Is Girl Scouting still relevant?

Currently, there are almost 2 million Girl Scouts throughout the world and another 800,000 adult volunteers. Almost 40% of women in the United States have participated in Girl Scouts at one time or another during their childhood, ranging from singer Taylor Swift to former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.

Many girls join the Girl Scouts as children but become less involved as they get older, eventually leaving the organization. The Detroit News reports that membership is declining, and has been over the past three years.

Is Girl Scouting still relevant for women in 2016?

There are many reasons why girls sometimes lose interest and leave their troops. One main problem that many girls can relate to is the notion that being an older Scout is “uncool.”

“Nowadays, it’s ‘lame.’ When you’re little, it’s cute to be a Girl Scout,” said junior Erin Lafferty, who is a Girl Scout currently working on her Gold Award project. “As you get older, it’s less cool.”  Lafferty has found rewards in the program beyond its popularity.  

Still, there are at least three local troop in the Linganore feeder district that Linganore girls attend.

Others feel that Girl Scouts is no longer the only extracurricular option for girls, as many now have more opportunities to meet new friends and participate in the community.

“Girls have many more options now, like clubs and organizations that they can connect with through social media,” said Christine Anderson, a volunteer for local Troop 81034.

Some believe that, as girls flock to these new opportunities, Girl Scouts is doing little to compete. Many members feel that their troops are doing less together, and the activities are less interesting and typically geared towards younger girls.

But, despite the criticism, Girl Scouts can still be considered one of the most important and influential organizations in a young woman’s life.

The benefits from participating in Girl Scouts, whether one joined as a Daisy or an Ambassador, can be far-reaching. There are currently 59 million Girl Scout alumnae in the United States, which means that one out of every two adult women in the U.S. is a former Girl Scout. Ninety one percent of those former members consider their experience to be positive.  

“[Girl Scouts] teaches young girls the importance of friendship, teamwork, and leadership skills,” said Anderson, a former member herself. “It’s important for young girls to be involved in the community.”

Lafferty joined the Girl Scouts as a Daisy, in kindergarten, after she moved to a new neighborhood. “I think one of the most important things you learn is to connect with people you might not usually talk to,” she said.

Another benefit that especially appeals to older Scouts are volunteer projects. Girl Scouts is more than selling cookies and going camping; service opportunities range from serving breakfast at nursing homes to greeting homecoming troops at the airport.

Not only do these projects increase a girl’s involvement in her community, but they can be meaningful additions to resumes and college applications. The Gold Award, the highest recognition a Girl Scout can achieve, is a service project that the girl organizes and carries out herself, demonstrating leadership in the community. The completion of a Gold Award project looks good on applications, which is a big part of why many girls stay with Girl Scouts as they get older.

“I knew I wanted to get my Gold Award,” said Lafferty, whose project is aimed at unified sports awareness and making the transition into high school easier for those with developmental disabilities.

In addition to the Gold Award, there are many scholarship opportunities for older Girl Scouts, which is another influencing factor in staying with Scouts.

On the other hand, it’s time girls made more connections with former achievers, similar to how young men who are Eagle Scouts feel they belong to an exclusive club. As 2016 is the 100 year anniversary of the Gold Award, the organization is putting more emphasis on alumnae and aims to “increase visibility” of the highest award in Girl Scouting.

Overall, the benefits of staying with Girl Scouts throughout high school, like scholarship opportunities and the chance to help in the community, outweigh any negative connotations that being an older Girl Scout may have.