COVID 19 Recommendations and Update

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic is the very definition of an unplanned crisis, and while there remains a great deal of uncertainty about the virus itself, what is abundantly clear is that it has never been more important for Girl Scout leadership to take bold and decisive action. Our chief priority is the health and safety of our girls, families, volunteers, and staff.  Based on WHO and CDC guidance, and bearing in mind official guidance around social distancing, GSUSA is recommending that councils immediately suspend all large in-person Girl Scout events, consistent with similar bans on large gatherings in many cities and states. In addition, due to the likelihood of interaction with large numbers of the public, we recommend suspending Girl Scout Cookie Booths.  Digital Cookie and Smart Cookie on-line orders can continue shipping without interruption for the time being.

While the safety, health, and wellbeing of our girls and volunteers is and must be our first priority, we recognize that the suspension of Girl Scout Cookie Program Booths will create other challenges. Of particular concern for troops, parents and volunteers is the fact that they will face excess inventory of cookies they were planning to sell during upcoming booth sales.  Please know that GSUSA will actively work in partnership with all councils, our bakers, and our national booth partners to determine how to best manage inventory impacted by this suspension so that it does not become a financial burden to our girls, parents or volunteers.  We are also working in partnership with councils to build on the existing recommendations for creative approaches to recouping Cookie Program revenue. GSUSA will continue to review public health guidance to determine how and when to adjust these recommendations.

We know this is a challenging moment for Girl Scouts everywhere! We will get through this as we always do – as one  Movement, united in our mission of serving girls and we're here to help. If you need help talking to your girls during this challenging time, check out Raising Awesome Girls . 

Thank you for your leadership, partnership, and shared cooperation, as we lead through this moment together, on behalf of Girl Scouts everywhere.

Please follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn for the most recent updates and all things Girl Scouts.

Honorary Troop Capitol Hill Honors Girl Scouts of the USA

Source: https://twitter.com/SenCapito/status/973321738896510977

U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), co-chairs of the Girl Scouts’ Honorary Troop Capitol Hill, today introduced a resolution recognizing the Girl Scouts of the USA on its 108th birthday and celebrating its legacy of building powerful female leaders.

“For decades, the Girls Scouts have helped instill core values and confidence in young ladies across the nation,” Senator Capito said. “As a Girl Scout myself, I can personally attest to how Girl Scouts encourage girls to grow into strong leaders in whatever field they love and excel in. Whether it’s through education, STEM, or entrepreneurship, Girl Scouts are building the next generation of female leadership in our country.”

“Girl Scouts helped teach me the importance of service as well as the leadership skills that I use in the Senate every day,” said Senator Duckworth. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan resolution with Senator Capito to commemorate and honor 108 years of the Girl Scouts driving positive change in communities across the country as they prepare girls to lead wherever they go – in business, science, public service and beyond.”

The resolution is co-sponsored by Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.). Text of the resolution is available here.

Best of Twitter: Girl Scout Week Roundup

Girl Scouts has a long history of taking action to create a better future—108 years, in fact! But don't just take our word for it. Just look at all of these birthday wishes from Girl Scout parents, volunteers, and alums who know first hand the impact a Girl Scout can make.

Today marks the 108th birthday of @GirlScouts in the United States! #BecauseofGirlScouts, generations of girls have been inspired to become leaders in STEM fields — many of whom have gone on to become @NASA_Astronauts! 👩🏿‍🚀👩🏻‍🚀👩🏽‍🚀 https://t.co/1NxIqnpFoE pic.twitter.com/sUIVsewQTl

— NASA (@NASA) March 12, 2020

#BecauseofGirlScouts I learned to try things, even if I wasn’t sure it was gonna work out or look silly which is so HARD for a PERFECTIONIST! Now I pass on those same skills to my Girl Scouts as their leader #HappyBirthdayGirlScouts https://t.co/UZOwqRWZaS

— Andrea Barrios (@abarrios88) March 12, 2020

You can draw a straight line between the work I do today and the skills I learned as a Girl Scout. Happy birthday to @girlscouts and thank you for helping so many young women thrive! #GirlScoutsDay pic.twitter.com/QjhbO8Uhx6

— Cathy Bessant (@CathyBessant) March 12, 2020

As a lifetime member & a Girl Scout since 2001, I use my passion of being a sister to every Girl Scout to help the next generation of scouts as my nieces troop leader. Been her leader for 3 years & I’m so excited we get to share this experience together💚 #becauseofgirlscouts https://t.co/j0ZuNBMkXK

— annabel.lee (@Bananabell94) March 12, 2020

#becauseofgirlscouts I am more adventurous! Happy 108th birthday, @girlscouts pic.twitter.com/C5SfndT5hH

— Amanda Jones Drew (@aljdrew) March 12, 2020

Today marks the 108th birthday of the @girlscouts. As a proud Girl Scouts alum and parent, their mission means so much to me. I'm thankful that organizations like Girl Scouts are equipping girls to be civil, pragmatic leaders in a world of complex, constantly-evolving challenges. pic.twitter.com/NC8695v8ls

— Rep. Abigail Spanberger (@RepSpanberger) March 12, 2020

From taking a night-time hike under the stars to accepting a mission on the @Space_Station, #BecauseofGirlScouts I was able to embrace my passion for exploration at an early age. Happy 108th birthday, @GirlScouts. pic.twitter.com/hKKCR2ivdM

— Jessica Meir (@Astro_Jessica) March 12, 2020

I swear I loved being a Girl Scout!😊 #NationalGirlScoutDay @girlscouts #ThrowbackThursday pic.twitter.com/T06atfX2vb

— Katie Couric (@katiecouric) March 12, 2020

It's #BecauseofGirlScouts that I learned the power of nature to heal people and the planet. Now I spend much of my time promoting that issue. Bonus: I know how to make an awesome apple pie over a camp fire. Happy birthday @girlscouts and thank you.

— Brenda K. Foster 📢 (@gabguru) March 12, 2020

#BecauseOfGirlScouts my two girls have learned to set goals, become more independent, and believe in themselves. Happy birthday @GSWESTOK @girlscouts pic.twitter.com/eDcFQVBoit

— Parker Cornett (@Parkercornett) March 12, 2020

For 108 years, @GirlScouts have empowered girls to lead, break barriers & create positive change. These young women dream big & gain unique experiences with organizations like the @usairforce. Happy Birthday to the @GirlScouts, an organization that shaped me into who I am today. pic.twitter.com/YjOJU0EMzx

— Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett (@SecAFOfficial) March 12, 2020

Happy 108th Birthday to @girlscouts. Proud to support my daughter and thankful for this wonderful organization empowering girls w/lifetime leadership skills. #becauseofgirlscouts #girldad pic.twitter.com/NvJC7Q1Xs3

— Bernard Coleman III (@bernardcoleman3) March 12, 2020

Happy 108th!! I can’t wait until my sis @RETennyson_ & I start a troop with my Kindergartener in the fall! https://t.co/UkmqWAZHpO

— Shannon Perez (@shaslove) March 12, 2020

What to Do at G.I.R.L. 2020 from the G-Team

Where in the world is the G.I.R.L. 2020 G-Team? This year's team is global!

Guest blog post by Serena I., Girl Scouts San Diego 

G.I.R.L. 2020: the largest girl-led convention in the world is just around the corner! Now just who are the girls who put the “girl-led” in this convention? Well, that is the G-TEAM! The G-TEAM is a 26-member planning committee of older girls: 25 Girl Scouts from across our Movement (including girls from Puerto Rico and USA Girl Scouts Overseas in Italy) and a special girl representative from Guías de México! We came together almost a year ago to bring this convention to life. Each member of the G-TEAM has a specific internship role in many areas, such as marketing and communications, session and experience design, merchandise and retail, event planning, and several more. These internships are helping piece this convention together and implementing the girl-led voice that is going to make G.I.R.L. 2020 an unforgettable experience for girls of all ages.

G.I.R.L. 2020 is going to be full of fun and memorable experiences that will help girls develop skills to create positive change in the world. The G-TEAM has been working very hard on making sure that G.I.R.L. 2020 is inclusive for younger and older Girl Scouts. It’s a perfect event for younger Girl Scouts and their families, and the EXPO Hall offers hundreds of different experiences that girls will have the opportunity to enjoy. Outside the convention doors, this exciting event is located in the heart of Orlando, Florida. This gives families the chance to attend the G.I.R.L. 2020 EXPO Hall of Experiences and to extend their stay by exploring the popular attractions in the area, making a memorable, fun-filled week that the whole family can enjoy.

Serena I., Girl Scouts San Diego

Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors should definitely come join us in Orlando this October! In addition to opportunities before and after in the Orlando area and the EXPO Hall of Experiences, girls in grades 6–12 can experience our National Council Session, our opening celebration on Friday night, program sessions all day Saturday, an exciting event Saturday night, and an inspiring closing session on Sunday. When the G-TEAM met in person for the first time last summer in Orlando, we discussed the main goals that we wanted girls to take away from the world’s largest girl-led event. These goals are that Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors become more engaged in the Girl Scout community, develop a global sisterhood with girls from all around the world, and make a plan to take action on the issues affecting girls today. Finally, even if you are not a Girl Scout, you are still invited to attend this amazing convention and enjoy it alongside thousands of other inspiring girls.

As members of the G-TEAM, we feel so proud and incredibly excited to make this event the best convention ever. We want our fellow Girl Scout sisters to feel just as inspired when they leave G.I.R.L. 2020. So don’t forget! Registration is now open! You do not want to miss out on this experience and the chance to truly embody the G.I.R.L. in Girl Scouts by becoming go-getters, innovators, risk-takers, and leaders! See you in Orlando!

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.