What are the membership requirements for girls?
Membership in Girl Scouts is granted to any girl who:
- is currently enrolled in kindergarten through 12th grade;
- has made the Girl Scout Promise and accepted the Girl Scout
Law;
- has paid annual or other applicable membership
dues.
What are the membership requirements for adults?
Membership in Girl Scouts is granted to any adult who:
- is at least 18 years old OR is a high school graduate (or
equivalent);
- accepts the principles and beliefs as stated in
the preamble of the Girl Scout Constitution; and
- has paid
annual, lifetime, or other applicable membership dues.
What do Girl Scouts do?
Most girls participate with a group of girls of about the same
age, known as a troop, that
is organized by adult volunteers. In a troop, girls earn badges for
each new skill they learn and challenge they overcome. Badges are
grouped into four areas—outdoors, entrepreneurship, STEM (science,
technology, engineering, and math), and life skills. Girls can also
participate in events held by their Girl Scout council and go to camp.
As girls enter middle school, they can dig deep into what interests
them—they might learn to code, make a PSA, travel to new places, or go
on an outdoor adventure. Did we mention the potential for earning
college scholarships?
Learn more about the different ways
to participate.
NOTE: Programming and activities will differ temporarily in
light of COVID-19. We are working hard to adapt to girls’ needs to
keep them connected, engaged, and inspired from home and online. Girls
can still earn badges; build new skills; participate in virtual
events; help their communities through safe service projects; learn
how to protect the environment; explore (STEM); and more.
What Girl Scout activities are most popular?
Girl Scouts offers programs to match almost any girl’s
interests. Whether it’s camping and hiking, engaging in awesome science
and math activities, exploring the environment, traveling
the globe, learning first aid, running a cookie business, or
building stronger friendships, girls discover all kinds of activities
that stimulate their brains and strengthen their bodies. Looking for
something else? Girl Scouts also lets girls build a unique experience
around their own specific interests.
NOTE: Although outdoor activities are limited right now and
travel is suspended because of COVID-19, there is still so much for
girls to explore and do as Girl Scouts. Her experience will look
different for the time being, but it will remain unique,
enriching, and life-changing. We’re here for her—adapting to meet her
needs every step of the way.
What is the best age for a girl to join Girl Scouts?
Any age is a good age to become a Girl Scout! We offer programs
for girls from kindergarten through high school. Learn more about Girl
Scouts by age group (or grade level).
NOTE: Programming and activities will vary temporarily because
of COVID-19. We will continue to adapt as the situation evolves.
Is there anything for former Girl Scouts to do as an adult?
We also have an excellent alum
network for adults.
When can we join?
Right now! In fact, it's always a good time to join Girl
Scouts. Join before the new school year, or any time that works best
for your family. We’re flexible and can tailor your girl’s experience
to her needs, even in challenging times like these.
How much does it cost to join Girl Scouts?
Girl Scouts is a great value! Dues start at just $25 for the
membership year beginning October 1, 2021. Your girl can
also start her Girl Scout adventure now through an extended-year
membership. For $35, she can jump right into spring and summer
activities and keep the fun going through September 2022.
Your local council may require a service fee. Optional costs may
also include a Girl Scout uniform and program fees
for select activities. Of course, we don’t want cost to be a barrier,
so don’t hesitate to ask your local
Girl Scout council about financial assistance.
What about safety?
Safety is a top priority for Girl Scouts. All activities are
supervised, and we provide our volunteers with top-notch training and
program resources. We also follow comprehensive safety
guidelines tailored to individual activities and girls' ages. And
right now, we’re continually adapting our programming and activities
to promote the utmost safety and follow the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention and state recommendations for
social distancing.
We are also working hard to ensure
that girls stay safe online. Different types of virtual events will
have different protocols that keep girls safe, such as only
identifying girls by first name and requiring registration or
passwords to join. Plus, the names of the attendees are not shared
with the audience, and access to registration information is limited
to GSUSA and local council staff only. Each troop can also set its own
safety practices for online troop meetings.
How do I sign her up?
It's easy! Just click "Join Us" under “Become a Girl
Scout!” to fill out a registration form, and we'll direct you to your
local Girl Scout council to find a troop or another opportunity near you.
Can parents and adults volunteer?
Yes! Be her cheerleader, guide, and mentor, helping her develop
skills and confidence that will last a lifetime. Right now, you can
also volunteer virtually and keep girls engaged and inspired in
challenging times. Volunteer today.
What she gets from joining Girl Scouts?
Girl Scouts are happy and confident, and they thrive on new
adventures and experiences.
A Girl Scout knows she's
having fun, but you'll know she's also gaining:
Important financial
literacy skills (math, anyone?) as she participates in the
largest girl-run business in the world—the Girl Scout Cookie Program
- Healthy relationship skills that will help her navigate
through her school years, especially as she moves into middle school
and high school
- Knowledge that will help her in science
classes as she builds robots, conducts amazing experiments with her
friends, or explores the natural world around her
- Leadership skills that will make it easier for her to speak up
in class and advocate for herself and others
Girls become more empowered as they move through the Girl Scout
Leadership Experience—a data-driven approach to what girls do and how
they do it. Through the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, girls
discover new things, connect new skills to the real world, and then
take action to use what they’ve learned to help their community! Every
Girl Scout experience is girl-led and focuses on cooperative hands-on learning.
Underneath the fun, the Girl Scout Leadership Experience benefits
girls in five important ways:
- STRONG SENSE OF SELF
Girls develop confidence in
themselves and their abilities, and form positive identities.
- POSITIVE VALUES
Girls act ethically, honestly, and
responsibly, and show concern for others.
- CHALLENGE
SEEKING
Girls take appropriate risks, try things even if they
might fail, and learn from mistakes. - HEALTHY
RELATIONSHIPS
Girls develop and maintain healthy relationships
by communicating their feelings directly and resolving conflicts
constructively. - COMMUNITY PROBLEM SOLVING
Girls learn
how to identify problems in the community, create plans to solve
them, and contribute to the world in a purposeful and meaningful
ways.
And it doesn't stop there. Joining Girl Scouts helps her excel in
every area of her life, including at home and at school.
