Characteristics of the New Girl Scout Leadership Development Program

What it means for girls, volunteers and support staff

The new Leadership Development Program is designed to be:

• Fun, coordinated and serial (activities will flow from one to the next) with modular resources and corresponding awards for milestones along the way.
  
• Consistent - Facilitator guides will ensure that volunteers can lead girls consistently and effectively no matter where girls experience Girl Scouting.
  
• Thematic - there will be themed, multi-discipline 'journeys' of age-appropriate interests to girls.
• Accessible - Girls may continue to be part of troops if they wish, but there will also be shorter-term sessions on various topics from which girls can choose.
  
  Advantages of the new Leadership Development Program
  
• Better meets learning needs by shifting from a myriad of 'single topic' badges to thematic, multi-discipline approach. This enable learning to be deeper and more meaningful.
• Engages girls in purposeful seeking and exploring that is larger than any one activity.
• The journey of learning and discovering becomes the reward.
  
  Program Levels
  Program levels were adjusted to group girls into more developmentally appropriate categories.
• 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
  
  Uniforms
  A new way of thinking about uniforms is to view them as symbols of belonging.
• Girls at all levels: One official uniform item (tunic, sash or vest) to display pins and awards. This is to be worn with girls' own white shirt and khaki pants/skirt for official Girl Scout functions.
• Casual apparel for all ages still available.
• Daisy and Brownie uniform pieces still available.
• Adults: Navy blue business suit with membership pins plus Girl Scout scarf for women and Girl Scout tie for men.