Alternative Scout Clubs For Girls
Christian and Secular Groups for K12 Girls' Character Education
The Girl Scouts of America focuses on character development and leadership skills for girls of all ages, and some families want their daughters to have a different experience. There are organizations for girls that focus on religion, self-improvement and on the environment. Here is a sampling of youth organizations that girls can participate in.
American Heritage Girls (Christian, Girls only)
American Heritage Girls mission statement is to “Build women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country.” AHG offers a patch incentive program and operates in several U.S. states.
Girls for a Change (Secular, Girls Only)
Girls For A Change (GFC) is a national organization that empowers teenage girls to create social change. By providing girls with professional female role models, GFC stresses leadership training and inspires women and girls to work together in teams to solve societal problems in their community.
National Girls’ Ministry: Missionettes (Christian, Girls Only)
Missionettes strives to cultivate “Christ-like personal character and high moral standards” in girls. They also help girls find cultural relevance and personal wholeness by using their personal gifts, prayer and worship.
Adventure Guides (Secular, Co-ed)
The YMCA offers a program called Adventure Guides. The Adventure Guides program aims to enhance the quality of family time, offer kids the opportunity to develop volunteer leadership skills and help build positive lifelong relationships between parents and children.
Little Flowers Girls’ Club (Catholic, Girls Only)
The Little Flowers Girls’ Club is a Catholic program for K-12 girls, based upon learning to lead a virtuous life by studying the Catholic Saints, Scripture and Catechism. Little Flowers aims to bring the Catholic faith alive and inspire the girls to be grow up to be authentic Catholic women.
Earth Scouts (Secular, Co-ed)
The Earth Scouts have a kid-created mission statement; they are “Changing the world one fun badge at a time.” Earth Scouts facilitators provide a cooperative learning environment for future community leaders, both boys and girls; future change agents seeking sustainability, equity and nonviolence.
Pioneer Clubs: Pioneer Girls (Christian, also has a Boys Group)
The goal of the Pioneer Club is to help children follow Christ in every aspect of life. With church-sponsored midweek programs, Pioneer girls and boys meet separately to build relationships with caring Christian adults and Jesus Christ. Pioneer clubs claim that their program is Christ-centered, Bible-based, kid-focused and flexible.
SpiralScouts International (Minority Religions, Co-ed)
SpiralScouts is a coed, multi-age organization designed to bring families together by encouraging boys and girls to play and work together under the direction of both male and female leaders. Its purpose is to teach that men and woman can both be cooperative and capable leaders. Rooted in the Pagan tradition, entire families are encouraged to join SpiralScouts, and share the scouting experience with other families.
Keepers of the Home (Christian, also offers a Boys Program)
Keepers of the Faith has a special program for girls, called Keepers of the Home. The entire program can be used in the privacy of your home or as part of a large or small group. The Keepers programs stress parental control over what is being taught and integrating Christian Principles into the learning program. Keepers programs have been around for over 20 years.
Camp Fire USA (Secular, Co-ed)
Camp Fire provides all-inclusive coeducational programs all over the U.S. Camp Fire’s programs include youth leadership, self-reliance, after school groups, camping and environmental education and child care.
