About Us

Council History and Facts

Girl Scouts Golden Valley Council History - In 1928, the first Girl Scouts troop was organized in Reedley, California. By 1938, four counties of Central California; Fresno, Madera, Tulare and Kings, had organized troops. Between 1962 and 1963, the four Girl Scout offices merged into one council and named the "Golden Valley Council."

What is the Golden Valley Council? - Our Council is chartered by Girl Scouts of the USA to provide Girl Scouting activities for Fresno, Kings, Madera, and Tulare counties, and outlying areas not currently being served by other California, or Nevada Councils.

Where are you located? - Our headquarters is in the Fresno city limits, at 4910 E. Ashlan Avenue Suite 105. To see a map, or for directions to our offices you may click on the Council name below.

How can I contact your office? - We can be reached by telephone at 559-291-5078, Toll Free at 1-800-490-8653, by Fax 559-291-5079, or by email at gsgvc@pacbell.net.

What services does your Council office provide? - We operate a service center, where membership, outreach, volunteerism, community service activities and events planning occurs. We employ a large staff to assist with Girl Scouting activities in four counties. We have training for leaders, service unit managers, and volunteers. A large team of local volunteers support our staff and the Council we serve. We have a library and many items for troop use and rental. We also operate the retail store the "Gold Mine," where uniforms, insignia, handbooks, and other official Girl Scout items can be purchased.

How is the Council supported financially? - As a community resource, and we depend on local communities for monetary support. Our major sources of income are the Girl Scout Cookies and Nuts Sales, the United Way, program service fees, sales of supplies, contributions, and investment income.

What is you structure? - The Girl Scouts Golden Valley Council, Inc. (GSGVC) is one of more than 400 councils chartered by Girl Scouts of the USA. Our Council provides programs for more than 9,000 girls in Fresno, Madera, Tulare and Kings counties. We serve more than 400 troops, and have approximately 2,000 volunteers. About 99-percent of all adults in Girl Scouting are volunteers. Women and men interested in volunteering in a variety of capacities are encouraged to contact the council office.

What Is Girl Scouts? Girl Scouts is the world's preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls - all girls - where, in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build character and skills enabling them success in the real world. In partnership with committed adults, girls develop qualities that will serve them all their entire lives - like strong values, social conscience and conviction about their own potential and self-worth.

What Do Girl Scouts Do? In Girl Scouts, girls discover the fun, friendship and power of girls together. Through many enriching experiences, such as extraordinary field trips, sports, skills-building clinics, community service projects, cultural exchanges and environmental stewardships, they grow courageous and strong.

Who Can Join? The Girl Scout movement is open to all girls ages 5 to 17-years-old, and adults who accept the Girl Scout Promise and Law.
Adult Girl Scout members are women and men who serve as troop leaders, advisers, consultants, committee members, board members, camp staff, and other positions. There is an annual registration fee of $10.00 (financial assistance is available that is sent directly to Girl Scout Headquarters in New York. Other donations and contributions stay within the Central Valley to support local activities and events.

For information on joining Girl Scouts, or to volunteer, please call us today at (559) 291-5078 or Toll Free 1(800) 490-8653,
or email us at gsgvc@pacbell.net.

© 2007 Girl Scouts Golden Valley Council. All rights reserved.
Girl Scouts USA trademarks, and Girl Scouts Golden Valley Council trademarks including use of the Trefoil design, logos, images, artwork, photographs, and banners cannot be reproduced without written consent. The Girl Scouts name, mark, all associated trademarks, and logotypes, including the Trefoil Design are owned by Girl Scouts of the USA and are used here with permission.