5 Alternatives to Girl Scouts

Girl Scouts has changed quite a bit over the years, and while the program is a great fit for many girls, it isn’t going to be the right fit for everyone. Some families are looking for more badge choices, more traditional scouting activities, a stronger focus on life skills, a co-ed option, or simply something different.

If Girl Scouts isn’t quite what you are looking for, there are several other programs available. Each has its own structure and focus, so take some time to look through the options and see which one best fits your child and family.

Here are five alternatives to Girl Scouts you may want to consider.

1. Frontier Girls

• Girls only
• Ages 3 and up
• Promise includes God, but the program is open to all faiths
• More than 1,200 badges in nine Areas of Discovery
• Focuses on life skills, leadership, character, patriotism, and community service

Frontier Girls is a scouting-style program for girls that has been around since 2007. With more than 1,200 badges to choose from, girls can explore just about anything that interests them while learning practical skills and trying new things.

Frontier Girls is specifically designed for multiple ages to participate together. Girls can work on the same badge topic, but the requirements become more challenging as they get older. This makes it easy for sisters of different ages to participate together and gives older girls plenty of opportunities to lead and mentor younger girls.

In addition to badges, girls can earn a variety of higher awards for things like leadership, life skills, community service, and exploring the different Areas of Discovery.

Girls can participate individually with their families or as part of a local Frontier Girls troop.

2. Quest Clubs

• Girls, boys, or co-ed
• Ages 3 and up
• No required religious component
• More than 1,200 badges in nine Areas of Discovery
• Clubs choose their own name, structure, traditions, and policies

Quest Clubs uses the exact same badges and awards as Frontier Girls but gives families and groups much more freedom to create the type of club they want.

A Quest Club can be all boys, all girls, or co-ed. There is no required uniform, Promise, Creed, or club name. A group can create something that looks a lot like a traditional scouting troop or something completely different.

This makes Quest a good choice for homeschool groups, schools, churches, community organizations, and families that like the idea of badge-based learning but want the freedom to build their own program around it.

3. Scouting America

• Boys and girls
• Programs begin in kindergarten and continue into young adulthood
• Scout Oath includes duty to God
• More than 135 badges
• Traditional advancement, outdoor activities, leadership, and service

Scouting America, formerly known as Boy Scouts of America, now offers Scouting programs for both boys and girls.

Girls in kindergarten through fifth grade can participate in Cub Scouts. Beginning around age 11, girls can move into Scouts BSA, where they can earn merit badges, advance through the traditional Scout ranks, and work toward becoming an Eagle Scout.

Scouting America has a much more standardized structure than Frontier Girls or Quest Clubs. There are established ranks, advancement requirements, uniforms, and program structures. Outdoor activities are also a major part of the traditional Scouting experience.

For girls who want camping, outdoor adventure, rank advancement, and the traditions associated with Scouting America, it is definitely an option worth looking into.

4. 4-H

• Boys and girls
• Age eligibility varies by state and local program
• Public youth-development program through Cooperative Extension
• Hands-on projects rather than a traditional badge program
• Strong focus on learning by doing, leadership, and practical skills

4-H is probably best known for agriculture and raising animals, but there is a lot more to the program than cows, chickens, and county fairs.

Depending on what is offered in your area, kids can get involved in everything from science and technology to cooking, gardening, public speaking, health, citizenship, and many other subjects.

4-H is run through Cooperative Extension, so programs can vary quite a bit depending on where you live. Some areas have very active clubs with a huge variety of projects, while other areas may offer fewer choices.

If your child likes hands-on projects and wants the opportunity to really dig into a subject that interests them, it is worth checking with your local Extension office to see what is available.

5. American Heritage Girls

• Girls only
• Ages 5–18
• Christ-centered program
• Roughly 100 badges to choose from (97 at the time of this article)
• Adult volunteers must agree to the AHG Statement of Faith

American Heritage Girls is a Christian scouting-style program for girls ages 5–18. Girls participate in multi-age troops and can earn badges, participate in community service, develop leadership skills, and take part in outdoor activities.

American Heritage Girls is specifically a Christ-centered ministry rather than simply a scouting program that includes a religious component. All Adult Members must agree to the organization’s detailed Statement of Faith, which includes specific Christian beliefs as well as its positions on purity and marriage. Charter Organizations must also agree to and abide by the Statement of Faith.

For families looking for a specifically Christian scouting-style program and who are comfortable with its Statement of Faith, American Heritage Girls may be an option to consider.

Which Alternative to Girl Scouts Is Right for You?

There really isn’t one program that is going to be the best choice for every girl.

If you are looking for a girls-only scouting-style program with a huge variety of badges, Frontier Girls may be a good fit.

If you like the badges and awards but want a co-ed program or more freedom to create your own club, take a look at Quest Clubs.

If your daughter wants a more traditional Scouting experience with camping, rank advancement, and the opportunity to eventually earn Eagle Scout, Scouting America may be the better choice.

If she enjoys choosing a subject and really digging into it through hands-on projects, check out 4-H.

And if you are looking for a Christ-centered, girls-only ministry program with badges, service, and leadership, American Heritage Girls may be worth considering if your family is comfortable with its Statement of Faith.

There are plenty of ways for girls to learn new skills, meet new people, serve their communities, and discover what they are capable of doing. The important thing is finding the program that makes your child excited to participate.