BEDFORD, NH — In the wake of last Wednesday’s announcement from the Boy Scouts of America regarding a change of policy to allow girls into the program, Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains remains committed to providing girl-led, girl-centered programming for girls throughout New Hampshire and Vermont.
“Girl Scouts is the world’s premiere girl leadership experience in the world, empowering girls to unleash their potential through innovative and girl-led programming,” said Patricia K. Mellor, CEO. “And with more than 105 years of experience, we bring a wealth of knowledge to programs that deliver girls cornerstone experiences with benefits that last a lifetime.”
In fact, research shows that girls learn best in an all-girl, girl-led environment in which their specific needs are addressed and met.
“The single-gender space is where girls thrive,” said Mellor, “creating a safe space in which they are free to explore their potential and take the lead without the distractions or pressures that can be found in a coed environment.”
The council currently serves over 10,000 girls throughout the two-state region and experienced an 8.5 percent membership growth increase in the past year.
Through exciting hands-on learning in STEM, the outdoors, and entrepreneurship, Girl Scouts empowers girls to develop courage, confidence, and character to make the world a better place. Girl Scouts can also earn the prestigious Gold Award, which recognizes young women who have designed service projects that tackle community issues, either locally or globally, such as poverty or the environment. Girls typically spend one to two years on their Gold Award projects, and must create long-term sustainability plans that benefit the community.
Whether helping their communities or building a robot, girls are set on a path for leadership when participating in Girl Scout programming. The Girl Scout effect is proven: in the U.S., 90 percent of female astronauts, 80 percent of female tech leaders, 75 percent of current senators, and 50 percent of female business owners are Girl Scout alumnae.
“Put simply, Girl Scouting works,” said Mellor. “As an organization dedicated to girls and their unlimited potential, we will continue to provide them with quality programming designed to help them become the leaders of tomorrow.”
