Find your people. Find your brave.

Girl Scouts is where kids try new things, make real friends, and find out what they're capable of, with caring adults cheering them on every step of the way.

Girl Scouts River Valleys at a Glance

3 States

Southern Minnesota, western Wisconsin, and one county in Iowa

1 of 111

Girl Scout Councils

17,000 +

Girl Scouts

6,300 +

Volunteers

What we do for you

Youth programing, events, volunteer training and resources, Girl Scout apparel, merch and more!

Why We Exist

Our mission

Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

Our purpose

Our purpose is to boldly lead as an anti-racist organization that uplifts and empowers every girl to know their worth and lead in their world.

What We Believe

Equity: We work to fix unfair systems, so every young person gets the tools and support they need, not just the same ones as everyone else.

Collaboration: Youth, families, volunteers, and partners build this together. We go farther as a team.

Transformation: We keep growing and changing to meet what our communities need right now.

Joyful Excellence: We do work that matters and have fun doing it. Every culture, identity, and story gets to shine.

Youth and Volunteers First: Young people and volunteers are the heart of Girl Scouts, so they get a real seat at the table.

Everyone belongs here

Since 1912, Girl Scouts has opened its doors to young people of every background. Here, every Girl Scout gets a safe place to learn, grow, take healthy risks, and make friends while being exactly who they are.

Girl Scouts River Valleys and Girl Scouts of the USA value diversity in all its forms and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, gender, marital status, familial status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identification, genetic information, public assistance, local human rights commission activity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys (“GSRV,” “River Valleys,” or “council”) operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization—learn about our finance, accountability, and fundraising practices.

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Girl Scouts River Valleys is dedicated to extending opportunities to all girls—regardless of their finances. For help with paying membership fees and other expenses, see Financial Assistance.

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Girl Scouts River Valleys’ core purpose is to boldly lead as an anti-racist organization that uplifts and empowers every girl to know their worth and lead in their world.

What this means:

Girl Scouts have been taking action since our founding in 1912. Community service, advocacy, and standing up for what’s right are core Girl Scout values. Being an anti-racist organization means Girl Scouts River Valleys recognizes systemic racism and oppression as part of our societal norms, as well as part of our organization’s own culture and practices, and that we actively work to call out and eliminate systems of oppression through our words and actions.

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Everything in Girl Scouting is based on the Girl Scout Promise and Law, which include many principles and values that are common across religions.

Because we understand that religious instruction is at the center of many families and communities, we invite Girl Scouts to take spiritual journeys via their faith’s religious recognitions. Girl Scouts is welcoming and inclusive to members of all faiths.

See how members can connect their faith with their Girl Scouting activities. If you’re a faith-based organization, learn more about how you can partner with Girl Scouts to build compassionate leaders with the values and skills to make our world a better place on Girl Scouts of the USA's website.

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Girl Scouts strives to make activities accessible to all members, including those with disabilities or special needs. Girl Scouts River Valleys provides training and resources for volunteers on how to plan inclusive activities.

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Girl Scouts is proud to be the premiere leadership organization for girls in the country. An all-girl experience is important to girl development. Research shows that single-gender environments provide more opportunities for girls to build confidence, a key component of leadership.

Trans, Non-Binary, & Gender Diverse Members

Girl Scouts River Valleys does not discriminate on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

Programming is open to girls (including cis and transgender girls) and individuals who don’t identify with the gender binary, including those who identify as trans, non-binary, gender fluid, and gender nonconforming. Although our members are referred to as Girl Scouts or girls, we recognize and honor that they may not identify as exclusively female or use she/her pronouns.

All Girl Scouts participate in troops, camp, program events, and all other aspects of the Girl Scout program. Girl Scouts River Valleys strives to ensure that Girl Scouts have safe spaces to learn, grow, take healthy risks, and make new friends, all while being themselves and feeling affirmed and respected for who they are. Research shows that a safe, supportive, and gender-affirming environment has a tremendously positive impact on the wellbeing of trans and nonbinary individuals.

We welcome parents, caregivers, volunteers, and community to reach out with any questions about how to ensure a positive, respectful, and inclusive experience in Girl Scouts.

Adults:

Girl Scouts River Valleys welcomes all adult members and volunteers and has developed appropriate safeguards and training to ensure that Girl Scouts receive proper supervision and support.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access, Racial Justice (DEIARJ) and Anti-Racism

Girl Scouts River Valleys is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and racial justice, and is working to boldly lead as an anti-racist organization that uplifts and empowers every Girl Scout to know their worth and lead in their world.

Advocacy and Non-Partisanship

From creating initiatives that better your local community to testifying in legislative committees, Girl Scouts use their voices and lead the way—and our team is here to help you on the journey.

Our History

On March 12, 1912 Girl Scouts was launched when our trailblazing founder, Juliette Gordon Low created the first troop of 18 girls who all shared a sense of curiosity and a belief that they could do anything.

Girls playing the Gaga Ball game outside

Our Council

Get to know our policies, finances, career benefits, council news and more.

LEARN MORE

Council Finder

Who We Are