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Girl Scouts open registration for fall events

The Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania has opened registration for new members this fall with programming that features virtual and in-person activities.

Girl Scouts offers leadership development and skill-building experiences to all girls in grades kindergarten through twelfth grade. New troops are forming across western Pennsylvania, as well as online through Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania newly announced virtual troop format.

While online programs were already offered to Girl Scouts in the region, Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania pivoted to offer more virtual opportunities when stay-at-home orders were issued in March as a result of concerns around COVID-19. Since March, Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania has offered hundreds of hours of skill-building and educational material to girls while many extracurricular activities were canceled.

“Our goal is to ensure that Girls Scouts remains available to girls even when so much else is changing,” said Patricia A. Burkart, CEO of Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania, “which is the same reason that we have created a virtual troop option for girls in western Pennsylvania. As we head into a new school year and more unknowns this fall, girls will need to stay connected now more than ever.”

Girls in virtual troops will earn badges and patches and participate in the iconic Girl Scout Cookie Program, which begins in early January, all from their home. Girls will benefit from all the same Girl Scout Leadership Experience components, including community service and involvement, leadership growth, and taking on new challenges all while having fun with friends.

“We learned from our girls very quickly that Girl Scouts is not a place you go. It’s who you are,” said Burkart. “Our Girl Scouts have been unstoppable, and our programming will continue right alongside them to always provide support.”

Local Girl Scouts are holding troop meetings online, leading their peers in video-based workshops, and spending time hiking in the outdoors. Girl and adult members will also be coming together to serve their local communities during the annual GSWPA Service Day on Saturday.

Girl Scout membership dues are $25 per girl. To ensure that the Girl Scout experience is available to all girls, financial assistance is available.

In-person troop meetings and activities follow current CDC and local guidelines. For local opportunities call 800-248-3355 and to learn more about joining, visit gswpa.org/learnmore.

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