About Us
Mission
Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.
Membership
Girl Scouts is open to all girls in grades K–12. Annual membership dues are $12 per year and financial assistance is available for those that qualify. Our organization values diversity and inclusiveness and does not discriminate on any basis. Learn more »
Volunteering
Girl Scouts is a volunteer-driven organization. You can make a difference in the lives of girls! Girl Scouts will match your skills, interests and availability to volunteer opportunities. Learn more »
Girl Scout Program
The focal point of the Girl Scout program is the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE)—the framework for defining what girls do in Girl Scouting. Programs engage girls in three key activities: discovering who they are and what they value; connecting with others; and taking action to make the world a better place. To ensure a high-quality and fun experience, Girl Scout activities use three processes: girl-led, learning-by-doing, and cooperative-learning. Our success is demonstrated by the fact that Girl Scout alumnae make up 80 percent of female executives and business owners, and two-thirds of women serving in the U.S. Congress.
The Girl Scout Grade levels are:
- 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
About Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington
Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington serves members throughout Oregon, and Clark and Skamania Counties in Washington (view a map). There are 40 service units that provide support to girls and
adults in their geographic area.
Our council is funded through grants, donations, bequests, program fees, product sales, investment
income and endowments. Review our 2009 Annual Report for more information.
Fast Facts
- 18,595 girl members
- 10,667 adult volunteers
- 80 full-time and 14 part-time staff
- $ 6.2 million budget
- $110,187 provided in financial assistance to 5,836 members
- 14 properties and 8 service centers throughout the council’s jurisdiction
- 8 policies in place to ensure girl safety at all times
Note: Statistics are based on the membership year October 1, 2008 - September 30, 2009.
Girl Scout Cookie Program
Our well-known Girl Scout Cookie Program is just one of the many programs our council offers. This program helps girls learn essential life skills including goal-setting, self-confidence, teambuilding, early business skills and financial literacy. Our council's pre-sales begin in January, cookies arrive in February and booth sales run from mid-February till mid-March. Check our website during this time period for complete details. Each box costs $4.00 and proceeds (per box) are distributed as follows:
- Payment to bakery $.87
- Troop proceeds $.67 avg.
- Recognitions $.25 (girl prizes)
- Financial assistance $.25
- Program for girls $1.90
- Service unit grant $.06 max (used to support troops)
Community Outreach
- Creating Her Own Individual Challenges and Experiences - C.H.O.I.C.E. is focused on
middle and high school aged girls who may be having difficulty reaching their full potential.
Leaders are recruited from local colleges and communities to provide positive female role
models who can relate readily to the issues and concerns of teenage girls. - Hispanic Initiative - This initiative is dedicated to supporting Latina/Hispanic girls and adults.
- Girl Scouts Beyond Bars –GSBB participants meet twice a month with their mothers who
reside at the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Wilsonville. The program provides Girl Scout
activities in a safe and supportive environment and focuses on re-establishing relationships, Girl
Scout values and healthy decision-making skills.