new to girl scouting
Cookies, crafts & camping are just the beginning!
Did you know? For many, Girl Scouting serves as both the most affordable and enriching extracurricular activity for girls in their community. Girl Scouts has been making a difference in the lives of girls for over 95 years. Just as our membership has grown to 22,000 girls in Nassau County alone, so has our place in history and our role as innovative and committed advocates for girls everywhere.
The Girl Scout program is girl-driven, reflecting the ever-changing needs and interests of today’s youth. Girls discover the fun, friendship, and power of acting together. As we look forward to the future, the organization is focused on operating at the speed of girls today. With the increased demographic diversity in the twenty-first century, Girl Scouts will keep preparing girls for expanded roles in a changing society while holding on to the timeless values that have made the Girl Scout experience rich and meaningful for all.
Girl Scout Program - Becoming a Girl Scout
Any girl from K-12, from any neighborhood and any background can become a Girl Scout at any time during the year. The traditional and most well known Girl Scouting experience is through Girl Scout Troops. These Troops are led by well-trained adult volunteers - the backbone of Girl Scouting. Girl Scouting is also provided through a number of alternative venues, such as collaborations with other community, youth-serving groups in- and after-school programs.
The girl experience through Pathways
Through Girl Scout Pathways, girls have the freedom to choose among any of the Pathways to join Girl Scouting and may participate in multiple Pathways within a membership year. Girls are given the opportunity to explore their skills and interests and inspired to reach their personal best through a variety of fun and enriching leadership experiences. But more importantly, no matter where or how they participate, girls get the necessary guidance they need from adult volunteers and council staff to develop their leadership skills and understand how those skills can be used to make a difference in the world.
Girl Scout Pathways = camp, events, etc?
The six Girl Scout Pathways are the ways that girls participate in Girl Scouting. Girls can choose any one, all, or some of these Pathways within a single year; however, different Pathways may be geared specifically to different grade levels.
Camp - Girls participate in day or resident camps with a focus on the out-of-doors and/or environmental education
Events - Girls participate in events (e.g., career day)
Series - Girls participate in a series of programs with the same group of girls relating to a specific theme or purpose (e.g., high-adventure teen group, Girl Scout Chorus)
Travel - Girls plan, earn money, prepare and participate in regional, national and international trips
Troops - Girls participate in a series of programs with the same group of girls over the course of an academic year
Virtual - Girls participate in interactive, high-quality program activities in a safe, secure, online environment supplemented by live events.
Grade Levels
Girl Scouts are divided into the following groups based on age and grade level. For more information on each Level and their activities, click on the level below.
Girl Scout Daisy, Grades K-1
Girl Scout Brownie, Grades 2-3
Girl Scout Junior, Grades 4-5
Girl Scout Cadette, Grades 6-8
Girl Scout Senior, Grades 9-10
Girl Scout Ambassador, Grades 11-12
Not all girls elect to participate in volunteer led-troops, whether due to personal preferences or scheduling challenges. These girls can still participate as Non-Troop-Affiliated Girl Scouts (NTAs) and independently do many of the same activities as girls who participate in Troops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to buy a uniform for my Girl Scout?
No, girls are not required to purchase a uniform. However to display official pins and awards Girls at each age level should have one official uniform item (e.g. tunic, vest and sash). Girls will be required to wear this item when they participate in ceremonies or officially represent the Girl Scout Movement.
You can purchase uniform items at the Council shop located inside the Service Center at 110 Ring Road West, in Garden City, outside the perimeter of Roosevelt Field Shopping Mall, located directly across from the Grand Lux Cafe and Loews Movie Theater.
What does it cost to join?
- $12 annual national membership fee that goes directly to Girl Scouts of the USA.
- Troop dues, which vary Troop to Troop, are collected each month. This helps to cover the cost of program supplies, awards, snacks and other small items.
- Uniforms (optional)
- Family Partnership - a $25 suggested tax-deductible contribution that supports Girl Scout programming in Nassau County.
Is there financial aid available?
Girl Scouts of Nassau County makes every effort to ensure that no girl is turned away due to a lack of funds. Financial Aid is available to families who are unable to pay for Girl Scout expenses due to financial hardship.
Where does GSNC's funding come from?
Girl Scouts of Nassau County depends on the Family Campaign, as well as contributions from friends, businesses and corporations, foundations and government grants. The Girl Scout Cookie Program, the Fall Products Program, and income from program fees for camping and special events are important revenue sources. Funds received support the continuing Girl Scout legacy in Nassau County.
Do I have to join a Troop?
No, if you and your daughter decide that the Troop experience is not for you, you may register as a Non-Troop-Affiliated (NTA) Girl Scout and still partake in many of the same activities that girls in Troops do.
What if my daughter doesn't attend school in the same town as our school district?
GIRLS CAN JOIN ANYWHERE! A girl may join a Troop in her school or community or be a Non-Troop Affiliated (NTA) Girl Scout. To place your daughter in a troop, please find your school district or the school district your daughter attends in the drop down list below and contact your local field director. If you do not live in Nassau County, please use Council Finder to find a Girl Scout Council in your area.
How large are the Troops and how often do they meet?
The size varies from Troop to Troop. Younger levels often meet more frequently than Troops comprised of older girls. For information on standard troop sizes contact the Service Center and speak with a Field Director assigned to your community.
How can I become a Girl Scout Leader?
If you are interested in Volunteering with Girl Scouts, please fill out the Adult Volunteer Interest Inquiry form for ways to get started.
Is there camping available?
Girl Scouts of Nassau County offers 3 unique camping experiences during the summer, including a sleep away camp at Camp Blue Bay in East Hampton and two different day- camp experiences at Cantiague and Wantagh parks. In addition to summer camping we offer weekend/holiday group camping throughout the year. For more information on camping, including financial aid, please visit the camp page.
How long are the sleep-away sessions at Blue Bay?
Sleep-away sessions range from one to four weeks plus a three day mini-session. For more information, please go to the Blue Bay camp page.
Is there financial aid available for camp tuition?
Financial assistance is available to families who are unable to afford camp due to economic hardship and have submitted a camp application. For more information on the Campership fund, please contact Joyce Wagner at 516-741-2550 x225 or Wagnerj@gsnc.org
