FAQs

At what age can a girl join Girl Scouting? toggle arrow

Girl Scout membership is based on grade level rather than age: Daisy (grades K-1), Brownie (grades 2-3), Junior (grades 4-5), Cadette (grades 6-8), Senior (grades 9-10) or Ambassador (grades 11-12).

Girls attending summer camps or programs are considered to be at the grade level they will be entering in the fall.

How can a girl participate in Girl Scouting? toggle arrow

Girls can participate with other girls in a Girl Scout troop. Troops typically meet at a set location, at a set meeting time. Some troops consist of girls who are all in the same grade level and some troops are made up of girls in varying grade levels called Multi-Level Troops.

Girls can also participate on their own as Individually Registered Girls (IRGs), commonly referred to as "Juliettes" - an homage to our founder, Juliette Gordon Low.

My daughter’s schedule doesn’t permit her to belong to a troop. Can she still earn badges or awards? toggle arrow

Yes! Once registered, a girl can participate at any grade level and in any of our council events, travel and outdoor adventures. If she is in high school, our Girl Scout Gold Award liaison can also help mentor her, monitor her success and provide her with the advice she needs to receive the highest award in Girl Scouting.

What does it cost to join? toggle arrow

Annual membership dues are $25, and most troops charge minimal dues per girl for materials and activities in the meeting place.

Typically, parents or guardians also pay for a girl’s uniform or insignia, Journey books or handbooks, and activities that a girl wants to do in addition to troop planned and budgeted activities. Troop families often provide refreshments or transportation for troop outings.

The Girl Scout Cookie Program and Fall Product Program are designed to allow each troop to raise the monies they need to pay for field trips, events, troop camping, ceremonies, workshops, service projects, etc. These experiences also provide girls with five essential skills, like money-handling and goal setting.

What is the Girl Scout uniform? toggle arrow

For girls ages 5 to 14, the required unifying look includes wearing a choice of a tunic, vest or sash for displaying official pins and awards, combined with their own solid white shirts and khaki pants or skirts.

Girl Scouts in high school can also wear a scarf that unites their look with the sisterhood of Girl Scouts around the world.

For adult members the unifying look of the uniform is a Girl Scout official scarf or tie for men, worn with the official membership pins, combined with their own navy blue business attire or an official Girl Scout adult navy blue vest.

You can purchase these online, or at one of our three council shop locations.

Where do I place insignia on her uniform? toggle arrow

Girl Scouts at each level have one required element (tunic, vest or sash) for the display of official pins and awards, which will be required when girls participate in ceremonies or officially represent the Girl Scout Movement. View a diagram showing where each item is placed on the tunic, vest or sash.

When do I place insignia, badges, patches and awards on her tunic, vest or sash? toggle arrow

Girl Scout badges, patches, awards, and other insignia should be presented, worn, or displayed only after Girl Scouts have completed the requirements outlined in official program materials.

Who can be a Girl Scout volunteer? toggle arrow

Girl Scout volunteers are adults 18 years and older who can be a positive adult role model to girls, and who accept the Girl Scout Promise and Law. Today’s girl needs the time, resources and commitment of a community of volunteers to help pave her way.

All Girl Scout volunteers who have direct contact with girls, handle money or manage finances, or provide supervision to girls (other than their own child) at overnight or travel events are required to complete the Volunteer Application and pass a criminal background check.

How do I become a volunteer? toggle arrow

Visit the Volunteer page and fill-out the simple online form. Once you submit the form, a GSHS staff member will get in touch with you to discuss the various volunteer options and how you'd like to participate.

After you've spoken with a staff member (or if you're a current volunteer renewing your volunteer application and background), you'll be directed to complete the background screening process.

What are the ways to camp at GSHS camps? toggle arrow

GSHS has two camps offering several different options, whether you want to camp overnight or just for the day as an individual, with a troop or as a service unit.

Camp Fisherville

Camp Tik-A-Witha

Who can go to camp? toggle arrow

Girl Scouts is for every girl--and you don't even need to be part of a troop. Our summer camps are open to any girl, regardless of Girl Scout membership, that is entering grades 1st through 12th.

Troops who have a CAMP Skills certified adult can reserve our camp facilities for weekends or overnights. CAMP Skills training is offered throughout the year and you can find those listings on our Events page. Don't see one? Check back soon!

Who are the camp staff? toggle arrow

Our Summer Camps are staffed with counselors, food staff, a healthcare manager and specialty staff for the horse and adventure programs. These staff members are carefully selected for their skills, as well as how they work with children and adults.

They participate in extensive training sessions and each every one of our counselors becomes American Red Cross CPR / First Aid certified.

We also provide certified lifeguards, and archery and challenge course instructors--depending on the camp's features.

In addition, each camp has a camp ranger and resident camp director.

Are your camps American Camp Association (ACA) Accredited? toggle arrow

Yes! We are proud to say that Camp Tik-A-Witha is ACA Accredited. The main purpose of the ACA Accreditation Program is to educate camp owners and directors in the administration of key aspects of camp operation, particularly those related to program quality and the health and safety of campers and staff. The standards establish guidelines for needed policies, procedures, and practices.

What sleeping arrangements and facilities are available at camp? toggle arrow

Each camp is different, but the three arrangements widely available are:

lodges – include basic necessities
cabins – beds in screened in or open structures
platform tents - mattresses on the floor or cots

Our Camp and Outdoors page has more details on the amenities at each property.

Are visitors and phone calls permitted at camp? toggle arrow

For safety reasons, access to camp properties is limited when summer camp is in session.

Mail from home is welcome and is delivered daily. Parents may leave mail at check-in for delivery during the session. (Please include the following information in all mail you send: session name, session date and camper’s name.)

In the event of any emergency or change in plans, please call the camp director. Camp phone numbers are provided with your confirmation materials and camp directors contact parents in case of an emergency or illness. Please note: camp phones are limited to camp business only.

What training is required of adult volunteers before taking girls to camp? toggle arrow

Volunteers taking girls for troop camping on weekends or overnights are required to complete the CAMP Skills training course and CPR/First Aid Training. See our Volunteer Training section for more information. Adults accompanying girls to summer camp programs like "Mom and Me" or weekend council-run events at camp are not required to have these trainings.

Is there somewhere I can find commonly asked questions and answers about summer camp? toggle arrow

Yes. Check out our Summer Camp page for the most up-to-date answers to frequently asked questions.

When do Girl Scout Cookies go on sale and how do I find them? toggle arrow

Girl Scout Cookies can be purchased only from girls and only during cookie season, which kicks off in December of each year.

For more information on the Cookie Program, visit our Cookie Program web page or like us on Facebook for regular sale updates.

What is National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend? toggle arrow

This special two-day event held each cookie season is a great opportunity for Girl Scouts and Girl Scout supporters to share with the community the importance of the Cookie Program and what it does for the girls and their communities.

Can I purchase Girl Scout cookies online? toggle arrow

Yes, you can purchase Girl Scout cookies online from a Girl Scout through Digital Cookie, a digital platform to prepare girls to be leaders in the high-tech, fast paced, e-commerce world of today. This dynamic, engaging, interactive and safe tool allows girls to have fun learning and selling cookies.

Don't know a Girl Scout? Email us and let us know that you'd like to order Girl Scout cookies from a Girl Scout through the digital platform: info@girlscoutshs.org.

Why are Girl Scout Cookies available only for a short time? toggle arrow

The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the premier entrepreneurship opportunity for girls, but it is just one part of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Girl Scouts participate in many activities throughout the year and work on many projects. Cookies are just one of those activities. And because only girls may sell Girl Scout Cookies, their market availability is limited to the 6 to 8-week period when they are engaged in the program.

Where does my money go when I buy Girl Scout Cookies? toggle arrow

With every purchase from a GSHS Girl Scout or troop, approximately 70% of the proceeds goes to the local council and troops, with the remainder going to the baker to pay for the cookies. Here's a breakdown of how cookie program proceeds support Girl Scout activities locally.

What is the Fall Product Program? toggle arrow

The Fall Product Program gives troops a chance to earn startup money for their Girl Scout year. They can use the funds they earn to enjoy new and exciting opportunities right away. Family and friends can stock up on magazines, nuts, chocolate, and candies while supporting their Girl Scout.

How do I order products from the Fall Product program? toggle arrow

The Fall Product Program is a friends and family sale. Girls reach out to friends and family members to support the program and don't set up booth sales like they do for the Girl Scout Cookie Program.

If you would like to receive a digital order request but don't know a Girl Scout, email us at info@girlscoutshs.org to request an email order invitation from a Girl Scout.

Can a Girl Scout deliver my order from the Online Nut Store instead of paying for the shipping and handling? toggle arrow

If a customer selects "Girl Delivery" at checkout in the online system and the parent approves the girl delivery, a Girl Scout can deliver your order and you can avoid the shipping and handling charges.

Are the same products offered on both the paper forms and online? toggle arrow

Additional products are available online that do not appear on the paper order form.

Do I pay the Girl Scout when I place my nuts and candy order? toggle arrow

Payment may be requested when you place your order. Payment options are set up by the troop leader and some troops do require payment up front while others expect payment upon delivery of product.

How can I make a donation to Girl Scouts Heart of the South? toggle arrow

There are many ways you can change the life of a girl by supporting Girl Scouting. See the Support page for more information.

How do donations made to GSHS benefit local girls? toggle arrow

Personal contributions are directly applied to the many critical resources that make Girl Scouting successful in our 59 counties.

While the Girl Scout Cookie Program helps to keep the cost of activities affordable, Girl Scouting needs financial support from donors to develop new curriculum, provide transportation, recruit volunteers, meet safety standards, and provide financial assistance so more girls can benefit from a quality Girl Scout Leadership Experience.

Donate

Does Girl Scouts have a relationship with Planned Parenthood? toggle arrow

No, Girl Scouts Heart of the South and Girl Scouts of the USA do not have a relationship with Planned Parenthood. Learn more.

Does Girl Scouting support girls of all backgrounds and beliefs? How can I be sure that Girl Scouting is a good match with our family’s values, heritage or traditions? toggle arrow

In Girl Scouts, we’ve always been, and remain, an organization with a deep spiritual commitment. We also have a deep and very longstanding commitment to inclusiveness. We welcome and embrace girls of every race, ethnicity, level of ability and religion. The Constitution of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America is very specific on this point:

The motivating force in Girl Scouting is spiritual. The ways in which members identify and fulfill their spiritual beliefs are personal and private.

The Girl Scout Movement is open to all girls and adults who accept the Girl Scout Promise and Law and meet membership requirements.

We encourage girls to develop connections to their own spiritual and religious beliefs by earning recognitions provided by their faith communities and by earning the My Promise, My Faith pin, which helps a girl deepen the connection between the Girl Scout Law and her faith.

We support the right of faith leaders to verify that programming delivered to girls in their places of worship is consistent with their faith’s teachings.

Learn more about Girl Scouts and faith and also read about Girl Scouting and the Catholic Church

What is Girl Scouts’ relationship to the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts? toggle arrow

Every Girl Scout and Girl Guide organization is a member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts - and each Member Organization, including Girl Scouts of the USA, pays dues. WAGGGS operates in much the same way as the United Nations: each member organization pays dues based on the size of its membership and the per capita income of the country in which the organization resides. Individual Girl Scouts are not members of WAGGGS. The national funds that GSUSA sends to WAGGGS come solely from investment income.

Membership dues, from girls and from adults, are not used to pay the WAGGGS Quota. All dues collected from members are used to pay for services that directly impact the development and delivery of Girl Scouting to girls in the USA and girls who are involved in USA Girl Scouts Overseas, our program that brings Girl Scouting to American families who are living and working abroad.

Girl Scouts Heart of the South donates no money to WAGGGS. Individual Girl Scout troops may donate to the Juliette Low World Friendship Fund, a Girl Scouts of the USA fund that supports service projects, training and international opportunity events, as well as exchange visiting programs.

See more FAQs on Girl Scouts and social issues.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding Girl Scouts in your area, please contact Jenny Jones, Senior Director of Public Relations and Girl Awards at jenny.jones@girlscoutshs.org or 662-350-6041.

What is Girl Scouts of the USA's position regarding human sexuality, birth control, and abortion? toggle arrow

Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) and Girl Scouts Heart of the South (GSHS) does not take a position or develop materials on these issues. We feel our role is to help girls develop self-confidence and good decision-making skills that will help them make wise choices in all areas of their lives.

Parents or guardians make all decisions regarding program participation that may be of a sensitive nature. Consistent with that belief, GSUSA directs councils, including volunteer leaders, to get written parental permission for any locally planned program that could be considered sensitive.

Council Finder

Membership and General Questions

Uniforms

Volunteering

Outdoor & Camp Experiences

Cookie Program

Fall Product Program

Donors/Fund Development

Social Issues