Historical Timeline

Since 1925, USA Girl Scouts Overseas, a branch of Girl Scouts of the USA, has supported Girl Scout troops organized outside the continental United States. Here's a look at some important milestones in USAGSO's history.

The Beginning Years

• In 1925, Lone Troops on Foreign Soil (later called USA Girl Scouts Overseas) registered its first Girl Scout troop in Shanghai, China, with 18 girls.
• By 1927, three troops had registered in Pagoda, China, with 18 girls; in Tampico, Mexico, with 24 girls; and in Beirut, in what is now Lebanon, with nine girls.
• In 1935, Girl Scout troops organized in Guam.

1940-1959

• Girl Scout troops organized in Saudi Arabia for the Arabian American Oil Company.
• Negotiations between military authorities and Girl Scouts of the USA for staff services resulted in the formation of Girl Scout troops at many military bases in Europe and North Africa.
• Arrangements made between military authorities and Girl Scouts of the USA for staff services at a military base in the Far East.

1960-1979

• Girl Scouting started in the islands of Micronesia.
• Girl Scout troops first organized in America Samoa.
• Girl Scout handbooks translated into Japanese for Ryukyu Islands Girl Scouts in Okinawa.

1980-2000

• Girl Scout troops organized at U.S. military bases in such places as the Azores; the Panama Canal Zone; Guantánamo Bay, Cuba; and Keflavík, Iceland.
• Troops on Foreign Soil became USA Girl Scouts Overseas so it could be more inclusive for non-military American families moving overseas. (Today, approximately 48% of Girl Scouts involved in USA Girl Scouts Overseas are not affiliated with the military.)
• USA Girl Scouts Overseas celebrated its 75th anniversary with a commemorative patch designed by a Cadette Girl Scout in New Delhi, India.

2001-Today

• First annual USA Girl Scouts Overseas conference held.
• Working with Girl Scouts of the USA's Membership, Program, and Diversity Department, USA Girl Scout Overseas developed a Junior Girl Scout "Global Awareness" badge with former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
• USA Girl Scouts Overseas, in collaboration with Membership, Program, and Diversity, created two relocation resources for girls: New Address…New Friends—Let's Get Movin' and Let's Get Movin' Across the State or Around the World.