The Badge Archive

Across Generations: GSUSA 1950s

⚠️ This page is under construction

The 1950s marked a period of postwar optimism and rapid growth for Girl Scouting. With over 2 million members by 1953, troops flourished in suburban neighborhoods, schools, and churches. Girls wore polished green uniforms with beanies or berets, recited the Promise and Law from memory, and earned badges that reflected both traditional values and a modernizing world.

Camping expanded dramatically, with new troop houses, advanced outdoor programs, and the introduction of Counselor-in-Training (CIT) roles. International friendship also grew, with encampments and exchanges becoming part of the Girl Scout experience. The 1950s were a time of belonging, structure, and pride in the Girl Scout identity.

What’s Different

What Was Different from Earlier Decades

  • Camping became more structured and expansive: Camps added new units, troop houses, and longer sessions. Girls hiked, canoed, and participated in primitive camping experiences.
  • CIT programs were introduced: Older girls could train as future camp counselors, gaining leadership and outdoor skills.
  • Uniforms remained formal but modernized slightly: Beanies and berets were common, and gloves were still worn for ceremonies.
  • Handbooks emphasized homemaking, citizenship, and outdoor skills: Badges like Needlecraft, My Government, and Child Care were popular.
  • International encampments grew: World Friendship troops and visits from global leaders (like Lady Baden-Powell) became part of the camp experience.

What’s Different from Today’s Girl Scouts

  • No Daisy level yet: Brownies were the youngest official level; Daisies wouldn’t be introduced until 1984.
  • Badges were earned from printed handbooks: Girls tracked progress manually—no digital tools or online portals.
  • Uniforms were required and level-specific: Each age group had distinct pieces, including ties, hats, and dresses.
  • No Journeys or Take Action Projects: The program focused on individual badgework and troop activities.
  • Troop meetings were adult-led and scripted: Girl-led planning was rare and mostly informal.

What’s the Same

  • Singing around a fire
  • Friendship that lasts decades
  • The drive to take the lead and make a difference
  • A love of badges, bridging, and belonging

Featured Profiles

Karen L.
Karen became a Brownie in the 1950s and went on to earn both the First Class and Curved Bar Awards. She represented her council as the youngest Senior Scout delegate at the National Convention in Chicago, and later led troops for nearly three decades. A Lifetime Member since 1992, Karen continues to stay active through alumni groups and preserves uniforms and handbooks from three generations of her scouting family.

Read Karen L.’s full profile →

Marilyn S.
Her Girl Scout journey began in 1953 as a Brownie in Troop 8, the Pansy Patrol, led by her mother. When her troop disbanded after 8th grade, Marilyn joined a Mariner troop and continued through high school. Her standout moment came as a young Brownie, when she was chosen to present Thin Mints to Eleanor Roosevelt during a visit to St. Paul.

Read Marilyn S.’s full profile →

Marilyn W.
Her Girl Scout journey began in 1956 and never truly ended. In 1963, Marilyn earned her First Class Award with a rescue that turned out not to be a drill. She stayed close with her troop, traveled internationally to meet her Finnish pen pal, and later led troops of her own. In 2025, she’s a Scout grandmother to six girls (and counting), guiding them with the same care and curiosity she learned from her Mariner Scout mother.

Read Marilyn W.’s full profile →

Memory Snapshots

Betsy K. — Brownie in the 1950s through early ’60s
She has many fond memories of her troop, meetings, and uniforms from that era, and credits Girl Scouts for helping shape who she became.

Janet H. — Brownie in 1953; Senior until 1963
Her favorite memories came from her time as a Senior Scout, especially backpacking 150–200 miles through the Sierra Nevada Mountains each summer. She’s still in touch with her troop friends today.

Karen L. — Scout beginning in 1953; Lifetime Member since 1992
Earned both the First Class and Curved Bar Awards. As a Senior Scout, she was selected to represent her council at the National Convention in Chicago as their youngest delegate. She led troops for nearly three decades and remains active with alumni groups.

Kathy M. — Brownie in 1956; Intermediate in 5th grade
She fondly remembers marching in Memorial Day parades in her Brownie dress and beanie, and attending day camp at Camp WhaChaWanna. Her troop wore uniforms to school on meeting days, and she especially loved hiking and camping with her fellow scouts.

🔗 Suggested Resources

Have a photo from the 1950s?

We’d love to feature vintage snapshots! Submit your troop pics or camp memories here.

Browse More or Submit Yours

Looking for another decade? Back to the Across Generations Page →
Got a memory to share? Submit a 1950s story →

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For More Fun Ideas and Plans

for Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Scouts

Join the Girl Scout Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Leader Help Facebook Group
(Not an official GSUSA Group)

This is a supportive Facebook community for Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Girl Scout leaders. Whether you’re seeking advice, fresh ideas, or meeting plans, you’re in the right place! Let’s inspire each other, share our experiences, and make every troop meeting a memorable adventure.

for Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Scouts

Join the Girl Scout Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Leader Help Facebook Group
(Not an official GSUSA Group)

This is a supportive community for Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Girl Scout leaders. This group offers solutions to keep older scouts engaged in scouting amidst their busy lives. Share strategies, tackle challenges, and exchange ideas for fun, meaningful activities that resonate with teens and build lasting connections.

Find out how you can support The Badge Archive!

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Tia Kennard