Frequently Asked Questions by Parents
General
Where can I buy Girl Scout products?
You can purchase most Girl Scout merchandise locally through out local Girl Scout Shop or nationally through their website: shop.girlscouts.org.
Do you have a toll-free number?
Emporia Office: (800) 342-4532
Garden City Office: (888) 900-7061
Hays Office: (888) 811-8832
Hutchinson Office: (800) 495-5166
Salina Office: (800) 888-0872
Wichita Office: (888) 472-3683
Where do I buy a uniform?
You can purchase uniforms through our local council shops.
Why does the Girl Scout uniform keep changing?
All uniform components - past or present - are still considered "official" and can be worn by any Girl Scout. However, because many girls and adult women would not think of wearing their mother or sister's fashions from the 70s, 80s or even 90s, Girl Scouts updates uniforms to reflect current fashions and lifestyles. Today's uniforms and their fabrics are designed to reflect a more casual and active female lifestyle, however uniforms are not mandatory to be a Girl Scout. Despite changes in uniforms, Girl Scouts are easily identified by our official trefoil membership pin; sashes or vests to display earned Try-Its, badges, patches and insignia; and, of course, by how we live by the Girl Scout Promise and Law.
What is Girl Scout's commitment to safety?
Safety is our #1 commitment. All Girl Scout volunteers who work directly with girls are required to complete an application, reference and interview process before they are appointed. We also require and provide training to our adult volunteers - specific to the responsibilities of their position. Supervision of girls is determined by the age and size of the group, however, at least two Girl Scout volunteers are required to be with girls at all times.
Volunteers who design and schedule programs for girls in troops or groups are provided with a copy of "Safety Wise" and "LeaderWise" - an essential planning tool that offers tips, guidelines and a checklist to follow when planning and implementing any activity - from internet usage to outdoor cooking. from horseback riding to traveling outside the country.
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Your Girls
Who could the young girl in your life become with Girl Scouts?
Whether she is 5 or 17, you want her to become self-confident, strong, and compassionate. You want her to respect herself and others, make good decisions, be open to new challenges, and use her skills and talents to make her world a better place. You want her to build strong friendships, be a leader, and put her values into practice in her everyday life. You want her to become her best self.
How can Girl Scouts help a young girl?
Social pressure, image issues, and uncertain security-there are so many potential hurdles to girls' well-being. For more than 95 years, Girl Scouts has been helping girls realize their full potential and everything that Girl Scouting offers today is more relevant than ever. Through their Girl Scout program experiences, girls:
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Gain skills and confidence
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Learn to understand and respect others
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Develop the ability to make positive decisions based on their values
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Contribute to their communities and become leaders
What Do Girl Scouts Do?
Girl Scouting provides girls with opportunities to address the important issues in their lives. Girl Scouts do almost anything girls like to do! Girl Scout program activities are open to all girls who are members of Girl Scouting, are based on the Girl Scout Promise and Law, and the four Girl Scout Program Goals, follow health and safety standards, and are done with the support of caring, trained adults. Girls ages 5-17 enjoy program experiences based on the progression of activities available in Girl Scout handbooks, award books, online at www.studio2b.org and Girls Only, and other Girl Scout program resources.
How can I find the time?
Your calendar is full. Your to-do list is jam-packed. You want to help out, but it's almost impossible to find the time. Don't panic. You don't have to give up your life to support your girl. Because there are only so many hours in a day, girls, along with their parents and guardians, have to balance many growing and diverging interests, commitments, and responsibilities in a world of PDAs and PTAs. You'll be surprised at how flexible Girl Scouting is today. You can choose how little or how much time and energy you can give-an hour, a day, or maybe just a "thank you" to your Girl Scout's troop or group leader. 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 flexibility that respects their busy lives-and yours! Your Time, Your Life
How can I use my skills to help?
From being the "head cheerleader" who encourages and supports her daughter in Girl Scouting, to accompanying the girls on a field trip to a local museum, to helping raise the funds and traveling with a group to a Girl Scout World Center in India, you can use your skills and explore your interests. Here are a few of the many ways you can support your Girl Scout:
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Suggest a fun day trip
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Set up a phone tree
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Coordinate transportation for an outing
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Be a guest speaker
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Teach girls a new skill
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Design a troop photo album or Web site
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Join girls on a field trip
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Learn first aid at a Girl Scout council sponsored training session so that you can support girls on their outing
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Become an advocate in your community for Girl Scouting
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Tell your girl you're proud of her
How can my girl become a Girl Scout member?
She registers through her local Girl Scout office as an individual or a troop/group member.
Do I have to buy a uniform for my Girl Scout?
In 2006, the National Board of Directors approved a new uniform policy, to take effect in fall 2008. Based on this policy, girls at each level will have one official uniform item (e.g., tunic, vest, sash) so they can display the pins and badges they earn. Girl Scout Juniors and older program age groups will wear their vests and sashes with white shirts and khaki pants, making it easier for more girls than ever before to show their unity and pride as Girl Scouts. Daisies and Brownies may also wear "khaki and white" or choose to wear full uniform ensembles for their age level. The Daisy tunic remains available. There will also be a variety of casual uniform components available for those times when official dress uniform is not required.
Adult uniforms will consist of a scarf worn with the membership pins for women and a tie for men. The scarf/tie and membership pins will be worn with navy blue business attire.
For more information about Girl Scout uniforms, contact your local council shop.
Where do I place pins and badges on the uniform?
Click here to see where to place pins and badges. 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.
What does the $12 annual membership fee cover?
This annual fee goes directly to GSUSA, however in registering as a Girl Scout adult or girl member, you are eligible to benefit from programs and services provided by your local Girl Scout council.
What do troop dues cover?
Members of Girl Scout troops set their own dues based upon the cost of materials for activities and programs that they choose. All members (and adult family members, guardians or parents) should understand the costs necessary to support the troop; and agree to the price of dues set. 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.
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Support
How do I find a new troop for my girl if we are moving within the U.S.?
Call Girl Scouts of the USA at (800)GSUSA4U, or use the Girl Scout Council Finder (www.girlscouts.org) to locate the council in the area where you'll be moving. You can also tell your current council staff members where you will be living, and they will help connect you with a troop/group near your home.
Our family is moving overseas. How do I find a new troop for my girl?
Call USA Girl Scouts Overseas at (800) 247-8319 or (212) 852-8618 or send an email to
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.
How can I become a Girl Scout leader?
Contact our local Girl Scout Center. We'll happily talk with you about volunteering.
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