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The decision to raise the dues is not just local, but came as a result of "12 hours of thoughtful deliberation, the national delegates of Girl Scouts, representing councils across the country, including representatives from Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania," GSHPA wrote.
The increase will go into effect in the next membership year.
The membership dues for girls will increase from $25.00 to $45.00 for the membership year 2026 and to $65.00 for the membership year 2027.
The adult volunteers' dues will be increasing to $30.00 for membership year 2026. Please note that current membership dues will not increase for membership year 2025.
The GSHPA delegates to the national conference were: Jennifer Abreu, Vicki Hench, Siobhan Shadle, Carol Thornton, Karen Zercher, Brylea Starr, and Cara Costello.
Each delegate representing GSHPA, "carefully reviewed and voted on these proposals," the council wrote, adding "You should feel confident that they reviewed the contents of our membership survey about the possible national dues increase and that they represented your views well during this dynamic democratic process."
Membership dues do not stay in the local council and will be forwarded to GSUSA to support national programming initiatives, technological support, and other services.
The council acknowledged this increase "is potentially more financially challenging than for some of the higher cost of living areas in the country," so they remind current and future scouts that financial assistance is available through the GSHPA council.
Some Medicaid programs also cover dues as one scouting parent mentioned on Facebook.
An hour before the email was sent out to current GSHPA members a recruitment video was posted on the organization's Facebook page.
The exact reason for the increases in dues was not shared.
Editor's Note: The author of this article is a current Lifetime Member of the Girl Scouts who previously worked and volunteered with GSHPA.
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