WHAT DO GIRLS DO IN GIRL SCOUTS? The Girl Scout Mission Girl Scouts do almost anything Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character who girls like to do! make the world a better place. Girl Scouting provides engaging The Girl Scout Promise and worthwhile activities On my honor, I will try: to serve God and my country; to help people at all that respond to the needs of times; and to live by the Girl Scout Law. today’s girls, with flexibility The Girl Scout Law that respects their busy lives— I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and yours! and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout. Girl Scouts earn badges, explore the outdoors, attend fun events Girl Scout Leadership Experience and field trips, hike and camp, and Girl Scouts provides, as it always has, the best opportunities for girls to get the experiences and tools they need to be successful leaders now and participate in the cookie program. throughout their lives. The Girl Scout Leadership Experience engages girls They improve neighborhoods, in: discovering themselves, connecting with others, taking action to make the world a better place. These discoveries happen through the girl-led, protect the planet, design robots, experiential, and cooperative Girl Scout program. and establish sports clinics. They plan field trips, camping trips, The Council Goals overnight trips, and even trips Girls will understand themselves and their values. Girls will use their knowledge and skills to explore the world. abroad. It’s up to the girls! Girls will care about, inspire, and team with others locally and globally. Girls will act to make the world a better place. Quick Start A FAMILY GUIDE TO GIRL SCOUTING

FAMOUS FORMERS Michelle Obama Mariah Carey First Lady Singer Taylor Swift Nancy Lopez Singer/Songwriter Pro-Golfer Elizabeth Dole Gloria Steinem American Politician Author Laura Bush Queen Elizabeth II First Lady Queen of England Hillary Rodham Clinton Gwyneth Paltrow Former U.S. Secretary of State Actress Sandra Day O’Connor Dakota Fanning Retired Associate Justice Actress of the Supreme Court Abigail Breslin Katie Couric Actress American Journalist/Author Kate Middleton Duchess of Cambridge HOW DOES WHY GIRL SCOUTS IS A YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IT WORK? GOOD INVESTMENT OF TIME The Girl Scout Volunteer opportunities Ladder of Leadership are tailored to fit your Girl Scouting builds courage, The Girl Scout journeys foster calendar, your skills, courage, confidence, and character GRADE LEVELS confidence, and character. for girls’ leadership and success in life. and your interests. Girl Scouts help shape values, Girl Scout Ambassador morals, and abilities in a fun, Grades 11 - 12 enriching environment. Time commitment is 2-4 hours a month Become a Counselor in Learn how to Training at camp and advocate, network The very skills and qualities that prepare mentor younger girls. and make a difference. a girl for leadership also help to prepare You can set the troop Girl Scout Senior her to be successful in school and meeting days/times Grades 9 - 10 in her profession and to be an active Your calendar is full. Team up with a friend to Dedicate 80 hours to a member of her community. project in her community, Your to-do list is jam-packed. lead a troop together like building a Habitat for Develop leadership skills and Humanity house. leave a lasting impact on her You want to help out, but how Do what you enjoy community. Girl Scout Cadette DID YOU KNOW? do you find the time? Don’t Grades 6, 7 - 8 (No craft skills required!) panic. You don’t have to give • Girl Scouts achieve higher grades, have twice as Learn about how nutrition up your life to support your affects health and beauty. Build self-esteem, many leadership opportunities, are more likely Training & leader book provided self-confidence, girl in Girl Scouts. and a positive self-image. to make sound moral decisions, and have stronger relationships with their parents than Girl Scout Junior their non-Girl Scout peers, as shown by Because there are only so many Grades 4 - 5 national research. hours in a day, girls, along with QUICK STEPS Discover science, Develop a love of their parents and guardians, have technology, engineering, learning and making • Girl Scouts gives parents and girls opportunities TO GET STARTED and mathematics academics fun. to be involved in activities that benefit the to balance many growing and (STEM). Let Us Know community while also providing them quality diverging interests, 1. time together and a sense of personal commitments, and responsibilities. You’re Interested! Girl Scout Brownie satisfaction by achieving a goal together. Grades 2 - 3 • An amazing 64% percent of today’s women You’ll be surprised by how flexible We’ll Find You Participate in the Learn money leaders in the United States (civic, corporate, Girl Scouting is today. You can 2. cookie program. management, goal political, etc.) were once Girl Scouts, including: a Group of Girls setting, confidence, choose how much or how little and leadership. You can also make your own troop! - 80% of women business owners time and energy you can give—an Girl Scout Daisy - 69% of female U.S. Senators hour, a day, or maybe just a “thank Grades K - 1 - 67% of female members of the you” to your Girl Scout’s troop We Make It Easy Work together with her troop leader or volunteers. 3. to Get Started to plant a garden and learn Learn core values such as House of Representatives about the environment. friendship, helpfulness, Once you’re signed up, we’ll give you courage and responsibility. - Virtually every female astronaut who has flown in space the tools you need to run a troop.

PRODUCT PROGRAMS FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES AS A PARENT… Girl Scouts of Central Illinois offers two annual programs, the fall product and the cookie program. AS A GIRL SCOUT… Attend parent meetings, group activities, and Girl Scout ceremonies. Proceeds earned through the product programs Attend and actively participate in meetings and trips. Help fulfill troop responsibilities can offset either all, or a large part of the cost of (paying dues, preparing snacks, etc.). Relay important information and papers to your parent or guardian. Girl Scout activities. If your Girl Scout misses a meeting, Our product programs are some of the largest Listen to and respect the opinions and beliefs of other troop members help her complete missed activities. financial literacy programs in the world, and and leaders. Please drop off and pick up your through them, girls will learn five key skills: Girl Scout on time. Treat every Girl Scout as a sister. • goal setting Help everyone have a positive troop • decision making experience by treating everyone with respect. • money management Be safe, and have a blast! • people skills, and Thank your troop leader and ask if there is anything you can do to help. • business ethics Quick Start JOIN A TROOP CHECKLIST

q Fill out your Girl Scout interest form, available as a hard copy or online at getyourgirlpower.org. q Contact a membership specialist in your area at 1-888-623-1237. q Pay your annual membership dues. q Check the Trefoil Boutique for items like uniforms and the Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting. q Review the Adventures Guide to see what activities you and your Girl Scout want to participate in, available online. q And finally, have fun and don’t forget to make the most of your Girl Scout experience!

TROOP BASICS

TIME Troops generally meet 1-2 times a month for a couple hours. Field trips and camp outs may have longer time commitments but you will be notified in advance. Every troop’s schedule varies based on the troop’s leaders, members, and interests.

INVESTMENT The average investment to get started is $65. This includes your first annual membership fee, uniform components, and guide book. After that, there’s an annual membership fee of $15 plus a council service fee. Many troops also collect annual dues to help cover the cost of activities and trips throughout the year. No girl will be denied membership because of financial reasons.

ACTIVITIES Girl Scouts is not all about cookies, camps, and crafts. While having fun is a big part of a troop, being a Girl Scout is about developing today’s girls into tomorrow’s leaders. Through their experiences, girls become well-rounded citizens and positively impact the community.

TROOP Your girl scout may or may not automatically be assigned to a troop. It will depend on whether we have an existing troop or if we’re looking for troop volunteers. Moms, dads, retirees, college students, grandparents, or any responsible adult who wants the chance to help girls become leaders and have fun along the way can apply to be a volunteer.

888-623-1237 www.getyourgirlpower.org