History of USAGSO
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.
2001-2010
- In 2005, Patricia Kelly Schmutz was the first USAGSO Girl Scout to be honored as a National Young Woman of Distinction.
- 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 and relocated to Camp Darby in Italy.
2011-Today
- 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.
- In 2016, Hanna Chuang from Singapore was honored as a National Young Woman of Distinction.
- In June 2016, the Council of Advisors was formed and started their work to provide a unified structure to advise and support the growth of Girl Scouts overseas.
- The Italy office relocated from Camp Darby to Caserma Ederle near Vicenza, Italy in October 2016.
- On August 28, 2017, we joined 109 Girl Scout councils in implementing a new operating model and technology platform to improve the overall experience for volunteers and members.
- For the first time ever, we connected virtually with an overseas troop in Paris to share in the excitement and activity of the 2017 Girl Scout Convention in Columbus, Ohio.