A PUBLICATION OF GIRL SCOUTS OF GREATER LOS ANGELES CONTENTS YES, WE ARE 4 STRONGER TOGETHER Sisterhood in an encouraging environment. That’s the Girl Scout formula for strong women leaders of tomorrow. 6 FROM THE CLASSROOM TO THE CAMPFIRE Partnerships with local organizations are broadening horizons in vulnerable communities. 8 THE G.I.R.L. AGENDA Civic action is a big part of leadership. Our girls are mobilizing and leading positive change. 10 YOUTH HELPING YOUTH Two Gold Award Girl Scouts share the community projects that earned them Girl Scouts' highest honor. 12 THRIVING ON ADVENTURE Girl Scout troops seek adventure in primitive camping and mountain climbing. 14 NEW BADGES BRIDGE THE STE(A)M GAP GSUSA has introduced more STE(A)M- related badges and we’re here for it! 16 A YEAR OF EXPANSION We are building the future of Girl Scouts 18 HERE FOR HER with increased community presence and Check out the stories of three amazing Girl plans for Camp Lakota. Scout volunteers who are inspiring girls to be their best. 22 THE G.I.R.L. FUND Staffer Adriana Lopez introduces us to the G.I.R.L. Fund and ways our members are getting behind philanthropy at GSGLA. 2 YES, WE ARE MAGAZINE Dear Girl Scouts, Families, and Friends, We are very excited to bring you the inaugural edition of Yes, We Are—GSGLA’s newest publication about the positive impact our Movement and our Girl Scouts are making on the diverse communities of Greater Los Angeles and beyond. As members of the preeminent leadership organization for girls, Girl Scouts truly learn what it means to make a difference, while cultivating the values of a G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader) and becoming their best selves. That’s because Girl Scouts empowers girls to change the world, stemming from our long-standing tradition of progressive values. Over the last century, Girl Scouts has stood for inclusivity—a testament to our founder, Juliette Gordon “Daisy” Low, who envisioned an organization where all girls, no matter their race, ethnicity, ability, or income, had a safe place to grow and develop their leadership skills. Today, our girls uphold Daisy’s ideals, connecting with girls across class, cultural, and ethnic boundaries in pursuit of shared experiences and community- building. While pushing the national conversation on important topics, our Girl Scouts also challenge themselves to learn more about the world, take risks, and ultimately become better citizens. Through our programs, Girl Scouts become stewards of the environment, champions of STE(A)M, and advocates of various causes close to their hearts. They motivate each other to new heights—literally and figuratively—while showing empathy, positivity, and kindness. As an organization, Girl Scouts prepares girls for a lifetime of leadership, adventure, and success. Their journey begins here. We hope you enjoy our girls’ stories of finding their passions and purpose and for many, a second home with their sister Girl Scouts. At GSGLA, we aspire to unlock the power and world-changing potential in every girl. “Yes, We Are” Girl Scouts; and we’re making the world a better place by building girls of courage, confidence, and character. The evidence is right here. Yours in Girl Scouting, Lise L. Luttgens Chief Executive Officer 3 In Girl Scouts, I feel empowered to do what I love and to lead in what I believe, because I am surrounded by girls that appreciate one another. We encourage our sisters to keep on learning and exploring their inner talents.” Discussions on gender bias, sexism, self- Girl Scouts is all about providing esteem, and body confidence are at the empowered sisterhood. Let’s face it. forefront of a plethora of news stories, Most of a girl’s life is co-ed, but certain political debates, public exchanges, and emotional perks are gleaned from the dinner table conversations. Whether girl-inclusive, safe spaces offered by assessing the commentary of disgraced Girl Scouts. The organization fosters broadcasters, C-Suite and Hollywood collaboration rather than competition, and executives, government officials and promotes mutual support among girls. others in high-ranking leadership positions, Members reach beyond their limits and or the slew of women’s rights advocates bring valuable knowledge and skills to and media pundits holding those accused any environment, both now and in their of bad behavior accountable for their futures. actions, we consider how all of this affects children—particularly women and girls. “No other group tries to build you up as much as your Girl Scout sisters,” said Since 1912, Girl Scouts has served as Ambassador Girl Scout Kelia L. from the preeminent leadership development Woodland Hills. “In encouraging me to organization for girls, offering programs follow my dreams, my troop acts as a that provide members a chance support system, network of opportunity, to practice a lifetime of leadership, and set of role models. Maintaining a adventure, and success. When a girl joins group of friends through high school may Girl Scouts, she is joining a network of seem like hard work, but the troop offered more than 60 million girls and women of me a spot that has outlasted all other different ages, ethnicities, interests, and high-school friendships. They motivated life stages. In today’s polarizing social me in ways that my friends, my basketball climate, we provide girls with gender- team, my fellow school bloggers, couldn’t.” specific opportunities to lead, learn, stretch, and grow. Girl Scout programs are carefully researched and time-tested. Most “In Girl Scouts, I feel empowered to do importantly, they are specific to girls— what I love and to lead in what I believe, created with and for girls. Single-gender because I am surrounded by girls that girl experiences allow girls to step up, appreciate one another,” said Cadette speak up, and lead in an environment Girl Scout Katelyn R. from La Verne. “We where their voices are welcome. This encourage our sisters to keep on learning allows girls to understand that they, and exploring their inner talents.” indeed, can have a seat at the table— especially the head of the table. Girl Scout experiences inspire confidence and a readiness to thrive in the real world. 5 Girl Scouts from After-School All-Stars Los Angeles camp overnight at El Ranchito. FROM THE CLASSROOM TO THE CAMPFIRE How Girl Scouts is partnering with organizations to broaden horizons. irl Scouts prepares girls serving underrepresented areas, and experience. While some shared that for a lifetime of leadership, train and support staff in facilitating a camping opportunity had seemed Gand equips them with the Girl Scout Leadership Experience far-fetched due to economics, others the values, strength, and drive to year-round, just as troops do. One of shared that they simply could not make a difference and succeed. those organizations is After-School picture themselves away from home. At GSGLA, we believe every girl All-Stars Los Angeles (ASAS-LA), “We come from a very low-income, should have access to our one-of-a- with whom we have worked for more high-risk community, [and with kind experiences and skill-building than two years to serve hundreds Girl Scouts] the girls are able to activities. Our community partnership of girls in some of LA's most at-risk experience opportunities that their program enables us to reach more communities, including South LA, parents couldn’t otherwise afford girls throughout Greater Los Angeles, Boyle Heights, East LA, Bell Gardens, or simply just don’t know about,” who otherwise might not have the and Panorama City. said Fatima Acuna, an ASAS-LA opportunity to benefit from the Girl This year, GSGLA offered ASAS-LA staff member. “For us, it’s been very Scout mission. participants—84 girls—the chance to impactful.” Through this program, GSGLA meets participate in an overnight outdoor At the camp, girls tackled team girls right where they are. We partner adventure. For most of the girls, challenges, took on new experiences with community-based organizations it was their first overnight camp like archery, learned to make snacks 6 YES, WE ARE MAGAZINE over the campfire, faced their fears at. It’s all about giving it a try,” said by rock-wall climbing, and led the Esmeralda, an elementary school evening with camp songs and cheers. student who participates in Girl INCLUSIVE NETWORK Plus, the cell-phone-free, all-girl camp Scouts through ASAS-LA. “And we experience provided a safe space help each other and trust in each FACT: GSGLA partners with for girls to be present, engaged, and other, too.” 65 community-based, youth- empowered. serving organizations, providing “It’s just brought in a whole different the Girl Scout Leadership “Something that I learned about dynamic group of girls,” said Veronica Experience to more than 7,000 myself in Girl Scouts is that I could Pagan, ASAS-LA staff member. “With girls at more than 300 sites do way more things than I thought I our afterschool program, we provide (schools, community housing, could… If you really put your heart into a variety of enrichment programs, but and more). it, you can do it,” said Dani, one of the not every girl wants to be in cheer elementary-school aged campers. or sports or theater. They want to be with their friends, but they don’t Prior to the overnight camp What our quite know where they fit in, and Girl adventure, most of the girls in ASAS- community partners Scouts has provided them with a LA had participated in Girl Scout say about the impact space for them to fit in and be who activities related to creative arts, of Girl Scouting on they are.” self-esteem building, and STE(A) the youth they serve.