NO MORE BORING DAYS: GIRL SCOUTS OFFERS MORE

Girl Scouts may be nearly 100 years old, but its program has evolved with the times. Traditions such as the Girl Scout Cookie Program, camping, and skill-building badges remain in place, but the additions of six program pathways and an outcomes-based program model have made the program more flexible for today's families. Now, girls still have the option of joining a year-long Girl Scout troop, but they may also participate in other Girl Scout pathways -- to addition to the troop experience or in lieu of it. Girl Scout pathways include one-day programs, 4-6 week series, camp, travel, and online activities. Whether they choose one or all of the pathways, all Girl Scouts benefit from fifteen tangible, research-based outcomes such as a strong sense of self, practical life skills, healthy relationships, and feeling empowered to make a difference.

Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland is pleased to offer a wide variety of program opportunities for girls in 2010-2011; topics include career exploration, financial literacy, science, theater, sports, travel, and more. Girls are encouraged to make decisions about what and where they want to explore, and then to work together to plan and budget according to their age-level skills. With program events as inexpensive as $3 and annual membership dues of only $12, Girl Scouts is a low-cost investment with incalculable life-long benefits. Financial assistance is available for membership dues, council-sponsored programs, and uniform pieces for girls with demonstrated need.

For more information about joining Girl Scouts, please visit www.girlscouts.org/today or contact Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland at (877) 312-4764 or gscouts@girlscoutsmoheartland.org.

About the Girl Scout Leadership Experience

Founded in 1912, Girl Scouts of the USA is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls in grades K-12. With 3.3 million girl and adult members worldwide, Girl Scouts is the leading authority on girls' healthy development. Today's Girl Scout Leadership Experience has evolved to fit a wide variety of interests of schedules. With six program pathways -- events, series, camp, troops, travel, and virtual -- girls have more options and more reasons to join than ever before. Through hands-on learning opportunities and a girl-led decision-making process, the Girl Scout Leadership Experience empowers girls to discover a strong sense of self, connect with others in a changing world, and take action to help make the world a better place.

About Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland

Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland has a membership of approximately 16,000 girls and 6,000 adults across 68 counties in central and southern Missouri, southeast Kansas, and northeast Oklahoma. With the support of community partners, donors, and volunteers, we mentor and support girls as they develop crucial life skills and prepare to take the lead -- today, tomorrow, and for the rest of their lives. For more information on how to join, volunteer, reconnect or donate to Girl Scouts, call 877-312-4764 or visit us on the web at www.girlscoutsmoheartland.org.