At a Glance

The New Girl Scout Leadership Experience is:

• The new design for what girls do in Girl Scouts
• Set to launch in fall 2008 with full implementation by 2010
• Based on the three keys to leadership: Discover, Connect, and Take Action
• Girl-led, based on “learning by doing” and “cooperative learning”
• Serves the Girl Scout mission of building “girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place”

Why Leadership?

From founding libraries in America’s heartland to establishing free medical clinics in India, each year 2.6 million Girl Scouts take the lead in bettering their communities and the world. Girl leaders have been at the heart of Girl Scouts since its founding in 1912, when Juliette Gordon Low recognized that nurturing girls’ leadership abilities would ensure their roles as change-makers of the future.

As Girl Scouting approaches its 100th anniversary, the organization is using its expertise to create a completely new approach for what girls do in Girl Scouting, how they do it, and how they will benefit. Called the New Girl Scout Leadership Experience, this approach engages girls in discovering themselves, connecting with others, and taking action to make the world a better place.

Have questions? Please visit the GSWFC Discussion Board or e-mail Amy Foster, Director of Program Services, afoster@gswcf.org.

Change It Up! What Girls Say About Redefining Leadership

For years, Girl Scout volunteers have been asking for easy ways to guide girls through the wealth of experiences Girl Scouting offers. Today’s busy volunteers want more information about what to do with girls and how to partner so they reap the benefits of Girl Scouting.

Come fall 2008, these requests will become a reality as the New Girl Scout Leadership Experience launches for Girl Scouts in each grade level. Easy-to-use facilitator guides will accompany each “leadership journey.” Guides are designed to help volunteers guide girls easily through fun and meaningful experiences as well as understand and observe the impact of the program on girls’ lives.

Wondering What to Do Right Now?

Don’t worry!
Keep using all existing Girl Scout books and awards with girls. They will remain available even after the launch of the new materials in fall 2008 so everyone has plenty of time to transition.

Get the conversation going.
Ask Girl Scouts what leadership means to them. And tell everyone: Girl Scouting is and always has been first and foremost about leadership development for girls!

Live the Girl Scout leadership philosophy.
Engage girls in activities that develop their unique skills and values (­Discover) to team up together (­Connect) and make a difference in the world around them (Take A ction).

Spread the excitement.
Imagine the power of the Girl Scout experience when 2.6 million girls and nearly 1 million adult volunteers speak in one voice about what Girl Scouting does: Leadership! What kind? The kind that makes the world a better place.