The Benefits of Enrolling Your Daughter in Girl Scouts

My daughter has been in Girl Scouts for over 3 years now.  She joined as a first year Daisy in kindergarten.  Honestly, I almost missed the sign-up booth at our school’s open house.  I was so glad when another parent I knew stopped me on the way out and said “don’t forget to visit the Girl Scout booth.”

Three years later and my daughter is now a Brownie.  Brownie is the Girl Scout level for 2^nd and 3^rd graders.  Not only that, but I am now the Girl Scout troop leader for my daughter’s troop!

Girl Scout Benefit #1 - Lifelong Friendships

Granted my daughter has only been in Girl Scouts three years now, but she has built some friendships that I’m sure will withstand the test of time.  Meeting new girls from your community and surrounding communities and getting to know them is one of the GREATEST benefits of having your daughter join Girl Scouts.

Girl Scout Benefit #2 - Community Service Projects

I’m a big advocate of “you are never too young to learn the importance of volunteering.”  Whether it be assisting a local food bank with a food drive, picking up trash for Earth Day or visiting a local senior center just because…the feel-good-feeling of doing something nice for others is beneficial for girls in Girl Scouts.

Girl Scout Benefit #3 - FUN

I could spend ten hours telling you about all the fun activities our Girl Scout troop has done this year.  We have done so much!  Hands down, my all-time favorite was an overnight at the Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester.  What isn’t to love about sleeping in a room where you can see the polar bears and sea lions?  Other fun Girl Scout activities we participated in included a Father/Someone Special & Daughter Dance, Build-a-Bear Workshop Party, Pinewood Derby Race and MORE!  For many kids, these are once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Girl Scout Benefit #4 - Money Management

Most Girl Scout troops participate in two fundraisers each year.  Fundraiser number one involves the selling of nuts, candy and magazines.  Fundraiser number two involves the selling of the oh-so famous Girl Scout cookies!  Whether your daughter is going door-to-door with you or selling Girl Scout cookies at a booth with her troop, she learns the importance of money, money management, along with what happens to that money.

Girl Scout Benefit #5 - Affordability

One of the most common misconceptions about Girl Scouting is that it costs a lot of money.  This simply isn’t true.  For a full year of activities, Girl Scouts is VERY affordable.  All Girl Scouts must pay a yearly $12 registration fee and financial assistance is available for those in need.  Many troops do require the payment of affordable membership dues (ours was $15 for the year).  On occasion, parents may be asked to spilt the cost of some events.  For instance, our Build-a-Bear Workshop party was covered 50% by the troop and 50% by the parents.  Money generated from Girl Scout fundraisers cover the cost of craft supplies, badges/patches and many of the FUN activities enjoyed by girls.

So there you have it, these are just 5 of the MANY reasons why I think Girl Scouts is a great organization and a must-enjoy activity for girls of all ages.

If you’d like more information on Girl Scouts or to get started finding a local Girl Scout troop for your daughter, please click the link.