About Seniors

Who can be a Girl Scout Senior?

Any girl who is in grades 9-10 can be a Girl Scout Senior.

What do Girl Scout Seniors do?

Just about anything girls want to do. The way girls participate in Girl Scouting is up to them. Six flexible pathways allow each girl to select her own journey through the Girl Scout Experience.

• Camp: Day or resident camps, with a focus on the outdoors and/or environmental education
• Events: One-day, weekend, or multi-day events (e.g., career day, leadership conference)
• Series: Special interest programs/activities of varying duration, with the same group of girls
  (e.g., high-adventure group, six-week program focusing on a journey)
• Travel: Planning, fund raising, and participating in regional, national, and international trips
• Troops: Regular meetings of a group of girls (every week, monthly, or otherwise) which take place over the course of an academic year
• Virtual: Interactive, high-quality program activities in a safe, secure, online environment supplemented by live events

Regardless of the pathway a girl chooses, she will have the opportunity  complete journeys, earn Interest Project awards, work on her Gold Award and discover what girl power is all about. She can take part in local and regional events, go on trips, attend camp, do community service and more! Through it all, she will gain the courage, confidence, and character, to make the world a better place.

What is the cost of being a Girl Scout Senior?

Girl Scouts of the USA’s membership fee is $12.00 per year. Parents/guardians are also encouraged to donate to the Annual Giving Campaign (AGC) to support Girl Scouts locally. All other expenses are based upon what a girl (and/or her group) decides to do. Girl Scout Seniors have the opportunity to participate in the Girl Scout Cookie Sale and the Fall Product Sale (candy, nuts & magazines), as well as conduct additional money-earning events, which fund most activities and materials. Depending on the pathway (listed above) a girl selects, additional costs may include troop dues ($1-$2) on meeting days; event or camp fees; or travel expenses.

Financial assistance is available for the GSUSA membership fee. Subsidized  assistance may be available for Journey books, uniform components, and Girl Scout day and overnight camps.

Is there a Girl Scout Senior uniform?

Seniors wear the Girl Scout Membership Pin, showing they belong to Girl Scouts of the USA, and the World Trefoil Pin, signifying their membership in the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. Seniors wear a sash or vest to display official pins and awards and have the option to wear a scarf that unites their look with the sisterhood of Girl Scouts around the world. The uniform is brought together with a solid white shirt and khaki pants or a skirt.

This “uniform” is required when girls participate in ceremonies or officially represent the Girl Scout  Movement (such as in a parade or while performing community service). Uniforms and pins can be purchased at any of our Girl Scout Stores. For more detailed information about the uniform, visit the Senior Uniform Info page.

Are books required?

Girl Scout books are recommended, but not required. In most cases, girls can participate in the Girl Scout program without purchasing their own individual books (they can often be shared within a troop or borrow from another Girl Scout). However, in order for girls to participate in the Journey program they will need their own book. Books can be purchased through any Girl Scout Stores.

Are background checks conducted on volunteers?

The Girl Scout program relies on the generosity and commitment of our volunteers. With that said, the safety of our girls is always a paramount concern. A criminal background check is done for all volunteers and adults who handle Girl Scout funds or who have the potential to be alone with girls, including drivers. In addition, a Volunteer Application, three references, and an interview are required for anyone in a leadership position.

How can I be involved?

The best way to be involved is to become a volunteer. The way in which you choose to volunteer is up to you. Whether you are actively involved in a troop; serve on a local Service Unit Team; volunteer for town events; organize a 6-week special interest series; or help with paperwork, transportation, or first aid; you will help ensure that Girl Scouting continues to be a vital and successful program now and into the future. 

Troop Pathway Specific Information

When and where are meetings held?

Meetings are generally held every week or every other week, in schools, places of worship or other public buildings. Some troops meet after school,  while others meet in the evening or on weekends. Meetings are typically 1-2 hours.

Do parents/guardians attend the meetings with the girls?

Girls are encouraged to branch out and think for themselves. Meetings therefore are generally only attended by the girls and their adult advisors. There may be special times when families are asked to attend. 

What happens at Girl Scout Senior meetings?

During meetings, girls put the Girl Scout Promise and Law into practice by emphasizing respect for others, using resources wisely, being courageous, etc. They work on Interest Projects and journeys, set goals for product sales, learn about careers, plan trips, explore the arts and more. As Seniors, girls can earn the Gold Award, an award emphasizing leadership.

No two troops are exactly alike. At this level, the girls, with the support of their leaders, do much of the planning, so the specific activities of your child’s troop may not be the same as those of another troop in town. Activities might include things such as camping out at an amusement park, developing recycling programs at local schools, mentoring younger Girl Scouts, planning an international adventure, or participating in special events.

What are these special events?

Events include ones planned by local volunteers, such as camporees, caroling, outdoor days, and other opportunities to have fun with Girl Scouts in their town. Council-sponsored events include crime scene investigation workshops, high adventure, outdoor cooking, trips to places such as New York City, and many other opportunities. These events are listed on the Senior Events and Workshops page.

What if no troops meet at time that works with my child’s schedule?

If you’d like to volunteer, you can start a new troop! One of the best parts of being a leader is that you can pick a meeting time and place that is convenient for you. If this isn’t possible, your child could choose to take part in a different pathway and still enjoy all the excitement of Girl Scouting!

 

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