Who We Are
We are Girl Scouts
Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Through programs from coast to coast, Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges—whether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike or advocate for climate justice, or make their first best friends. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them.
Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys (“GSRV,” “River Valleys,” or “council”) is one of 111 Girl Scout councils in the United States. We operate as Girl Scouts, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization—learn about our finance, accountability, and fundraising practices.
We serve nearly 17,200 girls in southern Minnesota, western Wisconsin, and one county in Iowa. Our work is supported by more than 6,300 volunteers. Girl Scouts River Valleys provides training and resources for volunteers, programming for girls, scores discounts for our members, fundraises for Girl Scouts, runs the retail shops and service centers, and manages the product programs (Cookies and Snacks & Magazines), and much more.
Mission (why we exist)
Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.
Purpose (our north star)
Girl Scouts River Valleys’ 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. At Girl Scouts River Valleys, we are committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all Girl Scouts and their families.
Values (principles that shape our culture, behavior, and decision-making)
Equity
- We believe in proactively working to correct the unfair and inequitable treatment of people from historically oppressed communities.
- We must correct the organizational and systemic differences that create and/or reinforce inequities.
- We know the difference between equality and equity and use both to ensure our youth, volunteers, and staff have culturally informed tools, programs, and supports designed for their unique backgrounds and needs.
Collaboration
- We welcome others to join in accomplishing our mission and work by listening and creating together. Staff, community members, volunteers, partners and youth voices, perspectives, and experiences make our work richer.
- We create time, space, and tools that allow us to work collectively.
- We know we are stronger and can go farther together than we can apart.
Transformation
- We embrace transformation, opening ourselves and our community for what we can become together.
- We know change will happen in our work, our community (local and global), and ourselves.
- We adapt and grow to stay relevant and impactful, transforming to meet the changing needs of the communities we serve.
Joyful Excellence
- We believe there is joy in accomplishing and creating wonderful things that make a significant difference in our youth, volunteers, and staffs’ lives.
- We experience the wealth of our lived experiences and cultures differently, and they all shine!
- We are committed to the joy in healing and liberation which are a part of accomplishing good things we can measure and be accountable to for each other and our community.
Centering Youth and Volunteers
- We actively work to center and partner with youth and volunteers who are the heart of Girls Scouts River Valleys.
- We are committed to creating an inclusive and empowering space where youth and volunteers feel safe to share their experiences, insights, and ideas.
- We count on the knowledge and experience of youth and volunteers by partnering with them to create an equitable Girl Scouting experience.
Diversity and inclusion have been core values of Girl Scouts since its founding in 1912. 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 River Valleys strives to ensure its members 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.
No Economic Barriers 
Racial and Ethnic Diversity
Spirituality and Faith
All Abilities
Gender Inclusion
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.
