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Frequently Asked
Questions
The questions listed below are just a sample of the many that we receive. If you have a question that is not listed, please send it to info@girlscoutswinema.org. If your question is technical in nature, please send it to webmaster@girlscoutswinema.org. You can also call us at 800-433-9288.
You can also call the Girl Scout Information and Referral Center at (800) GSUSA 4U [(800) 478-7248] or (212) 852-8000 for general questions about Girl Scouts of the USA.
Training
Activities
Camp
Girl Scout Cookies
Membership
Troop Leadership
Uniforms
Training
Q:
Why can't I access the Online Training Courses?
A: You probably need
to change the settings on your pop-up blocker to allow this
site. If your not sure how to change the settings, try clicking
your pop-up blocker icon on your toolbar. This should
toggle it on/off and temporarily allow pop-ups. If this doesn't
work for you, try holding down the Ctrl key
on your keyboard and then click on the link to the Online Training
Course. If you still experience problems, send an email to
webmaster@girlscoutswinema.org with
your browser and toolbar information (e.g., Internet
Explorer 6.0 with Yahoo Toolbar).
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Activities
Q: Does my Girl Scout need a handbook and an awards book?
A: Girl Scouts recommends having both the handbook and awards book because they were designed to be used together-a lot of the information needed to complete an award activity can be found in the handbook. Also, the handbook is filled with its own activities, which girls can do at home, by themselves, or with friends and family. If a girl wants to earn an award, Try-It, badge, Interest Project patch, or STUDIO 2B charm, she will need the appropriate awards book.
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Q: Where can I get a Girl Scout handbook and awards books?
A: You can buy handbooks
and awards books through GSWC. Sometimes,
troops use their funds to purchase books for members, or girls
who have moved up in age-level pass their books down to younger
members. Ask your local library if they have copies on hand
that can be checked out.
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Q: How can I help my Girl Scout with her leadership project? (Girl Scout Gold Award®, Girl Scout Silver Award®, Girl Scout Bronze Award®, etc.)
A: Be a sounding board for ideas and actions, but let her make decisions and take action on her own. Help her by encouraging her to do her best and providing an environment where she feels she can succeed. If she asks you to take a role in the project, you may do so, but only under her direction. Visit Girl Scouts' Highest Awards in Girl Scout Central for additional information.
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Camp
Q: How can I register my girl for Girl Scout camp?
A: You can find the
camp registration form in our Camp
Brochure. Be sure to check the registration deadline.
Some sessions
fill up very rapidly so don't delay. The Council Finder can
also help you contact other Girl Scout councils if you or the
girl in your life is traveling or visiting relatives for the
summer.
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Q: Do camp counselors receive special training?
A: Camp staffs receive
extensive training from their council before camp season starts.
All local Girl Scout councils must follow Girl Scouts of the
USA guidelines, as outlined in its safety publications, as
well as comply with applicable state laws. Many Girl Scout
camps are also accredited by the American Camping Association.
The camps hire staff members based on their skills and job
experience. GSWC has very experienced counselors! For more
information contact Kelly Rorive: kellyrgirlscoutswinema.org.
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Girl Scout Cookies
Q: Does my Girl Scout have to sell cookies?
A: Participation in this Girl Scout program activity is voluntary. However, girls tell us selling Girl Scout Cookies is fun. Girls practice life skills such as teamwork, money management, and entrepreneurship. This activity provides Girl Scout councils with revenue to support Girl Scouting in local communities, including a portion that goes back to the Girl Scout troop/group selling the cookies. Customers purchase great cookies and know they are supporting the girls in their area.
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Q: What role do I have in Girl Scout Cookie activities?
A: A parent/guardian can help her/his girl by:
- Giving permission for her to sell Girl Scout Cookies.
- Attending the cookie activity training for her troop/group.
- Helping her set and meet her personal goal(s) and her troops'/groups' goals.
- Helping her observe all safety rules and guidelines outlined in materials sent home by the local Girl Scout council.
- Helping her understand that you will be working with her in a supportive role; adults, however, should not assume sole responsibility for selling cookies.
- Helping to network with colleagues so that she can contact co-workers and family members to purchase cookies.
- Providing transportation to cookie events or special sales areas, like those at the mall or outside a grocery store.
- Providing a safe place for the money collected, as well as frequent drop-offs of money to the cookie manager.
- Paying for any cookies eaten at home.
- Supporting the national Girl
Scout policy that Girl Scout Cookies may not
be sold on the Internet by anyone at any time.
Q: Can Daisy Girl Scouts sell cookies?
A: No. The activities involved in cookie sales include programmatic components that require a range of skills, including arithmetic, reading comprehension, writing, problem-solving, planning, and social skills not typically possessed by girls of Daisy Girl Scout age.
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Q: Where does the money earned from Girl Scout Cookie sales go?
A: The best way to understand where the money goes is by picturing a cookie. A piece of the cookie goes to pay the baker for making the product. Another piece goes to the local Girl Scout council to support Girl Scouts in its area, and a third piece goes directly to the troop/group selling the cookies.
If you have more cookie-related questions, see the Girl Scout Cookie Program Activity FAQs.
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Membership
Q: Can my girl become a Girl Scout without being part of a troop?
A: There are many ways girls can take part in Girl Scouting. Depending on their free time and interests, they can register individually, for camp, as part of an interest group, or join a troop. If a girl registers individually, she may want to take part in one or two group events, like camp or a council-wide event.
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Q: How can my girl become a Girl Scout member?
A: She registers through
her local Girl Scout council as
an individual or a troop/group member. Please Contact
Us at GSWC and we can help you
get registered. Also see Join
Us.
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Q: How old do you have to be to become a Girl Scout?
A: The youngest Daisy
Girl Scouts are 5 years old, while the oldest Senior Girl Scouts
are 17 or seniors in high school.
Adults working with girls can join as well.
See Resources
for Adults. Also check
out LEADER magazine
online.
Q: How do I find a new troop for my girl if we are moving within the United States?
A: Call Girl Scouts of the USA at (800) GSUSA 4 U, or use the Girl Scout Council Finder to locate the council in the area where you'll be moving. You can also tell your current council staff members where you will be living, and they will help connect you with a troop/group near your home.
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Q: Our family is moving overseas. How do I find a new troop for my girl?
A: Call USA Girl Scouts Overseas at (800) 247-8319 or (212) 852-8618 or send an email to overseas@girlscouts.org.
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Troop Leadership
Q: How can I become a Girl Scout leader?
A: Contact your local
Girl Scout Council. At GSWC,
we are happy to talk with you about volunteering. See It's
Great to be a Leader!
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Q: What type of training can I get before working with girls on my own?
A: At GSWC, we have
trainers with years of experience. See Training
for Everyone.
All Girl Scout Councils offer basic leader training as well
as age-level training. Additionally, leaders are encouraged
to take first-aid training. All Girl Scout Councils offer ongoing
training through service units, leader meetings, and topic-specific
workshops. Some councils have a leader mentoring program, which
links experienced leaders with new leaders.
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Q: What can I do to help the leader?
A: Talk with your girl's
leader and see what type of help she needs. Extra adults are
always needed for trips and special events, as well as for
Girl Scout Cookie activities. See Volunteers Have More Fun!
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Uniforms
Q: Do I have to buy a uniform for my Girl Scout?
A: No, girls are not required to purchase a uniform. Wearing the Girl Scout Membership Pin shows that you are a Girl Scout. However, insignia (badges, troop number, etc.) can only be worn on a sash or vest. When asked to represent Girl Scouts in public, girls should be in uniform or dress for the occasion with something that identifies them as a Girl Scout. For example, if girls are out planting trees at a public event, a Girl Scout T-shirt or a Girl Scout hat may be best. A more formal event requires more formal attire. If members don't have uniforms and they want to do a formal flag ceremony, they can make arrangements through their service unit to borrow uniforms for the event.
At GSWC we can help troops with uniform recycling
or connect with girls who have bridged to another age-level.
Uniforms are a good investment. They usually last for three years.
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Q: Where do I place pins and badges on the uniform?
A: See the Where to Place Insignia on a Girl Scout Uniform in Girl Scout Central. A couple of hints:
- Some insignia come in iron-on format, but not all. Check and see before you iron them-non-iron-on awards will melt if they are ironed.
- The insignia tab is a great tool. Membership pins can be placed onto it and then be removed easily when the uniform needs to be cleaned.
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Q: Where do I buy a uniform?
A: You can purchase
uniforms through your local Girl
Scout council. See the GSWC Shop. If you need the latest catalog,
please call
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