Outreach Programs

The Girl Scout Outreach program delivers the unmatched power of Girl Scouting to underserved neighborhoods. Since its inception in 1980, more than 100,000 local girls have benefited from GSO. Every year, GSO serves over 4,000 girls, ages 5-14 from low-resource communities in 60 schools throughout San Diego County, from San Ysidro to Oceanside. Our staff-led afterschool programs are the core of GSO, with professionally-trained, bilingual program leaders serving as facilitators and role models.

Each year, the GSO team collaborates with community partners, college interns, and other volunteers to lead sessions on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), life skills, leadership development, anti-bullying, and health and wellness. GSO also extends learning opportunities to families, promotes mentoring, leadership, and volunteerism, and hosts numerous events such as:

Discovery Day Camp—a five-day STEM camp
Science Saturday—a one-day STEM event
She and Me—a workshop for girls and their adult role models
Girl Scout Family Day—an event for the whole family
Mountain Adventure—a weekend in the mountains

For School Principals

GSO provides girls in grades K–12 with programming through in-school, after-school, and community group settings. The program serves more than 3,800 girls per year throughout San Diego County.

Our comprehensive educational programs address STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), health, community service, financial literacy, relationship and communication skills, arts and the humanities, as well as life skills such as online safety and anti-bullying. Content standards for supplemental programs are established by the Department of Education and designed to support existing school curriculum.

Learn More About Our Programs

Our Impact

According to surveys, 46 percent of GSO girls are happy to answer questions in a group setting and 56 percent are happy in the outdoors. But don’t take it from us! Here’s what girls, parents, and school staff have to say about GSO.

“Helping her reach her goals and spending quality time with her was a win-win for both of us.”
Read Genevieve’s story

“You get to explore the outdoors and make lots of friends. It’s fun!”
Read Anyra’s story

“What I discovered about myself is I’m a fun person and I’m not as shy as I thought I was.”
Girl Scout participant

“Having Girl Scouts at our school is a true gift. We truly appreciate all of the dedicated staff who brighten up the day for us all.”
school principal

“My daughter can’t stop talking about Girl Scouts after she gets home from school.”
Girl Scout parent

“The girls smile ear to ear every time we remind them its Girl Scouts day!”
school teacher

Questions? Contact Outreach Manager Lucy Esparza, 619-610-0788.