Membership Levels of The Girl Scouts of The USA - History

History

Initially the United States Girl Scout program, started in 1912, had one level for girls ages ten through seventeen, but it soon added two more levels. Brownies for younger girls was officially recognized in the mid 1920s though it had existed earlier. At the same time older girls (over eighteen or over sixteen if First Class Scouts) became known as Senior Scouts.

In 1938 age divisions were set as

• Brownies (ages seven through nine)
• Intermediates (ages ten through thirteen)
• Seniors (ages fourteen through seventeen)

In 1963 this was rearranged to

• Brownies (ages seven through nine)
• Juniors (ages nine through eleven)
• Cadettes (ages eleven through fourteen)
• Seniors (ages fourteen through seventeen)

In the 1970s the age divisions were

• Pixies (ages five through six)
• Brownies (ages seven through nine)
• Juniors (ages nine through eleven)
• Cadettes (ages eleven through fourteen)
• Seniors (ages fourteen through seventeen)

In 1984, the Daisy program for kindergarteners (age five) was introduced, and around 2003 the Studio 2B program for girls eleven through seventeen was introduced as a way to give older girls more options in Girl Scouts, although many girls still called themselves Cadettes and Seniors. STUDIO 2B was discontinued as a program option in 2007.

• Daisy Girl Scouts (5 & 6 years old or in kindergarten)
• Brownie Girl Scouts (6–8 years old or in grades 1–3)
• Junior Girl Scouts (8–12 years old or in grades 4–6. In some situations, girls age eight and in third grade may be Juniors.)
• Cadette Girl Scouts (12–14 years old or in grades 7–9)
• Senior Girl Scouts (14–17 years old or in grades 10–12)

In 2008 another reorganization took place. Girl Scout Ambassador level was added. All levels were changed to have Girl Scouts at the start of their name, e.g. "Girl Scout Brownies" instead of "Brownie Girl Scouts", and levels were changed to be by grade only instead of by age or grade.

• Girl Scout Daisy (grades K–1)
• Girl Scout Brownies (grades 2–3)
• Girl Scout Juniors (grades 4–5)
• Girl Scout Cadettes (grades 6–8)
• Girl Scout Seniors (grades 9–10)
• Girl Scout Ambassadors (grades 11–12)

Outside the age level programs, there have been somewhat separate programs for Mariner Scouts (1934–present) and Wing Scouts (1941–1970s).

In addition, there are Girl Scouts known as Juliettes, who are independent of any troop due to lack of a troop to join or because other commitments do not allow them to actively participate with available troops. A Juliette is still placed in her appropriate grade level and works on program as would any other girl her age in a regular troop. A number of Girl Scout councils are discouraging the use of "Juliettes".