What is a Girl Scout Daisy?

By Catherine Amoriello

If you’re new to Girl Scouts, you quickly learn there’s a lot of lingo to learn. You’re told your girl will be placed in a troop (a group of girls, NOT a military unit), she’ll be guided by a troop leader (a caring adult volunteer who wants to see your girl succeed, NOT a drill sergeant), and she will embark on a variety of adventures with her new Girl Scout friends including Cookie Season, Summer Camp, and Highest Awards (wait, there’s a season for cookies?!).

You’re also introduced to the concept of Girl Scout levels (how girls are grouped by age and progress through Girl Scouts) and how a Daisy is the first level of Girl Scouting.

The Daisy level is a relatively new group with roots dating back to the 1980s. As interest in Girl Scouting expanded, the Daisy level was established for kindergarten and first-grade girls. While these girls may be dainty and cute like the flower, the title is actually a nod to Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of Girl Scouting, who went by the nickname “Daisy.”

Adorned in bright blue tunics or vests, Daisies spend their inaugural years in Girl Scouting making new friends, earning petals (the special Daisy version of badges earned by older Girl Scouts), selling beloved Girl Scout Cookies, exploring the outdoors, and discovering their unique interests and skills.

Daisies also get a taste for one of Girl Scouts’ most important values – giving back to others and making a difference in their communities. Just like the older girls, Daisies can complete Journeys (multi-session experiences where girls use newly developed skills to make a difference) and have a direct impact through projects such as planting a garden, hosting a collection drive for an animal shelter, or making holiday cards for residents at a local senior center.

For Daisies, everything sparkles with that “first time ever” newness. While being a Daisy may seem like it’s all fun and giggles, they’re actually learning so many new things and taking their first steps toward being leaders who make the world a better place.

Our Daisies here at GSHPA lead by example, give back to their communities, and have a lot of fun while doing it! Check out the slideshow below to see some of our Daisies in action, and visit our Daisy webpage to learn how girls can get in on all the Daisy fun this spring.

We have two FREE activities you and your girl can work on together! Don’t forget to fill out the interest form while you are there – we will reach out to you when it’s time to get started!