Program Goals

Four Program Goals For Girls

The Girl Scout program has four fundamental goals. These emphasize ways girls may benefit from their Girl Scout experiences.

Developing Individual Potential

Developing self to achieve one's full individual potential.

• Foster feelings of self-acceptance and unique self-worth.
• Promote perception of self as competent, responsible, and open to new experiences and challenges
• Encourage personal growth
• Utilize and practice talents and abilities

Relating to Others

Relating to others with increasing understanding, skill and respect.

• Help develop sensitivity to others and respect for their needs, feelings, and rights.
• Promote an understanding and appreciation of individual, cultural, religious, and racial differences.
• Promote the ability to build friendships and working relationships.

Developing Values

Developing values to help guide her actions and to provide the foundation for sound decision making.

• Help develop a meaningful set of values and ethics that will guide actions
• Foster an ability to make decisions that are consistent with values and that reflect respect for the rights and needs of others.
• Encourage reexamination of ideals as one grows and changes
• Empower actions based on values and convictions

Contributing to Society

Contributing to the improvement of society through the use of abilities and leadership skills, working in cooperation with others.

• Develop concern for the well-being of the community and it's people.
• Promote an understanding about how the quality of community life affects one's own life and the whole society.
• Encourage use of skills to work with others for the benefit of all.

Growth in each of these four areas is supported by an atmosphere of openness, freedom, trust and by activities that encourage each girl to:

• Discover ways to express herself and communicate with others
• Understand and appreciate other people and their cultures
• Make choices from among real alternatives
• Recognize and build her own talents and interests
• Grapple with and solve problems
• Help develop standards for hew own behavior and accomplishments
• Take responsibility for her own actions
• Use knowledge and skills in challenging situations
• Be a teacher, learner, giver and receiver

Areas of Activities

Girl Scouts activities are girl planned and should be fun; and suit the mental, emotional, physical, and social development of the girls at each different age level; help them increase their skills and knowledge at their own pace; provide opportunities for them to plan and assume responsibility; compliment rather than duplicate other learning experiences and provide outlets for the girl's interests.

The activities of the Girl Scout Program are divided into five areas of interest to provide a framework for a balanced program.

Well-Being- which includes activities that focus on physical and emotional health, nutrition and exercise, interpersonal relationships, the home, safety, work, and leisure.

People- which includes activities that focus on developing awareness of the various cultures in our society and around the world and on building pride in one's own heritage while appreciating and respecting the heritage of others.

Math & Science- which includes activities that focus on discovering the how & why of things, exploring and experimenting with the many technologies of daily life, and looking to future events, roles, and responsibilities.

Arts- which includes activities that focus on involvement in the whole range of arts- visual, performing and literary, enjoying and expressing one's self through various forms, and appreciating the artistic talents and contributions of others.

Out-of-Doors- which includes activities that focus on enjoyment and appreciation of the out-of-doors; living and caring for our natural environment, understanding and respecting the interdependence of all living things.

Return to top