Girl Scouting is a comprehensive, informal education program which addresses the needs, concerns and interests of girls ages 5 through 17 years. As an organization serving only girls, adult role models work together with girl members to help these young women develop positive self-esteem and confidence in order to enhance their potential leadership capabilities, to accept responsibility for themselves and their community, and to strive to be the best they can be.

Description:
Indiana Lakeland Girl Scout Council serves over 2,700 girls and 680 adult volunteers in Elkhart, Kosciusko, Noble and Whitley counties. We provide a comprehensive, informal education program which addresses the needs, concerns and interests of girls ages 5 through 17 years.

Girl Scouts is the world's preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls - all girls - where, in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build character and skills for success in the real world. In partnership with committed adults, girls develop qualities that will serve them all their lives - strong values, a social conscience, and conviction about their own potential and self-worth.

In Girl Scouts, girls discover the fun, friendship and power of girls together. Through the many enriching experiences provided by Girl Scouting, they grow courageous and strong.

History:
The Girl Scout movement was founded in 1912 by a woman named Juliette Gordon Low, nicknamed “Daisy.” While she was living in England, she met and became friends with Lord Robert Baden-Powell and his sister, Agnes. Lord Baden-Powell had founded the Boy Scout movement, and his sister was instrumental in organizing the Girl Guide Movement. Juliette brought this idea to the United States and conducted the first Girl Scout meeting with 18 girls on March 12, 1912, in Savannah, Georgia. The Girl Scout concept has grown into a worldwide organization that exceeds 10 million members.

The National headquarters of Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) is located in New York City. Girl Scout councils are chartered by GSUSA. Periodically, councils are required to undergo a self-evaluation process and under the terms of the charter, agree to abide by policies and procedures as outlined in the by-laws and information in the Girl Scout BLUE BOOK OF BASIC DOCUMENTS. Councils are financially independent.

The Indiana Lakeland Girl Scout Council, Inc., originally incorporated as the Elkhart Indiana Girl Scout Council in 1948. In 1956, it reincorporated, taking on the present council name and increased its membership outreach to the current jurisdiction which consists of the following counties in northern Indiana: Elkhart, Noble, Kosciusko and Whitley.

Contact people:

Kerri Hoffman, Assistant To The Executive Director, (phone), (email) Susan Kuntz, Director Of Membership, (phone), (email) Anne Reel, Executive Director, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (574) 534-7371

Address:

2400 Elkhart Road Goshen, IN 46526 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.indianalakeland.org

Directions:

Located in Goshen on US 33 just north of Green Road, between Montieth Tire Company and Doug's Alignment.