Youth Groups & You: Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa

Youth Groups & You: Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa

The mission of the Girl Scouts is to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Girl Scouts is for girls in Kindergarten through 12th grades. They work through the levels of: Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors.  My daughter recently started her Girl Scout journey as a Daisy and is super excited to be selling cookies.  Let us know if you need any!

Pros

The Girl Scouts is a vast organization with many Leadership Centers located throughout the U.S.  The Greater Iowa Leadership center is located in Urbandale and there are several troops to be found throughout the metro.  Through fun, earning badges and quality programs the Girl Scouts are developing future leaders.

The organization encourages and advocates for girls to embrace a healthy lifestyle and positive self-image; ensures girls feel emotionally and physically safe; promotes girls involvement in science, technology, engineering and math; develops financial literacy skills and gives a voice to girls in underserved communities.

Cons

My first experience with local girl scouts has been mixed.  Administration seems to be a bit disorganized and it is challenging to find the information you are looking for on their website. You cannot just go the website and find information on local troops.  You either find out about a local troop through word of mouth or you must contact Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa and they will provide you the information over the phone or via email.

Fortunately, our troop experience has been very different.  We are a new troop and the troop leaders have done their best to make the meetings, activities and communication as organized as they can.  Every troop is different due to the mix of girls and leaders and every troop will do things differently based on the girls’ interests.  This is not necessarily a bad thing, but if you’re looking for very specific highly structured programming, it may not be for you.

Best For

All types of girls with varying interests and temperaments.  As girls advance through Girl Scouting they increasingly choose what the troop does and increasingly take responsibility for the troop and themselves.

Time Commitment

The length and frequency of the meetings is up to the leaders and the girls.  When first starting out, Daisies may meet monthly and have a few events to attend throughout the year.  As the girls progress through the programs, the time commitment will increase accordingly with the girls’ interests.  In addition, there are fundraising events, including the well-known cookie sales.

Supplies

Supplies needed will vary, typical equipment is listed below.

  • Uniform
  • Hand Book
  • Activity Supplies

Cost

  • Registration Fee: Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa is offering the gift of membership for all participating girls and adults for the 2021-22 Girl Scout year. Your membership will be valid through September 30, 2022. For both new and returning members.
  • Dues: Amount varies by troop, but are typically $20 per year.
  • Uniform:
    • Daisies: Apron $25 or Vest $17
    • Brownies: Sash $6 or Vest $18
    • Juniors: Sash $7 or Vest $18
    • Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors: Sash $8 or Vest $25
  • Events and Activities: Costs will vary.

Girl Scouts will not turn any girl away due to inability to pay.  They offer membership, uniform/resource, and program scholarships to members with financial hardship.  You can find more information about these opportunities on the Scholarship page of their website.

Where to Find Organizations

Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa

10715 Hickman Rd
Des Moines, IA 50322-3733
Phone: (515) 278-2881 or (800) 342-8389

Web: http://www.girlscoutsiowa.org/

 

 

What do you think, is Girl Scouts a fit for your daughter?