Women have been making history since — well, since we started keeping track! From Susan B. Anthony to Amanda Gorman, women have made world-changing contributions to politics, science, technology, education, the arts, and so much more through the years. Equally inspiring are the girls and women in each of our lives taking steps toward a brighter future by uplifting their local communities. That’s where Girl Scouts come in (though Girl Scout alums like Taylor Swift, Madeleine Albright, Dr. Sally Ride, Venus Williams, and many others have certainly become household names)! Here are just some of t ..read more

Martin Luther King Jr. was a civil rights leader who called for connection and community across all aspects of society. While he is most known for leading the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963, as well as his impactful “I Have a Dream” speech, Martin Luther King Jr. also believed in the power of service. As an honor and a reminder of the incredible achievements and leadership of Martin Luther King Jr., the third Monday of January — chosen as a celebration of King’s birthday — is the only federal holiday designated specifically as a National Day of Service. As King once said, “We ..read more

Girl Scouts of Western Ohio (GSWO) has several patch programs that girls can complete to commemorate fun moments, signify participation in an activity, and earn special insignia to attach to their uniforms. Patch programs are a great way to share a unique and tailored learning experience with Girl Scouts, especially one that highlights a topic not yet covered by badge options. What is the difference between patches and badges? Badges are official Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) insignia earned by girls earn for completing skill-building activities. These are displayed on the front of a girl’s v ..read more

As a lifetime member of Girl Scouts who started at 5 years old and had so much fun, I never left (and then made it my full-time job), I managed to experience almost everything GSUSA’s National Program had to offer. If a new patch was released, I was ready to sign up — and to this day I am an avid patch collector. I loved the Highest Awards — the pins, what they represented, and what they taught me along the way, especially as I made a difference in my community. However, there was one main experience I enjoyed repeatedly, as it is one of our most formative and customizable options: earning G ..read more

Troop management is about more than being in charge or having a special title; it’s recognizing that you’re part of a team, and understanding the team’s needs and interests. For volunteers, the start of a new Girl Scouting year is a great time to get excited about all the opportunities ahead of you—including the chance to help girls succeed, play a critical role in their lives, and watch them blossom! Whether you’re an experienced volunteer or a first-time leader, troop management is important to keep your meetings fun, productive, and girl-led. Here are some ideas to help with troop managemen ..read more

Over the last six months, I’ve loved getting to know the girls, volunteers, caregivers, and supporters across our council! I have visited our camps, attended highest award ceremonies, met many of you at volunteer appreciation events, and so much more. Each interaction has reinforced to me the strength and importance of Girl Scouts right here in western Ohio and southeastern Indiana. As I get to know you all better, I wanted to ensure that you get to know me as well! We recently gave girls the opportunity to ask me a few personal questions. I loved answering these, and hope they will give you a ..read more

As we shared in June, our council hosted our first Bronze and Silver Award Ceremonies for girls in Western Ohio and southeastern Indiana who earned these highest awards in Girl Scouting. In total, 79 Bronze Award Girl Scouts and 45 Silver Award Girl Scouts gathered at the spring ceremonies to receive their accolades in person and share about their projects, while also connecting with other Girl Scouts, staff, and keynote speakers who delivered speeches with incredible stories and valuable life advice. One of these speeches was delivered by Gold Award Girl Scout Alexandria from Dayton, OH, who ..read more

Are you ready to explore new places with your troop? To venture beyond the boundaries of your hometown and see what the Buckeye state has to offer? It’s time for a new adventure—Ohio style! Ohio has many unique destinations that make great troop trip opportunities. We highlighted some of our favorites back in 2019—including our amazing state parks, the winding shores of Lake Erie, and fun activities to do when visiting the state capital—but new and exciting opportunities are popping up each year. Here are more of our favorite places to add to your troop’s list of future adventures! Cuyahoga Va ..read more

This Spring, our council hosted our first Bronze and Silver Award Ceremonies for girls in western Ohio and southeastern Indiana who earned these highest awards in Girl Scouting. For the 2022 membership year, a total of 315 girls earned their Bronze Award and 198 earned their Silver Award, and we were so excited to honor their achievements across all four of our service regions! In total, 79 Bronze Award Girl Scouts and 45 Silver Award Girl Scouts gathered at the ceremonies to receive their accolades in person and share about their projects, while also connecting with other Girl Scouts, staff ..read more

Bridging is an esteemed Girl Scout tradition that honors girls’ achievements yearly and celebrates “crossing the bridge” to the next Girl Scout level! Like a typical Girl Scout ceremony, bridging ceremonies consist of an opening, a celebration, and a closing. Whether you use a physical or a symbolic bridge during this tradition, girls will have a blast planning the celebration that marks the end of a year full of fun and adventure. Whether you’re a seasoned pro ready to switch up your bridging routine or a new volunteer looking for advice and resources, keep reading to learn six things you mig ..read more