FAQs

Membership & Customer Care FAQs

If you are looking for a fun, unique activity for your daughter, look no further than Girl Scouts! We have a positive setting for her to have amazing adventures and a safe place to create lifelong friendships.

Girl Scouts is far more than fun and friends. Along the way we build courage, confidence, and character. From troops to camps to individual opportunities, Girl Scouts is one of the best choices you can make for your daughter.

money3_32 How much does it cost to get started? National Membership Dues are $65 a year for each membership year. There's also an annual Council Service Fee of $15 to support training and support of leaders as well as other critical "behind-the-scenes" essentials*. That’s it! Uniforms are not required and can be purchased over time. Leadership Journey books and The Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting are key elements. They can be purchased from our council shop, online or in person.

arrow3-right_32_green Register your daughter today!

user3_32 How can you be involved?

We value your time! Participate in whatever way is most convenient for you and your family. Whether you are bringing her to meetings or coordinating events, walk through the experience with her and create memories!

arrow3-right_32_green Discover the ways you can participate!

graduation-cap_32 What is the Girl Scout Leadership Experience?

Everything we do is based on three keys of leadership. Girls will:

Discover who they are and what they stand for
Connect with others locally and globally
Take Action to make a difference in the world

* Financial Assistance is available. No girl is denied membership for financial need. To help cover additional costs, participation in the GSJS Product Sales - Fall and Cookie Season -will help to earn credits that may be used to supplement any additional financial obligations

How To Join Girl Scouts

Getting Started toggle arrow

To register as a first-time, NEW member with a troop: Go to www.gsFun.org/join

For assistance with registration, email customercare@gsfun.org or click on the chat icon to speak with someone live during business hours.

Please note: Once a membership is purchased, we are not able to provide refunds, except in cases where the wrong membership year was selected or a duplicate membership was purchased.

Find Troops toggle arrow

Find a Troop

Search for available troops based on zip code and grade. We suggest keeping the radius at 10 miles to start with. This will populate troops near you, as well as the option to participate as an individual Girl Scout (Juliette).
- To participate as a Juliette scroll down to the very bottom on the page with troop options and select “Apply to participate without a troop”.
- Use this option to complete membership if you know your troop number but can’t find it in the search. Email customercare@gsfun.org and Membership Support will assist you!
- In the troop search, you can “See More Details” about a troop such as where and when the troop meets, what volunteer positions are available or “Request More Information” about the troop.
When ready, you can add (+) the number of girl or adult household members you want to register with a troop. You will be then asked to create an account.
Create an account. If this is your first time registering a member in your household, you will choose “Don’t have an account? Sign up now”. An activation email will be sent to your account, you must verify your email address to continue the registration process. After email verification and account activation, you will be prompted to log-in.
Add membership details for the girl and caregivers and accept the Girl Scout Law and Promise. At this time, you can Request Financial Aid or pay for membership by credit card. Click Submit Member Details.
Complete purchase by entering credit card info, review cart, and you will be registered.

Participate as an individual Girl Scout (Juliette)

To register as a first-time, NEW member, as an Independent (Juliette) Girl Scout without a troop:

Go to www.gsfun.org/join

Check out lots more information about the Juliette Girl Scout experience HERE!

Need assistance with member registration

For assistance with new member registration if needed, please contact our Customer Care associates via email, phone (800)785-2090, or online chat (click on the WE ARE HERE logo on our main website page) and they will be happy to assist you!

Create A Troop toggle arrow

To create a new troop Click here and scroll down to Start a Troop.

Enter your information, agree to the criminal background check, and invite friends to join you. When you click Submit Request, a member of the Membership Support team will be in touch to help you get started!

Volunteer

Click here to find Volunteer Opportunities

Search by Location and Membership year
Find the correct Troop Number and Role
Click to ADD ROLE
Login to your account (or create an account)
Add the VOLUNTEER POSITION to your profile
Select the Contact to be associated with this Role
Choose Current Year
Review cart
Agree to the Girl Scout Promise
Click Submit

Join As An Adult Member toggle arrow

Do you want to find volunteer opportunities near you? Type in your zip code to find volunteer opportunities in your area. Create an account and register. You can also click “Join as an adult member.” A staff member will be in touch shortly to help you find the right opportunity.

Click here to join as an Adult Member

Follow the instruction on the screen, including paying for your membership.

When can we join Girl Scouts? toggle arrow

Adults and girls in grades K–12 can join as Girl Scouts at any time of the year.

Learn more about what girls do at each level of our program grade levels.

Girls also participate throughout the year by attending events, going to summer camp, or participating as a Juliette—an independent Girl Scout.

What is a lifetime membership and how do I get one? toggle arrow

Stay connected and support the largest leadership development organization for girls in the world! Join as a lifetime member today, and make an enduring pledge to believe in the power of every girl, everywhere.

Lifetime membership is available to any individual who accepts the principles and beliefs of the Girl Scout Movement, pays the one-time lifetime membership fee, and is 18 years of age or older.

Learn more and join as a Lifetime Member.

How to Renew A Membership

Renew your Membership toggle arrow

Visit our website and click on "MYGS" at the top of the page.
Login (Your username is your full email address. You can reset your password as well if you do not remember it)
Once logged in, click on "My Household" on the left-hand side of the page.
Select the checkbox(s) adjacent to Membership(s) - on the left-hand side of the page - for all those you are renewing.
This will place your membership(s) in the Cart.
Click the ADD RENEWAL button (this will take you to your cart)
You will verify her First and Last name.
Choose Next Year – 2027 Membership
Choose Credit Card and Next Participant or Save Details
Once all your renewals are in the cart. Review your Cart.
1. Is the correct member chosen?
2. Does it say Next Year – 2027?
If everything looks correct click Review Cart
Agree to the Girl Scout Promise and Law and click Submit.
The renewal is complete!

If you have general problems logging in, review the Troubleshooting tab below.

Renewing a Girl who has been marked INACTIVE toggle arrow

“Do Not Renew” deems a membership inactive.

If a membership is marked “inactive,” you will not be able to renew it without assistance from Council, contact Customer Care for assistance at customercare@gsfun.org or 800-785-2090

Renew A Troop toggle arrow

Visit MYGS to get started or click here. Click on Login at the top, in Yellow.
Enter your email address and password. If you can’t remember your password, click on FORGOT PASSWORD and follow the prompts to reset it.
Click on My Account (top right-hand side of page).
On the Left Menu, Click on MY Troop(s).
Select the troop number you wish to renew and then scroll down to find the troop members who are renewing.
Check the boxes next to the left of each person renewing
Click the box that has the troop number for both girls and adults.
For adults, once you click the troop number box, the role auto populates and will be renewed as well Click SUBMIT MEMBER DETAILS to continue.
Review each troop participant, accept the Girl Scout Law and Promise, then continue to the cart and complete the renewal purchase.

If you have general problems logging in, review the Troubleshooting tab below.

Troubleshooting Login Issues toggle arrow

If you are unable to login to your MyGS account or you cannot remember your password, follow the password reset steps.

Click the Forgot Password link.
Enter your email and click Send Link to send a password reset link to your email.
If your email is found in the system, you will receive an email from Girl Scouts prompting you to set a new password.
Make sure to check your junk/spam folder.
From the email, click Set a new password button.
Reset your password by creating a new password, confirming, and then click Reset Password. You are all set. You will now be able to follow the login instructions listed above.

If are still having issues and need assistance, please contact Member Support Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm

Call us: 800-785-2090

Email us: customercare@gsFun.org

Chat with us from the website – www.gsFun.org

Cost and Financial Assistance

What does it cost to become a member? toggle arrow

National Girl Scout membership fees are $65 per year—whether you’re a girl or an adult member—and are paid to Girl Scouts of the USA (national movement). The Council also charges $15 per year service fee to supplement the cost of programs, so total girl registration fees are $80. Yearly memberships are valid October 1 (or the day you sign up) until September 30 each year. When you become a Girl Scout, you are part of Girl Scouts of the USA and are placed within your local council (Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore).

Girl Scout Daisy (grades K–1) and Brownie (grades 2–3) parents report spending an average of $130 per year. There is financial assistance available for the costs outlined below, and many troops cover these costs with their earnings from the Cookie Sale Program and Fall Product Program.

Item	Cost
Membership Fees	$80
Uniform and Books (See our Shop)	Up to $40

Do I qualify for financial assistance? How do I apply? toggle arrow

Girl Scouts is open to all girls and adults, regardless of their income. We make funds available to support members or those seeking membership to Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore by providing supplemental resources beyond a family’s ability to pay.

To apply, select Apply for Financial Assistance during registration when you choose payment type. You will be sent a form to complete for each member of the household who requests it.

*For New Members Only* If additional financial assistance is needed in addition to Membership for uniform components, please note that when completing the from sent by customercare@gsfun.org.

Please be prepared to upload proof:

Remember to Redact - BLACK OUT - any personal identifying info such as SS# and mailing address.

A copy of your most recent 1040 Federal Tax return (first 2 pages) or Schedule C if self-employed.

If you are not legally obligated to file taxes, please provide the applicable documents to verify income: • A copy of your most recent bank statement(s) including the deposits page • One month's worth of pay stub(s) for all current jobs • Letter from employer stating rate and frequency of pay • Statements for all government assistance received (TAFDC, SSI, DTA, child support, alimony, etc.)

About the Girl Scout Program

What will my girl learn? What is the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE)? toggle arrow

Girl Scouts is the best girl leadership program in the world. Our program centers on what we call the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, or GSLE—a collection of engaging, challenging, and fun activities like earning badges, going on awesome trips, selling cookies, exploring science, getting outdoors, and doing community service projects.

At Girl Scouts, she’ll get to lead her own adventure and team up with other girls in an all-girl environment to choose the exciting, hands-on activities that interest her most. Along the way, she’ll gain important skills in four areas that form the foundation of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience:

Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)
Outdoors
Life Skills
Entrepreneurship

The Result? A Lifetime of Leadership! In fact, being a Girl Scout helps girls thrive in five key ways. As a Girl Scout, she:

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

Is my girl safe in Girl Scouts? toggle arrow

At Girls Scouts, girl safety is our top priority. Here are just a few of the ways we ensure girls stay safe:

Volunteer Background Checks

All new volunteers are required to complete a background check and current volunteers are required to complete a background check every three years. To learn more about background checks, and the requirements needed for volunteers to pass checks, visit our ways to volunteer page.

Safety Activity Checkpoints

We know that activities are more fun when everyone feels safe! To ensure this, volunteers are trained to follow our Safety Activity Checkpoints while planning and participating in troop activities.

Volunteers can find Safety Activity Checkpoints at Volunteer Essentials - Safety.

Race, Gender, Abilities, and Spirituality—is Girl Scouts inclusive? toggle arrow

Diversity and inclusion have been core values of Girl Scouts since its founding in 1912. We provide a safe and welcoming space for girls of all abilities, all races and ethnicities, from all religious backgrounds and spiritual beliefs—all in a girl-only environment with no economic barriers.

Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore and Girl Scouts of the USA value diversity in all its forms and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, gender, marital status, familial status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identification, genetic information, public assistance, local human rights commission activity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

Insurance

All registered Girl Scouts receive basic accident insurance coverage for Girl Scout activities through national membership dues. This insurance covers up to $100 in medical expenses regardless of other coverage. Additional expenses are only covered if personal family insurance does not cover them.

Insurance

About Troops

When/how often do troops typically meet? toggle arrow

Most troops meet once or twice a month, but the time commitment and meeting schedule for Girl Scouts can vary depending on the volunteers and activities girls are interested in doing. Each Girl Scout troop sets their own meeting schedule and may have meetings once per week, bi-weekly, a mix of meetings and field trips throughout the year. Most troops meet throughout the school year, and some choose to go camping or do activities over the summer.

Who leads the troop? toggle arrow

Troops can be led by Parents, Guardians, Volunteers and GSJS Staff.

Parents, Guardians, & Volunteers

What is expected of me as a parent/guardian of a Girl Scout? toggle arrow

Take an Active Role

As a Girl Scout parent, you’ll want to take an active role in your daughter’s Girl Scout experience. You can help with refreshments or transportation or assist with troop meetings. Ask your girl’s troop leaders how you can best assist the troop. Click here to find Volunteer Opportunities

Support Activities

Along with troop activities, your active role can include supporting product sales like fall product and the cookie sale. Support your girl, her troop, and the council by learning about the sale and following all guidelines and procedures. Click here to find Volunteer Opportunities

Respect the Troop Leaders’ Time

Girl Scouts would not be what it is if it weren’t for our dedicated volunteers. Troop leaders are not responsible for girls beyond the time of the actual Girl Scout activity. Please respect the troop leader’s time by having a responsible person drop off your girl at the appropriate time and pick her up immediately after the activity.

Check Out the Family Connection Guide

Girl Scout Family Connection Guide is your family's go-to, super-fun guide to getting the most our of this year in Girl Scouts! Click here to view.

Should I become a volunteer? What skills and time are required? toggle arrow

There are many ways to volunteer for Girl Scouts—from occasional troop volunteers (who assist leaders), to service unit volunteers, to troop leaders—you’re sure to find a role that suits your interests, skills, and schedule. Each volunteer role has unique opportunities!

It’s easy to become a volunteer! All you have to do is register to join Girl Scouts and pay the $30 in membership dues. During the registration process, you’ll be able to search by zip code and select your volunteer opportunity. Then you’ll need to complete a background check and any appropriate training for your volunteer position. You can start this process at the same time you register your girl!

Click here to find Volunteer Opportunities

GSJS Customer Care FAQs

Support our Mission toggle arrow

Building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.

Support our girls and discover all the ways you can help us give girls the chance to shine!

Share your Story toggle arrow

Have a cool photo or story of you participating in a Girl Scout Activity?

· Share your photo or story with us HERE!

Difficulty logging into MyGS toggle arrow

Visit the GSJS website

· At the top of the page, click on MYGS

· On the next page, click on LOGIN, highlighted in yellow.

· Enter your email address and password.

o If you cannot remember your password, click on FORGOT PASSWORD to reset a new password.]

Difficulty logging into the VTK toggle arrow

Please refer to the troubleshooting guidelines HERE , and feel free to reach out to us at customercare@gsfun.org for further assistance.

How to reach out to GSJS staff: toggle arrow

To reach out to a staff member, we welcome you to do so by choosing one of the following options:

Please Note our normal business hours are Monday through Thursday 9am - 5pm and Friday 9am - 4pm

Call the council office at one of the following numbers, and ask to be connected to the staff member of your choice: 800-785-2090

Rest assured that if you don’t immediately connect with a staff member, if you leave a detailed message with your name, contact info, and brief description of the nature of your call, she/he will get back to you as quickly as possible!

Email us at customercare@gsfun.org and one of our Membership Support Specialists will forward your message on to the appropriate staff member for attention.
Chat with us from our homepage by clicking on "WE ARE HERE" located on the bottom left hand of the screen.

Reaching our Product Sales team: toggle arrow

If you have a question or need assistance from our Product Sales team, we welcome you to reach out to us at customercare@gsfun.org and we will be happy to share your message with them so they may get back to you as soon as possible.

Please note that at the busiest of times, we ask for and appreciate your patience and understanding as they respond to each and every message as quickly as they can. Thank you!

Learn more about our programs toggle arrow

Click here to learn more about all of the programming offered by our Council.

You can also find the most up to date activities at our activities list, activities calendar, or programs on demand.

Program on Demand toggle arrow

Interested in attending council programs but can’t make the dates offered? With a minimum of 12 girls (or payment for 12), we welcome you to choose from our awesome list of programs that you may schedule on a day and at a time that is most convenient for you! Some programs must be held at council, but others can even be held at your meeting place!

Click HERE to learn more and/or inquire about a POD.

Program Cancellation and Refund Policy: toggle arrow

Here at the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore, we make every effort to run all the amazing programs we offer. At times we put on our rain ponchos, add an extra layer of clothing if it’s chilly outside, or make sure we have our reusable water bottle full in the warmer months, and never miss out on the fun! But, once in a while we need to cancel a program. Please note the following cancellation policy:

If a troop girl is unable to attend a program which the troop is participating in, we welcome the leader to invite another girl in the troop to take her place, or to invite another grade-appropriate girl scout to join in on the fun in her place.
In the event of a cancellation, the adult listed on the registration will receive an email and/or a phone call, so that she/he may alert those she has registered for the program. Only those registered for an event will be notified of any changes or cancellations.
Refunds/re-scheduling are available only when council staff cancels a program.
If we are unable to reschedule the program, or if you are unable to make the rescheduled date, a refund will be offered.
- If you have paid for the program with a credit card, your refund should be visible in your account within 5-10 business days (most often, depending on your personal bank’s protocols)
- If you have paid for the program via check, please note that refund checks will be processed and disbursed twice monthly.
  - We appreciate your patience and understanding!

Questions about our Day Camps at Amity Acres or Sacajawea

Click here!

Reserving event venue or camping experience: toggle arrow

With two scenic, wooded camps, a spacious venue for celebrations and meetings, and a fully equipped conference room, the GSJS offers the ability to host your events and activities!

We welcome you to take a look at all of wonderful options you may consider, and secure your reservation HERE!

Looking for a form? toggle arrow

From parent permission forms, health history forms, troop trip forms, bank account instructions, and so much more, you will find what you are looking for HERE!

High Risk Forms toggle arrow

Going on an overnight, heading out of state, or participating in a high-risk activity? Be sure to review the required submission requirements based on your activity and complete this form to get started. Trip or High Risk Activity Application

Some activities that require the High Risk Activity form are: Aquatic Inflatables , Archery, Canoeing, Challenge Course, High/Low Ropes Course, Kayaking, Rock Climbing, Swimming

Join Us

Get ready for Girl Scouts - Become a Girl Sprout! toggle arrow

Girl Sprouts is the perfect option for four-year-old rising-kindergarten girls who will be entering kindergarten in the fall.

Make new friends and enjoy fun and exciting activities and learn all about what’s in store for you daughter, as she gets ready to become a Daisy Girl Scout!

Learn more HERE!

To sign up and join us at one of our Girl Sprout meetings or visit us at other recruiting events Click here (scroll towards the bottom to see the calendar)

Finding a local troop OR the troop I want is not listed in the Opportunity Catalog toggle arrow

If you don’t find a local troop within your zip code that suits your schedule/needs, we invite you to broaden your search by increasing the mile radius from your location and see if you are able to find a troop that works for you and your daughter. If you don’t find a troop, please reach out to our membership support team at customercare@gsfun.org so they may connect you to a staff member that will assist you.

If you are searching for a specific troop that you don’t see populating when you search, please begin by double checking that the zip code in your search criteria is the zip code of the troop, which might not necessarily be your own zip code. Please be sure to update the zip code and re-start your search with the correct zip code.

If the zip code is correct, and you are still not finding the troop, please reach out to our membership support team at customercare@gsfun.org so they may assist you.

No contact from the troop leader yet: toggle arrow

All of our leaders are volunteers, many with children of their own and full-time jobs. Sometimes, life gets in the way and an immediate response is difficult. If you have just registered within the last week or so, we recommend waiting another week or two. If at that point you still haven't heard from the leader, please email customercare@gsfun.org with the troop number, your daughter’s name, and the date you registered, and we will investigate the matter for you.

Changing a girl’s troop (Troop Transfers) toggle arrow

At the top of the page, click on MYGS
On the next page, click on LOGIN, highlighter in yellow.
Enter your email address and password.
1. If you cannot remember your password, click on FORGOT PASSWORD to reset a new password.
Once logged into your personal account:
1. Click on MY HOUSEHOLD on the menu.
To the right of your girl’s name, click on CHANGE MY PARTICIPATION
1. View your girl’s name and use the drop-down menu to choose the troop she is current associated with
2. Click SEARCH
3. On the next page, make sure the zip code of the troop you are searching for is populated.
4. Choose the correct grade for your girl.
5. Click SEARCH
6. Choose the troop you want your girl to move to and proceed forward with confirming the troop transfer.

Volunteer

How to find Volunteer Opportunities toggle arrow

Click here to find Volunteer Opportunities

Search by Location and Membership year
Find the correct Troop Number and Role
Click to ADD ROLE
Login to your account (or create an account)
Add the VOLUNTEER POSITION to your profile
Select the Contact to be associated with this Role
Choose Current Year
Review cart
Agree to the Girl Scout Promise
Click Submit

Changing your Volunteer Role toggle arrow

If you need to add, delete, or change your volunteer role, please contact customercare@gsfun.org and our team will be happy to assist you!

Difficulty completing your Background Check? toggle arrow

You will receive an email from ApplicantDirect@Asurint

If you do not find the email in your primary inbox, please be sure to check promotions in Gmail, and/or your SPAM or JUNK folders for all email carriers, especially AOL, Yahoo, and Hotmail.

Once you locate the email, please be sure to open it from a laptop or desktop device. The site is not mobile friendly.

The background check takes approximately 3 minutes or less to complete, and once done, we will be immediately notified.

If you have had a name change, or the site tells you that your Date of Birth is incorrect, please contact Council at customercare@gsfun.org and we will work diligently to assist you in updating your account.

Do I need a certificate of Insurance? toggle arrow

Going on a trip? Planning an event? Hosting a meeting off site? Hosting a Product Sale Booth? These are just a few reasons you would need a Certificate of Insurance. If you are unsure if you need a certificate of insurance, give us a call or email us to find out more.

Leaders in need of a Certificate of Insurance should reach out to our membership support team at customercare@gsfun.org and include the following information:

Leader name
Leader email
Troop number
Name of Certificate Holder (who is requesting the certificate?)
Address of Certificate Holder
Is the certificate holder requesting an additional insured endorsement?
- Name of Additional Insured
- Address of Additional Insured

Please note that if you are in need of the Additional Insured endorsement, there will be an unavoidable delay in receiving the certificate, until it is received from the issuing agency. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Membership & Customer Care FAQs

How To Join Girl Scouts

How to Renew A Membership

Cost and Financial Assistance

Item

Cost

About the Girl Scout Program

Volunteer Background Checks

Safety Activity Checkpoints

Insurance

About Troops

Parents, Guardians, & Volunteers

Take an Active Role

Support Activities

Respect the Troop Leaders’ Time

Check Out the Family Connection Guide

GSJS Customer Care FAQs

Questions about our Day Camps at Amity Acres or Sacajawea

Join Us

Volunteer