Special to The Rochester Voice 7:46a.m.
Friday, May 8, 2026 7:43 am

At a time when many girls feel overwhelmed by the idea of growing up, Girl Scouts offer practical guidance to help adults and caregivers support girls in building confidence about their future (Courtesy photo)

BEDFORD - New data from Girl Scouts of the USA reveals that the idea of becoming a grown-up sounds scary to more than half (54 percent) of girls ages 5 to 13. That feeling increases with age: 41 percent of girls ages 5 to 7 feel this way, jumping to 62 percent among ages 8 to 10 and remaining high at 60 percent for ages 11 to 13.

Fortunately, supportive role models can play a key role in helping girls feel more prepared for what lies ahead, and girls are clear about what matters in mentors. The majority (85 percent) say they look up to others for what they can do versus how they look (15 percent),

"Girl Scouts connects our youth members to a worldwide network of adult mentors," said Amanda Powell, conflict resolution and training lead for Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains. "Girl Scout volunteers are outstanding leaders in their fields, and strong advocates for the support and needs of the youth that they serve. Additionally, youth members are able to participate in programming with their troop and events that can teach them how to navigate everything from a tricky situation with their peers to how to take care of their first vehicle! Girl Scouting isn't just about going to camp and selling cookies - we can also help support our youth members through the transition into adulthood, knowing that there is a sisterhood there that will support them their whole lives."

At a time when many girls feel overwhelmed by the idea of growing up, Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains, the council serving New Hampshire and Vermont, offers practical guidance to help adults and caregivers support girls in building confidence about their future with programming that:

• Normalizes uncertainty and building confidence. Girl Scouts helps girls understand that adulthood doesn't require having all the answers, reframing the future as an opportunity rather than something to fear.
• Teaches practical, real-world skills. Girl Scouts teaches financial literacy, communication and decision-making, equipping girls with the tools they need to navigate everyday challenges with confidence.
• Creates opportunities to try new things. In supportive, low-risk environments, Girl Scouts take on leadership roles, test new skills, and build resilience through experience.
• Model healthy and balanced pathways to adulthood. Girl Scouting provides relatable examples of how to manage responsibilities, pursue goals, and maintain well-being in a modern world.
• Emphasizes values, impact, and purpose over perfection. By reinforcing what truly matters, help girls focus on making meaningful contributions and defining success on their own terms.

Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains is committed to ensuring girls don't feel alone when they think about their futures. The council has embraced mental health support through badges, programs, and training of volunteers; held a Mental Health Summit last November to help girls understand and handle their emotions and teach adults useful techniques for supporting emotional health; and now has a fulltime staffer who is dedicated to training staff and volunteers in this field.

Through hands-on experiences, supportive mentors and programs designed to help girls discover their own strengths and potential, Girl Scouts creates space for them to try new things, use their voices and reach their potential. At a time when growing up can feel overwhelming, Girl Scouts remains a steady, trusted place where girls can develop resilience, self-belief and the skills they need to shape their own futures with optimism and strength.

To learn more, join or donate, visit girlscoutsgwm.org.