The Enduring Legacy of Scouts and Guides in USA: A Historical Overview

For over a century, the global Scouts and Guides movement has empowered approximately 250 million girls and women, fostering leadership, community engagement, and a commitment to service. In the USA, this movement, known as Girl Scouts, has played a pivotal role in shaping generations of young women. This article explores the origins and development of Scouts and Guides in the USA, highlighting its significance within the broader international context.

The Genesis of Girl Scouting and Guiding

The story of Girl Scouts and Guides begins with the Boy Scout movement in the United Kingdom. In 1909, at a Boy Scout rally, a group of girls declared themselves Girl Scouts, signaling a clear demand for a parallel movement for girls. Lord Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of Boy Scouts, recognized this need and initiated the Girl Guide movement that same year. This swift response underscores the immediate appeal and relevance of scouting principles for young women. Groups of Girl Guides quickly emerged not only in the UK but also across the globe, including Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, New Zealand, and South Africa, demonstrating the universal desire for such organizations.

By 1910, the Girl Guide Association was officially established in the UK, led by Agnes Baden-Powell, Robert’s sister. The movement’s international expansion continued rapidly, reaching Ireland, Portugal, and Norway by 1912. Crucially, 1912 also marks the year Girl Scouting officially began in the USA, thanks to the vision and determination of Juliette Gordon Low.

Juliette Low and the Founding of Girl Scouts in USA

Juliette ‘Daisy’ Gordon Low is the visionary founder who brought Girl Scouting to the United States. Inspired by her encounter with the Girl Guide movement in England, Low believed deeply in providing all girls with opportunities for physical, mental, and spiritual development. On March 12, 1912, in Savannah, Georgia, she gathered 18 girls for the first American Girl Scout meeting, marking the official birth of Girl Scouts in USA. Low’s pioneering spirit and dedication laid the foundation for an organization that would profoundly impact the lives of millions of girls across the United States.

The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS)

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As Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting flourished globally, the need for international collaboration and organization became apparent. The first World Conference in England in 1920 served as a landmark event, bringing together representatives from various Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting organizations worldwide. This conference facilitated the exchange of ideas and experiences, strengthening the international scouting and guiding spirit and raising the movement’s global profile.

This growing international connectivity led to increased cross-border activities, including the First World Camp in 1924, which coincided with the Third International Conference. This event united 1,100 girls and young women from 40 countries, further solidifying the global community. Recognizing the need for a more structured international body, discussions after the 4th World Conference in 1926 led to the proposal of a world association.

In 1928, at the Fifth International Conference in Hungary, delegates from 26 countries officially formed the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). This pivotal moment established a formal global organization to support and unify the growing movement. WAGGGS established a World Bureau in London to serve as its secretariat, succeeding the International Council formed in 1919. The newly formed World Association established a World Committee through elections, including Lord and Lady Baden-Powell and the Director of the World Bureau as ex-officio members. World Conferences, held every three years, became the key platform for policy-making and decision-making for WAGGGS member organizations, continuing the legacy of international collaboration initiated at the first conference.

Key Milestones in the Timeline of Scouts and Guides

To understand the enduring impact of Scouts and Guides, particularly in the USA, a timeline of key events provides valuable context:

1907: Lord Robert Baden-Powell organizes the first Scout camp in the UK, laying the groundwork for the scouting movement.
1908: Baden-Powell publishes Scouting for Boys, a book that inspires countless boys and later girls to join the movement. Scouting for Boys became an unexpected bestseller of the 20th century, illustrating the widespread appeal of the scouting ethos.
1909: The first Boy Scout rally at Crystal Palace in South London includes girls identifying as Girl Scouts, prompting the inclusion of girls in the movement.
1910: The Girl Guides movement is formally founded in the UK by Baden-Powell and his sister, Agnes Baden-Powell. Even before the official association, Girl Guide groups were already active in countries like Australia, Canada, and South Africa, highlighting the organic growth of the movement.
1912: Juliette ‘Daisy’ Gordon Low establishes Girl Guiding (Girl Scouts) in the USA, assembling the first troop in Georgia on March 12th. Low’s vision emphasized holistic development for all girls, regardless of background.
1919: The International Council is formed, the precursor to the International Conference, facilitating early international cooperation.
1926: World Thinking Day is launched at the Fourth International Conference, promoting global awareness and friendship among Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.
1928: WAGGGS is founded at the Fifth International Conference in Hungary, solidifying the global organizational structure. The International Conference officially becomes the World Conference at this time. The USA was among the 26 founding members of WAGGGS, underscoring its early and significant role in the global movement.
1931: WAGGGS reaches one million members, demonstrating the rapid global expansion and popularity of Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting.
1932: The first WAGGGS World Centre, Our Chalet, opens in Switzerland, providing an international meeting place and training center.
1932: The first Juliette Low Seminar is held at Our Chalet, honoring the founder of Girl Scouts in USA and fostering international leadership development.
1940: The WAGGGS Western Hemisphere Region is formed, acknowledging the significant growth and regional needs of the movement in the Americas.
1941: Lord Robert Baden-Powell passes away, but his wife, Olave Baden-Powell, continues to lead the movement as Chief Guide, ensuring continuity and strong leadership.
1957: The second WAGGGS World Centre, Our Cabaña, opens in Mexico, further expanding international facilities and outreach.
1966: The third World Centre, Sangam, opens in India, extending WAGGGS’s global presence to Asia.
1969: The WAGGGS Asia Pacific Region is formed, reflecting the movement’s growing strength in the Asia-Pacific region.
1971: The WAGGGS Europe Region is formed, organizing and supporting the movement across Europe.
1975: The WAGGGS Africa Region is established, focusing on the unique needs and growth of Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting in Africa.
1977: Lady Olave Baden-Powell passes away, leaving a lasting legacy of global leadership and dedication to the movement.
1985: The World Bureau officially opens in London, UK, providing a permanent central office for WAGGGS.
1991: Pax Lodge World Centre opens in London, UK, the fourth World Centre, offering another international hub for activities and events.
1993: The first Global Action Theme (GAT) curriculum, ‘Create Peace Worldwide,’ is launched, focusing the movement’s efforts on global issues.
1999: The WAGGGS Arab Region is formed, further expanding WAGGGS’s regional structure to encompass the Arab world.
1999: WAGGGS launches its first advocacy campaign, ‘Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy,’ demonstrating a commitment to addressing critical social issues.
2002: The second GAT, ‘Our Rights Our Responsibilities’, is launched, continuing the focus on global citizenship and social responsibility.
2008: The third GAT, ‘Together we can change our world,’ aligned with the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, emphasizing global impact.
2008: The WAGGGS Leadership Development Programme (WLDP) is launched, investing in the future leadership of the movement.
2010-2012: WAGGGS celebrates the centenary of international Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting, marking 100 years of global impact.
2011: The WAGGGS Global Advocacy Campaign, ‘Stop the Violence – Speak out for girls’ rights,’ is launched, addressing gender-based violence and promoting girls’ rights.
2015: WAGGGS becomes an Incorporated Charity, strengthening its organizational structure and governance.

Conclusion

The journey of Scouts And Guides In Usa, from its inception by Juliette Low to its current vibrant presence, is a testament to the enduring power of the global scouting and guiding movement. Girl Scouts in USA, as part of WAGGGS, continue to empower girls and young women, equipping them with essential life skills, leadership qualities, and a commitment to making a positive impact on their communities and the world. The history of Scouts and Guides in USA is not just a story of an organization; it is a story of generations of girls and women inspired to lead, serve, and create a better world.