For more than 100 years, Girl Scouts has been impacting girls’ lives. To girls like Shelby, it doesn’t matter if they’re part trendsetter, part change-maker, part athlete, part engineer, part artist, or part go-getter, because they know who they are and where they want to go next.

Shelby is a Girl Scout in Troop 20258 in Dunkirk, and she’s been in Girl Scouts for 4 years. We want to share her story with you, in her words, about what Girl Scouts means to her.

What are the things you have done in Girl Scouts that you never thought you would do?

I went backpack camping with my troop and we filtered river water to drink. We learned to make a fire using flint. I also competed in the Dream It Do It 500 with a team of Girl Scouts where we made a rubber band-powered car and learned about engineering. I made a lot of new friends by going to programming like that.

How did you feel after you accomplished these things?

I am brave. Accomplishing new things in Girl Scouts makes me happy.

What do you see in your future because of your Girl Scout experiences?

I see myself traveling to France and Japan with Girl Scouts. I have never traveled to another country but Girl Scouts is giving me these goals, and my mom is encouraging even though we have to step outside of our comfort zone.

Because of Girl Scouts, last year Shelby was able to choose from over 150 programs made possible through the support of committed and generous donors.

We asked Shelby’s mother, Kathy, about the changes she’s seen in her daughter through Girl Scouts.

How have you seen Girl Scouts impact Shelby’s life?

She knows how to work as a team, plan out a project, and work together. I’ve seen her knowledge grow in public speaking, leadership, empathy, and acceptance. She is a unique person, some call her weird, but she’s a sweet girl. She likes that she can be anything she wants in Girl Scouts.

How have you seen Shelby grow since joining Girl Scouts?

It’s a constant battle outside of Girl Scouts because she’s not a “girly girl,” but that doesn’t make her stand out when she’s at Girl Scouts. At Girl Scouts Shelby can be herself and be accepted. It’s a safe environment for her. She is now a leader and her confidence shines through her.

In Girl Scouts, girls find a safe place that lets them be themselves in a supportive, nurturing environment while they step outside of their comfort zone and discover new interests.

Shelby knows who she is and where she’s going because of the programs available in Girl Scouts.

We need your help to keep these opportunities available for all girls, because we know that no two are alike and each has her own interests, talents, hobbies, and dreams.

Join us in inspiring the next generation of future female leaders by supporting Girl Scouts today.

Thank you from each girl that gets to experience Girl Scouts because of you.

Please Give Today