56-550: Scouting in Massachusetts includes both Girl Scout (GSUSA) and Boy Scouts of America (BSA) organizations. Boy Scouts of America was founded in the 1910s in Massachusetts . Girl Scouts USA was founded in 1912, by Juliette Gordon Low. With a vigorous history, both organizations actively serve thousands of youth in programs that suit the environment in which they live. By 1910, a scout like group, Boston City Guard,
112-672: A Dunkin' Donuts franchise." The decision of the appeals court maintained the status of the Manitou council. As a result, there are 112 Girl Scout councils in the United States. Promise The Girl Scout Promise can be communicated in English, Spanish, or in American Sign Language , carrying the same meaning: On my honor, I will try: To serve God* and my country, To help people at all times, And to live by
168-505: A congressional charter on March 16, 1950. By 1920, the organization reached nearly 70,000 members. In 1930, that number had expanded to over 200,000 members. As of 2013, there were over 3.2 million Girl Scouts: 2.3 million youth members and 890,000 adult members. More than 50 million American women have participated in Girl Scouts throughout its history. In 1923, Girl Scouts were organized into patrols, troops, local councils, and
224-511: A National Council. Initially, troops had a high degree of independence, but over time, councils were formed between troops. Today there are over 300 councils across the United States. The Juliette Gordon Low Historic District in Savannah, Georgia , became the national Girl Scout program center in 1956. Upon Low's death in 1927, she willed her carriage house, at 330 Drayton Street , which eventually became The Girl Scout First Headquarters, to
280-765: A Scout office-service center in Westfield and year-round camping facilities at Horace A. Moses Scout Reservation in Russell . It formerly operated Chesterfield Scout Reservation in Chesterfield, Massachusetts . The Western Massachusetts Council is divided into three districts: The Pocumtuc Lodge of the Western Massachusetts Council was formed by the merger of Memsochet Lodge 507 (Great Trails Council) and Allogagan Lodge 83 (Pioneer Valley Council) on September 28, 2008. Pocumtuc Lodge serves
336-540: A Scouts BSA and Cub Scout camp since its founding. The camp now operates as a weekend retreat location with campsites and cabins available for rent by units. Narragansett Council is based in East Providence, Rhode Island and serves part of Massachusetts, as well as all of Rhode Island and part of Connecticut. The council gained a significant foothold in Massachusetts through merger with the former Moby Dick Council in 2001, and increased its area through merger with
392-646: A scarf that unites their look with the sisterhood of Girl Scouts around the world. For adult members the unifying look of the uniform is a Girl Scout official scarf or tie for men, worn with the official membership pins, combined with their own navy-blue business attire. Girl Scouts at the Daisy and Brownie levels will continue to have a full uniform ensemble available. The adult uniform also changed, with registered women and men wearing navy blue business attire, again from their regular wardrobes. Also available for women are official sweaters and an insignia scarf, while men have
448-478: A topic such as environmentalism or self-confidence rather than being skill-based like a badge . On October 1, 2008, all levels were renamed to begin with "Girl Scout" (e.g., Girl Scout Brownies instead of Brownie Girl Scouts). Additionally, levels were changed to an exclusively grade-based system, A new level, Girl Scout Ambassadors, was created for girls in grades 11 and 12. Sixth grade girls were reclassified from Junior level to Cadette level in order to conform with
504-569: Is a member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). Girl Scouting in the United States began on March 12, 1912, when founder Juliette Gordon Low organized the first Girl Guide troop meeting in Savannah, Georgia . It has since grown to near 3.7 million members. From its inception, the Girl Scouts has been organized and run exclusively for girls. Low was the granddaughter of Juliette Magill Kinzie and John Harris Kinzie, and her maternal grandparents were one of
560-804: Is a short-term camping facility. The Order of the Arrow is represented by the new Tantamous Lodge #223; with the Owl as its totem. The Heart of New England Council was created in 2018 with the merger of the Mohegan Council and the Nashua Valley Council. Mohegan Council and Nashua Valley Councils voted to merge on May 31 and May 30, 2018, respectively. The Heart of New England Council consists of two districts and serves 62 communities in Central Massachusetts. On October 20, 2018,
616-410: Is courteous A Girl Scout keeps herself pure A Girl Scout is a friend to animals A Girl Scout obeys orders A Girl Scout is cheerful A Girl Scout is thrifty Motto Be prepared. Slogan Do a good turn daily. Girl Scout uniforms have changed significantly over the years from the original navy blue in 1912, to khaki in 1914, to the familiar green. The evolution has included uniforms with
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#1732781106133672-617: Is headquartered in New York City . It is headed by a chief executive officer and a 30-member board of directors . Bonnie Barczykowski currently serves as the chief executive officer and was officially appointed in February 2023. The president of the board of directors is Noorain Khan. Councils operate below the national leadership; they usually cover a large portion of a state or geographic region. Some councils own and run camps for
728-626: Is headquartered in Rhode Island. Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts serves 15,000 girls in 186 communities. It was formed by a merger in early 2008 of three councils: Girl Scouts of Montachusett Council, Girl Scouts of Pioneer Valley, Girl Scouts of Western Massachusetts. Headquarters: Holyoke, Massachusetts and Worcester, Massachusetts website: www .gscwm .org Camps Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts serves more than 45,000 girls and 17,000 adults in 177 Massachusetts communities and South Hampton, New Hampshire . It
784-562: Is quite easy to find buildings named after Mr. Magee or with plaques bearing his name. Councils requesting money typically make proposals to the advisory committee, stating the purpose of the project, the amount being requested, and any moneys being provided through other sources. Only Councils located in Massachusetts are eligible, although as the will reads the camps that benefit may be located elsewhere in New England. There are three Girl Scout councils serving Massachusetts, one of which
840-479: Is the most common way to participate in Girl Scouting, girls who do not have a local troop, or those who are unable or unwilling to participate in their local troop, can still sign up as individual Girl Scouts. Individual Girl Scouts were known in the early years of Girl Scouting as Lone Scouts and later as Juliettes; they attend activities independently and work individually on badges and awards. In 2015–2016,
896-808: The 1913 Electrician and Flyer Badges. The first computer-related badges appeared in the 1980s. In 2001, The Girl Scout Research Institute, published a 36-page report about the need for more encouragement to get girls into the field of technology. An even larger push for STEM programs came after a 2012 study by the Girl Scout Research Institute reported that 74% of teenage girls were interested in courses in STEM subjects while only 25% of STEM industry jobs were held by women. Recent endeavors to encourage interest in STEM fields amongst Girl Scouts includes partnerships with companies like NASA , AT&T , and Lockheed Martin . NASA specifically paired
952-479: The 1970s. In 1938, the age divisions consisted of Brownies (ages 7 through 9), Intermediates (ages 10 through 13), and Seniors (ages 14 through 18). In 1965, the age divisions were changed to include Brownies (ages 7 and 8, or 2nd and 3rd grade), Juniors (ages 9 through 11, or 4th through 6th grade), Cadettes (ages 11 through 14, or 7th through 9th grade), and Seniors (ages 14 through 18, or 10th through 12th grade). The Daisy program for kindergarten -age girls
1008-464: The BSA summer camp at Horace A. Moses Scout Reservation, with OA days occurring on Wednesdays during summer weeks. During OA days, Brotherhood conversations are done and there is lodge fellowship. The George W. Magee Memorial Trust Fund is a Massachusetts-based trust whose proceeds are used to support the purchase and improvement of the camps operated by BSA Councils in Massachusetts. George W. P. Magee
1064-667: The Cumberland Valley council in 1962. The first official African American troop in the South was founded in 1932 in Richmond, Virginia . It was created by Lena B. Watson, but was led by Lavnia Banks, a teacher from Armstrong High School . It first met in Hartshorn Hall at Virginia Union University . By the 1950s, GSUSA had begun significant national efforts to desegregate the camps and maintain racial balance. One of
1120-529: The Girl Scout Law in accordance with their own spiritual beliefs. The Promise is often recited at Girl Scout troop meetings while holding up the three middle fingers of the right hand, forming the Girl Scout sign. Girl Scout policy states that the organization does not endorse or promote any particular philosophy or religious belief. The movement is nonsectarian and secular. In this context,
1176-796: The Girl Scouts with the SETI Institute to create a 5-year space education program called "Reaching for the Stars: NASA Science for Girl Scouts." The most recent push to help Girl Scouts imagine a future in STEM was the Girl Scout's appearance at the International Consumer Electronics Show in January 2016 to show off Digital Cookie 2.0, a website made in partnership with Dell and Visa, that helps Girl Scouts manage their cookie business online. Daniel Webster Council Daniel Webster Council
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#17327811061331232-538: The Islands Council serves Cape Cod , Martha's Vineyard , and Nantucket with their headquarters residing in Yarmouthport, Massachusetts . The Council owns two camps: Greenough Scout Reservation as well as Camp Richard. The Order of the Arrow lodge is Abake Mi-Sa-Na-Ki Lodge #393. On March 28, 2017, Knox Trail Council and Old Colony Council voted to merge and create a new, combined council. The merger
1288-507: The Order of the Arrow lodges from the former Councils merged, creating Catamount Lodge. The Council operates Camp Wanocksett, founded in 1924 in Dublin, New Hampshire. Camp Wanocksett serves as a summer camp for both Scouts BSA and Venturing BSA during seven weeks of program. Camp Wanocksett is over 230 acres of land that borders Mount Monadnock , one of the most frequently climbed mountains in
1344-519: The USA Girl Scouts of the United States of America ( GSUSA ), commonly referred to as Girl Scouts , is a youth organization for girls in the United States and American girls living abroad. It was founded by Juliette Gordon Low in 1912, a year after she had met Robert Baden-Powell , the founder of Scouting (formally Boy Scouts). The stated mission of the Girl Scouts is to "[build] girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make
1400-660: The United States or even to another country. Troops may organize cultural or learning events such as first-aid training or attending live theater. The Girl Scout activity most familiar to the general public may be the annual sale of Girl Scout Cookies , which started in 1917 as a money-earning opportunity for councils and troops. Girl Scouts has incorporated STEM -related programs and badges to encourage more interest in Scouts in STEM fields. From 2005 to 2007, more than 8.6 million STEM-related badges were earned. The first STEM-related Girl Scout badges, though, can be traced back to
1456-481: The Wing Scout program was a courtesy flight provided to Senior Girl Scouts using United Airlines aircraft. For many of the girls, the flight was their first time being in an airplane. Senior Girl Scouts who had been in the program for three years were given the opportunity to temporarily take control of a small aircraft during flight. The program was discontinued after United Airlines experienced financial issues in
1512-540: The board of directors consolidated the 312 councils into 109 councils. In response to the consolidation, the Manitou Girl Scout council in Wisconsin sued GSUSA in the district court , alleging a breach of the Girl Scout charter. The suit was summarily dismissed with prejudice. The Seventh U.S. Circuit of Appeals overturned the decision, stating that a Girl Scout council agreement "was no different than
1568-549: The broad reclassification of 6th grade as a middle school grade. The new levels were tested in approximately six councils during the spring of 2008 and were instituted nationally after October 1, 2008. As of 2024, Girl Scouts can begin in kindergarten and join all the way through 12th grade. The age divisions are Daisies (kindergarten and 1st grade), Brownies (2nd and 3rd grade), Juniors (4th and 5th grade), Cadettes (6th through 8th grade), Seniors (9th and 10th grade), and Ambassadors (11th and 12th grade). Although troop membership
1624-570: The earliest settlers of Chicago . Juliette Kinzie wrote about her experiences in the Northwest Territory (now the state of Wisconsin ) in her book Wau-Bun: The Early Day . Low incorporated some of her grandmother's experiences on the frontier into the traditions of Girl Scouts. In late 1912, Low sought various mergers with similar organizations, including Camp Fire Girls and the Des Moines -based Girl Scouts of America , but
1680-1195: The end of 1934, 12 Mariner ships were registered and the first two handbooks, launching a Girl Scout Mariner Ship and Charting the Course of a Girl Scout Mariner Ship, were published. The Mariner Girl Scout program remains active but in a smaller form; most girls have instead joined Sea Scouting, which has been coed since 1971. Programs are available for girls in specific circumstances that may make it difficult for them to participate in standard programs. The Girl Scouts "Beyond Bars program" helps daughters of incarcerated mothers connect with their mothers and helps mothers participate in Girl Scout activities. Another program, Girl Scouting in Detention Centers, allows girls who are themselves in detention centers to participate in Scouting. Other initiatives try to help girls in rural areas or in public housing. There are also programs for American girls living overseas, and girls whose families are experiencing homelessness or are living in temporary housing. The national organization
1736-534: The first desegregations, accomplished by Murray Atkins Walls in 1956, was at Camp Shattuck in Kentucky . Later the same year, Martin Luther King Jr. described Girl Scouts as "a force for desegregation". In 1969, a Girl Scout initiative called Action 70 was created that aimed to eliminate prejudice . Gloria D. Scott, an African American, was elected national president of GSUSA in 1975. The Wing Scouts
Scouting in Massachusetts - Misplaced Pages Continue
1792-600: The former Annawon Council in 2016. Council camps in Massachusetts include Camp Norse (Kingston) and Camp Buxton (Rehoboth). The council also operates Camp Champlin (Cranston) and Yawgoog Scout Reservation in Rhode Island. The Order of the Arrow Lodge is Tulpe Lodge #102. The Spirit of Adventure Council was formed from a merger of the Yankee Clipper Council and Boston Minuteman Council on July 1, 2015. As part of this merger, New Hampshire towns of
1848-495: The former Yankee Clipper Council were transferred to Daniel Webster Council headquartered in Manchester, NH . The Western Massachusetts Council was created on June 28, 2008 with the merger of Great Trails Council and Pioneer Valley Council. Geographically, it is the largest BSA council in Massachusetts serving Berkshire , Franklin , Hampden , and Hampshire counties and the town of Stamford, Vermont . The council operates
1904-598: The fund has contributed over $ 6.2 million to hundreds of projects, impacting over a million youth, at various Boy Scout camps. Funds are held by the Private Bank at Bank of America, the current successor of the Old Colony Trust Company, and they are advised by a committee composed of local Scouting professionals and volunteers. Many Massachusetts camps conduct a "Magee Night" competition or other similar event to celebrate Mr. Magee's contribution, and it
1960-598: The hair and facial styles were updated by Jennifer Kinnon and Bobby C. Martin Jr. of The Original Champions of Design. One of the original and continuing attractions of Girl Scouts is that girls become proficient campers and participate in many outdoor activities such as canoeing or backpacking with their troops. Troops do service projects such as carrying out flag ceremonies, collecting food for food drives, visiting nursing homes, and Christmas caroling or other community services. Troops may also plan and take extended trips within
2016-410: The historic Brownie pin and other uniform pieces or white shirt and khaki pants or skirts. Girl Scout Juniors wear their official vest or sash to display insignia including awards, coupled with a white shirt and khaki pants or skirt. Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors can choose a khaki sash or vest to go with khaki pants or skirt and a white shirt. The emblem designed by Juliette Gordon Low
2072-678: The local Savannah Girl Scouts for continued use. Most Girl Scout units were originally segregated by race according to state and local laws and customs. The first troop for African American girls was founded in 1917; the first American Indian troop was formed in New York State in 1921; and the first troop for Mexican Americans was formed in Houston , Texas, in 1922. In 1933, Josephine Groves Holloway founded unofficial African American troops in Tennessee . She also fully desegregated
2128-445: The option of an official tie. For all levels, earned awards go on the front of the vest or sash following official placements. Fun patches can be displayed on the back of a vest or sash. Girl Scout Daisies can choose a blue vest or a smock with a full uniform or white shirt and khaki pants and skirt. They have their own Daisy pin and a choice of accessories. Girl Scout Brownies can choose a traditional brown vest or sash to be worn with
2184-423: The organization. This followed declines in both membership and revenue, as well as challenges in subsidizing programs in urban areas . The governance gap team found that consolidation decreased confusion and provided economies of scale and recommended an optimal council size of approximately 10,000 girls. This left 312 regional Girl Scout councils, which administrate 236,000 local troops and other groups. In 2004,
2240-438: The original Trustees of the fund. It took nearly 5 years, until 1944, for the fund to reach the minimum level for income to be distributed ($ 500,000). In 1944, the fund distributed $ 11,000. Upon the death of Mr. Cornell in 1961, the Old Colony Trust Company became the sole corporate trustee of the fund. As of 2004, the fund had a market value of approximately $ 7.3 million, with an annual distribution of $ 210,000. Over its lifetime,
2296-620: The specificity to designate each age level of Girl Scouting. Since 2008, Girl Scouts at each level have one required element ( tunic , sash or vest) for the display of official pins and awards which will be required when girls participate in ceremonies or officially represent the Girl Scout Movement. For girls ages 5 to 14, the unifying look includes wearing a choice of a tunic, vest, sash for displaying official pins and awards, combined with their own solid white shirts and khaki pants or skirts. Girl Scouts in high school can also wear
Scouting in Massachusetts - Misplaced Pages Continue
2352-584: The term Juliette was phased out at the national level, in favor of the term Independent Girl Scouts, although some councils still use the term, Juliette. The 20th National Council of GSUSA launched the Mariner Girl Scout program in October 1934. Similar to the Boy Scouts of America 's Sea Scouting , the program was designed for older Girl Scouts interested in outdoor water-based activities. By
2408-450: The troop. Troops range in size from as small as 5 to as large as 30 or more girls and may be divided into several patrols of 8 or fewer girls. In 2004, Girl Scouts of the USA hired a consultant "to help Girl Scouts develop a strategy to ensure our future success and growth." Six "gap teams" looked at ways Girl Scouts could improve its structure in order to ensure the future growth and success of
2464-424: The troops within their area of responsibility. Councils are usually subdivided into areas, variously known as neighborhoods, service units, or associations. These are program delivery areas that consist of troops at all age levels in a smaller area, such as a town. The basic unit is the troop which may or may not be sponsored. In contrast to Boy Scout troop-chartered organizations, Girl Scout troop sponsors do not own
2520-617: The word "God" may be interpreted by each Girl Scout depending on her individual spiritual beliefs, and Girl Scouts are free to substitute the word consistent with their beliefs, such as "Creator", "my faith", "Allah", etc. Many Girl Scouts use the word "Community" or "Good" as a substitution. Law The current version of the Girl Scout Law reads as follows: I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make
2576-463: The world a better place" through activities involving camping , community service , and practical skills such as first aid . Members can earn badges by completing certain tasks and mastering skills. More senior members may be eligible for awards, such as the Bronze , Silver , and Gold Awards . Membership is organized according to grade level, with activities designed for each level. The organization
2632-452: The world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout. The Girl Scout Law has been changed several times since 1912. The original Girl Scout Law written by Juliette Gordon Low was: A Girl Scout's honor is to be trusted A Girl Scout is loyal A Girl Scout's duty is to be useful and to help others A Girl Scout is a friend to all, and a sister to every other girl scout no matter to what social class she may belong A Girl Scout
2688-605: The world. The Council operates Treasure Valley Scout Reservation, founded in 1926 in Rutland, Massachusetts. Treasure Valley Scout Reservation serves as a summer camp for both Scouts BSA and Cub Scouts. Treasure Valley Scout Reservation consists of over 1600 acres of land expanding over the towns of Rutland, Spencer, Paxton, and Oakham, Massachusetts. The Council also operates Camp Split Rock, founded in 1945 in Ashburnham, Massachusetts. Camp Split Rock has previously served as
2744-595: Was a Senior Girl Scout program for girls interested in aviation . It was started in 1941 and ended in the 1970s. In July 1942, 29 troop leaders from 15 states met in Philadelphia for Wing Scout leadership training. They returned to their councils and began the creation of Wing Scout troops. In 1959, the council in San Mateo County, California was presented with an offer from United Airlines to start an aviation program for Senior Girl Scouts. A highlight of
2800-429: Was a theatrical agent and manager who most notably managed Boston's Grand Opera House from the 1890s through 1916. Being very involved in the community, he saw Scouting as a program making significant positive impact on the lives of young men. He turned this belief into a permanent commitment to Scouting, by establishing a trust upon his death. George Magee died in 1939, with France Cornell and Frederick W. Cook becoming
2856-942: Was executed on May 10, 2017; with the new council using the name 'Council 251' pending the selection of a new name. On August 30, 2017 members voted to become the Mayflower Council. Mayflower Council was headquartered at the former Knox Trail Council office in Marlborough, Massachusetts. On October 2, 2020, the council moved into its new service center at 83 Cedar Street in Milford. Massachusetts. Mayflower Council comprises five districts covering 62 communities: Post Road, Metacomet. Cranberry Harbors, Sachem, and Headwaters Districts. Mayflower Council owns three camp properties: Camp Resolute, Bolton; Camp Squanto, Plymouth and Nobscot Scout Reservation, Sudbury/Framingham. Camps Resolute and Squanto are summer residential camps while Nobscot
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#17327811061332912-558: Was formed February 1, 2008 by a merger of three councils: Girl Scouts, Patriots' Trail; Girl Scout Council of Southeastern Massachusetts; Girl Scouts of Spar and Spindle Council. Headquarters: Boston, Massachusetts website: www .gsema .org This council supports Massachusetts girls in Bellingham , Blackstone , Attleboro , Fall River , North Attleboro , Plainville , Somerset , Swansea , Westport , Wrentham , Millville , Rehoboth and Seekonk . Girl Scouts of
2968-750: Was founded by Frank O. Carpenter of the English High School. In June 1910, the American Boy Scouts started organizing the Department of New England which was operational in August or September under chief department scout General William H. Oakes and based in Boston. On February 1, 2019, Boy Scouts of America started allowing all-girl troops to be formed. A number of all-girl troops have been formed in Massachusetts. The Cape Cod and
3024-592: Was started in 1984. The Daisy program succeeded a 1976 pilot program known as Pixies. In 2003, the Studio 2B program was introduced for Cadettes and Seniors. Under the Studio 2B programs, girls were able to work on traditional badges as well as Studio 2B activities, and the Silver Award and Gold Award requirements were altered to require both. Studio 2B activities differed from badges in that each booklet focused on
3080-492: Was the only emblem used for Girl Scout pins through 1980. At the 1978 GSUSA National Convention, the use of two logos was voted on, allowing Girl Scouts to pick which they wanted to wear as their Girl Scout pin (for Girl Scout Juniors and up). The current Girl Scouts of the USA logo is a rejuvenation of the original logo based on Saul Bass ' 1978 design, Bass being a graphic designer known for his motion picture title sequences and design of various other well-known logos. In 2010,
3136-404: Was unsuccessful in any merging. In 1913, the organization was renamed to Girl Scouts of the United States. Its headquarters was subsequently moved to Washington, D.C. In 1915, the organization was incorporated , and its headquarters was moved to New York City . The organization was renamed for the final time to Girl Scouts of the United States of America in 1947. The organization received
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