Have
another question?
Please contact Angeles Girl
Scout Council’s Office: 310 450
3720 xt. 200 or send an e mail Girlscouts@angeles.org
How
do we get involved in Girl Scouts?
Call 310-450-3720 or send e mail to girlscouts@angeles.org
for membership information.
What does it mean to be a Girl Scout?
It’s all about Fun, Friends
and Fantastic Opportunities! The Girl Scout Program is girl-driven, reflecting the ever-changing needs and interests
of today’s girls. Girls discover the fun, friendship, and power of girls
together. It can change the way girls see the world and their place in it. Girls
learn the importance of personal responsibility, the value of goal-setting, the
spirit of teamwork, and the thrill of accomplishment.
Most
girls join a local troop or Girl Scout group for fun and friendship, but in the
process they build character, gain self-esteem and serve their communities the
core goals of Girl Scouting. In Girl Scouts, girls find a safe place to grow and
share new experiences, learn to relate to others, develop values and contribute
to society. Girls may also enjoy Girl Scouts as Juliettes, independent members.
What do Girl Scouts do?
 | Girl
Scouts go camping, visit museums, care for the environment, sell cookies, help
people in the community, and participate in exciting events that change all the
time. Girl Scouting gives girls the chance to explore their world and have a lot
of fun at the same time! What makes it a “Girl Scout activity” is
the mentoring that happens when girls work with trusted adults, with the guidance
and values inherent in the Girl Scout Promise and Law and Program
Goals. For ideas on specific activities, projects, and events,
please contact the Angeles Girl Scout office |
Top
Who can be a Girl Scout?
Girl
Scouting is for every girl, everywhere- where today’s girls can become tomorrow’s
leaders. Membership in Girl Scouts is open to girls ages 5-17; women and men 18
years and older can join as adult members.
Girls
and Adults become a Girl Scout by accepting the Girl Scout
Promise and Law and paying the $10 annual membership dues. However, no girl will
be denied membership in Girl Scouts for financial reasons.
Top
What
Girl Scout Program level is appropriate for my girl?
Daisy Girl Scouts participate in age appropriate
events, and start to expand their knowledge of nature, science, the arts, and
their communities. They learn in an inclusive, nurturing environment with at least
two adult leaders. Daisies earn "Learning Petals" for achievement in
Girl Scout programming, and can also receive patches for participation in events.
Brownie Girl Scouts explore their community, develop
friendships, and participate in fun activities. They also earn Brownie "Try-Its,"
awards that symbolize the completion of various learning and participation activities.
Brownies are also encouraged to take field trips and explore their environments
and community. They could go to the local zoo, march in a community parade, or
plan an overnight trip.
Click here for more information about
Brownie Girl Scouts from the Girl Scouts of the USA
Junior Girl Scouts discover what Girl Power is
all about. As a junior Girl Scout, girls start to plan their own events and outings,
earn badges with more rigorous requirements, and explore their world in partnership
with their leaders.
Older girl scouts working with adult advisors plan
activities, projects, and events that suite their needs as young women. They can
choose to complete service projects, and earn advanced awards such as the Bronze,
Silver and Gold Awards. They set their own goals, gain life experience, and build
self esteem and confidence while working with other girls and adult role models.
They may also decide to participate in Girl Scouts’ exciting new Studio
2B program options.
In addition to program level distinctions,
Angeles Girl Scout Council offers girls of any age (5 – 17 years)
the opportunity to enjoy the Girl Scout program as Juliettes
-- Independent
Girl Scouts without
troop or group affiliation -- at all program levels: Daisy, Brownie, Junior,
and older Girl Scouts. Juliettes are encouraged to participate in national, council
and neighborhood-wide activities, too, and can choose to work on the same programming
goals as girls in troops.
Top
When are the meetings?
Each
Girl Scout troop or group chooses its own meeting time, usually around the schedule
of the volunteer Leadership Team. Most troops meet once a week, either after school
or in the evening to accommodate working parents. Many Girl Scout events and activities
are on the weekends. School vacations are taken into consideration.
Top
How do I get my girl involved in Girl Scouting?
There
are many ways to participate in Girl Scouting. Your daughter could join a volunteer
led troop, join as an independent scout or Juliette, or just participate in all
of the exciting programs and events available to registered Girl Scouts outside
of a troop setting. It all starts with a call to our council office.
Top
How much will it cost for my girl to be a Girl Scout?
The
annual Girl Scouts of the USA registration fee is $10 per year for every girl
and every adult. These funds, collected
by Angeles Girl Scout Council for GSUSA, are used to develop national programs,
provide materials, and underwrite accident insurance for members. Angeles Girl Scout Council does not retain
any part of these registration fees, nor is it supported financially by GSUSA.
No girl will be denied
membership in Girl Scouting for financial reasons. If needed, financial assistance
for the membership fee is available from Angeles Girl Scout Council for new members.
Troop
dues, to be determined by the troop, are small amounts of money collected by on
a regular basis. The amount and use vary depending on what the girls decide is appropriate. Through dues,
the girls learn to plan, budget and manage money.
Girl
Scouts also raise money to pay for their own activities by being a part of the
Council-sponsored Product Sales Program, including the exciting spring Girl Scout
Cookie Sale. Product Sales benefit both the troops and provide essential support
for the Council as a whole. Girls learn valuable lessons about business, goal
setting, budgeting and interpersonal skills through these activities.
Top
What about the Girl Scout uniform?
While
it is not required, both girl and adult Girl Scouts may choose to wear official Girl Scout uniforms.
Top
Do
I have to join Girl Scouts as a parent to have my girl involved?
Girl
Scout membership is voluntary for family members; however by becoming a member,
you as a parent also receive the benefits
of membership in GSUSA, opportunities for involvement in local activities.
Top
Who runs a Girl Scout troop?
The
Girl Scout organization is 99% volunteer-run. Girl Scout Troop Leader is one of the most
important roles you can play. You may offer to become the main leader of a troop,
or you may split leadership responsibilities with two or three responsible people.
Adult
men can volunteer in Girl Scouting in every capacity that women can. However,
as one of the most valuable parts of a girl’s experience is gained through
role modeling, each troop must have at least one female Leader.
What
are my responsibilities, does the troop leader expect anything from me?
Parents
may be asked from time to time to help with the regular or special troop activities.
It may be bringing a snack, helping at a meeting, helping with field trips or
helping with communication to other parents. The more engaged a parent is with
their Girl Scout’s experience, the more the girl will get out of it.
Top
Can adults participate in Girl Scouts even if they don't have
a daughter?
Yes!
In addition to being part of a troop’s Leadership Team, there are several
ways adults can volunteer at the troop, neighborhood, group or Council levels.
For more information contact 310 450-3720 xt. 200
Top
How
do I know that my daughter will be safe?
Girl
Scouts has strict standards, procedures and policies to insure girl safety. All
adults who wish to become Girl Scout Volunteers – including all parents
who may have direct and ultimate responsibility for groups of girls -- must complete
a Volunteer Application, agree to a criminal background check, be interviewed
and complete training as required by the council.
Top
Can boys participate?
Girl
Scouting uniquely exists to serve girls
only. Our many years of experience shows that girls have unique needs and
interests that are best met in a program designed especially for them, delivered
in an all-girl setting. Boys too, have unique needs and interests, which are addressed
by organizations designed specifically for them.
Top
How many girls and adult volunteers are necessary
to start a new Girl Scout troop?
To start
a new troop for girls of any age between 5 – 17 years requires a minimum
commitment by 2 adults (who have met the requirements for volunteer Leader position
– see below) and 5 girls.
Top
How do I help start a Girl Scout Troop / become a Girl Scout Leader?
A
troop may start only after a minimum of two adults – who have gone through
the recruitment and screening phase -- have attended the New Leader Introduction
and are committed to serve as troop Leader. After that, the Troop Leadership Team
will decide together on things like meeting time and place and the division of
duties. You do not need any prior Girl Scout experience to be a Leader, just the
understanding that the best way to spend quality time with a girl is to give her
an experience that will enrich her for the rest of her life.
Top
What are the training requirements for new Girl Scout Leaders?
Leaders
attend a total of three trainings within a 3-month window of time. Leaders develop
the skills necessary to guide girls in the Girl Scout program. These include how
to organize a field trip, group management and specifics on working with girls
of a particular age group.
Top
Are there materials available to give us ideas for troop meetings
and activities?
Girl
Scouts of the USA publishes Handbooks, Badge books and Leader’s Guides,
which provide enough high quality Girl Scout program ideas for every meeting.
All are available for purchase at the Angeles Girl Scout Council Shop during Headquarters
business hours. In addition, the council provides supplemental events, program
activity kits, patch programs, books, videos, equipment and loads of other materials
that can be checked out for free or
at a minimal charge at the Council office
Top
Will anyone be helping us?
As
a Girl Scout volunteer, you can count on help from a variety of people. Once a
month you can attend a volunteer meeting of your Girl Scout Neighborhood. There,
you’ll have the opportunity to meet other Leaders from your area and get
ideas, advice, training and information on upcoming events.
Top
Every girl, everywhere in
Angeles Girl Scout Council’s 101 communities jurisdiction is welcome to
become a Girl Scout.
For
more information, please contact the Council Headquarters at 310 450-3720 xt. 200 or send e mail to girlscouts@angeles.org.
