Girl Scouts
Now, more than ever we need to empower our girls with the tools they need to be not just the leaders of tomorrow, but the change-makers of today! The Girl Scout program will be offered this year partnering with the American School of Doha and is centered around the interests and needs of today's young leaders. Although this year will look different in many ways, GS is here to support.
Our idea is to provide a Girl Scout “Lite” program which allows the girls to participate online during the initial start to the school year. Troops will be kept small and all in person meetings will align with the Ministry of Health’s guidelines. As the COVID circumstances change, we can evaluate extending the program to establish our new norm for the organization. For new Troop Leaders all the support and training will continue to be provided and flexibility, creativity and community collaboration will be pillars of our new foundation.
With 2.3 million members worldwide and nearly 1 million volunteers, the Girl Scouts movement shapes the experiences of girls all over the world. In existence for over one hundred years, its program extends internationally through the USA Girl Scouts Overseas (USAGSO) and through close collaboration with other scouting organizations and the World Association of Girl Guides and Scouts (WAGGS).
USAGSO Qatar is a diverse and close-knit community of girls and adult volunteers from countries all over the world. Our mission is to prepare our scouts for leadership opportunities and challenges while developing the lifelong skills they need to effect positive change in their communities and the world.
Our bespoke program of service projects, community outreach activities, skills development training, team building, and outdoor exploration helps girls in Qatar to value their ideas, talents and passions while gaining the discipline and self confidence to realize their full potential.
One of the fastest growing communities in Qatar, USAGSO’s events and program of activities are specifically designed for girls in Qatar. We embody the core values of the Girl Scouts USA but with a global perspective in an inclusive, international atmosphere.
Girls ages 5-18 have the opportunity to earn skill-specific badges and participate in Girl Scout journeys that guide scouts through a longer schedule of activities, enabling them to work together to achieve a larger objective.
Girls in the Junior rank and above are eligible to participate in the Gold, Silver and Bronze Award programs, difficult and prestigious programs that encapsulate the experience of being a Girl Scout in a global context. Once we are through this incredibly difficult period, we will re-instate our outdoor activities which include camping, museum tours, special interests of the local culture and more!
If you would like to have more information or are interested in joining please fill out the following google form: https://forms.gle/ystrABMvbQCV9LVi9. We will be scheduling a newcomer zoom session shortly. We have also included some FAQ’s for your benefit. We look forward to hearing from you!
Marrakech Arbuckle & Carol Buijs (Committee Co- Chairs)
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When and where do troop meetings happen?
Troops are led by volunteers, so they select the day, time, and location of the meetings that work with their schedule. Locations can include ASD, the Qatar National Library, or private homes. Please note, the year will start off with Zoom meetings and transition to face-to-face meetings in accordance with the recommendations from the MOH. Your troop leader will advise you when the meetings will be held once your daughter is assigned to a troop.
2. What will my daughter do during troop meetings and Girl Scouts events?
Our Girl Scout troops in Qatar follow the Girl Scout program developed in the States. Girls work towards earning skills-based badges that emphasize leadership, community engagement, STEM, and outdoor skills. Girls are also invited to take place in community-wide events, such as camping, the annual Father-Daughter dance, and volunteering initiatives (depending on COVID restrictions). For more information about the program, please visit: https://www.usagso.org/en/who-we-are/our-program.html
3. How will COVID impact Girl Scouts this year?
While we will adhere to all guidelines issued by the MOH, Girl Scouts will continue. The start of the year will take place online, and the local Overseas Committee Management Team (OCMT) will work with troop leaders to develop meaningful online activities. Troop sizes will be kept small so that once we are able to meet face-to-face we can adhere to group size regulations. Outdoor meetings will be encouraged, and troop leaders and girl scouts will be required to wear masks during meetings.
4. What is it like to be a Girl Scout volunteer?
Fun, impactful, meaningful, and rewarding! Girl Scouts cannot happen without volunteers. Every Girl Scout position in Doha is filled by an unpaid volunteer. This includes every troop leader and every member of the Overseas Committee Management Team (OCMT). Volunteers are provided with training and support to ensure they can fill their roles. Most volunteer positions require a 4-6 hour monthly time commitment, with responsibilities divided between the two troop leaders. Every troop must be led by at least 2 unrelated adults, but parents of every registered Girl Scout are expected to provide volunteer support throughout the year.
Volunteering for Girl Scouts is a wonderful opportunity to enhance your skills while making a positive impact in the lives of girls. If you are interested in volunteering, please register your interest in the form and we will reach out to provide you with more information.
5. How will being a Girl Scout impact my daughter?
Girl Scouting has a long tradition of preparing girls for leadership in their communities. Engagement in Girl Scouts can help your daughter to understand her role in building a better world, enhance her leadership skills, and build life-long friendships. Being a Girl Scout helps girls thrive in 5 key ways:
-Develops a strong sense of self
-Displays positive values
-Seeks challenges and learns from setbacks
-Forms and maintains healthy relationships
-Learns to identify and solve problems in her community
