What are the ages of Girl Scout troops?
Daisy is grades K-1
Brownie is grades 2-3
Junior is grades 4-5
Cadette is grades 6-8
Senior is grades 9-10
Ambassador is grades 11-12
We usually decide this on the US school year, not the Japanese one, regardless of what type of school the girl is in.
When and where do you meet?
A Girl Scout year runs on the American school year (October-September). We ask that new Scouts join in September or January. You are also welcome and encouraged to come and try one meeting before joining.
We usually meet twice a month on the weekend - one time for individual troops and one time as a whole age-spanning unit. The meeting place depends on the troop and the activity and is not only one spot.
Who can join Girl Scouts in Kobe?
Girl Scouts in Kobe is a part of the USA Girl Scouts Overseas association. We have members of various nationalities and members that attend both Japanese and international schools. We do request that a girl who wants to join can speak English at a fluent level for the comfort of both the leaders and other girls. Troops for older girls may need literacy skills as well. We also need at least one parent/guardian to speak enough English to understand our communication. For Japanese speakers there is an active branch of the Japan Girl Scouts in Kobe.
If you are willing to make the trip you are welcome to join us from outside of Kobe. If you are closer to Kyoto, you may want to check out our sisters in Kyoto. We also welcome girls who were Girl Guides in other countries.
What does "speak English" mean, exactly?
If a potential Scout attends English-language international school or only speaks English at home, that is enough. Bilingual girls whose Japanese is a little stronger can join too. However we are not a school. We require Juniors and above to have strong speaking skills. If you are unsure, please come for a trial and/or consult us.
How much does it cost for one year?
[Fees that do not go to us]
Registration for a girl with Girl Scouts USA - $75
Kobe Community troops ask one parent registers as well as a volunteer with Girl Scouts USA - $30
Uniform - 5000 to 7000 yen, depending on the uniform and how the yen is doing
[Fees that we use ourselves for activities and badges]
12000 yen yearly fee (8000 yen from January) per girl
for families with more than one girl, the second/third/fourth girl fee is reduced to 10,000 yen
(7500 yen from January)
There may be other small incidental fees.
How much are parents involved?
This depends on the age of the Scout and activity. For older Scouts, it is often not necessary for parents to stay. However, troop leaders for younger Scouts may ask for some parents to stay depending on the activity. Girl Scouts USA requires us to have a certain number of adults present per child, especially during outings or camps. If a troop does not have enough leaders at the beginning of a year - two is necessary per troop per GSUSA rules - a leader may require a parent present at every meeting.
Can I be a leader?
Absolutely! :) Girl Scouts USA requires all leaders to join the organization, do a background check and some online training. If you can fulfill those requirements we would love to have you. Men and people without children are welcome too. If you would like to do one off volunteering - for example, you have a special skill you could potentially teach the girls - that is also possible without joining the organization. Please let us know.
Can unregistered siblings attend meetings?
Generally not, although if we are, say, meeting in a park - then a parent could play with a sibling out of the way of the meeting. Occasionally we have family events where one parent or the whole family is okay to join.
What happens if my daughter is absent?
We understand that not everyone can make all meetings, although aiming for 80% attendance is a good idea. We tend to do "work" (inquiry or activities) during troop meetings to earn badges which go on the front of the uniform. Sometimes this work can be made up at home and sometimes not. The all age meetings mostly are for fun patches which as the name implies are to remember fun activities the girls did together.
Do you meet during vacations?
This depends on the troop and year. Summer meetings are held at the troop leader's discretion. Leaders also usually need a break though. Our Council tends to have some camp offerings during the summer in Japan if you are willing to travel.