Here at Girl Scouts of Western Ohio, we know that life as a teenage girl is busy. Between juggling school with band practice, dance rehearsals, games and practices, studying and finding time for friends it can be difficult to regularly join troop meetings or attend the events the rest of the troop is heading to, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still be a Girl Scout.

As a Cadette, Senior and Ambassador Girl Scout, we encourage girls to explore individual interests and set personal goals, to meet new people and think about your own path. Whether you’re in a troop and wanting to start looking at your individual Girl Scout path or you’ve joined Girl Scouts to take part in a particular opportunity, we have some amazing experiences, many of which are new,  for girls grades 6-12!

Here are some ways girls can explore, adventure, plan for their future and make a positive change in their community.

Trailblazers is a staff-led Girl Scout club for Cadette, Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts (grades 6-12) council-wide.  This group focuses on providing a space for girls to learn, explore, and lead through outdoor adventure. If you’re a girl interested in hiking, camping, adventure sports, environmental stewardship, or survivorship… this is the group for you!  For more information, visit gswo.org/trailblazers Questions? Contact Tori Houck at (937)279-6527 or torihouck@gswo.org.

Astronomy Club is for the Cadette, Senior and Ambassador stargazer. Whether you’re new to astronomy or you’ve been dreaming of working for NASA for as long you can remember, all those interested in exploring space and all things celestial, this is the group for you! This group meets monthly in a combination of virtual and in-person meetings, (note, all in-person meetings are at Camp Libbey in Defiance, OH).  For more information about the GSWO Astronomy Club, please contact Becky Sarantou at (567)225-3523 or rebeccasarantou@gswo.org.

G.I.R.L. Club is all about YOU and the things you love and care about- service, civic action, friends, social issues, challenges, and leadership.  Champion your views and advance the G.I.R.L. Agenda while working alongside your fellow CSA Girl Scouts to lift your voice and take action on issues that matter to you. This group is girl-led, with mentors to help guide you along the way. Come join a new wave of girls ready to make a change! For more information, contact Lauren Miller at 513.619.1428 or laurenmiller@gswo.org. G.I.R.L. Club meets on the third Sunday of the month between September and May

G.I.R.L. at Work is a program exclusively for Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts (grades 9-12) who are looking toward their future. Whether you’ve got your five-year plan already in the works or you are still working to figure out what you’re doing next week,  girls will find tools and resources, make connections with professionals in the community and gain life skills to help you navigate through those next steps to get where you want to go.  This group meets in a different location each month (January-June), focused in the Greater Dayton area, but girls all over will benefit from joining G.I.R.L. at Work. For details about this program series and the program application (which is due October 31!), visit G.I.R.L. at Work on the GSWO website. For questions, contact Layla Ahlers, 937.279.6565 or laylaahlers@gswo.org .

CSA Association is for the Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Girl Scouts in the North region. Come by yourself or bring a friend; either way this girl-led meeting is bound to be a good time! Join girls your age to plan and lead events, take action in the community, enjoy a good snack, participate in games and activities, hang out with your fellow Girl Scout sisters and explore the things that interest YOU! This group meets on the second Sunday of every month. For more information, contact Rachel Wells at 567.225.3533 or rachelwells@gswo.org.

Leadership Conference: whether you live north, south, or central, all Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Girl Scouts are invited to attend one of the two annual Leadership Conference events. Both the Fall Leadership Conference at Camp Libbey and the Winter Leadership Conference in Cincinnati are girl-only events (with adult chaperones), that feature opportunities to explore your creativity, gain new skills, face challenges and hear from experts while hanging out with your fellow Girl Scout sisters.

• Fall Leadership Conference is November 1-3, 2019 at Camp Libbey. For questions about the event, contact Rachel Wells at 567.225.3533 or rachelwells@gswo.org.
• Winter Leadership Conference is held annually over President’s Day weekend (February 15-17, 2020) at the Marriott Hotel in Mason, OH. For questions about that event, contact Lauren Miller at 513.619.1428 or laurenmiller@gswo.org.

Travel Bugs is the perfect group for Cadette, Senior, or Ambassador Girl Scouts who are ready to see the world! Explore new places, discover new things and spend time with girls in our council who share your interests through opportunities co-hosted by Girl Scouts of Western Ohio and Girl Scout travel partner, EF Tours. Girl Scout Destinations is a travel opportunity for Girl Scouts grades 6-12, nation-wide. These opportunities connect girls from all over the country, sometimes hosted by another council, sometimes by another travel group, but always enjoyed with fellow Girl Scout explorers.

Whether you’re a world traveler or looking for something local, you’re an adventurer, looking to tap into your creative side, or ready to immerse yourself into another culture, Travel Bugs and Destination trips are available for the Girl Scout explorer. To book your next trip or find more information about either of these programs, visit gswo.org. For questions about Travel Bugs, contact Chelsea Smith at 937.279.6542 or chelseasmith@gswo.org or Marissa Hollander at 513.619.1434 or marissahollander@gswo.org. For Destinations, contact Chelsea Smith.

These are just some of the ways girls grades 6-12 can get involved with Girl Scouts, whether you’ve been in a troop since Daisies or are just starting out. Grab a friend, or step out on your own, either way… let GSWO help you find your path! Join the GSWO CSA Facebook page to connect with fellow CSA Girl Scouts in our council!