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The Girl Scouts of the United States of America (GSUSA) is a Youth Organization for girls in the United States and American girls living abroad. The Girl Scout program developed from the concerns of the Progressive Movement In The United States from people who sought to promote the Social Welfare of young women and as a female counterpart to the Boy Scouts Of America (BSA). It was founded by Juliette Gordon Low in 1912 and is based on the Scouting principles developed by Robert Baden-Powell . The GSUSA uses the Scout Method to build Self-esteem and to teach values such as honesty, fairness, courage, compassion, character, sisterhood, confidence, and Citizenship through activities including Camping , Community Service , learning First Aid , and earning numerous badges that can teach lifelong skills. Girl Scouts are recognized for their achievements through rank advancement and various special awards. GSUSA has programs for girls with special interests, such as water-based activities. Membership is organized according to age levels with activities appropriate to each age group. A member of the World Association Of Girl Guides And Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), the GSUSA has a long history of accepting girls from all backgrounds. HISTORY Girl Scouting in the United States began on March 12 , 1912 when founder Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low organized the first Girl Scout troop meeting with 18 girls in Savannah , Georgia . Low, who had met Baden-Powell in London while she was living in the United Kingdom , dreamed of giving the United States "something for all the girls." She envisioned an organization that would bring girls out of their cloistered home environments to serve in their communities and experience the open air. The Juliette Low Birthplace — located in Savannah, Georgia in the former Gordon family home — became a national Girl Scout program center in 1956.1 It provides tours to thousands of Scouts yearly. Upon Low's death in 1927, she willed her carriage house, eventually The Girl Scout First Headquarters, to local Savannah Girl Scouts for continued use.2 The first National Headquarters was in Washington, DC but it was moved to New York City in the spring of 1916 and has remained there since. The current Girl Scouts of the USA logo was created in 1978 by Saul Bass , a graphic designer known for his motion picture title sequences. The organization's original name was the Girl Guides of America, taken from the United Kingdom 's Girl Guides program. In 1913, the name was changed to the Girl Scouts of the United States and was incorporated in 1915. It was again renamed to the Girl Scouts of the United States of America in 1947 and was given a Congressional Charter on March 16 , 1950 . The GSUSA started with 18 members– within months, members were Hiking through the woods in their knee-length blue uniforms, playing Basketball on a curtained-off court, and going on camping trips. By 1920, there were nearly 70,000 members, and by 1930 over 200,000 members. In 2005 there were over 3.7 million Girl Scouts — 2.8 million girl members and 954,000 adult members — in the United States.3 More than 50 million American women have enjoyed Girl Scouting. Through its membership in the WAGGGS, GSUSA is part of a worldwide family of over 10 million girls and adults in 144 countries. The names and ages of the Levels — and the larger structure of the program — have evolved significantly. Troops were initially fairly independent before joining together into small councils, which have since merged into larger councils. Segregation Most Girl Scout units were originally Segregated by Race according to state and local laws and customs. The first troop for African American girls was founded in 1917; the first American Indian troop was formed in New York State in 1921; and the first troop for Mexican Americans was formed in Houston, Texas in 1922. In 1933, Josephine Groves Holloway founded unofficial African American troops in Tennessee . She also fully desegregated the Cumberland Valley council in 1962.4 By the 1950s , the GSUSA began significant national efforts to desegregate the camps and maintain racial balance. One of the first desegregations was Camp Shantituck in Kentucky , which was accomplished by Murray Walls in 1956.5 Martin Luther King, Jr. described Girl Scouts as "a force for desegregation" later that year.6 In 1969, a national Girl Scout initiative to eliminate Prejudice called Action 70 was created. Furthermore, Gloria D. Scott, an African American , was elected National President of the Girl Scouts in 1975.7 Girl Scout Senior Roundups International Girl Scout gatherings named Senior Roundups were held every three years from 1956 until 1965.8
Mariner Scouts The 20th National Council of the GSUSA launched the Mariner Girl Scout program in October 1934. Similar to the Boy Scouts' Sea Scouts , the program was designed for older Girl Scouts interested in outdoor water-based activities. By the end of 1934, 12 Mariner ships were registered and the first two handbooks, ''Launching a Girl Scout Mariner Ship'' and ''Charting the Course of a Girl Scout Mariner Ship'' were published. The Mariner Girl Scout program remains active but in a smaller form; most girls have instead joined the Sea Scouts, which has been co-ed since 1971. Wing Scouts See Also: Wing Scout The Wing Scout program was a popular older Girl Scout program begun in 1941 and ending in the 1970s for girls interested in flying and wanting to serve their country. Like the '''Mariner Scout''' program, the Wing Scout program began as a ''Senior Girl Scout Mobilist Project'' with limited expectations, but by July 1942, 29 troop leaders from fifteen states met in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania to take Wing Scout leadership training. These leaders returned to their councils and began setting up Wing Scout troops. In 1959, Girl Scout Council in North San Mateo County , California was presented with an offer from United Airlines San Francisco Management Club President J. L. Burnside to start an Aviation program for Senior Girl Scouts. One of the highlights of the Wing Scout program was the courtesy flight provided to Senior Girl Scouts using United Airlines' jets. For many of the girls, this was the first time they had flown in a Plane . Wing Scouts took the program seriously and as a result of their proficient training and ability, Senior Girl Scouts who had been in the program for three years were given the opportunity to take over the controls during flight in a small aircraft. The program was discontinued after United Airlines experienced financial setbacks in the 1970s. National Presidents
PROGRAM AIMS The aim of the Girl Scouts is that girls will develop to their full potential by pursuing four goals: developing their full potential; relating to others with increasing understanding, skill, and respect; developing a meaningful set of values to guide their actions and to provide for sound Decision-making ; and contributing to the improvement of society.10 Girl Scout Promise and Law Promise The Girl Scout Promise can be made in English , Spanish , or in American Sign Language with the same meaning.11 ''On my honor, I will try:'' ''To serve God and my country,'' ''To help people at all times,'' ''And to live by the Girl Scout Law.''12 The Promise is often recited at Girl Scout troop meetings while holding up together the Three Middle Fingers of the right hand, the Girl Scout sign. Girl Scout policy states that "God" may be interpreted depending on individual spiritual beliefs. When reciting the Girl Scout Promise, the word "God" may be substituted with the word dictated by those beliefs.13 Law I will do my best to be Honest and fair, Friendly and helpful, Considerate and caring, Courageous and strong, and Responsible for what I say and do, And to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout.14 Motto "Be Prepared."15 Age levels See Also: Girl Scout levels (USA) The program was originally for girls aged ten through 17, but it was soon divided into three levels. Brownies for younger girls was based on a program developed in England in 1914 and was officially recognized in the mid 1920s . At the same time girls over 18, or over 16 if First Class Scouts, became known as Senior Scouts. In 1938 age divisions were Brownies (ages seven through nine), Intermediates (ages ten through 13), and Seniors (ages 14 through 17).16 In 1963 this was rearranged to Brownies (ages seven through nine, later six through nine), Juniors (ages nine through 11), Cadettes (ages 11 through 14), and Seniors (ages 14 through 17).17 In 1984, the Daisy program for Kindergartners or those aged five was introduced.18 In 2003 the Studio 2B program for girls ages 11 through 17 was introduced though Cadettes and Seniors.19 Studio 2B allowed girls to choose whether to call themselves "2Be's," "teen Scouts" or Cadettes and Seniors. Girl Scouts, age 11 through 17, could earn both traditional badges and Studio 2B activities, and the or self-confidence rather than being as skill-based on a Badge ; and to earn each Studio 2B charm, the Girl Scout chose activities from the booklet and then meet a goal relevant to the booklet topic. She created her own plan for achieving her goal, following a basic planning procedure called SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely). Then on August 26, 2006 the GSUSA board approved a national realignment of Girl Scout councils. This realignment created a new class of Girl Scouts called Ambassadors for girls in Grades 11 and 12, moving seniors to ninth and tenth grade. The "Ambassador" level is not yet used nationwide. posing with several Girl Scouts]] Although troop membership is still the most common way to participate in Girl Scouting, girls who do not desire troop activities can sign up as an individual Girl Scout, called a Juliette . Juliettes attend activities independently and work individually on badges and awards. The Juliette program is descended from the Lone Scout program, in which a girl living in an area without a troop could register directly with the National organization. The Campus Girl Scouts program allows women over the age of eighteen to stay or become active in Girl Scouting while in college. They involve the community, the local council, and the college campus in their events.20 Special programs There are programs for girls in unusual situations that make it difficult for them to participate in the standard program. The ''Girl Scouts Beyond Bars'' program helps daughters of incarcerated mothers to connect with their mothers and to have the mothers participate in Girl Scout activities. Another program ''Girl Scouting in Detention Centers'' allows girls who are themselves in detention centers to participate in Scouting. Other initiatives try to help girls in Rural areas or in Public Housing . There are also programs for American girls living overseas.21 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE The national organization has its central headquarters in New York City with a staff of 400. It is headed by a chief executive officer and a 40 member National Board of Directors. Kathy Cloninger has been the Chief Executive Officer since 2003; the Chair of the National Board of Directors, the highest volunteer position, is Patricia Diaz Dennis. Below the national organization are, as of 2006, 312 regional Girl Scout councils, which own the 236,000 local troops and other groups. On August 26 , 2006 , the National Board of Directors decided to reorganize the 312 councils into 109 councils.22 Some Councils own and run camps for the troops within its area of responsibility. Councils are usually subdivided again into areas, called Neighborhoods, Service Units, Associations (terms vary), these are program delivery areas that consist of troops at all age levels in a smaller area, such as a town. |
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