Join the Girl Scouts “I have something for the girls of Savannah and for all the girls of America.”  Juliette Gordon Low To find out how to become a Girl Scout in your community, email to info@girlscoutshh.org Tell us what school district you attend and we will put you in contact with volunteers who organize Girl Scout Troops in your area.

Girl Scouts of the USA is the world's largest organization dedicated to helping all girls everywhere build character and gain skills for success in the real world. In an accepting and nurturing environment, and in partnership with committed adult volunteers, girls develop strong values, leadership skills, social conscience, and conviction about their own potential and self-worth that will serve them all their lives.

For Every 100 Girls Who Join Girl Scouts…

• Four will earn the Girl Scout Gold Award-the highest award for girls
• Eighteen will develop hobbies used during their adult life
• Eight will enter a vocation that was learned through the badge or patch programs
• Seventeen will be future Girl Scout volunteer
• One will use her Girl Scouting skills to save a life
• One will use her Girl Scouting skills to save her own life

To join Girl Scouts, you need to accept the Girl Scout Promise and the Girl Scout Law and pay the $10 GSUSA membership dues each Girl Scout year (October 1 through September 30). GSUSA membership dues include your Girl Scout accident insurance, program development and support, research on girl-related subjects and much more.

What's It All About? In an article written in the 1970's and which remains true today, Audrey Finkelstein wrote: "We are a value-rooted, people-centered MOVEMENT, and “movement” means “a series of acts working toward some desired aim.” Our aim is better people; not better knot tiers; not better fire builders; not better artists, but better people... Our informal, educational program centered around the interests and abilities of girls is the vehicle in which we keep and stretch the girls and transport them along the journey towards becoming self-realized, courageous, compassionate, concerned, and committed mature women... No matter what the age level or however seemingly simple the activity, it holds true that our program is a device for this process of becoming... Every game they play and song they sing and day they camp involve for our girls their learning to live with others and with themselves; winning; losing; understanding; responsibility; an affirmation of life. Our purpose is not for our girls just to look, but to see; not just to hear, but to listen; not just to touch, but to feel... We hope that because of Girl Scouting life will be an adventure, not an assignment."

GIRL SCOUTS LEVELS

A Daisy Girl Scouts Can:
Interact with others and learn how to share
Learn decision-making by selecting activity alternatives
Have fun with friends
Earn Daisy Petals

A Brownie Girl Scout Can:
Make decisions by participating in troop government.
Take part in product sales programs.
Enjoy a variety of Brownie Girl Scout Try-It activities.
Plan field trips and attend day or resident camp.

A Junior Girl Scout Can:
At this age level, girls have the opportunity to:
Earn a variety of badges and Council patches
Earn the Girl Scout Bronze Award
Visit theaters, museums and businesses
Take part in service projects in the community
Make the majority of troop decisions
Create plans and annual budgets
Plan field trips and attend day or resident camp
Take part in product sales program
 
A Cadette Girl Scout Can:
Explore various careers
Work on Interest Project awards, or STUDIO 2B Focus Books
Earn the Girl Scout Silver Award, the second highest award in Girl Scouting
Conduct troop/group business, make decisions and plan activities on their own
Plan field trips and attend resident camp
If eligible, be a Counselor-In-Training or Program Aide
Take part in product sales programs
Take part in community service projects

A Senior Girl Scout Can:
Explore various careers
Work on Interest Project awards, or STUDIO 2B Focus Books
Earn the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting
Conduct troop/group business, make decisions and plan activities on their own
Plan field trips and attend resident camp
If eligible, be a Counselor-In-Training or Program Aide
Take part in product sales programs
Take part in community service projects

Girl Scouts Uniforms
Girl Scouts wear uniforms to show their pride in belonging to a Movement that has a mission in high regard by the American people.  The uniform provides visibility and recognition of members, helps all girls in a group to show they belong, regardless of individual socioeconomic status or circumstances.  While uniforms are not required to be a member of the Girl Scouts, girl and adult members are encouraged to wear them.  There is a wide choice of uniform components available at Council Shop affordable for every girl. 

Girl Scout Recognition
Pins, badges, Interest Patches & Fun Patches are generally purchased with troop funds.

Product Sales
Starting at the Brownie level girls can participate in product sales programs, girls learn how to manage their time, answer questions with confidence and handle money responsibility.  When someone purchases a box of Girl Scout cookies, part of the proceeds go to cover the product costs, part to support troop activities and part to the Council to cover the cost of services.  Participation in product sales programs is voluntary.  Some troops conduct additional money earning projects to help offset the cost of program activities and trips. 

Camping
Starting at the Brownie level girls have the opportunity to go camping whether through their troop/groups or their Association.  Participation is always optional.

Summer Camping
Summer Camping is available to all girls during the summer months.  Our Council maintains six Camp facilities: Camp Addisone Boyce, Camp Birch, Camp Ludington, Camp Wendy, Rock Hill Camp and Rocky Brook Camp.

Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson
Central Administrative Office
2 Great Oak Lane
Pleasantville, NY 10570
914.747.3080