to create art at Discover Stained Glass.
• 85 girls and 30 adults attend Engineer for a Day with NiSource and Columbia Gas.
• 75 girls and 31 adults attend STEM Day at JPMorgan Chase.
• 34 girls and 16 adults attend Space Explorers Overnight, Armstrong Air and Space Museum.
GIRL SCOUTS AND STEM
At Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland, we focus on programming that develops girls’ courage, confidence, and character to prepare them for a lifetime of leadership. Our programs help girls’ ambition shine through! We accomplish this through experience in the four program pillars of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), the outdoors, life skills and entrepreneurship. Studies show that girls develop their unique STEM identity by third grade, and their confidence peaks by age nine. Some of our unique STEM partner programs we were able to offer girls included:
Ecology Engineering Logistics
New Programs Highlight STEM
Camp Innovation Day Camp
80 girls came to learn about STEM over the summer! Centered around STEM activities and learning, Girl Scouts went on an exclusive hard hat tour of the STEM Center construction where they got up close and personal with the building and progress, gardening programs and more!
Pollinator Palooza
Pollinator Palooza was an environmental science-focused program where Girl Scouts of all ages and their families joined us at Camp KenJockety to learn what pollinators are, why they are so important, and what we can do to help protect them. Girls enjoyed assembling bee hotels, planting starter gardens, doing crafts, and more!
Battelle NiSource & Columbia Gas of Ohio
DREAMS DO COME TRUE
Cutting the Ribbon
On October 29, 2024, we cut the ribbon on our AEP Foundation STEM Leadership Center!
Our Co-Chairs and major donors joined us on the Battelle Science and Innovation Campus at Camp Ken-Jockety to celebrate the opening of our new innovative building that will help girls foster their STEM skills!
We can’t wait to see the community and our Girl Scouts alike taking advantage of this gorgeous space and discovering their potential!
Thank you to Battelle, AEP Foundation, CK Construction Group, Nationwide Foundation and all of our donors who helped make this dream become a reality. We couldn’t have done it without you!
Our YouTube Story
The process of building our dream STEM Center was fascinating, exciting and collaborative! We were fortunate enough to be able to document the construction journey through a web series on YouTube titled “Building a Dream”. This series was hosted by our own Girl Scout Jasmine who interviewed key people in the process like our Dream Big Honorary Co-Chairs, CK Construction Group CEO Lori Gillet, CEO of Battelle Lou Von Thaer, and First Black Ohio Supreme Court Judge Yvette McGee Brown.
You can watch the entire six-part series on our YouTube channel by scanning the QR code below.
STATE OF THE GIRL 2024 Sponsors
Empowering the Future!
On March 5, 2024, Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland proudly hosted the 11th annual State of the Girl community conversation, bringing together over 200 guests to explore the challenges girls face today and how we can collectively empower them on their leadership journeys.
The event featured an inspiring keynote address by Lindsay Bridges, DHL Supply Chain’s Global Head of HR, who shared her personal experiences as a female leader in a male-dominated industry. We were also honored to welcome Bonnie Barczykowski, President of Girl Scouts of the USA, who provided valuable insights into the national initiatives driving Girl Scouts forward.
One of the most inspiring moments of the morning came from Gold Award Girl Scout Kennedy, a Girl Scout alum, entrepreneur, and owner of K.C. & Company. Now a Computer Science major at Ohio Wesleyan University, Kennedy shared how her leadership journey began with Girl Scouts and how it continues to shape her path. For her Gold Award project, she combined her passion for technology and education by developing coding lesson plans to teach elementary school students— empowering the next generation with essential STEM skills.
A heartfelt thank you to our 2024 sponsors for making this event possible and helping us continue to uplift and support the next generation of female leaders!
Presenting Sponsor:
Gold Sponsor:
Silver Sponsors:
Glen and Shakila Ahrens Family Foundation • GBQ • Intel
Bronze Sponsors:
Big Lots Foundation • CK Construction Group
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
The Worthington Companies Foundation
Host Sponsors:
Abercrombie and Fitch • Elizabeth & Collin Seely
URBAN CAMPOUT
Turning Challenges into Triumph
Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland was set to host its seventh annual signature fundraiser, Urban Campout, on Friday, September 27, 2024. Our team was prepared to embrace the forecasted rain, ensuring a memorable evening for our guests. However, just hours before the event, the severe winds of Hurricane Helene forced us to make the difficult decision to cancel—placing the safety of our guests, volunteers, and staff above all else.
Despite the unexpected turn of events, the Girl Scout spirit of resilience and innovation prevailed. Guests enthusiastically participated in our virtual silent auction and raffle from the comfort of their homes, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to our mission.
Thanks to the generosity and support of our donors, partners, and attendees, we raised an incredible $113,000, ensuring that more girls will have access to outdoor adventures, STEM programming, and entrepreneurial experiences that build confidence and leadership skills for life.
We are deeply grateful to our sponsors, in-kind contributors, and everyone who stood with us—proving that, even in the face of challenges, our community’s dedication to empowering girls remains unshakable.
Photos from previous years events.
2024 Sponsors
Gold Sponsors:
Silver Sponsors:
AEP • Champion Companies • DHL Supply Chain
Medical Mutual of Ohio • Nationwide
OSU Wexner Medical Center
The Worthington Companies Foundation
Bronze Sponsors:
Cardinal Health • CK Construction Group • Feazel
OhioHealth • PNC
Friends of GSOH:
Barnes & Thornburg LLP • Amy and Dave Franko • Lauren
Grether • Elizabeth and Collin Seely • Tradepost • Vorys • Molly and Brian Watts
Campfire Circle Sponsors:
Cramer & Associates • Robert K Dean Jr • Julie Holbein • Oswald
Companies • Dr. Ann Teske • Trefoil One • Annette Whittemore
EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION
Battelle’s Commitment to Girls in STEM
As a global research and development organization committed to science and technology for the greater good, Battelle understands the importance of teaching girls about STEM in their formative years. Studies show that while women make up nearly half of the U.S. workforce, they hold only 28% of STEM jobs, highlighting the critical need to foster STEM interest early. With girls’ STEM identity formed as early as third grade and their confidence peaking by age nine, reaching them in these formative years is essential. Battelle recognizes this need and has been an integral partner with Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland (GSOH) in supporting girls through hands-on STEM learning.
For more than 30 years, Battelle has invested in girls to empower and inspire them. With their support, GSOH has been able to launch innovative programs such as:
• The Maple Syrup Program, teaching girls the science behind maple syrup production.
• The Make Zone at the GSOH Zanesville Service Center.
• A Model Rocketry and Drone Program to engage girls in aerospace and engineering.
• Science Kits provided to troops to encourage hands-on experimentation.
• The Ecosystem Wetlands Exploration Program, fostering environmental science education.
• The Dream Big Transformational Initiative, where Battelle made the lead gift to the $16 million campaign.
Beyond financial support, Battelle leaders have personally invested their time and expertise. Lou Von Thaer, CEO, served as an Honorary Co-Chair of the Dream Big Initiative, while Wes Hall, Senior Vice President of Philanthropy and Education, served on the Champion Committee.
“It’s all about investing in the future of girls who will become tomorrow’s leaders,” said Von Thaer.
“We are so grateful to Battelle for their investment in girls. With their help, we have been able to make big things happen,” said Tammy Wharton, President and CEO of GSOH.
As Battelle says, “It can be done,” and with their support and partnership, great things continue to be achieved!
Council Headquarters
1700 Watermark Drive
Columbus, OH 43215
P 614-487-8101 | T 800-621-7042
Chillicothe Service Center 1130 Western Avenue
Chillicothe, OH 45601
P 740-773-2146 | T 800-621-7042
Mansfield Service Center
24 W. Third Street Suite 110
Mansfield, Ohio 44902
P 419-522-0391 | T 800-621-7042
Marion Service Center 1713 Marion–Mt. Gilead Road Suite 208
Marion, OH 43302
P 740-389-2528 | T 800-621-7042
Zanesville Service Center
3230 Bowers Lane
Zanesville, OH 43701
P 740-454-8563 | T 800-621-7042
OUR COUNCIL
Camp Beckoning Trails
Camp Ken-Jockety
Camp Crooked Lane
Camp Crooked Lane
Camp Beckoning Trails
Camp Ken-Jockety
Camp Molly Lauman
Camp Molly Lauman
Wyandot Ross
Vinton Pike
Jackson
Craw ford
Richland
Wayne
Marion
Union
Madison
Fayette
Highla nd
Adams Scioto
Gallia
Pickaway
Hocking
Franklin
Perry
Delaware
Licking
Muskingum
Guernsey
Morrow
Knox
Holmes Coshocton
Ashland
JULIETTE GORDON LOW SOCIETY
Leave a Legacy
In March 1912, Juliette Gordon Low gathered just a few girls to begin the Girl Scouts. Juliette’s outstanding leadership was matched by her stewardship when she converted the carriage house of her home into the first Girl Scout national headquarters, and she gifted the property to Girl Scouts in her will.
Juliette’s bequest was the beginning of planned giving for Girl Scouts. In her memory, the Juliette Gordon Low Society was established to thank and honor friends of Girl Scouting who choose to make Girl Scouts part of their legacies and a beneficiary of their estate plans. To celebrate membership in the society, each member will receive a special lapel pin. Members are invited to attend special recognition and educational events and are recognized in select publications.
2024 Members
• Shakila Ali
• Erik and Eva Anderson Girl Scout Movement-wide Challenge Planned Gift
• Anonymous (x2)
• Dianne Belk and Lawrence Calder Girl Scout Movement-wide Challenge Planned Gift
• Wayne and Ruth M. Cook
• Nancy Cruickshank
• Marianne Dean
• Tracy A. Elich
• Amy Franko
• Eileen S. Goodin
• Julie Holbein
• Kathy Lowrey Gallowitz
• Anne Powell Riley
• Heidi Hansen McCrory
• Ann E. and Douglas W. Teske
• Karen Townsend
• Tammy Wharton
• Annette L. and Lyle Whittemore
We’d like to honor the following individuals whose commitment to Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland is being recognized for their realized planned gifts.
• George H. Alber
• George H. and Dorothy T. Alber
• Emma Barr
• Melvin Busch Jr.
• Betty Clark
• Sara H. Cowgill
• Ruth L. Crumrine
• Susan Dunlap Marr
• Jesse Eyeman
• Anna G. Ferguson
• Rosemary Flowers
• Emmett J. France
• Rebecca F. Fraundorfer
• A.L. Gregg
• Nellie Hatfield
• Logan Holl
• Walter E. Hoover
• Imogene G. Howland
• Louise Kling
• Thelma and John G. LeBrun
• Arline and Clay Littick
• Anna J. Lytle
• Theodore R. Magnuson
• Marcella Niehaus Mahrt
• Louis McClain
• Mary Jane and Donald McClurg
• Phyllis Milks
• Mary Ann Moeffert
• William B. and Norma Moore
• Donald Robbins
• Della Selsor
• Barbara P. and Larry Smith
• Burton Stevenson
• Merry E. Texter
• Buell F. Webster
• George Wooster
• Mabel Wurster
PEARL SOCIETY
Donors Making a Difference
2024 Members
• Shakila F. Ali and Glen Ahrens
• Marshell Arnold
• Bhakti Bania and Bharat Baste
• Ann Burson
• Carla L. Cefaratti
• Michelle D. Cramer
• Phylis and Ray Crook
• Suzanne and Donald Cruickshank
• Catherine Cunningham
• Deirdre DeWeese
• Eileen M. Dunbar
• Amy and Dave Franko
• Laura A. Froehlich
• Eileen S. Goodin
• Lisa Groff
• Lynda Guenther
The Pearl Society includes individuals who have given cumulative gifts of $1,000 or more to our Annual Fund between October 1, 2023 and September 30, 2024.
