PARENTS - Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to our Girl Scout family!

You may already know something about Girl Scouts. You may even be actively involved as a volunteer. After all, Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) currently has a membership of over 3.5 million girls and adults, and has been a vital part of this country for over 95 years.

This portion of the website is designed to answer many of the important questions you may have about your child's Girl Scout experience. We hope that her Girl Scout experience will be a fun and rewarding one for both her and you.







Who can join Girl Scouts?

Girl Scouts of the USA is a membership organization chartered by the United States Congress. The only qualifications to become a Girl Scout are:

• A girl must be between the ages of 5 and 17 or in grades kindergarten through 12.
• She must accept the Girl Scout Promise and Law.
• She must pay the $10 membership dues (financial assistance is available) to our national organization through the council registration process. We seek to have a diverse, inclusive organization able to meet the needs of all girls who belong.

Who will lead my child's troop?

At least one of your child's leaders will be a woman who has volunteered for the job of troop leader. Leaders must go through an application, review and appointment process as well as complete trainings required by Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts. In addition, one or more assistant leaders (men or women) will be appointed to help the leader.

Who provides support to my child's troop leader?

The leader's best support comes from YOU and other parents! A troop committee of parent or non-parent volunteers can provide valuable help on a regular or occasional basis with field trips, transportation, badge work, product sale management and other tasks. Your child's troop leader is also supported through administrative volunteers in your local area.

Both troop and administrative volunteers are supported by a group of council-employed staff. Employed staff provide training, program support, maintain camps, administer day and resident camps, and provide communication to members about activities, events, opportunities and achievements.

How can I help my child get the most from Girl Scouts?

• Pay attention to what she and her troop are doing
• Encourage her to try new activities
• Review with her the materials that she brings home.
• Pay attention to special instructions for troop activities, badge work and product sales. Consider the parent permission slips that you will be asked to sign. Encourage your child to return them in a timely manner.
• Stay in communication with your child's troop leader.
• Volunteer to help the troop as your time and interests allow. Some possbilities include:
• Troop Leader or Assistant Leader
  • Troop Committee Member
  • Troop Annual Giving Chair
  • Registrar (record keeper)
  • Badge Consultant
  • First Aider for Trips
  • Transportation Coordinator
  • Fall Product Sale Manager
  • Cookie Sale Manager
  • Camping Resource Person
  • Publicity Coordinator
  • Sharing Special Interests

What measures are taken to assure my child's safety?

Girl Scouts of the USA and the Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts pay a great deal of attention to the health and safety of all their members. Many procedures are in place to provide for your child's well-being.

Safety-Wise is the basic tool the Girl Scout Leader uses to assure that planned activities meet the strictest safety rules. It provides standards and guidelines for everything from adult/child ratios to emergency preparedness and includes safety standards for activities ranging from archery to water skiing.

Girl Scout troops meet outside of the regular meeting place and time ONLY with advance parent permission. If you have concerns about a particular activity, talk to your child's troop leader. The parent permission slip has space for you to indicate how you can be reached while your daughter is at a special event and who can be contacted if you are not able to be reached. It is important for all involved that you take the time to provide this information as completely as possible.

Are there special Girl Scout activities throughout the year?

Yes! In addition to regular troop/group meetings and outings, there are many exciting activities for girls to participate in as a group or as individuals. You will receive information about special dates and activities from your child's troop leader. Programs listed in the council program guides are also available to view online.

When and where are meetings held?

Meetings are generally held every week or every other week in schools, churches or other public buildings. Some troops meet after school and some meet in the evening. A few meet on the weekend. Times and facilities vary according to the availability of the leader's schedule and the availability of the meeting place. Generally troops form during September and begin meeting.

How long do meetings last?

Meetings are typically about 60 or 90 minutes.

Do parents attend the meetings?

Parents generally bring girls into the meetings and only stay if they are staying as the recommended minimum adult coverage or helping the troop with an activity or special project. There are special times when parents do stay such as ceremonies or presentations.





What goes on at the meetings?

Girls learn about the Girl Scout Promise and Law by doing activities covering topics such as respecting others, being honest and fair, and being courageous. Some troops sing songs, do crafts, work on Daisy Girl Scout Learning Petals, Brownie Girl Scout Try-Its, etc. Sometimes the troop takes a trip nearby such as to the fire station or other places. As the troop progresses in ability and interests, they may do outdoor cooking, camping, science experiments, explore careers, and take longer trips.

What is the fee to join and are there monthly dues?

The Girl Scout membership fee is $10.00 per year. Each troop sets its own troop dues. Typically Daisy Girl Scout parents provide approximately $25.00 each for the year's expenses such as materials, patches, pins, etc.

What background checks are done on the leader and other troop volunteers?

All of our leaders (co-leaders, assistant leaders) complete an application, provide three references, have a face-to-face interview and a criminal background check is run by the state of Massachusetts. Any volunteer with the potential to be alone with the girls, including drivers on trips, are also checked ("CORI").

How can I get involved?

One of the best ways to be involved in Girl Scouting is to become a leader, co-leader, assistant leader or be actively involved in the troop by helping with product sales, paperwork, phone calls, transportation, first aid, child care for the leaders, treasurer, snack helper or sharing your special skills and talents during a meeting. For more information about how you can get involved, visit the "Become a Volunteer" page.

Are all troops alike?

No two troops are exactly alike. The Girl Scout program is about girl/adult partnership and so planning takes into account what the girls (as a group) would like to do and the time and talents of the girls and adults involved.