Girl Scouts of America
Basic Guide to Girl Scouting for Leaders, Parents and Cookie Lovers
Girl Scouts have been meeting since March 12th, 1912. The first Girl Scout, Juliet Gordon Low (some scouts call her J-Low for short) decided that boys shouldn’t be the only kids to have their own club. After visiting Lord Baden Powell in England, and seeing the activities of the newly formed Boy Scouts, Juliet decided to begin holding regular social meetings for girls, too.
Called Girl Guides in most of Europe, and Pathfinders in still other parts of the world, the original Girl Scouts would meet to do good deeds, and learn things girls weren’t taught in school. They also shared hobbies like needlepoint and baked their own Girl Scout Cookies to share with others.
Investiture
In order to be a Girl Scout, a girl is expected to agree to the Girl Scout Promise. Reciting The Promise as a personal oath is part of the official “Investiture.” An investiture ceremony is often given to welcome new girls into scouting, and is symbolized by the act of having a seasoned Girl Scout place the official pin on the uniform or shirt of the new scout. This pin is the only part of the uniform that is considered mandatory at Girl Scout Council events and other official functions.
The Girl Scout Promise
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.
Many Girl Scout meetings begin with a recitation of the Girl Scout Promise and law. Girls also learn about the principles contained in the Girl Scout Law and leaders strive to help girls understand and live by those character traits.
Badges and Patches
Badges and patches are currently part of the incentive program for Girl Scouts. Daisies earn petals for memorizing parts of the Girl Scout law and Brownies earn try-its for learning about different hobbies, careers and activities. Junior earn badges that reflect a deeper investigation and involvement in a project that Brownie try-its. Senior and Cadettes work on more complicated Interest Projects that guide them as they explore their world.
Levels
When Girl Scouts began, they were not split into age levels. Currently, there are six levels of scouting, to reflect developmental stages and interests. Daisy Girl Scouts are the youngest, and begin in kindergarten. After a girl has “bridged” or graduated from Daisies, she may choose to being Brownie Girl Scouts.
Brownie Girl Scouts lasts for three years, and at that time, many girls choose to move on to Junior Girl Scouts. At the end of 6th grade, a Girl Scout moves on to Cadette Girl Scouts, and then Senior Girl Scouting.
Once in college, there is an organization called Campus Girl Scouts that caters to the needs of older girls. Even the leaders and some parents are official Girl Scout adults, making the same Girl Scout Promise and agreeing to live by the Girl Scout Law.
Future of Girl Scouting
In the fall of 2008 the Girl Scout Program will undergo a change in levels and program to reflect the changing needs of the next generation. The ability to change to suit the ever-evolving needs of girls and their families is one reason the Girl Scout Program has endured the test of time.
* The word "God" can be interpreted in a number of ways, depending on one's spiritual beliefs. When reciting the Girl Scout Promise, it is okay to replace the word "God" with whatever word your spiritual beliefs dictate.
