Girl Scout Tree Promise: Growing a Greener Future Together!

When Girl Scouts come together, their collective power knows no bounds. It's a force that transcends individual efforts and creates waves of positive change. Now, imagine channeling this collective strength towards a cause that helps the planet. Say hello to the Girl Scout Tree Promise!

The long-standing Girl Scout Tree Promise program has new and improved guidance to ensure it’s easier than ever to take action. Join us as we plant, protect, and honor trees, to create positive change and make the world a better place.

Made possible by General Motors, participants will learn to protect natural resources, be advocates for causes they believe in, and work as a team—all while having fun with friends and family.

Why Trees Matter Everywhere

Deforestation is hurting our planet. Trees help reduce pollution, prevent erosion, take carbon out of the air, and so much more. When forests are cut down, not as much carbon is removed from the atmosphere, creating last climate effects such as severe weather. But fear not, because Girl Scouts are on a mission to make a difference!

Girl Scouts worldwide have pledged to take 5 million actions to address climate change. Already, Girl Scouts and friends have planted trees, protected new trees and existing tree cover, engaged with citizen science projects, and honored trees. They’ve even acted to raise their voices for the environment at conferences and in their communities. But our work is far from over—we need your help!

 

How to Make a Difference with the Girl Scout Tree Promise

By completing the Girl Scout Tree Promise, you not only contribute to a greener planet but also unlock a special patch. Here’s your road map:

Make the Girl Scout Tree Promise: From Daisies to Ambassadors, every member and friend of Girl Scouts can get involved. Make the Tree Promise and explore the fascinating ways trees make our world a better place.

Plant, Protect, or Honor Trees: Download the Activity and Volunteer Guides for background information, instructions, and ideas on how you can take action.

Plant: A seemingly small act with a colossal impact. Whether through Girl Scouts, with your community, or even by hosting your own tree-planting, every tree counts. Log your efforts in the Girl Scout Tree Promise Tracker and create a care plan to nurture your planted trees.

Protect: Deforestation is a global issue. Protect existing trees to ensure our ecosystems thrive. Trees need our help, especially in the face of threats like wildfires, disease, and climate change.

Honor: Deepen your connection with nature by learning about and appreciating local trees. This connection inspires action and reinforces our commitment to the environment.

Unlock the Patch: Once you make the Tree Promise and plant, protect, or honor trees, you can find the special patch in the Girl Scout Shop.

 

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The power to make a change is in your hands. By making the Girl Scout Tree Promise, you become an essential part of a collective effort to create a better future. Let’s grow a greener world together—one tree at a time! #GirlScoutTreePromise

More Ways to Make a Difference and Keep the Fun Going!

• Earn a badge about trees or the environment.
• Complete a citizen science project through SciStarter.
• Take on the Girl Scouts Climate Challenge or the Girl Scouts Love the Outdoors Challenge.
• Do a community service or Take Action project with your troop.
• Earn the Community Service bar by volunteering for a local environmental group.
• Go on a Destinations trip, a troop trip, or any trip that involves trees or environmental stewardship.
• Visit a state park as part of Girl Scouts Love State Parks every September.
• Attend a climate-focused event in your community, at your Girl Scout council, or at your local state park.
• Earn the Silver and/or Gold Torch awards by supporting an organization that works on tree protection.
• Do a Highest Awards project to help the planet.

Made possible by General Motors and the Elliott Wildlife Values Project.
Special thanks to American Forests, the Arbor Day Foundation, and SciStarter.

Guide Girl Scouts Along their Mental Wellness Journey with New Patches

Everyone faces their own struggles at some point. Whether it's navigating the ebbs and flows of challenging emotions or learning how to resolve conflicts with friends, life inevitably presents us with a variety of surprises. The Girl Scouts' NEW Mental Wellness Patch Program provides tips and free activities to assist girls on their mental wellness journey, all while reminding them that it's okay to not be okay when confronted with life's hurdles. In an effort to diminish the stigma surrounding mental health, the Girl Scouts' new patch program reshapes our perspective on every emotion and the act of expressing how we feel, encouraging everyone to view it as a display of strength and a significant step in our personal self-discovery.

In this increasingly challenging world, the imperative to cultivate skills nurturing mental wellness has never been more pronounced, particularly among the younger generation. Equally vital is our role as champions, guiding them through the intricate landscape of their emotions. Introducing Girl Scouts Mental Wellness activities, which unveils a trio of new patches. Each of these patches is meticulously designed to equip girls with the tools to navigate the demands of school, the influence of social media, the flux of emotions, and beyond.

Knowing My Emotions (Girl Scout Juniors, Grades 4-5)

Naming our emotions makes them a lot easier to handle and through these activities kids will learn to do just that. Once they’ve put words to their emotions, Girl Scouts will discover ways to navigate through them, effectively communicate what they are feeling, and learn how to stay mindful as new feelings arise.

Finding My Voice (Girl Scout Cadettes, Grades 6-8)

It’s important for everyone to be able to advocate for themselves. These activities will help kids identify their own voice while also teaching them one of life’s most crucial skills: empathy. The activities offer insights into recognizing warning signs and providing support for friends who might be struggling. Additionally, they'll learn about mental health stigma, how to combat it, and to be more mindful when it comes to how screen time makes them feel.

Showing Up for Me and You (Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors, Grades 9-12)

When teens understand the impact of mental wellness, it prepares and encourages them to not only advocate for themselves, but stand up for others, especially during tough times. With these activities, Girl Scouts learn ways to nurture themselves with self-care practices such as taking a moment to breathe and reset, or journaling about their emotions whenever a difficult situation comes up. They’ll also learn how to offer support to others when it’s needed most, through active listening, words of encouragement, and showing up with compassion.

 
While everyone experiences struggles and we can’t predict what challenges may come our way, the activities in this patch program help Girl Scouts create a safe, supportive community where expressing emotions and advocating for each other is championed and encouraged. As Girl Scouts continue to navigate school, social media, changing emotions, friendships, and other pressures, they’ll carry the self-care and coping skills they learned with them, growing into themselves with strength and confidence.

Explore FREE Girl Scouts Mental Wellness activities and unlock a special patch today!

 

STEM-tastic Badges and Activities to Inspire Girls of All Ages

 

Happy National STEM Day!

In today’s world, STEM is all around us and girls, no matter their age, can take part. Whether she's interested in coding, helping the environment, fashion design, becoming a vet, or even baking, take your Girl Scout on a journey of discovery with the newest Girl Scout STEM Career Exploration badges!

Many might not realize it, but STEM skills are critical. Knowledge in STEM helps with day-to-day activities, such as managing money, problem-solving, and making a difference through community service. It can be particularly useful to your Girl Scout as she navigates life, chooses a career path, and gains financial independence. In fact, STEM occupations have grown exponentially (79% to be exact), with almost no job expected to be untouched by STEM and technology in the coming decades. Unfortunately, women remain vastly underrepresented in holding STEM degrees and within our current workforce, making up 48% of the total, but occupying only 34% of jobs in STEM. (Source: The Brookings Institute, Automation and Artificial Intelligence: How machines are affecting people and places, 2019 // World Economic Forum, The Future of Jobs Report, 2020)

This gender gap is perpetuated by gender stereotypes, math anxiety, a male-dominated STEM culture, and fewer female roles models. To address the gender gap in STEM, we need to provide girls more opportunities and support early on. We must spark their curiosity in STEM fields, develop confidence in their STEM abilities, and help them understand how STEM plays a key role in everyday life.

Did you know? Since 2015, GSUSA launched more than 100 new STEM programs and Girl Scouts earned over 5 million STEM badges. Seven in ten Girl Scouts are doing STEM programs already! And while the majority of Girl Scouts are doing multiple STEM activities annually, just ONE Girl Scout STEM activity makes a difference, especially for older girls. High school girls participating in Girl Scout STEM activities showed a 22% increase in STEM confidence, a 17% increase in STEM interest, a 22% increase in understanding the value of STEM, and a 6% increase in STEM competence. Additionally, the more frequently girls explore STEM in Girl Scouts, the more likely they are to be interested in education and careers in STEM. (Source: Girl Scout Research Institute: The Impact of Girl Scout STEM Programming, 2022)

With the STEM Career Exploration badges, Girl Scouts in every zip code can use STEM to make the world a better place. Girl Scouts of all ages explore a wide range of jobs in STEM, connect new or existing hobbies with STEM, and learn from mentors, experts, and community leaders. They have the chance to imagine a future where they're making new discoveries and are part of science-based solutions to real life problems. With engaging badge activities, your Girl Scout will explore STEM fields, have fun, and foster her interests.

Ready to take a look at the new STEM activities and badges? Let’s go!

Say hello to NEW STEM Career Exploration badges (Daisy, Senior, and Ambassador)—made possible by General Motors. Whatever your future holds, a career in STEM can help you shape the world for the better! With this exciting badge program, you can explore how you want to make a difference today and in the future, discover your career possibilities, and take the next step to change the world.

 

Interested in the current climate crisis? Say no more and join in on the Girl Scout Climate Challenge by November 30, 2022. The Girl Scout Climate Challenge engages Girl Scouts and non-Girl Scouts of all ages in activities that get them outdoors to learn about climate science, connect them with their communities to understand how they’re impacted by climate change, and have them spread awareness of the issue to create change. The Climate Challenge includes activities that connect the science of climate with advocacy, community problem solving, and outdoor adventures.

 

No time to waste. Your Girl Scout’s STEM-tastic journey continues here! Download FREE STEM activities and resources on the Girl Scout STEM portal.

Everything You Need to Know to Unlock the Girl Scouts Love State Parks Patch

The love for the great outdoors has always been a part of Girl Scouts’ DNA. This year the biggest Girl Scout outdoor event—the Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend—is coming back on September 10th and 11th and we’re so here for it!

Start your adventure and join thousands of nature-lovers from across the country, as we commit to getting outdoors, getting active, and giving back by cleaning up some of our favorite outdoor spaces. 

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The Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend is made possible by THOR Industries and their sustainability program, Pick Up America. Since the program’s launch in 2019, Pick Up America volunteers have pledged to remove over 240 tons of trash from public lands. And Girl Scouts play a big part in this monumental clean-up effort.



Did you know that all together, the amount of waste generated by humans affects the environment in multiple ways:

• It contributes to the worsening climate crisis
• It has a negative impact on wildlife and the natural environment
• It is a detriment to our very own public health

The simple act of picking up trash counteracts these negative effects and helps keep our parks beautiful, clean, and safe. It’s a win-win!

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So, whether you choose to head out to your favorite state park or hit a new trail, you’ll have fun and make a difference wherever the weekend takes you. Best of all, Girl Scouts who participate will get the opportunity to use their free Girl Scouts Love State Parks passport to guide their adventures throughout the weekend and earn an amazing, limited-edition patch! Don’t forget to follow all local social distancing, and safety guidelines, in addition to wearing gloves to safely pick up trash. Check with your local council for sign up details!

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Can’t make it to the trail or just prefer to lend a hand virtually? No problem! You can choose to opt-out of any in-person offerings and explore state parks online. To help you discover the magic from home, we’ve created a special interactive map.

Share! We Want to Hear from You.

Share your state park adventures with us! Tag your posts on Instagram with @girlscouts and @thorindustries and use #GSLoveStateParks and #PickUpAmerica.

7 Financial Tips You Need to Know Now from Girl Scout Alum Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz

I’m often asked, “What are the most important things girls should know when it comes to personal finance?” It’s a great question, especially since I’ve always been focused on empowering young women to take charge of their financial futures. And it’s timely, too, with April being Financial Literacy Month. So here are my favorite financial tips, especially for girls and young women just starting out:

      1. Put your goals on paper. It may sound basic, but it works. To turn dreams and ideas into real goals, write them down. Not only will it help you think concretely, but it will also be a source of motivation, and will ultimately provide the framework for a plan of action.

One way to approach it is to think in timeframes: short, medium, and longer-term goals. Short-term goals are things you want to achieve in a year or less, like buying a new bike or computer. Mid-term goals can be one to three years away, such as saving up for a special trip or a car. And long-term goals aim ten years out or more, like saving for college or even retirement, depending on how old you are.

Once you have your goals, attach a realistic estimate of how much each will cost. The main point is to work toward something tangible and realistic, where you can chart your progress to achieve your goal within a specific time period.

      2. Spend less than you make. I’m a big believer in living below your means, and a budget can help you do that. You can use the 50/30/20 rule as a guide. This means spending 50% (or less) of your income on things you need, 30% (or less) on things you want, and reserving at least 20% for savings. 

      Having a budget puts you in control of your finances by helping you prioritize and balance your income and savings.

      3. Prepare for the unexpected with an emergency fund. An emergency fund is “just in case” money. Financial surprises inevitably come up. Not being financially prepared can make a bad situation worse. When you’re just starting out, aim to save $100 first then $500, working your way up to $1,000 and beyond. Eventually you’ll want your emergency fund to be able to cover 3–6 months of important expenses.

Keep your emergency fund in a safe place where it’s easy to access. A regular bank savings account, money market account, or short-term CDs are great places to stash your savings. And remember, your emergency fund should strictly be used for emergencies.

      4. You need to save and invest. Saving is critical, but don’t stop there. You need to invest your money—the earlier you start, the better, thanks to the “magic” of compound growth. Compound growth creates a snowball effect, as the original investments plus the income earned from those investments grow together.

You can use the rule of 72 to see how fast money can compound. Simply divide 72 by your rate of return to see how long it takes for your money to double in value. For example, if you had $1,000 that was earning a 6 percent return, it would grow to $2,000 in 12 years (72 divided by 6 equals 12).

When you invest in stocks, you’re investing in businesses that provide different goods and services that people want and need. And as an investor, you are a part owner of the companies you invest in. As companies grow and flourish, you stand to benefit.

Investing in the stock market can feel scary, mysterious, and risky. But there’s a bigger risk of not reaching your goals if you don’t invest. Investing is pretty simple if you follow some basic steps. Learn how to get started at schwabmoneywise.com.

      5. Diversify. Because no one knows the future and the stock market can be so volatile, it’s important not to put all your eggs in one basket when you invest. Diversifying means putting your money in different kinds of investments (stocks, bonds, cash), in different places (international, domestic), and different kinds of companies (manufacturing, technology, health care, etc.) so that all your money doesn’t go up or down at the same time.

Diversification can help protect you against losses from different kinds of investment risks, but like anything involving investments, it’s no guarantee. That said, it can help reduce overall investing risk.

      6. Manage debt wisely. Debt can be a useful tool to accomplish your financial goals if you use it wisely. There are two kinds of debt: good debt and bad debt.

Good debt is borrowing with low interest rates and low fees to help you build wealth and take advantage of more opportunities. Some examples of good debt are student loans you take out to attend college in order to improve your knowledge and skills, a mortgage to buy a home that will eventually increase in value, or a loan to buy a dependable car so that you can get back and forth to work and make more money. But keep in mind that borrowing too much can turn good debt into bad.

Bad debt is high interest borrowing with high fees that hurts wealth and can back you into a corner. Payday loans, pawn shops, and rent-to-own shops are some good examples of bad debt. For instance, a typical two-week payday loan with a $15 charge per every $100 that you borrow equates to an annual percentage rate (APR) of almost 400 percent!

Credit cards can be useful tools in managing your finances, but they generally carry high interest rates, so you need to use them carefully and wisely. The annual percentage rate (APR) on credit cards can range from about 12 percent to about 30 percent. When thinking about opening a credit card, it is important to note that carrying a credit card balance can encourage you to live an unsustainable lifestyle. Anything you buy with your credit card will eventually be paid for out of your money! 

As a general rule, you should avoid interest charges by never carrying a credit card balance over into the next month. Instead, only charge what you can pay off in full each month. And always pay your bills on time to avoid late fees and penalties, which can add up quickly. Paying your bills late or skipping payments may seem like a short-term solution but can cause big problems for you down the road that can not only affect your credit score, but also your ability to buy a house or rent an apartment, get a job or promotion, and even the amount you pay for insurance.

      7. Be patient. Whether you’re investing in your own skills through school or at work, paying off a debt, or investing in the stock market, it often takes time for you to see results. Patience can keep you focused on reaching your goals.

For example, constantly checking your investments can lead you astray from buying low and selling high as an investor. The more you look, the more likely you are to become distracted from your long-term goals and do the opposite (sell low and buy high) during inevitable stock market declines.

It’s time in the market (getting in and staying in), not timing the market (guessing when to get in and out of the market) that’s the name of the game when it comes to investing.

By being patient and disciplined with your money—as with just about anything you do in life—you can reach unimaginable heights.

I wish you all the best on your journey!

The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The investment strategies mentioned here may not be suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own individual situation before making any investment decision. 

(#0422-2FNR)

Girl Scouts of the USA is teaming up with Charles Schwab and its Founder to help bridge the financial literacy gap for Girl Scouts in grades K–12. With Charles Schwab’s support, Girl Scouts from all backgrounds will strengthen their money management skills and enhance their financial literacy, setting them up for financial success.

To help build girls’ confidence, Girl Scouts has developed Financial Literacy badges that your girl can start earning today! The badge activities are based on real-life situations, such as budgeting and philanthropy, to give girls a deeper understanding of financial literacy power their future life success!

 

The 411 on a New STEM-Focused Adventure Developed with Amazon

Make space for girls to lead! As the world continues to become more technology-driven and today’s workforce looks to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) for new ideas and discoveries, it is more important now than ever to harness the unique insights, skills, and potential of girls.

The current generation of girls will soon enter a fast-changing workforce in need of innovative thinkers. This presents an enormous opportunity for Girl Scouts to dream big and do even bigger. However, according to the Girl Scout Research Institute’s Generation STEM report, 74% of teen girls are interested in STEM, but their interest fades as they move through middle and high school. That’s why inspiring and exposing girls to even more unique opportunities will help them lead, break barriers, and create positive change in their communities and globally. If she can see it, she can be it! So, together with Amazon, we’ve designed an adventure your Girl Scout is going to love, even if STEM is not her thing.

Here are three key things you need to know:

What Is This New Experience and Who Can Participate?

What exactly happens behind the scenes when you shop at Amazon? How is Amazon able to fulfill so many customers’ orders each day? What kind of technology is used and how are Amazon’s massive fulfillment centers so efficient? Your girl will explore the answers to these and many other interesting questions with the Girl Scouts Amazon Fulfillment Center Tours. Girls will have an opportunity to see STEM put into action in the workplace and get inspired by exploring computer science, robotics, engineering, and creative problem-solving.

Did you know that many Amazon fulfillment centers span the equivalent of 28 football fields and can hold tens of millions of items on any given day? All that space and product means room for innovation and out-of-the-box thinking, and Girl Scouts get front row seats to it. Expect fun activities, quizzes, mind-blowing facts, and a special behind-the-scenes look at the fulfillment center operations, developed especially for Girl Scouts—EPIC! The two tour options, in-person and virtual, are specifically tailored to younger and older girls so that all grade levels can enjoy! There’s also a snazzy new patch your girl won’t want to miss.

How to Participate?

Girl Scouts Amazon Fulfillment Center Tours will be available virtually on Girl Scout Activity Zone (former Girl Scouts at Home) as well as in-person at Amazon fulfillment center locations. All in-person tours will follow COVID-19 protocols for the safety of everyone participating. At this time, in-person tours are only accessible at select fulfillment centers and are therefore only available at these Girl Scout councils:

• Girl Scouts Heart of Central California
• Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey
• Girl Scouts of Central & Southern New Jersey
• Girl Scouts of Central Maryland
• Girl Scouts of Central Texas
• Girl Scouts of Colorado
• Girl Scouts of Gateway
• Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana
• Girl Scouts of Minnesota & Wisconsin River Valleys
• Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland
• Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio
• Girl Scouts of San Jacinto
• Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England
• Girl Scouts of Southern Appalachians
• Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada
• Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains
• Girl Scouts of Tropical Florida
• Girl Scouts of Utah
• Girl Scouts of Western Washington
• Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast
• Girl Scouts—Arizona Cactus-Pine
• USA Girl Scouts Overseas (USAGSO)

When Will It Be Available?

Mark your calendars! Virtual tours will be available starting Spring 2022—the exact date will be announced soon. As for in-person experiences, be sure to follow Girl Scouts’ social media channels to get the most up-to-date info. Once in-person tour dates are announced, check with a participating council (listed above) for local guidance and details.

Let’s face it. We live in a world dominated by technology. So, whether your girl dreams of becoming a programmer, a robotics engineer, or a fashion designer, through this new experience, she’ll learn the value of using STEM creatively and thinking like an innovator. The Girl Scouts Amazon Fulfillment Center Tours will spark her curiosity and expose her to awesome opportunities—she’ll get inspired and stay inspired.

Special thanks to Amazon for partnering with us! Through our partnership, we plan to educate hundreds of girls in grades K–12 about critical STEM concepts, such as algorithms, computer coding, and robotics engineering. Girl Scouts attending the tours, in-person or virtually, will have the opportunity to see these concepts come to life as Amazon employees work side by side with robots in fulfillment centers. Amazon is also providing grants to select Girl Scout councils to help even more Girl Scouts experience this unique, real-world STEM experience.

Everything You Need to Know to Unlock the Girl Scouts Love the Outdoors Patch

Embarking on outdoor adventures has always been a part of Girl Scouts’ DNA. Many of the badges the first Girl Scouts earned were tied to learning and refining outdoor skills and becoming environmental stewards (Foot Traveler badge, Animal Kingdom badge), and that hasn't changed in our more than 100-year history.

As Girl Scouts we’ve found new ways to connect with the great outdoors and one another. We’ve spent time in our backyards, earned outdoor art badges, and even taken virtual national park tours!

Now, with warmer weather and longer days, we’re ready to take our love of the outdoors to the next level. So pack some snacks, lace up your shoes, and head outside to unlock the Girl Scouts Love the Outdoors patch! You’ll enjoy nature, channel your creativity, and learn fun new things.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Download the worksheet. Visit Girl Scouts at Home and download the official Girl Scouts Love the Outdoors Challenge worksheet. Review the list of activities and mark the ones you’re interested in.

2. Don’t rush. The Girl Scouts Love the Outdoors Challenge kicks off May 21 and ends with Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend, September 11–12, 2021. This means you have plenty of time to select the activities you’re most interested in and complete them at your own pace.

3. Share! Use #gsoutdoors to share your story and to see how other girls are completing this fun outdoor challenge. Don’t forget to tag @girlscouts for a chance to be featured on GSUSA’s social media channels.

4. Nominate someone. This challenge is a great way to connect with your fellow Girl Scout sisters and invite your non-Girl Scout besties to join in the fun! Nominate someone to take the challenge with you.

5. Be prepared. As Girl Scouts, we know the importance of being prepared! If you’re venturing to a local park or hiking trail, first make sure they’re open. Pack sunscreen, bug repellant, GORP, protective gear (sunglasses, hat), and water!

6. Get your patch. Remember, you don’t have to do all 50 suggested activities to earn your snazzy new patch! Complete the required number of activities based on your grade level.

Getting outdoors isn’t just fun—it’s good for your overall well-being. Did you know that girls who participate in outdoor activities on a monthly basis are stronger challenge-seekers and problem-solvers than those who don’t? So don’t wait: get out and unlock your Girl Scouts Love the Outdoors patch. Tag @girlscouts on Twitter and Instagram and include #gsOutdoors to share your adventures with us.

Hydro Flask is generously supporting the Girl Scouts Love the Outdoors Challenge with the goal of getting more girls outside this summer and helping build future outdoor leaders.

Financial Literacy During Uncertain Times

From our sense of security and wellbeing to canceled troop activities, graduations, and birthdays, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected all aspects of our lives. For so many of us, the ongoing uncertainty means having to navigate difficult situations. So this April—for Financial Literacy Month—we’ve partnered with Morgan Stanley’s Financial Advisors to answer a few of the questions you submitted on Facebook and Instagram. Check them out!

Jeri Salmond, Financial Advisor 

A credit score is an important number that summarizes your credit history and credit worthiness. The score helps lenders determine how likely you will pay your debt and on time. Credit scores will change over time. It is very important to keep track of your credit score and find out how the amount of debt, your payment history, as well as the types of debt you hold affect your credit score. There are several different tracking tools that can be used for free to track your credit score without affecting your score. It is important to start building a credit score when you are younger. Having no credit is almost as bad as having a low credit score. Many people start with having a small credit card or secured credit card to make small purchases and pay off monthly. The more you make on time payments and keep your debt low, the more your credit score will increase. The better your score the more likely you will receive a preferred interest rate. Credit is usually needed for large purchases in which you may not have the immediate cash savings required for purchase such as paying for college, purchasing a car, starting a business, or buying a home. Having a good credit score allows you to purchase the item on credit while making monthly payments in order to pay off the debt. 

Michelle Ward, Financial Advisor

Good savings habits can help you achieve financial freedom. We recommend that you start saving early, automatically and often. This gives you the opportunity to benefit from “compound interest,” which is simply earning interest on the interest you earned the previous month. The longer you compound, the greater the effect. Pay yourself first, before you begin to pay optional expenses and make discretionary purchases. Treat your savings like any other expense and give it priority over optional expenses. Consider how much you can save annually by cutting out common habits, like buying coffee or eating out and think about making automatic, periodic deposits to savings accounts on a monthly basis. Your savings will help when you have an emergency fund for unexpected expenses, achieve short-term goals, like going on a trip, and longer-term ones, like buying a house or choosing an occupation that you love without having to weigh in how much will you earn. 

Teri Kelley, Financial Advisor

Creating a budget is always a helpful approach as it allows you to see your cash flow. Once you do that, you can identify essentials, like your rent/mortgage, utilities, medicine, transportation costs and food (needs) and pay those fixed bills first before paying for non-essential items like clothes, games, etc. (wants). In times of crisis that affect your finances like the loss of a job, you really have to stick to the basics and make necessary adjustments. You may need to defer or reduce payments on things like; saving contributions, credit card payments, etc. And remember, that hopefully this is just a temporary adjustment and once things get back to “normal”, you’ll be able to resume things you may have had to give up.

Jane Rojas, Financial Advisor

My suggestion to prioritizing bills when you are short on cash is to stand back, look at what is most important to your life, and decide what needs your immediate attention – and write that out from most important to least important. This should include thoughts about what you can’t live without: electricity, rent, etc. Then I would look at the actual cost of not paying each bill each month: a credit card may not be urgent, but if you don’t pay it, there could be late fees plus interest of 20% or more on top of that. Last – negotiate when you can on how to stretch out your payments in a way that you don’t get the high cost of ignoring them, but to a point that makes them manageable.

When you get the short-term problems fixed, then work on the bigger problem of not having enough cash for the bills you have. Look again at what is most important and look at how you might reduce the cost of each of them: move to a lower-cost apartment, get a cheaper phone or phone plan, do your own nails. The key to success is spending less than you make, NOT MORE.



Kate Waters, Financial Advisor

The goal should always be to have as little debt as possible, but there are certain instances where debt can be “good debt.” For instance, if you think you can get a better-paying job by going to college or going for your master’s, medical, or law degree, then it might be smart to take on a student loan if you can’t afford it all on your own. This also holds true for buying a home. In both instances, you need to understand how long it will take to pay off and to make sure there is potential for a positive longer-term return on your investment. You also need to make sure the additional expense of the loan fits within your budget and be prudent about paying it down. By being diligent about your personal finances and responsible about paying down debt, you can be well on your way to being debt-free! 

To help build girls’ confidence, Girl Scouts has developed Financial Literacy badges that your girl can start earning today! The badge activities are based on real-life situations, such as budgeting and philanthropy, to give girls a deeper understanding of financial literacy power their future life success! You can also check out Girl Scouts at Home—our hub of online activities, including some for financial literacy!

 

Thien Le, Financial Advisor

The first financial lesson is to learn how to set goals. Setting goals is a great way to determine what to save for and to stay focused on your financial objectives and your reasons for saving. Bucket each goal into short term, medium term, and long term. Short term could be buying a new car, while long term could be retirement; which it’s never too early to think about. Start saving now as soon as you have earned income from your part time job or when you begin to work full time. When my 16-year-old daughter got her first job as a math tutor, I opened a retirement account for her to encourage her to save a little each month. Lastly, don’t be afraid of investing, and learn how to do it. Staying focused and keeping money invested in the market can be rewarding over time, but it may require patience and a long investment horizon. With market volatility, people often panic and make irrational decisions, so it is important to review your goals and remain focused on your investment objectives. 



Lisa Benton, Financial Advisor

An emergency savings fund is money that you have set aside for unexpected life events, such as losing a job or paying for a broken-down car. It’s a good idea for everyone to create one. When you are first starting, aim to save a few hundred dollars in a separate savings account. A convenient way to do this is by establishing a direct deposit for your emergency savings account. This allows the funds to be transferred into your account automatically. The ultimate goal will be to save three to six months of your take-home pay as a cushion for life’s uncertainties. Remember that this can be done gradually as your cash flow allows. One of the best ways to be financially savvy is to plan and that includes planning for the unexpected. 

To help build girls’ confidence, Girl Scouts has developed Financial Literacy badges that your girl can start earning today! The badge activities are based on real-life situations, such as budgeting and philanthropy, to give girls a deeper understanding of financial literacy power their future life success! You can also check out Girl Scouts at Home—our brand-new hub of online activities, including some for financial literacy!

Three Steps to Unlocking Your Limited-Edition Ranger Patch

BIG NEWS: Girl Scouts is continuing our exciting partnership with the National Park Service and the “Girl Scout Ranger Program,” a joint venture connecting girls with National Park Service sites throughout the United States, including monuments, seashores, and urban sites.

This year Girl Scouts will be awarded a limited-edition commemorative patch for participating in activities focusing on the significance of the 19th Amendment. This special program will offer pathways for Girl Scouts to learn about women’s history and the suffrage movement through discovering, connecting, and taking action to make the world a better place.

So, how exactly do you earn your special patch and learn more about women’s rights?

1. Choose a National Park Service Site or Explore Online.
Visit http://www.nps.gov/findapark/index.htm. Choose a national park or any of 419 sites protected by the National Park Service. Research and consider exploring areas of national parks connected to women’s history and the suffrage movement in your area. Not able to visit a park in your area? No problem! Take a look at the park or historic site’s webpage and virtual tours. These are often full of photos, videos, history, and other educational resources. Many also have Facebook and Instagram accounts. Another great source of information is the NPS women’s history webpages.

2. Answer Questions, Conduct Research, and Get Outdoors.*
Once you’ve selected your site, complete one or more of the following:

a. With help from an adult, research the site’s webpage.
b. Visit the site and take a tour or attend a ranger-led program, if that’s available. Please first make sure the site you choose to visit is open to the public!
c. Look for books or trusted websites that explain the history commemorated at the site.

Then choose fun activities listed in the 19th Amendment Centennial Program Activity Guide here to earn your patch! Best part? All the activities have a women’s rights historical tie-in!

3. Unlock Your Limited-Edition Patch.
Your special 19th Amendment Centennial Patch will be available for pick up as soon as National Park Service offices officially open for business. To receive your patch, present the completed activity log at the park where you completed your activity.

Are you ready to explore women’s history through the national park lens? We certainly are! Share your best shots on Instagram and Twitter using #gsoutdoors (don't forget to tag @GirlScouts!) and invite your entire troop to do the same! We will feature some of your social media posts on our national channels.

*GSUSA encourages all Girl Scouts to respect social distancing rules. Follow your state’s guidelines about stay-at-home measures and enjoying public nature spaces.

Now Available! Limited-Edition Girl Scout Scarf and Wristlet Designed by Diane von Furstenberg

Girl Scouts has a long history of collaborating with fashion designers. To name a few, Mainbocher, a popular haute couture American label in the 1950s, designed a loose-fitting dress uniform. Bill Blass, a member of the Fashion Hall of Fame, designed the 1980s Girl Scout look! And New York-based hat designer Miss Emmé created our adjustable green berets. Accessories have always been a big part of official Girl Scout looks. Now in 2020, we’re honored to collaborate with fashion designer and philanthropist Diane von Furstenberg on a limited-edition scarf and wristlet. In the new scarf, Diane applies her bold approach to color and prints to Girl Scouts’ timeless trefoil.

Bill Blass Girl Scout dress with scarf, 1980s.

We might be a little biased when it comes to the new scarf and wristlet, so we decided to ask three Girl Scout alums what they thought about the scarf and the collaboration with Diane von Furstenberg. Here’s what they said:

• “Every time we put on clothing or accessories, we send a message to the world. Clothing enhances our inner strength and makes us feel great about ourselves! The DVF scarf for Girl Scouts is truly special! Can’t wait to wear it!” —Sarah, Girl Scout alum and troop leader
• “What makes the scarf special for me is its unique design. I love DVF’s creative interpretation of the iconic trefoil. This is the kind of piece that will last decades…It’s timeless and elegant! It’s the perfect accessory or a conversation starter!” —Kayla, Girl Scout alum

• “Diane von Furstenberg was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in September 2019 for her leadership and achievements. She believes that ‘to empower a girl is to empower the woman she will become…InCharge.’ I’m inspired by her message and appreciate that Diane donated her design to Girl Scouts!” —Jackie, Girl Scout alum and troop leader

Diane von Furstenberg and Frances Hesselbein, former GSUSA CEO, unboxes the first Girl Scout scarf at DVF's headquarters in NYC. 

Don’t miss your chance to own these unique items! They’re a limited edition because they’ll be available in limited quantities for 2020. The assortment will be sold on the Girl Scout Shop starting March 3; the scarf retails for $150 and is 100% silk twill, and the wristlet retails for $45 and is cotton canvas.