Membership and Benefits of the Girl Scout Program
Girl Scouting is for every girl, everywhere—where today's girls can become tomorrow's leaders. Membership in Girl Scouts is open to girls ages 5-17; women and men age 18 and over can join as adult members. Most girls join a local troop or group for fun and friendship, but they also find out about building character and self-esteem and serving their communities—the core qualities of Girl Scouting. In Girl Scouts, girls find a safe place to grow and share new experiences, learn to relate to others, develop values, and contribute to society.
The Girl Scout program is based on the needs and interests of girls. All members:
- Share the Girl Scout Promise and Law.
- Pay national dues of $10.00.
- Follow safety guidelines.
The mission of the Girl Scout program is to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Girl Scouts have many more opportunities in Girl Scouting than in school, many of which they wouldn’t be able to do anywhere else. Character, conduct, and community service are core qualities of Girl Scouting. Girl Scouting's sole purpose is to meet the unique needs of girls by offering activities which address both girls' current interests and their future roles as women.
In a society with little or no time for its children, young women need positive role models. The Girl Scout organization provides adult volunteers with valuable training and skill development, as 
well as program materials and resources to help these role models be prepared to make a real impact in the lives of girls.
Recent studies reveal that when compared to non-Girl Scouts, Girl Scouts have higher levels of respect for others, better decision-making skills, and have a greater sense of belonging. Girl Scouts also demonstrate increased leadership and teamwork skills, a greater desire to be helpful to others, and a higher appreciation for diversity. Girl Scouts builds leaders, one girl at a time. So why should girls become Girl Scouts? Maybe you should ask yourself "why not?"