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National Girl Scout Day

These little entrepreneurs teach young girls essential skills such as business, leadership, and community service.

Hobbies & Activities65
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Align your brand with Girl Scout values of entrepreneurship and community service through co-branded fundraising campaigns and cookie-season activations that drive foot traffic and goodwill.

Relevance 65medium intent
  • Girl Scout Cookie Season Spotlight: Partner with local troops for in-store promotions and limited-edition flavors
  • Fundraising Challenge: Encourage customers to donate at checkout or sponsor community service projects led by Girl Scouts
  • Women in Leadership Stories: Feature Girl Scout alumnae and current leaders to inspire the next generation
  • Community Event Sponsorship: Host or sponsor local Girl Scout runs, badge-a-thons, or skill-building workshops

History

Girl Scouts came into existence in 1912, when a woman named Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low organized the first-ever Girl Scout meeting in Savannah, Georgia, with just 18 girls from the surrounding area.

Low had spent considerable time thinking about what could be done to help young women get outdoors and become more independent, self-reliant and resourceful so they could become better citizens in the future.

From the very beginning, the Girl Scouts have been an organization run by women, for women, and over a hundred years after its creation, it has grown to 3.7 million members worldwide.

It has been estimated that, since its inception, 50 million girls and women have been a member of the organization. Membership is organized by age, and there are different activities available at each level, all suited to the individual needs of each age group.

The Girl Scouts is an organization for American girls and American girls living abroad, traditionally ages 5 to 18. Girl Scouts typically meet in groups called a troop, with the troops being run by volunteers, who are often parents of troop members.

This makes the Girl Scouts a very close-knit organization. National Girl Scout Day is celebrated on the date that Low organized the first Girl Scout meeting, on March 12th.


How to celebrate

Organizing a Fundraising Campaign on National Girl Scout Day

You don’t need to belong to a Girl Scout community to launch a fundraising campaign that will help the girls. You are familiar with girl scouts’ cookies. But what you may not know is that the delicious cookies serve a crucial function on National Girl Scout Day. They help the Girl Scouts community to support girl-led education programs, community-projects, and experience for their members. But you can plan your own fundraising activities and give the profits to the girls. Something as simple as placing a donation box in your local shop with a label that explains you are fundraising for National Girl Scout Day can encourage local residents to give you a helping hand! You don’t need to be a business owner, though. You can run a decluttering charity sale at home and let buyers know what you want to do with the money. You’d be surprised to know that some people are happy to pay a little more if it helps the girls!

Throwing a Town Event for National Girl Scout Day

Sports events are popular, and they are surprisingly easy to organize. You can reach out to your community event planning to find out more about the next town runs and marathons. You can set up a donation page as a participant. It’s best to get in touch with your local Girl Scouts community to get the right sponsoring and contact details for your donation page. You can encourage people to donate when you promote your participation in the run. Running for National Girl Scout Day, for instance, is a fantastic way of raising awareness about what the scout community can do for girls.

Share Your Knowledge on National Girl Scout Day

Money is only one of the ways you can support girls on National Girl Scout Day. You can also consider how your own knowledge and expertise can help to prepare them. Girl scouts have a broad experience in camping, first aid, community services, and outdoor activities. Whether you’re a foraging expert, a trained nurse, or a backpacker with a passion for camping, you could volunteer at your local Girl Scouts community to share your wisdom and tips. If you live near a forest, it could be a good idea to teach her something about how to survive in the forest should she ever get lost. How to build a basic bonfire, or instance, or some basic form of shelter, to prevent her from getting too cold. You could also teach her about which berries and mushrooms are edible, and which should not even be touched, let alone eaten. If you don’t have any such place nearby, but live instead in a city, this could be a good time to teach her the basics of first aid, if she doesn’t already know them—how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, how to bandage cuts, what to do if a person is unconscious, etc. Even a short lesson in first aid could allow this little girl to one day save someone’s life. And, if that is not an option either, how about doing both yourself and the Girl Scouts a favor and buying some of their cookies? You’ll have something tasty to nibble on with your morning coffee, and they’ll have more funds to keep on educating and empowering little girls and young women. A win-win situation, if there ever was one.


FAQ
How did the first Girl Scout cookie sale come about?
In 1917, the Mistletoe Troop in Muskogee, Oklahoma, initiated the first known Girl Scout cookie sale. They baked and sold cookies in their high school cafeteria to fund troop activities. This grassroots effort laid the foundation for the iconic cookie program that supports Girl Scouts nationwide today.
What unique badge did early Girl Scouts earn that might surprise us today?
In the 1910s, Girl Scouts could earn a “Telegrapher” badge. This badge required girls to learn Morse code and operate telegraph equipment, reflecting the technological skills valued at the time.
How did World War I influence Girl Scout activities?
During World War I, Girl Scouts contributed by growing and harvesting their own food, canning perishable goods, and assisting the Red Cross. They made surgical dressings, knitted clothing for soldiers, and created scrapbooks for wounded servicemen.
What is the significance of the Girl Scout handshake?
The Girl Scout handshake involves shaking hands with the left hand while making the Girl Scout sign with the right. The left hand is closer to the heart, symbolizing friendship. This tradition connects Girl Scouts across generations and cultures.
How did the Girl Scouts’ uniform evolve over time?
The original 1912 uniform was a simple blue skirt and blouse. Over the years, it transformed to reflect contemporary fashion and practicality, incorporating elements like berets, sashes, and badges, while maintaining its identity.
What is World Thinking Day, and how do Girl Scouts celebrate it?
World Thinking Day, celebrated on February 22, is a day for Girl Scouts and Girl Guides to think about their peers worldwide. They engage in activities that promote international friendship and global awareness, often focusing on a specific theme each year.
How did Juliette Gordon Low’s hearing loss impact her leadership?
Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of Girl Scouts, experienced significant hearing loss. Despite this, she led the organization with determination, using her condition to teach girls about overcoming obstacles and embracing inclusivity.
What role did Girl Scouts play in environmental conservation?
In the 1940s, Girl Scouts launched conservation programs, planting trees, cleaning parks, and educating communities about nature. These efforts instilled environmental stewardship values that continue in today’s programs.
How have Girl Scouts contributed to space exploration?
Several former Girl Scouts became astronauts, including Dr. Sally Ride, the first American woman in space. The organization encourages interest in STEM fields, inspiring girls to reach for the stars.
What is the significance of the Girl Scout Trefoil symbol?
The Trefoil, a three-leafed emblem, represents the three parts of the Girl Scout Promise: serving God and country, helping others, and living by the Girl Scout Law. It symbolizes the core values and unity of the organization.