Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How do I become a member, and how much does it cost to join Girl Scouts?
A. Membership is open to girls in grades K-12 and adults 18 and older. Contact Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland Council's office to obtain a registration form. Annual GSUSA membership dues are $12 for girls and adults. For placement information click here.  For information about uniforms, see below.

Q. When, where and how long are meetings?
A. Troops and groups meet in a variety of locations: schools, churches/synagogues, recreation and community centers, homes and businesses. Meetings are generally one to two hours in length depending on the location and frequency of meetings. Meetings occur during school lunches, after school, during evening hours and on weekends.

Q. Girl Scouts are known for camping. What else do Girl Scouts do?
A. Plenty of programs are available in which girls can participate. Some examples include programs for career exploration, science, arts, service projects, and much more. Program events are available for both group and individual participation.

Q. Tell me about the Girl Scout Leadership Development Program.
A. The newest program resources are Girl Scout journeys. A key part of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience,the leadership journey is a coordinated series of activities grouped around a theme. Each journey is tied to some of Girl Scouts' 15 national outcomes for girls, as defined in the Girl Scout Leadership Model. Girl Scout Daisies can earn petals and leaves representing the Girl Scout Promise and Law, and Girl Scout Brownies,  Juniors,  Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors can earn proficiency badges and awards. Each girl determines how many and what badges she wishes to pursue. Requirements for badges can be found in the Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting. Some projects are done with the troop while others can be done individually.  Girls do not have to earn petals or  badges, but they are a fun way to learn leadership skills and try new things.

Q. What kind of service projects do Girl Scouts do?
A. Troops usually identify a particular need they see within their community. Under leadership guidance and based on the age level, they will determine how they would like to provide service. Service is an important part of Girl Scouting, and troops are encouraged to do service projects throughout the year.

Q. How do I find out about a troop for my daughter?
A. For placement information click here, or call the Girl Scout Council Headquarters or service center and ask to speak to someone. If a troop in your community has an opening, we will place your daughter in the appropriate age level. If a placement isn't immediately available, she may wish to be involved as a Juliette (individual) member. Volunteers are always welcome and needed, so please consider offering to help.

Q. How can our family support our daughter's Girl Scout experience?
A. The patch program, Families of the Heartland, guides families on how they can help strengthen the troop as well as make the Girl Scout experience fantastic for their daughter and for the entire troop.

Q. Can men volunteer?
A. Every volunteer and staff position in Girl Scouting is open to men as well as women. Because we believe that female role models are especially important to young girls during their developing years, men working directly with girls are asked to serve as part of a leadership team that includes women.

Q. Does everyone who helps (even occasionally) with the troop have to be registered?
A. Registration is not a requirement to help with troops; all adults volunteering directly with girls are asked to complete a volunteer application and computer-based background check. We do encourage adults to register with the troops so they can receive the council publications and be covered by GSUSA Activity Accident Insurance.

Q. Can my teenage daughter be my assistant leader with my Daisy troop?
A. Yes, if she is a Girl Scout Senior or Ambassador who has completed an L.I.T. (Leader In Training) course and SGSTA (Senior Girl Scout Troop Assistant). Each troop should still have a minimum of two registered adults. There are several responsibilities teenage assistants may not assume, such as transporting children, serving as troop first aiders or other tasks assigned specifically to adult volunteers (see "Safety Wise").

Q. Can my daughter join Girl Scouts if she has a disability? Do you put these girls in special troops?
A. Yes, your daughter can join Girl Scouts, regardless of her ability level. If you desire for your daughter to be in a special troop, we will attempt to place her in one that is both conducive and convenient for her. However, we try to mainstream girls into troops whenever possible.

Q. Is transportation provided?
A. No. Transportation is the responsibility of the parent/guardian.

Q. Are Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts part of the same organization?
A. No. Girl Scouts of the USA is entirely separate from Boy Scouts of America. The Girl Scout Leadership Experience gives girls the opportunity to discover, connect, and take action. Girl Scouts serves girls ages 5 to 17 and is in tune with the needs of today's girls. Through Girl Scouting and its special girl-only environment, girls develop values, social conscience and self-esteem while also learning critical life skills that will enable them to succeed as adults.

Q. Do I need a uniform?
A. Uniforms are optional and vary in cost depending on the components desired. You may call the following equipment agencies for prices:

• Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland Council Online Resource Store, 614-487-8101, ext. 8836
• Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland Council Resource Store, Chillicothe, 740-773-2146
• Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland Council Resource Store, Columbus 614-487-8101, ext. 8836
• Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland Council Resource Store, Mansfield 419-522-0391
• Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland Council Resource Store, Marion 740-389-2528
• Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland Council Resource Store, Zanesville 740-454-8563
• Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland Council Explore Store, at the Ginny and John Elam Environmental Education Center at Camp Ken-Jockety, 614-878-1382