Welcome to GSNorCal’s Culture Code Lab! 💚
Hey there everyone! My name is Angel Antunes – my pronouns are they/them/theirs, and I’m GSNorCal’s DEIB Manager (that stands for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging)! As I’m sure you’ve seen over the last few years, GSNorCal has been doing so much amazing...
Creating a Fun (and Realistic!) Schedule for your Girl Scout Year
Have you ever gotten to the point in your Girl Scout year where you realize you’re a bit overwhelmed and can’t believe you signed up for this job?
Silver Award Spotlight: Bridging the Civics Gap with Civics Pro
No matter where you stand politically, in order to be an active engaged citizen, it’s important to understand the basics of government. According to the Nation’s Report Card , only 24 percent of eighth-graders are proficient in civics , and, per the Annenberg Public Policy Center, only two in five American adults can name all three branches of government.
Celebrating Juneteenth and the African Diaspora with Girl Scouts
What does nurturing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging mean? To me it means acknowledging our history, learning from our past, and implementing actions towards unity. Being that DEIB is embedded in me, I created an event in collaboration with Antioch’s Troop...
Supporting Gender-Expansive Girl Scouts
I didn’t know when I started volunteering that my troop contained queer and gender-expansive youth, or that learning to provide a safe space for them would be part of my work as a troop leader. The journey that my Troop and I have been on has only expanded my love of being their Troop Leader.
Girl Scout Alum Trailblazer: Michele Gee
It’s no surprise that Bay Area Girl Scout alum Michele Gee has pursued a career making our world a better place. After reading about her in a recent profile by the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, we were eager to reach out and ask her to reflect on her years as a Girl Scout. We also wanted to hear more about her experience leading people and programs for the most visited unit of the National Park Service in the country, and the largest urban park in the world.Â
How Girl Scouting Supports Her Mental HealthÂ
May is Mental Health Month, which is a great reason to discuss some of the ways that Girl Scouting can cultivate mental health for girls and the adults they grow up to be.
Help Your Girl Scout Troop Discover New Interests with Special GuestsÂ
My go-to super-leader strategy is: The Special Guest. I love to invite women from the community (and beyond) who have a connection to our current badgework or troop activities to visit virtually or in-person and talk about their work. 
Black History Month: Celebrating Josephine Baker, a model of Girl Scout Values
To celebrate Black History month, we’d like to talk a little bit about Josephine Baker and her amazing life. Although she wasn’t a Girl Scout, Baker was an incredible woman who perfectly exemplified what it means to be a Girl Scout: honest, friendly, helpful, courageous, and being responsible for what one says or does.
Lunar New Year Cookie Tips: Advice from a Special Girl Scout Guest
I was inspired to reach out and invite Alicia after seeing her gorgeous Instagram photos of custom fortune cookies created just for the Lunar New Year. Who better to motivate the girls during cookie season than a professional cookie “entreprenHER“ with her own online storefront?
Celebrating Winter Holidays with Your Girl Scout Troop
Winter holidays can be a great opportunity to learn about different cultures and traditions. Here are some ideas for fun and respectful ways to explore these celebrations!
How to Support Indigenous Communities While Giving Thanks
Is it okay for me and my loved ones to give thanks on what many Indigenous and Native American People consider to be a day of mourning? The answer is yes—and as a Girl Scout leader, I also commit to do the work of supporting Indigenous and Native American communities using Girl Scouts of Northern California’s Culture Code for Equity & Belonging: