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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LAST DAY FOR COOKIES! Visit a Cookie Cupboard location today to stock up before the fall. Thank you to everyone who supports the Girl Scout Cookie Program every year. Girl Scout Cookies Pop-Up Shops in each of the five boroughs are now open, and will continue through May 16, 2013, except for our Bronx location, which will close on Thursday May 9, 2013. www.girlscoutsnyc.org
Check out this wonderful piece about our 100th anniversary gala: http://causeceleb.newsvine.com/_news/2013/05/01/18001962-girl-scouts-of-greater-new-york-mean-more-than-just-cookies?lite Cause Celeb highlights a celebrity’s work on behalf of a specific cause. This week, Sandra Lee and Trish McEvoy talk about their work with Girl Scouts of Greater New York. 2012 marked Girl Scouts of America’s 100th anniversary, and this year The Girl Scouts of Gre … causeceleb.newsvine.com
One of our newest exhibitors for the Bridge Crossing that we're excited has decided to join us on June 2, Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian has a free event this weekend that you should definitely consider checking out. The culture and traditions of Native Hawai’i reverberate during Aloha Days, Saturday May 18th & Sunday May 19th, 12 pm-5 pm at the National Museum of the American Indian in New York, located at 1 Bowling Green across from Battery Park. Performances and hula workshops will feature Hālau O ‘Aulani, a Hawaiian dance troupe. Kids will have the opportunity to stamp traditional kapa designs on a tote bag, make cloth leis, and kukui-nut bracelets. For more about the museum, visit http://nmai.si.edu/visit/newyork/ The National Museum of the American Indian–New York is located within the historic Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House. The museum’s permanent and temporary exhibitions—as well as a range of public programs, including music and dance performances, films, and symposia—explore the diversity of the Na... nmai.si.edu
Why does Caitlin from troop 6127 need Girl Scouts? *** To submit your own reason for "Why Girls Need Girl Scouting", simply copy the URL listed below into your browser, print out the document it contains and write in black marker - in no more than 6 words - why YOU need Girl Scouts! Then have your troop leader take a close-up of you holding the paper in front of your left shoulder and mail it to us at katrin@anatgerstein.com (include your name and troop #). Thanks for participating! http://www.girlscoutsnyc.org/uploaded/files/Girls/INeedGS.pdf
Catch-Up Cookie Campaign Form 2012-2013, 3 days ago
Did you have newly registered Girl Scouts that participated in the Catch-Up Cookie Campaign? Make sure you fill out the electronic form on our website - linked below - so they're eligible to receive rewards. Forms must be submitted by May 20th so complete it today. girlscoutsnyc.wufoo.com
LAST week for Girl Scout Cookies! Make your appointments now for our Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, or Staten Island Cookie Cupboard locations. Thursday, May 16th will be your last opportunity to get Girl Scout Cookies before the fall. Please note that troops must make appointments to pick up orders at the Cookie Cupboard. Troop Leaders must present bank deposit receipts - not cash - at time of order pick up to receive order. Specific Cupboard locations have specific guidelines that must be followed. www.girlscoutsnyc.org
Our Board President Rose M. Littlejohn and CEO Barbara Murphy-Warrington have a special Mother's Day message. This Sunday is Mother's Day in the USA, a celebration of women who play a critical and central role in supporting and nurturing girls and enabling them to reach their full potential. Over the past 100 years,… www.girlscoutsnyc.org
All over New York, Girl Scouts are helping their communities and changing their lives with the money raised from Girl Scout Cookie sales. Tell us your story of how your troop is using the funds, and how your girls are doing things that never would have been possible without Girl Scout Cookies. Email your stories, photos, and videos to nathan@anatgerstein.com.
Cookie booth marketing 101 | Volunteer Blog — Little Brownie Bakers, 8 days ago
Cookie Cupboards are open for 1 more week - that still leaves time to do 1 last booth sale. This post on the Little Brownie Bakers Volunteer Blog highlights some fun ideas for making your booth sale a great experience. Go to our Cookie Resources page at www.girlscoutsnyc.org to find the Booth Sale Application. You still have time to pick up one more booth! With booth sales, selling One More Box to each customer is a snap. Customers love to buy cookies when they can eat them right away! blog.littlebrowniebakers.com
12-year-old Christina, a Van Cortlandt Village Cadette from Troop 1134, recently received the Marian Medal at a special emblem mass at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. She is currently working toward her Silver Award. Congratulations, Christina! We are proud of you.
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.