Beyond the Troop Meeting
In addition to weekly sessions, girls engage in experiential learning through various field trips and Girl Scouts ConnectZ signature events. Get an insider’s look into these events by watching the Girl Scouts Rivers Valleys ConnectZ Program YouTube video, produced and narrated by Roxane Battle, former long-time host of KARE11 Today and award-winning author of Pockets of Joy.
Here is a sampling of the events we offer:
Women in Careers
Girl Scouts can truly imagine what it’s like to be “the boss” by meeting with leading females with diverse backgrounds.
These female leaders speak about opportunities in a variety of sectors, like automotive technology, graphic design, and health sciences, and offer hands-on activities for girls to try. Girls can also practice resume writing and networking skills with these leading ladies.
Hmong Women’s Circle
Through Hmong Women’s Circle, ConnectZ Girl Scouts explore personal identity and college life at an engaging overnight at Hamline University.
This two-day retreat consists of small group discussions, team-building exercises, and reflection activities. Girls learn about what college is really like from Hmong college students. For many Girl Scouts, this experience can be eye-opening because it helps them to visualize themselves attending college in the future.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities Tour
Through our Historically Black Colleges and Universities Tour, girls set foot on college campuses throughout the nation and envision themselves at these prestigious institutions!
Girls get to know African American college students with diverse backgrounds and learn about their paths to college. In addition, girls are immersed in black history and develop an appreciation for black culture and contributions to society through visits to historic and cultural sites around the country.
ConnectZ Girl Scouts also practice applying to college through mock applications, so they’re set to apply during their senior year of high school.
Hermanas Latinas, Latina Conference
Girls participate in heritage appreciation, college access, and cultural responsibility workshops, and learn how to navigate personal and cultural identity in a college setting.
How to Support ConnectZ
ConnectZ works through partnerships with local schools and organizations, grant and foundation partners, volunteers, and with parents and girls themselves—to develop relationships that support success throughout life. With your help, we can ensure that Girl Scouts ConnectZ is accessible to all girls. Thanks to your support, girls are setting themselves up for success throughout life!
Volunteer
You can make a huge impact as a ConnectZ volunteer! Girls need strong mentors from within their community to provide guidance, inspiration, and support. ConnectZ volunteers can assist at weekly meetings, chaperone field trips, or support the girls for a couple months as they start up their own cookie business. Join Girl Scouts River Valleys to volunteer as a ConnectZ cookie coach or troop assistant.
Give
The Girl Scouts ConnectZ program is provided at no cost to participants to ensure access to quality and culturally-relevant activities for all girls. Through your financial support, ConnectZ gives all girls a chance to bridge the opportunity gap and reach their full potential as leaders.
Partner with Us
We meet girls where they’re at—troops take place at schools and within the community, so girls don’t need to secure transportation to and from weekly sessions, or meet at a time when other family priorities conflict. ConnectZ partners with over 100 schools, community centers, and youth-serving organizations to have ConnectZ troop meetings where girls are conveniently located. Interested in becoming a site partner? Contact us!
