Girl Scouting Fundamentals
First and foremost, Girl Scouting is for Girls. The needs of girls are unique and can best be served by a girls’ only organization. The Girl Scouts is a membership organization and the all-girl focus of Girl Scouting is important.
Girls Face Unique Challenges
Studies show that, compared to boys, girls view their bodies more negatively, have lower self-esteem, attempt suicide more frequently, and are more often victims of abuse.
Girls Need Female Role Models
A setting in which female role models are the norm rather than the exception helps girls develop the skills and self-confidence they need to succeed in tomorrow’s world.
The All-Girl Experience Has Many Benefits
A place that recognizes girls’ contributions, values, and abilities, providing a supportive environment that encourages healthy risk-taking.
Girl Scouts actively seeks members from every racial, ethnic, spiritual, and socio-economic group and the participation of people with disabilities. The goal of the national Girl Scouts organization, Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA), is to achieve a membership that truly reflects the population of our diverse nation.
Girls are at the heart of Girl Scouting
Through multiple Program Pathways the Girl Scout Program enables girls to discover fun, friendship, and the power of girls together. Girls from all backgrounds learn to stretch their limits, take healthy risks, and just “be themselves.” While the majority of Girl Scouts participate in troops/groups, girls can also experience Girl Scouting as individuals (Juliettes), through interest groups and activity centers, even through PEGS – a program by-mail for girls who are not part of a troop/group.
The Girl/Adult Partnership is Key
Girls and adults work as partners, encouraging the development of leadership and decision-making skills, providing girls with an opportunity to experience self-government. At all times, the Safety of girls is our highest priority. All Girl Scout program activities must conform to the applicable guidelines and standards in GSUSA publications such as Safety-Wise and the Blue Book of Basic Documents.
Pluralism is a Priority!
Pluralism is defined as a system that includes individuals from groups differing in basic background experiences and cultures, which allows for the development of a common tradition while preserving the right of each group to maintain its cultural heritage. It is the process by which the Girl Scout organization accepts, accommodates, understands, respects, values, and integrates diversity.
To be inclusive, we believe actions and language should take into account culture, racial/ethnic backgrounds, spiritual practices, and/or disabilities. If you’re unsure how to treat someone the way she or he would like to be treated, just ask! That’s how we learn to honor and respect one another.
We encourage all members to take advantage of council training courses that increase our ability to welcome all people regardless of race, sex, religion, age, or ability.
The general public sometimes links Girl Scouting and Boy Scouting together and may believe there is one “scouting” organization. However, the two organizations are separate entities with different national governing bodies, policies, practices, and organizational structures. To correct this misperception, we ask members to use the term “Girl Scouting,” rather than “Scouting.” Our language
must convey that we exist for girls.
