FAQs | Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida
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FAQs

Do you have questions on joining, volunteering, or supporting Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. or questions about Girl Scouting in general? Look no further! We hope to provide the information you are seeking. If you need further assistance, please contact us.
 

General Questions about Girl Scouting
Get the facts about Girl Scout Cookies
What is the jurisdiction of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc.?

Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. serves girls in the following ten counties: Manatee, Hardee, Highlands, Sarasota, Desoto, Charlotte, Glades, Lee, Hendry, and Collier.

Who can be a Girl Scout?

Girl Scouts is open to all girls, in grades K – 12, and to volunteers, both men and women, over the age of 18. All members must be willing to make the Girl Scout Promise, accept the Girl Scout Law, and pay an annual membership fee. All girls are welcome regardless of socioeconomic status or racial, ethnic, cultural, or religious background.

How do girls participate in Girl Scouting?

Girls can join a troop or become independent members.

If I do not want to be a member of a troop, can I still be a Girl Scout?

Absolutely! Being in a Girl Scout troop is not the only way to become a Girl Scout. You can be individually registered and participate in any or all Girl Scout events.

How often do troops meet?

Troop meetings are scheduled after school, evenings, or weekends - that's up to the leaders and parents. Depending on the volunteers' schedules, and the age of the girls, troops usually meet every week or twice a month. Typically, troops do not meet in the summer.

How many girls are in a troop?

An average troop ranges from 10 to 25 girls. Additional girls may be added to a troop, as long as the troop meets safety requirements of girl to adult ratio

What are some of the activities that Girl Scouts do?

Girl Scouts still enjoy troop and camp activities, but today they are doing so much more! Girl Scouting strives to offer the best personal leadership program for girls ages 5 though 17. Girl Scouts are earning badges in computer literacy, financial planning, automobile maintenance, fitness and nutrition, and environmental stewardship. In the Girl Scout cookie program, girls learn about goal setting, customer service, money management, marketing, and teamwork. Girl Scouts explore a wide range of experiences in an all-girl environment where they can be themselves.

What are the various grade levels in Girl Scouting?

Girl Scout Daisies (Kindergarten - grade 1) Girl Scout Brownies (grades 2 - 3) Girl Scout Juniors (grades 4 - 5) Girl Scout Cadettes (grades 6 - 8) Girl Scout Seniors (grades 9 - 10) Girl Scout Ambassadors (grades 11 - 12)

What is a Girl Scout troop?

A Girl Scout troop is a group of girls with trained adult leaders, who meet on a regular basis as the troop decides – be it once a week or once a month. Troops are either made up of girls who are all the same age or of mixed ages, who meet either after school, in the evenings, or on the weekends.

What options are available to girls in middle and high school?

Along with all the other programs, pre-teens and teens have special opportunities to participate in Girl Scout “Destinations” trips, teen coffee houses, accept council leadership positions, and join interest groups focused on specific topics of their choosing such as hiking and sailing.

Where do troops meet?

The leader and co-leader decide on the location. Troops meet at safe and convenient locations such as schools, churches, and community facilities.

How can families get involved?

Family involvement insures that your child maximizes the benefits of being a Girl Scout, and you’ll have fun too. Parents and families are encouraged to participate in Girl Scouting. Whether you can take on the role of troop leader, plan activities, drive girls on outings, supply meeting snacks, or share information about your profession with girls, your contribution is valued and vital.

What is Girl Scouts Stand on Social Issues (Relationship with Catholic Church/Planned Parenthood/Religious Values)

Please click here for complete information on Girl Scouts and social issues.

Girl Scouts of the USA CEO Anna Maria Chávez is proud to stand strong with Girl Scouts across the country. CLICK HERE to view a new video where she sets the record straight on recent misconceptions about the organization.

Girl Scout Pension/Retirement Tax Reform Information

Please click here for a statement from Anna Maria Chavez, Chief Executive Officer GSUSA,  to the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee.

Girl Scouts and JOANN Fabrics Partnership

Q: What is JOANN?

A: JOANN is a nationwide fabric and craft retailer with more than 865 stores across 49 states and an online retail business.

Q: What is the Girl Scout Rewards Card?

A: JOANN is offering a Girl Scout Rewards Card good at JOANN stores and online. With the card, current members of Girl Scouts (including troop leaders, volunteers, parents of a Girl Scout, and Girl Scouts) will receive 15 percent off total eligible in-store and online purchases from September 5, 2017, through August 31, 2020. JOANN will give Girl Scouts of the USA a minimum of 2.5 percent of every rewards card transaction (with a minimum donation of at least $1.5 million) to support programming for girls in STEM, the outdoors, entrepreneurship, and life skills.

Q: Who is eligible for the Girl Scout Rewards Card?

A: All current Girl Scout troop leaders, volunteers, parents, girls, and staff members (councils and GSUSA) are eligible for the rewards program. Lifetime Girl Scout members are also eligible.

Q: How do I sign up for the Girl Scout Rewards Card and learn more about the opportunities JOANN is providing Girl Scouts?

A: Visit www.joann.com/girl-scouts/ to find out more and to sign up for the Girl Scout Rewards Card. A local JOANN store rep will also reach out to your council with information about related activities in your area.

Q: What else is JOANN doing for Girl Scouts?

A: Through fun educational activities and special events throughout the duration of the partnership, JOANN will help girls learn new skills and give back to their communities. And based on available facilities, JOANN stores may also provide space for Girl Scout Cookie booth sales and/or recruitment and troop meetings/events.

Q: What is the money going towards?

A: The funds from JOANN will support Girl Scouts of the USA’s mission to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Specifically, GSUSA will use the money to continue offering girls opportunities to develop leadership skills through programming focused on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM); the outdoors; life skills; and entrepreneurship.

2019 Partners in Preservation-Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace

2019 Partners in Preservation FAQ
 Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace Savannah, Georgia

What is Partners in Preservation?

  • Created by American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Partners in Preservation (PIP) program is a contest among America’s historical and cultural places that seeks to increase the public’s awareness of the importance of historic preservation in the United States and preserve America’s historical and cultural places. To learn more about PIP, click here.

How did Girl Scouts and the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace become a PIP finalist?

·         The National Trust for Historic Preservation reached out directly to Lisa Junkin Lopez as the executive director of the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace, informing GSUSA of this year’s focus on women’s history sites and inviting us to apply for PIP. The birthplace was selected through a rigorous application process as 1 of 20 finalists from more than 120 applicants nationwide.

Why is this a big deal for Girl Scouts?

  • This recognition is a testament to the enduring significance, prestige, and value of the Juliette Gordon Low (JGL) Birthplace as a vital landmark for the Girl Scout Movement, the Savannah community, state of Georgia, and our country, and demonstrates the ongoing importance of the mission, ideals, and values of Girl Scouts.
  •  Winning recognition and funding from PIP would allow the JGL Birthplace to continue to serve as a vital conduit of historical research, interpretation and engagement on the life of Juliette Gordon Low, the Savannah community she knew and loved and the Girl Scout Movement she created.

If you win, what will the money be used for?

  • It would help the birthplace remain fresh, exciting, and interesting for visitors. As a living museum and pillar of the Girl Scout experience, the birthplace must remain engaging and relevant for generations of girls from across the United States.
  • Working closely with community stakeholders from within the Girl Scout Movement and the broader Savannah community, in addition to top-tier architects and preservationists, GSUSA is engaged in a comprehensive renovation of the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace, focusing on program rooms, visitor service areas, and outdoor space. The renovation project will make the birthplace sustainable, accessible, flexible and engaged (S.A.F.E.), so that it will be enjoyed new generations of girls.
  • Disability access and inclusion are central aspects of the renovation project. Through these efforts, the birthplace will demonstrate leadership in balancing historic preservation and access, furthering a longstanding commitment of Girl Scouts to welcome every girl. This focus highlights Juliette Gordon Low’s disability as a woman who was hard-of-hearing, and it echoes her commitment to providing girls with disabilities equal access to Girl Scouting.
  • We are working with a talented group, including many female leaders, to honor the spirit of Juliette Gordon Low throughout this renovation project, updating the birthplace to appeal to girls everywhere, and drawing inspiration and expertise from women of today.

What is happening at the JGL Birthplace?

  • To put it simply – exciting things! The JGL Birthplace is a vital and vibrant part of the Girl Scout Movement.
  •  It’s also a living breathing part of the Girl Scout experience, with thousands of girls from troops across the country coming each year to visit the home and birthplace of Juliette Gordon Low, and engage with the history of Girl Scouts.
  • Like the rest of Girl Scouts and the girls we serve, the birthplace must grow, evolve, change, and innovate to make sure it remains fresh, exciting and relevant for today’s girls.
  • The JGL Birthplace is an important part of what it means to be a Girl Scout, and we want – and need – to make sure that it, too, remains up to date with the changing needs of girls, while maintaining the vital essence, spirit, and history of Juliette Gordon Low, and the Savannah community she knew and loved.

How does the contest work?

  • It’s very simple! All we need is your support by clicking HERE. Your click is your vote, and the top vote getter is the winner!
  • Official voting starts 09/24 and ends 10/29. Vote daily! You vote. Girls win.
  • Council staff may access GSUSA’s PIP Social Media Toolkit HERE, which provides all the copy and graphics for social media posts encouraging audiences to vote for the JGL Birthplace.
     

DOWNLOAD PRINTABLE DOCUMENT

HERE


Adults and Girl Scouting
How do adults become troop leaders?

Adults interested in becoming a leader will need to fill out a volunteer application form, go through a background screening, become a registered Girl Scout, attend orientation, and complete GS 101 online training.

What kind of volunteer positions do Girl Scouts have?

Volunteers can work with other adults as trainers, work specifically with girls, such as mentors, share career expertise, and many other options. View ways to volunteer.

Will volunteering cost me anything?

Although there are usually some out-of-pocket expenses related to volunteering, it should never be a financial burden to volunteer.

How much time does it take to volunteer?

How much time a volunteer commitment will take is up to you. We have volunteer opportunities that are flexible for any schedule.

Is child care provided?

No. Non Girl Scouts are not covered by Girl Scout insurance at Girl Scout events or at the troop meeting place.



Girl Scout Costs and Finances
What does the $25 annual membership fee cover?

This annual fee goes directly to Girl Scouts of USA, however in registering as a Girl Scout adult or girl member, you are eligible to benefit from programs and services provided by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc.. The membership fee includes accident and activity insurance.

Are there any other costs associated with Girl Scouting?

Troops generally charge moderate dues to pay for supplies and badges. Special programs such as field trips or workshops are generally paid for individually. Uniforms are encouraged, but not required. There are opportunities for money-earning projects to help offset costs that the troop or individual girl may incur.