Social Issues and Religion
Social Issues and Religion
The mission of Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan and Girl Scouts of the USA is to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.
As such a large organization, Girl Scouts is occasionally a target for outside entities with clear agendas. A fundamental piece you should know is that Girl Scouts does not advocate one way or another with regard to what we perceive as private issues best handled by families. Personal matters are just that—personal and private—and should be addressed accordingly.
Reproductive Issues
- Girl Scouts does not have a relationship with Planned Parenthood.
- We do not give funds to Planned Parenthood.
- We do not receive funds from Planned Parenthood.
- We do not take a position on reproductive issues.
- We do not develop materials on the topics of sexuality, birth control, abortion, or any other reproductive issue. We believe these topics are best discussed within the family.
Political Issues
- Girl Scouts does not endorse any person or organization.
- We do not endorse any political party or politician.
- Our curriculum inspires girls with examples of women who take a stand for their beliefs. We are not always going to agree with the opinions on the issue, but we can agree that taking a leadership role on complex issues will create a better world.
Religion
- Girl Scouts supports girls from all backgrounds and beliefs.
- While we are a secular organization that refrains from teaching religious or spiritual beliefs or practices, we believe that the motivating force in Girl Scouting is a spiritual one.
- We greatly value our partnerships with religious organizations across many faiths that share the values of the Girl Scout Promise and Law.
- We are grateful for our long-standing partnerships with faith communities such as the Catholic Church, with which we hold many values in common.
- Girl Scout Promise
On my honor, I will try:
To serve God* and my country
To help people at all times,
And to live by the Girl Scout Law.
*Members may substitute for the word God in accordance with their own spiritual beliefs.
Gender
- We recognize that gender identity exists on a spectrum and that some children identify as non-binary. In these cases, we work together with the child and their family on a case-by-case basis to determine the best pathway for that individual child.
- Placement of transgender youth is handled on a case-by-case basis, with the welfare and best interests of the child and the members of the troop/group in question a top priority.
- If the child is recognized by the family and school/community as a girl and lives culturally as a girl, then Girl Scouts is an organization that can serve her in a setting that is both emotionally and physically safe.
- Should any girl requiring special accommodations wish to camp, GSUSA recommends that the local council makes similar accommodations that schools across the country follow in regard to changing, sleeping arrangements, and other travel-related activities.
- With respect to volunteers, Girl Scouts welcomes both male and female adult volunteers and has developed appropriate safeguards regarding roles and responsibilities to ensure that girls receive the proper supervision and support.
Please refer to our Gender Identity Resource for more information.
