Gift Ideas for Girl Scouts

Girl Scouts come in all sizes and ages, and they all love receiving gifts. Even baby girls can be Future Girl Scouts! And even adult Girl Scouts will enjoy a gift that is Girl Scout themed or that is useful for Girl Scout activities.

Locally, you may be able to buy official Girl Scout items at your Girl Scout council's store. Check local listings for "Girl Scouts." The store will usually have uniforms, books, and accessories for all ages, as well as an assortment of gift items. If you don't live near a Girl Scout store, you may be able to mail-order items from the nearest one, or you can visit the national Girl Scout Shop at goshop.girlscouts.org.

Gifts for Future Girl Scouts
Did your old Girl Scout buddy have a baby girl? Treat her to a "Future Girl Scout" baby t-shirt or bib, available on CafePress.com. Many Girl Scout councils carry similar items in their council shops as well; check with the council in your area.

Gifts for Daisy Girl Scouts
Daisy Girl Scouts are in kindergarten or first grade. They are just getting started in Girl Scouting, so they probably don't have a lot of Girl Scout stuff yet! She might enjoy a pair of Daisy Girl Scout socks to wear with her uniform, or a Daisy Girl Scout cap.

Daisy Girl Scouts don't go troop camping yet, but for day outings, she might need a backpack or hip pack to carry essential items. A sturdy water bottle is great for day trips, too, and these items can be used throughout her Girl Scout career and beyond.

Gifts for Brownie Girl Scouts
Brownie Girl Scouts can be in first, second, or third grade. Brownies enjoy a wide variety of Girl Scout activities, are very active, and usually love their uniforms! Girl Scouts of the USA now has a line of official but casual uniform pieces that are great for this age level, including a t-shirt, hooded sweatshirt, and drawstring track-style pants.

Brownies may be beginning to go on sleepovers or go camping. A good sleeping bag is essential for this. It should be a real sleeping bag for sleeping outdoors, not the typical character-themed slumber bag. Slumber bags are not warm enough for outdoor sleeping. Choose a sleeping bag that is warm, lightweight, and easy to handle for little hands.

A flashlight (with batteries) is another fun gift for the aspiring camper. Brownies can even begin learning how to use a pocket knife, with careful supervision and teaching.

Gifts for Junior Girl Scouts
Junior Girl Scouts may be in third, fourth, fifth or sixth grade - quite an age range! The Junior Girl Scout is becoming more aware of herself as an individual. She might enjoy a journal for writing down her thoughts and dreams. She may also be developing a special area of interest, like crafts, science, or computer programming. She might appreciate craft supplies, a science kit, or a trip to a science center.

For the outdoorsy Junior Girl Scout, a mess kit is useful. A mess kit for camping includes an unbreakable plate, bowl, cup, and flatware all enclosed in a drawstring net bag, in which the girls hang their dishes to dry.

American Girl dolls are extremely popular with girls ages 8 to 11. Molly is the doll who is a Girl Scout in the 1940's; your Junior Girl Scout might enjoy her or the books about her. American Girl is not currently selling Girl Scout uniforms for its dolls, but discontinued doll uniforms are available on eBay. 18 inch doll uniforms are also available from some independent sellers online.

Girl Scouts is currently teaming with Manhattan Toy to produce the Girl Scouts® Troop Groovy Girls line of dolls, which are available through many Girl Scout council stores.

Gifts for Girl Scouts 11-17
Girls ages 11-17 are the oldest girls in Girl Scouting. They are challenging themselves with more complex and more in-depth activities. Some are working on the highest awards in Girl Scouting, the Silver and Gold Awards. These girls are dedicated!

Girls who are involved in a lot of activities, or who are working on a major project for the Silver or Gold Award, might appreciate a calendar or organizer. A plastic file box with hanging file folders is helpful for organizing materials and papers as well (parents will thank you for helping to keep her room tidy).

Girls 11-17 have the opportunity to travel worldwide through Girl Scouting. A world traveler might appreciate a good backpack, or a travel guidebook for her planned destination.

The advanced camper might like a good backpacking tent, or might need a new sleeping bag by now. Or, perhaps you know a girl who enjoys canoeing, kayaking, or windsurfing! Visit an outdoor store like REI to find gifts related to all kinds of outdoor activities.

Gifts for Adult Girl Scouts
Yes, some of us are crazy enough to stay in Girl Scouting for life. In fact, a lifetime membership in Girl Scouting is a great gift! Lifetime membership costs $250, or 25 times the current annual dues. The lifetime member also receives a special lifetime membership certificate and membership card, and is eligible to purchase a special lifetime membership pin. Purchase of a lifetime membership also supports the Lifetime Membership Endowment Fund, which helps develop and extend Girl Scout membership to all girls.

Lifetime membership is available at a reduced price for girls graduating from high school, as long as the membership is purchased before their current registration expires. The current price for graduating seniors is $130. Lifetime memberships can be purchased through your local Girl Scout Council.

Adult Girl Scouts often spend time and money on girls rather than on themselves. An Adult Girl Scout might appreciate a gift just for her to enjoy, like a spa gift certificate. She might also enjoy fun items from the Girl Scout store, or a useful tote bag for her Girl Scout stuff.

Adult Girl Scouts can be men, too! The Girl Scout Shop online does have uniform items for men, including polo shirts and a blazer. They also carry ball caps, lapel pins, and other items that may be suitable for men.

Finally, for Girl Scouts of all ages, consider making a donation of any size in their honor to your local Girl Scout council. Revenue from cookie sales is not enough to support everything that these councils do for girls, so they do rely on donations as well. If you believe Girl Scouting is a positive force in your community, contact your local council to make a donation.