Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Releases 2025 Wisconsin Girl Report
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
A new report examines the current challenges and opportunities for girls statewide amid unique social circumstances.
November 2025—The Girl Scouts of Wisconsin released the 2025 Wisconsin Girl Report. This report examines the differences in the lived experiences of girls and boys, focusing on areas such as academic achievement and mental health challenges, while also highlighting the opportunities girls have to develop their ambitions, skill sets, and confidence within their families, schools, and communities.
“Girl Scouts has always been more than a program; it’s a lifeline of connection and confidence for girls,” said Missy Brozek, Chief Advancement Officer for Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes. “This report reinforces the urgency of our work and reminds us that when we invest in girls’ well-being, education, and leadership, we’re strengthening the future of every Wisconsin community.”
The 2025 Wisconsin Girl Report focuses on four key dimensions of wellness that are critical for holistic development: physical health, academic performance, emotional wellness, and social well-being.
Some findings in the report include:
Physical health:
- One in five high school girls has experienced sexual violence – a rate nearly three times higher than that of teenage boys.
- Twice as many girls as boys develop binge eating habits, and one in eight girls struggles with skipping meals or fasting.
- Twice as many girls as boys engage in zero days of physical activity.
When girls experience life’s challenges that may impact their physical health, research shows that one of the most critical layers of support is the reassurance that comes from a community that cares. Girl Scouts provides this place of belonging, sisterhood, and well-being, with 92% of Wisconsin Girl Scouts feeling like Girl Scouts is where they belong.
Additionally, when girls face social pressure toward unhealthy choices like substance abuse, researchers promote important preventative skills like future orientation – setting goals and understanding long-term consequences. 75% of Wisconsin Girl Scouts agree that their troop leader helps them think about their future.
Academic performance:
- 41% of girls achieved college-ready proficiency on the ACT compared to 31% of boys.
- While 42% of boys declare an advanced science or engineering field as their first major, only 25% of girls choose the same path.
- 57% of all students completing AP exams in Wisconsin are female.
Girl Scouts has long supported educational outcomes, and the research proves this. 71% of Wisconsin Girl Scouts are more confident in school because of Girl Scouts. This extends beyond high school. 26% of Girl Scout alum have received a bachelor’s degree – compared to 20% of non-alum. This number jumps to 50% with Gold Award Girl Scout alum.
Emotional wellness:
- Half of high school girls meet a clinical definition of depression, 11% higher than boys.
- 52% of parents of girls find difficulty in obtaining needed mental health treatment.
- One in four middle school girls feels unsupported by adults at school in stopping bullying behavior, including cyberbullying.
- Five out of ten high school girls report feeling sad or depressed daily for two+ weeks in a row.
Positive, caring relationships between girls and adult mentors can create a life-changing bond, protecting against mental health challenges. 79% of Wisconsin Girl Scouts say they are happier people because of Girl Scouts. Another Girl Scout study found that girls cite their troop leader as the number one source of positive mental health – above friends, family, and school.
Social well-being:
- 25% of high school girls report not having a teacher or other adult to talk with if they have a problem.
- Less than half of girls live in families that demonstrate resilience.
- More than one-third of high school girls are not enrolled in an activity outside of school.
Research also shows that access to an all-girl environment presents better outcomes in mental health interventions and supports improvements in academic performance. This creates an atmosphere that allows girls to try new things, take bigger risks, and feel safe. As such, 97% of girls in Wisconsin report feeling safe in Girl Scouts.
The Wisconsin Girl Report also features recommendations for parents, youth-serving organizations, school administration and teachers, funders, and policymakers, including concrete suggestions on promoting healthy relationships, closing the STEM gap, supporting mental health conditions, and mentoring girls.
“This report gives us a clearer picture of the real issues girls are navigating, and how powerful it can be when they’re supported,” said Patti Shafto-Carlson, Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes. “At Girl Scouts, we’re creating spaces where girls can feel safe, be themselves, and grow into the leaders our world needs.”
To read a full copy of the Wisconsin Girl Report, visit wisconsingirlreport.org.
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ABOUT GIRL SCOUTS OF WISCONSIN
The Girl Scouts of Wisconsin is an association of four individual Girl Scout councils (Girl Scouts of Manitou, Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes, Girl Scouts of Wisconsin – Badgerland, and Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast) formed for the mutual benefit of Girl Scouts statewide. The Girl Scouts of Wisconsin serve over 30,000 girls in grades K5-12 in nearly every county of Wisconsin with the help of over 15,000 adult volunteers. With the support of volunteers, funders, and partners, Girl Scout councils in Wisconsin ensure girls of all backgrounds and abilities can reach their full potential. For more information, including ways to get involved, visit gsnwgl.org.
