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!