Volunteer Essentials
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The go-to guide for busy troop leaders
Volunteer Essentials has the quick answers you need
As a troop leader, you are a key part of making Girl Scouts a space where your troop can take the lead, be themselves, and try new things. You guide your troop as they earn new badges and take on new adventures. You answer questions from your Girl Scouts’ families, and you keep things running smoothly. And anytime you need a little help, Volunteer Essentials is here to answer frequently asked questions.
Specific information for Troop Leaders and Service Unit Volunteers can be found at the links below:
About the Girl Scout Program
Who can join Girl Scouts 
Girl Scouts is about sharing the fun, friendship, and the inherent power of girls and women in an inclusive, supportive, girl-led environment!
Girl Scout volunteers are a dynamic and diverse group, and there’s no one “type” of volunteer. Whether you’re a recent college grad, a parent, a retiree, or really, anyone with a sense of curiosity and adventure (female or male, who has passed the necessary screening process), your unique skills and experiences help make Girl Scouting a powerful leadership experience for girls. For more information on different volunteer roles, check out the "Ways to Volunteer" section on Become a Volunteer.
What all members share are the Girl Scout Promise and Law, as well as our extraordinary strengths as go-getters, innovators, risk-takers, and leaders. Each member also agrees to follow safety guidelines and pay the annual membership dues of $45. Adults have the option to purchase a lifetime membership for $400.
Girl Scouts by Grade Level
| Daisy (grades K-1) | Cadette (grades 6-8) |
| Brownie (grades 2-3) | Senior (grades 9-10) |
| Junior (grades 4-5) | Ambassador (grades 11-12) |
The Girl Scout Leadership Experience
At Girl Scouts, everything centers around the girl: Activities are girl-led, which gives girls the opportunity to take on leadership roles and learn by doing in a cooperative learning environment. It’s what makes Girl Scouts truly unique—our program is designed by, with, and for girls.
Although girls may start building their leadership skills in school and on sports teams, research shows that the courage, confidence, and character they develop as Girl Scouts stay with them throughout their lives.
What girls do in Girl Scouting all fits within three keys: discover, connect and take action.
When girls do exciting badge activities, earn a Girl Scout Journey award, attend an amazing event, or go camping, you are helping them discover who they are, what they care about, and what their talents are.
Girls connect when they collaborate with other people, learn from others, and expand their horizons. This helps them care about, inspire, and team with others locally and globally.
With your guidance, these budding leaders will connect with and care about others, and they’ll be eager to take action to make the world a better place.
As for how they do it? The GSLE draws on three unique processes that help girls unlock the leader within.
Girl-led means girls of every age take an active and age-appropriate role in figuring out the what, where, when, why, and how of all the exciting troop activities they’ll do. The girl-led process is critically important to the GSLE—when girls know their voice matters, they feel empowered to make decisions and they stay engaged in their activities.
Girls enjoy hands-on activities and learn by doing. Then, after reflecting on their activities, girls gain a deeper understanding of the concepts and skills the activities require.
Through cooperative learning, girls learn to share knowledge and skills in an atmosphere of respect and cooperation as they work toward a common goal.
As a volunteer, you’ll draw on these Girl Scout processes as you lead girls of any age. Girl-led at the Daisy level will look very different from the Ambassador level, of course. What’s most important is that girls make decisions about the activities to do together and that they also make choices within that activity. As they learn from their successes and failures—and gain a major confidence boost in the process—their girl-led process will give them the opportunity to lead within their peer group. By the time girls are Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors, they’ll be using the leadership skills they’ve developed in order to mentor younger girls.
One last tip about using the processes: Girls’ time in Girl Scouting isn’t a to-do list, so please don’t ever feel that checking activities off a list is more important than tuning in to what interests girls and sparks their imaginations. Projects don’t have to come out perfectly—in fact, it’s a valuable learning experience when they don’t—and girls don’t have to fill their vests and sashes with badges. Because what matters most is the fun and learning that happens as girls make experiences their own, don’t be afraid to step back and let your girls take the lead.
The National Program Pillars
At Girl Scouts, girls lead their own adventures and team up with their fellow troop members in an all-girl environment to choose the exciting, hands-on activities that interest them most. Girl Scouts focuses on four areas (pillars) that form the foundation of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience:
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Outdoors: When girls embark on outdoor adventures, they learn to confidently meet challenges while developing a lifelong appreciation of nature.
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Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM): Whether they’re building a robot, developing a video game, or studying the stars, girls become better problem-solvers and critical thinkers through STEM activities and learn how they can use STEM to help others.
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Life skills: Girls discover they have what it takes to become outspoken community advocates, make smart decisions about their finances, and form strong, healthy relationships—skills that inspire them to accept challenges and overcome obstacles, now and always.
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Entrepreneurship: By participating in the Girl Scout Cookie Program or fall product program or by earning one of the new entrepreneurship badges, girls spark their curiosity, confidence, and innovation as they learn the essentials of running their own business and how to think like entrepreneurs.
The Volunteer Toolkit (VTK) can provide inspiring ideas for engaging your troop in an exciting mix of activities all year long. For example, if you want to take your girls outside when doing a badge activity, look for the evergreen icon, which tells you that activity can be taken outdoors, or the globe icon, which lets you know you can bring a global perspective to the activity.
Difference Between Badges and Journeys
Journeys and badges are designed to give girls different leadership-building experiences, all while having fun!
Journeys are multi-session leadership experiences for girls to explore topics such as bullying, media literacy, design thinking, or environmental stewardship. Girls do hands-on activities, connect with experts, and take the reins on age-appropriate Take Action projects. Because of their leadership focus, Journeys are also a prerequisite for the highly regarded Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards.
- Badges are all about skill building. When a Girl Scout earns a badge, it shows that she’s learned a new skill, such as how to make a healthy snack, build and test a toy race car, or take great digital photos. It may even spark an interest at school or plant the seed for a future career. And remember: you’ll have fun and learn by doing right alongside your girls!
- Petals are specifically for Daisy Level Girl Scouts, who are just learning the Girl Scout Law. Each petal corresponds to a line of the Girl Scout Law and the center of the daisy represents the Girl Scout Promise.
- Insignia are the "extras" Girl Scouts wear on their official uniform - including the American Flag Patch, the Council ID set, Troop Numerals OR Juliette Patch, Membership Pins, Membership Stars, World Trefoil Pin, etc.
If they choose, girls can pursue badges and Journey awards in the same year; encourage them to find the connections between the two to magnify their Girl Scout experience! While you’re having fun, keep in mind that the quality of a girl’s experience and the skills and pride she gains from earning Journey awards and skill-building badges far outweigh the quantity of badges she earns.
As a volunteer, you don’t have to be the expert in any badge or Journey work. In fact, when you show that you’re not afraid to fail and you’re willing to try something new, you’re modeling what is it is to be a Girl Scout. Our badge and Journey requirements are structured so your girls can learn new skills without your having to be an expert in all the topics, including STEM.
Additional Badge and Journey Resources:
- Badge Explorer - The Badge Explorer tool provides a comprehensive list of all available badges. You can filter the list by program level and/or topic.
- Badge and Insignia Placement Guides - Not sure where that badge goes? Check out these handy, level-specific guides that show you where to place your Girl Scout badges and insignia.
- Volunteer Girl Led Progression Guide - A quick one page guide for volunteers to reference the essence of Girl Led principals of the GSLE (Girl Scout Leadership Experience).
- Guide to Community Service vs. Take Action Projects - Here's a one-page explanation of the difference between a community service project and a Take Action project. Girls complete Take Action projects at the end of Leadership Journeys and to earn Higher Awards.
Difference Between Community Service and Take Action Projects
As your girls look for meaningful ways to give back to their community, you can help sharpen their problem-solving skills and expand their definition of doing good by discussing community service and Take Action projects.
- When a girl performs community service, she’s responding to an immediate need in a one-off, “doing for” capacity. In other words? She’s making an impact right now!
- Through Take Action/service learning, girls explore the root causes of a community need and address it in a lasting way; they truly make the world—or their part of it—a better place.
If your troop members want to pursue their Bronze, Silver, or Gold Awards, they’ll develop a Take Action project on an issue that’s close to their hearts. To make Take Action projects even more impactful for your girls, give time for them to reflect on their projects. When girls make time to internalize the lessons they’ve learned, they’re more likely to find success in their future projects—or anything else they put their minds to.
Progression, Reflection and Inclusion
Progression
Although program elements—like outdoor expeditions or entrepreneurial ventures—align across all grade levels, Girl Scout Brownies and Juniors won’t be doing the same activities as seasoned Seniors and Ambassadors. But with your support, they will get there!
Girl Scout programming is designed to be progressive, and it’s what makes Girl Scouting fun and effective! By building on the knowledge and skills they gain year after year, your girls’ confidence will grow exponentially, and they’ll be eager to take the next steps. As a volunteer, you will cultivate a supportive, nonjudgmental space where girls can test their skills and be unafraid to fail.
Keep in mind that good progression drives success for girls. We’ve outlined some suggestions that will help you determine when your girls are ready for their next outdoor challenge, troop trip, or entrepreneurial venture.
Reflection
Was a badge-earning activity a resounding success? Or was it derailed by something the girls hadn’t factored in? No matter an activity’s outcome, you can amplify its impact by encouraging your girls to reflect on their latest endeavor.
Reflection is the necessary debrief that reinforces what the girls learned. As they explore the “whats” and “whys,” girls make meaningful connections between the activity at hand and future challenges that come their way. In other words, reflection gives girls the confidence boost they need to pick themselves up, try again, and succeed.
Reflection doesn’t need to be a formal process, but you can kick-start the conversation with three simple questions: What?, So what?, and Now what?
Go over with girls the what of the activity. For example, ask, “What did we do today? What part was your favorite? If we did it again, what would you want to do differently and what would you repeat?”
Then move to the so what elements. You might ask, “So what did you learn by doing this activity? So what did you learn about yourself? So what did you learn about your community (or environment, school, or others) that you didn’t know before?”
Lastly, review the now what with the girls. Say something like, “Now that we’ve done this, what would you like to do next? Now that you know this about yourselves, what would you like to try next? Now that we did this Take Action project, what do you think we should do next to make sure it continues on?”
What?, So what?, and Now what?—or whatever style of reflection you choose to use with your girls—are powerful elements of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, and they’ll carry these lessons with them for the rest of their lives.
Inclusion
Girl Scouts has a strong commitment to inclusion and diversity, and we embrace girls of all abilities and backgrounds into our wonderful sisterhood.
Inclusion is at the core of who we are; it’s about being a sister to every Girl Scout and celebrating our unique strengths. Part of the important work you do includes modeling friendship and kindness for your girls and showing them what it means to practice empathy. Here’s how you can nurture an inclusive troop environment.
Equal Treatment: Girl Scouts welcomes all members, regardless of race, ethnicity, background, cognitive or physical abilities, family structure, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, and socioeconomic status. When scheduling, planning, and carrying out activities, carefully consider the needs of all girls involved, including school schedules, family needs, financial constraints, religious holidays, and the accessibility of appropriate transportation and meeting places.
Traditions, Ceremonies, and Special Girl Scout Days
Time-honored traditions and ceremonies unite Girl Scout sisters—and the millions of Girl Scout alums who came before them—around the country and around the globe and remind girls how far their sisters have come and just how far they’ll go.
A few of those extra-special days, when you’ll want to crank up the celebrations, include:
Juliette Gordon Low's birthday or Founder's Day, October 31, marks the birth in 1860 of Girl Scouts of the USA founder Juliette Gordon Low in Savannah, Georgia
World Thinking Day, February 22, celebrates international friendship. It’s an opportunity for Girl Scouts and Girl Guides to connect with each other and explore a common theme around the world.
Girl Scouts’ birthday, March 12, commemorates the day in 1912 when Juliette Gordon Low officially registered the organization's first 18 girl members in Savannah, Georgia.
Whether they’re making cool SWAPS to share with new friends or closing meetings with a friendship circle, your troop won’t want to miss out on these traditions, ceremonies, and special Girl Scout days.
Highest Awards
As your girls discover their passions and the power of their voices, they’ll want to take on an issue that’s captured their interest and is meaningful to them. Encourage them to turn their vision into reality by taking on the ultimate Take Action projects in order to earn Girl Scouts’ highest awards.
The Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards honor girls who become forces for good and create a lasting impact on their communities, nationally and around the world.
The Girl Scout Bronze Award can be earned by Juniors; the prerequisite is one Junior Journey and its associated Take Action project. The Bronze Award is earned by the group.
The Girl Scout Silver Award can be earned by Cadettes; the prerequisite is one Cadette Journey and its associated Take Action project. The Silver Award can be earned by an individual girl or by a small group.
The Girl Scout Gold Award is the standout achievement of girls who develop meaningful, sustainable solutions to challenges in their communities and the world. Seniors and Ambassadors who have completed either two Girl Scout Senior/Ambassador level Journeys or earned the Silver Award and completed one Senior/Ambassador level Journey can pursue their Gold Award.
Did you know that a Girl Scout who has earned her Gold Award immediately advances one rank in all four branches of the U.S. military? A number of college scholarship opportunities also await Gold Award Girl Scouts. A girl does not, however, have to earn a Bronze or Silver Award before earning the Girl Scout Gold Award. She is eligible to earn any recognition at the grade level in which she is registered.
For some serious inspiration, consider inviting a local Gold Award Girl Scout to speak to your girls about how she took the lead and made a difference. You’ll be inspired when you see and hear what girls can accomplish as leaders—and by the confidence, values, and team-building expertise they gain while doing so!
Girl Scout Travel and Destinations
Girl Scouts is the best way to travel. Girls will challenge themselves in a safe environment that sparks their curiosity, and they’ll create lifelong memories with their Girl Scout sisters. And the Girl Scout Cookie Program can help to make travel dreams a reality as girls use their cookie earnings every year to power amazing adventures for themselves and their troop.
Traveling with Girl Scouts is very different from traveling with family, school, or other groups because girls take the lead. As they make the decisions about where to go and what to do and take increasing responsibility for the planning and management of their trips, girls build important organizational and management skills that will benefit them in college and beyond.
Girl Scout travel is built on a progression of activities, so girls are set up for success. Daisies and Brownies start with field trips and progress to day trips, overnights, and weekend trips. Juniors can take adventures farther with a longer regional trip. And Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors can travel the United States and then the world. There are even opportunities for older girls to travel independently by joining trips their councils organize or participating in Destinations.
Planning Ahead for Adventure
Get in touch with your Volunteer Support Specialist as you start thinking about planning a trip. They will be able to give you insight into the approval process for travel.
Not sure where to begin? Check out the Girl Scout Guide to U.S. Travel. This resource is designed for Juniors and older Girl Scouts who want to take extended trips—that is, longer than a weekend—but also features tips and tools for budding explorers who are just getting started with field trips and overnights.
Once girls have mastered planning trips in the United States, they might be ready for a global travel adventure! Global trips usually take a few years to plan, and the Girl Scout Global Travel Toolkit can walk you through the entire process.
Safety First
If you’re planning any kind of trip—from a short field trip to an overseas expedition—the “Trips and Travel” section of Safety Activity Checkpoints is your go-to resource for safety.
- You will also be required to complete the GSCB Travel Application if your troop will be:
- Staying overnight (Overnight trips of 3 nights or more or any activities where non-Girl Scouts are attending, additional insurance is recommended but not required)
- High Risk Activities (as defined by the Safety Activity Checkpoints)
- Air Travel
- International Travel
- Girl, Troop or Service Unit is partaking in a trip organized by another council or by GSUSA
- Be sure to follow all the basic safety guidelines, like the buddy system and first-aid requirements, in addition to the specific guidelines for travel.
- Reminder: All adult chaperones accompanying an overnight trip must be registered members with a current, eligible background check.
Insurance
Note that extended travel (more than two nights) is not covered under the basic Girl Scout insurance plan and will require additional coverage.
- Request Additional Activity Insurance
- GSCB also recommends additional insurance for some travel activities including but not limited to:
- Traveling with non-Girl Scout members (i.e. siblings, non-registered parents/caregivers, etc.)
- International travel
- On Federal holiday weekends only (e.g. Labor, Memorial Day) basic insurance is extended to three nights. All other trips three nights or more require additional coverage.
- GSCB also recommends additional insurance for some travel activities including but not limited to:
- Certificate of Insurance- Sometimes you may be asked to provide a Certificate of Insurance for Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay. If your group is required to provide a certificate of Insurance to a venue please complete this form.
Girl Scout Connections
It’s easy to tie eye-opening travel opportunities into the leadership training and skill building your girls are doing in Girl Scouts! Your girls can use their creativity to connect any leadership Journey theme into an idea for travel, like a Sow What? trip focusing on sustainable agriculture and, naturally, sampling tasty food!
There are abundant opportunities to build real skills through earning badges too. The most obvious example is the Senior Traveler badge, but there are plenty more, such as Eco Camper, New Cuisines, Photography, and, of course, all the financial badges that help girls budget and earn money for their trips.
Looking to incorporate Girl Scout traditions into your trip? Look no farther than the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace in Savannah, Georgia! Your girls also have the chance to deepen their connections to Girl Scouts around the world by visiting one of the WAGGGS (World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts) World Centers, which offer low-cost accommodations and special programs in five locations around the world.
Lift up the Girl Scout Leadership Experience at every opportunity in your planning, but limit your role to facilitating the girls’ brainstorming and planning, never doing the work for them. Share your ideas and insight, ask tough questions when you have to, and support all their decisions with enthusiasm and encouragement!
Religious Awards
Celebrating Spirituality and Faith
Everything in Girl Scouting is based on the Girl Scout Promise and Law, which includes many of the principles and values common across religions. So while we are a secular organization, Girl Scouts has always encouraged girls to take spiritual journeys via their faiths' religious recognitions
My Promise, My Faith
Girls of all grade levels can now earn the My Promise, My Faith pin, which complements existing religious recognitions and allows girls to further strengthen the connection between their faith and Girl Scouts. Once each year, a girl can earn the My Promise, My Faith pin by carefully examining the Girl Scout Law and tying it directly to tenets of her faith. Requirements for this pin are included in The Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting for all levels. Learn more
Catholic Girl Scout Religious Awards through the Diocese of Wilmington
The Diocese of Wilmington offers a series of Religious Award Programs to Girl Scouts. These programs are designed to advance girls in religious knowledge and spiritual growth. A registered Girl Scout who is Catholic and attends Catholic School, CCD or regular religious instruction is eligible. These programs are voluntary and do not replace Girl Scout meetings.
Diocesan Awards
- Cross Awards – 3rd grade Girl Scout Brownies. The Cross Awards symbolizes Faith. This program helps the Girl Scout find that God has a special plan for each of His children.
- Anchor Awards – Girl Scout Juniors. The Anchor Award symbolizes Hope. This program helps the Girl Scout see Christ in herself and in others by serving them.
- Heart Awards – Girl Scout Cadettes. The Heart Awards symbolizes Charity. This program helps the Girl Scout understand her role in making Christ present and active today.
National Awards
- Family of God – Girl Scout Brownies. The Family of God Award helps the Girl Scout discover the presence of God in her daily life
as a member of her family and parish.
- I Live My Faith – Girl Scout Juniors. The I Live My Faith Award helps the Girl Scout appreciate more deeply the place that God and religion occupy in her daily life.
- Marian Medal – Girl Scout Cadettes. The Marian Medal helps the Girl Scout grow in appreciation of Mary and in understanding themselves.
- Spirit Alive – Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors. This award helps the Girl Scout discover how the Holy Spirit moves in her life, calling her to greater participation in the Church’s ministry.
Parental participation is essential. The requirements are completed by the Girl Scout under the guidance of her parent, program moderator or troop leader. A logbook must be maintained by the Girl Scout and submitted for approval to the Catholic committee.
There is a nominal fee for the workbook and medal. Medals symbolizing each program are awarded at a special Diocesan ceremony. For information, questions and/or an application to work on one of these awards, please contact Joan Przywara at 302-478-0693.
These two sites are valuable resources about the strength of GSUSA’s time-honored relationship with the Catholic Church:
Girl Scouts of the USA’s relationship with the Catholic Church
Product Programs
Girl Scout Cookies – The annual Girl Scout Cookie Program is an opportunity for girls to learn important financial literacy and life skills while earning proceeds to power their Girl Scout experiences. GSCB has launched a Cookie Volunteer Microsite to support our Cookie Program volunteers and ensure our next Cookie Program is our best one yet!
Fall Product Program – The Girl Scout Fall Product Program is also an annual program that teaches girls important skills and helps fund Girl Scout activities early-on in the year. The exciting products offered vary from year to year but usually include magazines, nuts, candy and more. Learn more about the Girl Scout Fall Product Program.
Engaging with Program Partners/Community Partners
Learn more about where to find our Program Partnership Information at the video below:
Do you know of a business or have a contact that may be a great fit for a partnership with GSCB? Complete our GSCB Program Partner Suggestion Form.
Being a Mentor for Girls
Understanding Healthy Development in Girls
It sounds simple, but just being attentive to what girls are experiencing as they mature is a big help to them—and to you, as you guide and mentor them!
You’ll experience different joys and challenges with each Girl Scout level, but here are some guidelines for meeting girls’ needs and abilities at different grade levels; you’ll also find these listed in the adult guide of each leadership Journey.
Girl Scout Daisies
| At the Girl Scout Daisy level (kindergarten and first grade), girls . . . | This means . . . |
| Have loads of energy and need to run, walk, and play outside. | They’ll enjoy going on nature walks and outdoor scavenger hunts. |
| Are great builders and budding artists, though they are still developing their fine motor skills. | Encouraging them to express themselves and their creativity by making things with their hands. Girls may need assistance holding scissors, cutting in a straight line, and so on. |
| Love to move and dance. | They might especially enjoy marching like a penguin, dancing like a dolphin, or acting out how they might care for animals in the jungle. |
| Are concrete thinkers and focused on the here and now. | Showing instead of telling, for example, about how animals are cared for. Plan visits to animal shelters, farms, or zoos; meet care providers; or make a creative bird feeder. |
| Are only beginning to learn about basic number concepts, time, and money. | You’ll want to take opportunities to count out supplies together—and, perhaps, the legs on a caterpillar! |
| Are just beginning to write and spell, and they don’t always have the words for what they’re thinking or feeling. | That having girls draw a picture of something they are trying to communicate is easier and more meaningful for them. |
| Know how to follow simple directions and respond well to recognition for doing so. | Being specific and offering only one direction at a time. Acknowledge when girls have followed directions well to increase their motivation to listen and follow again. |
Girl Scout Brownies
| At the Girl Scout Brownie level (second and third grade), girls . . . | This means . . . |
| Have lots of energy and need to run, walk, and play outside. | Taking your session activities outside whenever possible. |
| Are social and enjoy working in groups. | Allowing girls to team up in small or large groups for art projects and performances. |
| Want to help others and appreciate being given individual responsibilities for a task. | Letting girls lead, direct, and help out in activities whenever possible. Allow girls as a group to make decisions about individual roles and responsibilities. |
| Are concrete thinkers and focused on the here and now. | Doing more than just reading to girls about the Brownie Elf’s adventures. Ask girls questions to gauge their understanding and allow them to role play their own pretend visit to a new country. |
| Need clear directions and structure and like knowing what to expect. | Offering only one direction at a time. Also, have girls create the schedule and flow of your get-togethers and share those at the start. |
| Are becoming comfortable with basic number concepts, time, money, and distance. | Offering support only when needed. Allow girls to set schedules for meetings or performances, count out money for a trip, and so on. |
| Are continuing to develop their fine motor skills and can tie shoes, use basic tools, begin to sew, and the like. | Encouraging girls to express themselves and their creativity by making things with their hands. Girls may need some assistance, however, holding scissors, threading needles, and so on. |
| Love to act in plays, create music, and dance. | Girls might like to create a play about welcoming a new girl to their school or to tell a story through dance or creative movement. |
| Know how to follow rules, listen well, and appreciate recognition of a job done well. | Acknowledging when the girls have listened or followed the directions well, which will increase their motivation to listen and follow again! |
Girl Scout Juniors
| At the Girl Scout Junior level (fourth and fifth grades), girls . . . | This means . . . |
| Want to make decisions and express their opinions. | Whenever possible, allowing girls to make decisions and express their opinions through guided discussion and active reflection activities. Also, have girls set rules for listening to others’ opinions and offering assistance in decision making. |
| Are social and enjoy doing things in groups. | Allowing girls to team up in small or large groups for art projects, performances, and written activities. |
| Are aware of expectations and sensitive to the judgments of others. | Although it’s okay to have expectations, the expectation is not perfection! Share your own mistakes and what you learned from them, and be sure to create an environment where girls can be comfortable sharing theirs. |
| Are concerned about equity and fairness. | Not shying away from discussing why rules are in place and having girls develop their own rules for their group. |
| Are beginning to think abstractly and critically and are capable of flexible thought. Juniors can consider more than one perspective as well as the feelings and attitudes of another. | Asking girls to explain why they made a decision, to share their visions of their roles in the future, and to challenge their own and others’ perspectives. |
| Have strong fine and gross motor skills and coordination. | Engaging girls in moving their minds and their bodies. Allow girls to express themselves through the written word, choreography, and so on. |
| Love to act in plays, create music, and dance. | Girls might like to tell a story through playwriting, playing an instrument, or choreographing a dance. |
| May be starting puberty, which means beginning breast development, skin changes, and weight changes. Some may be getting their periods. | Being sensitive to girls’ changing bodies, possible discomfort over these changes, and their desire for more information. Create an environment that acknowledges and celebrates this transition as healthy and normal for girls. |
Girl Scout Cadettes
| At the Girl Scout Cadette level (sixth, seventh, and eighth grades), girls . . . | This means . . . |
| Are going through puberty, including changes in their skin, body shape, and weight. They’re also starting their menstrual cycles and have occasional shifts in mood. | Being sensitive to the many changes Cadettes are undergoing and acknowledging that these changes are as normal as growing taller! Girls need time to adapt to their changing bodies, and their feelings about their bodies may not keep up. Reinforce that, as with everything else, people go through puberty in different ways and at different times. |
| Are starting to spend more time in peer groups than with their families and are very concerned about friends and relationships with others their age. | That girls will enjoy teaming up in small or large groups for art projects, performances, and written activities as well as tackling relationship issues through both artistic endeavors and Take Action projects. |
| Can be very self-conscious—wanting to be like everyone else but fearing they are unique in their thoughts and feelings. | Encouraging girls to share, but only when they are ready. At this age, they may be more comfortable sharing a piece of artwork or a fictional story than their own words. Throughout the activities, highlight and discuss differences as positive, interesting, and beautiful. |
| Are beginning to navigate their increasing independence and expectations from adults at school and at home. | Trusting girls to plan and make key decisions and allowing them to experience “fun failure,” which is learning from trying something new and making mistakes. |
Girl Scout Seniors
| At the Girl Scout Senior level (ninth and tenth grades), girls . . . | This means . . . |
| Are beginning to clarify their own values, consider alternative points of view on controversial issues, and see multiple aspects of a situation. | Asking girls to explain the reasoning behind their decisions. Engage girls in role-play and performances, where others can watch and offer alternative solutions. |
| Have strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills and are able to plan and reflect on their own learning experiences. | Girls are more than able to go beyond community service to develop projects that will create sustainable solutions in their communities. Be sure to have girls plan and follow up on these experiences through written and discussion-based reflective activities. |
| Spend more time in peer groups than with their families and are very concerned about friends and relationships with others their age. | That girls will enjoy teaming up in small or large groups for art projects, performances, and written activities. They’ll also want to tackle relationship issues through both artistic endeavors and Take Action projects. Alter the makeup of groups with each activity so that girls interact with those they might not usually pair up with. |
| Frequently enjoy expressing their individuality. | Encouraging girls to express their individuality in their dress, creative expression, and thinking. Remind girls frequently that there isn’t just one way to look, feel, think, or act. Assist girls in coming up with new ways of expressing their individuality. |
| Feel they have lots of responsibilities and pressures—from home, school, peers, work, and other sources. | Acknowledging girls’ pressures and sharing how stress can limit health, creativity, and productivity. Help girls release stress through creative expression, movement, and more traditional stress-reduction techniques. |
| Are continuing to navigate their increasing independence and expectations from adults at school and at home. | Trusting girls to plan and make key decisions, allowing them to experience “fun failure,” which is learning from trying something new and making mistakes. |
Girl Scout Ambassadors
| At the Girl Scout Ambassador level (eleventh and twelfth grades), girls . . . | This means . . . |
| Can see the complexity of situations and controversial issues—they understand that problems often have no clear solution and that varying points of view may each have merit. | Inviting girls to develop stories as a group and then individually create endings that they later discuss and share. |
| Have strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills and can adapt logical thinking to real-life situations. Ambassadors recognize and incorporate practical limitations to solutions. | Girls are more than able to go beyond community service to develop projects that will create sustainable solutions in their communities. Be sure to have girls plan and follow up on these experiences through written and discussion-based reflective activities. |
| Spend more time with peers than with their families and are very concerned about friends and relationships with others their age. | Girls will enjoy teaming up in small or large groups for art projects, performances, and written activities. They’ll also want to tackle relationship issues through artistic endeavors and Take Action projects. Alter the makeup of groups with each activity so that girls interact with those they might not usually pair up with. |
| Frequently enjoy expressing their individuality. | Encouraging girls to express their individuality in their dress, creative expression, and thinking. Remind girls frequently that there isn’t just one way to look, feel, think, or act. Assist girls in coming up with new ways of expressing their individuality. |
| Feel they have lots of responsibilities and pressures—from home, school, peers, work, and other sources. | Acknowledging girls’ pressures and sharing how stress can limit health, creativity, and productivity. Help girls release stress through creative expression, movement, and more traditional stress-reduction techniques. |
| Are continuing to navigate their increasing independence and expectations from adults—at school and at home—and are looking to their futures. | Trusting girls to plan and make key decisions, allowing them to experience “fun failure,” which is learning from trying something new and making mistakes. |
Creating an Inclusive and Safe Environment
A safe space is where girls feel they can be themselves, without explanation or judgment. As a volunteer, you create an environment that is just as important as the activities girls do; it’s the key to developing the sort of group that girls want to be part of! Cultivate a space where confidentiality is respected and girls can express their true selves.
For resources, trainings, and information on GSCB's commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), please visit our DEI Resources page.
Inclusion is at the core of who we are; it’s about being a sister to every Girl Scout and celebrating our unique strengths. Part of the important work you do includes modeling friendship and kindness for your girls and showing them what it means to practice empathy. Here’s how you can nurture an inclusive troop environment.
Listen
Listening to girls, as opposed to telling them what to think, feel, or do (no “you shoulds”) is the first step in building a trusting relationship and helping them take ownership of their Girl Scout experience.
Be Honest
If you’re not comfortable with a topic or activity, it’s OK to say so! No one expects you to be an expert on every topic. Ask for alternatives or seek out volunteers with the required expertise. Owning up to mistakes—and apologizing for them—goes a long way with girls.
Be Open to Real Issues
Outside of Girl Scouts, girls may be dealing with issues like relationships, peer pressure, school, money, drugs, and other serious topics. When you don’t know, listen. Also seek help from your council if you need assistance or more information than you currently have.
Show Respect
Girls often say that their best experiences were the ones where adults treated them as equal partners. Being spoken to as young adults reinforces that their opinions matter and that they deserve respect.
Offer Options
Girls’ needs and interests change and being flexible shows them that you respect them and their busy lives. Be ready with age-appropriate guidance and parameters no matter what the girls choose to do.
Stay Current
Show your girls that you’re interested in their world by asking them about the TV shows and movies they like; the books, magazines, or blogs they read; the social media influencers they follow; and the music they listen to.
Remember to LUTE: Listen, Understand, Tolerate, and Empathize
Try using the LUTE method to thoughtfully respond when a girl is upset, angry, or confused.
- Listen: Hear her out, ask for details, and reflect back what you hear; try “What happened next?” or “What did she say?”
- Understand: Show that you understand where she’s coming from with comments such as, “So what I hear you saying is . . .” or “I understand why you’re unhappy,” or “Your feelings are hurt; mine would be, too.”
- Tolerate: You can tolerate the feelings that she just can’t handle right now on her own. Let her know that you’re there to listen and accept how she is feeling about the situation. Say something like: “Try talking to me about it. I’ll listen," or “I know you’re mad—talking it out helps,” or “I can handle it—say whatever you want to.”
- Empathize: Let her know you can imagine feeling what she’s feeling with comments such as, “I’m sure that really hurts” or “I can imagine how painful this is for you.”
Addressing the Needs of Older Girls
Let these simple tips guide you in working with teenage girls:
- Think of yourself as a partner, a coach, or a mentor, not a “leader.”
- Ask girls what rules they need for safety and what group agreements they need to be a good team.
- Understand that girls need time to talk, unwind, and have fun together.
- Ask what they think and what they want to do.
- Encourage girls to speak their minds.
- Provide structure, but don’t micromanage.
- Give everyone a voice in the group.
- Treat girls like partners.
- Don’t repeat what’s said in the group to anyone outside of it (unless necessary for a girl’s safety).
Equal Treatment
Girl Scouts welcomes all members, regardless of race, ethnicity, background, disability, family structure, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, and socioeconomic status. When scheduling, planning, and carrying out activities, carefully consider the needs of all girls involved, including school schedules, family needs, financial constraints, religious holidays, and the accessibility of appropriate transportation and meeting places.
Recognizing and Supporting Each Girl
You're a role model and a mentor to your girls. Since you play an important role in their lives, they need to know that you consider each of them an important person too. They can weather a poor meeting place or an activity that flops, but they cannot endure being ignored or rejected.
- Give a shout-out when you see girls trying their best, not just when they’ve had a clear success.
- Emphasize the positive qualities that make each girl worthy and unique.
- Be generous with praise and stingy with rebuke.
- Help your girls find ways to show acceptance of and support for one another.
Promoting Fairness
Girls are sensitive to injustice. They forgive mistakes if they are sure you are trying to be fair. They look for fairness in how responsibilities are shared, in handling of disagreements, and in your responses to performance and accomplishment.
- When possible, ask the girls what they think is fair before decisions are made.
- Explain your reasoning and show why you did something.
- Be willing to apologize if needed.
- Try to see that responsibilities as well as the chances for feeling important are equally divided.
- Help girls explore and decide for themselves the fair ways of solving problems, carrying out activities, and responding to behavior and accomplishments.
Building Trust
Girls need your belief in them and your support when they try new things. You’ll also need to show them that you won’t betray their confidence.
- Show girls you trust them to think for themselves and use their own judgment.
- Encourage them to make the important decisions in the group.
- Give them assistance in correcting their own mistakes.
- Support girls in trusting one another—let them see firsthand how trust can be built, lost, regained, and strengthened.
Inspiring Open Communication
Girls want someone who will listen to what they think, feel, and want to do. They like having someone they can talk to about the important things happening in their lives.
- Listen to the girls. Respond with words and actions.
- Speak your mind openly when you are happy or concerned about something, and encourage girls to do this too.
- Leave the door open for girls to seek advice, share ideas and feelings, and propose plans or improvements.
- Help girls see how open communication can result in action, discovery, better understanding of self and others, and a more comfortable climate for fun and accomplishment.
Managing Conflict
Conflicts and disagreements are an inevitable part of life, but if handled constructively, they show girls that they can overcome their differences, exercise diplomacy, and improve their communication and relationships. Respecting others and being a sister to every Girl Scout means that shouting, verbal abuse, or physical confrontations are never warranted and cannot be tolerated in the Girl Scout environment.
When a conflict arises between girls or a girl and a volunteer, get those involved to sit down together and talk calmly and in a nonjudgmental manner. (Each party may need some time—a few days or a week—to calm down before being able to do this.) Talking in this way might feel uncomfortable and difficult now, but it lays the groundwork for working well together in the future. Whatever you do, do not spread your complaint around to others—that won’t help the situation and causes only embarrassment and anger.
If a conflict persists, be sure you explain the matter to your volunteer support team. If the supervisor cannot resolve the issues satisfactorily (or if the problem involves the supervisor), the issue can be taken to the next level of supervision and, ultimately, to your council if you need extra help.
Addressing Sensitive Topics
It’s an amazing feeling when your girls put their trust in you—and when they do, they may come to you with some of the issues they face, such as bullying, peer pressure, dating, athletic and academic performance, and more. Some of these issues may be considered sensitive by families, and they may have opinions or input about how, and whether, Girl Scouts should cover these topics with their girl.
Girl Scouts welcomes and serves girls and families from a wide spectrum of faiths and cultures. When girls wish to participate in discussions or activities that could be considered sensitive—even for some—put the topic on hold until you have spoken with parents and received guidance from your council.
When Girl Scout activities involve sensitive issues, your role is that of a caring adult volunteer who can help girls acquire skills and knowledge in a supportive atmosphere, not someone who advocates a particular position.
GSUSA does not take a position or develop materials on issues relating to human sexuality, birth control, or abortion. We feel our role is to help girls develop self-confidence and good decision-making skills that will help them make wise choices in all areas of their lives. We believe parents and caregivers, along with schools and faith communities, are the primary sources of information on these topics.
Parents/guardians make all decisions regarding their girl’s participation in Girl Scout program that may be of a sensitive nature. As a volunteer leader, you must get written parental permission for any locally planned program offering that could be considered sensitive. Included on the permission form should be the topic of the activity, any specific content that might create controversy, and any action steps the girls will take when the activity is complete. Be sure to have a form for each girl, and keep the forms on hand in case a problem arises. For activities not sponsored by Girl Scouts, find out in advance (from organizers or other volunteers who may be familiar with the content) what will be presented, and follow your council’s guidelines for obtaining written permission.
Report Concerns
There may be times when you worry about the health and well-being of girls in your group. Alcohol, drugs, sex, bullying, abuse, depression, and eating disorders are some of the issues girls may encounter. You are on the frontlines of girls’ lives, and you are in a unique position to identify a situation in which a girl may need help. If you believe a girl is at risk of hurting herself or others, your role is to promptly bring that information to her parent/caregiver or the council so she can get the expert assistance she needs. Your concern about a girl’s well-being and safety is taken seriously, and your council will guide you in addressing these concerns.
Troop Leaders and Service Unit Managers are required to complete Mandated Reporter Training. During this training, you will learn how and when to report suspected abuse.
Here are a few signs that could indicate a girl needs expert help:
- Marked changes in behavior or personality (for example, unusual moodiness, aggressiveness, or sensitivity)
- Declining academic performance and/or inability to concentrate
- Withdrawal from school, family activities, or friendships
- Fatigue, apathy, or loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
- Sleep disturbances
- Increased secretiveness
- Deterioration in appearance and personal hygiene
- Eating extremes, unexplained weight loss, distorted body image
- Tendency toward perfectionism
- Giving away prized possessions; preoccupation with the subject of death
- Unexplained injuries, such as bruises, burns, or fractures
- Avoidance of eye contact or physical contact
- Excessive fearfulness or distrust of adults
- Abusive behavior toward other children, especially younger ones
For more information about reporting abuse, view the "Reporting Suspected Abuse" tab under the Keeping Girls Safe section.
Keeping Girls Safe
Safety and Policy Guidelines
In Girl Scouting, the emotional and physical safety and well-being of girls and volunteers is our top priority. Girl Scout volunteers should follow GSCB safety guidelines during all Girl Scout activities. If at any point you are unsure if an activity is safe or approved by GSCB, please consult the Safety Activity Checkpoints or contact your Volunteer Support Specialist for assistance.
- Safety Activity Checkpoints – When preparing for an activity with girls, always begin with the Safety Activity Checkpoints. Use this go-to document to search by activity and find out how to prepare yourself and girls, what to bring, and how to ensure girls’ safety throughout the activity.
- Girl Health Card – Girl Scout volunteers should always a have up-to-date health card for each participating girl for any Girl Scout function. Download/print a hardcopy version here.
- GSCB Parent Permission Slip for Events – Best practice for any Girl Scout field trip or event outside of your meeting place is to ask parents/caregivers to fill out a permission slip. The Girl Scout volunteer should keep these on file until after the trip. For international trips, both parent/caregivers (if applicable) written consent is recommended.
- Background Checks - Background checks are required for all Girl Scout volunteers. A background check, also called a CBC, is good for 3 years from time of completion. You will receive email reminders when your background check expiration is approaching. To find out when your background check expires, go to MyGS and navigate to the Troop page, then reference the column “CBC Expiration” found under Adults.
- GSCB Emergency Procedures - In the case of emergency, suspected injury or loss of property at a Girl Scout function, please follow these guidelines.
- Incident Report - If a girl's health or safety is jeapordized during an incident at a Girl Scout function, this incident report should be completed as soon as possible by a Girl Scout volunteer or health professional who was/is on the scene. Review Emergency Procedures related to completing an incident report.
- Girl Scout Internet Safety Pledge – The internet can provide a number of exciting opportunities for Girl Scouts but can also present unique safety concerns. Before using the internet for a Girl Scout activity, girls are encouraged to complete the Girl Scout Internet Safety Pledge.
- Blue Book - The Girl Scout Blue Book is the governing document for Girl Scouting. Any GSUSA rules and regulations will be found here in the Blue Book.
- Certificate of Insurance- Sometimes you may be asked to provide a Certificate of Insurance for Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay. If your group is required to provide a certificate of Insurance to a venue please complete this form.
Reporting Suspected Abuse
GSCB expects all volunteers to report abuse or suspected abuse involving Girl Scout members to the appropriate state agengy within 24 hours first, and then to subsequently report to GSCB as defined in the Procedure below.
Any form of abuse or suspected abuse - sexual, physical, emotional, or verbal - whether it happens at a Girl Scout activity or disclosed to you by a child or another adult, should be reported immediately to the appropriate authority.
- DE: DSCYF ISeeTheSigns.com
- MD: Child Protective Services
- VA: Virginia Department of Social Services
After the official report is made to the appropriate authority, report the incident to GSCB:
Report Concerns
There may be times when you worry about the health and well-being of girls in your group. Alcohol, drugs, sex, bullying, abuse, depression, and eating disorders are some of the issues girls may encounter. You are on the frontlines of girls’ lives, and you are in a unique position to identify a situation in which a girl may need help. If you believe a girl is at risk of hurting herself or others, your role is to promptly bring that information to her parent/caregiver or the council so she can get the expert assistance she needs. Your concern about a girl’s well-being and safety is taken seriously, and your council will guide you in addressing these concerns.
Here are a few signs that could indicate a girl needs expert help:
- Marked changes in behavior or personality (for example, unusual moodiness, aggressiveness, or sensitivity)
- Declining academic performance and/or inability to concentrate
- Withdrawal from school, family activities, or friendships
- Fatigue, apathy, or loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
- Sleep disturbances
- Increased secretiveness
- Deterioration in appearance and personal hygiene
- Eating extremes, unexplained weight loss, distorted body image
- Tendency toward perfectionism
- Giving away prized possessions; preoccupation with the subject of death
- Unexplained injuries, such as bruises, burns, or fractures
- Avoidance of eye contact or physical contact
- Excessive fearfulness or distrust of adults
- Abusive behavior toward other children, especially younger ones
Volunteer Tools and Resources
Volunteer Training
Volunteers are our most valuable asset when it comes to delivering our mission to girls. Therefore, we want to invest in your expertise and confidence through a variety of trainings. GSCB currently offers volunteer in 3 ways:
- Training on-demand in gsLearn - For the night-owls, early-birds, or over-scheduled volunteers, gsLearn is perfect for completing training on your own time. GSCB and GSUSA have both provided a library of required and optional trainings in gsLearn that you can take anytime.
- GSCB Training On the Move - Service Units will have the ability to request in-person trainings at your meeting location or via Zoom from a menu of available topics. Your Volunteer Support Specialist will work with Service Unit Managers to schedule the training and facilitate the session. Request now using the GSCB Training Request Form.
- Service Unit or Troop-facilitated Training - YOU can lead a training for your Service Unit or Troop caregivers with support from GSCB staff. Service Unit Managers can host a training for leaders or Troop Leaders can utilize gsLearn to train caregivers in-person. You can request support for this training via the GSCB Training Request Form.
For outdoor and other training opportunities, check out upcoming Volunteer Trainings on our Events List.
Access gsLearn via your MyGS account! New to gsLearn? Check out our short video tutorial:
Interested in requesting a training topic or event? Complete our Volunteer Training Suggestion Form and we'll do our best to meet your training needs. Please note that these are training suggestions, and may or may not result in an actual training event.
Volunteer & Juliette Caregiver Newsletters
Managing Finances
Open a Troop/SU Bank Account, Change Authorized Signers, or Close a Troop/SU Bank Account
- Bank Account Request Form
- Only one online request form needs to be submitted per Troop/Group Bank Account. Upon completion the Volunteer Support Specialist will provide you with the necessary letter and board resolution by email; as it pertains to your specific request.
- GSCB Finance Account Management Guidelines
- GSCB Troop Financial Worksheet
- GSCB Service Unit Financial Worksheet
Money Earning Activities
When product programs aren’t enough and troops are still in need of funds to support their activities or trips, they can explore Additional Money Earning Activities. For guidelines on what activities troops can do, please review the Additional Money Earning Policy.
The application must be submitted four weeks in advance, and Service Unit Managers will be notified when submissions are sent. Your Volunteer Support Specialist will review the application and be in touch with any questions and to let you know if your application is approved or denied. If your girls need help choosing an activity, see our brainstorming list for a variety of ideas!
Application | Activity Ideas | Guidance
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance is now offered to girls and volunteers who fall into the guidelines set by the FDA Free and Reduced School Lunch Program. When “Request Financial Assistance” is checked during the registration process, a Member Care Specialist will reach out and share the Financial Assistance Application. Once completed, the FA will be approved or denied and the family communicated with accordingly.
It is recommended that Troops renew girl members with Troop funds. However, in Troops where this is not budgeted for, Troop Leaders should let families know that GSCB offers this assistance and how to apply. Leaders should be forthcoming in letting parents know that she/he can see in MyGS when a girl has FA pending and that this will be handled with discretion among other parents/caregivers. However, receiving FA is nothing to be ashamed of and GSCB offers this assistance so that Girl Scouting is available to all girls and families who want to participate.
Misuse Reporting
If at any point you suspect Girl Scout troop/group funds are being used inappropriately, we encourage you to report it to GSCB staff for investigation. If you suspect Service Unit or troop funds are being misused, please complete the Suspected Misuse of Funds Form as soon as possible. All submissions using this form are considered confidential. The submitters name and information will not be shared with anyone outside of the GSCB staff.
Connecting with Fellow Volunteers & GSCB
One of the best things about becoming a Girl Scout volunteer is becoming a part of a wider, supportive network of volunteers, staff, and alum. Finding ways to stay connected has never been easier.
- Facebook – Join our groups listed below to get specific content, share ideas, and be a part of our online community. You can also follow Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay for all your local Girl Scout content!
- Troop Leaders Lounge - This is a place for positive collaboration for GSCB co-leaders and staff to peer share, use as a resource, and create a community around being a GSCB leader!
- SUM Lounge - This is a place for GSCB Service Unit Managers and staff to peer share, use as a resource, and create a community for leading amazing Service Unit activities and events!
- GSCB Camps - This group is for people interested in GSCB camp properties and building a community of current campers, past campers, counselors, and friends!
- SU Product Program - This group lets you stay connected to our Product Program staff and your fellow Product Program volunteers during Cookie and Fall Product seasons for the latest updates and answers to your questions!
- Instagram – Follow @gschesapeakebay for exciting Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay content!
- TikTok – Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay is on TikTok at @girlscoutscb sharing fun, quick videos for girls and volunteers alike!
- LinkedIn - For Girl Scout of the Chesapake Bay alum and volunteers, connect with us on LinkedIn to stay up to date on how Girl Scouts makes an impact on your community.
- Twitter - 140 characters? We don't even need that many to tell you what you need to know: Girl Scouts rocks! Follow us on Twitter at @gschesapeakebay where we keep the Girl Scout fun short and sweet!
- Share Your Stories - We know Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay girls are always out doing amazing things - whether it's earning badges, helping in the community, or just having a dance party - we wish we could be there for all of it! You can help us stay in tune with what's going on with your troop by submitting a Girls in Action form everytime your troop or Juliette does something great! We might share these stories on our social media, in an email, on our website, or somewhere else. We can't wait to hear your story!
- Share Your Feedback - As a GSCB Volunteer your feedback and request for topics you would like addressed are important to us. We want to hear your ideas and suggestions on how to improve the Girl Scout Experience for volunteers and all Girl Scout members! Let us know your thoughts via the GSCB Volunteer Feedback Form.
- Fall School - Fall School is a volunteer organized weekend for adult Girl Scouts of all councils, where you can come to learn, play, meet new friends, connect with old ones, and make many wonderful memories while getting ideas to use with your troop! Always at GSCB'S Camp Todd click here to learn more.
2024 Election Guidance
GSUSA and GSCB respect that Girl Scout volunteers may hold varying political opinions and, in their personal capacity, favor certain candidates in national, state, and local elections; however, any activities in your Girl Scout capacity must adhere to the GSUSA policy. The Internal Revenue Service as well as the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and state election agencies have strict rules regarding activities of 501(c)(3) organizations and failure to comply with them could result in the loss of GSUSA’s or GSCB's 501(c)(3) status.
GSUSA has provided this Election Guide on navigating participation in election season while respecting the restrictions on tax-exempt charitable organizations.
