For Girl Scouts

Marie has, through her special workshop, helped hundreds of scouts to earn their Reading IPP.

Hey all! Yes, I am author of the Random House teen novel WHAT I MEANT… But did you know that I’m also a Girl Scout leader?  I’ve led girls from Brownies all the way through to their Gold Award, and now I’m leading a Cadette Troop.  You can bet I know how hard it can sometimes be to earn those IPP’s for your Silver and your Gold award.  That’s why I’ve developed a special workshop that can have your group earn their Reading IPP in just 2 hours.

MY “SO WHAT’S THE STORY?” WORKSHOP

So far, I’ve offered my workshop to hundreds of girl scouts throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania.  This year, I’m continuing to do this, and I’m also extending my visits to areas of Delaware, Maryland and parts of New York as well.

My workshop, called “So What’s the Story,” is available to groups ranging from 50-100 girls. Okay, I know what you’re thinking. You have, say, 10 girls in your troop. Well, no prob.  What we do is invite area troops throughout your Service Unit and adjoining Service Units to join in our event. Plus, this event is not only for Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors, but you can also include bridging Juniors as well.  Since my novel is a clean YA, my workshop is open to girls age 10 through 18.  It’s a great opportunity for the younger scouts to hang with the older girls and get a taste of what older scouting is all about.

HOW IT WORKS, IN A NUTSHELL

My 2 hour workshop is an interactive event where I  discuss, among other things, the writing process, teen angst, complete injustice, and the not-so-glamorous life of a full-time writer. The session includes me reading scenes from my novel, discussions with your group, a service project, and lots of laughs. At the end, everyone gets a signed copy of my novel WHAT I MEANT…, and has earned their Reading IPP.  Cool, right? Seriously, we always have a blast at these things.

Earn this in just 2 hours with Marie!

HOW YOU CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN

All you have to do is to pick a date with me (usually a Saturday or Sunday afternoon), book an appropriate no-cost location (which will need enough seats, and a bunch of tables for the project), and distribute the flyers (that I can provide to you) to your area’s leaders and scouts.  I handle the rest.

For the 2009-2010 year, the cost per girl for this workshop is $20.  Destinations farther from my home (I’m in southeastern PA), may have a higher minimum than 50 girls. The $20 fee includes a copy for each girl of WHAT I MEANT… (which retails for $16.99),  the service project craft, and a snack.  The actual Reading IPP is not included in this cost, but, yeah, you’ll have earned it, so you can purchase it for yourselves afterwards.

Interested? Have questions? Just drop me a note at marielamba@hotmail.com (please put “Scout Workshops” in the message line).

HERE ARE WHAT SCOUTS ARE SAYING

“I loved it! The passages were funny, and hearing her talk about her own experiences was really engaging. I would totally do it again. Write on, Marie!”

“I think this workshop was good because it teaches us how to follow our dreams, and teaches us about writing. I can’t wait to read the book!”

“I have met other authors through school, but this was by far the most interesting one I’ve been to. I will ALWAYS follow my dreams.”

“It was an amazing experience. It really gave hope to me, a girl trying to break into writing. I am so inspired.”

photo by Shannon Lafferty

“Having Marie Lamba speak to us was very intriguing. Her experience and how hard she worked to get her book published really moved me. Plus I loved her information on book technology.”

“I loved listening to Marie talk about her experience as a writer. I can’t wait to read her book. This experience taught me never to give up.”

“I thought it was fun because everyone got involved and excited!”

“This 2-hour workshop was very motivational and inspiring. Thank you, you have given me another life to look  forward to.”

“This was a great workshop. Marie Lamba inspired me to never give up in life because one day you will succeed. I would like to say thank you.”

“I thought it was really interesting, and I liked how there were passages read from the book. It made me want to read it.  I also liked the reading of the rejection letters.”

“Wow, the time really flew!  I enjoyed hearing especially the process on how a book goes from the author’s computer to the reader’s hands!  I also really liked hearing short passages from the book to get me excited to read it!  Thank you so much for doing this – it was really cool to actually meet a real author!”

“Easiest, quickest IPA I have ever earned. Very good. Not boring as I thought it would be. Thanks!”

“To tell you the truth, I thought it was going to be one of those boring lecture things where you are so bored out of your mind. Or even worse, one of those teen self-esteem groups where you discuss morals and feelings, and stuff…I found myself interested and listening intently…It was a fun workshop, I highly enjoyed it. Great job, Marie!”

“I thought it was good. I really don’t like to read, but I REALLY want to read this book sooo badly.”

SOME THOUGHTS FROM LEADERS

“Marie Lamba is wonderful from the moment you begin working with her. She is flexible and accommodating and responds to all inquiries in a timely fashion. Her program is entertaining and informative and was loved by the older girls of our council. Both girls and leaders commented on her reading and how well it is run. As a staff member of a NJ Girl Scout Council, I highly recommend you bring Marie to your girls and volunteers. No one will be disappointed!” Lauren Shoener-Gaynor, GS of Central & Southern NJ

“You made the whole process so easy for any troop leader or event coordinator to run that I believe you’ll be in hot demand!…I ‘ve had only compliments from other leaders as to how much they enjoyed the workshop and how well-run the event was — thanks to you. It was such a pleasure to meet you and I look forward to reading your book once my daughters finally put it down!”

“This was wonderful! You did a great job. The girls loved it!!”

“My daughter is in 6th grade and attended with some friends. She couldn’t wait to get home and start your book and didn’t want to turn the lights off to go to sleep last night! She liked making the bookmarks for the service project and thought that was a great idea to go along with the books that were donated. The program was a success from my viewpoint, as a parent and leader.”

“I have only heard positive comments from the parents and girls I have talked to…and I think the girls really appreciated meeting a ‘real’ author!  To complete an IPA in 2 hours is something that is very difficult to do, and I think you managed to do it in both an interesting and informative way!”

“Terrific message of persistence. Adults don’t often communicate the level of difficulty and rejection they must deal with to succeed.”

AND ONE FINAL NOTE FROM ME!

I just want to add my own thoughts about all the girls and leaders I’ve met through these workshops. You have all been so great to hang out with. And your excitement inspires me to continue to create fiction.  So I thank you for the priviledge I’ve had of spending so many afternoons in your company.  You scouts are awesome!

Girl Scouts rule!