Questions and Answers
Girl Scout Program
- What do Girl Scouts Do?
- How does Girl Scouts work?
- Will my daughter work on try-its/badges like I did as a girl?
- Does my Girl Scout need books?
- Where can I get the books?
- How can I help my Girl Scout with her experience, including the Girl Scout Gold Award, Girl Scout Silver Award, Girl Scout Bronze Award, etc.?
- If my daughter is in a troop can she participate in council program even if the troop isn’t going?
Camp
- Why should I choose to send my child to a Girl Scout camp?
- How do I know if my daughter is ready for camp?
- Do camp counselors receive special training?
Girl Scout Cookie Program
- Does my Girl Scout have to sell cookies?
- What role do I have in Girl Scout Cookie activities?
- Where does the money earned from Girl Scout Cookie sales go?
Membership
- Can my girl become a Girl Scout without being part of a troop?
- How can my girl become a Girl Scout member?
- How old do you have to be to become a Girl Scout?
Adult Volunteers
- How can I become a Girl Scout leader?
- What type of training is available before working with girls on my own?
- What can I do to help the adult volunteer working with the girls directly?
Uniforms
- Do I have to buy a uniform for my Girl Scout?
- Where do I place pins and badges on the uniform?
- Where do I buy uniform pieces?
Girl Scout Program
Q.: What do Girl Scouts Do?
A.: Girl Scouts earn badges, hike and camp, participate in the cookie program, and much more. They improve neighborhoods, protect the planet, design robots, and establish sports clinics. See what a great Girl Scout year can look like for each grade level by visiting:
In Girl Scouting, it's not just "what girls do" (activities), but "how" (processes) that when used together, impact girls. Girl Led, Cooperative Learning, and Learning by Doing enusre the quality and promote the fun and friendship so integral to Girl Scouting.
For an overview, you can access an introductory web video on the Girl Scout Leadership Experience: www.girlscouts.org/gsle
Based on expert research and developed through years of experience, the Girl Scout program provides engaging and worthwhile activities that respond to the needs of today's girls, with flexiblity that respects their busy lives- and yours! Girl Scouts do almost anything that girls like to do!
Q.: How does Girl Scouts work?
A.: WAGGGS stands for the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts and has 136 member countries including the United Sates. Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. oversees Girl Scouting across the country by dividing it into various jurisdictions called councils. Each Girl Scout Council is responsible for providing the Girl Scout program within its jurisdiction. Girl Scouts of Greater New York (GSGNY) is one of approximately 120 councils.
The council is divided into Service Units. Each Service Unit is managed by a group of volunteers called a Service Team. The Service Team is headed by a volunteer Service Unit Manager who oversees the troops in that Service Unit. Service Units are divided by geographic areas. The Service Team provides support, structure and program to volunteers working directly with girls in their area.
Q.: Will my daughter work on try-its/badges like I did as a girl?
A: A Girl Scout Journey represents a new way that girls can experience Girl Scouting. It is a fun and challenging experience spread over a series of sessions (usually 6-8 but with the potential to last far longer). The journey, which follows a designated theme, has a clear starting point (an invitation to explore and take action) and a definite ending point (opportunities to enjoy closure through reflections, rewards, and celebration). Along the way, girls are following a purposeful trail that allows them to have fun, get wiser, and experience all the joys of being a traveler (meeting new people, exploring new tastes and cultures, gathering keepsakes, making memories) while being able to carry this all in one “suitcase” – their journey book!
No matter how much time girls spend on a journey, the whole is always greater than any single part. So when a Girl Scout journey comes to a close, girls and their adult guides truly feel a sense of accomplishment.
Q.: Does my Girl Scout need books?
A: Girl Scouts recommends having books because they were designed to enhance the experience—a lot of the information needed to participate fully is included in the books.
Q.: Where can I get the books? How much do they cost?
A: You can buy Journey materials (i.e. books and awards) through the Girl Scout store or online at www.girlscoutstore.org.
All grade-level girl books cost $7.00. The adult sets, consisting of a girl book packaged with the adult guide, are $15.00. Girl Scouts of the USA is aware of the importance of being cost-conscious and has worked to provide excellent value. It is ideal for every girl to have her own book to fully experience the journey.
Q.: How can I help my Girl Scout with her experience, including the Girl Scout Gold Award, Silver Award, Bronze Award, etc.?
A: Be a sounding board for ideas and actions, but let her make decisions and take action on her own. Help her by encouraging her to do her best and providing an environment where she feels she can succeed. If she asks you to take a role in the project, you may do so, but only under her direction.
Q.: If my daughter is in a troop can she participate in council program even if the troop isn’t going?
A: Yes! Girls get to choose the way they participate in Girl Scout opportunities. Many Council sponsored programs can be attended as an individual Girl Scout. We also have many family events. Check out our Upcoming Events calendar.
Camp
Q.: Should I choose to send my child to a Girl Scout camp?
A: Girl Scouts is the premier leadership organization for girls. Our staff is comprised of experienced, enthusiastic, talented and well trained young women who are excellent role models for your child. We offer a variety of exciting traditional and non-traditional camp experiences. Our programs are easily affordable to give all girls an opportunity to attend.
Q.: How do I know if my girl is ready to go to Camp Kaufmann?
A: Most girls are ready for overnight camp at the age of 8. Girls younger than that will benefit from a day camp experience. Here are a few questions to ask yourself to determine if your child is ready for a day or overnight camp experience.
Does she indicate that she wants to go?
- Has she experienced a night away from home?
- Is she willing to try new things?
- Can she cope with the elements (woods, bugs, weather)?
- Does she follow directions well?
- Can she care for herself?
- Does she enjoy a wide variety of experiences?
If you answered “YES”, to most of these questions, then your daughter is ready for an exciting Camp Experience!
Q.: Do camp counselors receive special training?
A: Camp staffs receive extensive training from their council before camp season starts. All local Girl Scout councils must follow Girl Scouts of the USA guidelines, as outlined in its safety publications, as well as comply with applicable state laws. Camp Kaufmann is also accredited by the American Camp Association. Our camp hires staff members based on their skills and job experience.
Girl Scout Cookie Program
Q.: Does my Girl Scout have to sell cookies?
A: Participation in this Girl Scout program activity is voluntary. However, girls tell us selling Girl Scout Cookies is fun. Girls practice life skills such as teamwork, money management, and entrepreneurship. This activity provides the Girl Scouts of Greater New York with revenue to support Girl Scouting in New York City, including a portion that goes back to the Girl Scout troop/group selling the cookies. Customers purchase great cookies and know they are supporting the girls in our area.
Q.: What role do I have in Girl Scout Cookie activities?
A: A parent/guardian can help her/his girl by:
Giving permission for her to sell Girl Scout Cookies.
- Attending the cookie activity training for her troop/group.
- Helping her set and meet her personal goal(s) and her groups' goals.
- Helping her observe all safety rules and guidelines outlined in materials sent home by the local Girl Scout council.
- Helping her understand that you will be working with her in a supportive role; adults, however, should not assume sole responsibility for selling cookies.
- Helping to network with colleagues so that she can contact co-workers and family members to purchase cookies.
- Providing transportation to cookie events or special sales areas, like those at business office or grocery store.
- Providing a safe place for the money collected, as well as frequent drop-offs of money to the cookie manager.
- Paying for any cookies eaten at home.
- Supporting the national Girl Scout policy that Girl Scout Cookies may not be sold on the Internet by anyone at any time.
Q: Where does the money earned from Girl Scout Cookie sales go?
A: The best way to understand where the money goes is by picturing a cookie. A piece of the cookie goes to pay the baker for making the product. Another piece goes to the Girl Scouts of Greater New York to support Girl Scouts New York City, and a third piece goes directly to the group selling the cookies.
If you have more cookie-related questions, see the Girl Scout Cookie Program FAQs.
Membership
Q: Can my girl become a Girl Scout without being part of a troop?
A: There are many ways girls can take part in Girl Scouting. Depending on their free time and interests, they can register individually, for camp, as part of an interest group, or join a troop. If a girl registers individually, she may want to take part in one or two group events, like camp or a council-wide event. Complete the join us form or email membership@girlscoutsnyc.org for more information.
Q: How can my girl become a Girl Scout member?
A: She registers through our Girl Scout council. See Join Us.
Q: How old do you have to be to become a Girl Scout?
A: Girls can register as Girl Scouts from Kindergarten through 12th Grade. See Join Us.
Adults working with girls can join as well. See Join Us.
Adult Volunteers
Q: How can I become a Girl Scout volunteer?
A: Contact our Council. We will happily talk with you about volunteering. You can also register online.
Q: What type of training is available before working with girls on my own?
A: We offer many training opportunities. When you sign up to be a volunteer you must complete “Getting Started” training. Leaders are encouraged to take first-aid training as well. To sign up for one of our upcoming training sessions go to our Training Calendar page or email training@girlscoutsnyc.org.
Q: What can I do to help the adult volunteer working with the girls directly?
A: Talk with your girl's adult volunteer and see what type of help she needs. Extra adults are always needed for trips and special events, as well as for Girl Scout Cookie activities.
Uniforms
Q: Do I have to buy a uniform for my Girl Scout?
A: Girl Scouts uniforms are not required. We do recommend that Girl Scouts at each level have one common element (Tunic, Sash or Vest) for the display of official pins and awards which will be required when girls participate in ceremonies or officially represent the Girl Scout Movement.
For girls in grades Kindergarten through 12th, the unifying look includes wearing a choice of a tunic, vest, sash for displaying official pins and awards, combined with their own solid white shirts and khaki pants or skirts. Girl Scouts in high school can also wear a scarf that unites their look with the sisterhood of Girl Scouts around the world. For adult members the unifying look of the uniform is a Girl Scout official scarf, or tie for men, worn with the official membership pins, combined with their own navy blue business attire.
Q: Where do I place pins and badges on the uniform?
A: See the Where to Place Insignia on a Girl Scout Uniform. A couple of hints:
Some insignia come in iron-on format, but not all. Check and see before you iron them—non-iron-on awards will melt if they are ironed.
- The insignia tab is a great tool. Membership pins can be placed onto it and then be removed easily when the uniform needs to be cleaned.
Q: Where do I buy uniform pieces?
A: You can purchase uniform pieces through the Girl Scout store at Girl Scouts of the USA headquarters, located at 420 5th Avenue at 37th Street, online at the Girl Scout Shop, or by calling GSUSA Customer Service at (800) 221-6707.
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Girls - what was your favorite badge that you earned this year and why? Leaders - what was your favorite badge or Journey book to work on with your girls this year and why? We invite you to share your accomplishments with the larger Girl Scout community.
If you're a Junior, there's still time to register for Take Action Mini-Sleepaway Weekend at Camp Kaufmann on July 12-14. Girls will explore the challenges facing our environment today and learn how to take action! They also will experience our climbing wall and archery range. Juniors who come to this session will fully earn the Camper Badge and will work on parts of the Agent of Change Journey Book. Check out the brochure and register today: http://www.girlscoutsnyc.org/uploaded/files/camp/camp%20online%20brochure%206-10-13.pdf
If you're a Cadette, there's still time to register for Night Crawlers at Camp Kaufmann on June 28-30! Camp turns into a whole different environment at night. Cadettes will experience an electricity-free night, star-gazing, a bat and insect hike, and a campout, and the daylight hours will be filled with fun on the archery range and the ropes course as girls complete the requirements for the Night Owl and Trailblazing Badges. Check out the brochure: http://www.girlscoutsnyc.org/uploaded/files/camp/camp%20online%20brochure%206-10-13.pdf
You may know that last week, we honored fifty young women from throughout New York with the Girl Scout Gold Award, our highest honor, for their acts of community service. But do you know all about their amazing projects? Throughout the summer, we'll be sharing them with you right here on Facebook! Rachel of Troop 4382 in Queens collected lap robes for senior centers, children’s hospitals, and Hurricane Sandy victims. Inspired initially by wounded veterans’ stories, she decided that through giving a personalized handmade gift to those in need, she could bring a smile to those who were less fortunate.
What can Girl Scout Cookies do? Writes K. Porcher of North Riverdale Troop 1477: "The Girl Scouts saved their cookie money to purchase their new vests and attend the 100th Anniversary GSGNY Bridge Crossing event. They bridged from Juniors to Cadettes and were able to put their cookie money towards new Binders, Journey Books, Cadette vests as well as go on the 100th Anniversary Bridge Crossing so they could 'officially' bridge to Cadettes. They were able to have fun, attend the historic GSGNY Council event, and afford their new uniforms. They are 'smart Cookies.' See attached photos of this financially savvy troop. THAT'S what a cookie can do!"
Check out this great NY1 piece on our CEP girls at camp: http://www.ny1.com/content/183691/bronx-middle-schoolers-in-girl-scouts-career-exploration-program-participate-in-camp Middle schoolers at five Bronx schools are getting a unique experience, one they might not have if it wasn't for the Girl Scouts of Greater New York's Career Exploration Program, which reaches out to girls in disadvantaged neighborhoods. www.ny1.com
Sunday is Father's Day! Click on the link below to see the message from Rose M. Littlejohn, our Board President, and Barbara Murphy-Warrington, our CEO, to all those dads out there who support and encourage their daugthers every day to make the world a better place. www.girlscoutsnyc.org
Jo-Anne and Debbie of Brownie Troop 3451 tell us: "Our GS Cookie Troop 3451 sold 3,452 boxes of cookies this year. "Our girls voted on a service goal to help those affected by Hurricane Sandy at the start of our cookie selling program. When the program was finished, they selected the NY Aquarium as the recipient of their efforts. We had a representative from the NY Aquarium come to meet the girls and tell them about the devastation and the rebuilding efforts at our last meeting. The girls donated $1,200 to the aquarium. Attached is a photo of our Brownies with Kate Fitzgerald from the NY Aquarium - Wildlife Conservation Society. "In addition, the girls chose to help the ASPCA whose HQ is in our neighborhood. They donated blankets, towels, toys and food to the ASPCA. The girls toured the facilities and presented their representatives with a check for $500. "Their fun goal was a pajama party." Isn't it amazing how big a difference cookies can make?
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FY13 Troop Leader Cookie Survey, 6 days ago
Are you a Troop Leader in New York City? Have you completed our end of the year Cookie Program survey? It only takes a few minutes and we want your responses! The link is below. You can complete it right now. The survey will be open through tomorrow. Web survey powered by SurveyMonkey.com. Create your own online survey now with SurveyMonkey's expert certified FREE templates. www.surveymonkey.com
This film featuring the honorees of our 100th Anniversary Gala, Renee Haugerud, Michelle Lee, Sandra Lee and Trish McEvoy and our New York City Girl Scouts includes five chapters: "100 Year Commitment," "Global Citizens," "The Sky is the Limit," "Making a Difference" and "Today's Girls, Tomorrow's Leaders."
To celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Girl Scouting in New York City, this film featuring Girl Scout Board President Rose Littlejohn, CEO Barbara Murphy-Warrington and our New York City Girl Scouts, includes highlights from our first 100 years and then focuses on the importance of "making the history of tomorrow" today.
Trish McEvoy, Founder and CEO, Trish McEvoy Beauty hosted Girl Scouts and Volunteers in her New York City Studio in April 2013.
Thank you for being a friend to New York City's 26, 658 Girl Scouts.
Michelle Y. Lee, Northeast Regional President, Wells Fargo Bank, hosts a group of Girl Scouts at the Wells Fargo Learning and Development Center for a "Hands-on-Banking" Financial Literacy Lesson and an inspirational Career Presentation.
Renee Haugerud, Founder and Chief Investment Officer, Galtere, hosts a troop of Brownie Girl Scouts in her offices and teaches them about global currency and the importance of being global citizens.
Sandra Lee, Childhood Hunger Advocate and Emmy and Gracie Award Winning TV Host with 300 Girl Scouts doing a park-clean up in Prospect Park, Brooklyn on April 6, 2013. Girl Scouts have made a 100 Year Commitment to keep this area of the park clean.
This webinar is designed for Alumnae, Parents, & Volunteers to get all of the info you need to lead girls in earning Girl Scouting's highest awards. Learn the requirements along with some interactive project planning activities to bring back to your girls.
As you may know, the Girl Scout Cookie Sale is the largest girl-led Business & Entrepreneurship program in the world. Through their cookie sales, Girl Scouts learn five essential skills that equip them to succeed in school, work and beyond: •Money Management •Decision Making •Goal Setting •People Skills •Business Ethics We have developed the Cookie University program as a way for girls to develop and build on these skills through engaging in fun, hands-on interactive activities centered around the Cookie Sale and learning from older girls, who have Cookie Sale experience, when possible. In Fall 2012, we launched our first-ever Cookie University and Cookie University Mentor Training. At Cookie University Mentor Training at ING Direct Café, Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors had the unique opportunity to learn from and engage with professionals from a range of fields such as Business, Finance, Marketing, Customer Service and Sales. They learned about these fields and what it takes to work in them successfully. They also gained invaluable firsthand knowledge and skills that they can apply to selling cookies and planning for their future careers. Girls also worked together to design a plan for sharing their newfound knowledge and skills with Brownies at our Cookie University. At Cookie University at The Cooper Union, Brownies learned from Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors about how to succeed in their cookie sales. The older girls taught and mentored the Brownies and shared the invaluable knowledge and skills they gained at their workshop and their own cookie sales experiences. Brownies developed and built on their knowledge and skill sets in the areas of Goal-Setting, Decision Making, Money Management, People Skills and Business Ethics. They "graduated" from Cookie University ready to tackle and excel in their entrepreneurial endeavors! In addition to offering these special initiatives, we have developed a Cookie University Mentor Training curriculum for Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors (go to www.girlscoutsnyc.org to download curricula) and this webinar to help teach you to use the curriculum. Webinars and curriculum are also available for Daisies and Brownies, to be used in conjunction with this training on www.girlscoutsnyc.org and our YouTube channel. These curricula are meant to serve as guides for Troop Leaders and Parents to offer the Cookie University program either to their troops at their troop meetings or for them, their Borough Program Committee and/or Service Unit to organize their own Multi-Troop, Borough-Wide or Service Unit events.
As you may know, the Girl Scout Cookie Sale is the largest girl-led Business & Entrepreneurship program in the world. Through their cookie sales, Girl Scouts learn five essential skills that equip them to succeed in school, work and beyond: •Money Management •Decision Making •Goal Setting •People Skills •Business Ethics We have developed the Cookie University program as a way for girls to develop and build on these skills through engaging in fun, hands-on interactive activities centered around the Cookie Sale and learning from older girls, who have Cookie Sale experience, when possible. In Fall 2012, we launched our first-ever Cookie University and Cookie University Mentor Training. At Cookie University Mentor Training at ING Direct Café, Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors had the unique opportunity to learn from and engage with professionals from a range of fields such as Business, Finance, Marketing, Customer Service and Sales. They learned about these fields and what it takes to work in them successfully. They also gained invaluable firsthand knowledge and skills that they can apply to selling cookies and planning for their future careers. Girls also worked together to design a plan for sharing their newfound knowledge and skills with Brownies at our Cookie University. At Cookie University at The Cooper Union, Brownies learned from Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors about how to succeed in their cookie sales. The older girls taught and mentored the Brownies and shared the invaluable knowledge and skills they gained at their workshop and their own cookie sales experiences. Brownies developed and built on their knowledge and skill sets in the areas of Goal-Setting, Decision Making, Money Management, People Skills and Business Ethics. They "graduated" from Cookie University ready to tackle and excel in their entrepreneurial endeavors! In addition to offering these special initiatives, we have developed a Cookie University curriculum for Brownies (go to www.girlscoutsnyc.org to download curricula) and this webinar to help teach you to use the curriculum. Webinars and curriculum are also available for Daisies and for the Cookie University Mentor Training for Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors on www.girlscoutsnyc.org and our YouTube channel. These curricula are meant to serve as guides for Troop Leaders and Parents to offer the Cookie University program either to their troops at their troop meetings or for them, their Borough Program Committee and/or Service Unit to organize their own Multi-Troop, Borough-Wide or Service Unit events.