Volunteer Zone
'To serve God...'
Although Girl Scouts of the USA is a secular organization, and realizes that religious instruction is the responsibility of parents and religious leaders, girls are encouraged and helped through the Girl Scout program to become better members of their own religious group. Every Girl Scout group is expected to respect the varying religious opinions and practices of all its members when they plan and conduct activities. This might include meeting places, dates of activities, holiday observances, blessings or graces and group menus.
"On my honor, I will try,
To serve God and my country...”
- The Girl Scout Promise
“We, the members of Girl Scouts of the United States of America, united by a belief in God, hold that the Girl Scout Promise and Law is the cornerstone of the Movement…The motivating force in Girl Scouting is spiritual. The ways in which members identify and fulfill their spiritual beliefs are private.”
- Preamble to the Constitution of the Girl Scouts of the USA
Religious recognitions for Girl Scouts
One way that a girl may choose to serve God is to participate in the religious recognitions program of her faith community and wear that recognition proudly on her uniform. National religious organizations (below), not Girl Scouts of the USA, have created religious recognitions that encourage girls to grow stronger in their faith. Girl Scouts of the USA has approved these programs and allows the recognition insignia to be worn on the uniform sash or vest, but each religious organization develops and administers its own program. See the list of religious organizations below for more information.
Girl Scout Adults do not earn religious awards, but may be nominated for an award by their faith community in recognition of outstanding work as a religious educator over a long period of time. See the “Frequently Asked Questions” (below) for details.
Download the module To Serve God: Religion and Spirituality In Girl Scouting module now.
Request a copy by mail or for more information on religion and spirituality in Girl Scouting, contact Margaret Paschal at (770) 702-9610 or toll-free at (800) 771-4046.
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