Facts at a Glance
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The Girl Scout Mission
Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.
Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA)
Girl Scouts is America's premier leadership development organization for girls, with more than 3.8 million members. Founded in 1912 by Juliette Gordon Low, GSUSA is part of a worldwide family of girls and adults in 136 countries through the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.Membership is open to all girls ages 5-17 - regardless of their racial, ethnic, socioeconomic or religious background - who make the Girl Scout Promise, accept the Girl Scout Law, and pay annual dues of just $12. Financial assistance is available.
Girl Scouts San Diego
- One of every 10 local girls ages 5-17 is a Girl Scout (10% of that population!)
- 32% of the council's total membership are girls from diverse cultural backgrounds.
- 15% of girl members are from underserved communities.
San Diego's first Girl Scout troop formed in Coronado in 1917. Now, with nearly 2,500 troops, the San Diego-Imperial Council is one of the largest councils in the U.S.
The council offers training for leaders, maintains seven camps and program centers, and provides activities and events for nearly 31,000 girl members. Volunteer leaders, consultants, and staff specialists in areas such as child development, adult training and outdoor education are among the council's more than 12,000 adult members. These women and men fill a wide variety of roles, from assisting with camps and fundraising events to serving on the board of directors.
The Girl Scouts Outreach Program brings Girl Scouting to areas where traditional troops are not likely to form because of language, economic or other barriers.
Council Facilities
- Balboa Campus (Council Headquarters)
1231 Upas Street, San Diego 92103
(619) 298-8391
- North Coastal Service Center (Carlsbad)
2382 Camino Vida Roble, Suite H, Carlsbad 92011
(760) 444-9011
- Imperial Valley Service Center (El Centro)
1745 S. Imperial Avenue, Suite 105, El Centro 92243
(760) 353-2840
- Escondido Program Center (Kit Carson Park)
3050 Las Palmas, Escondido 92025
(760) 740-2670
- Camp Winacka (near Julian)
- Camp Whispering Oaks (near Julian)
- Palomar Mountain Program Center
What We Do
Girl Scouts San Diego's vision is to be the region's best leadership experience for girls. In 2008, the organization introduced a new Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Contemporary and relevant programs engage girls in
- Discovering themselves,
- Connecting with others, and
- Taking action to make the world a better place.
Local Girl Scouts choose from hundreds of opportunities, including:
- Skill building: leadership conferences, Destinations travel
program, and the Girl Scout Gold Award
- Community service projects and diversity programs
- Science, technology and math workshops
- Sports events, clinics and leagues
- Day and resident camps
- Family events
Funding
The council's primary sources of revenue are the Girl Scout Cookie Program, the Urban Campout fundraiser, product and merchandise sales, program fees, and contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations. Approved and monitored by the board of directors, revenues are used to provide Girl Scout programs for all members in San Diego and Imperial counties.
Over 85% of revenues supports girl programs, maintenance of seven facilities, equipment, resource materials and membership support.
Leadership
Council leadership is provided by 26 volunteers elected to the Board of Directors by council representatives. The Board appoints the Chief Executive Officer.
| Board Chair: | Katie Sullivan |
| Chief Executive Officer: | Jo Dee C. Jacob |
| Operating Finance Officer: | Gerry Keshka |
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 Girls select from hundreds of programs in engineering, the arts, sports, travel and more.
 Camp Winacka and Camp Whispering Oaks
are two of the council's seven properties.
 These young women earned the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award - Girl Scouting's highest honor - during 2008. Just 4% of Girl Scouts earn the Gold Award.
 Since 2002, local Girl Scouts have sent 1,306,314 boxes of Operation Thin Mint® cookies to U.S. military troops.
 Urban Campout: Sports Madness!, the 11th annual "fun fundraiser," netted $288,600 for girl programs.
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