Programs for older Girl Scouts
Hey there, Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors, your Girl Scout journey just got great!
We have created many unique experiences for our elite older girls. Programs and travel that become more adventurous, intriguing, focused, and engaging, plus opportunities you never imagined would present themselves. Visit our Event Calendar to see what’s in store for you next!
Be A Friend First (BFF) 
According to the Girl Scout Research Institute's, "The State of Girls (2014)," Nebraska ranks 12th (out of 50 states) in overall well-being of girls, but only 32nd for emotional health! Girls feel unsafe in their schools, on social media and amongst their peers.
In response to the bullying epidemic, Girl Scouts of the USA developed the BFF curriculum for girls in middle school. Using the Girl Scout aMAZE! Journey, girls find their voice and discover ways that they are affected by and can prevent bullying behavior.
- BFF Program Curriculum (Link)
Join our movement and help girls minimize adolescent bullying in Nebraska! If you are inspired to volunteer, think your school would be interested in empowering girls or want to support BFF with a donation, please contact us today!
Outcomes of BFF in Nebraska
The Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE) is the foundation of BFF and what girls learn throughout the program. As you can see from this State of Nebraska Girl report, girls in our state need us now more than ever.
BFF Objectives:
- Develop a strong sense of self
- Develop healthy relationships
- Resolve conflict
- Advocate for themselves and others
- To quantify the impact on the objectives, we capture surveys prior to and after program participation.
| BFF SURVEY RESULTS | PRE-SURVEY | POST-SURVEY |
|---|---|---|
| Develop a Strong Sense of Self | 45% | 62% |
| Develop Healthy Relationships | 58% | 70% |
| Can Resolve Conflict |
43% | 73% |
| Educate and Inspire Others to Act |
21% | 74% |
Counselor-in-Training (CIT)
Take a Program Aide into the great outdoors and you’ve got a Counselor-in-Training! With so many programs across the state, you will become one with nature and make gobs of friends—some of the eight-legged variety. If you love being outside and helping make things run smoothly, we want you!
CIT I
Begin your outdoor mentorship training with CIT I, which is for Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors. Become a CIT by participating in a leadership course offered during the summer, and work with younger girls during a camp session. Search our Event Calendar for upcoming CIT sessions.
JUNIOR COUNSELOR
Girl Scouts who have completed CIT I and are at least seventeen years of age may apply to be a Junior Counselor. This is a paid position that takes the next step in training towards being a Camp Counselor! Junior Counselor positions will be posted on Indeed.
Girl Empowerment Series
Girl Empowerment Series: Leadership
Grades 6-12
What does leadership mean to you? Is it being a leader in your troop, at school, or in your community? Cultivate your leadership skills by exploring interactive workshops led by female leaders in a variety of fields. Hear from a panel of female business owners and contribute to a community service project. Gain the confidence to be an influential leader and a change-maker! Adults must register with girls, using the required volunteer-to-girl ratios.
Add optional overnights to extend the fun!
- Arrival/Departure: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Register by: Saturday, September 23, 2023
- Location: Camp Catron, Nebraska City
- Girl Cost: $25, includes activities, lunch, snack, and T-shirt
- Adult Cost: $20, includes activities, lunch, snack, and T-shirt
OPTIONAL OVERNIGHT: FRIDAY
Add to the fun with the Friday optional overnight! Adults must register with girls, using the required volunteer-to-girl ratios.
- Date: Friday, October 20, 2023 – Saturday, October 21, 2023
- Arrival/Departure: 7 p.m. Friday – 10 a.m. Saturday
- Girl Cost: $5, includes lodging, snack, and breakfast
- Adult Cost: $5 includes lodging, snack, and breakfast
OPTIONAL OVERNIGHT: SATURDAY
Sign up for the Saturday optional overnight and explore Eugene’s Adventure Course and enjoy a campfire with friends. Adults must register with girls, using the required volunteer-to-girl ratios.
- Date: Saturday, October 21, 2023 – Sunday, October 22, 2023
- Arrival/Departure: 4 p.m. Saturday – 8 a.m. Sunday
- Girl Cost: $10, includes lodging, activities, dinner, and breakfast
- Adult Cost: $10, includes lodging, activities, dinner, and breakfast
Girl Empowerment Series: Global Citizenship
Grades 9-12
Are you interested in important global issues such as caring for the environment, gender equality, educational access for girls, ending child marriage, and more? Then the Global Citizenship program is the right fit for you! This series provides an opportunity to explore global themes that impact girls worldwide and looks at innovative solutions to address them. Strengthen your problem-solving skills and learn how to take action and become a changemaker.
Over the course of the year, we will meet in-person to discuss these important issues and choose one to explore more deeply. Together we will plan and lead a summit for Cadette Girl Scouts in the summer of 2024 to share our knowledge and help them explore the topic, too.
- Dates: Tuesday, November 7, 2023; Tuesday, January 9, 2024; Tuesday, March 26, 2024; Tuesday, May 7, 2024
- Arrival/Departure: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
- Register by: Sunday, October 22, 2023
- Location: GSSN Omaha Service Center, 2121 S. 44th St., Omaha
- Girl Cost: $15, includes activities, snacks, T-shirt, and Cadette Global Citizenship Summit in 2024
Girl Empowerment Series: Entrepreneurship
Grades 9-12
Experience college life while staying in UNO dorms during this three-day business-basics camp. Gain business, finance, marketing, and non-profit management tips from UNO College of Business Administration faculty and develop your sense of self. Visit local entrepreneurs to learn how they got started and participate in your own small business challenge.
- Dates: Wednesday, June 26, 2024 – Friday, June 28, 2024
- Arrival/Departure: 2 p.m. Wednesday – 2 p.m. Friday
- Apply by: Wednesday, May 1, 2024
- Location: University of Nebraska Omaha, Mammel Hall, 6708 Pine St., Omaha
- Girl Cost: FREE but space is limited and applications are required, includes lodging, activities, meals, and T-shirt
Girl Empowerment Series: Mentorship
Grades 9-12
Be part of a unique mentoring experience in a camp setting. You’ll be matched with a mentor prior to camp—our mentors are inspiring women from a variety of professional backgrounds. Enjoy challenging and fun adventures with your mentor such as the adventure course, swimming, archery, a special formal dinner, and more! Explore career planning and networking while developing a strong bond with the other girls and women at camp. Learn how to develop healthy relationships, become more confident, and gain a strong sense of self, too!
- Dates: Wednesday, July 17, 2024 – Sunday, July 21, 2024
- Arrival/Departure: 11:30 a.m. Wednesday – 11:30 a.m. Sunday
- Apply by: Wednesday, May 1, 2024
- Location: Camp Catron, Nebraska City
- Girl Cost: FREE but space is limited and applications are required, includes lodging, activities, meals, patch, and T-shirt
Girl Scout Advisory Group (GSAG)
Lead the way! Join the Girl Scout Advisory Group (GSAG) and have an impact on council programs and events. Lend your voice to council publications, enhance your leadership skills by being a key player in all things Girl Scouts, and become instant friends with the most AWESOME girls. Build your resume highlights by joining this elite group of Girl Scouts today! GSAG girls are:
- Leaders
- Mentors
- Program and Camp Facilitators
- Staff Liaisons
- Idea Makers
- The Voice of Girls
Email or call 402.558.8189 and join today!
Program Aide (PA)
Program Aide is a prestigious position. You will be a volunteer extraordinaire and have access to many opportunities. Council events, troop meetings and fun with Daisies and Brownies, who fondly look up to their older Sister Scouts. Prepare to sing, play, plan and rule the world (or maybe just a little corner of it). If you are interested in helping as a PA at an upcoming council-sponsored program, please complete the Program Aide Interest Form.
Real Life Academy
Real Life Academy is a fun spin on the “Game of Life” that offers practical, life-skill based experiences. Explore your future through activities like resume building and job shadowing, get an introduction to financial literacy, set goals, and learn valuable life-skills such as cooking and car maintenance.
As part of this program, you will independently save $250 through money-earning activities such as a part-time job, babysitting, dog-walking, etc. And you will earn a $1,000 scholarship for Girl Scout travel or college if you successfully complete both sessions, an 8-hour job shadow experience, and meet the $250 saving goal! This program is sponsored in part by Union Bank & Trust.
- Workshops:
- “Building Your Foundation” – Saturday, November 4, 2023
- “Preparing For Your Future” – Saturday, March 9, 2024
- Arrival/Departure: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Application Opens: Friday, September 1, 2023
- Apply by: Wednesday, October 11, 2023
- Locations:
- Gering: Weborg 21 Centre
- Lincoln: Hilltop House
- Girl Cost: FREE but space is limited and applications are required; includes activities, lunch, snack, and the opportunity to earn a $1,000 scholarship upon program completion
For more information, email Member Support or call 402.558.8189.
Trailblazers and Mariners
Girl Scout Trailblazers
Grades 9-12
Join Trailblazers to engage deeply in high-adventure outdoor activities—developing skills in hiking, survival skills, orienteering, conservation, outdoor preparedness, and more. All experience levels are welcome. Participants must be in grades 9-12.
- Informational Session:
- Date: Thursday, September 7, 2023
- Arrival/Departure: 7 – 7:45 p.m.
- Location: Virtual
- Hiking:
- Date: Sunday, September 10, 2023
- Arrival/Departure: 8 – 9:30 a.m.
- Survivorship:
- Date: Saturday, October 28, 2023
- Arrival/Departure: 9 – 10:30 a.m.
- Stewardship
- Date: Saturday, November 4, 2023
- Arrival/Departure: 3:30 – 5 p.m.
- Location: Camp Maha, Papillion
- Register by: Friday, September 15, 2023
- Girl Cost: $30, includes activities, pin, and patch
Girl Scout Mariners
Grades 9-12
Part of Girl Scout’s bold history since 1934, Mariners explore water-focused activities and learn critical skills such as nautical safety, knots, water rescue, and lifesaving. All experience levels are welcome but must be able to swim. Participants must be grades 9-12.
- Informational Session:
- Date: Thursday, September 7, 2023
- Arrival/Departure: 7:45 – 8:30 p.m.
- Location: Virtual
- Safety, Knots, Nautical Terms:
- Date: Sunday, September 10, 2023
- Arrival/Departure: 10 – 11:30 a.m.
- Water Experience:
- Date: Saturday, October 7, 2023
- Arrival/Departure: 8 – 10 a.m.
- Location: Chalco Hills Recreation Area, Omaha
- Lifesaving, Water Rescue:
- Date: Saturday, November 4, 2023
- Arrival/Departure: 1:30 – 3 p.m.
- Location: Camp Maha, Papillion
- Register by: Friday, September 15, 2023
- Girl Cost: $30, includes activities, pin, and patch
