Our Council | Girl Scouts

We're here to help them shine.

Behind every Girl Scout and volunteer is a team of local staff ready to help them earn that next badge, embark on a camping adventure, or organize an impactful service project. That’s what a Girl Scout council is. We are here to maintain camp properties, provide local Girl Scouts skill-building workshops and resources to achieve whatever they can dream up.

flower_32 A walk on the beach that leads to a career in environmental science.

plane_32 A Girl Scout trip to New York City, or Savannah, or a local attraction that starts a lifelong love of travel.

ThinMintIcon_32x32 Selling her first box of Girl Scout Cookies and setting fire to a desire to start her own business.

At Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore, we’re committed to building girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place! We serve more than 8,000 girls from Monmouth and Ocean counties with the resources to become tomorrow's leaders. We’re your guide and partner to all-things Girl Scouts and we can’t wait to get you started.

All of this is possible thanks to the dedication of our more than 3,500 adult members, more than 40 full-time staff, 20+ board members and countless supporters, all believing in the power of our girls.

When a girl joins our council, she discovers the world around her, she connects with others in a multicultural, all-inclusive environment, and she takes action to make a difference in her community and the world.

Discover today's Girl Scouts.

GSJS Patch

We are GIRL SCOUTS OF THE JERSEY SHORE. Get your GSJS patch now at our council shop.

Annual Report 2024-2025

Visit Us

From offices and shops to camps, here's where you can find us.

Governance

Meet our Board of Directors, Council Delegates, and Girl Representatives.

Staff Directory

Meet our Girl Scout staff members who power the Girl Scout experience.

GSUSA Shop

Shop the latest Girl Scout swag, new patches, and uniforms.

Newsroom

Learn more about what Girl Scouts are doing in your community.

Facilities & Rentals

Offering convenient locations in Monmouth & Ocean counties at our five different sites.

Council FAQs

What is the council service fee? toggle arrow

Girl Scout members pay an annual membership fee ($25) that goes directly to Girl Scouts of the USA. None of that annual membership fee stays locally within our council. The $15 Council Service Fee (CSF) supports the operation of our local Girl Scout council in Monmouth and Ocean counties the same way the $25 national membership fee supports the operation of GSUSA.

Who approved the Council Service Fee? toggle arrow

Girl Scout volunteer delegates from across the country overwhelming approved the Council Service Fee at the 52nd GSUSA National Council Session in November 2011. They strongly felt that adding the CSF was necessary given the substantial value of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.

How is money from the Council Service Fee spent? toggle arrow

Our council heavily subsidizes the cost of girl activities, events, adult leadership development and council-sponsored programs. The CSF supports the operation of the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore. This includes:

General operating expenses for all council properties, service centers, and camps including utilities, insurance, maintenance and capital expenses
Supporting technology initiatives such as online registration, e-newsletters, websites, event calendars and support of other technological advances
Providing the quality customer care and service necessary to manage a membership of 11,000 girls and 8,000 volunteers
Initiating background checks of volunteers and staff to ensure the safety of girls
Protecting girls and adults by providing liability insurance coverage for all council approved events, activities and non-Girl Scout facility use
Subsidizing year-round turn-key outdoor experiences for girls
Processing and placement of girls in various membership pathways

Girl Scouts sell a lot of cookies. Doesn’t that cover the cost of the Girl Scout program? toggle arrow

The CSF provides a source of sustainable and renewable income that supports our local Girl Scout council in a way that ensures the Girl Scout program will remain strong and viable in our local community.

Though the Girl Scouts attracts funding from a variety of sources, today’s economy supports the need for sustainable I income. Each year, the cost to provide the Girl Scout Leadership Experience is more than $250 per girl. The CSF, along with product sales, corporate and foundation support and gifts from families and friends to the Annual Giving Campaign, gives us the combined resources to raise that amount.

I’ve read a lot online about Girl Scouts having a position regarding politics and reproductive issues. What is the truth? toggle arrow

The truth is that Girl Scouts is a non-political organization. Our curriculum inspires girls with examples of women who take a stand for their beliefs. We are not always going to agree with the opinions on the issue, but we can agree that taking a leadership role on complex issues will create a better world.

To be clear:

Girl Scouts does not have a relationship with Planned Parenthood.
We do not give funds to Planned Parenthood.
We do not receive funds from Planned Parenthood.
We do not take a position on reproductive issues.
We do not develop materials on the topics of sexuality, birth control, abortion or any other reproductive issue. We believe these topics are best discussed within the family.
Girl Scouts does not endorse any person or organization.
We do not endorse any political party or politician.

How does Girl Scouts incorporate faith-based opportunities into its program? toggle arrow

Girl Scouts supports girls from all backgrounds and beliefs. While we believe the motivating force in Girl Scouting is a spiritual one., we are a secular organization that refrains from teaching religious or spiritual beliefs or practices. We are grateful for our long-standing partnerships with faith communities such as the Catholic Church, with which we hold many values in common.

Annual Reports from years past:

2019-2020