Girl Scouts Adopt New Mission

Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.

In October, this new Girl Scout Mission was approved by delegates from 313 councils at the 2005 Girl Scout National Council Session/50th Convention in Atlanta.

The National Council Session, which runs concurrent to the 50th National Convention, serves as a forum for voting on policy direction critical to the Girl Scout Movement.

It has been almost 50 years since the mission was last revised. Girls’ lives have changed dramatically, as has the world in which we live. It seemed an appropriate time to evaluate the Movement’s true mission to be more reflective of how we serve girls today.

There is historical precedence for adopting a new mission. In fact, the wording of the Girl Scout Mission has changed several times in the organization’s effort to remain true to the spirit of Girl Scouting in raising strong, confident young women.

Girl Scout Founder Juliette Low embraced change and paved the way for women to explore new frontiers within themselves.

• In 1912, the stated mission for the new organization was “to train girls to take their rightful places
  in life, first as good women, then as good citizens, wives, and mothers.”

• In 1946, the purpose statement was broadened to read: “The purpose of the organization is to
  help girls realize the ideals of womanhood as a preparation for their responsibilities in the home
  and as active citizens in the community and in the world.”

• In 1957 the mission statement read: “The purpose of Girl Scouting is to inspire girls with the
  highest ideals of character, conduct, patriotism, and service that they may become happy and
  resourceful citizens.”