Frequently Asked Questions

This section was designed to answer some of the questions most often asked about Girl Scouts of the USA, and includes a Glossary with definitions of frequently used terms in Girl Scouting. The questions under the headings below are just a representative sample of what we routinely answer.

If your question is not listed or is technical, send your question to webmaster@girlscouts.org. For questions about the Girl Scouts Online Shopping Mall not answered here, see the section's Help/FAQs. You can also call our Information and Referral Center at (800) GSUSA 4U [(800) 478-7248] or (212) 852-8000 for general questions about Girl Scouts of the USA.

Girls can visit The Girl Scout Way – Q & A on Just 4 Girls .

Copyrights and Trademarks | Girl Scout Cookie® Program Activity I Girl Scout Glossary | International Girl Scouting | Leaders I Merchandise I Parents and Guardians | Web Issues

Copyrights and Trademarks

• I want to use material from Girl Scout handbooks, LEADER magazine, and other Girl Scout copyrighted publications. How do I get permission?
• Do I need permission to take something from a Web site?
• Do I need permission to use the Girl Scout service mark on my Web site?
• Do I need permission to use badges, symbols, and Try-Its on my Web site?
• What is the proper use of the Girl Scout service mark?
• Can I use pictures appearing in LEADER magazine or illustrations from handbooks?
• Is there a Web site with Girl Scout songs that can be used without permission?
• Can I request a listing of songs, such as graces or camp or action songs?
• Am I allowed to use only the words (not the music) of copyrighted songs without permission?

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Girl Scout Cookie® Program Activity

• How can I purchase Girl Scout cookies®?
• When I buy Girl Scout cookies®, where does my money go?
• How does the cookie revenue benefit girls?
• What portion of the cookie revenue is shared with the troop/group selling cookies?
• Is the purchase of Girl Scout cookies® tax-deductible?
• Does any part of the cookie revenue go to support organizations other than Girl Scouts?
• Who can sell Girl Scout cookies®?
• Can girls earn any awards from participating in cookie activities?
• Why didn't my Girl Scout receive her cookie patch?
• Can I purchase Girl Scout cookies® online?
• Who bakes Girl Scout cookies®?
• Who selects the cookie varieties?
• What are the sizes, quantities and prices of Girl Scout cookies®?
• Are all Girl Scout cookies® kosher?
• What are the best-selling Girl Scout cookies®?
• Where can I find recipes using Girl Scout cookies®?
• What if I'm not satisfied with my cookies?
• Who are the girls on the Girl Scout cookie® boxes?

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Girl Scout Glossary

• A – C
• D – F
• G – I
• J – L
• M – O
• P – R
• S – Z

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International Girl Scouting

• Who do I contact if I want to stay at one of the four world centers?
• Can I get the address and phone number of a Girl Guide/Girl Scout organization in another country?
• How do I find a pen pal from another country?
• What international resources can I use with my Girl Scout troop?
• What should I do on World Thinking Day?
• How is Girl Scouts of the USA preparing for any decisions made at the world level?

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Leaders

• Where can I get activity ideas?
• Where can I get ideas for ceremonies?
• Where can I find online Try-Its, badges and Interest Project awards?
• Can I get a list of all the awards a Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Cadette or Senior Girl Scout can earn?
• When can I take my Brownie Girl Scout troop camping?
• Can Daisy Girl Scouts sell cookies?
• Do we have to participate in Girl Scout Cookie® activities as a troop?
• How can I get parents to pick their children up on time?
• What happens if a girl doesn't bring her signed parent permission slip and she comes to the pickup point for a trip anyway?
• Do I need special training to take a nature walk with girls?
• Does a leader need first-aid training?
• Where can I get help with my troop?
• I have a girl who constantly disrupts our meetings. What do I do?
• The girls' families cannot afford much money for activities. What do we do, especially in the first part of the troop year?
• I am having problems with my co-leader. What do I do?
• I am the leader of my daughter's troop. How do I give her room to grow on her own?
• My co-leader smokes, and it bothers the girls during our troop meetings. What do we do?
• One of the moms who helps at troop meetings brings her little boy. He is really disruptive. What do I do?
• Can I count a Senior Girl Scout as an adult when preparing to meet adult/girl ratios necessary at meetings or on trips?
• Does a leader need to wear a uniform?
• What is the history of troop crests?

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Merchandise

• Where can I buy Girl Scout products?
• Where can I buy official insignia?
• Do local Girl Scout councils have toll-free numbers?
• Can I use cookie credits to place an order?
• What publications are there in Braille, large print, or Spanish?

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Parents and Guardians

• Does my Girl Scout need a handbook and an awards book?
• Where can I get a Girl Scout handbook?
• How can I help my Girl Scout with her leadership project?
• How can I register my girl for Girl Scout camp?
• Do camp counselors receive special training?
• Does my Girl Scout have to sell cookies?
• What role do I have in Girl Scout Cookie® activities?
• Why can't Daisy Girl Scouts sell cookies?
• Where does the money earned from Girl Scout cookie® sales go?
• Can my girl become a Girl Scout without being part of a troop?
• How can my girl become a Girl Scout member?
• How old do you have to be to become a Girl Scout?
• How do I find a new troop for my girl if we are moving within the United States?
• Our family is moving overseas. How do I find a new troop for my girl?
• How can I become a Girl Scout leader?
• What can I do to help the leader?
• Do I have to buy a uniform for my Girl Scout?
• Where do I place pins and badges on the uniform?
• Where do I buy a uniform?

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Web Issues

• How is the Web site organized?
• How do I search this site?
• What browser is best to use?
• The text is too large/small. How do I decrease/increase the font size?
• Can I download Girl Scout graphics on my computer?
• Can I download the Girl Scout service mark online?
• How do I download PDF files?
• Why isn't my local Girl Scout council linked to the national Girl Scout site?
• Does Girl Scouts of the USA host individual troop, service unit, or member Web sites or link to them?
• Why doesn't Girl Scouts of the USA link to commercial Web sites?

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