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Girl Scouts–Dakota Horizons

Individual Girl Scout

Handbook2014-2015



We are glad you are here! We look forward to bringing fun, friend-filled adventures foryour girl that will build lifelong leadership skills.

This Individual Girl Scout Handbook provides an overview of our program specifically

for individual participants. Please contact us if we can be of assistance in helping youget started. Again, welcome to the Girl Scout Family!

Who We AreGirl Scouts – Dakota Horizons (GSDH) ischartered by Girl Scouts of the USA-thelargest organization for girls in the world–to

provide direct services to girls and thevolunteers who work with them throughoutall of North Dakota and South Dakotaas well some surrounding counties inMinnesota and Iowa.

Our MissionGirl Scouting builds girls of courage,

confidence, and character, who make theworld a better place.

What We DoIn Girl Scouts, girls develop their leadershippotential through activities that enablethem to discover their values, skills, and theworld around them; connect with others

in a multicultural environment; and takeaction to make a difference in the world.

100+ years of leadership• 59% of women in the United States

Senate are former Girl Scouts.• 60% of women in the House of

Representatives are former Girl Scouts.

• 53% of all women business owners areformer Girl Scouts.

• 76% of all Girl Scout alumnae reportthat Girl Scouts had a positive impactin their lives.

The Girl Scout PromiseOn my honor, I will try:

To serve God* and my country,To help people at all times,And to live by the Girl Scout Law.

The Girl Scout LawI will do my best to behonest and fair,

friendly and helpful,considerate and caring,courageous and strong, andresponsible for what I say and do,and torespect myself and others,respect authority,use resources wisely,

make the world a better place, andbe a sister to every Girl Scout.

*When reciting the Girl Scout Promise,

Girl Scouts may substitute wording

appropriate to their own spiritual belief

for the word “God.”

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Welcome to Girl Scouts!



Who can join?

Any girl—from kindergarten through 12th grade—can join Girl Scouts. What allmembers share, whether girls or adults, is the Girl Scout Promise and Law. Eachmember also agrees to follow safety guidelines and pay the annual membership dues.

Grade LevelsGirl Scouting is age-appropriate and designed to meet girls’ unique needs andinterests at various stages in their lives.

Girl Scout Daisy Grades K – 1Girls learn more about themselves in relation to others. Girls participate inactivities that help them understand the Girl Scout Promise and Law.

Girl Scout Brownie Grades 2 – 3Girls gain cooperative and team building skills. Girls participate in activitiesthat help them try new and challenging things to expand their horizons.

Girl Scout Junior Grades 4 – 5Girls learn about being part of a larger community while gaining a clearersense of individual identity. Girls participate in activities that help themexplore new skills and ideas, plan and evaluate, and make healthy choices.

Girl Scout Cadette Grades 6 – 8Girls strengthen existing relationships and seek new connections.Girls participate in activities that help them examine and address issues,practice and promote healthy behavior, and challenge themselves.

Girl Scout Senior Grades 9 – 10Girls recognize and address challenges to build healthy relationshipsand teamwork. Girls participate in activities that help them applycritical thinking skills, engage in and advocate for inclusiviness and mobilizeothers.

Girl Scout Ambassador Grades 11 – 12Girls increase independence, seek community connections, andstrengthen relationships. Girls participate in activities that equip them topursue goals, live their values, and refine their leadership skills.

Adult Girl Scout & VolunteerGirl Scout volunteers add meaningful days to girls’ lives and to their own.

Share your personal passions and create experiences together that willnever be forgotten. There are endless, flexible ways to participate. Chooseto work directly or indirectly with girls on a short-term or long-term basis.Volunteers receive instruction, guidance, and support. Learn more atgsdakotahorizons.org/for-volunteers or contact your local Girl Scout–Dakota Horizons Volunteer Specialist to get involved.

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One $15 membership, 5 ways to get involved! With guidance from parents/guardians, girls choose how they want to experience Girl Scouts.

Individual Girl Scouts do activities individually with a parent, guardian or other adult

mentor known as a Girl Scout Program Partner. An Individual Girl Scout is not part of atroop, but participates in all other Girl Scout pathways and activities for her grade levelwith her Girl Scout Program Partner. Girl Scout Program Partner are discussed moreon page 6.

Camp: Explore the outdoors, participate in a weekend camp program, orbuild skills at day or resident camps during the summer.

Event: Choose from day or weekend-long events.

Series: Attend short-term group events where the same girls participate forthe entire program. These are typically multi-week. Girls build on theskills learned at each session.

Travel: Plan, prepare for, and participate in regional, national, andinternational trips.

Virtual: Coming soon!

To check out all program opportunities, visit gsdakotahorizons.org/for-girls.

What do Girl Scouts do?

Girl Scout Leadership ExperienceThe Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE) is the engine that drives Girl Scouts.Girls discover themselves and their values, connect with others in their communityand take action to make the world a better place. Discover, connect and take action are the three keys to leadership that focus on ‘what’ girls do. The second part of theGSLE model focuses on the importance of ‘how’ girls participate in activities: girl-led, cooperative learning and learning by doing. It is all about what girls do, how theydo it and what they get (fifteen national outcomes). The National Program Portfoliodelivers the GSLE through two fun and engaging resources: the National Leadership

Journeys and The Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting.

Ways to Participate as an Individual Girl Scout



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JourneysJourneys are the core leadership program for Girl Scouts. Journey books areavailable to girls at each program grade level and are accompanied by easy-to-use how-to guides for adults. Girls experience the traditions of Girl Scouting,from ceremonies and songs to earning prestigious awards that recognize theirgrowing leadership skills. There are 3 themes to choose from with age appropriate

programming for every grade level.

It’s your World—Change It! invites girls todevelop a deep understanding of themselves,understand how powerfully they can act whenthey team with others who share a vision, andmake a difference in their communities byinspiring, educating, and advocating.

It’s Your Planet—Love It! invites girls to makesense of the wealth of environmental informationavailable so that they can act for the bettermentof Earth and its inhabitants. In this series, girlstackle issues like conservation, pollution, andrenewable and reusable resources—all whilefocusing on leadership development.

It’s Your Story—Tell It! made possible in partby a generous grant from Dove, it is designed tostrengthen a girl’s sense of herself and boosther capacity to seek and meet challenges inthe world—all by giving her the opportunity tohear, create, and tell stories in a range ofcreative mediums.

The Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting In addition to the Journeys leadership curriculum,The Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting and each Skill-Building Badge Set complement the Journeys ateach grade level.

Through fun activities, girls can earn a variety ofbadges to build their skills and gain the confidence

they’ll use to change the world.

They can even develop and complete activities tomake their own badge—a great way to explore a topic of personal interest. In addition,girls who make their own badge will learn how to learn, which is an important skill tohave in school, on the job, and in life!The Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting and Journeys are available at Girl Scout Retail Stores.



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The Individual Girl Scout

Girl Scout Program PartnerThere are many adventures awaiting your Individual Girl Scout. To ensure her abilityto share in these opportunities, Girl Scouts–Dakota Horizons recommends thatIndividual Girl Scouts have a Girl Scout Program Partner – a parent, guardian or an

adult (18 or older) who is a special mentor to the girl. The Program Partner will helpshape the girl’s involvement. Girl Scout Program Partners are not assigned – they arechosen by the girl and her family.

Responsibilities of the Parent/Guardian:• Sign the girl membership form (either electronically or paper copy) and pay the

annual $15 GSUSA membership fee.• Pre-register for activities as required.

• Sign parent/guardian permission slips to attend camps, events, or other activities.• Insure any necessary forms (health and permission form, etc.) are submitted in a

timely manner to the appropriate person.• Provide transportation, arriving and picking your

girl up on time for all Girl Scout activities.

Responsibilities of the Girl Scout Program Partner:• Explore the Girl Scout Leadership Experience materials – the Leadership Journeys

and The Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting.

• Assist your girl in purchasing the books and materials required to completethe badges and Journeys.

• Verify that your girl has completed the requirements for the awards andbadges and help her purchase them from the Girl Scout Retail Store.

• Decide with your girl when to meet for Girl Scouts and related activites. Seta calendar and appointments to help both of you to fulfill your Girl Scoutcommitment to one another and help your girl to accomplish her goals.

• Discuss with your girl how to create a budget to help her reach her goals and earn

her way to all of the fun programs and camps available to both of you asGirl Scouts.

• Help your girl decide to participate in Fall Product and Cookie Sale Programs andensure she follows sale requirements and safety guidelines. By doing so, you willhelp her to learn the “5 Skills” and earn Dakota Certificates to help her pay for GirlScout events, trips, camp and GSDH Retail Store items such as books, badges anduniforms.

• Review the council Program Guide, emails, and GSDH website for adventures that

your girl can attend with you (or attend on her own if program allows and she isready).

• Provide transportation, arriving and picking yourgirl up on time for all Girl Scout activities.



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How do Individual Girl Scouts earn money?To finance activities, Girl Scouts rely on a combination of family partnership andProduct Sales proceeds. As a Girl Scout progresses through the grade levels, her goalshould be to become self-sufficient using the Product Sales proceeds she earns in theform of Dakota Certificates.

Girl Scout Product Sales ProgramsGirls earn Dakota Certificates and learn these five skills: Goal Setting, Decision Making,Money Management, People Skills, and Business Ethics.

GSDH has important policies and procedures to keep girls safe in the product salesprograms: all families participating must follow these policies. As an Individual GirlScout, you will receive information from your Service Unit Product Sale Coordinator orService Unit Manager twice a year inviting you to participate in product programs.

Any additional money earning campaigns must be pre-approved by your local DistrictDirector.

Fall Product Sale Program: (October-November) Earn troop funds early in theyear! Girls earn recognitions for magazines/photo products and nut/chocolate salesand funds for Girl Scout activities. Troops receive participation resources fromtheir service unit. Visit the Fall Product tab of the Dakota Horizons web site for moreinformation.

Girl Scout Cookie Program: (February-March)The largest girl-led business in the world. Troops receive participation resourcesfrom their service unit. Visit the Cookies tab on the DakotaHorizons website for more information.

How are Individual Girl Scouts’ funds managed?Girls participating in Girl Scouting as Individuals (not involved with a troop) earnDakota Certificates from Product Sales instead of Troop Proceeds. The DakotaCertificates are based on a range calculation for the Fall Product Sale and Cookie SalePrograms. The girl will also receive recognitions based on her sales.

It is the Individual Girl Scouts’ responsibility to manage their earned Dakota

Certificates. If lost or damaged, Girl Scouts–Dakota Horizons will not reissue. AnyIndividual Girl Scout who wishes to save their Dakota Certificates for a future trip orprogram must contact their Membership Specialist and receive written permissionfrom the Council CEO in order to save Dakota Certificates past the expirationdate. For more information regarding these policies, please contact yourMembership Specialist.



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How much does it cost?Girl Scouts pay an annual registration fee of $15. This is sent to Girl Scouts of theUSA for program development. This fee also allows supplemental activity accidentinsurance for each member while participating in Girl Scout activities. Other fees

include uniform, insignia, books, and costs for program activities. Participation in theFall Product Sale Program and Cookie Sale Program can help girls learn skills whileearning funds.

Family Partnership Please demonstrate your financial support of Girl Scouts – Dakota Horizons.

Help develop and implement council sponsored events, offer trainingsat little or no cost to volunteers, and provide scholarships to girls with

need. Your gift of $20, $50, or more will help sustain Girl Scouting inour communities.

Does my Girl Scout need a uniform?We are proud of our identity and the sense of belonging that comes from wearinga Girl Scout uniform. Girls display badges, pins, and other earned awards on officialtunics, vests, or sashes (required when participating in ceremonies or officiallyrepresenting the Girl Scout Movement). The tunic, sash, or vest is worn with a girl’sown solid white shirt and khaki pants or skirt. Our Girl Scout Stores also carry a whitePolo shirt.Not sure where to place insignia on the Girl Scout uniform? Visit girlscouts.org, click onOur Program and Where to Place.

Where do I purchase Girl Scout Merchandise?Visit your local Girl Scout Retail Store.

Bismarck | Grand Forks | Fargo | Minot | Sioux Falls | Rapid City

or online at girlscoutshop.comLet us help you get started (and save money) with a GREAT START KIT!

See page 14 for details

Is financial assistance available?Yes! Financial assistance (scholarship funds) are made available through thegenerosity of people who believe in the mission of Girl Scouting. No girl or adult isexcluded from Girl Scout membership because of an inability to pay. For girls with afinancial need, the council also provides assistance with essential Girl Scout uniformcomponents, (sash/vest/tunic, Girl Scouts of the USA and Dakota Horizons ID set,troop numerals and World Association Pin) and a Journey book. Partial scholarshipsare also available for council-sponsored events and camp activities. Applications areavailable at gsdakotahorizons.org.

General Information



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Will my girl be safe in Girl Scouts?Safety of girls in Girl Scouting is always top priority. To provide for the wellbeing of girls,volunteers are provided with Volunteer Essentials and Safety Activity Checkpoints.Girl Scouts of the USA supplies these resources that aim to create a safe andwelcoming experience for all girls and adult volunteers. These resources, available onour council’s website, include national program standards and guidelines for common

Girl Scout activities. All new volunteers complete a required application process,background check and are appointed by council for their roles. As a part of yourannual membership dues, GSUSA provides supplemental insurance to each memberwhen participating in Girl Scout sponsored activities.

How do I stay informed about activities?There are several ways to get the “latest and greatest” Girl Scout news:1. Get involved and volunteer with your girl.2. Attend service unit* meetings.3. Regularly visit our council’s website gsdakotahorizons.org to learn more about

upcoming events, activities, and resources.4. Become a Facebook Fan of Girl Scouts–Dakota Horizons to connect with other Girl

Scout volunteers and families.5. You may also be interested in the Girl Scouts of the USA website – girlscouts.org,

and their Facebook and Twitter pages.6. Watch your e-mail and mailbox for newsletters and other announcements.

* A service unit is comprised of all active registered Girl Scouts, both girls and adults who reside in agiven area.

What events and activities are going on in my area?Check out our Program Guide at gsdakotahorizons.org/for-girls/eventsContact your Service Unit Manager to find local service unit event.

Update a Girl Scout and/or guardians personal information.Send updated information to [email protected] include: name, address, phone number and type, email address, schoolgrade, birthday and school name.

Online Membership or Activity Registration AssistanceView our quickguides at gsdakotahorizons.org/join-girl-scouts/onlineEmail questions to [email protected] 1-855-424-0929



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Badges & Awards

Girl Scout Insignia BasicsThe insignia on a girl’s uniform is a record of her adventures and accomplishments asa Girl Scout. Insignia is the general term for all official items that girls and adults canwear on their uniforms.

Girl Scout insignia are broken into five categories:

1. Insignia Showing You Belong: These insignia include such items as Girl Scoutmembership pins, the World Trefoil pin, GSUSA and council identification stripsand troop numerals.

2. Earned Grade Level Awards and Badges: These Girl Scout program awards

include Girl Scout Journey Awards from the three Leadership Journeys at eachprogram level, Daisy Petals and Leaves, Girl Scout Brownie through Ambassadorproficiency badges found in The Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting at each programlevel, and Girl Scouting’s highest leadership awards (Girl Scout Bronze, Silver andGold Awards).

3. Special Opportunity Awards: These are national awards earned throughrequirements determined by Girl Scouts of the USA or by another organizationwith whom GSUSA has a partnership agreement. These awards include the GirlScout My Promise, My Faith Awards, Girl Scout Cookie Sale Pins, Girl Scout SafetyAwards, and the President’s Award for Community Service.

4. Meritorious Service Awards: These include the Girl ScoutLifesaving Awards awarded from GSUSA through councilnomination.

5. Participation Patches and Pins: Supplementary insignia

developed at the national or council level with a focus onparticipation. These are worn on the back of the sash orvest or Daisy tunic.

For more information on Badges and Awards, visit gsdakotahorizons.org/for-girls/badgesawards



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Insignia ListGirl Scouts can earn or wear different insignia depending on their grade level. Browse alist of insignia by category or by level at girlscouts.org/program/basics/for_volunteers/insignia/list. Lists are available for the following levels:

Girl Scout Daisies (Grades K-1)Girl Scout Brownies (Grades 2-3)Girl Scout Juniors (Grades 4-5)Girl Scout Cadettes (Grades 6-8)Girl Scout Seniors (Grades 9-10)Girl Scout Ambassadors (Grades 11-12)Girl Scout Adults (Ages 18 and up)

Where to Place Insignia on a UniformGirl Scout badges, patches, awards, and other insignia should be presented, worn,

or displayed only after Girl Scouts have completed the requirements outlined in theappropriate program materials.Find out where to place insignia on a Girl Scout uniform go to gsdakotahorizons.org/gsdh-shop/official-uniform-guidelines.

Bridging AwardsBridging awards mark a girl’s transition from one leadership level to the next. Anexciting time in a Girl Scout’s life, the earning of the award and completion of the

activities are designed to emphasize the continuity of one Girl Scout program and towelcome girls to an anticipated “next level.”To find grade level bridging requirements go to girlscouts.org/program/basics/for_volunteers/bridging_awards.

Girl Scouts’ Highest AwardsThe Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards are the highest awards Girl Scouts can achievein Girl Scouting. Projects focus on taking action and making the world a better place.Characteristics of a take action project include: addresses a need, addresses the root

cause of the issue and creates a lasting impact that can be measured and includesprovisions to ensure sustainability. The time it takes to earn the awards will dependon the nature of the project, the size of the team, and the support of the community.Quality projects should be emphasized over quantity of hours. Go beyond blanketsand collections.

Bronze, Silver and Gold Award recipients are honoredat the District Recognition Event held in the spring. The

council provides the award pin and certificate. Finalreport deadline is February 1st.

Find out more about Girl Scouts’ highest awards atgirlscouts.org/program/highest_awards.



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Free bag while supplies last

Choose 1 Journey+

The Girl’s Guide toGirl Scouting Binder

Choose 1 Journey+


Choose 1 Journey+


Choose 1 Journey+


Free bag while supplies last Free bag while supplies last Free bag while supplies last

Price Range:$59.10 - $61.35

Prices vary by size

Price Range:$50.60 - $62.85Prices vary by size

Price Range:$52.10 - $63.35

Prices vary by size

Price Range:$52.60 - $70.85

Prices vary by size

Vest or TunicFlag PatchInsignia TabDaisy PinWorld Association PinCouncil ID SetTroop Numbers

Vest or SashFlag PatchInsignia TabBrownie PinWorld Association PinCouncil ID SetTroop Numbers

Vest or SashFlag PatchInsignia TabJunior PinWorld Association PinCouncil ID SetTroop Numbers

Vest or SashFlag PatchInsignia TabMembership PinWorld Association PinCouncil ID SetTroop Numbers

Grand Forks1-800-437-4399

Bismarck1-800-326-4745

Minot1-800-279-5306

Sioux Falls1-800-666-2141

Rapid City 1-800-658-3391

Fargo1-877-904-8168

W I T H

E V E R Y

S T A R T E R

K I

T

GET STARTED WITH GREAT START KITSFOR NEW AND BRIDGING GIRL SCOUTS!

Every girl deserves her own!

Styles May Vary Styles May Vary Styles May Vary Styles May Vary

To purchase Girl Scout items, visit a local Girl Scouts—Dakota Horizons Retail Storeor contact the Retail Operations Director at 1-800-666-2141 or shop online atgsdakotahorizons.org/gsdh-shop/.



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How to Create a New Online Account

New Online Account ActivationStep 1: Go to gsdakotahorizons.org and click Register Now. Then click on the NewOnline Account button on the right side of the screen.

Step 2: Enter the information as requested. This basic information will allow thesystem to search for your record and check if you already exist in our database.

Step 3: One of the following will apply:• If the system finds you in the database you will see the following message:

“Congratulations! We found you in the online system. Please go to your email andfollow the instructions to activate your online account.”

• If you receive the following message: “We have found you in the system, but in order

to continue please contact us.” You can contact us [email protected]. This message generally appears when there is noemail address on record or if there is a potential but unconfirmed match.

• If the system does not find you in the database you will be prompted to provideadditional information to create your profile.

Congratulations! You have created your Online Account. You may now manageyour family or troop through Family Manager or Troop Management and register for

memberships or activities.

How to Search & Register for Activites

• Log into your account.• Click on the Activities tab.• Search for the activity that interests you, your daughter or your troop by refining

your results. Or if you know the name of the activity, search for the activity using thesearch field located in the upper right corner.• Select a Category, Geographical Location, Date Range and/or School Grade to filter

activity results.• To view more details about an activity, click on the activity name.• Family Managers and Troop Leaders will be able to register their Family and/or Troop

members upon clicking on the activity.• To register for an activity, click on the Register Now button.• You can continue shopping and add additional activities to your cart (you will have

a separate shopping cart for My Family and any Troops of which you are the TroopManager).

• To complete registration, click Checkout and follow the instructions.

Online Membership or Activity Registration AssistanceView our quickguides at gsdakotahorizons.org/join-girl-scouts/onlineEmail questions to [email protected]

Call 1-855-424-0929



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bridging

kitsKits that adult facilitators give to girls. Each kit includes items that

are presented to girls bridging to the next grade level.

Just add the girl’s name to the sheet provided and you’re

ready for your bridging ceremony!

Bridging PatchMembership Star & DiscBridging CertificateCover sheet ready to insert girl’sname & present at ceremonyFun Patch

Bridging PatchBrownie WingsMembership Star & DiscBridging CertificateCover sheet ready to insert girl’s name& present at ceremony & Fun Patch


Bridging PatchMembership Star & DiscBridging CertificateCover sheet ready to insert girl’sname & present at ceremony

Fun Patch


Bridge to GirlScout Brownie

$6.00

Bridge to GirlScout Junior

$7.00

Bridge to GirlScout Cadette

$6.00

Bridge to GirlScout Senior

$6.00

Bridge to GirlScout Ambassador

$6.00

Together, Girl Scout

Journeys and TheGirl’s Guide to Girl

Scouting add up to themost comprehensive

leadership program forgirls. Ever.

LeadershipJourneys

+ The Girl ’s

Guide to Girl

Scouting

=Girl Scout

Leadership Experience



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NW District Office735 Airport RoadBismarck, ND 58504T 701.223.4525 or 1.800.326.4745F 701.223.7840

NW District Service Center525 31st Avenue SWMinot, ND 58701T 701.852.5611 or 1.800.279.5306F 701.838.1574

SW District Office1202 E St Francis StreetRapid City, SD 57701T 605.343.6355 or 1.800.658.3391F 605.343.9508

Contact Us

NE District Office1002 43rd Street SFargo, ND 58103T 701.293.7915 or 1.877.904.8168F 701.293.7962

NE District Service Center2525 Demers AvenueGrand Forks, ND 58201T 701.772.6679 or 1.800.437.4399F 701.772.6670

SE District Office

1101 S Marion RoadSioux Falls, SD 57106T 605.336.2978 or 1.800.666.2141F 605.336.6841

Girl Scouts—Dakota Horizons Headquarters1101 S Marion Road

Sioux Falls, SD 57106T 605.336.2978 or 1.800.666.2141

F 605.336.6841

Dakota Horizons

Camp PropertiesGirl Scouts – Dakota Horizons hasnine camp properties availablefor Girl Scouts and communitymembers. Visit gsdakotahorizons.org/for-girls/camps for moreinformation.

Websites to ExploreGirl Scouts of the USAgirlscouts.orgGirl Scouts–Dakota Horizonsgsdakotahorizons.orgFor Girlsforgirls.girlscouts.org



This booklet belongs to and her family.

Girl Scout Grade Level (circle one)

Daisy (grades K-1)

Brownie (grades 2-3)

Junior (grades 4-5)

Service Unit Name

Service Unit #

Service Unit Meeting

Meeting Date

Time/Place

Volunteer Service Unit ManagerName

Phone # E-mail

Cadette (grades 6-8)

Senior (grades 9-10)

Ambassador (grades 11-12)

New Member Information

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