Stephanie Meyer, age 13, of Prescott, Ariz., for her question:
WHO STARTED THE GIRL SCOUTS?
In 1912 an American youth leader named Juliette Gordon Low organized Girl Guiding in the United States. She soon changed the name to Girl Scouting and the organization for girls and young women became the largest voluntary group in the world.
A British army officer named Robert Baden Powell started the Boy Scouts organization in 1909. Baden Powell's sister, Agnes, started a Girl Guides program in the same year.
Mrs. Low called the first troop meeting to order in her home in Savannah, Ga., on March 12, 1912. A national headquarters was established in Washington, D.C., the following year. It later moved to New York City and was incorporated in 1915.
In 1950 the U. S. Congress issued a charter to the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. It was a founding member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.
Girl Scouts is open to all girls between the ages of six and 17. The organization gives girls the opportunity to develop their potential, make good friends and become an important part of their communities.
Today more than 3 million girls and adult leaders belong to Girl Scouts U.S.A. There are close to 200,000 troops in the United States and its territories. Around the world, the membership of girls and adults is nearing the 7 million mark.
Here's the very thoughtful Girl Scout Law: I will do my best to be honest, to be fair, to help where I am needed, to be cheerful, to be friendly and considerate, to be a sister of every Girl Scout, to respect authority, to use resources wisely, to protect and improve the world around me, to show respect for myself and others through my words and actions.
And here is the Girl Scout Promise: On my honor I will try to serve God, my country and mankind, and to live by the Girl Scout Law.
Girl Scouts have four age levels: Brownie, Junior, Cadette and Senior. Special activities and uniforms are available to members of each division.
Brownies are girls between the ages of six and eight, or in the first, second or third grades in school. Activities are planned that will help the girls develop curiosity, creativity and a desire to be helpful.
Juniors are in the fourth, fifth and sixth grades in school and are usually between the ages of nine and 11. They can earn up to 47 proficiency badges and the Sign of the Arrow and the Sign of the Star.
Cadettes are in the seventh, eighth and ninth grades is school and usually between the ages of 12 and 14. They can earn up to 60 proficiency badges.
Senior Girl Scouts are between the ages of 14 and 17. The senior program is designed to encourage each girl to find her place as an individual in her community.