Community Outreach | Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan

Every girl deserves the opportunity to change the world.

The Girl Empowerment Program (GEP) aims to help meet the demand for Girl Scouting in schools where it's been challenging to recruit volunteers to serve as troop leaders.

The in- and after-school Girl Scout troops are run by GSSEM staff members who work closely with school administrators to develop a Girl Scouting experience that meets the needs of the school and girl participants.

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Girl Scouts can be a great partner in rounding out a girl’s educational experience. We offer opportunities to explore and learn about STEAM, financial literacy, outdoor education, camping, bullying prevention, and more.

Girls in the GEP earn badges and awards, just as they would in a traditional troop. This past year, our girls earned badges in robotics, public speaking, managing money, environmental science, outdoor arts, and much more.

In the summer, they're invited to attend camp, complete badge workshops, and attend exciting field trips to local museums, theaters, colleges, and more. We have also introduced girls to GSSEM's 1st Chess Team—one of our girls even became a state champion in her category.

Girls in the GEP also sell cookies. Along with support from their GEP troop leader and the council, girls are encouraged to participate in the Cookie Program, building skills in budgeting, learning money management and sales, earning financial literacy badges, and participating in one of our longest-standing traditions.

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We currently serve over 700 girls in the following locations:

Detroit Public Schools

Flint Community Schools

Port Huron Schools

River Rouge School District

Shelter of Flint

Taylor School District

Bring the GEP to Your School

Due to funding restrictions, the Girl Empowerment Program (GEP) is only available for schools and organizations in Detroit, Downriver, Flint, and Port Huron. For information on getting the GEP started at your location, please email Amanda Thomas at athomas@gssem.org.

Please note that GSSEM is unable to form a GEP troop at a school that already has an active, volunteer-led Girl Scout troop.