Girl Scouts: we all have fond associations (at the very least with the cookies) and recollections of this great organization throughout history. We talked with Deborah Dennis, Girl Scouts of Greater New York’s Brooklyn Membership Development Manager, to find out more about how they’re still holding it down so well in Brooklyn.
Is Brooklyn a popular place for Girl Scouts? If so, which chapters would you recommend for parents in Brooklyn?
Girl Scouting in Brooklyn is popular and growing—our membership goal for Brooklyn this year is 7,000. We serve girls in troops as well as through workshops series and individual events. We have 7 Service Units in Brooklyn to support our girls and leaders, in troops all throughout the borough. Girls always want to join the organization but more leadership is needed in order for Girl Scouting in Brooklyn to keep growing and fulfill its potential. We provide free training and support to all potential volunteers. The more leaders we have, the more troops girls have the option to join!
How has Girl Scouts changed since the 50s, when a lot of people refer to mentally when they hear of GS?
Girl Scouts of Greater New York is committed to preparing girls to be leaders and succeed in today’s world. As part of this, we have a broad initiative to introduce girls to areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in order to empower girls in their educations and future careers. Programs including a robotics curriculum and coding activities, which give girls new skills while helping them develop confidence in their abilities. The STEM initiative is just one of many ways GSGNY has continued to modernize since its founding more than 100 years ago.
Do you expose the children to nature at all? If so, what and where?
Troops throughout the city choose to complete outdoor activities and environmental projects for a number of different badges. Girl Scouts also have the opportunity to experience nature outside the city by visiting Camp Kaufmann. In Brooklyn, Girl Scouts of Greater New York hosts two outdoor events each year. The Prospect Park Concert Grove bi-annual clean-up is part of a 100-year pledge to provide service to this specific area of the park. Our last event in November had over 400 participants. Local troops also participated in Trees Count 2015, where girls took part in identifying and counting trees in the Park Slope area.
How is Girl Scouts beneficial for a child in New York City?
Girl Scouting offers girls opportunities not available elsewhere. The Girl Scouts of Greater New York is New York City’s largest girls-only leadership program, reaching more than 29,000 girls ages 5 to 17 in every zip code of the five boroughs. GSGNY has a 100-year track record in developing today’s girls into tomorrow’s leaders. Girl Scouts enjoy programs that include STEM, business and entrepreneurship, environmental leadership, take-action projects, and global citizenship. Through our programming, Girl Scouts learn to lead with courage, confidence, and character to make their communities and the world a better place.
How much does each semester or year cost? Is there financial aid?
Our annual membership fee is $15.00 per person. Financial Aid is available for girls at half price (7.50). Uniforms are optional but are inexpensive. Girls pay dues for each meeting (usually from $2-$5 per meeting), and leaders purchase badges, patches, pins, craft supplies and snacks with the dues collected. Additional costs can vary based on individual troop activities.
What ages can girls enroll in Girl Scouts at?
Girl Scouts of Greater New York has programming for girls ages 5-17. The levels of Girls Scouting are: Daisies (Grades K-1), Brownies (grades 2-3), Juniors (grades 4-5), Cadettes (grades 6, 7, 8), Seniors (grades 9-10), and Ambassadors (grades 11-12).
Who do interested parents contact in Brooklyn for enrollment?
For information on joining a troop in Brooklyn, please contact Deborah Dennis at 212-645-4000 ext. 359 or ddennis@girlscoutsnyc.org
How many times a week do the girls meet up, and for how long?
Troops typically meet weekly or every other week for 1-2 hours throughout the school year. Troops can meet during the summer, but most take a break and begin again in September. Our membership year runs from October 1 through September 30.
For more information, visit www.girlscoutsnyc.org.
For information on joining a troop in Brooklyn, please contact Deborah Dennis at 212-645-4000 ext. 359 or ddennis@girlscoutsnyc.org
Rebecca Conroy is an artist, stylist, and Editor of A Child Grows in Brooklyn. She is from New York City, and has an MFA from Columbia University in screenwriting. Rebecca often finds herself on film and photography sets making things run or look better, and is the mom of two outrageously wonderful kids.