Benefits of Girl Scouting

Girl benefits:

• Build self-esteem and leadership qualities • Learn the values of the GS Law and Promise: What parent wants their child to grow up to be honest and fair, considerate and caring, friendly and helpful, etc.? • Be a part of a fun, exciting world full of opportunities for girls no matter what their interest • Family Events and Camping • Member benefits – (discounts on skiing, sports events) • Develop appropriate social skills • Explore various careers through programming to find their passion • Build confidence • New experiences; getting out of your comfort zone • Decision making skills • New friends • STEM opportunities that they wouldn’t find elsewhere • Learn sales skills, presentation through the cookie sale • Go to Girl Scout camp • Feel a part of a sisterhood and gain the sense of belonging • Entrepreneurial skills: learn what it’s like to run a business • Gain social skills which can’t be found through avid social media membership • Learn how to set goals and accomplish them • Public speaking • Learn to work as part of a team and to act as team leader sometimes • Independence and responsibility • Learn how to voice their opinions

Five ways Girl Scouts builds girl leaders:

1. STRONG SENSE OF SELF Girls have confidence in themselves and their abilities, and form positive identities. 2. POSITIVE VALUES Girls act ethically, honestly, and responsibly, and show concern for others. 3. CHALLENGE SEEKING Girls take appropriate risks, try things even if they might fail, and learn from mistakes. 4. HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS Girls develop and maintain healthy relationships by communicating their feelings directly and resolving conflicts constructively. 5. COMMUNITY PROBLEM SOLVING Girls desire to contribute to the world in purposeful and meaningful ways, learn how to identify problems in the community, and create “action plans” to solve them.

Adult benefits to volunteering:

• Spend quality time with your girl while volunteering in your community • You get to provide opportunities to girls that they may never experience through school or their own families and may even try new things yourself, such as horseback ride, archery, camping, cook over a campfire, CPR/First Aid • Provide leadership development skills in the next generation (and develop some for yourself!) • Network and socialize in your community with other volunteers • Build your resume for future reentry into a workplace or job change • It's fun and fantastically rewarding! These girls can't wait for each and every Girl Scout troop meeting, field trip and activity - they are excited to see you and discover the opportunities you bring to them • Develop social skills • Get out of your comfort zone • Be a positive role model for your daughter and other girls in the community • Share your experiences and talents • Get to know your daughter’s friends and families • Make a difference • Try new things that you never got to do as a child • Reduce stress and depression • Build conflict resolution skills • Build Courage, Confidence and Courage! • Meet new people • Help other volunteers • Spend more quality time with your girl • Become a better parent • Be that role model that she will never forget • Feels good • Girls will help you to see things differently • Learn to see your girls as individual people • Get to be a GS again, relive some past experiences • Gain confidence in public speaking • Keep young and active • Feel better-fight the winter blues • Enjoy better mental health