Frequently Asked Questions
Why should my daughter join the Girl Scouts?
Girl Scouts of the USA is the world's pre-eminent organization dedicated solely to girls — all girls — where, in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build character and skills for success in the real world. In partnership with committed adult volunteers, Girl Scouts cultivate their full individual potential. The qualities they develop in Girl Scouting — leadership, values, social conscience, and conviction about their own self-worth — serve them all their lives.
Can my daughter participate in Girl Scouting? How old are girls who participate?
Girl Scouting is open to all girls ages 5 to 17. The Girl Scouts of Crowley’s Ridge serves 5336 girls and adults in 12 counties. There are six age levels including Studio 2B in Girl Scouting:
Daisy Girl Scouts, 5-6 years old
Brownie Girl Scouts, 6-8 years old
GIrl Scouts 11-17, 11-17 years old
How much does Girl Scouting cost?
Girl Scouting is open to all girls regardless of ability to pay. When necessary, the Girl Scouts of Crowley’s Ridge provides financial assistance to registered girl or adult in leadership position. A confidential Financial Assistance Request form is available from your daughter troop leader or Service Team Manager.
Membership dues: The $10 annual membership dues are paid to Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. and are not transferable or refundable. The fee is used to cover the cost of individual membership and accident insurance.
Troop dues: The amount is determined by girls and parents in each troop based on planned activities and the ability to pay.
Optional activities: Several events may be offered in addition to troop programming. These include day and resident camping, for which there could be an additional fee.
Uniforms: Uniforms are not required. Girls who wear the uniform can purchase them through the council office. For information on the traveling shop locations in your area, please contact the Council.
What activities will my daughter participate in through Girl Scouting?
Girl Scouting will provide your daughter with a wide variety of activities, developed around the interests and needs of the girls, in small groups, with the guidance of trained adult leaders. Girl Scouts offers a dynamic program that emphasizes character, community service, leadership and respect for others. Traditionally, Girl Scouting involved activities such as crafts, singing as a group and camping. But today’s Girl Scout program encompasses the traditional activities and has expanded to include science and nature projects, educational field trips, career mentoring, national and international travel and community service projects.
Will my daughter be required to sell cookies?
Participating in the Girl Scout cookie sale is voluntary. We never want girls to be pressured to sell cookies, and we want girls to spend most of their time benefiting from the Girl Scout program. However, proceeds from the sale fund troop and Council-wide activities, provide financial assistance to girls and support volunteer recruitment and training and the maintenance of the Council’s camp properties. Most troops find the Girl Scout cookie sale the ideal fund-raising opportunity. Further, Girl Scouts who participate in the sale take away a variety of skills, including goal-setting, marketing and sales, basic accounting, communication and money management. Note: Daisy Girl Scouts do not participate in the cookie sale.
Does my daughter have to join a troop to become a Girl Scout?
The Girl Scouts is constantly responding to the changing needs of today’s girls. We offer our traditional program as well as a number of alternative approaches.
Traditional troops: Girls meet regularly with adult leaders to participate in activities that are tailored to each program level. This helps ensure that the Girl Scout experience will meet girls’ developmental, educational, emotional and social needs and interests. Troop activities vary from troop to troop, as girls are encouraged to plan and make their own decisions.
Juliettes: Individually registered girls receive mailings highlighting Girl Scout activities, some of which can be done with parent involvement.
Interest Groups: This group of girls participates in interest group activities that are important to them. Activities focus on: sports, horseback riding, dance, cheerleading, sciences, technology, the arts, and others.
Resident Camps: Girls may attend overnight camp at Camp Crossed Arrows: resident camps are 3 days, 5 days or 2 weeks long.
Day/Twilight Camps: Girls receive short-term experiences in Girl Scouting activities through our locally sponsored weeklong summer day camps in communities throughout the 12 counties area...
After School Programs: Girl Scout activities are available for girls in schools and childcare facilities.
Do I have to be a leader for my daughter to be a Girl Scout?
Troops cannot exist without adequate, trained adult volunteer support. While parents are not required to serve as troop leaders, parents are encouraged to support the troop leader or advisor. Every troop has a leader or advisor, so that all parents share in the responsibilities.
How can I ensure my daughter receives the most that the Girl Scouts has to offer?
See that your daughter attends troop meetings regularly and is dropped off and picked up on time. Attend parents’ meetings, family activities and other troop functions. Let your daughter know you consider her involvement in Girl Scouting to be special and important to both of you.
