When girls are involved with Girl Scouts, they learn that they are capable of tackling pretty much anything!

Girl Scouts unleashes the G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader) in every girl, preparing her for a lifetime of leadership – from taking a nighttime hike under the stars to accepting a mission on the International Space Station; from lobbying the city council with her troop to holding a seat in Congress; from running her own cookie business today to tackling cybersecurity tomorrow.

The Girl Scout Leadership Experience is a one-of-a-kind leadership development program created specifically with and for girls. The all-girl environment is one of the major keys to its success. Research shows that girls learn best in an all-girl, girl-led and girl-friendly environment where their specific needs are addressed and met.

Girl Scouts take the lead by trying new things every day. Through the program’s wide range of activities and badge work, everything a Girl Scout does centers around STEAM, the outdoors, leadership, development of life skills and entrepreneurship. The culmination of the Girl Scout experience is the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest achievement in Girl Scouting — and the most difficult to earn. The Gold Award recognizes girls who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through remarkable “take action” projects that have sustainable impact in their communities and beyond.

At Girl Scouts, girls find an inclusive, girl-only and girl-led “OK-to-fail” environment, where girls are free to practice different skills, try new things, and take on leadership positions.

The Girl Scout DNA: What’s in a G.I.R.L.?

These are the traits that define girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. 

A Girl Scout is a Go-Getter

She’s bold, honest and determined to succeed. Goal oriented and ambitious, she’s also a life-long learner who believes no challenge is too difficult!

A Girl Scout is an Innovator

Thinking outside the box is her specialty, so she’s always looking for a creative way to take action and learn new skills.

A Girl Scout is a Risk-taker

Courageous and strong, she’s keen to try new things and to embrace the unfamiliar. Whether she’s building a campfire or at her first sleepaway, Girl Scouts provides a place for girls to face their fears and take appropriate risks. Girls who step up and take on challenges grow into women who are more successful.

A Girl Scout is a Leader

She’s confident, responsible and committed to changing the world for the better—and she’s happiest when others join her in taking the lead!

For more than a century, Girl Scouts has delivered experiences that allow girls to discover their passions, develop leadership and people skills, explore their world and embark on new adventures. The program helps participants find solutions to problems and step up to serve and make a difference. 

Girl Scouts is more than cookies, camp and crafts. Girl Scouts don't just see problems—they find solutions. They don't step aside—they step up. The organization is made up of 60 million go-getters, innovators, risk-takers and leaders who are making the world a better place every single day.

To learn more about Girl Scouts, visit the organization's website and for details about activities in your area, click here or contact a staff member via email.