Press Room

The "Why" behind Girl Scout programming…

We intentionally connect Girl Scout activities to relevant, project-based, real-world examples.

The Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE) is the new way girls engage in Girl Scouting. It is the very intentional redesign of not only what girls do in Girl Scouting, but how they experience it. The GSLE is based on years of research by the Girl Scout Research Institute and other youth development data, where girls first Discover their own interests, talents and values; then Connect with others in a diverse setting; and finally Take Action to make their world a better place. This 3-step process, in girl-driven setting that combines hands-on learning and cooperative (team setting) learning theory, is optimal for girls to develop their leader within.

When girls can link new learning to their knowledge and real-life experiences, they’re practicing critical thinking. As they sort and integrate informa¬tion in different contexts, it becomes relevant to them – and girls explore information more when it is personally relevant. Research confirms that the practice of incorporating real-world learning is very highly rated as a contributor to program success.