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; Tampico, Mexico, 24 girls; and Beirut, in what is now Lebanon, 9 girls.
- In 1935, Girl Scout troops organized in Guam.
1940-1959
- 1951, USAGSO –North Atlantic was organized.
- 1953, USAGSO –West Pacific was organized.
- 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.
- In 1959, the Lady Baden Powell Award was first introduced in Panama.
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.
- In 1968, the International Friendship Recognition was introduced.
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 56% 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 Girl Scout Cadette in New Delhi, India.
2001-Today
- First annual USA Girl Scouts Overseas conference held at Edith Macy.
- The first Global Facilitators retreat was in 2007, and the team was appointed in 2008 with 12-15 people.
- The Global Awareness Badge was created with Madeleine Albright, former Secretary of State.
- Guidelines for Lady Baden Powell Award were revised to align with the new Girl Scout Leadership Experience: Discover + Connect + Take Action.
- In December 2008, the USAGSO-North Atlantic office in Mannheim, Germany, closed its original site location since WWII. In January 2009, it reopened in its current location in Pisa, Italy.
- In 2011, the USA Girl Scouts Overseas Pin was redesigned.
- March 12, 2012, USA Girl Scouts Overseas Sunrise Ceremonies began in Guam and continued around the world to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Girl Scouts USA.
