The Basics

Q: What is the Girl Scout Leadership Experience?
A: The Girl Scout Leadership Experience engages girls in discovering themselves, connecting with others and taking action to make the world a better place.

Q: What are the three keys to leadership?
A: Discover + Connect + Take Action = Leadership

• Discover: Girls understand themselves and their values and use their knowledge and skills to explore the world.
• Connect: Girls care about, inspire and team with others locally and globally.
• Take Action: Girls act to make the world a better place.

The three keys also tie to one or more of the 15 national program outcomes.

New Membership Levels

Q: What are the new grade levels?
A: In 2006, the National Board of Directors approved the following grade levels to increase differentiation and advancement as girls experience Girl Scouting. The new levels are effective beginning in fall 2008:

• Daisies (Grades K-1)
• Brownies (Grades 2-3)
• Juniors (Grades 4-5)
• Cadettes (Grades 6-8)
• Seniors (Grades 9-10)
• Ambassadors (Grades 11-12)

Grade Level Specifics

Q: Is there enough program content for Daisies? Should Daisies who planned to bridge do so?
A: Our council recommends that Daisies stay Daisies for another year, and we assure there is enough program content with the new Journeys. The new Daisy Journeys can be customized according to the girls’ interests. Additional programming will also be available through the council. Another change for Daisies is that beginning in fall 2008, Daisies will also have opportunities to participate in the product sales program.

Q: What will be special for the new Ambassador level? How will girls bridge?
A: The Journey for Ambassadors engages the girls in an advocacy experience. When they have completed the steps to advocacy, they will earn the new the new Advocate Award created especially for girls at this level. Ambassadors are encouraged to share the information they learn with younger girls. A bridging award will be available for Ambassadors in 2009, and girls who begin the grade level in 2009 may earn this award retroactively.

Q: How will home-schooled or independently registered Girl Scouts use the Journey materials?
A: Girl Scouts who are on their own – and the adults who guide them- are encouraged to network with other Girl Scouts in their communities. Sharing some of the discussions and experiences are encouraged to increase team-building and networking skills.

Q: How will multilevel groups use the Journeys?
A: Girls at every age level will be engaged in taking action. Taking action provides a unifying theme for multi-grade level groups. Each girl will have her own grade-appropriate Journey, but still be able to support each other in accomplishing the goals of the Journey. All Journeys encourage girls to pass forward the information they learn. The multilevel group gives a perfect opportunity for this sharing to take place.

Books

Q: What are the books for girls in the first series of leadership Journeys?
A: The first books for each grade level are all part of It’s Your World – Change It!

• Welcome to the Daisy Flower Garden (Daisies)
• Brownie Quest (Brownies)
• Agent of Change (Juniors)
• aMAZE (Cadettes)
• GIRLtopia: Toward an Ideal World for Girls (Seniors)
• Your Voice, Your World: The Power of Advocacy (Ambassadors)

Q: When will the first Journeys be available?
A: The Journeys are available in the Girl Scout Shops and E-Shop.

Q: What about an adult guide?
A: There is a corresponding adult guide for each Journey that will help tailor sessions with the girls and provide support.

Q: What is the cost of the Journeys and Adult Guide?
A: Journey workbooks for girls are $7.00 each. The adult facilitator’s guide is $15.00 for each grade level book.

Q: What will happen with existing badge books, handbooks and STUDIO 2B books?
A: All these books remain available and viable Girl Scout resources. Girls may continue using them based on their interests.

Awards

Q: What new awards can girls earn with the It’s Your World – Change It Journeys?
A: Girl Scouts at each grade level have a chance to earn new official awards as they complete steps along the Journey. The awards are designed to be worn on the Girl Scout uniform. Daisies, Brownies, Juniors and Cadettes have the chance to earn several badges along the Journey. Seniors and Ambassadors can mark the completion of their Journey with a pin or badge.

Q: Can girls still earn badges, apart from Journeys?
A: Girls are welcome to continue choosing and earning badges that represent their varied interests. Earning badges is an important tradition in Girl Scouting, and it is here to stay. As the Journeys become more familiar, you will be able to see how the Discover, Connect and Take Action leadership keys can be integrated into earning badges.

Q: What is the future of badges?
A: Over the next several years, Girl Scouts of the USA will be updating some badges to ensure the learning experiences tie to the national outcomes. Don’t worry, girls will have time to transition and will not lose out on activities they have begun or planned.

Q: How do the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver and Gold Award fit into the new Leadership Experience?
A: Girl Scouts of the USA is working to update the requirements for earning the Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. New guidelines will be available through the GSUSA website and our site in spring 2009. During the transition years (2008-2010), girls may continue earning the awards based on existing standards.

Volunteer Training

Q: How will volunteers be prepared for the New Girl Scout Leadership Experience?
A: Journey trainings are available beginning fall 2008. Check out all the trainings available.

If we didn’t provide an answer to one of your questions, please let us know. We will have the appropriate contact follow up with you.