Today’s girls face unique pressures and gender stereotypes. In January 2017, a study published in Science magazine found that at age 5, both boys and girls tend to associate “brilliant” thinkers with their own gender. However, by age 6, girls begin to lose confidence in their abilities. Since girls are less likely than boys to think that they can be brilliant, they become less likely to tackle problems designed for “smart” kids. At Girl Scouts, we start in kindergarten to help girls overcome gender stereotypes as well as develop courage and confidence.

With focuses on exploring STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), mastering the outdoors, honing life skills, real-world entrepreneurship experience, and everything in between, Girl Scouts is the best girl leadership experience in the world. 

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We create a safe place for girls of all ages to learn and grow. We provide fun programs and activities that help girls prepare for a lifetime of success. We sell the best cookies on the planet that, more importantly, teach girls the skills they need to thrive, from the classroom to their careers and beyond. No one does girl leadership better than we do, and here’s why: 

Girl Scouts has over 100 years of experience and tradition.

Not many organizations can say they’ve been around for over 100 years. Since the gathering of the first Girl Scout troop back in 1912, Juliette Gordon Low, our founder, believed in the power and potential of all girls. And now, 100 years later, we’ve shaped the lives of millions of girls who demonstrate courage, confidence, and character as they make the world a better place. From astronauts to tech leaders, senators to business owners, Girl Scouts have done it all. 

And thanks to our passionate volunteers and accomplished alumnae, our organization continues to grow. Whether they’re leading troops, helping at camp, or mentoring and inspiring girls, Girl Scouts wouldn’t be able to do what they do without our strong network of groundbreaking female role models and volunteers (both women and men) who continue to support the Girl Scout mission. 

We’ve developed research-backed programs designed with girls, by girls, and for girls.

At Girl Scouts, everything we deliver is intentionally created for girls and young women. Based on years of research, we’ve developed effective, progressive skill-building programming that’s age-specific and designed to help girls develop physically, cognitively, and emotionally. 

By offering thousands of hands-on, girl-led, girl-centered learning opportunities in STEM, the outdoors, entrepreneurship, and beyond, Girl Scouts helps all girls unleash their potential as they choose, plan, and lead their own activities.  

In addition to our thoughtful programming, we provide a girl-only space where girls can take healthy risks, develop new skills, take on leadership roles, and just be themselves without the pressure of social norms or popularity. 

We have countless learning opportunities that allow girls to explore new fields, like STEM and the outdoors.

The Girl Scout experience is so much more than cookies, camping, and crafts. Whether she’s leading a community service project, learning the constellations, or rafting down a river, at Girl Scouts, she’ll explore everything this world has to offer with supportive friends by her side.  

We like to think of it as “fun with a purpose”—by offering a wide variety of exciting activities, Girl Scouts have more opportunities to uncover interests and talents they never knew existed. And that’s where the magic happens—because, one day, they’ll use that newfound passion to launch a successful career, become a leader in their community, and make the world a better place. 

Girl Scouts offers the best entrepreneurship program in the world.

Only Girl Scouts get to sell the infamous Thin Mints and Samoas, but the Girl Scout Cookie Program is so more than fundraising and tasty cookies—it prepares girls for a lifetime of leadership and success. 

By starting their own cookie business, girls learn essential life skills, like goal-setting, decision-making, money management, people skills, and business ethics, as well as the importance of financial literacy, how to be responsible with money, marketing, developing a strong business plan, and so much more.  

Best of all, the funds they earn from their cookie business make it possible for girls to embark on amazing adventures, form a lifetime of memories, and unleash the power of G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)! 

The Girl Scout Gold Award is a top-tier credential for high school girls.

Another exclusive Girl Scout experience is the Girl Scout Gold Award—one of the most prestigious awards for girls in the world. 

This isn’t just another school project. In order to earn the Gold Award, girls must demonstrate an exceptional level of leadership as they address an issue they feel passionately about. By taking action and organizing a plan to make the world a better place, Gold Award Girl Scouts acquire real-world experience that they can utilize well into adulthood, allowing them to excel in many areas of life, including college scholarships, higher education, careers, and community involvement 

So, why Girl Scouts?

At Girl Scouts, girls learn the skills, have the experiences, and cultivate the relationships that enable them to soar in life. From taking a night time hike under the stars to accepting a mission on the International Space Station, from lobbying the city council with her troop to holding a seat in Congress, from running her own cookie business today to tackling cybersecurity tomorrow—a Girl Scout is ready to change the world right now and accomplish big things in the future.

The need for female leadership has never been clearer or more urgent than it is today—and only Girl Scouts has the expertise to give girls and young women the tools they need to succeed.

Girl Scouts works. We’re committed to preparing the next generation of women leaders, and we’re here to stay. 

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Leah Takahashi—Leah is the Digital Marketing Specialist for Girl Scouts of Northern California, where she creates content, plans blog posts, and promotes all things Girl Scouts in all formats digital. Leah joined Girl Scouts at the age of 5 and has been a part of the organization ever since (shout out to Troop 31213 – woot woot). During her younger Girl Scout days, Leah did everything from selling thousands of Girl Scout Cookies to serving as a National Delegate at the 2011 Convention and even earning her Gold Award in 2012. She may be young, but she’s got plenty of Girl Scout experience under her belt and is excited to share it

Marissa Vessels—Marissa is the Director of Marketing at Girl Scout of Northern California and a Gold Award Girl Scout. Though she’s originally from Southern California (Yay, Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council!), she moved to the East Bay to attend UC Berkeley and never looked back. One of her favorite things about Girl Scouting in the Bay Area is all the incredible hiking and camping options available to girls who love to explore the great outdoors.