As we reflect on the past year, we are delighted to share with you the highlights and achievements of Girl Scouts Dakota Horizons. It has been a year filled with growth, learning, and incredible moments. Moments that were made possible by the dedication and support of volunteers, parents, and Girl Scouts.
Throughout the year, Dakota Horizons’ Girl Scouts have continued to embrace the values of courage, confidence, and character, while making a positive impact in their communities and beyond. From earning badges and completing projects to participating in outdoor adventures and community service initiatives, each girl has shown remarkable commitment and enthusiasm.
As a council, we continued to expand our ever-growing program options with clear intentions of meeting girls where they are and providing program options for how they want to participate. It was clear Girl Scouts and volunteers liked connecting in-person while also having the flexibility to attend virtual programs that work with their schedule. As a council, we saw an uptick in girl participation for both in-person and virtual options.
We are excited about the strides we’ve taken in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) programming. We introduced new STEM badges and programs designed to inspire curiosity and innovation in our girls. From STEM Career Exploration and First Aid Training to Animal Habitats and Shapes in Nature, our girls have been empowered to explore their interests and pursue their passions in the STEM field.
One of the most exciting events of the year was the Girl Scout National Convention, held in Orlando, Florida. This convention brought together Girl Scouts from across the country to discuss, debate, and vote on issues important to the Girl Scout Movement and elect national leaders for the next triennium. Girl Scouts Dakota Horizons had four girl delegates representing our council. They passionately, yet respectfully, debated issues close to the heart of the Girl Scout Movement and helped move our organization into the future. It was a truly inspiring event to attend.
As we look ahead to the coming year, we are filled with excitement and anticipation for all that is to come. We know that we can inspire even more girls to dream big, take on new challenges, and make a difference in the world.
Yours in Girl Scouting,
Behind every Girl Scout and volunteer is a team of local staff ready to help them earn that next badge, embark on a camping adventure, or organize an impactful service project.
Serving nearly 1,000 zip codes spanning North Dakota, South Dakota, and parts of Iowa and Minnesota. We have girls reaching their fullest potentials in cities, towns, and communities across 164,000 square miles including three Airforce bases and 13 Native American Reservations.
Jennifer Baloun
President | Southwest District
Valerie Loudenback
Vice President | Southeast District
Laura Lueder
Secretary | Northwest District
Erica Johnsrud
Treasurer | Northwest District
Marla Meyer
Chief Executive Officer
Southeast District
Lori Clausen
Kristi Metzger
Linda Salmonson
Southwest District
Claudine Bates
Stephanie Dowling
Lisa Kunza
Northeast District
Cindy Graffeo
Nicholas Killoran
Sue Klose
Casey Sanders-Berglund
Northwest District
Lori Leingang
Leslie Weigel
Renaissance Revelry
Savannah Cup
BIG Event
Messtival Festival
Leadership Training
National Convention
As the premier leadership organization for girls, we provide fun and challenging program opportunities in the four Girl Scout pillars of outdoors, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), life skills, and entrepreneurship.
Programs were offered in a variety of ways to meet girls where they are, which included virtual and in-person programs, patch programs, and other at-home activities.
Regardless of how they participated this year, our Girl Scouts learned new skills, overcame obstacles, met their goals, and made the world a better place.
Legends of the Fairy Forest
Badge Workshop: Snacks
Startastic Evening
Ziplining into Adventure
Cookie University
Lego League
More than just pins on a vest, Girl Scout higher awards set the foundation for a lifetime of leadership and confidence. Starting in fourth grade, girls have the opportunity to develop and execute “take action” projects that positively impact their communities. The Bronze and Silver awards recognize troop efforts that teach key skills, such as communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and problem solving. The Gold Award, the highest award a Girl Scout can earn, is an individual achievement that creates sustainable change in her community.
Sixteen extraordinary Girl Scouts earned their Gold Award this past year while creating positive change in their communities. Their projects focused on issues they cared about, including starting a youth book club, cemetery restoration, building a shelter for farm animals, upgrading local park equipment, and building a new dog park.
Harriet Boltjes | Brookings, SD
History of Oakwood
Alexis Clausen | Grand Forks, ND
Welcoming Flower Beds
Norah Foreman | Fergus Falls, MN
Giving Back to the Prairie
Emily Gilbertson | Jamestown, ND
A Better Vision for Everyone
Mackenzie Krava | Fergus Falls, MN
Bee and Butterfly Habitat
Alexa Larson | Hartford, SD
A Park for Small Yet Mighty Dogs
Rachel Lorang | Hartford, SD
Tail Wagging Fun for All
Haley Lorensberg | Roslyn, SD
Church Mural and Fellowship Hall Painting
Samantha Meehl | Oakes, ND
Hockenberry Park Equipment
Emily Neset | Dilworth, MN
Family Time Outdoors
Mei Lin O'Connell | Rapid City, SD
Charm Farm Shelters
Elizabeth Parton | Minot, ND
Cemetery Restoration
Olivia Scott | Jamestown, ND
No Excuses for School
Rose VanNelson | Moorhead, MN
Soulful Spices
Milla Weigel | Bismarck, ND
Youth Book Club
Shelby Zachmeier | Mandan, ND
Fleece Hugs for Foster Kids
The condensed statements of financial position and activities have been summarized from the audited financial statements. The Form 990 is available upon request.
The complete list of donors, sponsors and supporters is available to download.
Thank you to those who contributed to Girl Scouts Dakota Horizons in the 2022-2023 fiscal year. Your generous gifts made the difference in thousands of Girl Scouts’ lives as they lived out our mission: building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.
The Juliette Gordon Low Society was established to thank and honor friends of Girl Scouts who choose to make Girl Scouts part of their legacies and a beneficiary of their estate plans. We are grateful for their decisions to provide a legacy gift to girls, ensuring that the Girl Scout Leadership Experience will live on for generations to come.
Erik and Eva Andersen Girl Scout Movement-wide Challenge Planned Gift
Tonya Andersen
Jennifer and Bryan Baloun
Dianne Belk and Lawrence Calder Girl Scout Movement-wide Challenge Planned Gift
Kurt and Valerie Loudenback
Marla Meyer
Stephen and MaryLynn Meyers
Jeff and Tracy Munce
Lorna Olson-Cooper
Donnie Riedel
Marie Ruettgers
Jane VanHatten
Susan and Bob Wefald
