The Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama’s registration is in full swing for the 2008-2009 program year. The Girl Scout experience enables girls ages 5-17 to grow into strong young women by providing opportunities that help shape their futures. Girl Scouts explore leadership, business, science, travel, adventure, health, sports and technology. Girls learn about themselves and our diverse world. They are molded to be tomorrow’s leaders, while having opportunities challenge them today.

GSNCA offers a variety of programs for girls that focus on the desires of today’s girls. Girl Scouting is committed to serving girls by offering age-appropriate programs with real experiences that prepare Girl Scouts for all aspects of life. The Girl Scout experience helps girls explore the world from different viewpoints, while building courage, confidence and character.

Girls truly understand the value of what they learn in Girl Scouts. “I gained self-confidence and learned how to be an energetic leader,” said Kaitlyn Carlton, a recent Gold awardee and college freshman.

All experiences in Girl Scouting incorporate the Discover, Connect, and Take Action keys to leadership. Girls discover their personal best and prepare for a positive future, connect with others in an increasingly diverse world, and take action to solve problems and improve their communities. Girl Scout experiences and age-level journeys are also, as much as possible, girl led and encourage learning by doing (experiential learning), and cooperative learning. These three processes promote the fun and friendship that have always been so integral to Girl Scouting.

Girl Scout journeys engage girls in discovering themselves, connecting with others and taking action to make the world a better place. Each is a unique journey that is rich in Girl Scout history, traditions and values. Journeys unfold through a sequence of activities and discussions that add up to a great adventure. At the end of a Journey, girls will cherish the awards they’ve earned along the way. All journeys have activities that focus on financial literacy, healthy living, science & technology and leadership.

Daisy Flower Garden: In this journey for kindergarteners and first-graders, a favorite pastime-gardening-meets the Girl Scout Law. The result is a journey of flowers and little girls who, together, do great things. Girl Scout Daisies will meet colorful, global characters who teach them to live the Girl Scout Law. Daisies participate in biology and environmental activities, and learn life lessons of making new friends, and being kind to one another.

Brownie Quest: This quest, has second-and third-graders traveling along two colorful trails, one they can enjoy on their own and one they explore with their Girl Scout group. Along the Quest, Girl Scout Brownies will be inspired to lead their own Take Action projects. Brownies learn from each other and learn what it means to be a team, as well as learn how the world is connected.

Agent of Change: Power! In this journey, for fourth-and-fifth graders, there’s a whole spiral of it waiting for Girl Scout Juniors. This powerful journey is filled with real-life heroines, and along the way, girls learn how their own power combines into team power and then moves out to become community power. Juniors learn how to make change last, and how to motivate others.

aMaze!: Life is a maze of relationships and this journey for sixth, seventh and eighth graders has Girl Scout Cadettes maneuvering through all its twists and turns to find true friendships, plenty of confidence, and even peace. Girls learn about behaviors, internet safety, take on their own projects and learn about conflict resolution.

GIRLtopia: Girl Scout Seniors know the world is not ideal. This journey for ninth-and-tenth graders is their chance to imagine a perfect world-for girls. They’re invited to create their vision and then take action to make their vision a reality. Leaders, after all, are visionaries! Girls learn to express themselves and learn to listen to others and how to plan for their success.