Get To Know Us

Girl Scouts of the Fox River Area, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit organization offering informal education to girls ages 5 - 17. We serve approximately 6,000 girls ages 5 - 17 and 1,700 adults through our membership in the counties of Outagamie, Winnebago, Waupaca, Shawano, Menominee, and part of Calumet.

Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) is the world's preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls - all girls - where, in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build character and skills for success in the real world. In partnership with committed adult volunteers, girls develop qualities that will serve them all their lives, like leadership, strong values, social conscience, and conviction about their own potential and self-worth.

Through its membership in the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, GSUSA is part of a worldwide family of girls and adults in 144 countries. GSUSA serves approximately 2.7 million girls and 928,000 women and men and includes volunteer leaders, consultants, board members, and staff specialists in such areas as child development, adult education, outdoor education, and administration. Employed Girl Scout executives account for less than one percent of total adult membership.

History

Founded in 1912 by Juliette Gordon Low, 18 girls from Savannah, Georgia, met on March 12, 1912, for a local Girl Scout meeting. She believed that all girls should be given the opportunity to develop physically, mentally and spiritually. With the goal of bringing girls out of isolated home environments and into community service and the open air, Girl Scouts hiked, played basketball, went on camping trips, learned how to tell time by the stars, and studied first aid.

Girl Scouts of the Fox River Area, Inc. was incorporated in 1920 and has been providing Girl Scouting in the Fox River Area for 87 years.

The Promise and Law

Every girl and adult agrees to live by the Promise and Law.

The Girl Scout Promise

On my honor, I will try:
     To serve God and my country,
     To help people at all times,
     And to live by the Girl Scout Law.

The Girl Scout Law

I will do my best to be
     honest and fair,
     friendly and helpful,
     considerate and caring,
     courageous and strong, and
     responsible for what I say and do,
and to
     respect myself and others,
     respect authority,
     use resources wisely,
     make the world a better place, and
     be a sister to every Girl Scout.

Program Goals

The Girl Scout program can change the way girls see the world and their place in it. Girls learn the importance of personal responsibility, the value of goal-setting, the spirit of teamwork, and the thrill of accomplishment. The Girl Scout program is based on the Girl Scout Promise and Law and four fundamental goals that encourage girls to:

1. Girls will develop to their full potential.
2. Girls will relate to others with increasing understanding, skill and respect.
3. Girls will develop a meaningful set of values to guide their actions and to provide the foundation for sound decision-making.
4. Girls will contribute to the improvement of society though the use of their abilities and leadership skills, working in cooperation with others.

Financial Grants

Girl Scouting and all activities are open to members, regardless of their ability to pay. Financial grants are available to both girls and adults.

How We Are Supported

The council is supported by individual and corporate donations, product sales and the following United Ways/Funds: Fox Cities, Oshkosh, Clintonville, Marion, New London, Shawano, Winneconne, and the Waupaca Community Chest.

There are also two council product programs offered to girls and their families during each Girl Scout year. The Cookie Sale Program and the Be A Reader Program offer girls a variety of learning experiences, such as basic financial skills and valuable business training, as well as the chance to earn money for their troops and the council. The programs are supported by volunteer committees and council staff.

Map

This link directs you to MapQuest

Girl Scout Lingo

This is a quick guide to words and definitions commonly referred to in Girl Scouts of the Fox River Area, Inc. Words and definitions unique to Girl Scouting may be found in handbooks, leaders' guides and other Girl Scouts of the USA publications.

Newsletters

Council Connection is emailed monthly to all volunteers who provided us with an email address. This 'up to the minute' email will feature news that volunteers need to know to support girls … like opportunities in program, community service, training, volunteering, and more. (Volunteers: if your email address will be changing, please send an email to asager@gsfra.org with your name, new email address, troop number, and city. Be sure to note if the email address of other registered family members will be changing as well.)

Girl Scout Gazette is mailed three times a year to parents, volunteers and the community and will feature the neat things our girls are doing, along with great community collaborations and donor spotlights.

News Releases

Status of Girls in Wisconsin Report

Board of Directors

Associations

The association system is part of the democratic process in Girl Scouting. It provides opportunities for volunteers to voice their opinions on topics relevant to Girl Scouting. Through association meetings the members can influence decisions and activities in matters of policy or governance. It is also an opportunity for members to connect with their board of directors. The second vice-president of the board is the liaison to the associations. Our council is divided into eight associations, each with a specific number of elected delegates based on girl membership. Each association is lead by an association chair. Our bylaws state that associations need to meet at least once a year. Associations typically meet in the spring and fall. Delegates also attend the annual council meeting to elect and give input to the board of directors. All registered adults and girl members 14 years and older are encouraged to participate.

This democratic process assures all membership is heard and represented in council decisions and plans.
2007 will prove to be a very important year in our council as we transition through council realignment. In order to provide the best continuity for our council through this process, we will not be considering any policy changes at this time.

Facility Rental

We own and maintain two program facilities: Camp Winnecomac in Kaukauna and the Girl Scout Program Center in Appleton. These indoor and outdoor program facilities are located in unique settings that support a variety of troops and programs. The facilities may be used for overnight stays or half/full-day activities. These facilities are not only for the enjoyment of Girl Scouts, but the public is also invited to utilize these as well.

Contact Us

Girl Scouts of the Fox River Area, Inc.
4693 N. Lynndale Drive
Appleton, WI 54913-9614
Ph 920-734-4559 or 800-924-1211
Fax 920-734-1304
Web gsfra.org

Click here for department mailboxes.

Career Opportunities

Links

Girl Scouts of the USA
World Association of Girl Guides
LEADER Magazine
Girl Scouts En Espanol

Girl-Related Sites

ABC Cookie Web site for Girl Scouts
Barlow Planetarium
Girls Only
Girl Scout Central
Girls Go Tech
World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts

DiscoverySchool.com brought to you by the Discovery Channel has tools to help you study, games to challenge your mind, and tons of great clip art to use.
High School Hub is a free online interactive learning center for high school students.
Career 411 Fun information and resources for girls to turn their interests and talents into a great future.