With the school year underway and with many families deciding on extracurricular activities for their children, a new study shows there has never been a better time to join Girl Scouts.
A recent report from the Girl Scout Research Institute, “The Girl Scout Impact Study,” suggests that participating in Girl Scouts helps girls develop key leadership skills they need to be successful in life. According to the report, when compared to their peers, Girl Scouts are more likely than non-Girl Scouts to have confidence in themselves and their abilities (80 percent vs. 68 percent); act ethically and responsibly and show concern for others (75 percent vs. 59 percent); seek challenges and learn from setbacks (62 percent vs. 42 percent); develop and maintain healthy relationships (60 percent vs. 43 percent); identify and solve problems in their communities (57 percent vs. 28 percent) and take an active role in decision-making (80 percent vs. 51 percent).
“Girl Scouts is a place where every go-getter, innovator, risk-taker and leader can find the space, tools and support she needs to consistently transform her ideas into actions, turn her questions into adventures and grow a lifetime of confidence,” Gateway Council CEO Mary Anne Jacobs said. “Girl Scouts learn to face challenges head on, embrace failure as a learning opportunity and create lasting relationships – all while building a lifetime of leadership skills they need to empower themselves and change the world in both big and small ways.”
Gateway Council offers programming designed to build girls’ skills and encourage their interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and environmental conservation from an early age, and in an all-girl environment. For example, “Visual Astronomy - Moon Girls,” will take place Friday, Oct. 27 to teach girls in fourth grade and up about the moon and constellations and how to use a telescope. They can also have the experience of "flying" over the moon's surface like an astronaut.
“Programming like this is what sets Girl Scouting apart,” Jacobs said. “Through Girl Scouting, girls participate in one-of-a-kind programs that feature all sorts of fun and challenging activities. This isn’t your ordinary extracurricular activity. Join us today.”
For more information about Girl Scouts and how to join or volunteer, visit www.girlscouts-gateway.org.
