Celebrations

Girl Scouts make a difference every day – but there is one day a year when we get together with other difference makers around the nation and do something fun and unique for our community. On October 28, volunteers from across the country will participate in Make A Difference Day, one of the largest annual single-days of service nationwide. Since 1992, volunteers and communities have […]

Spring has officially sprung, and Girl Scouts everywhere are looking forward to more sunshine as summer approaches. But there’s more to do than soak up the sun—a Girl Scout’s work is never done! Bring a little light into someone’s life with these 7 springy service projects! Donate your old clothes Bring a whole new aspect […]

Girl Scouts strives to empower girls—all girls—to accept and appreciate both themselves and others. Girl Scouts does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, national origin, or ability. When I first offered Girl Scout programming in support of the LGBTQ+ community, I encountered some resistance from other troop leaders, which […]

Every year, Girl Scouts around the world honor the memory of our founder, Juliette Gordon Low, on her birthday, October 31st. Some troops choose to celebrate the whole month, while others plan special events on or near the actual day of her birth, which is also known as Founder’s Day (and also happens to be […]

Stars and Stripes, the Star Spangled Banner, Old Glory—whatever you call it, the American flag is an important symbol to Girl Scouts in the United States. If you have been to a Girl Scout event, chances are you’ve seen or participated in a flag ceremony. Flag ceremonies are the perfect way to start and end […]

Girl Scouts of Northern California serves incredibly diverse communities from all over the Northern California area. With so many rich cultural celebrations and heritage acknowledgments that happen throughout the year, we wanted to offer you a quick reference guide so that you and your troop can keep track and include them in your activities for […]

Girl Scouting provides the best opportunities for girls when families step up and play an active part in the troop. Without meaningful support from parents and caregivers, it’s difficult for a troop to be all it can be. Plus, girls feel a special sense of pride when their families take part and show interest in […]

Throughout the long history of Girl Scouts, certain traditions remain meaningful and important and are still practiced today. This section gives you an overview of annual celebrations in the Girl Scout year, as well as other revered Girl Scout traditions. Girl Scout Holidays Signs, Songs, Handshake, and More! Time-Honored Ceremonies Historic Uniforms and Memorabilia Collections

The decision by Boy Scouts of America (BSA) to open the Boy Scout program to girls has fundamentally altered the nature of the relationship between BSA and Girl Scouts nationally and locally. Local relationships between BSA and Girl Scout councils that have led to partnerships and joint activities in the past may now create certain […]

In 1912, Juliette Gordon Low brought Girl Scouting to the United States. The first Girl Scout troop in California was established in 1917 in Palo Alto. Girl Scouts of Northern California was incorporated in 2007, comprising five former councils, and is the home of GSNorCal’s Heritage Committee. The Heritage Committee’s mission is to collect, conserve, […]