[ View Opportunities ]
| Last updated on February 5, 2008 |
Mission - "Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place."
Description:
Girl Scouts of the USA is committed to helping today's girls become tomorrow's leaders. For 91 years, the Girl Scout program has delivered quality experiences for girls locally, nationally, and internationally.
The Four Program Goals
- Developing Self-Potential
- Relating to Others
- Developing Values
- Contributing to Society
The Girl Scout program is girl-driven, reflecting the ever-changing needs and interests of participating girls. It provides girls with a wide variety of opportunities. The program encourages increased skill building and responsibility, and also promotes the development of strong leadership and decision-making skills. All program activities are age-appropriate and based on The Four Program Goals, as well as on the Girl Scout Promise and Law.
There are five age levels in Girl Scouting: Daisy Girl Scouts, ages 5-6; Brownie Girl Scouts, ages 6-8; Junior Girl Scouts, ages 8-11; Cadette Girl Scouts, ages 11-14; and Senior Girl Scouts, ages 14-17.
Here are some topics that today's Girl Scouts are exploring:
Girls can explore these topics and more in our Just 4 Girls web site.
Leadership
Through activities that build self-confidence, responsibility, integrity, creative decision-making skills, and teamwork, girls develop real-world leadership abilities that will last them a lifetime. At all levels of the Girl Scout program, girls participate in activities that help them take steps toward becoming the leaders of tomorrow.
Math, Science, and Technology
Girls have a strong interest in math, science, and technology -- but often their academic and career choices do not reflect these interests. Girl Scouts of the USA encourages girls to explore these innovative fields. Through Girls Go Tech, one of our new initiatives, girls discover technology by exploring their everyday surroundings and high-tech careers. Today's Girl Scouts are preparing to take on the 21st century's many technological opportunities and challenges.
Financial Literacy
By developing money management skills early in life, girls gain the confidence they need to take control of their own financial future. Through Girl Scouts of the USA's financial literacy activities, girls learn about earning, spending, saving, and investing. They master the all-important balancing act between income and expenses. Help the girls in your life learn the ins and outs of earning, spending, saving, and investing through Money Smarts online activities.
Health, Fitness, and Sports
Research shows that physical activity, health education, and sports have a positive effect on girls' health, self-esteem, academics, and decision-making skills. Girl Scouts of the USA created a special initiative, GirlSports, to help girls practice sports skills, develop self-confidence, build leadership skills, and learn about proper diet and nutrition.
Environmental Education
Girl Scouts has always been concerned about the health of the environment and the relationship of girls to it. By participating in outdoor activities, both in their own community and at camp, girls discover the interconnectedness of all forms of life. They also take part in conservation projects throughout the United States.
The Arts
Participation in the arts gives girls chances to express themselves, develop their creativity, and hone their communication skills. From photography to playwriting and acting, activities in the graphic, performing, and language arts encourage girls to get in touch with their artistic self.
Global Awareness
As part of the Girl Scouts of the USA commitment to diversity, Girl Scouting offers opportunities for girls to learn more about other cultures and communities. Global awareness activities encourage girls to discover and appreciate diversity. These experiences broaden their outlook while preparing them for success in the 21st century.
History:
History of Girl Scouts
Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of Girl Scouts in the United States, was a remarkable achiever. She set high ideals for the world and for her fellow women. During a time when women were restrained by society, Juliette Gordon Low set a precedent for young women to follow even today.
Juliette Gordon was born in Savannah, Georgia on Halloween (October 31) in 1860. She was a bright and talented girl known to her friends and family as Daisy. Her cheerful personality encouraged the respect of all of her peers, however Juliette had her own cross to bear. Throughout her life struggles with her hearing gradually worsened, but Juliette never let these obstacles stand in her way.
Juliette later married William Low, an Englishman. Her horizons were broadened when she went off to live in England and Scotland. Unfortunately, the marriage was not what had been hoped. William Low died while preparations for divorce were being undertaken. After this, Juliette decided it was time to see the world. She eventually settled in Paris where she planned to study sculpture. However, a new acquaintance, Sir Robert (later Lord) Baden-Powell, set her life in an entirely new direction.
Sir Robert was a former English General and war hero. He started the Boy Scout movement in 1908 and met Juliette Gordon Low three years later. He and his sister had a tremendous impact on Juliette in their involvement with the new generation.
Boy Scouts had become tremendously popular and had spread to several countries besides England at this time. However, the young women in England began to feel the need for similar organizations among themselves. Several of these type of groups were organized by young ladies into clubs similar to the Boy Scouts. When Sir Robert learned of the thriving interest in scouting among young women, he asked his sister, Agnes, to form an organization for them. Girl Guides were thus established in 1910. The next year there were Girl Guide or Scout organizations in Australia, South Africa, and Finland. By 1912 it had spread even further, into Sweden, Denmark, Poland, and Canada.
This new movement of Girl Guides/Scouts was exactly what Juliette Gordon Low had been searching for. She became very involved in it, even moving back to Scotland to lead a troop. However, Juliette realized that the young women in the United States were missing a wonderful opportunity. She promptly returned home to Savannah where she called a friend saying, "Come right over. I've got something for the girls of Savannah, and all America, and all the world, and we're going to start it tonight."
In 1912, women were facing many old struggles. Their education was limited and so were their futures. However, as the dawn of World War I approached women realized that their role was a vital one. Organizations such as Girl Scouts and Girl Guides were especially important at this time to the development of a new, stronger, and more gifted young woman.
The first troop meeting of Girl Scouts in the United States was held in Savannah on March 12, 1912.Juliette Low's girls were able to contribute to the war effort in their community. These young women were able to actively participate as valued citizens who were concerned about their future.
Walter John Hoxie, a naturalist, wrote the first American Girl Scout handbook. This book reflected many stereotypes of the time, making many references to the arts of "housewivery." However, there was a marked emphasis on ecology and physical fitness, which attended to the promise of a new American girl in the years to come. In 1916, Juliette Low adapted a newer version of the Girl Scout Handbook. This book included an aviation badge, a new height for the all girl organization.
Juliette Low was a firm believer in letting the girls run their own troops. Adults involved in the troops were advisers, not leaders. When she died on January 18, 1927, she inspired the founding of the Juliette Low World Friendship Fund. This organization uses its money to send American girls to other countries and bring other girls to visit the United States
Contact person: Ann Homrighous, Director Of Volunteer Services, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: (317) 931-3349
Address:
 |
1800 N. Meridian Street, Suite 300
Indianapolis, IN 46202
(See a map) |
Web Site: http://www.girlscoutsindiana.org
Directions:
|
The Girl Scout Service Center is on the northwest corner of 18th and Meridian Streets. Volunteer parking is on the southwest corner of 18th and Meridian Streets. Please use the parking spots with green bumpers.
Nearest Bus Stop: 18, 38, 39, 0 minute walk |
Be the first person to offer feedback on this agency!
Post a user reflection to share your experiences with other users!
|
|
|
