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Girl Scouts FAQ

Is Girl Scouts right for your family? You've come to the right place to get all the facts. Explore these frequently asked questions below, ask your questions during an informational event, or reach out to us! Check out our Girl Scout Family Connection (español) for a great guide to Girl Scouts.

The Joining Process

How do I join?
  • Visit our Join page and click the Join Today button to visit our registration site and tell us a bit about yourself and your girl.
  • Enter your zip code to find a nearby troop and choose one that works best for you and your family. Or enter the number of the troop you are interested in to pick a specific troop.
    • Some troops on the troop catalog are still in-formation, meaning we need a few more girls or adults to sign up before the troop can begin meeting. If you join one of these troops, a Girl Scout staff member will contact you to discuss next steps.
    • Not sure what troop is best for your girl, or your troop isn’t showing up? Select “unsure” and let us know what experience your girl would like or what troop number you are searching for. A staff member will reach out to you to help you find a troop.
  • Complete the process by becoming a Girl Scouts member. You will pay $25 in member dues. Apply for financial assistance if needed.
  • If you've chosen a troop that is already meeting, the troop leader will reach out to you soon to welcome you and provide more details.

Ready to register your girl? Join today!
Not quite ready to join? Learn more.
Want to make a positive impact? Volunteer!

When can I join?

Girls entering Pre-K, TK, or EAK in the fall can join beginning April 1.

How much does it cost? Is there financial assistance available?

Membership costs $25 a year, and financial assistance is available if you qualify. Visit our financial assistance page to apply. Additional costs will vary depending on the Girl Scouting adventure chosen. Girl Scouts can also participate in our product programs to earn money to fund troop expenses including uniforms, badges, and patches.

Do I have to wear a uniform?

The Girl Scout uniform is flexible and varies based on girl and troop preference; some girls choose to wear a Girl Scout t-shirt or membership pin, while others like to wear a full uniform with a vest or sash displaying their Girl Scout badges. Most girls enjoy being in uniform along with their friends and often like to wear their uniform to school before troop meetings and when doing activities in the community. Financial assistance is available to assist with basic uniform items.


The Girl Scout Program

What do girls do in Girl Scouts?

Girls discover their inner G.I.R.L  (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, LeaderTM) through a collection of challenging and fun activities like earning badges and Journeys, going on fieldtrips, exploring science, getting outdoors, participating in the cookie program, and giving back to the community.

What outdoor activities do Girl Scouts participate in?

Girl Scouts participate in an array of age-appropriate outdoor activities including archery, backpacking, surfing, and rock climbing (varies by program level). Girl Scouts San Diego owns and operates four facilities for camping, including two overnight camps in the Cuyamaca Mountains where we host Girl Scout camps. Troops are also encouraged to camp on their own.

Do Girl Scouts have STEM programs?

Girl Scouts can earn STEM badges and Journeys in engineering, robotics, environmental science, cybersecurity, and space science. These programs serve to engage girls in STEM topics and scientific reasoning, and allow them to apply concepts learned in school in new ways.

Do Girl Scouts go camping?

Troops are encouraged to camp at one of our locations throughout the year depending on the progression of their training. Girls can camp individually over the summer at our resident camps.

What’s the Girl Scout Product Program?

The Girl Scout product program is the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world and the largest financial investment in girls annually in the United States! It gives girls the opportunity to learn valuable entrepreneurial skills—goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics—while having fun and earning funds for their troop activities. Participating in the product program is optional.

Do Girl Scouts earn Highest Awards?

Yes, Girl Scouts can earn their Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards. This is impressive to colleges, universities, and the military, and teaches planning skills, budgeting, and team building.

What are the benefits of joining Girl Scouts?

Girl Scouts builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Through the Girl Scout Leadership Experience girls learn a strong sense of self, positive values, challenge seeking, healthy relationships, and community problem solving.


Troops

When and where do troops meet?

Troops are led by volunteers. Volunteers decide when, where, and how often their troop meets. Some meet weekly, monthly, or around other activities. Some troops meet in schools, homes, or community centers. The girls and volunteers should decide together what works best for the troop. Girls are encouraged to lead meetings and activities depending on their age group. Every troop is a little bit different!

Who leads the troop?

Girl Scout troop leaders are volunteers who give their time so girls can have a quality experience in Girl Scouts. The program is available to girls because of the many wonderful volunteers. You can be assured that qualified, responsible people are leading your girl’s troop.

How do I start a troop?

Starting a new troop is easy! You only need a minimum of two adults and five girls to form a troop, and Girl Scouts provides all of the training and resources you need, including an online toolkit of pre-planned meeting agendas and activities. Contact us at membership@sdgirlscouts.org to learn more about starting a troop.


Volunteers

How can I volunteer?

There are many ways to volunteer for Girl Scouts—from occasional troop volunteers (who assist leaders), to service unit volunteers, to troop leaders—you’re sure to find a role that suits your interests, skills, and schedule. Each volunteer role has unique opportunities!

It’s easy to become a volunteer! All you have to do is register to join Girl Scouts and pay the $25 in membership dues. During the registration process, you’ll be able to search by zip code and select your volunteer opportunity. Then you’ll need to complete a background check and any appropriate training for your volunteer position. You can start this process at the same time you register your girl!

Can men volunteer?

Absolutely! Men make great volunteers and role models for girls. All volunteers must pass a background check, and male troop leaders must have a female co-leader.

What support is provided if I volunteer?

Each troop has two leaders, so you will have a partner to help lead and to share the fun. We encourage you to invite another parent or friend to serve with you, or we will work with you and your community to help connect you with a co-leader.

We provide online, in person, and on-demand trainings for our leaders that you can take on your schedule, and we provide detailed activity plans that make it easy to get meetings going. You’ll also have access to our dedicated Troop Support team for guidance when you need.

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