Lead with Confidence.
Let’s face it—high school can be tough. With so much to balance, manage, and juggle, youth have a lot of options. Girl Scouts River Valleys is here to help. With over 17,000 girls who use Girl Scouting as a resource to propel their bright futures, we know what it takes to help girls find their voice and unleash their potential.
The Girl Scout Leadership Institute is dedicated to supporting the well-being of high school girls and gender-expansive youth. The program focuses on critical skills needed for the transition from adolescence to adulthood, emphasizing leadership, college prep, career and workforce development, and mental health. No matter where you are in your journey, we want you to be successful. You belong here.
Career Exploration
From business to engineering, we’ll introduce Girl Scouts to new career paths and give them the skills they need to succeed.
Mental
Health
Sessions will focus on self-care solutions, teaching Girl Scouts to pour into themselves to help them navigate the challenging teen years.
Leadership
Through affirming programs, Girl Scouts will build their confidence to be able to step into leadership roles in high-school and beyond.
College Preparation
From applying for scholarships to college tours, we’ll set program participants up for post-secondary success.
GSLI Summer Camp
Want to ride a horse?
Whether you're just starting or looking to improve your skills, our certified instructors will guide you every step of the way!
July 16, 2026
9:30am-6pm
Camp Elk River
Transportation Provided
What To Expect:
- Basic horse Riding Techniques (Optional)
- Fun Camp Activities
- Meet new friends
- Food & Transportation provided
Registartion deadline: July 3
GSLI Book Club
A safe, empowering space where girls build confidence, find their voice, and connect through stories that reflect their lived experiences.
Free books, real talk and new friends.
Virtual info session: May 20, 4:30pm
Need more info?
If you'd like to learn more before registering, fill out the form below.
Already a Girl Scout? Sign up to participate via our member form.
Program Sessions
Busy schedule? No problem! Girl Scout Leadership Institute meets once a month for 2-3 hours from October through April, with locations in both St. Paul and Mankato!
Once participants sign up for sessions, specific location details will be shared. Teens can expect to be immersed in interactive sessions, have fun, and learn a lot while earning patches, badges, and certificates. Girl Scouts are encouraged to but are not required to attend all sessions.
Phase 1: Soft Skill Development
Phase 1 sessions are for Girl Scouts who have never attended GSLI sessions before.
These sessions focus on the development of soft skills such as communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence, with an emphasis on leadership, college prep, workforce development, and mental health.
Upon completion of their first year in GSLI, Girl Scouts will have gained a foundational understanding of these soft skills, which will prepare them for hard skill attainment in their second year.
Phase 2: Hard Skill Development
Phase 2 sessions are for Girl Scouts who completed Phase 1 the previous year. Building upon the foundational soft skills developed in Phase 1, Phase 2 will develop hard skills that are applicable to real-world scenarios including resume writing, interview skills, and public speaking.
Phase 2 of GSLI also includes an externship, in which Girl Scouts will be matched with a professional in their field of career interest for job shadowing and/or an informational interview."
Phase 3: Skill Application
In Phase 3, Girl Scouts move from soft skill (Phase 1) and hard skill (Phase 2) attainment to skill application. The practical application of their attained skills through the following opportunities boosts their resumes, provides financial benefits, and challenges students to take initiative and ownership of their growth. Students in Phase 3 participate in one or more of the following opportunities:
- Direct connection with a Board Member of choice for an information interview or job shadowing. Students with career interests not highlighted within the Board will work with GSLI Staff to identify an appropriate professional.
- Volunteer at one of 6 GSRV Signature Events and receive free registration for another GSRV Signature Event.
- Pursue Highest Awards with substantial support from GSRV staff.
In addition to the above three opportunities, Girl Scouts in GSLI are encouraged to reach out to GSLI staff when they are interested in applying to any GSRV opportunities including summer camp jobs, travel opportunities, Changemaker nominations, etc.
As a Phase 3 student, our staff will have gotten to know the Girl Scout and will be able to provide individualized guidance, recommendations, and mentorship around pursuing these other opportunities.
Program Staff
Paulette Bonneur
GSLI Director
Chesare Cipriano
GSLI Senior Specialist
Mishereen Ellis
GSLI Senior Specialist
CheNaya Johnson
GSLI Coordinator
Yuri Smith
GSLI Senior Specialist
May Xiong
GSLI Senior Specialist
Girl Scout Leadership Institute FAQs
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