View source for Girl Scouts of the USA

{{Short description|Non-profit youth organization for American girls}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2014}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox WorldScouting
| image = Girl Scouts of the USA.svg
| caption = The current Girl Scouts logo, introduced in 2009.{{efn|An earlier version of this logo, designed by [[Saul Bass]], was introduced 31 years prior.}}
| name = Girl Scouts of the United States of America
| headquarters = [[New York City]], U.S.
| coords = {{Coord|40|45|3|N|73|59|0|W|display=inline,title}}
| country = United States
| affiliation = [[World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts]]
| members = 1 million+ girl members (2023) and 750,000 adults (2020)<ref>{{cite book |title=Girl Scouts of the USA 2023 Annual Report |date=2023 |url=https://www.girlscouts.org/content/dam/gsusa/forms-and-documents/footer/financials/GSUSA_Annual-Report-2023.pdf |access-date=August 20, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Girl Scouts of the USA 2020 Annual Report |date=2021 |url=https://www.girlscouts.org/content/dam/girlscouts-gsusa/forms-and-documents/about-girl-scouts/research/GS_AnnualReport2020_FINAL.pdf |access-date=August 20, 2025}}</ref>
| f-date = {{sda|1912|03|12}}
| founder = [[Juliette Gordon Low]]
| chiefscouttitle = CEO
| chiefscout = Bonnie Barczykowski
| website = {{URL|www.girlscouts.org}}
}}
[[File:Girl Scouts raising the American flag.jpg|right|thumb|256px|Girl Scouts raising the flag at a Municipal Band concert in [[Eau Claire, Wisconsin|Eau Claire]], Wisconsin]]

'''Girl Scouts of the United States of America''' ('''GSUSA'''), commonly referred to as '''Girl Scouts''', is a [[youth organization]] for girls in the United States and American girls living abroad.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maurer |first=Elizabeth |date=June 2017 |title=What Did Girls Want? Independence, Challenge, and a Cool Uniform |url=https://www.womenshistory.org/articles/what-did-girls-want |publisher=National Women's History Museum |access-date=January 29, 2018 |archive-date=January 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130020145/https://www.womenshistory.org/articles/what-did-girls-want |url-status=live }}</ref> 
It was founded by [[Juliette Gordon Low]] in 1912, a year after she had met [[Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell|Robert Baden-Powell]], the founder of [[Scouting]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=Cook |first=David C. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fsMhuXeEtH4C |title=Mothers of Influence |publisher=Cook Communications Ministries |year=2005 |isbn=978-1-56292-368-6 |access-date=April 20, 2011}}</ref> (formerly Boy Scouts).

The stated mission of Girl Scouts is to "[build] girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place"<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Facts About Girl Scouts |url=https://www.girlscouts.org/en/footer/faq/facts.html#:~:text=Girl%20Scout%20Mission,the%20world%20a%20better%20place. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211192826/https://www.girlscouts.org/en/footer/faq/facts.html#:~:text=Girl%20Scout%20Mission,the%20world%20a%20better%20place. |archive-date=December 11, 2023 |access-date=December 11, 2023 |website=Girl Scouts}}</ref> through activities involving [[camping]], [[community service]], and practical skills such as [[first aid]]. Members can earn badges by completing certain tasks and mastering skills. More senior members may be eligible for awards, such as the [[Bronze Award (Girl Scouts of the USA)|Bronze]], [[Silver Award (Girl Scouts of the USA)|Silver]], and [[Gold Award (Girl Scouts of the USA)|Gold Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Highest Awards |url=https://www.girlscouts.org/en/members/for-girl-scouts/badges-journeys-awards/highest-awards.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211192825/https://www.girlscouts.org/en/members/for-girl-scouts/badges-journeys-awards/highest-awards.html |archive-date=December 11, 2023 |access-date=December 11, 2023 |website=Girl Scouts}}</ref> Membership is organized according to grade level, with activities designed for each level. The organization is a member of the [[World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts]] (WAGGGS).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Member Organisation – USA |url=https://www.wagggs.org/en/our-world/western-hemisphere/member-organisations/united-states-of-america/ |access-date=December 11, 2023 |website=WAGGGS |language=en |archive-date=December 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203004133/https://www.wagggs.org/en/our-world/western-hemisphere/member-organisations/united-states-of-america/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==History==
===Girl Guides of America===
[[File:Juliette Gordon Low dai.jpg|thumb|right|Juliette Gordon Low (center), with two Girl Scouts.]]
Girl Scouting in the United States began on March 12, 1912, when founder [[Juliette Gordon Low]] organized the first Girl Guide troop meeting in [[Savannah, Georgia]]. It has since grown to near 3.7 million members.<ref name="JGL">{{Cite web |title=Juliette Gordon Low Biography |url=http://www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/history/low_biography |access-date=July 10, 2013 |website=Girl Scouts of the United States of America |archive-date=July 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130705053408/http://www.girlscouts.org/who%5Fwe%5Fare/history/low%5Fbiography/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> From its inception, Girl Scouts has been organized and run exclusively for girls.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Aickin Rothschild |first=Mary |date=Autumn 1981 |title=To Scout or to Guide? The Girl Scout–Boy Scout Controversy, 1912–1941 |journal=Frontiers: A Journal of Women Studies |publisher=University of Nebraska Press |volume=6 |issue=3 |pages=115–121 |doi=10.2307/3346224 |jstor=3346224}}</ref>

Low was the granddaughter of Juliette Magill Kinzie and John Harris Kinzie, and her maternal grandparents were two of the earliest settlers of [[Chicago]]. Juliette Kinzie wrote about her experiences in the [[Northwest Territory]] (now the state of [[Wisconsin]]) in her book ''Wau-Bun: The Early Day''. Low incorporated some of her grandmother's experiences on the frontier into the traditions of Girl Scouts.

In late 1912, Low sought various [[Mergers and acquisitions|mergers]] with similar organizations, including [[Camp Fire Girls]] and the [[Des Moines, Iowa|Des Moines]]-based [[Girl Scouts of America]], but was unsuccessful in any merging.<ref name="chirhart2007">{{Cite book |last1=Chirhart |first1=Ann Short |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VqU2PsmlYpMC&pg=PA381 |title=Georgia Women: Their Lives and Times |last2=Wood |first2=Betty |date=2007 |publisher=University of Georgia Press |isbn=9780820339009 |page=381}}</ref>

===Girl Scouts of the United States===
[[File:SaturdayEveningPost25Oct1924.jpg|thumb|Cover story from ''[[The Saturday Evening Post]]'' on Girl Scouts (Oct 25, 1924)]]
In 1913, the organization was renamed to Girl Scouts of the United States. Its headquarters was subsequently moved to [[Washington, D.C.]]<ref name="chirhart2007" />

In 1915, the organization was [[Corporation|incorporated]],<ref name="preuss">{{Cite book |last=Preuss |first=Arthur |url=https://archive.org/details/PreussPDF |title=A Dictionary of Secret and other Societies |publisher=B. Herder Book Co. |year=1924 |location=St. Louis |page=[https://archive.org/details/PreussPDF/page/n218 152] |quote=republished Detroit: Gale Reference Company 1966}}</ref> and its headquarters was moved to [[New York City]].<ref name="chirhart2007" /> The organization was renamed for the final time to Girl Scouts of the United States of America in 1947. The organization received a [[congressional charter]] on March 16, 1950.<ref name=":2" />

By 1920, the organization reached nearly 70,000 members.<ref name="Who We Are">{{Cite web |year=2013 |title=Who We Are: Facts |url=http://www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/facts/ |access-date=July 10, 2013 |publisher=Girl Scouts of The USA |archive-date=August 21, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070821061025/http://www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/facts/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1930, that number had expanded to over 200,000 members. As of 2013, there were over 3.2 million Girl Scouts: 2.3 million youth members and 890,000 adult members.<ref name="Who We Are" /> More than 50 million American women have participated in Girl Scouts throughout its history.<ref name="Who We Are" />

In 1923, Girl Scouts were organized into patrols, troops, local councils, and a National Council.<ref name="preuss" /> Initially, troops had a high degree of independence, but over time, councils were formed between troops. Today there are 111 councils across the United States and Girl Scouts Overseas following a cycle of mergers in 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Council Finder {{!}} Girl Scouts |url=https://www.girlscouts.org/en/council-finder.html |access-date=2025-05-10 |website=Girl Scouts of the USA |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Realignment History |url=http://www.girlscoutsrscmo.org/realignment_history.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070911131545/http://www.girlscoutsrscmo.org/realignment_history.htm |archive-date=2007-09-11 |access-date=2025-05-10 |website=www.girlscoutsrscmo.org}}</ref>

The [[Juliette Gordon Low Historic District]] in [[Savannah, Georgia]], became the national Girl Scout program center in 1956.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Girl Scouting in Indiana |url=http://www.statelib.lib.in.us/www/ihb/publications/girlscout.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061015143935/http://www.statelib.lib.in.us/www/ihb/publications/girlscout.pdf |archive-date=October 15, 2006 |access-date=November 4, 2006 |publisher=The Indiana Historian}}</ref> Upon Low's death in 1927, she willed her carriage house, at [[Andrew Low Carriage House|330 Drayton Street]], which eventually became The Girl Scout First Headquarters, to the local Savannah Girl Scouts for continued use.<ref name="troop1440history">{{Cite web |last=Montgomery |first=Dana |year=2003 |title=History of the Girl Scout Organization |url=http://cheesecakeandfriends.com/troop1440/history.htm |access-date=September 8, 2006 |publisher=Troop 1440, Wakefield, MA |archive-date=August 29, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060829133300/http://cheesecakeandfriends.com/troop1440/history.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Girls Scout Troop -54, San Juan, Puerto Rico.jpg|thumb|San Juan, Puerto Rico Girl Scouts Troop No. 54, (Year 1945)]]

===Desegregation===
Most Girl Scout units were originally [[Racial segregation|segregated by race]] according to state and local laws and customs. The first troop for [[African American]] girls was founded in 1917; the first [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian]] troop was formed in [[New York State]] in 1921; and the first troop for [[Mexican Americans]] was formed in [[Houston]], Texas, in 1922. In 1933, Josephine Groves Holloway founded unofficial African American troops in [[Tennessee]]. She also fully desegregated the Cumberland Valley council in 1962.<ref name="groves">{{Cite book |last=Elisabeth Israels Perry |url=http://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entry.php?rec=641 |title=Josephine Groves Holloway |series=Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture |others=Tennessee Historical Society, Nashville, Tenn. |year=2002 |edition=Online |access-date=September 8, 2006 |orig-year=1998 |archive-date=July 29, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729084950/http://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entry.php?rec=641 |url-status=live }}</ref> The first official African American troop in the South was founded in 1932 in [[Richmond, Virginia]]. It was created by Maggie Lena Walker and Lena B. Watson, but was led by Lavnia Banks, a teacher from [[Armstrong High School (Virginia)|Armstrong High School]]. It first met in Hartshorn Hall at [[Virginia Union University]].<ref>{{Cite web |year=2008 |title=Girl Scout Commonwealth Council to celebrate and honor first African-American Troop in the South |url=http://www.comgirlscouts.org/News%20Room/vuu.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326055255/http://www.comgirlscouts.org/News%20Room/vuu.pdf |archive-date=March 26, 2009 |access-date=December 19, 2008}}</ref>

By the 1950s, GSUSA had begun significant national efforts to desegregate the camps and maintain racial balance. One of the first desegregations, accomplished by [[Murray Atkins Walls]] in 1956, was at Camp Shattuck in [[Kentucky]].<ref name="walls">{{Cite book |url=http://www.state.ky.us/agencies2/kchr/pdf/Winter%20newsletter%202005.pdf |title=Human Rights Report: New Great Black Kentuckian poster unveiled |date=Winter 2005 |publisher=Kentucky Commission on Human Rights |page=3 |access-date=September 8, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060923073929/http://www.state.ky.us/agencies2/kchr/pdf/Winter%20newsletter%202005.pdf |archive-date=September 23, 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref>  In 1969, a Girl Scout initiative called Action 70 was created that aimed to eliminate [[prejudice]]. Gloria D. Scott, an African American, was elected national president of GSUSA in 1975.<ref name="scott">{{Cite web |year=2001 |title=Gloria Dean Randle Scott |url=http://www.topblacks.com/education/gloria-randle-scott.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061125223815/http://www.topblacks.com/education/gloria-randle-scott.htm |archive-date=November 25, 2006 |access-date=September 8, 2006 |publisher=TopBlacks}}</ref>

===Wing Scouts===
{{Main|Wing Scout}}
The Wing Scouts was a Senior Girl Scout program for girls interested in [[aviation]]. It was started in 1941 and ended in the 1970s. In July 1942, 29 troop leaders from 15 states met in [[Philadelphia]] for Wing Scout leadership training. They returned to their councils and began the creation of Wing Scout troops. In 1959, the council in [[San Mateo County, California]] was presented with an offer from [[United Airlines]] to start an aviation program for Senior Girl Scouts. A highlight of the Wing Scout program was a courtesy flight provided to Senior Girl Scouts using United Airlines aircraft. For many of the girls, the flight was their first time being in an airplane. Senior Girl Scouts who had been in the program for three years were given the opportunity to temporarily take control of a small aircraft during flight. The program was discontinued after [[United Airlines]] experienced financial issues in the 1970s.<ref name="wings1">{{Cite book |title=Highlights in Girl Scout 1912–1996 |publisher=Girl Scouts of the USA |year=1996}} GSP154.2001</ref>

==Age levels==
{{Main|Membership levels of the Girl Scouts of the USA}}
[[File:Photograph of First Lady Bess Truman at the White House with a delegation of Girl Scouts, who are presenting her with... - NARA - 200404.jpg|thumb|[[Bess Truman]] with Girl Scouts and their leaders]]
[[Image:Hillary Clinton girl scout.jpg|thumb|[[Hillary Clinton]] posing with Girl Scouts]]
In 1938, the age divisions consisted of Brownies (ages 7 through 9), Intermediates (ages 10 through 13), and Seniors (ages 14 through 18).<ref name="GSUSA Timeline">{{Cite web |title=Timeline of GSUSA&nbsp;– 1930s |url=http://www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/history/timeline/1930s.asp |access-date=November 2, 2006 |publisher=Girl Scouts of the USA |archive-date=August 14, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070814095116/http://www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/history/timeline/1930s.asp |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 1965, the age divisions were changed to include Brownies (ages 7 and 8, or 2nd and 3rd grade), Juniors (ages 9 through 11, or 4th through 6th grade), Cadettes (ages 11 through 14, or 7th through 9th grade), and Seniors (ages 14 through 18, or 10th through 12th grade).<ref name="GSUSA Timeline1960s">{{Cite web |title=Timeline of GSUSA&nbsp;– 1970s |url=http://www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/history/timeline/1970s.asp |access-date=November 2, 2004 |publisher=Girl Scouts of the USA |archive-date=December 15, 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041215050651/http://www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/history/timeline/1970s.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The [[Membership levels of the Girl Scouts of the USA#Daisies|Daisy]] program for [[kindergarten]]-age girls was started in 1984.<ref name="GSUSA Timeline1970s">{{Cite web |title=Timeline of GSUSA&nbsp;– 1980s |url=http://www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/history/timeline/1980s.asp |access-date=November 2, 2006 |publisher=Girl Scouts of the USA |archive-date=August 16, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070816045026/http://www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/history/timeline/1980s.asp |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Daisy program succeeded a 1976 pilot program known as Pixies.

In 2003, the [[Studio 2B]] program was introduced for Cadettes and Seniors.<ref name="GSUSA TimelineToday">{{Cite web |title=Timeline of GSUSA&nbsp; Today |url=http://www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/history/timeline/today.asp |access-date=November 2, 2006 |publisher=Girl Scouts of the USA |archive-date=August 24, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070824075154/http://www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/history/timeline/today.asp |url-status=dead}}</ref> Under the Studio 2B programs, girls were able to work on traditional badges as well as Studio 2B activities, and the Silver Award and Gold Award requirements were altered to require both. Studio 2B activities differed from badges in that each booklet focused on a topic such as environmentalism or self-confidence rather than being skill-based like a [[Merit badge (Boy Scouts of America)|badge]].

On October 1, 2008, all levels were renamed to begin with "Girl Scout" (e.g., Girl Scout Brownies instead of Brownie Girl Scouts). Additionally, levels were changed to an exclusively grade-based system, A new level, Girl Scout Ambassadors, was created for girls in grades 11 and 12. Sixth grade girls were reclassified from Junior level to Cadette level in order to conform with the broad reclassification of 6th grade as a [[middle school]] grade. The new levels were tested in approximately six councils during the spring of 2008 and were instituted nationally after October 1, 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2006 Blue Book Changes |url=https://www.girlscoutgovernance.com/reference/blue-book-changelog/2006-blue-book-changes/ |access-date=2024-10-20 |website=Girl Scout Governance |language=en-US}}</ref>

As of 2024, Girl Scouts can begin in kindergarten and join all the way through 12th grade. The age divisions are Daisies (kindergarten and 1st grade), Brownies (2nd and 3rd grade), Juniors (4th and 5th grade), Cadettes (6th through 8th grade), Seniors (9th and 10th grade), and Ambassadors (11th and 12th grade).<ref>{{Cite web |title=What Girl Scouts Do |url=https://www.girlscoutsnyc.org/en/discover/girl-scouting-nyc/what-girl-scouts-do.html |access-date=2024-10-20 |website=Girl Scouts NYC}}</ref>

Although troop membership is the most common way to participate in Girl Scouting, girls who do not have a local troop, or those who are unable or unwilling to participate in their local troop, can still sign up as individual Girl Scouts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Individual Members {{!}} Juliettes {{!}} Girl Scouts |url=https://www.gsctx.org/en/get-involved/join/juliettes-individually-registered-members.html |access-date=2024-10-20 |website=www.gsctx.org}}</ref> Individual Girl Scouts were known in the early years of Girl Scouting as Lone Scouts and later as Juliettes; they attend activities independently and work individually on badges and awards. In 2015–2016, the term Juliette was phased out at the national level, in favor of the term Independent Girl Scouts, although some councils still use the term Juliette.

===Mariner Scouts===
The 20th National Council of GSUSA launched the Mariner Girl Scout program in October 1934.<ref name="vintagemariner">{{Cite web |title=Vintage Girl Scout Online Museum |url=http://www.vintagegirlscout.com/unimariner.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071031234227/http://www.vintagegirlscout.com/unimariner.htm |archive-date=October 31, 2007 |access-date=October 28, 2007 |website=Mariner Girl Scouts |url-status=usurped |publisher=Vintage Girl Scouts}}</ref> Similar to the [[Boy Scouts of America]]'s [[Sea Scouting (Boy Scouts of America)|Sea Scouting]], the program was designed for older Girl Scouts interested in outdoor water-based activities. By the end of 1934, 12 Mariner ships were registered and the first two handbooks, ''launching a Girl Scout Mariner Ship'' and ''Charting the Course of a Girl Scout Mariner Ship,'' were published. The Mariner Girl Scout program remains active but in a smaller form; most girls have instead joined Sea Scouting, which has been coed since 1971.<ref name="troop1440">{{Cite web |title=History of Girl Scouts |url=http://cheesecakeandfriends.com/troop1440/history.htm |access-date=October 28, 2007 |publisher=Troop 1440 |archive-date=October 31, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071031112645/http://cheesecakeandfriends.com/troop1440/history.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Special programs===
Programs are available for girls in specific circumstances that may make it difficult for them to participate in standard programs. The Girl Scouts "Beyond Bars program" helps daughters of incarcerated mothers connect with their mothers and helps mothers participate in Girl Scout activities. Another program, Girl Scouting in Detention Centers, allows girls who are themselves in detention centers to participate in Scouting. Other initiatives try to help girls in rural areas or in public housing. There are also programs for American girls living overseas, and girls whose families are experiencing homelessness or are living in temporary housing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goddard |first=Jennifer |year=2003 |title=Where Girls Go, Girl Scouting Follows |url=http://www.girlscouts.org/for_adults/leader_magazine/2003_spring/where_girls_go.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060929124021/http://www.girlscouts.org/for_adults/leader_magazine/2003_spring/where_girls_go.asp |archive-date=September 29, 2006 |access-date=September 25, 2006 |publisher=Girl Scouts Cross Timbers Council}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.girlscoutsnyc.org/en/discover/girl-scouting-nyc/troop-6000.html |title=Troop 6000 |access-date=July 31, 2023 |archive-date=July 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731222117/https://www.girlscoutsnyc.org/en/discover/girl-scouting-nyc/troop-6000.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Organizational structure==
[[File:Girl Scouts of Connecticut building.jpg|thumb|Girl Scouts of Connecticut, in Hartford]]
The national organization is headquartered in [[New York City]]. It is headed by a [[chief executive officer]] and a 30-member [[board of directors]]. Bonnie Barczykowski currently serves as the chief executive officer and was officially appointed in February 2023.<ref name="Girl Scouts of the USA Announces Ne">{{cite web |url=https://www.girlscouts.org/en/footer/press-room/2023-press-announcements/girl-scouts-of-the-usa-announces-new-ceo-bonnie-barczykowski-a-decade-long-veteran-of-the-organization.html |title=Girl Scouts of the USA Announces New CEO Bonnie Barczykowski, a Decade-Long Veteran of the Organization |access-date=June 9, 2023 |archive-date=June 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609184629/https://www.girlscouts.org/en/footer/press-room/2023-press-announcements/girl-scouts-of-the-usa-announces-new-ceo-bonnie-barczykowski-a-decade-long-veteran-of-the-organization.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The president of the board of directors is [[Noorain Khan]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.girlscouts.org/en/footer/leadership.html |title=Leadership &#124; Girl Scouts |access-date=June 9, 2023 |archive-date=June 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609185018/https://www.girlscouts.org/en/footer/leadership.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[List of councils (Girl Scouts of the USA)|Councils]] operate below the national leadership; they usually cover a large portion of a state or geographic region. Some councils own and run camps for the troops within their area of responsibility. Councils are usually subdivided into areas, variously known as neighborhoods, service units, or associations. These are program delivery areas that consist of troops at all age levels in a smaller area, such as a town.

The basic unit is the troop which may or may not be sponsored. In contrast to Boy Scout troop-chartered organizations, Girl Scout troop sponsors do not own the troop. Troops range in size from as small as 5 to as large as 30 or more girls and may be divided into several patrols of 8 or fewer girls.

===Realignment===
In 2004, Girl Scouts of the USA hired a consultant "to help Girl Scouts develop a strategy to ensure our future success and growth." Six "gap teams" looked at ways Girl Scouts could improve its structure in order to ensure the future growth and success of the organization.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Girl Scouts&nbsp;– Core Business Strategy: Facts |url=http://www.girlscouts.org/strategy/facts.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060112224613/http://www.girlscouts.org/strategy/facts.asp |archive-date=January 12, 2006 |access-date=July 21, 2010 |publisher=Girl Scouts of the USA}}</ref> This followed declines in both membership and revenue, as well as challenges in subsidizing programs in [[urban area]]s. The governance gap team found that consolidation decreased confusion and provided [[economies of scale]] and recommended an optimal council size of approximately 10,000 girls.<ref name="lb7.uscourts.gov">{{Cite web |title=Girl Scouts of Manitou Council Inc., v. Girl Scouts of United States of America Inc. |url=http://www.lb7.uscourts.gov/documents/WIED/08-cv-00184op.pdf |access-date=March 12, 2016 |website=Lb7.uscourts.gov |archive-date=October 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017115917/http://www.lb7.uscourts.gov/documents/WIED/08-cv-00184op.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> This left 312 regional Girl Scout councils, which administrate 236,000 local troops and other groups. In 2004, the board of directors consolidated the 312 councils into 109 councils.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Girl Scouting Undergoes Historic Transformation to Focus on Leadership Development for 21st century Girls |date=September 18, 2006 |publisher=Girl Scouts of the USA |url=http://www.girlscouts.org/news/news_releases/2006/historic_transformation.asp |access-date=September 26, 2006 |archive-date=August 24, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070824075758/http://www.girlscouts.org/news/news_releases/2006/historic_transformation.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In response to the consolidation, the Manitou Girl Scout council in [[Wisconsin]] sued GSUSA in the [[United States district court|district court]], alleging a breach of the Girl Scout charter. The suit was summarily dismissed with prejudice.<ref name="lb7.uscourts.gov" /> The [[United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit|Seventh U.S. Circuit of Appeals]] overturned the decision, stating that a Girl Scout council agreement "was no different than a [[Dunkin' Donuts]] franchise." The decision of the appeals court maintained the status of the Manitou council. As a result, there are 112 Girl Scout councils in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Manitou Girl Scout Council proves to be one tough cookie |url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/122907563.html |website=jsonline.com |access-date=March 5, 2012 |archive-date=January 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120116120339/http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/122907563.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Insignia==
===Promise, Law, Motto, and Slogan===
'''Promise'''

The Girl Scout Promise can be communicated in English, Spanish, or in [[American Sign Language]], carrying the same meaning:<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Many Languages of the Girl Scout Promise and Law |url=http://www.girlscoutsmilehi.org/content/documents/GSPromiseLawLanguages.pdf |access-date=November 6, 2006 |publisher=Girl Scouts – Mile Hi Council |archive-date=January 27, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070127081458/http://www.girlscoutsmilehi.org/content/documents/GSPromiseLawLanguages.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
<blockquote><poem>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

<nowiki>*</nowiki> Members may substitute for the word God
in accordance with their own spiritual beliefs.<ref name="Girl Scout Promise">{{Cite web |title=Girl Scout Promise and Law |url=http://www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_central/promise_law/ |access-date=February 4, 2009 |publisher=Girl Scouts of the USA |archive-date=February 6, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206233617/http://girlscouts.org/program/gs%5Fcentral/promise%5Flaw/ |url-status=dead}}</ref></poem></blockquote>

The Promise is often recited at Girl Scout troop meetings while holding up the [[Scout sign and salute|three middle fingers]] of the right hand, forming the Girl Scout sign. Girl Scout policy states that the organization does not endorse or promote any particular philosophy or religious belief. The movement is nonsectarian and secular. In this context, the word "God" may be interpreted by each Girl Scout depending on her individual spiritual beliefs, and Girl Scouts are free to substitute the word consistent with their beliefs, such as "Creator", "my faith", "Allah", etc.<ref name="Nelson">{{Cite web |last=Nelson |first=Bill |title=What is the position of the GSUSA as related to God and religion? |url=http://www.faqs.org/faqs/scouting/rec.scouting.issues/section-25.html |access-date=September 25, 2006 |website=[rec.scouting.issues] Commonly asked questions |publisher=Internet FAQ Archives |date=27 April 1996 |archive-date=September 29, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929124303/http://www.faqs.org/faqs/scouting/rec.scouting.issues/section-25.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Many Girl Scouts use the word "Community" or "Good" as a substitution.{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}}

'''Law'''

The current version of the 
Girl Scout Law reads as follows:
<blockquote><poem>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.<ref name="Girl Scout Promise" /></poem></blockquote>

The Girl Scout Law has been changed several times since 1912.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Girl Scout Law History |url=http://www.epilogsys.com/scoutingweb/SubPages/GSLawHis.htm |access-date=March 12, 2016 |website=Epilogsys.com |archive-date=October 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017001445/http://www.epilogsys.com/scoutingweb/SubPages/GSLawHis.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> The original Girl Scout Law written by [[Juliette Gordon Low]] was:

{{Poem quote|text=A Girl Scout's honor is to be trusted
A Girl Scout is loyal
A Girl Scout's duty is to be useful and to help others
A Girl Scout is a friend to all, and a sister to every other Girl Scout no matter to what social class she may belong
A Girl Scout is courteous
A Girl Scout keeps herself pure
A Girl Scout is a friend to animals
A Girl Scout obeys orders
A Girl Scout is cheerful
A Girl Scout is thrifty}}

'''Motto'''

Be prepared.<ref name="glossary-central">{{Cite web |title=Girl Scout Glossary |url=http://www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_central/glossary |access-date=February 4, 2009 |publisher=GSUSA |archive-date=June 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150606142804/http://www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_central/glossary/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

'''Slogan'''

Do a good turn daily.<ref name="glossary-central" />

===Girl Scout uniforms===
[[File:Girl Scout in uniform, 1973.JPG|thumb|Girl Scout in uniform, 1973]]

Girl Scout uniforms have changed significantly over the years from the original navy blue in 1912, to khaki in 1914, to the familiar green. The evolution has included uniforms with the specificity to designate each age level of Girl Scouting- Daisies wear blue, Brownies wear brown, Juniors wear green, and Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors wear tan. Since 2008, Girl Scouts at each level have one required element ([[tunic]], [[sash]] or vest) for the display of official pins and awards which will be required when girls participate in ceremonies or officially represent the Girl Scout Movement.

For girls ages 5 to 14, the unifying look includes wearing a choice of a tunic, vest, sash for displaying official pins and awards, combined with their own solid white shirts and khaki pants or skirts. Girl Scouts in high school can also wear a scarf that unites their look with the sisterhood of Girl Scouts around the world. For adult members the unifying look of the uniform is a Girl Scout official scarf or tie for men, worn with the official membership pins, combined with their own navy-blue business attire. Girl Scouts at the Daisy and Brownie levels will continue to have a full uniform ensemble available.<ref name="girlscouts.org">{{Cite web |title=Where to Place Insignia&nbsp;– Girl Scouts |url=http://www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_central/insignia/where_to_place/ |access-date=March 12, 2016 |website=Girl Scouts of the USA |archive-date=June 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150611095509/http://www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_central/insignia/where_to_place/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The adult uniform also changed, with registered women and men wearing navy blue business attire, again from their regular wardrobes. Also available for women are official sweaters and an insignia scarf, while men have the option of an official tie.<ref name="girlscouts.org" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Uniform |url=http://www.girlscoutshop.com/gsusaonline/LandingPage.aspx?subCatId%3DUniform-Women%26menuItemId%3DUniform.5 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101030165936/http://www.girlscoutshop.com/gsusaonline/LandingPage.aspx?subCatId=Uniform-Women&menuItemId=Uniform.5 |archive-date=October 30, 2010 |access-date=November 7, 2018}}</ref>

For all levels, earned awards go on the front of the vest or sash following official placements. Fun patches can be displayed on the back of a vest or sash. Girl Scout Daisies can choose a blue vest or a smock with a full uniform or white shirt and khaki pants and skirt. They have their own Daisy pin and a choice of accessories. Girl Scout Brownies can choose a traditional brown vest or sash to be worn with the historic Brownie pin and other uniform pieces or white shirt and khaki pants or skirts. Girl Scout Juniors wear their official vest or sash to display insignia including awards, coupled with a white shirt and khaki pants or skirt. Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors can choose a khaki sash or vest to go with khaki pants or skirt and a white shirt.

===Logos===
[[File:Girl Scouts of the USA 1912-1976.svg|thumb|left|Designed by [[Juliette Low|Juliette Gordon Low]], the sole emblem of the Girl Scouts of the USA from 1912 until 1978]] The emblem designed by [[Juliette Low|Juliette Gordon Low]] was the only emblem used for Girl Scout pins through 1980. At the 1978 GSUSA National Convention, the use of two logos was voted on, allowing Girl Scouts to pick which they wanted to wear as their Girl Scout pin (for Girl Scout Juniors and up).

The current Girl Scouts of the USA logo is a rejuvenation of the original logo based on [[Saul Bass]]' 1978 design,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Armin |title=This is not your Mom's Girl Scouts |url=https://www.underconsideration.com/brandnew/archives/this_is_not_your_moms_girl_scouts.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225204011/https://www.underconsideration.com/brandnew/archives/this_is_not_your_moms_girl_scouts.php |date=July 7, 2010 |access-date=April 13, 2018 |archive-date=February 25, 2012 |website=Brand New |publisher=Under Consideration}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |year=2017 |title=Girl Scout Cookie History |url=https://www.girlscouts.org/en/cookies/all-about-cookies/Cookie-History.html |access-date=April 13, 2018 |website=Girl Scouts of the USA |archive-date=April 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413190055/https://www.girlscouts.org/en/cookies/all-about-cookies/Cookie-History.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Bass being a graphic designer known for his motion picture title sequences and design of various other well-known logos. In 2010, the hair and facial styles were updated by Jennifer Kinnon and Bobby C. Martin Jr. of The Original Champions of Design.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Alissa |date=July 6, 2010 |title=A Fresh Identity for the Girl Scouts of America |url=http://www.fastcodesign.com/1661850/a-fresh-identity-for-the-girl-scouts-of-america |access-date=July 6, 2010 |work=Fast Company |archive-date=July 8, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100708161910/http://www.fastcodesign.com/1661850/a-fresh-identity-for-the-girl-scouts-of-america |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |year=2010 |title=Girl Scouts of the USA: An American Institution |url=http://originalchampionsofdesign.com/girl-scouts-rebrand/ |access-date=April 13, 2018 |website=OCD Agency |publisher=Original Champions of Design |archive-date=April 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413190150/http://originalchampionsofdesign.com/girl-scouts-rebrand/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Activities and programs==
One of the original and continuing attractions of Girl Scouts is that girls become proficient campers and participate in many outdoor activities such as [[canoe]]ing or [[Backpacking (wilderness)|backpacking]] with their troops. Troops do service projects such as carrying out flag ceremonies, collecting food for food drives, visiting nursing homes, and Christmas caroling or other community services.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What is Girl Scouting? |url=http://www.talusrockpa.org/Girls/girlscouting.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050908113945/http://talusrockpa.org/Girls/girlscouting.asp |archive-date=September 8, 2005 |access-date=November 1, 2006 |publisher=Girl Scouts of the USA, Talus Rock Council}}</ref> Troops may also plan and take extended trips within the United States or even to another country. Troops may organize [[culture|cultural]] or learning events such as first-aid training or attending live theater. The Girl Scout activity most familiar to the general public may be the annual sale of [[Girl Scout Cookies]], which started in 1917 as a money-earning opportunity for councils and troops.

===Girl Scouts and STEM===
Girl Scouts has incorporated [[Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics|STEM]]-related programs and badges to encourage more interest in Scouts in STEM fields.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Girl Scouts look to build future STEM leaders&nbsp;– May 25, 2012 |url=https://money.cnn.com/2012/05/24/news/economy/girl-scouts-stem/ |access-date=March 12, 2016 |website=CNNMoney |archive-date=March 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307055855/http://money.cnn.com/2012/05/24/news/economy/girl-scouts-stem/ |url-status=live }}</ref> From 2005 to 2007, more than 8.6&nbsp;million STEM-related badges were earned.<ref>Huband, Frank L. "Engineering for Life." 2007. Published in ASEE Prism by American Society for Engineering Education. p. 6</ref> The first STEM-related Girl Scout badges, though, can be traced back to the 1913 Electrician and Flyer Badges.<ref name="auto">Shallcross, Lynne. "Girl Power." 2007. Published in ASSE Prism by American Society for Engineering Education. p. 32</ref> The first computer-related badges appeared in the 1980s.<ref name="auto" /> In 2001, The Girl Scout Research Institute, published a 36-page report about the need for more encouragement to get girls into the field of technology.<ref>Jacobs, Stephen. "Work in Progress – Games for Like Workshop: Outreach to Middle and High School Age Girl Scouts." 2011. Published in Frontiers in Education Conference by IEEE Conference Publications.</ref> An even larger push for STEM programs came after a 2012 study by the Girl Scout Research Institute reported that 74% of teenage girls were interested in courses in STEM subjects while only 25% of STEM industry jobs were held by women.<ref>{{Cite news |title=A new Girl Scout badge aims to keep more girls in math and science. |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=http://www.latimes.com/socal/weekend/news/tn-wknd-et-0816-girl-scouts-stem-20150815-story.html |access-date=March 12, 2016 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303204525/http://www.latimes.com/socal/weekend/news/tn-wknd-et-0816-girl-scouts-stem-20150815-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Recent endeavors to encourage interest in STEM fields amongst Girl Scouts includes partnerships with companies like [[NASA]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dawn Jenkins |date=October 15, 2010 |title=NASA Help for Girl Scouts |url=https://spaceflightsystems.grc.nasa.gov/girlscouts/gsusa_help.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613103222/https://spaceflightsystems.grc.nasa.gov/girlscouts/gsusa_help.html |archive-date=June 13, 2010 |access-date=March 12, 2016 |url-status=dead |publisher=Spaceflightsystems.grc.nasa.gov}}</ref> [[AT&T]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=AT&T Engages Girl Scouts in STEM Activities |url=http://blog.stemconnector.org/att-engages-girl-scouts-stem-activities |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302044429/http://blog.stemconnector.org/att-engages-girl-scouts-stem-activities |archive-date=March 2, 2016 |access-date=March 12, 2016}}</ref> and [[Lockheed Martin]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Melissa Kory |date=February 24, 2012 |title=Girl Scouts Visit Lockheed Martin in Marietta |url=http://patch.com/georgia/marietta/girl-scouts-visit-lockheed-martin-in-marietta |access-date=March 12, 2016 |website=Marietta, GA Patch |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303185720/http://patch.com/georgia/marietta/girl-scouts-visit-lockheed-martin-in-marietta |url-status=live }}</ref> NASA specifically paired Girl Scouts with the [[SETI Institute]] to create a 5-year space education program called "Reaching for the Stars: NASA Science for Girl Scouts."<ref>{{Cite web |title=SETI Institute to Lead New STEM Project with Girl Scouts: "Reaching for the Stars: NASA Science for Girl Scouts" &#124; SETI Institute |url=http://www.seti.org/GirlScoutStars |access-date=March 12, 2016 |website=Seti.org |archive-date=March 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313114112/http://www.seti.org/GirlScoutStars |url-status=live }}</ref> The most recent push to help Girl Scouts imagine a future in STEM was the Girl Scout's appearance at the International Consumer Electronics Show in January 2016 to show off Digital Cookie 2.0, a website made in partnership with Dell and Visa, that helps Girl Scouts manage their cookie business online.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 2016 |title=Girl Scouts Expand Presence at 2016 International Consumer Electronics Show to Help Girls Imagine a Future in STEM |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/girl-scouts-expands-presence-at-2016-international-consumer-electronics-show-to-help-girls-imagine-a-future-in-stem-300198448.html |access-date=February 23, 2016 |website=PRNews Wire |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303140808/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/girl-scouts-expands-presence-at-2016-international-consumer-electronics-show-to-help-girls-imagine-a-future-in-stem-300198448.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>Lisota, Kevin (January 8, 2016). [https://www.geekwire.com/2016/the-girl-scouts-are-back-at-ces-with-digital-cookie-2-0/ "The Girl Scouts are back at CES, showing off their updated digital cookie sales platform"]. ''[[GeekWire]]''. Retrieved May 29, 2025.</ref>

There are four Girl Scout [[FIRST Robotics Competition]] teams: Space Cookies Team 1868, Lady Cans Team 2881, Gadget Girls Team 4816, and Tin Mints Team 4574. The Space Cookies are based at [[Ames Research Center|NASA Ames Research Center]] and were the first all-girls team to reach the finals at FRC world championships.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Space Cookies&nbsp;– Team 1868 |url=https://www.thebluealliance.com/team/1868 |access-date=January 28, 2023 |website=The Blue Alliance |language=en |archive-date=January 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128012934/https://www.thebluealliance.com/team/1868 |url-status=live }}</ref> They are known for their extensive community outreach and work to expand menstrual equity and eliminate [[period poverty]]. The Space Cookies helped launch the Girl Scout STEM Pledge, a national initiative to reduce the gender gap in STEM fields by bringing millions of girls into the STEM pipeline.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Girl Scouts Announces STEM Pledge |url=https://www.girlscouts.org/en/footer/press-room/2017/girl-scouts-announces-STEM-pledge.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128013923/https://www.girlscouts.org/en/footer/press-room/2017/girl-scouts-announces-STEM-pledge.html |archive-date=January 28, 2023 |access-date=January 28, 2023 |website=Girl Scouts}}</ref>

Girl Scouts currently has 127 badges and journeys under the STEM category.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Award and Badge Explorer&nbsp;– Girl Scouts |url=https://www.girlscouts.org/en/our-program/badges/badge_explorer.html |access-date=March 21, 2021 |website=Girl Scouts of the USA |language=en |archive-date=March 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310160428/https://www.girlscouts.org/en/our-program/badges/badge_explorer.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2020, Girl Scouts announced the addition of 24 new badges in STEM, entrepreneurship, and leadership.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Girl Scouts Introduces 24 New Badges to Encourage Girls in STEM, Entrepreneurship and Civics |url=https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/girl-scouts-introduces-24-new-badges-to-encourage-girls-in-stem-entrepreneurship-and-civics-female-empowerment/2399928/ |access-date=July 22, 2020 |website=NBC Los Angeles |date=July 21, 2020 |language=en-US |archive-date=July 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722172332/https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/girl-scouts-introduces-24-new-badges-to-encourage-girls-in-stem-entrepreneurship-and-civics-female-empowerment/2399928/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

{| class = "wikitable"
|-
! rowspan="2" | Age Level
! colspan="10" |STEM Badges/Awards<ref name=":0" />
|-
!Automotive
!Coding for Good
!Cybersecurity
!Mechanical Engineering
!Robotics
!Space Science
!STEM Careers
! colspan="2" |Journeys
!Other STEM related badges
|-
| Daisy
| rowspan="3" |Design, Engineering, Manufacturing
| rowspan="6" |Coding Basics, Digital Game Design, App Development
| rowspan="6" |Basics, Safeguards, Investigator
|Board Game, Model Car, Roller Coaster
|What Robots Do, How Robots Move, Design a Robot
|Space Science Explorer
| —
|Between Earth and Sky
| rowspan="6" |Think Like a Citizen Scientist, Think Like a Programmer, Think Like an Engineer
| —
|-
| Brownie
|Fling Flyer, Leap Bot, Race Car
| rowspan="5" |Programming Robots, Designing Robots, Showcasing Robots
|Space Science Adventurer
|Brownie STEM Career Exploration
|WOW! Wonders of Water
|Bugs, Home Scientist, Inventor, Making Games
|-
| Junior
|Balloon Car, Crane, Paddle Boat
|Space Science Investigator
|Junior STEM Career Exploration
|GET MOVING!
|Animal Habitats, Detective, Digital Photographer
|-
| Cadette
| rowspan="3" | —
| rowspan="3" | —
|Space Science Researcher
|Cadette STEM Career Exploration
|Breathe
|Digital Movie Maker, Netiquette, Science of Happiness, Special Agent, Woodworker
|-
| Senior
|Space Science Expert
| rowspan="2" | —
|Sow What?
|Game Visionary, Science of Style, Sky, Social Innovator, Truth Seeker, Website Designer
|-
| Ambassador
|Space Science Master
|Justice
|Photographer, Water
|}

The Automotive, Coding for Good, Cybersecurity, Mechanical Engineering, and Robotics badges are all series of three awards that cover different areas in their respective topics. These badges can be earned separately but are all related by the topic that they cover. Additionally, these badges mostly have the same name across levels, but have unique requirements for each level that get more complex and in-depth through the different age levels.

In June 2017, Girl Scouts announced a partnership with Palo Alto Networks to create 18 cybersecurity badges by September 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 15, 2017 |title=The Future of Cybersecurity Sells Cookies |url=http://windowsitpro.com/security/future-cybersecurity-sells-cookies |access-date=June 23, 2017 |website=windowsitpro.com |language=en |archive-date=June 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170616022002/http://windowsitpro.com/security/future-cybersecurity-sells-cookies |url-status=live }}</ref>

==International convention==
Every three years Girl Scouts holds an international convention, featuring voting on policies and procedures, as well as guest speakers and activities and events for upwards of 10,000 girls and Girl Scout alums. The 2020 convention was conducted virtually due to concerns about COVID-19, and the latest convention was held in 2023 at [[Walt Disney World]] in Florida.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.girlscouts.org/en/members/for-girl-scouts/national-council-session-convention.html |title=National Girl Scout Convention &#124; Girl Scouts |access-date=June 9, 2023 |archive-date=June 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609182950/https://www.girlscouts.org/en/members/for-girl-scouts/national-council-session-convention.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Destinations===
{{Main|Destinations}}
Once known as "Wider Opportunities" or [[Wider Ops]], [[Destinations]] are travel opportunities for individual older Girl Scouts. Destinations are held within the United States and in other countries. Destinations are primarily international, outdoor, science, people, or apprenticeship oriented,<ref name="toolkit">{{Cite web |title=GSUSA Global Toolkit 'Your Passport to Travel' |url=http://www.girlscouts.org/forgirls/travel//global_travel_toolkit/pdf/destinations_brochure_lores.pdf |access-date=February 26, 2011 |publisher=GSUSA |archive-date=December 23, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101223034215/http://girlscouts.org/forgirls/travel//global_travel_toolkit/pdf/destinations_brochure_lores.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> such as [[kayaking]] in Alaska, or career oriented such as learning about working for [[NASA]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Destinations 411 |url=http://www.studio2b.org/escape/destinations/destinations_411.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061019001911/http://www.studio2b.org/escape/destinations/destinations_411.asp |archive-date=October 19, 2006 |access-date=November 1, 2006 |publisher=Girl Scouts of the USA}}</ref>

A "Destination" may be a trip to one of the WAGGGS World Centers:

* [[Our Cabaña]] in [[Cuernavaca, Mexico]]
* [[Our Chalet]] in [[Adelboden, Switzerland]]
* [[Pax Lodge]] in London, England
* [[Sangam World Centre]] in [[Pune, India]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Global&nbsp;– Girl Scouts |url=http://www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/global/wagggs/world_centers.asp |access-date=March 12, 2016 |website=Girl Scouts of the USA |archive-date=May 12, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150512215601/http://www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/global/wagggs/world_centers.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[Kusafiri]] in Africa

==Traditions==
[[File:Selling girl scout cookies.JPG|thumb|A girl selling [[Girl Scout Cookies]]]]
[[File:Poston, Arizona. New Year's Fair. Pop corn stand run by girl scouts. - NARA - 536664.jpg|thumb|[[Poston, Arizona|Poston AZ]] Scouts 1955]]
The Girl Scouts of the USA have many customs and traditions: camping, community service, singing, and money earning to support their activities. The Girl Scout Handshake and the Girl Scout signal for silence are two shared by WAGGGS member organizations. Other traditions include the Friendship Circle with "the squeeze," taking bandanas and homemade sit-upons on camping trips, and the buddy system.

"Bridging" is the process of going from one level to another. Bridging is usually done at the troop level, although area bridgings are often held. The girls that are bridging walk across a bridge to their new level and are greeted with the Girl Scout Handshake. A bridging ceremony takes place in San Francisco, where Girl Scout Juniors transition to Cadettes by crossing the [[Golden Gate Bridge]].

[[World Thinking Day]] and "Girl Scouts' Own" are traditions throughout the world of Girl Scouting. World Thinking Day has occurred annually since 1926 on February 22, the birthday of both [[Robert Baden-Powell]] and [[Olave Baden-Powell]]. On World Thinking Day, Girl Scouts and Guides around the world think about their sisters in other lands;<ref name="thinkday">{{Cite web |year=2005 |title=World Thinking Day |url=http://www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/global/world_thinking_day/world_thinking_day_2005.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070221235704/http://www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/global/world_thinking_day/world_thinking_day_2005.asp |archive-date=February 21, 2007 |access-date=September 25, 2006 |publisher=Girl Scouts of the USA}}</ref> Councils or local service units (associations) hold a celebration on or near this day, in which each participating troop gives a presentation of the culture and customs of a country selected by the troop. Many Girl Scouts in America celebrate Juliette Gordon Low's birthday on October 31, Founder's Day. The parties often include the girls dressing up in Halloween costumes and serving birthday cake.

A "Girl Scouts' Own" is a special ceremony that expresses the spirit of Girl Scouting when the girls reflect upon their feelings about Girl Scouting and the world around them. A "Girl Scouts' Own" can have any theme, or none at all. It is a solemn time given for Girl Scouts to create a moment of their very own. It can be held at any time and include the girls' troop or be held at any inter-troop gathering.<ref name="ceremony">{{Cite web |title=Ceremonies and Celebrations |url=http://www.scoutingweb.com/scoutingweb/SubPages/CeremoniesCelebrationsGS.htm |access-date=March 12, 2016 |website=Scoutingweb.com |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304030242/http://www.scoutingweb.com/scoutingweb/SubPages/CeremoniesCelebrationsGS.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Badges and other awards==
All levels of Girl Scouts can earn badges. Each level has specific badges that can be earned. Daisies earn badges shaped like flowers. Brownies earn badges shaped like triangles. Juniors earn badges shaped like circles. Cadettes earn badges shaped like diamonds. Seniors earn badges shaped like rectangles. Ambassadors earn badges shaped like squares.

Earned Badges and Awards are worn on the front of a Girl Scout's vest (or sash). Fun Patches are worn on the back of the vest. Daisies wear blue vests. Brownies wear brown vests. Juniors wear green vests. Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors wear khaki vests. For Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors, a Girl Scout may choose to wear the same khaki vest for all three levels. Active Girl Scouts, who earn a lot of badges, may opt to get a new khaki vest when they change levels, so they have more room to display their awards.

===Skill building badges===

{|class = "wikitable sortable"
|+ Skill building badges<ref>{{Cite web |title=Award and Badge Explorer&nbsp;– Girl Scouts |url=https://www.girlscouts.org/badgeexplorer |access-date=May 7, 2018 |archive-date=May 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180507221942/https://www.girlscouts.org/badgeexplorer |url-status=live }}</ref>
!Badge group
!Daisy
!Brownie
!Junior
!Cadette
!Senior
!Ambassador
|-
|Promise & Law
|Daisy Center & Petals
|Brownie Girl Scout Way
|Junior Girl Scout Way
|Cadette Girl Scout Way
|Senior Girl Scout Way
|Ambassador Girl Scout Way
|-
| rowspan = "3" |Cookie Business
|Count It Up
|Meet My Customers
|Cookie CEO
|Business Plan
|My Portfolio
|Research & Development
|-
|Talk It Up
|Give Back
|Customer Insights
|Marketing
|Customer Loyalty
|P&L
|-
|
|
|
|Think Big
|
|
|-
| rowspan = "3" |Financial Literacy
|Money Counts
|Money Manager
|Business Owner
|Budgeting
|Financing My Future
|On My Own
|-
|Making Choices
|Philanthropist
|Savvy Shopper
|Comparison Shopping
|Buying Power
|Good Credit
|-
|
|
|
|Financing My Dreams
|
|
|-
|Troop Camping
|Buddy Camper
|Cabin Camper
|Eco Camper
|Primitive Camper
|Adventure Camper
|Survival Camper
|-
|Citizenship
|Good Neighbor
|Celebrating Community
|Inside Government
|Finding Common Ground
|Behind the Ballot
|Public Policy
|-
| rowspan = "3" |Mechanical Engineering
|Model Car Design Challenge
|Race Car Design Challenge
|Balloon Car Design Challenge
|
|
|
|-
|Roller Coaster Design Challenge
|Fling Flyer Design Challenge
|Crane Design Challenge
|
|
|
|-
|Board Game Design Challenge
|Leap Bot Design Challenge
|Paddle Boat Design Challenge
|
|
|
|-
| rowspan = "5" |Outdoors
|Outdoor Art Maker
|Outdoor Art Creator
|Outdoor Art Explorer
|Outdoor Art Apprentice
|Outdoor Art Expert
|Outdoor Art Master
|-
|
|Outdoor Adventurer
|Horseback Riding
|Archery
|Paddling
|Ultimate Recreation Challenge
|-
|Buddy Camper
|Hiker
|Camper
|Trailblazing
|Adventurer
|
|-
|Snow or Climbing
|Snow or Climbing
|Snow or Climbing
|Snow or Climbing
|Snow or Climbing
|Snow or Climbing
|-
|Trail Adventure
|Trail Adventure
|Trail Adventure
|Trail Adventure
|Trail Adventure
|Trail Adventure
|-
| rowspan = "3" |Robotics
|What Robots Do
|Programming Robots
|Programming Robots
|Programming Robots
|Programming Robots
|Programming Robots
|-
|How Robots Move
|Designing Robots
|Designing Robots
|Designing Robots
|Designing Robots
|Designing Robots
|-
|Design a Robot
|Showcasing Robots
|Showcasing Robots
|Showcasing Robots
|Showcasing Robots
|Showcasing Robots
|-
|Space Science
|Space Science Explorer
|Space Science Adventurer
|Space Science Investigator
|Space Science Researcher
|Space Science Expert
|Space Science Master
|-
| rowspan = "3" |Cyber Security
|Cyber Security Basics
|Cyber Security Basics
|Cyber Security Basics
|Cyber Security Basics
|Cyber Security Basics
|Cyber Security Basics
|-
|Cyber Security Safeguards
|Cyber Security Safeguards
|Cyber Security Safeguards
|Cyber Security Safeguards
|Cyber Security Safeguards
|Cyber Security Safeguards
|-
|Cyber Security Investigator
|Cyber Security Investigator
|Cyber Security Investigator
|Cyber Security Investigator
|Cyber Security Investigator
|Cyber Security Investigator
|-
| rowspan = "3" |Coding
|Coding Basics
|Coding Basics
|Coding Basics
|Coding Basics
|Coding Basics
|Coding Basics
|-
|Digital Game Design
|Digital Game Design
|Digital Game Design
|Digital Game Design
|Digital Game Design
|Digital Game Design
|-
|App Development
|App Development
|App Development
|App Development
|App Development
|App Development
|-
|Environmental Stewardship
|Eco Learner
|Eco Friend
|Eco Camper
|Eco Trekker
|Eco Explorer
|Eco Advocate
|-
|Adventure
|
|Letterboxer
|Geocacher
|Night Owl
|Traveler
|
|-
|Animals
|
|Pets
|Animal Habits
|Animal Helpers
|Voice for Animals
|
|-
|Artist
|
|Painting
|Drawing
|Comic Artist
|Collage
|Photographer
|-
|Athlete
|
|Fair Play
|Practice with Purpose
|Good Sportsmanship
|Cross-Training
|Coaching
|-
|College Preparation
|
|
|
|
|
|College Knowledge
|-
|Craft
|
|Potter
|Jeweler
|Book Artist
|Textile Artist
|
|-
|Creative Play
|
|Making Games
|Playing the Past
|Field Day
|Game Visionary
|
|-
|Digital Arts
|
|Computer Expert
|Digital Photographer
|Digital Movie Maker
|Website Designer
|
|-
|Do It Yourself
|
|Household Elf
|Gardener
|Woodworker
|Room Makeover
|
|-
|First Aid
|
|Brownie First Aid
|Junior First Aid
|Cadette First Aid
|Senior First Aid
|Ambassador First Aid
|-
|Cook
|
|Snacks
|Simple Meals
|New Cuisines
|Locavore
|Dinner Party
|-
|Healthy Living
|
|My Best Self
|Staying Fit
|Eating for You
|Women's Health
|
|-
|Innovation
|
|Inventor
|Product Designer
|Entrepreneur
|Social Innovator
|
|-
|Investigation
|
|Senses
|Detective
|Special Agent
|Truth Seeker
|
|-
|Manners
|
|Making Friends
|Social Butterfly
|Netiquette
|Business Etiquette
|
|-
|Naturalist
|
|Bugs
|Flowers
|Trees
|Sky
|Water
|-
|Performance
|
|Dancer
|Musician
|Public Speaker
|Troupe Performer
|
|-
|Practical Life Skills
|
|My Great Day
|Independence
|Babysitter
|Car Care
|
|-
|Science and Technology
|
|Home Scientist
|Entertainment Technology
|Science of Happiness
|Science of Style
|
|-
|Storytelling
|
|My Family Story
|Scribe
|Screenwriter
|Novelist
|
|-
| rowspan = "4" |Leadership
|
|
|
|Leader in action (WOW)
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|Leader in Action (Quest)
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|Leader in Action (World)
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|Leader in Action (any)
|
|
|-
|}

===Journey awards===
Each level of Girl Scouting has multiple Journey programs. A Journey is a series of lessons on a particular topic. The Journeys are made up of multiple parts and all parts of the Journey must be earned for it to be complete. A Girl Scout who completes three Journeys at one level earns a Summit Pin. Before beginning work on a Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award project, a Girl Scout must complete one Journey at her level. A Girl Scout who did not earn her Silver Award must complete two Journeys at her current level, instead of one, to work on her Gold Award.

{|class = "wikitable sortable"
!Daisy
!Brownie
!Juniors
!Cadettes
!Seniors
!Ambassadors
|-
|Welcome to the Daisy Flower Garden
|Brownie Quest
|Agent of Change
|aMAZE!
|GIRLtopia
|Your Voice, Your World
|-
|Between Earth and Sky
|WOW! Wonders of Water
|Get Moving!
|Breathe
|Sow What?
|Justice
|-
|5 Flowers, 4 Stories, 3 Cheers for Animals
|A World of Girls
|aMUSE
|MEdia
|Mission: Sisterhood!
|BLISS: Live It! Give It!
|-
|Think Like an Engineer
|Think Like an Engineer
|Think Like an Engineer
|Think Like an Engineer
|Think Like an Engineer
|Think Like an Engineer
|-
|Think Like a Programmer
|Think Like a Programmer
|Think Like a Programmer
|Think Like a Programmer
|Think Like a Programmer
|Think Like a Programmer
|-
|Think Like a Citizen Scientist
|Think Like a Citizen Scientist
|Think Like a Citizen Scientist
|Think Like a Citizen Scientist
|Think Like a Citizen Scientist
|Think Like a Citizen Scientist
|-
|Outdoor Journey
|Outdoor Journey
|Outdoor Journey
|Outdoor Journey
|Outdoor Journey
|Outdoor Journey
|-
|}
Girl Scouts has announced that Journeys will be retired on October 1, 2026. They will be replaced with updated leadership awards for Juniors through Ambassadors.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Journeys {{!}} Girl Scouts |url=https://www.girlscouts.org/en/members/for-girl-scouts/badges-journeys-awards/Journeys.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250807181521/https://www.girlscouts.org/en/members/for-girl-scouts/badges-journeys-awards/Journeys.html |archive-date=2025-08-07 |access-date=2025-09-18 |website=Girl Scouts of the USA |language=en}}</ref>

===Additional awards===
Girl Scouts can earn other awards, usually represented by pins. Some of these awards are: Leadership Torch, Community Service Bar, Service to Girl Scouting Bar, Bronze Cross, Medal of Honor, Cookie Activity Pin, Safety Pin, My Promise My Faith Pin, Counselor in Training I & II, Volunteer in Training, World Thinking Day Award, and Global Action Award.

Girl Scouts can also earn and display on their uniform awards from outside organizations, such as the [[Religious Emblems Programs|religious emblems]] from religious organizations, or the [[President's Volunteer Service Award]].

===Highest awards===
The highest achievement in Girl Scouting is the [[Gold Award (Girl Scouts of the USA)|Girl Scout Gold Award]], which can only be earned by Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors. The highest award for Girl Scout Cadettes is the [[Silver Award (Girl Scouts of the USA)|Silver Award]], and [[Bronze Award (Girl Scouts of the USA)|Bronze Award]] is the highest award for Girl Scout Juniors.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=May 25, 2020 |title=20 Girl Scout Bronze Award Project Ideas |url=https://www.scoutitup.com/girl-scout-bronze-award-ideas/ |access-date=January 8, 2024 |website=Scout It Up |language=en-us |archive-date=January 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108200754/https://www.scoutitup.com/girl-scout-bronze-award-ideas/ |url-status=live }}</ref> These awards require large-scale service projects showing leadership along with service hours.<ref>{{Cite web |title=List of Insignia |url=http://www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_central/insignia/list/11_17.asp |access-date=November 1, 2006 |publisher=Girl Scouts of the USA |archive-date=July 2, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080702231259/http://www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_central/insignia/list/11_17.asp |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Gold Award is the highest honor a Girl Scout can earn. This award can be earned by Girl Scout Seniors and Girl Scout Ambassadors. This prestigious award represents a Girl Scout's dedication and commitment to Girl Scouting and to her community. Earning the Girl Scout Gold Award requires hard work and a willingness to take on significant responsibility. For many, the leadership and organizational skills and sense of community and commitment that come from earning the Gold Award set the foundation for a lifetime of active citizenship. The Gold Award project takes a minimum of 80 hours to complete.

The [[Silver Award (Girl Scouts of the USA)|Silver Award]], the highest honor a Girl Scout Cadette can earn, gives girls the chance to do big things and make their community better in the process. The Silver Award takes the participants through a seven-step process: identify an issue, build a Girl Scout Silver Award team, explore the community needs, choose a project, develop the project, make a plan, and put it into motion. The Silver Award project takes a minimum of 50 hours to complete.

The [[Bronze Award (Girl Scouts of the USA)|Bronze Award]], the highest honor a Girl Scout Junior can earn, requires girls to learn the leadership and planning skills necessary to follow through on a project that makes a positive impact on her community. Working toward this award demonstrates a Girl Scout's commitment to helping others, improving her community and the world, and becoming the best she can be. The Bronze Award project takes a minimum of 20 hours to complete.

===Adult recognition===
There are also GS awards for adults including: Outstanding Volunteer, Outstanding Leader, Appreciation Pin, Honor Pin, Thanks Badge, and Thanks Badge II. Outstanding Volunteer is awarded for Outstanding service as Girl Scout volunteer (other than a leader). Outstanding Leader is awarded for Outstanding service as Girl Scout leader. Appreciation Pin is awarded for exceptional performance beyond expectations for the position. The Honor Pin recognizes an adult member who has delivered exceptional service beyond expectations to two or more geographic areas, service units or program delivery audiences in a way that furthers the council's goals.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Honor Pin Criteria |url=http://www.tongassgirlscouts.org/Forms/Honor%20Pin%20Award%20Nomination%20Form.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060811170049/http://www.tongassgirlscouts.org/Forms/Honor%20Pin%20Award%20Nomination%20Form.pdf |archive-date=August 11, 2006 |access-date=November 2, 2006 |publisher=Girl Scouts of the USA, Tongass Alaska Girl Scout Council}}</ref> Thanks Badge recognizes outstanding service for a Council as a whole or the Girl Scout Movement as a whole. Different GS councils use different terminology for regions within their council. Thanks Badge II is awarded where the recipient has received the Thanks Badge and the recipient's service continues to merit further recognition. At least one nomination, two endorsements, and a review of the forms is required for each of these awards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=GSUSA Awards |url=http://www.gsnnj.org/adult_recognition2011.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101223000047/http://gsnnj.org/adult_recognition2011.html <!--Added by H3llBot--> |archive-date=December 23, 2010 |access-date=February 2, 2011 |publisher=Girl Scouts of the USA, Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey}}</ref>

==Effect on American life==
Among the many famous American Girl Scouts are [[Taylor Swift]], [[Sonia Sotomayor]], [[Dakota Fanning]], [[Lucille Ball]], [[Katie Couric]],  [[Elizabeth Dole]], [[Ann Landers]], and [[Nancy Reagan]].<ref name="famous">{{Cite web |year=2003 |title=Famous Girl Scouts |url=http://www.girlscoutsctc.com/famousgs.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060207165421/http://www.girlscoutsctc.com/famousgs.html |archive-date=February 7, 2006 |access-date=November 5, 2006 |publisher=Girl Scouts of the USA}}</ref> Many Girl Scouts have become successful leaders in numerous professional fields such as law, medicine, politics, journalism, and science.<ref name="famous" /> Beginning with [[Lou Henry Hoover]], the incumbent [[First Lady of the United States|First Lady]] has served as the honorary president of GSUSA. Lou Henry Hoover was also the actual president of the Girl Scouts from 1922 to 1925 and Chairman of the National board of directors from 1925 to 1928.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Clements |first=Kendrick |year=2004 |title=The New Era and the New Woman: Lou Henry Hoover and 'Feminisms' Awkward Age' |journal=Pacific Historical Review |publisher=University of California Press |volume=73 |issue=3 |pages=425–462 |doi=10.1525/phr.2004.73.3.425}}</ref> A 1994 ''[[Chronicle of Philanthropy]]'' poll showed Girl Scouts ranked by the public as the eighth "most popular charity/non-profit in America" among more than 100 charities.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=December 13, 1996 |title=The Charities Americans Like Most and Least |journal=The Chronicle of Philanthropy}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=December 20, 1994 |title=Charity Begins with Health |page=01D |work=USA Today}}</ref>

During [[World War I]] and [[World War II]], [[Effect of World War I on Children in the United States|girls]] involved in Scouts helped the Allied forces by selling defense bonds, growing [[victory garden]]s, and collecting waste fat and scrap iron.<ref name="WWII">{{Cite web |last=Montgomery |first=Dana J. |title=History of Girl Scouts |url=http://cheesecakeandfriends.com/troop1440/history.htm |access-date=November 7, 2006 |archive-date=November 1, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061101184814/http://cheesecakeandfriends.com/Troop1440/history.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Girl Scouts also spread their values into their communities through [[community service]] projects such as [[soup kitchen]]s and food drives.

Over twenty of NASA's female career astronauts were former Girl Scouts. The first American woman to spacewalk was a former Girl Scout, Dr. [[Kathryn D. Sullivan|Kathryn Sullivan]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dawn Jenkins |title=Girl Scout Astronauts |url=http://spaceflightsystems.grc.nasa.gov/girlscouts/gsusa_astro.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721050138/http://spaceflightsystems.grc.nasa.gov/girlscouts/gsusa_astro.html |archive-date=July 21, 2011 |url-status=dead |website=nasa.gov}}</ref>

===''The American Girl''===
Girl Scouts published their own magazine from 1917 to 1979. The name changed from ''The Rally'' (1917–1920) to ''The American Girl'' (eventually dropping "The").<ref>{{Cite web |title=Girl Scouting in Indiana&nbsp;– Timeline |url=http://www.in.gov/history/2538.htm |access-date=June 22, 2009 |publisher=Indiana Historical Bureau |archive-date=June 17, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090617152218/http://www.in.gov/history/2538.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Circulation exceeded 200,000 in the 1940s,<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Amar |first=Wesley Francis |year=1943 |title=Children's Magazines Today |journal=The Elementary English Review |volume=20 |issue=7 |page=289 |jstor=41382721}}</ref> and reached as high as 510,000 per month by 1949.<ref>{{Cite book |last=United States. Congress. House of Representatives. |title=Hearings |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |year=1949 |location=Washington, D.C. |pages=439}}</ref> It can be confused with ''[[American Girl (magazine)|American Girl]]'' magazine, 1992–2019.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/books/politics-and-business-magazines/american-girl-inc |title=American Girl, Inc. |last=Heer-Forsberg |first=Mary |website=www.Encyclopedia.com |access-date=September 23, 2023 |archive-date=November 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231121033008/https://www.encyclopedia.com/books/politics-and-business-magazines/american-girl-inc |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Girl Scout Senior Roundups===
{{Main|Girl Scout Senior Roundup}}
International Girl Scout gatherings named Senior Roundups were held every three years from 1956 until 1965:<ref name="roundupstamps">{{Cite web |last=Larson |first=Keith |year=2000 |title=Girl Scout Senior Roundups |url=http://www.sossi.org/girls/roundup.htm |access-date=September 8, 2006 |publisher=Scouts on Stamps Society International |archive-date=October 11, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061011194849/http://www.sossi.org/girls/roundup.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Milford, Michigan]] (1956) attended by 5,000&nbsp;girls
* [[Colorado Springs, Colorado]], from July 3, 1959, to July 12, 1959, with 10,000&nbsp;girls
* [[Button Bay]], Vermont from July 18, 1962, to July 31, 1962, with 9,000&nbsp;girls
* [[Farragut State Park|Farragut Reservation]], [[Idaho]], from July 17, 1965, to July 26, 1965, with 12,000&nbsp;girls

==Issues==

===Religion===

====Non-sectarian founding====
When Girl Scouts was first organized, the organization claimed to be "non-sectarian in practice as well as theory". By the early 1920s, Catholic Girl Scout units had been founded in New York, Philadelphia, Washington and other cities. In the 1920s, about 2,000 Girl Scouts were Catholic.<ref name="preuss" /> During this time, the organization upheld standards which were consistent with the beliefs of the Catholic religion.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Brady |first1=NF |title=The American Girl |journal=America |year=1924 |volume=32 |issue=4 |pages=79–80}}</ref> From its founding in 1912, it had Jewish leaders and scouts.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Alroy |first=Tal Trachtman |date=March 30, 2015 |title=The Jewish History Behind the Girl Scouts |url=https://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-life-and-religion/189879/girl-scouts-jewish-history |journal=Tablet Magazine |language=en |access-date=December 24, 2018 |archive-date=December 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225030808/https://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-life-and-religion/189879/girl-scouts-jewish-history |url-status=live }}</ref>

===="To serve God" in the Promise====

Since 1993, Girl Scouts have been able to substitute something appropriate to their own beliefs for the phrase "To serve God" in the Girl Scout Promise. This option appears in the guidelines distributed to adult volunteers but not in the actual girls' books. Official volunteer documentation contains this note:<ref name="vol2018">{{Cite book |url=https://www.girlscoutsww.org/content/dam/girlscouts-girlscoutsww/documents/volunteer-essentials.pdf |title=Volunteer Essentials 2018/2019 |date=2018 |publisher=GSUSA |page=24 |access-date=December 24, 2018 |archive-date=December 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224073913/https://www.girlscoutsww.org/content/dam/girlscouts-girlscoutsww/documents/volunteer-essentials.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{blockquote|text = Girl Scouts of the USA makes no attempt to define or interpret the word "God" in the Girl Scout Promise. It looks to individual members to establish for themselves the nature of their spiritual beliefs. When making the Girl Scout Promise, individuals may substitute wording appropriate to their own spiritual beliefs for the word "God."}}

This note or a shorter variant also frequently appears on local council web pages.<ref name="utah">{{Cite web |title=Who we are |url=http://www.gsutah.org/en/about-girl-scouts/who-we-are.html |access-date=December 24, 2018 |website=Girl Scouts of Utah |archive-date=December 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225030813/http://www.gsutah.org/en/about-girl-scouts/who-we-are.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="GSONC">{{Cite web |title=Who We Are |url=http://www.gscnc.org/en/about-girl-scouts/who-we-are.html |access-date=December 24, 2018 |website=Girl Scouts of the National Capital |archive-date=December 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225031011/http://www.gscnc.org/en/about-girl-scouts/who-we-are.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Volunteers are reminded "to be sensitive to the spiritual beliefs of the girls in your group and to make sure that everyone in the group feels comfortable and included in Girl Scouting" and to feel free to share the policy with the girls' families.<ref name="vol2018" />

The policy change was prompted by lawsuits and attempts to be more inclusive. [[Atheism|Atheist]] parents sued the Boy Scouts of America in 1991 for denying membership in the [[Cub Scouting (Boy Scouts of America)|Cub Scout]]s to their sons. Considering this news, the Totem Girl Scout Council of Seattle attempted to change the Girl Scout Promise to make mention of "God" optional, which would be more inclusive of local non-theist Native American and Southeast Asian girls. After the national organization asserted this could not be changed locally, the Seattle council advocated that the change be adopted nation-wide. In November 1992, the parents of Nitzia Cuevas-Macias sued for their daughter to be permitted to participate in Girl Scouts even though she refused to promise to serve God.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brennan |first=Pat |date=November 19, 1992 |title=OC lawyer moves battle over oath to Girl Scouts&nbsp;– Man who won suit for sons now backing Daisy hopeful |url=http://www.bsa-discrimination.org/html/gsusa-problems.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019021525/http://www.bsa-discrimination.org/html/gsusa-problems.html |archive-date=October 19, 2016 |access-date=October 20, 2006 |url-status=usurped |publisher=BSA Discrimination.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Brennan |first=Pat |date=December 20, 1992 |title=Girl Scout troop ordered to readmit atheist |url=http://www.bsa-discrimination.org/html/gsusa-problems.html#921222 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019021525/http://www.bsa-discrimination.org/html/gsusa-problems.html |archive-date=October 19, 2016 |access-date=March 20, 2007 |url-status=usurped |publisher=BSA Discrimination.org}}</ref>

On October 23, 1993, at the Girl Scouts of the USA annual national convention, delegates voted 1,560 "yes" against 375 "no"<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 25, 1993 |title=Girl Scouts Allow for Religious Diversity in Pledge |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/10/25/us/girl-scouts-allow-for-religious-diversity-in-pledge.html |access-date=December 24, 2018 |archive-date=December 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224073829/https://www.nytimes.com/1993/10/25/us/girl-scouts-allow-for-religious-diversity-in-pledge.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="vote">{{Cite web |title=Boy Scouts Of America Practices Discrimination |date=May 11, 2012 |url=https://ffrf.org/news/timely-topics/item/12599-boy-scouts-of-america-practices-discrimination |access-date=March 2, 2015 |publisher=Freedom From Religion Foundation |archive-date=March 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150322172301/http://ffrf.org/news/timely-topics/item/12599-boy-scouts-of-america-practices-discrimination |url-status=live }}</ref> to permit individuals to substitute another word or phrase for "God" in their promise.<ref name="Nelson" /> The convention gave this explanation:

{{blockquote|text = For some individuals, the word "God", no matter how broadly interpreted, does not appropriately reflect their spiritual beliefs. Since the belief in a spiritual principle is fundamental to Girl Scouting, not the word used to define that belief, it is important that individuals have the opportunity to express that belief in wording meaningful to them. It is essential to maintain the spiritual foundation of Girl Scouting, yet be inclusive of the full range of spiritual beliefs. This [policy change] does not take the word "God" out of the Girl Scout Promise. It gives those individuals who wish to do so the option to state their commitment to the spiritual concepts fundamental to the Movement with a word or words more appropriate to their own beliefs. For instance, an individual may say "my faith" or "Allah" or "the Creator".<ref name="Nelson"/>}}

This policy change settled the Cuevas-Macias lawsuit.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Matt Lait |date=December 7, 1993 |title=Girl Scouts Settle in Pledge Dispute |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-12-07-mn-64878-story.html |access-date=December 24, 2018 |archive-date=July 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150717071856/http://articles.latimes.com/1993-12-07/news/mn-64878_1_girl-scout-promise |url-status=live }}</ref>

Some consider that the Girl Scouts of the USA have not gone far enough in making Scouting open to [[non-theists]]; others that they have gone too far in removing God or that they are violating the constitution of the [[WAGGGS]]. In 2017, some parents still find the perceived religious aspects of the Girl Scouts enough of a reason not to sign up their daughters to participate.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Atheist or Agnostic Girls Scout Parents &#124; GBCN |url=http://pandce.proboards.com/thread/576760/atheist-agnostic-girls-scout-parents |website=pandce.proboards.com |access-date=December 24, 2018 |archive-date=December 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224073937/http://pandce.proboards.com/thread/576760/atheist-agnostic-girls-scout-parents |url-status=live }}</ref> The WAGGGS constitution requires member societies to maintain membership standards to include a promise similar to the one established by Baden-Powell, which includes the concept of duty to God.<ref>{{Cite web |title=WAGGGS constitution |url=http://www.wagggsworld.org/en/grab/5/1/constitution-English.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060923073943/http://www.wagggsworld.org/en/grab/5/1/constitution-English.pdf |archive-date=September 23, 2006 |access-date=September 25, 2006 |publisher=WAGGGS}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Exploring Spirituality in Girl Guides and Girl Scouts: Module 1 |url=http://www.wagggsworld.org/en/grab/16/2/1module1-ExploringSpiritualityinGirlGuiding-GirlScouting.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060923073930/http://www.wagggsworld.org/en/grab/16/2/1module1-ExploringSpiritualityinGirlGuiding-GirlScouting.pdf |archive-date=September 23, 2006 |access-date=September 25, 2006 |publisher=WAGGGS}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |year=2000 |title=Exploring Spirituality: Resource Materials for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts |url=http://www.wagggsworld.org/en/grab/16/1/1ExpSpirIntroduction.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060923073937/http://www.wagggsworld.org/en/grab/16/1/1ExpSpirIntroduction.pdf |archive-date=September 23, 2006 |access-date=September 25, 2006 |publisher=WAGGGS}}</ref> The GSUSA policy adopted in 1993 led to the 1995 formation of an alternative organization, the [[American Heritage Girls]] that accepts only leaders and chartering organizations that agree with a specific Christian statement of faith.<ref name="The History of The American Heritage Girls">{{Cite web |title=Why AHG? |url=http://www.ahgonline.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=20600 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081004110420/http://www.ahgonline.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=20600 |archive-date=October 4, 2008 |access-date=October 27, 2007 |publisher=American Heritage Girls}}</ref> The organization had a little over 5,000 members in 2006. According to the organization, membership as of 2017 is over 43,000.<ref name="pr_ahg_1000_troop_release_2017">{{Cite web |last=Ross |first=Chelsey |title=American Heritage Girls Reaches Troop Milestone |url=https://www.americanheritagegirls.org/media/filer_public/0e/ad/0ead5330-1ed5-4f01-a0c2-348a59f36080/pr_ahg_1000_troop_release_2017.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308134918/https://www.americanheritagegirls.org/media/filer_public/0e/ad/0ead5330-1ed5-4f01-a0c2-348a59f36080/pr_ahg_1000_troop_release_2017.pdf |archive-date=March 8, 2017 |access-date=November 7, 2018}}</ref>

====Prayer at meetings====
The official Girl Scout policy does not ban or require prayer.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 30, 2003 |title=What We Stand For |url=http://www.gsiec.org/pdf/whatwestandfor.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060923073930/http://www.gsiec.org/pdf/whatwestandfor.pdf |archive-date=September 23, 2006 |access-date=September 25, 2006 |publisher=Girl Scouts of the USA}}</ref>

{{blockquote|text = The Girl Scout organization does not endorse or promote any particular philosophy or religious belief. Our movement is secular and is founded on American democratic principles, one of which is freedom of religion.

Although Girl Scouts has policies supporting religious diversity, there is no policy by Girl Scouts of the USA that prohibits or requires the saying or singing of a grace, blessing, or invocation before meals by Girl Scout members in a troop/group setting, in a resident or day camp, or at meetings, conferences, and other large events. The decision to say a grace, blessing, or invocation is made locally at the troop or group level, and should be sensitive to the spiritual beliefs of all participants.}}

====Religious pin====

Girl Scouts of the USA has an optional "My Promise, My Faith" pin which girls in all grades may earn.<ref name="faithpin">{{Cite web |title=Faith&nbsp;– Girl Scouts |url=https://www.girlscouts.org/en/about-girl-scouts/girl-scouts-and-faith.html |access-date=December 24, 2018 |website=Girl Scouts of the USA |language=en |archive-date=December 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181229172249/https://www.girlscouts.org/en/about-girl-scouts/girl-scouts-and-faith.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Girls may also do religious recognition programs and wear the resulting emblem on their uniform; however, these are created and administered by the religious organizations and not by Girl Scouts directly.<ref name="faithpin" />

===Sexuality and gender issues===
Girl Scouts of the USA stated in an October 1991 letter:<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 1991 |title=GSUSA Statement |url=http://www.bsa-discrimination.org/html/gsusa.html#statement |access-date=September 25, 2006 |publisher=BSA Discrimination.org |archive-date=August 13, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070813004050/http://www.bsa-discrimination.org/html/gsusa.html#statement |url-status=usurped}}</ref>
{{blockquote|text = As a private organization, Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. respects the values and beliefs of each of its members and does not intrude into personal matters. Therefore, there are no membership policies on sexual preference. However, Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. has firm standards relating to the appropriate conduct of adult volunteers and staff. The Girl Scout organization does not condone or permit sexual displays of any sort by its members during Girl Scout activities, nor does it permit the advocacy or promotion of a personal lifestyle or sexual preference. These are private matters for girls and their families to address.}}
GSUSA upholds a "don't ask, don't evangelize" policy on sexuality.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Girl Scouts and Discrimination |url=http://www.bsa-discrimination.org/html/gsusa.html#statement |access-date=November 4, 2006 |publisher=BSA-Discrimination |archive-date=August 13, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070813004050/http://www.bsa-discrimination.org/html/gsusa.html#statement |url-status=usurped}}</ref> The debate over this issue is split between those who feel that the policy should avoid and prevent discrimination on the grounds of [[sexual orientation]], and those who question the inclusion of lesbians.<ref>{{Cite web |title=People for the American Way: Family Research Council |url=http://www.pfaw.org/pfaw/general/default.aspx?oid=4211 |access-date=November 4, 2006 |archive-date=June 10, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080610214734/http://www.pfaw.org/pfaw/general/default.aspx?oid=4211 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dexter |first=Penna |date=April 26, 2007 |title=First-person: Not Your Mom's Girl Scouts |url=http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=25503 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070510080548/http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=25503 |archive-date=May 10, 2007 |access-date=April 30, 2007 |publisher=Baptist Press}}</ref>

In October 2011, the [[Girl Scouts of Colorado]] council publicly stated, "If a child identifies as a girl and the child's family presents her as a girl, Girl Scouts of Colorado welcomes her as a Girl Scout", when overturning a local troop's rejection of a seven-year-old transgender girl.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 29, 2011 |title=Transgender boy allowed to join Girl Scouts |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/breaking-news/transgender-boy-allowed-to-join-girl-scouts/story-e6freuyi-1226180155319 |access-date=October 29, 2011 |website=The Telegraph |location=Australia |archive-date=September 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905113414/http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/breaking-news/transgender-boy-allowed-to-join-girl-scouts/story-e6freuyi-1226180155319 |url-status=live }}</ref> In July 2015, the Girl Scouts of Western Washington returned a $100,000 donation after the donor stipulated that the money could not be used to support services for transgender Scouts. The group then set up an online fundraising campaign to recoup the lost funds, ultimately raising $250,000.<ref name="WaPoJuly15">{{Cite news |last=Larimer |first=Sarah |date=July 1, 2015 |title=Girl Scouts choose transgender girls over $100,000 donation |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/06/30/girl-scouts-choose-transgender-girls-over-100000-donation/ |access-date=May 6, 2016 |archive-date=May 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502052452/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/06/30/girl-scouts-choose-transgender-girls-over-100000-donation/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In January 2012, a teen in California created a video calling for the boycott of Girl Scout Cookies in response to Girl Scouts' policy of inclusion for transgender girls. The viral video became a rallying cry for both supporters and opponents of the group's stance on transgender members.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Teen calls for Girl Scout cookie boycott |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/teen-calls-boycott-girl-scout-cookies-transgender-members-article-1.1005123 |website=Daily News |date=January 12, 2012 |location=New York |access-date=May 23, 2013 |archive-date=March 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130321171244/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/teen-calls-boycott-girl-scout-cookies-transgender-members-article-1.1005123 |url-status=live }}</ref> In February 2016, [[Robert James Carlson]], the Roman Catholic archbishop of St. Louis, urged parishioners to cut ties with the Girl Scouts over the group's embrace of LGBT rights.<ref name="NYTFeb16">{{Cite news |last=Houser |first=Christine |date=February 25, 2016 |title=Girl Scouts face opposition from St. Louis Archbishop |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/26/us/girl-scout-cookies-st-louis-catholics.html |access-date=March 1, 2017 |archive-date=February 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216061054/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/26/us/girl-scout-cookies-st-louis-catholics.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Girl Scouts themselves defended their actions against this. "For 100 years, Girl Scouts has prided itself on being an inclusive organization serving girls from all walks of life. We handle cases involving transgender children on a case-by-case basis, with a focus on ensuring the welfare and best interests of the child in question and the other girls in the troop as our highest priority."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mandell |first=Nina |date=January 12, 2012 |title=Teen calls for boycott of Girl Scout cookies over transgender members |work=Daily News |location=New York |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/teen-calls-boycott-girl-scout-cookies-transgender-members-article-1.1005123 |access-date=May 23, 2013 |archive-date=March 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130321171244/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/teen-calls-boycott-girl-scout-cookies-transgender-members-article-1.1005123 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Local objections to sex education sponsored by Planned Parenthood in Waco, Texas===
GSUSA is not aligned with and does not endorse, at the national level, the reproductive health organization [[Planned Parenthood]]; Girl Scout councils may choose to have or not have connections with Planned Parenthood.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kleder |first=Martha |date=March 30, 2004 |title=Girl Scouts' Stumble Boosts Christian-Based American Heritage Girls |url=http://www.cwfa.org/articles/5431/CWA/misc/index.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061103005050/http://www.cwfa.org/articles/5431/CWA/misc/index.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=November 3, 2006 |access-date=November 4, 2006}}</ref> In 2003, in [[Waco, Texas]], the local Bluebonnet Council was listed as a co-sponsor, with the Girl Scouts logo printed on the promotional flyer, of the Planned Parenthood of Central Texas event titled "Nobody's Fool '03: Dating, Love, Sex & HIV."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Honest Girl Scouts |via=[[Facebook]] |url=https://www.facebook.com/pg/HonestGirlScout/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1600373513319974 |access-date=May 23, 2017 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308120300/https://www.facebook.com/pg/HonestGirlScout/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1600373513319974 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=September 2023}} In 2004, the same Council promoted a Planned Parenthood education event without providing money nor sending Girl Scouts to it. This was criticized by some [[anti-abortion]] movement supporters and [[social conservatives]], resulting in a local attempt to boycott Girl Scout cookies sold by the Bluebonnet Council. Waco residents responded to the announced boycott by purchasing a record number of cookies, and the Bluebonnet Council dropped promotion of the event.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 3, 2004 |title=Cookie crumbles: Girl Scout sex furor splits Texas town |work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2004-03-03-cookie-boycott_x.htm |access-date=September 25, 2006 |archive-date=September 14, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060914180903/http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2004-03-03-cookie-boycott_x.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> A month later, GSUSA CEO Kathy Cloninger went on [[Today (NBC program)|NBC's ''Today'' show]], defending the Bluebonnet Council's decision to sever ties with Planned Parenthood.

===The Radical Brownies===
In 2014, Marilyn Hollinquest and Ana Yvette Martinez, both women of color, founded the Radical Brownies, a community group for girls of color in Oakland, California. Similar to the GSUSA, but created specifically for girls of color, the Radical Brownies endeavors to "empower and encourage"<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |date=January 30, 2015 |title='Radical Brownies' allows girls of color to address injustice |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/radical-brownies-allows-girls-color-address-injustice |access-date=November 29, 2021 |website=PBS NewsHour |language=en-us |archive-date=October 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029210225/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/radical-brownies-allows-girls-color-address-injustice |url-status=live }}</ref> girls of color and cultivate sisterhood and community bonds between them.

According to the Radical Brownies' mission statement at the time of its founding, its aim was to empower young girls of color to "step into their collective power" and to make the world a more "radical" place. The Radical Brownies wear brown berets and vests in homage to the Brown Berets and Black Panther movements. The group's members, ages 8–12 years old, can earn badges in "radical beauty," "food justice," and "radical self-love."<ref name=":02" />

====Name controversy====
In February 2015, despite Radical Brownies co-founder Hollinquest clarifying that the group claimed no affiliation with the GSUSA, the GSUSA contacted the Radical Brownies organization and informed them that their troop's name and uniforms caused "some confusion"<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=February 24, 2015 |title=Oakland's 'Radical Brownies' Troop To Change Name After Getting A Call From The Girl Scouts |url=https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2015/02/24/oakland-radical-brownies-troop-change-name-girl-scouts/ |access-date=October 13, 2021 |language=en-US |archive-date=October 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027182510/https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2015/02/24/oakland-radical-brownies-troop-change-name-girl-scouts/ |url-status=live }}</ref> among GSUSA membership. According to GSUSA Chief Communications Officer Kelly Parisi, once the founders of the Radical Brownies were notified of the misunderstanding, they offered to change the group's name.<ref name=":1" />

In May that same year, the Radical Brownies renamed themselves the Radical Monarchs.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 29, 2015 |title=Radical Monarchs: A Social-Justice Twist on the Girl Scouts |url=https://msmagazine.com/2015/05/29/radical-monarchs-a-social-justice-twist-on-the-girl-scouts/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027181251/https://msmagazine.com/2015/05/29/radical-monarchs-a-social-justice-twist-on-the-girl-scouts/ |archive-date=October 27, 2021 |access-date=October 13, 2021 |website=Ms. Magazine}}</ref>

==Presidents==
[[File:Edward Hughes - Juliette Gordon Low - Google Art Project.jpg|thumb|Portrait of [[Juliette Gordon Low]] (1887)]]
* [[Juliette Gordon Low]] (1915–1920)
* [[Anne Hyde Choate]] (1920–1922)
* [[Lou Henry Hoover]] (1922–1925) (1935–1937)
* [[Sarah Louise Arnold]] (1925–1943) (first Dean of [[Simmons University|Simmons College]], 1902–1921)<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 27, 1943 |title=Sarah Arnold, Educator, Dies: Simmons Dean Emerita, Once Girl Scout Head |work=Boston Herald |page=34}}</ref>
* Mira Hoffman (1926–1930) (Mrs. William H. Hoffman)
* [[James Otis (New York politician)|Birdsall Otis Edey]] (1930–1935) (Mrs. Frederick Edey) (after ceasing to be president she became National Commissioner for Girl Scouts until her death in 1940)
* Henrietta Bates Brooke (1937–1939) (Mrs. Frederick H. Brooke) (died 1967, her husband was the architect Frederick H. Brooke who designed the [[District of Columbia War Memorial]])
* [[Mildred Esterbrook Mudd|Mildred Mudd]] (1939–1941) (she later supported the founding of [[Harvey Mudd College]] named after her husband, [[Harvey Seeley Mudd]])
* Helen Means (1941–1945) (Mrs. Alan H. Means) Later chairwoman of the [[World Board (World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts)|World Board (WAGGGS)]] (1952–1957)
* Harriet Rankin Ferguson (1946–1951) (Mrs. Vaughan C. Ferguson)
* Olivia Cameron Higgins Layton (1951–1957) (Mrs. Roy F. Layton) (died 1975)<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 11, 1975 |title=Mrs. Roy Layton, Girl Scouts Chief :National President 1951–57 Is Dead at Age of 77 |work=The New York Times |page=34}}</ref>
* Marjorie Mehne Culmer (1958–1963) (Mrs. Charles U. Culmer) (later chair of WAGGGS, died in 1994)
* Margaret W. Price (1963–1969) (Mrs. Holton R. Price Jr.) (died in 1973)<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 22, 1973 |title=Mrs. Margaret Price, 62, Dies; Ex-National Head of Girl Scouts :Received Service Awards. |page=46 |work=The New York Times}}</ref>
* Grace M. S. McKittrick MacNeil (1969–1972) (Mrs. Douglas H. MacNeil) (died in 2000)<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 26, 1969 |title=Girl Scouts Seek Update Goal: Give Members Policy Role and Widen Recruiting |page=44 |work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Obituary |date=July 12, 2000 |title=Grace MacNeil, 92, Leader of Girl Scouts |pages=B9 |work=The New York Times}}</ref>
* Marjorie Motch (1972–1975)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Local&nbsp;– The Enquirer&nbsp;– December 19, 1997 |url=http://www.enquirer.com/editions/1997/12/19/loc_awards19.html |website=enquirer.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2011 Annual Report |url=http://www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/facts/pdf/2011_annual_report.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130128205014/http://girlscouts.org/who_we_are/facts/pdf/2011_annual_report.pdf |archive-date=January 28, 2013 |access-date=November 7, 2018}}</ref>
* [[Gloria Randle Scott]] (1975–1978)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Oliver |first=Lady |date=March 2007 |title=Hometown Hero Dr. Gloria Randall Scott, First African-American National President of Girl Scouts USA, Visits Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council |url=http://www.gssjc.org/news/2007/3-pres.cfm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008185359/http://www.gssjc.org/news/2007/3-pres.cfm |archive-date=October 8, 2007 |access-date=March 21, 2007 |publisher=Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council}}</ref>
* Jane C. Shields Freeman (1978–1984) (her husband is [[Orville Freeman]])<ref>{{Cite web |title=Orville and Jane Freeman |url=http://www.hhh.umn.edu/centers/freeman/about_orville_jane.html |access-date=October 8, 2010 |publisher=University of Minnesota |archive-date=July 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100725224927/https://www.hhh.umn.edu/centers/freeman/about_orville_jane.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Betty Fuller Pilsbury (1984–1990), she received the [[Silver Buffalo Award]] in 1986.
* [[B. LaRae Orullian]] (1990–1996)
* Elinor Johnstone Ferdon (1996–1999)
* Connie L. Matsui (1999–2002)
* Cynthia B. Thompson (2002–2005)
* [[Patricia Diaz Dennis]] (2005–2008)
* Connie L. Lindsey (2008–2013)
* Kathy Hopinkah Hannan (2014–2020)
* Karen P. Layng (2020–2023)
* [[Noorain Khan]] (2023–present)

===Chief executive officers===
The title has changed over the years.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Meet Kathy Cloninger: Chief Executive Officer |url=http://www.girlscouts.org/for_adults/leader_magazine/2003_winter/kathy_cloninger.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202121946/http://www.girlscouts.org/for_adults/leader_magazine/2003_winter/kathy_cloninger.asp |archive-date=February 2, 2009 |access-date=December 21, 2008}}</ref>

National Secretaries:
* Edith D. Johnston (June 1913&nbsp;– June 1914)
* Cora Neal (June 1914&nbsp;– June 1916)
* Montague Gammon (June 1916&nbsp;– August 1917)

National Directors:
* Abby Porter Leland (August 1917&nbsp;– February 1919)
* [[Jane Deeter Rippin]] (February 1919&nbsp;– November 1930)<ref name="rippinobit">{{Cite news |date=June 3, 1953 |title=Mrs. Rippin is dead; Girl Scout Leader |page=31 |work=The New York Times}}</ref>
* [[Josephine Schain]] (November 1930&nbsp;– September 1935)
* Constance Rittenhouse (September 1935&nbsp;– December 1950)

National Executive Directors:
* [[Dorothy C. Stratton]] (December 1950&nbsp;– July 1960)
* Sally Stickney Cortner (July 1960&nbsp;– May 1961) (Interim)
* Louise A. Wood (May 1961&nbsp;– April 1972)
* Dr. Cecily Cannan Selby (April 1972&nbsp;– September 1975)
* Frank H. Kanis (September 1975&nbsp;– July 1976) (Interim)
* [[Frances Hesselbein]] (July 1976– February 1990) was awarded the [[Presidential Medal of Freedom]] in 1998 in part for her work in Girl Scouts.
* Mary Rose Main (February 1990– October 1997)
* Joel E. Becker (October 1997– January 1998) (Interim)
* [[Marsha Johnson Evans]] (January 1998– July 2002): retired [[Rear admiral (United States)|rear admiral]], left Girl Scouts to become president of the [[American Red Cross]]

Chief executive officers:
* Jackie Barnes (July 2002– October 2003) (Interim)
* Kathy Cloninger (October 2003– November 2011)
* [[Anna Maria Chávez]] (November 2011– June 2016)<ref>{{Cite news |last=Michelle Healey |date=August 24, 2011 |title=Hispanic attorney named new Girl Scouts CEO |work=[[USA Today]] |url=http://yourlife.usatoday.com/mind-soul/doing-good/story/2011-08-24/Hispanic-attorney-named-new-Girl-Scout-CEO/50127058/1 |access-date=November 27, 2011 |archive-date=December 10, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111210023244/http://yourlife.usatoday.com/mind-soul/doing-good/story/2011-08-24/Hispanic-attorney-named-new-Girl-Scout-CEO/50127058/1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Sylvia Acevedo]] (July 2016– August 2020)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sylvia Acevedo Named Permanent CEO Of GSUSA |url=http://www.girlscouts.org/en/press-room/press-room/news-releases/2017/sylvia-acevedo-named-GSUSA-CEO.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170713034735/http://www.girlscouts.org/en/press-room/press-room/news-releases/2017/sylvia-acevedo-named-GSUSA-CEO.html |archive-date=July 13, 2017 |access-date=July 2, 2017 |website=Girl Scouts of the USA}}</ref> (Served in interim capacity from July 2016 – May 2017)
* Judith Batty (August 16, 2020– January 27, 2022) (Interim)<ref>"Judith Batty named Interim CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA", Girl Scouts of America, [https://www.girlscouts.org/en/press-room/press-room/news-releases/2020/judith-batty-named-interim-ceo-of-girl-scouts-of-the-usa.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200821194930/https://www.girlscouts.org/en/press-room/press-room/news-releases/2020/judith-batty-named-interim-ceo-of-girl-scouts-of-the-usa.html|date=August 21, 2020}}</ref><ref name="Chang">"Girl Scouts of the USA Names Former Warner Media Executive Sofia Chang as CEO", Girl Scouts of America, [https://www.girlscouts.org/en/footer/press-room/2021/girl-scouts-of-the-USA-names-former-warner-media-executive-sofia-chang-as-CEO.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127060744/https://www.girlscouts.org/en/footer/press-room/2021/girl-scouts-of-the-USA-names-former-warner-media-executive-sofia-chang-as-CEO.html|date=January 27, 2022}}</ref>
* Sofia Chang (January 27, 2022 – February 2023)<ref name="Chang" />
* Bonnie Barczykowski (February 2023–present)<ref name="Girl Scouts of the USA Announces Ne"/>

==100th anniversary==
GSUSA celebrated the 100th anniversary of its founding by [[Juliette Low|Juliette Gordon Low]] with a "Bridge to the Second Century" event on November 13, 2011, at the GS National Convention in Houston and other sites around the country. The Anniversary was also celebrated by participation in the world-famous [[Pasadena, California|Pasadena]], California [[Tournament of Roses Parade]] of 2012, featuring the Girl Scouts 100th Anniversary float, which was designed and decorated by Girl Scouts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=GSGLA : Tournament of Roses Parade |url=http://www.girlscoutsla.org/pages/events/TOR_parade.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110110193210/http://www.girlscoutsla.org/pages/events/TOR_parade.html |archive-date=January 10, 2011 |website=girlscoutsla.org}}</ref>

US president [[Barack Obama]] signed the "Girl Scouts of the USA Commemorative Coin Act" for the 100th Anniversary celebration. The act authorized the minting of 350,000 silver dollar coins in honor of Girl Scouts and the achievements of the 50 million women influenced by Girl Scouting during the last 100 years.<ref>{{Cite web |title=News Releases |url=http://www.girlscouts.org/news/news_releases/2009/obama_signs_girl_scout_commemorative_coin_act.asp |access-date=March 12, 2016 |website=Girl Scouts of the USA |archive-date=December 3, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091203153341/http://www.girlscouts.org/news/news_releases/2009/obama_signs_girl_scout_commemorative_coin_act.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[Colorado]] staged a vigorous campaign to create a special license plate to honor the Girl Scout Centennial. The Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys hosted "The Great Girl Gathering", a Centennial Celebration on March 10 and 11, 2012 for 140,000 girls at the [[Mall of America]] in [[Bloomington, Minnesota|Bloomington]], Minnesota.<ref>{{Cite web |title=100 tears of Girl Scouting |url=http://www.gsrv100.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110702062851/http://www.girlscoutsrv.org/100th_anniversary |archive-date=July 2, 2011 |access-date=November 14, 2011}}</ref>

[[Build-A-Bear Workshop]] had a limited-edition Girl Scout bear and outfits for the 100th anniversary.

The [[Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital]] in Washington, DC hosted a 100th Anniversary Sing-Along on the [[National Mall]], on June 9, 2012, called Girl Scouts Rock the Mall: 100th Anniversary Sing-Along.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rock the Mall |url=http://www.gscnc.org/singalong.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110214122805/http://www.gscnc.org/singalong.html |archive-date=February 14, 2011 |website=gscnc.org}}</ref> The Rock the Mall event drew more than 200,000 people to the national mall to celebrate Girl Scouting and cost $2 million.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Zaveri |first=Mihir |date=June 9, 2012 |title=Thousands of Girl Scouts Descend on National Mall to Celebrate 100th Birthday |work=The Washington Post Blog |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/thousands-of-girl-scouts-descend-on-national-mall-to-celebrate-centennial/2012/06/09/gJQAqwKsQV_story.html |url-status=live |access-date=April 29, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729074501/http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2012-06-09/local/35462717_1_girl-scouts-national-mall-washington-monument |archive-date=July 29, 2013}}</ref>

Girl life-sized Scouts of Citrus, in partnership with [[Walt Disney World]], held a special 100th anniversary bridging event on May 25–28, 2012. The Bridging into the Next Century event provides Girl Scouts from all over the country an opportunity to celebrate the spirit of Girl Scouting at [[Epcot]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=http://www.citrus-gs.org/ |website=citrus-gs.org |access-date=January 9, 2012 |archive-date=January 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120116054054/http://www.citrus-gs.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Cincinnati Museum Center held a daytime and overnight event to celebrate in partnership with the Girl Scouts of Western Ohio, who Ohio designed an exhibit, which was on display for free until May 13, 2012. The exhibit displays old uniforms, literature and discussed the role of Girl Scouts for the last 100 years.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Girl Scouts: Taking Action for 100 Years |url=http://www.cincymuseum.org/girlscouts |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317141414/http://www.cincymuseum.org/girlscouts |archive-date=March 17, 2012 |access-date=November 7, 2018}}</ref>

GSUSA made a new cookie called Savannah Smiles to commemorate the anniversary.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Celebrate with Savannah Smiles |url=https://www.littlebrowniebakers.com/cookies/celebrate-with-savannah-smiles/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125142239/https://www.littlebrowniebakers.com/cookies/celebrate-with-savannah-smiles/ |archive-date=November 25, 2020 |access-date=December 20, 2020 |website=Little Brownie Bakers}}</ref>

The Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas hosted the Girl Scouts national exhibition at the 2012 State Fair of Texas in the historic Hall of State. At the State Fair of Texas, visitors were able to indulge on a Fried Samoa, be part of a virtual campfire, walk through a life&nbsp;– sized cookie box and see a replica of Juliette Gordon Low's house.<ref>{{Cite press release |agency=PR Newswire |publisher=Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas Inc and AT&T |title=The Girl Scouts 100th Anniversary Experience to Mark Anniversary Milestone at 2012 State Fair of Texas |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-100th-girl-scout-experience-to-mark-anniversary-milestone-at-2012-state-fair-of-texas-166288196.html |access-date=September 18, 2019 |language=en |archive-date=August 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801031318/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-100th-girl-scout-experience-to-mark-anniversary-milestone-at-2012-state-fair-of-texas-166288196.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In Savannah, Georgia where Girl Scouting was founded, they hosted a "Party in the Park" in Forsyth Park where there was a Centennial Honor Guard consisting of girls wearing vintage uniforms from the Girl Scout First Headquarters. The uniforms represented various eras: 1912 (replica), 1914, 1928, the 1940s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and the present.

The city of Savannah closed part of the Talmadge Bridge so girls could walk the bridge and "Bridge to the next century. "Savannah also had a "Sunrise Service" with the CEO, Anna Maria Chavez.<ref name="savannah sunrise">{{Cite news |last=Landers |first=Mary |date=March 13, 2012 |title=Girl Scouts celebrate centennial with sunrise service in Savannah |work=[[savannahnow.com]] |url=https://www.savannahnow.com/article/20120313/NEWS/303139809 |url-status=live |access-date=November 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107113212/https://www.savannahnow.com/article/20120313/NEWS/303139809 |archive-date=November 7, 2018}}</ref> The Honor guard from the park carried the Eternal Flame.{{citation needed|date = August 2012}}

The city of Savannah dedicated their annual "Georgia Day" to Juliette.{{citation needed|date = August 2012}}

==Similar organizations==

[[Camp Fire Girls]] was founded in 1910, two years prior to Girl Scouts, by some of the creators of the [[Boy Scouts of America]].<ref name="AMB">{{Cite web |last=Beard |first=Alice Marie |title=Historical Origins of Camp Fire |url=http://www.alicemariebeard.com/campfire/history.htm |access-date=January 29, 2009 |archive-date=January 11, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090111040109/http://www.alicemariebeard.com/campfire/history.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1975, the group became co-educational and soon afterwards changed its name to "Camp Fire Boys and Girls". The name was changed to Camp Fire USA in 2001 and to [[Camp Fire (organization)|Camp Fire]] in 2012. As of 2009, the group has a membership of about 750,000.<ref>{{Cite web |year=2005 |title=All About Us |url=http://www.campfire.org/all_about_us/history.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080607140013/http://www.campfire.org/all_about_us/history.asp |archive-date=June 7, 2008 |access-date=January 29, 2009 |publisher=Camp Fire USA}}</ref>

Various religious groups have established their own youth clubs such as [[Missionettes]] (now Mpact Girls) for the [[Assemblies of God]]. Little Flowers Girls' Club is a [[Catholic]]-focused girls club.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Behold Christ Clubs Foundation&nbsp;– Catholic Clubs |url=http://www.beholdpublications.com/ |access-date=March 12, 2016 |website=Behold Christ Clubs Foundation, Inc |archive-date=January 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118222700/http://www.beholdpublications.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[GEMS Girls' Clubs]] is a non-denominational group with a [[Calvinist]]/Reformed background. [[Pioneer Girls]] started as a [[Methodist]] group but is non-denominational.{{Citation needed|date = November 2018}} The Masonic Lodge which requires belief in a Supreme Being has their own set of service organizations targeted at young and teenage girls, [[The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls]] and [[Job's Daughters International]].{{Citation needed|date = March 2021}}

One youth group explicitly set up as a Christian alternative to Girl Scouts is the [[American Heritage Girls]] (AHG), started in 1995 in [[West Chester Township, Butler County, Ohio|West Chester]], Ohio, by a group of parents upset with available female Scouting organizations.<ref name="AHGpp">{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Angela K |title=Some unhappy with Girl Scouts form new group |url=http://www.ppinw.org/pages.php?p=news&id=6 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041021192840/http://www.ppinw.org/pages.php?p=news&id=6 |archive-date=October 21, 2004 |access-date=November 1, 2006 |publisher=Planned Parenthood of the Inland Northwest}}</ref> AHG is a Christian organization that states that it is "a nonprofit organization dedicated to the mission of building women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country."<ref name="The History of The American Heritage Girls" /> As of 2020, it claims a membership (adult and youth) of over 50,000.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 12, 2011 |title=American Heritage Girls celebrates 16 sweet years |publisher=American Heritage Girls |url=http://www.ahgonline.org/uploads/AHG_celebrates16sweetyears.pdf |url-status=dead |access-date=November 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222001234/http://www.ahgonline.org/uploads/AHG_celebrates16sweetyears.pdf |archive-date=February 22, 2014}}</ref>

==See also==
* {{Portal inline|Scouting}}
* {{Portal inline|United States}}
* [[Girl Scout Museum and Archives]]

==Explanatory notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{Cite journal |last1=Anderson |first1=Erin K. |last2=Behringer |first2=Autumn |year=2010 |title=Girlhood in the Girl Scouts |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263498197 |journal=Girlhood Studies |volume=3 |issue=2 |pages=89–108 |doi=10.3167/ghs.2010.030206 |ref=none}}
* {{Cite book |last=Arneil |first=Barbara |title=Gender, Diversity, and Organizational Change: The Boy Scouts vs. Girl Scouts of America |series=Perspectives on Politics |year=2010 |volume=8 |pages=53–68 |issue=1 |ref=none}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Block |first1=Nelson R. |title=Scouting Frontiers: Youth and the Scout Movement's First Century |last2=Proctor |first2=Tammy M. |publisher=Cambridge Scholars Publishing |year=2009 |isbn=978-1-4438-0450-9 |location=Cambridge, UK |ref=none}}
* {{Cite book |last=Cordery |first=Stacy A. |url=https://archive.org/details/juliettegordonlo0000cord |title=The Remarkable Founder of the Girl Scouts: Juliette Gordon Low |publisher=Viking |year=2012 |isbn=978-0-670-02330-1 |location=New York |url-access=registration |ref=none}}
* {{Cite book |last=Corey |first=Shana |title=Here Come the Girl Scouts! The Amazing, All-True Story of Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low and Her Great Adventure |publisher=Scholastic |year=2012 |isbn=978-0-545-34278-0 |location=New York |ref=none}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Degenhardt |first1=Mary |url=https://archive.org/details/girlscoutcollect0000dege |title=Girl Scout Collector's Guide: A History of Uniforms, Insignia, Publications, and Memorabilia |last2=Kirsch |first2=Judith |publisher=Texas Tech |year=2005 |isbn=978-0-89672-546-1 |edition=2nd |url-access=registration |ref=none}}
* {{Cite journal |last=Hahner |first=Leslie |year=2008 |title=Practical Patriotism: Camp Fire Girls, Girl Scouts, and Americanization |journal=Communication and Critical/Cultural Studies |volume=5 |issue=2 |pages=113–134 |doi=10.1080/14791420801989702 |s2cid=143730086 |ref=none}}
* {{Cite book |last=Inness |first=Sherrie A. |year=1997 |chapter=Chapter 5: Girl Scouts, Camp Fire Girls, and Woodcraft Girls: The Ideology of Girls' Scouting Novels, 1910–1935 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NsDwv8n9BzgC |editor-last=Inness |editor-first=Sherrie A. |title=Nancy Drew and Company: Culture, Gender, and Girls' Series |location=Bowling Green, Ohio |publisher=Bowling Green State University Popular Press |isbn=9780879727369 |pages=89–100 |ref=none}}
* {{Cite journal |last=Lawson |first=Katheryn |year=2017 |title=Girl Scout Contrafacta and Symbolic Soldiering in the Great War |journal=American Music |volume=35 |issue=3 |pages=375–411 |doi=10.5406/americanmusic.35.3.0375 |jstor=10.5406/americanmusic.35.3.0375 |s2cid=194899430 |ref=none}}
* {{Cite journal |last=Low |first=Juliette |year=1919 |title=Girl Scouts as an Educational Force |url=https://ttu-ir.tdl.org/ttu-ir/bitstream/handle/2346/60150/ttu_be0001_000090.pdf?sequence=1 |journal=Bulletin |publisher=Bureau of Education, US Department of the Interior |volume=33 |ref=none}}
* {{Cite book |last=Proctor |first=Tammy M. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oohUqnIVo-sC&q=%22Girl+Scouts%22+History&pg=PP1 |title=Scouting for Girls: A Century of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts |publisher=ABC-CLIO |year=2009 |isbn=9780313381140 |ref=none}}
* {{Cite journal |last=Revzin |first=Rebekah E. |year=1998 |title=American Girlhood in the Early Twentieth Century: The Ideology of Girl Scout Literature, 1913–1930 |journal=Library Quarterly |volume=68 |issue=3 |pages=261–275 |doi=10.1086/602982 |s2cid=141165674 |ref=none}}
* {{Cite journal |last=Rothschild |first=Mary Aickin |year=1981 |title=To Scout or to Guide? The Girl Scout–Boy Scout Controversy, 1912–1941 |journal=Frontiers: A Journal of Women Studies |volume=6 |issue=3 |pages=115–121 |doi=10.2307/3346224 |jstor=3346224 |ref=none}}
* {{Cite book |last=Strickland |first=Charles |year=1979 |chapter=Juliette Low, the Girl Scouts, and the Role of American Women |editor=Mary Kelley |title=Woman's Being, Woman's Place: Female Identity and Vocation in Amencan History |pages=252–264 |location=Boston |publisher=G. K. Hall |isbn=9780816183241 |oclc=470987797 |ref=none}}
* {{Cite book |last=Wadsworth |first=Ginger |year=2012 |title=First Girl Scout: The Life of Juliette Gordon Low |location=New York |publisher=Clarion Books |isbn=978-0-547-24394-8 |ref=none}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Girl Scouts of the USA}}
* {{Official website}}
* [https://statenisland.pastperfectonline.com/webobject/E274B4EE-581B-4373-A081-160648306045 Girl Scout Uniform, ca. 1917, in the Staten Island Historical Society Online Collections Database]
* [http://www.juliettegordonlowbirthplace.org/ Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace]
* {{Gutenberg author | id =33359| name = Girl Scouts of the United States of America}}
* {{Internet Archive author |sname = Girl Scouts}}
* {{Librivox author |id = 1211}}
* [http://allthingsgirlscouts.blogspot.com/ All Things Girl Scouts]

{{Scoutorg GSUSA}}
{{Scouting in the United States}}
{{WAGGGS|western}}
{{scouting|us}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Girl Scouts of the USA| ]]
[[Category:Scouting in the United States|.]]
[[Category:1912 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:AmeriCorps organizations]]
[[Category:Patriotic and national organizations chartered by the United States Congress]]
[[Category:Women's organizations based in the United States]]
[[Category:World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts member organizations]]
[[Category:Youth organizations based in New York City]]
[[Category:Youth organizations established in 1912]]