How do I register my daughter?

A girl can become a Girl Scout in many different ways:

• Register as an independent scout and get regular updates by mail or the internet on council-wide events.

• Sign up for a Girl Scout Camp.

• Join a short term interest group.  There are various four-week to six month sessions focusing on topics from careers to sports.

• Attend a drop-in site at a community or housing center.  Girl Scouts partners with community groups  and other organizations to provide Girl Scouting to girls on an as-needed basis.

• Finally,  and most common is to join a troop or group of girls who have adult leadership.  To find a troop in your area you can check the official Girl Scouts of America website which is http://www.girlscouts.org.  Once you are on this site select find a council, which will allow you to select the area that you are located.  Many schools allow Girl Scout troops to use their facility so in September flyers will go home with children announcing open registration.

There is a $10 registration fee which covers secondary insurance coverage while your daughter participates in Girl Scout activities.   In addition, individual troops pay for program materials and other costs associated with meeting trips and other activities.  Most troop leaders will charge an activity fee of approximately $25 or $30.  In addition, dues (usually $1) could be charged at each meeting. There are times when trips or activities are arranged and parents are asked to pay a percentage of the cost.  Please note that need based financial aid is available.

What is the commitment?

Girl Scouts can be a year round activity, it really depends on the leader and how much they plan to do in the summer.  Most troops do the majority of their activities from September to June and may have one or two activities in the summer.

If you are involved with a troop meetings can be as frequent as once a week or as few as once per month.  On the average most troops meet twice a month.  In addition, to meetings there could be additional trips or activities.  Keep in mind that activities are not mandatory but they will usually coincide with a badge that the troop is earning, so failure to participate may result in your child not receiving the badge..  The type of badges that the girls earn will vary at each level but will be described in detail in their handbooks.  Troops will earn badges together but your daughter also has the option to earn badges on her own.  Listed below are sample badges/insignias from each Girl Scout level.

Girl Scouts has two major fundraisers.  The first, which is in the Fall, is Be A Reader program.  This is available to Brownies, Juniors, and Scouts 11-18.  This family and friends sale includes a magazine subscription and nut sale.  Orders are taken in September and October for an early December delivery.  This is a great way for troops to earn money at the beginning of the Girl Scout year.

Girl Scouts has two major fundraisers.  The first, which is in the Fall, is Be A Reader program.  This is available to Brownies, Juniors, and Scouts 11-18.  This family and friends sale includes a magazine subscription and nut sale.  Orders are taken in September and October for an early December delivery.  This is a great way for troops to earn money at the beginning of the Girl Scout year.

The second is the Cookie Program which begins in January and continues until the end of February. Everyone knows about and loves Girl Scout cookies.  During this time your daughter will sell cookies to friends and family as well as through cookie shops.  Cookie shops are locations in stores or malls where a table is set up and the girls sell their cookies to the public.  The number of cookie shops the girls do varies depending on the troop leader.

What does my daughter need to get started?

A required uniform must be purchased for each Girl Scout level.  Normally this will be a vest or sash that will hold the badges/patches that your child earns.  However, full uniforms are available and can be purchased if you want one.  In addition, you will need to purchase a handbook, troop numbers, council patches and an insignia tab.