Introducing the New Girl Scout Grade Levels!
With input from girls, the Girl Scout community, and youth development experts, Girl Scouts of the USA has developed the new Girl Scout Leadership Experience. This new model, to be launched in October 2008, brings Girl Scouts' mission and programs into focus and clearly defines how girls become leaders through Girl Scouting.
One of the key elements is a revision of the Girl Scout levels. Girls say grade level – not age – often determines their social groups. Research has shown that girls learn best, and have the most fun, when they are with the right developmental and social group. To ensure that girls get the most out of Girl Scouting, GSUSA will begin to base its levels on the following grades in October 2008:
| Level | Grade | |
| New | Current | |
| Daisy | K-1 | K |
| Brownie | 2-3 | 1-3 |
| Junior | 4-5 | 4-6 |
| Cadette | 6-8 | 6-9 |
| Senior | 9-10 | 9-12 |
| Ambassador | 11-12 | |
The 2008-2009 membership year will serve as a transition period. Current members can choose to continue under the old structure or transition to the new grade levels. Girls who join Girl Scouts for the first time next fall will start in the new grade levels, unless they join an existing troop that has chosen to continue under the old grade levels for one more year.
Options for current members of Girl Scouts of Western Washington:
| Grade in 2007-2008 |
2008-2009 Level Options | |||
| New (Recommended) |
Current | |||
| K | Daisy | Brownie | ||
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Note: If your first grade girls choose to bridge to Brownies, they should work with the current Brownie materials, not the new materials, since the new leadership materials will be for second and third grade Brownies.
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| 1-2 | Brownie | |||
| 3-4 | Junior | |||
| 5 | Cadette | Junior | ||
| 6-7 | Cadette | |||
| 8 | Senior | Cadette | ||
| 9 | Senior | |||
| 10 | Ambassador | Senior | ||
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Note: Since the transition period is only for one year, eleventh graders who choose to remain Seniors will become Ambassadors during their twelfth grade year.
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| 11 | Ambassador | Senior | ||
Important things to consider when choosing a Girl Scout level:
- New, exciting, age-appropriate GSUSA materials will be available in the fall for the new grade levels.
- In 2009, all girls - including Daisies - will be eligible to participate in Girl Scouts' product sales programs, including the Cookie Sale Program.
- Whatever level they choose, sixth gradeers will be able to earn their Bronze Award, ninth graders will be able to earn their Silver Award, and eleventh and twelfth graders will be able to earn their Gold Award.
More resources about the Girl Scout Leadership Experience:
| Setting the Pace
Leader Magazine |
Looking Ahead to the New Girl Scout Leadership Experience
Leader Magazine |
Introducing the New Girl Scout Grade Levels!
GSWW Volunteer Magazine |