Council Highlights
Throughout Greater Los Angeles, six Girl Scout Councils have continued Girl Scout founder Juliette Gordon Low’s vision for nearly a century, offering girls unique opportunities for personal leadership development, exposure to positive female role models, and focus on community involvement. These legacy councils will combine their strengths, continue the traditions and values at the core of Girl Scouting, and revitalize the movement to remain compelling for today’s girls through a historic merger to become effective December 1, 2008.

Each legacy council is pleased to contribute unique strengths and expertise that will form a new single Girl Scout council for Greater Los Angeles. Girls will discover, connect and take action like they never have before through the unique Girl Scout Experience, the premier leadership and personal development program for girls.

In the coming years, girl members and adult volunteers can expect expanded programs, greater access to camps and other program facilities, and more opportunities for girls as a result of the merger. The following are highlights of current offerings from the legacy councils:

• Since 1995, Girl Scouts – Joshua Tree Council/Santa Clarita Valley Region has been providing the girls in the Camp Scott Probation Facility with Girl Scout program and leadership development to lead to a more productive life. Camp Scott is a probation camp for girls, ages 13 -18, administrated by Los Angeles County. The girls live at the camp full time for periods averaging six to nine months. (Joshua Tree)
  
  
• Girl Scouts - Joshua Tree Council puts on an annual “Junior Encampment” weekend event for Girl Scout troops at the Junior Girl Scout age level. The event takes place on two weekends. One weekend is for new Juniors who have just flown up or have never been to the “Encampment” before; and one weekend is for more experienced girls. (Joshua Tree)  
   
• Girls are offered a unique waterfront experience at Girl Scouts of Greater Long Beach’s Marine Landing property. Activities include boating, swimming and other water-themed programs throughout the year and a 10-week summer day camp program. (Long Beach)
  
  
• Discover Girl Scouts is a 10-week leadership outreach program for girls ages 5-17 and adult volunteers at various affordable housing developments. (Long Beach)
  
  
• Girl Scouts of Greater Long Beach offers LEAD, a summer leadership program for teen girls. Program Aides have the opportunity to work with girls, enhance their leadership skills, learn tools for effective communication, teambuilding, group dynamics, and earn community service hours through this program. (Long Beach)
  
  
• Eighty-five Senior Girl Scouts from the San Gabriel Valley earned the Gold Award in 2007, following a record 128 girls in 2006. Senior Girl Scouts from Mt. Wilson Vista Council who have earned the Gold Award also have the distinguished honor of being a member of Tournament Troop and participating in the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day. (Mt. Wilson Vista)
  
  
• As part of the council’s expanding STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programming, the council fielded 11 robotics teams in 2007. The teams of girls, which included girls from throughout Los Angeles County, worked together to build a robot, program it to complete tasks, research a science-related topic and present before a professional panel, and compete in competitions with other youth. (Mt. Wilson Vista)
  
  
• Pathway to Promise, Mt. Wilson Vista Council’s flagship community-based program, brings Girl Scouting to girls from lower socioeconomic families in an after-school program setting. Girls participate in Girl Scout programs, connect with peers, and gain team building and leadership skills. (Mt. Wilson Vista)
  
  
• Thirty-seven Senior Girl Scouts from the San Fernando Valley earned the Gold Award in 2007. This was a record number for the council, demonstrating the strength of Senior Girl Scouting in the area. (San Fernando)
  
  
• Law Day was an enormously successful career exploration event attended by more than 500 Girl Scouts and the Mayor of Los Angeles. (San Fernando)
  
  
• Latina Outreach was made possible through a grant-funded marketing campaign, in both English and Spanish, reaching girls and families in the City of San Fernando. (San Fernando)
  
  
• As part of the Healthy Lifestyles initiative, "Energizer Girls" was launched to focus on healthy eating and exercising. (Spanish Trails)
  
  
• At Spanish Trails’ facility in the Cleveland National Forest, "Villages"- At El Potrero, girls have the opportunity to explore, learn and connect with others through various "villages" of their choice. (Spanish Trails)
  
  
• Older girls make their dream a reality by traveling to Europe in the "Dream Euro II program; the Dream Euro I trip included Paris, France, and London, England, among its destinations. (Spanish Trails)