Parent Guide to Girl Scouts of Southeastern MichigaN A Get Started Guide to the Girl Scout Leadership Experience for you and your daughter
The Girl Scout Mission Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. THE GIRL SCOUT PROMISE On my honor, I will try: To serve God and my country, to help people at all times and to live by the Girl Scout Law. THE GIRL SCOUT LAW I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout. Girl Scout levels (by grade) Kindergarten-1 Daisy Grades 2-3 Brownie Grades 4-5 Junior Grades 6-8 Cadette Grades 9-10 Senior Grades 11-12 Ambassador
About GSSEM Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan (GSSEM) is the local Council chartered by Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) to facilitate delivery of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE) in the southeastern Michigan region. We serve more than 40,000 girls and adults in Oakland, Macomb, Genesee, Lapeer, St. Clair, Sanilac and parts of Wayne, Monroe and Livingston Counties. Our organization provides a girlcentered, fun-filled, quality leadership experience in partnership with mentoring adults which meets the needs of girls in a fast-changing world and ensures a lifelong connection with Girl Scouting. A Get Started guide to the Girl Scout Leadership Experience for you and your daughter 1
Why Girl Scouts? You want to see your daughter happy, confident, strong, and ready to succeed. So does Girl Scouts. Girl Scouts is the place where your daughter can be herself, explore her interests, develop her talents, and build skills that help her to succeed. There s something for every girl, no tryouts or auditions required. No matter what interests your daughter, whether it s making new friends, caring for animals, building robots, riding horses, traveling near or far, or just having fun, she can pursue them all in Girl Scouts. Unlike other youth programs with entry requirements, all girls, from kindergarten through 12th grade, are welcome to join and have an amazing Girl Scout adventure! Fun, friends, and brighter futures abound! With Girl Scouts, girls not only have fun, they also have unique, memorable experiences, designed to help them develop the skills they believe good leaders possess such as standing up for their beliefs and values, bringing people together to get things done, and taking action to change the world for the better. 1 The long-term benefits of Girl Scouting are profound. Women who were Girl Scouts have greater life outcomes than women who were not Girl Scouts including higher income, increased volunteerism and community work, and a stronger sense of self. 2 Girl Scout membership has its benefits: Age appropriate, themed programs and activities Skill building badges and recognitions College scholarship opportunities Respect for traditions, enhanced sense of responsibility, and increased motivation Lifelong friends and expanded networks Get started today at www.gssem.org/join 1 Year of the Girl Research Executive Summary, GFK Custom Research, 2011 2 Girl Scouting Works: The Alumnae Impact Study, Girl Scout Research Institute, 2012 2 Parent Guide to Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan
The Impact of Girl Scouting After 100 years of growing girls of courage, confidence, and character, Girl Scouts has had significant impact on female leadership. Girl Scouts currently counts: Girls and Adults 3.2 million girl and adult members in the United States Girl Scout alumnae are living proof that what we teach today impacts the leaders of tomorrow. Our alumnae account for: 100% Virtually every female astronaut who has flown in space. 80% of women business owners 10million girls in 145 countries worldwide 50 million living alumnae 69% of female U.S. senators 67% of female members of the House of Representatives Statistics from: The Campaign for Girls: Investing in the Next Century of Leaders A Get Started guide to the Girl Scout Leadership Experience for you and your daughter 3
How can you and your daughter participate in the Girl Scout Leadership Experience? Girl Scouting is girl-led, meaning that girls choose the activities that interest them, and adult volunteers provide support and mentoring. Knowing that both girls and adults lead busy lives, GSSEM offers flexible participation options from which girls and adults can choose, based on their interests and time availability. Join today, have fun tomorrow! Girls can join today and immediately make new friends, have fun, and learn new things by participating in a great program tomorrow! They can even bring their friends with them to share in the adventures! There are more than 200 exciting programs offered each year including one-day events, badge workshops, eight-week leadership Journey series, robotics leagues, equestrian programs, and even day, weekend, and week-long camp and outdoor education programs! All of these outstanding programs are delivered by enthusiastic Program Volunteers, who enjoy serving as role models and mentors to the girls. The fastest and easiest way to join the fun is to become a member of one of our 12 Community Troops. A Community Troop is a multi-grade level group of girls from various schools in a specific geographic region. Members of the Community Troop are not required to meet on a regular basis and have 4 Parent Guide to Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan
the opportunity to pick and choose from the hundreds of Council-wide and community programs which most closely match their interests and schedules. At some schools and organizations, volunteers form troops with a small number of girls, which meet on a regular basis to participate in the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Depending upon the interests of the girls and availability of adult volunteers at that location, there may be three options for girls and adults to choose from: Same grade level troops (i.e., a Daisy, Brownie, or Junior troop), with a small number of girls in each troop, supported by Troop Volunteers. A multi-grade level troop (i.e., a combined Daisy/Brownie troop or Brownie/Junior troop), with a small number of girls, supported by Troop Volunteers. The Community Troop: The girls at that school can join the Community Troop and participate together as a group, or individually, in any of the Council-wide or community programs, delivered by Program Volunteers. A Get Started guide to the Girl Scout Leadership Experience for you and your daughter 5
What will my daughter do? She will go on a leadership journey with The Girl Scout Leadership Program! Girl Scout Journeys and the Girl s Guide to Girl Scouting are the heart of the Girl Scout Leadership program. Together they help girls learn Girl Scout traditions, earn recognitions, and have inspiring adventures that change their lives and the lives of other people, neighborhoods, and communities. The Girl s Guide contains her handbook, badge log with instructions she ll need to earn new badges, and the special My Girl Scouts section in which she can customize and record her Girl Scout experiences. The three Journeys It s Your World, Change It!, It s Your Planet, Love It!, It s Your Story, Tell It!, help girls learn about themselves and the world around them and how to take action to make the world a better place. For more information about the Girl s Guide and Journeys, visit www.gssem.org/program. 6 Parent Guide to Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan
How can I participate as a Girl Scout Parent? As a Girl Scout parent/guardian you can: Be an active supporter and/or participant in your daughter s Girl Scout experience. Be a role model for your daughter and other girls by living out the Girl Scout Promise and Law, and following the guidelines of the GSSEM Parent Agreement. Volunteer to support whichever troop experience your daughter chooses. There are two types of volunteer roles: Program Volunteers: You can choose to participate as little or as much as you like, depending upon your interests and time availability. Providing Day of Event Support can be as simple as helping with check-in, coordinating room logistics, assisting with a small group girl activity, etc. Or, you can work with staff and other volunteers to create a one-day badge workshop, facilitate an eight-week leadership journey, or coordinate a community day camp or weekend camping experience. Troop Volunteers: Troop Volunteers typically meet with a small group of girls on a regular basis (weekly, twice a month, or monthly) at a school, faith-based organization, or a community center. These troops require, at a minimum, a Leader, a Co-Leader and three girls. Troop Volunteers can support the girls in implementing an eight-session leadership journey, learning how to run their own business through the Cookie Program and Fall Product Sale, and/or participating in any Council-wide and community programs. Being a Girl Scout parent volunteer has its rewards. You will: Be a mentor and role model for girls Increase your personal and professional skills (and resume, too!) Build your network of friends and associates Adult volunteers now have their own Starter Kit complete with insignia, a Girl s Guide to Girl Scouting and Journey facilitator set for the troop/girl level they support, and a free bag! Get your Adult Volunteer Starter Kit online at www.gssem.org/shop or in-stores at any Council shop location (bag style may vary). A Get Started guide to the Girl Scout Leadership Experience for you and your daughter 7
What will my daughter need to begin her Girl Scouting experience? GSSEM Starter Kits are a great value and the best way to get ready for Girl Scouting. The Starter Kit includes a Girl s Guide to Girl Scouting, a Journey book, sash or vest, membership pins, and troop numbers. Starter kits are available at all GSSEM Council Shop locations or shop online at www.gssem.org/shop. Starter Kit pricing reflects a 15% discount on the regular price and includes a FREE bag with each Starter Kit purchase. Use this handy Starter Kit shopping list: Troop # Level Uniform Insignia Books and Guides Daisy (Grades K 1) Membership Pin Kit Price: $55 with tunic or vest Tunic or vest World Association Pin American Flag Insignia Tab Girls Guide to Girl Scouting Binder Additional items: Council ID Set Troop Numbers Journey book (choose one) Brownie (Grades 2 3) Kit Price: $45 with sash $55 with vest Sash or vest Membership Pin World Association Pin American Flag Insignia Tab Girls Guide to Girl Scouting Binder Additional items: Council ID Set Troop Numbers Journey book (choose one) 8 Parent Guide to Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan
Getting Started: Parent Shopping List Troop # Level Uniform Insignia Books and Guides Junior (Grades 4 5) Membership Pin Kit Price: $45 with sash $55 with vest Sash or vest World Association Pin American Flag Insignia Tab Girls Guide to Girl Scouting Binder Additional items: Council ID Set Troop Numbers Journey book (choose one) Cadette (Grades 6 8) Kit Price: $50 with sash $60 with vest Sash or vest Membership Pin World Association Pin American Flag Insignia Tab Girls Guide to Girl Scouting Binder Additional items: Council ID Set Troop Numbers Journey book (choose one) A Get Started guide to the Girl Scout Leadership Experience for you and your daughter 9
Getting Started: Parent Shopping List Troop # Level Uniform Insignia Books and Guides Senior (Grades 9 10) Membership Pin Kit Price: $50 with sash $60 with vest Sash or vest World Association Pin American Flag Insignia Tab Girls Guide to Girl Scouting Binder Additional items: Council ID Set Troop Numbers Journey book (choose one) Ambassador (Grades 11 12) Kit Price: $50 with sash $60 with vest Sash or vest Membership Pin World Association Pin American Flag Insignia Tab Girls Guide to Girl Scouting Binder Additional items: Council ID Set Troop Numbers Journey book (choose one) 10 Parent Guide to Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan
Frequently Asked Questions What does the annual membership fee cover? The $15.00 annual membership fee goes directly to Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) and does not stay with Girl Scouts of Southeastern of Michigan. Troops based in schools or organizations may also collect dues to cover routine meeting expenses or program fees to support activities the girls choose to participate in. Are uniforms required in Girl Scouts? Girl Scouts at each level have one required element (tunic, sash, or vest) for the display of official pins and awards, which will be required when girls participate in ceremonies or officially represent the movement (i.e., cookie booths, parades, media opportunities, etc.). While GSUSA has established an official full uniform for each grade level, this does not mean that a girl will be excluded from participation because of the inability to purchase a full uniform. Information on uniform components for each grade level is available at www.gssem.org/shop. How often should I expect my daughter s troop or group to meet? If your daughter is in a troop, supported by troop volunteers, which meets at a school or organization, the meeting frequency depends on a variety of factors, including availability of the meeting place, and the schedules of the volunteers and girls. Members of the community troop are welcome to attend as many of the community or council-sponsored activities as they choose. Does my daughter have to sell cookies? The Girl Scout Cookie program is the largest girl-led business in the world. Through this program girls learn entrepreneurial and financial literacy skills including decision making, goal setting, money management, people skills and business ethics. In addition girls earn program credits, which they A Get Started guide to the Girl Scout Leadership Experience for you and your daughter 11
can use to pay for membership, program materials in the Council shop, or participation in GSSEM programs. However, girls and parents decide how they want to create their own Girl Scout experience and selling cookies is not required. Who is leading my daughter s troop/group? Will my daughter be safe? Troop Leaders are appointed on an annual basis after completing training, both general and specific to the grade level of the girls they are leading. All Troop Leaders must pass a background check and are required to follow stringent rules governing safety and supervision. Leaders often have daughters of their own in the troop, and parents are also encouraged to become registered members of GSSEM and participate with troop activities. Council-wide and community programs, which are available to all members, are delivered by Program Volunteers, who are screened, trained, and appointed. 12 Parent Guide to Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan
Are there special awards or honors my daughter can earn as she progresses through Girl Scouts? The Girl Scout Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards play an important role in recognizing girls as they move forward through the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. By earning these awards, girls experience long-term benefits which could include meeting college admission leadership requirements or scholarship opportunities. The Bronze Award is a leadership quest for Girl Scout Juniors (girls in grades 4-5). The Silver Award is leadership exploration for Girl Scout Cadettes (girls in grades 6-8). The Silver Award is the second highest award in Girl Scouting and gives them the chance to show that they are leaders dedicated to improving their community. The Gold Award is a leadership adventure for Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors (girls in grades 9-12). The Gold Award is the highest and most prestigious award in Girl Scouting in which girls make a sustainable difference both locally and globally. A Get Started guide to the Girl Scout Leadership Experience for you and your daughter 13
Does Girl Scouts have a particular religious affiliation? Girl Scouts does not endorse or promote any particular philosophy or religious belief. We welcome girls from all backgrounds. Girls do have options to earn faith-based awards through the national Girl Scout My Promise, My Faith award, or P.R.A.Y., which administers faith-awards earned under the direction of the girl s individual faith leader and parents. For more information about Girl Scouts faith awards, visit www.gssem.org/faith. My daughter has a disability. Will she be allowed to join Girl Scouts? Girl Scouting does not discriminate on any basis, including disability. Girls of varying abilities enjoy participating in Girl Scouting and we have a long history of adapting activities for girls who have special needs, including those with physical or mental disabilities, and those who are chronically ill. 14 Parent Guide to Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan
How do my daughter and I get started? 1. Become a member of Girl Scouts. Registering you and your daughter online is fast and easy at www.gssem.org/join. When you pay the annual membership fee of $15.00 per person, you are joining the premier leadership development organization for girls with over 3.2 million girls and women who are meeting friends, having fun, and make the world a better place. 2. Purchase a starter kit for your daughter. See pages 8-10 for starter kit shopping lists. 3. Become a volunteer. Volunteering is easy with three simple steps: Complete a volunteer application and background screening at www.gssem.org/volunteer. Complete the required volunteer orientation available online, via teleconference, or in person). Purchase your adult starter kit (See page 7 for details). 4. Join the fun! If you and your daughter have joined a Troop at a school or organization, attend your first troop meeting. If you and your daughter are members of a Community Troop, check out the Calendar of Events to participate in upcoming programs and activities. Find the calendar online at www.gssem.org/calendar. A Get Started guide to the Girl Scout Leadership Experience for you and your daughter 15
About the Girl Scout Entrepreneurial Program The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest girl-led business in the world. Nationally, our girls sell over $800 million in cookies each year while learning significant entrepreneurial and financial literacy skills. Each year, GSSEM supports two programs the Fall Product Sale, which features candy, nuts and magazines in October/November, and the annual Cookie Program Sale in February/March. Through these programs, girls learn five critical life skills: Decision Making Goal Setting Money Management People Skills Business Ethics Girls who participate in the product programs not only have fun and earn recognitions, they also learn how to be financially self-sufficient by earning money (or program credits) to pay for their ongoing annual membership, program materials, and participation in Girl Scout activities and programs. For more information about the Fall Product and Cookie programs, visit www.gssem.org/program and choose the Cookies & More link. 16 Parent Guide to Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan
About My Troop My Council is: Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan Choose one (please circle): School/organization based Troop Community Troop Troop #: Girl Scout Grade level: Community number: District number: For a School/Organization-based Troop Troop Meeting Day and Time: Troop Meeting location: My Troop Leader is: Troop leader s phone: Troop Leader s Email: For the Community Troop My volunteer Community Troop Coordinator: Phone: Email: My staff Community Support Specialist is: Phone: Email: A Get Started guide to the Girl Scout Leadership Experience for you and your daughter 17
GSSEM Parent Resources For the most up-to-date information about what s happening at GSSEM, visit www.gssem.org. Follow us: Facebook www.facebook.com/gssem Twitter www.twitter.com/gssem YouTube www.youtube.com/gssem1 Pinterest www.pinterest.com/gssem Sign up to receive our Parent e-newsletter by emailing: communications@gssem.org GSSEM Important Contact Information GSSEM Helpdesk: 800-482-6734, option 5 Council Shops (all locations): 800-482-6734 Detroit Council Shop HOURS: 3011 West Grand Blvd. M / W / TH - 9:30 am -5:00 pm Detroit, MI 48202 TUES - 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm 313-870-2585 SAT - 9:00 am -1:00 pm 313-870-2604 fax cshopdet@gssem.org Clinton Twp. Service Center/Shop HOURS: 42800 Garfield M / T / TH - 9:30 am - 5:00 pm Clinton Twp., MI 48038 WED - 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm 586-464-2406 SAT - 9:00 am -1:00 pm 586-263-6320 fax cshopct@gssem.org Flint Service Center/Shop NEW LOCATION COMING SOON Port Huron Service Center/Shop HOURS: 2186 Water Street TUES - 9:30 am - 2:00 pm Port Huron, MI 48060 THURS - 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm 810-600-5057 SAT - 9:00 am -1:00 pm 810-984-2206 fax cshopph@gssem.org White Lake Service Center / Shop HOURS: 8545 Highland Road MON - 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm White Lake, MI 48386 T / W / TH - 9:30 am - 5:00 pm 313-870-2609 SAT - 9:00 am - 1:00 pm 248-666-5377 fax cshopwl@gssem.org