Frequently Asked Questions

Why should my daughter join the Girl Scouts?

Girl Scouts of the USA is the world's pre-eminent organization dedicated solely to girls — all girls — where, in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build character and skills for success in the real world. In partnership with committed adult volunteers, Girl Scouts cultivate their full individual potential. The qualities they develop in Girl Scouting — leadership, values, social conscience, and conviction about their own self-worth — serve them all their lives.

Can my daughter participate in Girl Scouting? How old are girls who participate?

Girl Scouting is open to all girls ages 5 to 17. The Girl Scouts - Diamonds of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas serves 4300 girls and adults in 15 counties across northern Arkansas. There are four age levels in Girl Scouting:
• Daisy Girl Scouts, 5-6 years old
• Brownie Girl Scouts, 6-8 years old
• Junior Girl Scouts, 8-11 years old
• OGCS Members 11-17 years old

How much does Girl Scouting cost?

Girl Scouting is open to all girls regardless of ability to pay. When necessary, the Girl Scouts - Diamonds of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas provides financial assistance to registered girl or adult members. A Scholarship form is available from a troop leader or local membership specialist.
Membership dues: The $10 annual (Oct. 1 – Sept. 30) membership dues are paid to Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. and are not transferable or refundable. The fee is used to cover the cost of individual accident insurance.
Troop dues: The amount is determined by girls and parents in each troop based on planned activities and the ability to pay.
Optional activities: Several events may be offered in addition to troop programming. These include day and resident camping, for which there could be an additional fee.
Uniforms: Uniforms are not required. Girls who wear the uniform can purchase them through the council shop located in Fayetteville. Purchases can be made by mail or by visiting the shop.

What activities will my daughter participate in through Girl Scouting?

Girl Scouting will provide your daughter with a wide variety of activities, developed around the interests and needs of the girls, in small groups, with the guidance of trained adult leaders. Girl Scouts offers a dynamic program that emphasizes character, community service, leadership and respect for others. Traditionally, Girl Scouting involved activities such as crafts, singing as a group and camping. But today’s Girl Scout program encompasses the traditional activities and has expanded to include science and nature projects, educational field trips, career mentoring, national and international travel and community service projects.

Will my daughter be required to sell cookies?

Participating in the Girl Scout cookie sale is voluntary. We never want girls to be pressured to sell cookies, and we want girls to spend most of their time benefiting from the Girl Scout program. However, proceeds from the sale fund troop and council wide activities, provide financial assistance to girls and support volunteer recruitment and training and the maintenance of the council’s camp property. Most troops find the Girl Scout cookie sale the ideal fund-raising opportunity. Further, Girl Scouts who participate in the sale take away a variety of skills, including goal-setting, marketing and sales, basic accounting, communication and money management. Note: Daisy Girl Scouts do not participate in the cookie sale.

Does my daughter have to join a troop to become a Girl Scout?

The Girl Scouts is constantly responding to the changing needs of today’s girls. We offer our traditional program as well as a number of alternative approaches.

Traditional troops: Girls meet regularly with adult leaders to participate in activities that are tailored to each program level. This helps ensure that the Girl Scout experience will meet girls’ developmental, educational, emotional and social needs and interests. Troop activities vary from troop to troop, as girls are encouraged to plan and make their own decisions.
Juliettes by Mail: Individually registered girls receive mailings highlighting Girl Scout activities, some of which can be done with parent involvement.
Interest Groups: Junior, and OGCS Members Girl Scouts participate in interest group activities that are important to them. Activities focus on: sports, horseback riding, the environment, sciences, technology, the arts, public speaking and others.
Day Camps: Girls receive short-term experiences in Girl Scouting activities through our locally sponsored weeklong summer day camps in communities throughout the council.
After School Programs: Girl Scout activities are available for girls in schools and childcare facilities.
Girl Scouts En Espanol: Provides the Girl Scouting experience to girls and their families in Hispanic communities throughout the 15-county area that the Girl Scouts - Diamonds of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas serves.

Do I have to be a leader for my daughter to be a Girl Scout?

Troops cannot exist without adequate, trained adult volunteer support. While parents are not required to serve as troop leaders, parents are encouraged to support the Troop Committee. Every troop has a committee, so that all parents share in the responsibilities.

How can I ensure my daughter receives the most that the Girl Scouts has to offer?

See that your daughter attends troop meetings regularly and is dropped off and picked up on time. Attend parents’ meetings, family activities and other troop functions. Let your daughter know you consider her involvement in Girl Scouting to be special and important to both of you.

When will I hear what troop my daughter has been placed in?

If you are joining at the beginning of the Girl Scout year, it is usually a very busy time of year for the parent volunteers so it may be three weeks before you will receive a call. If you are joining during the year, you should hear from someone within two weeks.

What should I do if I have not heard from anyone after that time?

Please click here Who do I contact? and email the person noted as your contact.

When and Where will my daughters troop meet?

This varies by troop. The person who contacts you will give you the information and/or try and find a troop that meets your time/location restraints.

What if a troop can't be found and I am unable to volunteer this year?

Girls that are in the 1st - 12th grade have the option of registering as an independent Girl Scout (Juliette). As a Juliette she will be eligible to attend community and council events, and if she chooses, work on badges and participate in the Cookie Program. Please contact your Membership Specialist for more details on this program. Who is my Membership Specialist?