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Making Girl Scouts Part of Your Family

Her Girl Scout Leadership Experience begins with you! Be a part of every inspiring moment as she unleashes her G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™ potential to accomplish amazing things. At Girl Scouts, she’ll try new things, face challenges head-on and find creative solutions to the problems she sees—all while building the skills she needs to shine today and tomorrow. 

You are an important part of her Girl Scout experience. You are her support system, cheerleader, chauffer, helper and most importantly—her caregiver.

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Want to meet us in person? Join us for our FREE Fall Family Fest Days in November to enjoy the Girl Scout outdoor experience. Click here to get more details about the fun activities planned for your family and register.

Want to be more involved in her Girl Scout experience? 

FAQs

Can parents also be volunteers?
Absolutely! It’s important for you to be involved so that your girl gets as much out of Girl Scouts as possible. We can always use your help at meetings, on trips, at the cookie booth, or wherever works for you and your schedule. Contact GSCCC to get started. Did we mention how much fun you’ll have?

How much time can I commit as a volunteering parent?
You can commit as much or as little time as your schedule allows. Spending high-quality time with your daughter and other Girl Scouts is a fulfilling experience for everyone—and any time you spend participating will have a positive effect.

My schedule is packed—can I still participate?
You don’t necessarily have to volunteer to participate—you can participate one-on-one with your girl. Help shape her Girl Scout experience, and ask questions about what she’s learning. Give her the support she needs to make her time in Girl Scouts the best it can be.

How else does my involvement make a difference?
Many parents tell us that their relationship with their daughter has deepened since participating in Girl Scouts. Bonding over good times and shared experiences is a win-win for everyone.

When can I join as a volunteer?
Why not today? We’re always looking for volunteers, whether it’s during the school year, over summer break, or any time in between.

Why participating is so important

When you volunteer or participate in activities with your girl, you’ll help her:

  • Enjoy amazing new experiences
  • Make new friends and become more confident
  • Discover different skills and interests in a safe, nurturing environment

Your involvement and support will help shape your girl's experience. She'll see your commitment to her growth, and before you know it, you'll be growing too. 

Be supportive of her Girl Scout experience:

  • Make sure she arrives and is picked up on time for all group activities.
  • Ask her about her Girl Scout activities, and really listen to what she has to say.
  • Appreciate and recognize the time, talent, and skills her leader shares with the troop/group. 

Your actions can make a real, positive difference. Here’s proof from our research:

  • Ninety-five percent of caregivers say their girl has made more friends through Girl Scouts.
  • Eighty-nine percent of caregivers say their girl is happier because of Girl Scouts.
  • Ninety percent of caregivers say their girl has grown more confident through Girl Scouts.
Amazing activities to share

Try any of these fun ways to spend high-quality time with your girl. Invite some friends along, too!

  1. Take a nature walk.
    You don’t need to head out into the deep woods—the local park or somewhere you both enjoy will do just fine. Don’t forget to pack your favorite snacks for the road. 

  2. Share your inspiration.
    Talk to her about women you admire, and ask her about the people who inspire her. Family members, friends, famous women in history—they’re all great choices. Encourage her to cut out pictures or draw. This booklet will help you get started and leave her with something that reminds her of your special talk.

  3. Turn your living room into an improv theater.
    What does she want to be when she grows up? You might not need to answer that yet, but let her try some options out for the next five minutes. Get started with the Scene Spinner.

  4. Get your science on in the backyard.
    It’s amazing what wonders even the smallest outdoor spaces hold. Help her discover how much she can find by using our Flower Census or our Bug Census. Don’t forget to hit the computer and put your “field guide” together first. If you want to do more, head for the local nature preserve.

See what events we have coming up >>

Parent and Caregiver Resources

Download the FREE Girl Scout Family Connection for all the must-know info.

 
Girl Scout Family Connection (PDF)

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    There's no question that you want to prepare your girl to succeed in the world. And in today's tech-driven times of smart TVs, robotic vacuums, and self-checkouts at the supermarket, raising your daughter to be a digital leader is definitely a smart move.

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    How to counteract divisive language and arguments over who "belongs?" Inclusivity. Something Girl Scouts have been practicing since 1912.

  • Prevent Summer Slide: Tips to Keep Your Kids Thinking Smart Over Summer Break

    The joy of a sunny summer vacation is hard to beat-but if you're like many parents, you might be worried about your daughter falling back academically while school's out. But believe it or not, there are easy (and fun!)

    *A good read for parents affected by school closures in response to COVID-19*

  • 7 Ways to Deal When the World Is Just So Overwhelming

    Between making that deadline for work, running household errands, and simply trying to keep up with family and friends, life can be stressful. Add in the news of the world-hello, global pandemic-and it can feel downright overwhelming. And it's not just grownups who are feeling on edge.

  • Nine Super-Easy Ways to Let Her Explore STEM - Girl Scouts

    Science, technology, engineering, and math are all around us! Nearly everywhere we look, we can find examples of how STEM explains, enables, and improves our lives. So how can you ignite your daughter's interest in STEM-and help her see that a future in STEM can make the world a better place?

  • Teach Your Girl to Ask Smart Questions in a Fake News World

    There's nothing new about not being able to fully trust everything you read, see, or hear. But with huge amounts of information coming to our phones, tablets, laptops, and TVs faster than ever-and with technology making it easier for almost anyone to claim to be an expert on any subject-it's become trickier to sort fact from fiction.

  • Help Her Make the World She Dreams Of

    When was the last time you sat down with your girl and encouraged her to make something-something she wanted to truly create-from scratch? In a society seemingly run by screens, it can be easy to forget about hands-on projects, yet those can be some of the most important activities for your girl to do.

Find more articles for parents at girlscouts.org.

Additional Resources
GSCCC Girl Scout Magazine
Make Her Experience Memorable (PDF)
Her Girl Scout Growth Chart (PDF)
Bring the Magic of Girl Scouts Home (PDF)
Family Tip Sheet (PDF)