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Girl
Scout Beliefs and Values
Girl
Scouting Is Spiritual | What You Can Do as
a Parent | What You Can Do as a Leader
| Resources | Links
The
Motivating Force in Girl Scouting Is Spiritual
 We,
the members of Girl Scouts of the United States of America, united
by a belief in God and by acceptance of the Girl Scout Promise and
Law,...
Do dedicate
ourselves to the purpose of inspiring girls with the highest ideals
of character, conduct, patriotism, and service that they may become
happy and resourceful citizens.
We believe that the motivating force in Girl Scouting is a spiritual
one.
We affirm that the Girl Scout Movement shall ever be open to all
girls and adults who accept the Girl Scout Promise and law.
—
Preamble of the Constitution of Girl Scouts of the USA
 These
words from Girl Scouts of the USA's constitution express our most
fundamental beliefs and are affirmed by over 3.7 million Girl Scout
members in the United States when they make the Girl Scout Promise.
The "motivating force in
Girl Scouting" is spiritual. Girl Scouts respects the spiritual
values and beliefs of its members, leaving the interpretation of
spirituality to each individual and the family.
The Girl Scout
Law embodies the core values of Girl Scouting. Our "motivating force,"
described by the constitution as "spiritual," is consistent with
the values of many religions. Religious leaders have often praised
the "rules for living" contained in the Girl Scout Promise and Law,
which are so compatible with the values they bring to young people
through their own religious education programs.
Increased membership
diversity has presented Girl Scouting with new benefits and opportunities.
For instance, girls have more opportunities than ever to interact
with people from a variety of backgrounds and to develop skills
that will help them become better citizens in a multicultural world.
 National
volunteer committees or youth services offices of many religious
organizations develop and administer religious recognition programs
specifically for Girl Scouts. Religious groups often sponsor Girl
Scout troops or open their facilities so that Girl Scouts in their
communities have a "home base" for activities.
Girl Scout policies, summarized
below, ensure that all Girl Scouts are treated equally in regard
to their religious beliefs:
- Every Girl
Scout group shall respect the varying religious opinions and practices
of its membership in planning and conducting activities.
- When a Girl
Scout troop is sponsored by one religious group, members of different
faiths or religious affiliations within the troop shall not be
required to take part in religious observance of the sponsoring
group.
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What
You Can Do as a Parent or Guardian
- Let the leader
know about special dates that are observed by your family so that
major troop events are not scheduled on those dates.
- Help your
Girl Scout make contact with her religious leader if she wants
to earn a religious award for Girl Scouts of her faith.
- Support the
Girl Scout belief and value system — the Girl Scout Promise
and Law.
- Help your
Girl Scout share her cultural and/or religious heritage with the
troop when appropriate.
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What
You Can Do as a Leader
- Be sensitive
to special dates celebrated by girls and their families in your
troop/group. You might even want to ask each parent for the dates
at the beginning of the year so you can include them on your calendar.
- Even if your
troop is all of one faith, the Girl Scout meeting is not an appropriate
place for prayers and hymns. Girl Scouts is not a religious organization.
- Help girls
to be sensitive to all spiritual beliefs when picking readings
for ceremonies, or songs for around mealtime. The songs and readings
chosen can celebrate similarities as well as differences in beliefs.
Avoid references to "God" as being a specific deity.
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Resources
Blue Book
of Basic Documents. Available from Girl
Scout councils, council
shops, and the Girl Scout National Equipment
Service. Contains the Preamble to the Constitution of Girl Scouts
of the USA.
A Grateful
Heart: Daily Blessings for the Evening Meal from Buddha to the Beatles,
by M. J. Ryan, editor (Berkeley, Calif.: Conari Press, 1994). A
great resource for readings before meals.
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Links on This Site
Ceremonies.
Thought
Catcher: The Girl Scout Promise and Law.
Has online writing space for girls' thoughts on what it means to
be courageous and strong.
Links to
Other Sites
P.R.A.Y.:
Programs of Religious Activities with Youth*. Has information
on religious awards for Brownie through Senior Girl Scouts.
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| * Neither Girl
Scouts of the USA nor its councils are responsible for the content
of any other site linked to this one. The inclusion of any link to
such a site does not create or imply any approval or endorsement of
that site by GSUSA or its councils. Girl Scouts of the USA and its
councils make no representations whatsoever as to any other Web site
that you may access through this one. |
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