By Stacy DeBroff

An informal educational organization dedicated solely to girls ages 5-17, the Girl Scouts comprise the largest girls-only group in the world, with over 2.8 million girls, and nearly 1 million adult members and volunteers. More than 40 million American women were Girl Scouts during their childhood.

All activities have four primary program goals: developing self-potential, relating to others, developing values, and contributing to society. The activities through which girls earn badges are aimed at building self-confidence, responsibility, integrity, creativity, decision-making skills, teamwork, and leadership abilities.

There are 316 councils throughout America which administer local troops.

Girls are grouped by age:

• Daisy Girl Scouts are in kindergarten or 1st grade.

• Brownie Girl Scouts are in 1st grade through 3rd grade.

• Junior Girl Scouts are in 4th grade through 6th grade.

• Cadette Girl Scouts are in 7th grade through 9th grade.

• Senior Girl Scouts are in 10th grade to 12th grade.

Through its membership in the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, Girl Scouts USA is part of a worldwide organization of 8.5 million girls and adults in 140 countries.

Each member pays a yearly membership fee of $10 and the badges cost around $1 each, but both fees often get covered by cookie sales proceeds. Uniforms are not required. Each troop raises its own funds for activities they wish to do. Because these activities are financed in large part by the Girl Scout cookie sale, a tradition for over 60 years, local groups also receive a percentage of the profits.

The Girl Scout web site has a Council Finder to help you locate a troop near you.

The average troop size is 12 girls, and the frequency with which they meet is based on the preferences of the girls guided by their volunteer leaders.

A brand-new program called STUDIO 2B has been introduced for girls ages 11 to 17 with the focus on a “by girls, for girls” approach. This program includes activities and discussions that coincide with what preteen and teen girls want, such as offerings in sports, self-defense, high adventure, and stress management.

BOY SCOUTS

The purpose of the Boy Scouts of America—incorporated on February 8, 1910, and chartered by Congress in 1916—is to provide an educational program for boys and young men to build character, become trained in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develop personal fitness.

There are over 2 million cub scouts and over 1 million boy scouts, in more than 55,000 packs. Volunteer adult leaders serve in more than 300 local councils, 28 regional areas, and national boards in volunteer executive boards and committees.

The 10 stated goals of Scouting are character development, spiritual growth, good citizenship, sportsmanship and fitness, family understanding, respectful relationships, personal achievement, friendly service, and fun and adventure.

CUB SCOUTING

This program for boys in 2nd through 5th grade centers around activities emphasizing character development, citizenship, and personal fitness. Tiger Cubs (1st graders), Wolf Cub Scouts (2nd graders), Bear Cub Scouts (3rd graders), and Webelos Scouts (4th and 5th graders, with Webelos standing for “WE’ll BE LOyal Scouts”) meet weekly.

Most children start cub scouts in 1st and 2nd grade, and they are encouraged to join a neighborhood-based pack, which is often affiliated with elementary schools, community organizations, or religious institutions.

Members join a Cub Scout pack and are assigned to a den. A typical den will have 8 to 10 boys, and the number of dens in a pack varies regionally. Many of the activities happen right in the den and pack, although some parents and sons work on projects at home and bring them in to the cubmaster for approval.

Once a month, all dens gather together for a pack meeting.

A child registers for a yearlong program, and pays a national $7 registration fee. Additional fees depend on the projects the pack undertakes.

Currently, there are over 980,000 cub scouts in over 54,000 packs.

BOY SCOUTING

85% percent of all Boy Scouts were first Cub Scouts.

This program for boys in 6th grade through the end of high school involves a vigorous outdoor program and development of peer group leadership under the guidance of an adult Scoutmaster.

Boys earn merit badges after mastering each Scout skill, and with over 120 merit badges available, scouts must earn 21 to qualify for Eagle Scout. Of this group, 12 badges are required, including First Aid, Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Communications, Environmental Science, Personal Fitness, Personal Management, Camping, and Family Life. In addition, a Scout has a choice between Emergency Preparedness or Lifesaving and a choice among Cycling, Hiking, or Swimming. Boy Scouts also engage in community service projects.

The time commitment parallels that of cub scouts, with frequent meetings as well as extended weekend or longer outings as a group.

A jamboree involves hundreds or thousands of Scouts camping together in the spirit of friendship.

VENTURING

This program, the first co-ed offering from the Boy Scouts is open for boys and girls, ages 14 to 20. It focuses on challenging high-adventure activities, sports, and hobbies that teach leadership skills and provide opportunities to teach others.

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