Girl Scout Program Processes

How the Girl Scout Program Works

The Girl Scout Leadership Experience comes to life when activities are led by girls, features cooperative learning, and highlights learning by doing. These three processes allow girls to ask questions, offer ideas, use their imaginations, learn to work together, brainstorm, problem-solve, and reflect on their experiences. You can also help girls get the most out of their experience by encouraging parents/caregivers to take time to ask questions and reflect at home.

Girl Scout Program Processes in Action

1. Girl-led:

Girls play an active role in decision-making, goal-setting, and leading their Girl Scout Leadership Experience.

Here are some examples:

• Start with Daisies by repeating activities you hear girls say they enjoy

• Move through the progression by providing choices for Brownies to vote upon

• Allow Juniors to lead an activity or session or plan an element of an event

2. Cooperative Learning:

• Daisies/Brownies can also vote between multiple options, such as choosing vanilla cake or chocolate cake or doing the Pets or Bugs badges

• Allow Brownies to express what activities they would like to include in their troop meetings

Girls work together toward shared goals and learn from one another in an atmosphere of respect and collaboration that encourages the sharing of skills, knowledge, and learning.

• Provide opportunities for girls to complete tasks or projects that require girls to work together

3. Learning by Doing:

• Expose girls to others with views and opinions different than their own

• Encourage girls to utilize individual talents to contribute to group tasks

Also known as experiential learning, this is a hands-on learning process that engages girls in a cycle of action and reflection that results in deeper understanding of concepts and mastery of practical skills.

• Get girls out of their seats and involved in the task at hand

• Allow girls to present and lead hands-on activities to the troop

• Ask debriefing questions that encourage girls to think about what they like, don’t like, what they have learned, and what they will do with that information during and after an activity