From Daisies in kindergarten to Ambassadors in high school, the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GSGCNWI) offer a path for children to learn new skills, build friendships and give back to their communities.
This guide explains how the program works, what families can expect at each level and how to find and register for a troop in the Chicago area.
How troops are organized
Troops are organized by grade, and each stage offers its own milestones
|
Grade |
Name |
What They Do |
|
K–1st |
Daisies |
Hands-on fun, being active and earning first badges |
|
2nd–3rd |
Brownies |
Community service projects, STEM and exploration |
|
4th–5th |
Juniors |
Bronze Award, camping and event planning |
|
6th–8th |
Cadettes |
Silver Award, leadership roles, project-focused work |
|
9th–10th |
Seniors |
Travel, gold award and career exploration |
|
11th–12th |
Ambassadors |
Leadership, mentoring younger scouts and advocacy initiatives |
How to get started
Before making a commitment, families are encouraged to attend “Try It Out” events, which provide a firsthand experience of scouting. These may include scavenger hunts on neighborhood walks, cultural celebrations such as Viva Mi Cultura (featuring Latin crafts, music and culture), or service projects like the Leave Some Love kindness campaign.
In addition, annual information sessions are held for families and parents who would like to learn more about the program before enrolling. Families are welcome to attend any event prior to registering, offering flexibility as they explore what Girl Scouts has to offer.
Earning badges and building skills
Scouts can earn badges through a variety of workshops and activities, including STEM (robotics, coding, and science experiments):
- Music and the creative arts
- Camping and nature walks are examples of outdoor activities.
- Projects involving community service
Scouts usually participate in at least one significant troop project and earn five to 10 badges annually. The bronze, silver and gold awards are milestone awards that older scouts strive for.
What a Scout year looks like
A typical Girl Scout year blends consistency with exciting opportunities for growth.
- Meetings: Twice a month, 1–2 hours each
- Activities: Badge work, team-building and planning events
- Projects: Food drives, park cleanups and service opportunities
- Special Events: Camps, cultural celebrations and award ceremonies
- Camping: At least one troop camping trip per year
- Year-End Ceremony: Celebrating achievements and awards
Past highlight events
Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana regularly host unique and memorable activities. Some examples include:
- Bronzeville scouting scavenger hunt: Chicago Neighborhood Walk
- Spa Science Day: STEM and self-care with experiments, and the making of lip gloss and facials.
- Superheros Assemble: Scouts encountered firefighters and EMTs
Finding a troop in Chicago
Families can connect with local troops through the Troop Finder Tool on the Girl Scouts Join a Troop page:
- Enter your ZIP code
- Explore age-appropriate troop options
- Register online
GSGCNWI serves 52,000+ girls across 245 communities in 10 counties (including Cook, DuPage and Will), making it the largest Girl Scout membership in the U.S.
Registration and costs
- Membership Fee: $25 per year (plus possible troop/activity fees)
- Financial Aid: Available for families in need
- Supplies: Uniforms and materials available at the Girl Scout Shop
- Volunteering: Parents can help with troop events, like STEM days or spa activities
Next steps for families
Families can explore available opportunities by visiting the Girl Scouts “Join a Troop” page. Attending a Try It Out event or family information session is a great way to experience scouting firsthand and learn more about the program.
Once ready, families can register online and officially begin their child’s Girl Scout journey filled with friendship, service and leadership.
