Girl Scouts of the USA is the world's pre-eminent organization
dedicated solely to all girls. 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 including leadership, values, social conscience, and
conviction about their own self-worth will serve them all their lives.
Girl Scouts share with other girls in learning the Girl Scout program.
This program teaches girls about patriotism, honesty, courage and
other values (Girl Scout Promise, Girl Scout Law). Girl Scouts help
build character, a sense of belonging, and friendships that last a
lifetime. Girl Scouts participate in varied, age-appropriate
activities such as community service projects, crafts, and camping,
while working to build a sense of personal accomplishment and growth.
Of course, they have fun while doing all this! It is a unique
opportunity for girls to explore while learning about themselves and
others. Many successful adults credit their Girl Scout experience as
contributing in a major way to their accomplishments. Girl Scouting is
truly an experience unlike any other.
- Daisy Girl Scouts, 5-6 years old
- Brownie Girl Scouts, 6-8 years old
- Junior Girl Scouts, 8-11 years old
- Studio 2B, 11-17 years old
Girl Scouting is open to all girls regardless of ability to pay. Some
troops also ask for each girl to pay a nominal amount at each meeting.
Some troop activities may involve additional costs, but girls are
usually given the opportunity to earn the money required for
activities by participating in troop activities. When necessary, the
Girl Scout Council of the Apalachee Bend provides financial assistance
to girl or adult members. A confidential Girl Opportunity Grant and
Adult Financial Assistance form is available from the council office.Membership dues: The $10 annual membership dues are paid to Girl
Scouts of the U.S.A. and are not transferable or refundable. Part of
the fee is used to cover the cost of individual 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.
Usually troops meet for an hour or two, from once a week to possibly
once a month. Many troops meet every other week. Occasional troop
activities may involve longer time commitments, such as field trips,
camp outs, etc.
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.
Participating in the Girl Scout cookie activity 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 three 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.
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 or on their own. In addition, girls are invited to attend
council events, participate in community partnerships and attend day
and resident camps.
Resident Camps: Girls may attend overnight camp at our Camp For All
Seasons. Resident camps are 3 days, 5 days or 1 week long.
Day Camps: Girls receive short-term experiences in Girl Scouting
activities through our locally sponsored weeklong summer day camps in
communities throughout the council fifteen county jurisdictions.
After School Programs: Girl Scout activities are available for girls
in schools and childcare facilities. Contact the council office to
find out local locations for after school programs or to start one of
your own.
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 Committee. Every troop has a
committee, so that all parents share in the responsibilities.
Troop leaders are well-trained individuals who have committed a
significant amount of time and energy to become troop leaders. They
often have daughters of their own in their troops, and they most
likely are parents of your daughter's friends. They are appointed on a
yearly basis after completing training, both general and specific, for
the age of girls they are leading. They are required to follow
stringent rules governing safety/supervision issues and they have all
passed a criminal background check. Of course, parents are encouraged
to register and participate with the troop in its activities.
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.
Girl Scouts are not required to purchase any uniform, but many choose
to do so. These may be purchased at the
Council Shop. Most girls want
at least to have a vest or sash so that they can display the awards
they have earned.
Adult Uniform Information
You will find many answers on this web site You may also consult your
daughter's leader or contact the GSCAB by calling (850) 386-2131 or
1-8700-876-9704. For questions about troop activities, download and
complete the Troop Leader Contact Form. Use this form as an easy way
for you to keep track of important phone numbers, including your
daughter's troop leader and assistant leader, when you need
information about Girl Scouts.
Thank you for your interest in your daughter joining the Girl Scouts.
Please complete the
membership inquiry form and mail it or send it as
an attachment to the Council Office and a member of the membership
staff will be in touch with you within 3-5 business days.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact the
council
at call (850) 386-2131 or (800) 876-9704. |
