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The Benefits of Girl Scouting
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  1. Get Involved
  2. Become a Girl Scout
  3. The Benefits of Girl Scouting

The Benefits of Girl Scouting

Discover New Possibilities With Girl Scouts

Girl Scouts offers hands-on experiences that spark curiosity and confidence. From Kindergarten through 12th grade, she’ll make new friends, discover new passions, and enjoy fun activities—all supported by a caring community that helps her build lifelong skills to thrive.

New to Girl Scouts? When you sign up for the first time, you will have two options to unlock a world full of adventures, friendships, and discoveries.

Current Membership through September 30, 2026.
Anyone new to Girl Scouts can join now for $45 for girls and $30 for adults. This is a great option if you want to jump in right away and enjoy the rest of the current membership year.*

Extended Year Membership through September 30, 2027.
For a limited time, families who are new to Girl Scouts can join for $91 for girls and $42 for adults. This option lets you start early this spring and includes the entire next Girl Scout year.

Registration details: Registration fees are paid directly to the Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA). Registration fees are national membership dues, which cover accident insurance for registered members during activities, and access to national programming, resources, and training provided by GSUSA. 

Pay what you can: Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa (GSGI) offers a pay what you can approach to membership fees and encourages individuals to cover these costs if they are able, as financial assistance is funded on the local level would help ensure we can continue to provide sustainable services and life-changing programs.

At the same time, we never want cost to prevent any girl or adult from participating in Girl Scouts and benefitting from our programs. GSGI provides scholarship options where we will assist in paying for all or part of the membership fees to GSUSA. 

*The annual Girl Scout membership is valid from October 1 through September 30 of the following year. Girl Scout memberships must be renewed annually.

Girl Scouts Get Access to:

Fun Activities Fun ActivitiesFun Activities
Fun Activities

A variety of exciting, research-backed programs to develop her skills.

Memorable Experiences Memorable ExperiencesMemorable Experiences
Memorable Experiences

Girl-centered adventures and service initiatives.

Prestigious Awards Prestigious AwardsPrestigious Awards
Prestigious Awards

Leadership awards and scholarship opportunities.

Travel Opportunities Travel OpportunitiesTravel Opportunities
Travel Opportunities

Exclusive chances to explore the world.

Lifelong Sisterhood Lifelong SisterhoodLifelong Sisterhood
Lifelong Sisterhood

Friendships and a strong community, locally and beyond.

Girl Scouts will help her develop:

✔ Skills to thrive today and tomorrow 

✔ Confidence and self-esteem

✔ Outdoor, STEM, entrepreneurship and life skills

✔ Friendships, connections, and belonging

✔ Physical and mental well-being

 

What Girl Scouts Are Saying

Hear directly from Girl Scouts, parents, and volunteers about their experiences and the positive impact of Girl Scouting.

Girl Scouts makes me feel like anything is possible. I’ve done so much I never thought I could.

Girl Scout Esha, 17

I like doing fun activities and I also really like helping people—and you get to do that here!

Girl Scout Emma, 6

Frequently Asked Questions

What will she do in Girl Scouts? What's the goal? toggle arrow

Girl Scouts is more than an activity—it’s a Movement dedicated to building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.

Girl Scouts is a way of life that brings out the best in your girl, even in the most challenging of times. While they’re learning about STEM, the outdoors, entrepreneurship, and important life skills, Girl Scouts are also discovering new ways to make their family and community stronger, kinder, and better for everyone.

We aim to make sure girls are given the opportunity to reach their full potential by developing values and skills that will lead them to happier lives.  

When can she join? Can I join, too? toggle arrow

Girl Scouts offers programs that grow with her from K-12, and adult volunteers like you lead girls as they participate in the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. 

A Girl Scout membership year starts on October 1 and lasts until September 30 of the following year, but you can join Girl Scouts anytime. For the 2025 - 2026 membership year, annual national membership dues are $45 for girls and $30 for adults.* 

You can join as a volunteer while registering your girl in Girl Scouts.

What is a troop and how do I find one? Can I start my own? toggle arrow

Groups of Girl Scouts, called troops, typically meet weekly or every other week for an hour or two. Guided by adult volunteers, troop members choose the hands-on activities and projects that excite them, try new things, and cheer each other on. Together, they earn badges to reflect their successes and show the world what they’re made of.

You can join a troop already meeting in your area, or start your own.

Girl Scout Promise and Law toggle arrow

Girl Scout Promise
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.

*Members may substitute the word “God” in accordance with their own spiritual beliefs.
 
Girl Scout 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.

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* Additional costs may apply for uniforms, events, and other fees. Financial aid may be available through your local Girl Scout Council.

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