Alumnae: A female adult (alum would be the male or alumni would be the male and female combined equivalents) who had a Girl Scout experience as a girl, volunteer, or as a staff member

Annual Meeting: The yearly meeting a local Girl Scout council holds to elect its board of directors and conduct other business essential to Girl Scouting in its geographic area

ATC: Administrative Training Center facility located at the Council office.

Badges: Circular-shaped awards earned by the Junior Girl Scouts

BLT: Basic Leader Training — Required training for all Troop Leaders provided by the Council. New Leader Orientation is also required for new Troop Leaders. Refer to the trainings page for more information on required training courses offered by the Council.

BLT A : Basic Leader Training A — Additional specific training required before an official troop meeting may be held

BLT B : Basic Leader Training B — Additional training specific to council program sites, safety, engaging responsible caring adults, and ceremonies. Troops may not participate in activities other than troop meetings until at least one leader has completed Basic Leader Training B.

BLT C : Basic Leader Training C — Age-level specific training. Leaders will receive information specific to the girls' age level and learn how to deliver a Girl Scout experience that is for girls, by girls as well as how to earn Girl Scout recognitions. When a troop changes levels, leaders are required to complete a new BLT C training for their new level.

Bridging Ceremony: A ceremony that celebrates the transition from one age-level in Girl Scouting to the next

Bronze Award: The third highest award in Girl Scouting, earned by girls 8-11

Brownie Girl Scout: An age-level in Girl Scouts for girls who are ages 6-8 and/or grades 1-3

Cadette Girl Scout: An age-level in Girl Scouts for girls in the 11-14 age range.

Campus Scouts: A program for young adults in institutions of education beyond high school who want to support Girl Scouts through volunteering

Circle Ho: An open air camping facility with roofed sleeping shelters and bathroom facilities at Skyland Ranch

CIT: Counselor In Training — A girl who has completed the 10th grade and attended CIT training courses. CIT's assists in council and troop supported events

Court of Awards : Ceremony where girls are recognized for their achievements

CPL: Community Program Leader — Staff position responsible for delivering Girl Scout programs (i.e. Discover Girl Scouts) throughout the community

Daisy Girl Scouts: An age-level in Girl Scouts for Girls who are ages 5-6 and/or in kindergarten – 1st grade

Destinations: Formerly known as “Wider Opportunities” — Destinations are programs/events for individual Girl Scouts to broaden their perspectives and Girl Scout experiences.

Destination Match: The six categories of Destinations: International, Outdoors, Science, People, Apprenticeships, and Getaways.

Discover Girl Scouts: A six-week introduction to Girl Scout program delivered in schools throughout the community; including faith communities, neighborhood and non-profit organizations

El Ranchito: The “backyard” of the council offices. El Ranchito is ideal for troop meetings, events, cook-outs, ceremonies, badge-work, and overnight camping events. Summer Camp site. Reservations and minimal usage fees are required

First Aider: An adult who has taken local Girl Scout Council approved first aid training and is currently certified.

Fly-Up Ceremony: The event where a Brownie Girl Scout receives her Brownie Wings and becomes a Junior Girl Scout

Friendship circle: A circle formed by Girl Scouts standing and clasping hands (before they reach for each other's hands, girls cross their right hand over their left). The circle represents the unbroken chain of friendship among Girl Scouts and Girl Guides all over the world

Friendship squeeze: A hand squeeze that travels around a friendship circle from one person to another after someone starts it.

Girl Guides: The program for girls and adults in countries outside of the United States. Girl Guides and Girl Scouts are both part of WAGGGS.

Girl Scout Council or (Council): A local affiliate of Girl Scouts of the USA. Councils have authority over Girl Scouting in a specific section of the country. Currently, there are over 300 Girl Scout Councils in the USA. The structure of Girl Scouts is like this (from smallest unit to largest): troops > service units > councils > national (GSUSA)

Girl Scout Trefoil: “Trefoil” means three leaves. Each leaf or face in the traditional or stylized Girl Scout trefoil stands for a part of the Girl Scout Promise.

Gold Award: The highest award in Girl Scouting earned by girls ages 14-17

IP: Interest Project — Earned age-level awards for Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts

Investiture Ceremony: The ceremony where an individual becomes a Girl Scout member by making the Girl Scout Promise and receiving her membership pin.

Juliette Gordon Low: The founder of the Girl Scout Movement in the United States.

Juliette Girl Scouts: This new council sponsored program is designed to provide Girl Scouts for girls ages 5-17 who are not currently involved with a troop. Juliettes meet on a bi-monthly basis.

Junior Girl Scouts: An age-level in Girl Scouts for girls ages 8-11 and/or in grades 3-6.

Learning Petals: Awards earned by Daisy Girl Scouts. Each petal is a different color and represents one of the ten parts of the Girl Scout Law.

Macy: The Edith Macy Conference Center located in New York is a year-round training center providing professional development courses for Girl Scout adult staff and volunteers.

Marine Landing: Our waterfront property located at the Marina in Belmont Shore. It may be used for all troops interested in water activities. It is also available for meetings, ceremonies, etc. and is a summer camp site. Reservations and minimal usage fees are required

Member Services Team: Staff Team responsible for planning, coordinating, and administrating adult and girl member services including, recruitment, programming, and volunteer support.

NLO: New Leader Orientation — Required introductory training for all new leaders provided by the council. Refer to the trainings page for more information on required training courses offered by the Council.

NVO: New Volunteer Orientation — An overview of Girl Scouts today for new volunteers

Older Girl: Girls ages 11-17. Specific programming is provided to them through Studio 2B. Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts are considered “Older Girls.”

PA: Program Aide — An 11-17 year old girl who works directly with an adult staff member or volunteer. Program Aides assist with programs, recruitments, and troop support.

Patch: Received for participating in an event or activity.

Realignment: Girl Scouting is embarking on an exciting evolution to better meet the needs of girls in today's fast-changing world. Through that extensive review we determined that realigning our councils will allow us to provide a consistent Girl Scout experience that builds courage, confidence and character in girls so that they may make the world a better place.

Responsible Caring Adult: A volunteer who is a registered girl scout and who has received background clearance. These adults may volunteer through sharing their time and talents with council programs and activities, troops and service units

Safety-Wise: An official publication of Girl Scouts of the USA addressed to all adults (and girls) in Girl Scouting containing Girl Scout Program Standards and Guidelines for the health and safety of all girls

S2B: Studio 2B: The STUDIO 2B approach involves more options for girls and a “Girl-driven” philosophy and serves as an additional opportunity for girls to participate in Girl Scouts.

SCIG: The Southern California Girl Scout Councils

Senior Girl Scouts: An age-level in Girl Scouts for girls who are ages 14-17

Service Unit Team: A volunteer group responsible for supporting leaders and building membership in a specific geographical area. GSCGLB currently has seven service unit areas

Silver Award: The second highest award in Girl Scouts, earned by girls ages 11-14

Sit-upon: a lightweight map or pad used when sitting on the floor or ground

Skyland: Our outdoor camping property located in the San Jacinto Mountains. This site is available for all troops for day use and/or overnight camping. Reservations and minimal usage fees are required

Strategy Cafes: A model for brainstorming and developing action plans related to specific opportunities

Swaps: Small, handmade items traded or shared with other Girl Scouts at Girl Scout events.

Tag-a-long: A non-registered Girl Scout (male or female) age 0-17, who is accompanying a registered Girl Scout. A tag-a-long form (available at the Council office) must be filled out before you drop off the children. Examples of a tag-a-long would be a younger brother or sister or a friend from out of town.

Town-Hall: A meeting of the general membership to discuss the initiatives, objectives, and priorities of the Council.

Troop Camper: Required training for a leader or other caring responsible adult in order for a troop to participate in any overnight experience. Refer to the trainings page for more information on required training courses offered by the Council.

Troop House: Meeting house containing an indoor fire pit located at El Ranchito

Try-Its: Triangular shaped awards earned by Brownie Girl Scouts

USAGSO: USA Girl Scouts Overseas

WAGGGS: World Association of Girl Scouts and Girl Guides


If you did not find the term or acronym you were looking for, please visit the GSUSA glossary.