More than just a group of door-to-door cookie sellers, the Girls Scouts of the USA is the world s largest organization dedicated to helping girls build character and gain skills for success in the real world. The organization s more than 4 million members are offered an accepting and nurturing environment in which they develop strong values, leadership skills, social conscience and conviction about their own potential and self-worth. They participate in programs involving leadership and self-esteem, community outreach and education, environmental awareness, financial literacy, health and wellness, arts, travel and science, technology, engineering and math. Girls Scouts of the USA was founded by Juliette Gordon Low in 1912. Girls between the ages of 5 and 17 are invited to join one of nearly 240,000 local troops throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and more than 80 other countries.