About Us
Girl Scout Program
The focal point of the Girl Scout program is the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE)—the framework for defining what girls do in Girl Scouting. Programs engage girls in three key activities: discovering who they are and what they value; connecting with others; and taking action to make the world a better place. To ensure a high-quality and fun experience, Girl Scout activities use three processes: girl-led; learning-by-doing; and cooperative-learning. Our success is demonstrated by the fact that Girl Scout alumnae make up 80 percent of female executives and business owners, and two-thirds of women serving in the U.S. Congress. The Girl Scout grade levels are:
- Girl Scout Daisy: Grades K–1
- Girl Scout Brownie: Grades 2–3
- Girl Scout Junior: Grades 4–5
- Girl Scout Cadette: Grades 6–8
- Girl Scout Senior: Grades 9–10
- Girl Scout Ambassador: Grades 11–12
Membership
Girl Scouts is open to all girls in grades K–12. Annual membership dues are $12 per year and financial assistance is available for those that qualify. Our organization values diversity and inclusiveness and does not discriminate on any basis.
Volunteering
Girl Scouts is a volunteer-driven organization. You can make a difference in the lives of girls! Girl Scouts will match your skills, interests and availability to volunteer opportunities.
About Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington
Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington serves members throughout Oregon, and Clark and Skamania Counties in Washington. There are 40 service units that provide support to girls and adults in their geographic area.
Our council is funded through grants, donations, bequests, program fees, product sales, investment income and endowments.
Fast Facts
- 18,791 girl members
- 11,169 adult volunteers
- 78 full-time and 16 part-time staff (fluctuates slightly throughout the year)
- $ 6.2 million budget
- $115,354 provided in financial assistance; assistance is provided to one in every three girls
- Annual cost to support each girl who participates in a volunteer-led experience=$300/girl
Funds raised through product sales, program and camp fees=$230/girl
Amount we need to raise annually=$70/girl; $1,315,370 Girl Scouts OSW total
- Over 2,000 Girl Scouts were served by the Hispanic Initiative, Girl Scouts Beyond Bars and the C.H.O.IC.E. community outreach programs
- 23 girls earned the Girl Scout Gold award, the highest award in Girl Scouting, and 657 girls earned the Girl Scout Bronze or Silver Award
- 4,343 girls attended day camps and 1,239 girls attended resident camp
- 15 properties and 8 service centers throughout the council’s jurisdiction
- 8 policies in place to ensure girl safety at all times
Note: Statistics are based on the membership year October 1, 2008 - September 30, 2009.
Girl Scout Cookie Program
Our well-known Girl Scout Cookie Program is much more than a fundraiser. This program is a hands-on leadership and entrepreneurial program for girls, teaching five essential life skills: goal setting, money management, decision making, business ethics and people skills. Many successful business women today got their start selling Girl Scout cookies!
Our council's pre-sales begin in January, cookies arrive in February and booth sales run from mid-February till mid-March. There are eight delicious varieties to choose from: Thin Mints, Samoas® ,Tagalongs®, Do-si-dos®, Dulce de Leche, Trefoils, Thank You Berry Munch™ and Lemon Chalet Cremes. In 2011, the Samoas® cookie celebrates its 35th birthday! Samoas® are one of the top-selling cookies nationwide, second only to Thin Mints.
Each box costs $4.00 and proceeds (per box) are distributed as follows:
- Troop proceeds $.67 (average)
- Recognitions $.25 (girl prizes and cookie credits)
- Service unit grant $.06 max (used to support troops and volunteers in their community)
- Program for girls $1.90 (training, maintaining camp properties, financial assistance, etc.)
- Cost of cookies $.90
- Other $.22 (costs associated with cookie program - marketing, bad debts, bad checks, etc.)