Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas staff outside Concord Church, recruiting girls and volunteers for the church’s first Girl Scout Troop.
Photo Courtesy of Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas
Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas (GSNETX) are igniting excitement this fall by expanding their presence in the Oak Cliff area, coinciding with the 10-year anniversary of the community’s beloved Back-to-School Festival. This annual event, eagerly anticipated by local families, provides essential services, school supplies, and much more. This year, the Girl Scouts, actively connected with the community showcasing their programming and welcoming new members.
The first Back-to-School event took place at Concord Church, where a new church-led Girl Scout Troop is being formed. The response was overwhelming, with over 50 girls and 20 volunteers expressing interest in joining this multilevel troop, which serves girls in grades K through 12. Concord’s student pastor, Kim Briggs, emphasized Oak Cliff’s enthusiasm. “I understand there is a long legacy of Girl Scouting in our community, and the families are thrilled! The potential for troop participation at Concord is boundless, and we are embracing it,” Briggs shared.
South Oak Cliff youth engaging in Girl Scout activities during the 10th Annual Back-to-School Festival.
Photo Courtesy of Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas
The second event was held in collaboration with For Oak Cliff, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the Superblock area. The For Oak Cliff Girl Scout Troop, which began with just 15 girls in 2023, has experienced remarkable growth, expanding fivefold in size. This summer alone, nearly 40 more girls joined through summer programs, and for the first time, Girl Scouts had a presence at their Juneteenth event, further boosting troop membership.
Building on this successful partnership, that also includes hosting a Girl Scout camp on their property for the past two summers, For Oak Cliff provided Girl Scouts with a large space at their Back-to-School event, featuring four tables where staff led activities and even more girls expressed interest in joining the large troop, marking a significant achievement in the ongoing collaboration.
As strategic partners, Girl Scouts and For Oak Cliff are committed to expanding camping experiences, developing key programming opportunities, and exploring shared funding initiatives to better serve girls and families in Oak Cliff. This is just the beginning of an exciting journey!
To learn more about Girl Scouts and find a troop near you, visit: www.gsnetx.org/joinadvocate
Jennifer Bartkowski, CEO of GSNETX, with Taylor Toynes, CEO of For Oak Cliff, and Bemnet Meshesha VP, Community, Culture & Equity at the For Oak Cliff Community Campus.
Photo Courtesy of Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas
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