Girl Scouts is an organization dedicated to helping girls build character and develop skills for success. Through Girl Scout activities, girls discover the fun, friendship, and power of working together. In partnership with committed adult volunteers, they develop strong values, social conscience, and conviction about their own potential and self-worth.
In the United States, the official name of the organization is Girl Scouts of the USA. In Canada and many other countries, members of similar organizations are known as Girl Guides. The organizations of Girl Scouts and Girl Guides throughout the world make up the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.
All Girl Scouts and Girl Guides have a pledge called a Promise and a set of standards called a Law. The exact wording of the Promise and Law varies from country to country.
In the United States, the Girl Scout Promise is:
Loading the player...On my honor, I will try: To serve God and my country, To help people at all times, And to live by the Girl Scout Law.
Girl Scout pledge
When making the Girl Scout Promise, individuals may omit the word “God” or substitute wording appropriate to their own spiritual beliefs.
In the United States, the Girl Scout Law is:
I will do my best to be Honest and fair, Friendly and helpful, Considerate and caring, Courageous and strong, and Responsible for what I say and do, And to Respect myself and others, Respect authority, Use resources wisely, Make the world a better place, and Be a sister to every Girl Scout.
The emblem of the Girl Scouts and Girl Guides is a trefoil, or three-leaf clover. It stands for the three parts of the Promise. The symbol of Girl Scouts of the USA has the profiles of three young women against a trefoil shape. The Girl Scout and Girl Guide motto is Be Prepared.
Girl Scouts of the USA
Girls from kindergarten through 12th grade may become Girl Scouts. The Girl Scout program has six levels: (1) Daisies, (2) Brownies, (3) Juniors, (4) Cadettes, (5) Seniors, and (6) Ambassadors. Girls may enter the program at any level appropriate to their grade. For example, a girl can become a Girl Scout Junior even if she has not been a Brownie. Girls who advance from one level to the next may participate in a bridging (graduation) ceremony to celebrate the completion of a program. Girls from all walks of life are encouraged to take part in Girl Scouting, regardless of race, religion, or ability. Girl Scouts are organized into troops, which include girls of the same grade level, and groups, which include girls from various grade levels. Adult volunteers supervise Girl Scout activities. These women and men may serve as advisers, troop committee members, leaders, or council or national board members.
Along with troops, girls and volunteers can choose from several flexible Pathways to participate in Girl Scouting based on time and interest. Girls involved in the Pathways program can attend day camps and resident camps or attend half-day, daylong, or overnight events run locally.
Every member of the Girl Scouts pays dues to the national organization and to her troop or group. The national organization publishes books and handbooks for members and for adult volunteers. It also maintains two national centers that serve as meeting places for Girl Scouts and visitors from other countries. The centers are in Savannah, Georgia, and in Briarcliff Manor, New York. The Girl Scouts’ national headquarters are in New York City.
Girl Scout Daisies
are in kindergarten or the first grade. To become a Girl Scout Daisy, a girl attends meetings and learns the Promise and the Law. She then takes part in an investiture (formal enrollment) ceremony and receives a membership pin and certificate.
Parents and other adult volunteers organize Girl Scout Daisy activities. Typical activities include arts and crafts projects, field trips, family camping and hiking trips, and community service projects. Daisies can also earn cloth patches and other awards called petals for such activities as reading books or helping their community. Girl Scout Daisies may wear blue tunics (long shirtlike garments). The girls may place their petals or patches on their tunics or in a scrapbook. The Girl Scout Daisy level originated in 1984. It is named after Girl Scout founder Juliette Gordon Low, whose nickname was Daisy.
Girl Scout Brownies
are in the second or third grade. To become a Brownie, a girl who has been a Girl Scout Daisy participates in a bridging ceremony. She receives a Girl Scout Brownie pin and a certificate marking the completion of her time as a Girl Scout Daisy. A girl who has not been a Girl Scout Daisy makes the Promise and receives a Girl Scout Brownie pin at an investiture ceremony.
Brownie activities may include visiting a zoo and learning to feed baby animals, marching in a community parade, camping, and learning to swim at summer camp. Brownies can earn awards called Try-Its by completing activities in different areas. Girl Scout Brownies may wear brown vests or sashes over white shirts. The girls may display their Try-Its and other emblems on their vest or sash.
Girl Scout Juniors
are in the fourth or fifth grade. To become a Girl Scout Junior, a girl who has been a Girl Scout Brownie participates in a fly-up ceremony. At this ceremony, she receives the Girl Scout Brownie wings emblem and a Girl Scout pin. She also renews the Girl Scout Promise. A girl who has not been a Girl Scout Brownie makes the Promise and receives her Girl Scout pin at an investiture ceremony.
Girl Scout Juniors explore new opportunities, learn decision-making skills, and gain self-confidence. Juniors can earn a wide variety of badges and other emblems called signs in such areas as science and technology, the arts, health and fitness, sports, and global awareness. They may also earn the Junior Aide Award for assisting Girl Scout Brownies who are bridging to become Girl Scout Juniors. Girls can also receive a Bridge to Girl Scout Cadettes Award after completing activities in preparation for becoming a Girl Scout Cadette. Girl Scout Juniors may also work toward the Girl Scout Bronze Award, the highest honor that a Girl Scout Junior can earn. The award requires a girl to learn the leadership and planning skills necessary to follow through on a project that makes a positive impact on her community. Girl Scout Juniors may wear green vests or sashes over white shirts. The girls may display their badges, signs, and other emblems on their vest or sash.
Girl Scout Cadettes
are in the sixth, seventh, or eighth grade. Cadettes explore career opportunities in many areas, such as the arts, business, the environment, health, science, and social services. Cadettes learn what abilities, values, training, and education are required for different jobs. Girl Scout Cadettes can earn a Bridge to Girl Scout Seniors Award after completing activities in preparation for becoming a Girl Scout Senior.
Girl Scout Cadettes may also work toward the Girl Scout Silver Award, the highest honor that a Girl Scout at that level can earn. The award represents a girl’s accomplishments in Girl Scouting and her community as she grows and works to improve her life and the lives of others.
In 2003, the Studio 2B program for girls 11 to 17 was introduced through Girl Scout Cadettes and Seniors. Girls in this program can choose their own group name—such as Cadette, Senior, or any name they wish—to express their interests and personalities. Girls in the Studio 2B program can earn patches and other awards and participate in the same activities as other Girl Scouts in their grade level. In addition, Studio 2B members can earn career and leadership awards called charms. The charms may be displayed on a bracelet or charm holder.
Girl Scout Seniors
are in the 9th or 10th grade. Girl Scout Seniors have further opportunities for career exploration, self-improvement, community service, and fun. Girl Scout Seniors evaluate their interests and participate in such career experiences as volunteer work and paying jobs.
Girl Scout Cadettes and Seniors may earn awards for projects in such areas as automobile mechanics, computer skills, fashion design, energy conservation, and money management. Girl Scout Cadettes and Seniors may earn volunteer service bars, recognition for activities in career exploration, and leadership awards. Girl Scout Seniors can also earn a Bridge to Girl Scout Ambassadors Award after completing activities in preparation for becoming a Girl Scout Ambassador.
Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors may work toward the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor that a Girl Scout at those levels can earn. The award requires a special project that fills a need within a girl’s community, creates change, and may become ongoing.
Girl Scout Ambassadors
are in the 11th or 12th grade. Girls in this level explore various issues and learn a variety of skills in preparation for leaving high school. The Girl Scout Ambassador level originated in 2006. Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors may wear khaki vests or sashes over white shirts.
Girl Scout Juliettes
are girls who register and participate individually in Girl Scouts. Girl Scout Juliettes do not attend troop meetings. They work on Girl Scout programs with a parent or other adult mentor and decide which activities they wish to participate in and which earned recognitions they wish to work toward. Girls at all Girl Scout levels can become Girl Scout Juliettes. Girls interested in becoming Juliettes should contact the nearest Girl Scout council or the national headquarters.
Journeys.
Leadership Journeys provide different themes by membership level. Journeys engage girls in exploring three keys to leadership: “discover,” “connect,” and “take action.” Journeys provide opportunities for networking, exploring careers, discovering global perspectives, and trying new challenges. For Girl Scout Daisies and Brownies, Journeys feature fictional stories that help girls translate values into actions. Girls earn leadership awards (badges or pins) at the completion of a Journey. Badges are earned by choosing from a range of specific skill-building topics—including animals, arts and expressions, technology use, and outdoor adventure—and carrying out related steps.
Uniforms
are not required for participation in Girl Scouting. However, many girls and adults choose to wear uniforms to be recognized and to show their pride. Many girls wear the awards they have earned, such as pins and badges, on a sash or a vest.
Uniforms for the different Girl Scout levels vary in style and color. The uniform commonly includes a white blouse and khaki bottoms. Adults in Girl Scouting may wear a Girl Scout official scarf or tie. Often, when girls or adults are representing the Girl Scout organization, they simply wear a Girl Scout membership pin and regular clothes.
Annual events.
Girl Scouts of the USA observes special days throughout the year. On Founders Day, October 31, Girl Scouts honor the birthday of Girl Scout founder Juliette Gordon Low. They also celebrate Girl Scout Week during the week in which March 12 falls. Girl Scout Week honors the first Girl Scout group meeting in the United States, which was held on March 12, 1912. During Girl Scout Week, members perform volunteer work in their communities and learn more about the Girl Scout organization. On World Thinking Day, February 22, they celebrate the birthday of Lord Baden-Powell, who started the Boy Scout movement and organized the Girl Guides in England. Girl Scouts and Girl Guides throughout the world observe World Thinking Day by thinking about international friendship.
Local Girl Scout councils in the United States also conduct annual cookie sales. Some of these sales take place as early in the school year as September, but most occur between January and April. All levels of Girl Scouts can earn badges and other awards by selling cookies in their communities to raise funds for local Girl Scout councils and their own troops and groups.
Girl Guides of Canada-Guides du Canada
The activities and organization of Girl Guides of Canada are similar to those of Girl Scouts of the USA. The Canadian organization’s official name appears in both English and French: Girl Guides of Canada-Guides du Canada.
The Girl Guide program is designed to enrich a girl’s life and to benefit the lives of the people around her. It challenges girls to reach their potential and empowers them to give leadership and service as responsible citizens of the world. Girl Guides of Canada-Guides du Canada is an all-female organization in which women provide role models for girls. Guiding for girls is divided into five age groups. These groups are (1) Sparks, (2) Embers, (3) Guides, (4) Pathfinders, and (5) Rangers.
The Girl Guide program is based on their Mission and their Principles of Guiding, which outline the organization’s philosophy and goals. Each girl must make the Promise to become a member. The Guides’ main paths of discovery include camping, the home, the community, the outdoors, and the world.
Girl Guides pay an annual fee to the national organization and sometimes a small weekly fee to cover unit expenses. Girl Guides of Canada-Guides du Canada publishes Canadian Guider magazine for adult leaders and several Girl Guide handbooks. National headquarters are in Toronto.
Sparks
are 5 to 6 years old. They take part in a program of playing, singing, listening to stories, outdoor fun, and creative activities in a relaxed and caring atmosphere. By promising to “share and be a friend,” Sparks learn interpersonal skills and the value of friendship. They wear a pink T-shirt or sweatshirt.
Embers
are 7 to 8 years old. In any Ember unit, there are at least two adult Ember Guiders. One of them is called Brown Owl. The others have different owl names, such as Tawny Owl or Snowy Owl. Ember units are divided into smaller groups called circles, which consist of up to six girls each. Embers take part in a program that has three areas of focus, called Windows: (1) My Window on People, (2) My Window on the Outdoors, and (3) My Window on Today and Tomorrow.
Embers learn cooperation through group activities and games. Activities, such as hiking and camping, encourage development of individual talents, friendships, and concern for others. Embers wear a brown dress with a brown and orange belt, or a T-shirt or sweatshirt with brown pants. They may also wear an orange tie, a brown badge sash, and the official Ember pin, which is in the shape of an elf.
Guides
may be 9 to 11 years old. They are formed into patrols of about six girls each, and four or five patrols make up a unit. Each patrol has a Patrol Leader. The adult leaders are called Guiders. The Unit Council is the decision-making body of the Guide unit.
Guides attend weekly meetings where they work in small groups to plan activities. Guides enjoy the excitement of camping, the satisfaction of connecting with their communities, and a variety of activities that help develop initiative and resourcefulness. Guides wear a blue dress with a blue-and-red belt, or a T-shirt or sweatshirt with blue pants. They also wear a white tie, a blue badge sash, and a gold enrollment pin.
Pathfinders
are 12 to 14 years old. Pathfinder units have about 15 girls and at least 2 Guiders. Every member of a Pathfinder unit has an equal voice in all decisions. Everyone discusses and decides on group activities. A chairwoman may be selected by the unit to guide discussions and to help the group arrive at decisions.
Pathfinders explore the community, the outdoors, the home, and the world. Community service projects and camping are important in the Pathfinder program. Pathfinders wear a navy-blue skirt or pants with a blue-and-white striped blouse, a T-shirt, or a sweatshirt. They wear a green tie, green emblem sash, and green enrollment pin.
Pathfinders may earn any of several emblems: the Be Prepared Emblem, the Camping Emblem, the Community Emblem, the Home Emblem, the Leadership Emblem, the Outdoor Emblem, and the World Emblem. Girls may also earn the Religion in Life Emblem.
Rangers
are young women 15 to 17 years old and older. Rangers plan and lead their own activities based on the program’s interest areas. They take part in a wide variety of activities designed to help them understand their community, their roles as women and citizens, and the world as a global village. Camping is popular with Rangers.
Members of the Rangers wear navy-blue pants or a skirt, with a blue-and-white striped blouse or polo shirt or a navy-blue sweatshirt.
Lones.
Girls who are unable to attend regular meetings because of distance, health, work, or studies can become members of Lone units. Lones carry out the program of their branch through correspondence and often take part in camps and events with active units. Girls interested in becoming Lones should contact the nearest Girl Guide office or the national headquarters.
In other countries
The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts represents national organizations in more than 140 countries throughout the world. Millions of girls and adult leaders belong to the World Association. The association aims to provide girls with opportunities for individual development, responsible citizenship, and community service. It maintains four centers: Pax Lodge in London; Our Chalet near Adelboden, Switzerland; Our Cabana in Cuernavaca, Mexico; and Sangam in Pune, India. The centers provide accommodations and meeting places for visiting Girl Scouts and Girl Guides at international Girl Scout and Girl Guide events.
Australia.
The national Guiding organization in Australia, Girl Guides Australia, does not classify its members by age group. Instead, all members 5 to 18 years old are called Guides. Australia’s Guiding program gives each girl an opportunity to develop her potential in a variety of areas. Guides perform community service projects and provide assistance to people in need. They also participate in camping and other outdoor activities.
India.
Girl Guides in India belong to the Girl Guide Section of the Bharat Scouts and Guides. The organization has three age groups for Guides: Bulbuls (ages 6 to 10), Guides (ages 10 to 17), and Rangers (ages 18 to 25). In some states, a preschool group, known as Bunnies, serves girls ages 3 to 6. Most Guiding in India is associated with schools. In some schools, Guiding forms part of the curriculum of optional extra activities.
Ireland.
The national Guiding organization in Ireland, the Irish Girl Guides, has four age groups: Ladybird Guides (ages 5 to 7), Brownie Guides (ages 61/2 to 11), Guides (ages 10 1/2 to 15), and Senior Branch (ages 14 1/2 to 21). Girl Guides in Ireland can work for proficiency badges in a variety of areas. Guiding programs emphasize leadership, crafts, environmental awareness, and community service.
New Zealand.
The organization GirlGuiding New Zealand has four age groups: Pippins (ages 5 to 6), Brownies (ages 7 to 9 1/2), Guides (ages 9 1/2 to 12-13), and Rangers (ages 13 to 18). The organization promotes challenging outdoor programs, international travel opportunities, and community involvement projects.
South Africa.
The Girl Guides Association of South Africa has four age groups: Teddy (ages 4 1/2 to 7), Brownies (ages 7 to 10), Guides (ages 10 to 14), and Rangers (ages 14 to 25). Girl Guides in South Africa can earn badges for proficiency in physical fitness, safety, energy conservation, citizenship, animal care, the arts, and other areas. The association also encourages girls and women to fight against poverty, abuse of women, and the spread of such diseases as AIDS and malaria.
United Kingdom.
The organization Girlguiding UK has four age groups: Rainbows (ages 5 to 7; ages 4 to 7 in Northern Ireland), Brownie Guides (ages 7 to 10), Guides (ages 10 to 14), and Senior Section (ages 14 to 25). Guiding programs encourage girls to develop physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Girlguiding members play an active part in the community. They volunteer in hospitals and in children’s centers and take care of people in need. Many girls also take part in environmental projects. Girlguiding UK participates in child health and other medical projects with other countries.
History
Robert Baden-Powell, a British Army officer, began the Boy Scouts in 1907 to give boys training in citizenship. Many girls wanted to belong to a similar group, so he helped work out the principles for a separate organization. The Girl Guides program began in England in 1909. The movement quickly spread to other lands.
The first registered Canadian Guide Company was formed in 1910 in St. Catharines, Ontario. The same year, companies began elsewhere in Canada, including Toronto, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Newfoundland. In 1917, the Canadian Parliament granted a charter to the Canadian Council of the Girl Guides Association.
In 1920, Baden-Powell’s wife, Olave, called the first international conference. Members from 15 countries met in the United Kingdom. World conferences are now held every three years for representatives from all the member countries of the World Association.
Girl Scouts of the USA was a founding member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. It has been active in international programs throughout its history, especially since the mid-1900’s. The Juliette Low World Friendship Fund, made up of voluntary contributions from Girl Scouts in the United States, provides partial financing for international exchange visits of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. The fund also helps develop Girl Guiding on all continents by preparing training materials in other languages and by providing equipment.
