Joining Girl Scouts is a great way for a homeschooler to add some structure to her activities, make new friends, and get involved in her community. The new Girl Scouts program allows girls to participate as little or as much as they like. They can join an existing local troop, form a new troop of local homeschoolers, or remain independent as "Juliette" Girl Scouts.
Once a girl has registered, she can do either or all of
- the Girl Guide (skills badge projects)
- the Leadership Journeys (longer themed projects), or
- attend events and camps.
My daughters incorporate skills badge projects and journeys into their homeschool activities. Many of their Girl Scout projects have led to new interests, i.e. digital photography and worm composting.
How to register for Girl Scouts
- Visit the GirlScouts.org or World Association to learn more about the program and find your local council.
- Register with your local Girl Scouts council.
- Order a Girl's Guide or Starter Kit from the online shop.
The Girl Scout Program
The new Girl Scouts National Portfolio consists of two parts: The Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting (skills badges) and The Leadership Journeys. The national Girl Scouts website has a lot of helpful information and printable PDFs, as well as an online store where you can order Starter Kits and anything else you might need to get started. Also, the Journey Map Girl Scouts GPS tool is a fun way to see what your year might look like.
Girls can participate via several pathways:
- by joining a troop,
- attending events according to their own schedule,
- attending camps and day camps, travel opportunities, and
- interest series (i.e., LEGO League).
Homeschool Girl Scouts
In preparation for a homeschooling conference, Girl Scout leader and unschooling mom Joylyn Fowler listed ways a Girl Scout program can augment homeschooling. She described the ways Girl Scout activities cover:
- academic subjects, i.e., reading, writing, math, science, history, social studies, physical education, and music, arts and crafts; as well as
- skills and values including social skills, responsibility, patriotism, and service.
In fact, as of 2010, the new Girl Scouts Journeys are correlated to the Common Core Standards.
There may be an existing homeschool troop in your area or you can start one. Alternatively, you might choose to coordinate with other Juliette scouts on projects and events. Here's an email list group that might help with ideas, information, and support for homeschool Girl Scouts and leaders.
- Homeschoolers with Girl Scouts - HSersWithGirlScouts Yahoo! Group
Learning More About Girl Scouts
After visiting the national website and your local Girl Scout council website for registration, you might like to:
- Learn about the Girl Scout program;
- Discover ways to help out with a Girl Scouts troop through volunteering and being a part of your daughter's scouting experience; or
- Find out how to become a Girl Scout leader.
Participation in Girl Scouts activities and events can be a great way for your homeschooler to add some structure and focus to her interests, have fun experiences, develop confidence, leadership, and teamwork skills, and make a positive change in the world.
You might also enjoy: Printables and Paper Crafts for Scouts
Sara McGrath - Sara is a veteran homeschool mom of three, Usborne consultant, and the author of Unschooling: A Lifestyle of Learning.
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