Connecting with Girls, Connects Them to You: Toward a "By Girls - For Girls" Approach

As part of its continuing commitment to develop programs which are relevant to girls today, in 2001 the Girl Scout Research Institute conducted a large national research initiative with girls ages 11-17. Through focus groups, surveys and interviews, over 3,000 girls nationally (75% girls at-large and 25% current Girl Scout members), shared what's important to them in programs for youth.

One of the most significant messages from this research was that in order to increase youth involvement and participation in programs, adults must first listen to the girls. If programs are designed by the girls, it is more likely that they will be for girls.

Areas which the girls in the research said were important were the need for a safe space, for empowering activities, to share responsibilities with the adults in the program, and for a variety of activities to choose from. Throughout this article, direct quotes from the girls put these ideas into context.