Early Bird Renewal

Your Next Step, Powered by Girl Scouts!

What path will you choose next year? With new programs in outdoor adventure and STEM and the promise of dozens of new skills to learn and awards to earn, at Girl Scouts the trail is yours to blaze! You’re a force to be reckoned with, and we can help you unleash more of that unstoppable potential – in a place that’s all about championing girls’ success. Whatever the next step looks like for you, we can help make it happen.

Take the next step on your journey by renewing your membership during Early Bird from April 15 to June 30 and earn some fabulous incentives along the way!

Girls who renew during Early Bird will receive a FREE patch, and co-leaders will receive a FREE T-shirt. Plus, our First Day Early Bird Incentive is BACK AGAIN! Each girl who renews on April 15 will receive access to an exclusive Conservation Patch Program and fun patch!

Early Bird Renewal FAQs

1. What is Early Bird?

Early Bird is the time for your family or Girl Scout troop to get a head start on the 2019-2020 year by renewing your memberships and earning incentives. Early Bird runs from April 15 to June 30, 2019.

2. Why should I renew my membership early?

Incentives! Girls will receive a FREE Early Bird patch, and co-leaders will receive a FREE T-shirt. Plus, our First Day Early Bird Incentive is BACK AGAIN! See Question 5 below for details.

No chasing down registrations next fall! We all know how busy fall gets with a new school year, fall sports, and getting back into the swing of things. Why not make it easier on yourself and have your Girl Scout troop all ready to go?

Access to the Volunteer Toolkit! The Volunteer Toolkit (VTK) is a handy online resource that helps with meeting planning, badge requirements, and organizing your troop year. Troop co-leaders who renew during Early Bird can begin planning their next Girl Scout year in the VTK starting July 1. NOTE: Co-leaders that do not renew their membership can only start using the VTK after they renew for the 2019-2020 Girl Scout membership year.

3. What is required to qualify for Early Bird incentives?

Girls who register or renew their membership through our online registration system before 11:59 p.m. (Mountain Time) on April 15, 2019, will receive access to an exclusive Conservation Patch Program and patch! See Question 5 below for details.

Girls who register or renew their membership through our online registration system before 11:59 p.m. (Mountain Time) on June 30, 2019, will receive a free Early Bird patch, featuring the endangered whooping crane. Members voted on the bird to be featured on this patch!

Co-leaders of troops that have at least two co-leaders who register or renew their memberships and the memberships of the majority of the girls in their troop through our online registration system before 11:59 p.m. (Mountain Time) on June 30, 2019, will receive a free T-shirt.

4. I need to apply for Financial Aid. Do I still qualify for Early Bird incentives?

Yes, to qualify for the incentives, you must register or renew your membership through our online registration system by 11:59 p.m. on April 15, 2019, (for First Day Incentive) or 11:59 p.m. on June 30, 2019 (for T-shirt and/or patch) and submit the required Financial Aid application online on or before:

April 21, 2019, for the First Day Incentive
July 6, 2019, for the patch and/or T-shirt

5. What is the Early Bird First Day Incentive?

Girls who register or renew their membership through our online registration system before 11:59 p.m. (Mountain Time) on April 15, 2019, will receive access to an exclusive conservation-themed Patch Program and corresponding patch.

Why a Patch Program? Similar to our Programs on Demand, the Patch Program includes planned and easy-to-execute activities for girls and troops. It is essentially a pre-planned troop meeting!

How will I receive the Patch Program? A digital copy of the Patch Program will be emailed by May 1 to co-leaders of qualifying troops and parents/guardians of qualifying Individual Girl Members.

How will I receive the patch? Patches for girls who qualify will be mailed to a troop co-leader and parents/guardians of Individual Girl Members by May 31.

6. How will you collect my T-shirt size?

An email will be sent to qualifying troop co-leaders by July 8 to get their size. Co-leaders must respond by July 15 to redeem their shirts. We will begin distributing T-shirts in mid-August.

7. How will I get my incentive(s)?

Patches and T-shirts will be given to a troop co-leader to distribute. Patches will be mailed to the homes of Individual Girl Members.

8. Do I have to be a current member to register during Early Bird?

No. Anyone can register for the 2019-2020 Girl Scout year starting April 15, 2019.

9. Who can renew my girl’s membership?

Parents and guardians can register and/or renew memberships for anyone in their family. Co-leaders can renew active troop members.

10. How do I register or renew my membership for the 2019-2020 year?

New to Girl Scouts? Get started here.

Returning to Girl Scouts? Click on “MY GS” from the menu to get started. If you need help along the way, use our step-by-step guides for troops or families.

Renewal Guide for Troops (PDF)

Renewal Guide for Families (PDF)

11. What if I have trouble registering or renewing my membership?

Our Member Support center is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Central Time) Monday through Friday. Call 800.695.6690 or email us. We are happy to help!

Member Support will be open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, April 15, to help you register! Girls qualify for the First Day Incentive if registered by 11:59 p.m. on April 15.

12. How much are membership fees for the 2019-2020 membership year?

Membership fees for the 2019-2020 year are $25 and are sent to our national organization, Girl Scouts of the USA. None of the fee stays in our local council.

13. Who pays for my girl’s membership?

If she participated in the Cookie Program or Fall Product Program, her troop may cover her membership fee using troop cookie proceeds. Check with your co-leader!

Need help? Contact Member Support by email or call 800.695.6690.