Rochester Voice
BEDFORD – New findings from Girl Scouts of the USA published in the national State of the Girl report, offer a comprehensive look at what it means to be a girl in America today. Drawing on GSUSA research and national data, the report explores the realities girls face, from loneliness and body image concerns to pressures tied to technology and adolescence. The report also highlights their confidence, ambition, creativity, and resilience, underscoring both the challenges girls encounter and opportunities to better support their growth and success.
“This report makes clear not just the need to give girls the opportunity to meet these challenges,” said Patricia K. Mellor, CEO of Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains, “but also offers the pathway forward to overcome those challenges.”
Beyond the headlines: Girls today face real challenges
Much of the public conversation about girls centers on struggle, and there is real data behind those concerns:
- 64% of girls age 5-7 report feeling lonely.
- 89% of girls age 5-7 have skipped something they wanted to do, often due to fear or lack of confidence.
- 52% of girls age 8-10 are critical of their bodies, and 50% of girls ages 11-13 wish they could change something about their appearance.
But these challenges aren’t the whole story. Girls are thinking seriously about their futures from an early age, with 70% having already given serious thought to their careers by ninth grade, and 55% showing interest in STEM, up from 45% in 2017. They are developing strong senses of identity and actively seeking creativity, connection, and real-world experiences. Rather than spend more time on screens, the majority of girls ages 5-13 say they would prefer to be creative (65%), go outside and play (59%) or spend time with family (59%). They also hold a clear sense of how they want to be seen: when asked which words they most want others to use to describe them, girls chose smart (36%), funny (17%) and creative (17).
“I’ve learned a lot about how it’s OK to talk about your feelings,” said Anne-Ronner Bland, a Girl Scout Cadette from Hampton, who attended the council’s Mental Health Summit last November.
Two Girl Scouts in Troop 64100 of Essex Junction, VT, said being with Girl Scout friends makes them feel brave.
“I have lots of friends that can cheer me on and always be there for me,” said Lillian Dwyer, 7, of Essex, VT.
“We are stronger together,” said Maren Bergeron, 7, of Jericho, VT.
The conditions around her matter
One of the report’s clearest findings is that many of the challenges facing girls are shaped not by who they are, but by the environment in which they are growing up.
Community spaces, after-school programs and informal support networks that once helped girls build confidence and connection have thinned or disappeared in many communities. At the same time, digital life, economic pressures, and shifting family dynamics are reshaping how girls experience childhood and connect with others.
Girls in New Hampshire and Vermont will find a welcoming and supportive environment with Girl Scouts. We offer many ways to participate – in troops, as individuals, at camp, and in short-term opportunities. Financial aid and after-school troops make Girl Scouting accessible to many who worry about the commitment. Our annual Mental Health Summit provides hands-on skill building for both youth and adults to meet the challenges they face. Badges and patches, including many on body appreciation and mental health, round out a program designed solely with girls in mind.
One insight changes the narrative: Connection unlocks confidence
The data points to a powerful solution. More than half of girls say that having a friend by their side encourages them to try new things (52%), and the effect is most striking among the youngest: when a friend is present, 92% of girls ages 5-7 are more willing to take social risks.
This finding reframes the conversation. Girls are not disengaged or unmotivated. They are more likely to participate, explore and grow when they have supportive relationships, trusted peers and a sense of belonging.
Why this moment demands action
The report finds that the gap is not between girls and their potential, but between girls and the environments meant to support them.
Girls consistently say they want:
- Opportunities to challenge themselves without pressure.
- Real-world connection with peers and trusted adults.
- Time to be creative, active, and fully present.
These priorities are evident in what girls look for from their extracurricular activities: doing something they enjoy (54%), making new friends (51%), spending time with friends (45%) and trying something new (42%).
Organizations like Girl Scouts play a critical role in providing these experiences. Through supportive relationships, hands-on opportunities and a ready community, Girl Scouts helps girls build the confidence, connection and leadership skills they need to thrive.
How do we reach girls?
“We meet them where they are," said Tammy Downing, outreach lead for Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains. “Our staff-led team brings Girl Scout programming directly to after-school programs, Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCA after-school programs, Section 8 housing communities, and other community partner sites—all at no cost to the families we serve.”
The council currently has 583 girls participating in the outreach program across approximately 33 troops throughout New Hampshire and Vermont.
“We expect that number to continue growing over the next several months as we expand our summertime programming to local day camps, Parks & Recreation camps, and our own campettes (week-long mini camps),” said Downing. “We've received overwhelmingly positive feedback from both parents and our site directors. Parents frequently share how much their girls look forward to Girl Scout meetings each week and appreciate having access to a high-quality leadership program at no cost. Site directors have commented on the positive impact the program has on their students, noting increased confidence, teamwork, leadership skills and engagement. These partnerships continue to demonstrate the value that Outreach brings to the communities we serve.”
The council also recently launched an initiative to focus on the idea and feeling of belonging.
“Inclusion is the deliberate act of making sure that an environment is a place where everyone is given equal access to participate” said Amanda Powell, volunteer support and training lead for the Girl Scout council. “Belonging takes that next step to really dial in on the emotional outcomes. We want the youth members in our council to feel a real, authentic connection to each other and to the Girl Scout movement. To increase the sense of belonging, we have trainings available for our volunteers and council staff that range from how to perform mental health first aid for youth to how to build an inclusive environment and how to stop bullying in its tracks.”
State of the Girl 2026 ultimately challenges the country to move beyond viewing girls through a lens of risk and start focusing on creating the conditions that allow them to flourish.
“When a girl has a best friend beside her, it makes her courageous enough to try something new,” said Mellor. “Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains is proud to be with her every step of the way.”
About the report
State of the Girl 2026 draws on proprietary Girl Scouts research and national data to provide a multidimensional view of modern girlhood, capturing both the pressures girls face and the possibilities ahead.
The full report is available at https://bit.ly/stateofgirlsreport.
All data points featured in this press release are annotated in the State of the Girl 2026 report.