The first step in this transformation took place in October of 2005, when 312 delegates from across the nation approved our new mission;

Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place.

This vote signified a change in Girl Scouting, with a strong support to make Girl Scouting a girl driven organization.

On August 26, 2006 the Girl Scouts of the USA’s (GSUSA) Nation Board of Directors voted to endorse a plan to realign 312 councils into 109 high-performance, community based councils. They hoped to build a new structure that would make the most effective use of resources to better serve local communities across the nation and deliver a superior Girl Scout Leadership programs to girls. With this in mind, the Girl Scouts of Camden County, Delaware-Raritan (Mercer, Middlesex and parts of Monmouth County) and South Jersey Pines (Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem Counties) merged together to create the Girl Scouts of Central & Southern NJ, Inc in 2007

The realignment process brought together the strengths of the former three Councils, relying on the dedication of the staff, volunteers and even girls to help suggest ideas for the new Council. Committees were created to study all parts of the Councils, from technology to communications to program, every aspect of the current Councils were heavily evaluated and suggestions were made to the Council Realignment Committee. The merger was than approved by respective council delegates and the Girl Scouts of Central & Southern NJ Inc. was created.

The merger of GSCC, GSSJP and GSDR encompasses 9+ counties, with 3 service buildings, 6 camps, 2 mobile resource centers, serving 28,000 girls and 10,000 adults under one mission to build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place.

The realignment process is only the first step planned by GSUSA to make Girl Scouting relevant to today’s girls. Under the leadership of GSUSA CEO Kathy Cloninger, who took office in 2004, girls and adults from the Girl Scout community were asked what they wanted and needed from Girl Scouting today. The answers helped to form the new Girl Scout Leadership Development Program. The new program includes creating three core tenants for the Girl Scout leadership philosophy, discover, connect and take action, to be used in building girls of courage, confidence and character. In addition, the new program model will introduce levels separated by grades, and the addition of a new level, Girl Scout Ambassador. GSUSA will begin to phase in these exciting changes beginning fall of 2008.

The central and southern New Jersey region has seen many councils merge over time. For a listing of former councils in the area, please refer to our alumna section.

Founded in 1912, Girl Scouts of the USA is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls with 3.7 million girl and adult members worldwide. For more information on the history of Girl Scouting