Girl Scouts encourages each girl to become a stronger member of her own religious group, however, religious instruction is the responsibility of parents and religious leaders. 

The Girl Scout Law embodies the core values of Girl Scouting, and it is consistent with the values of many, diverse religions. The Girl Scout Law encourages girls to be honest and fair, to be considerate and caring, to be sisters to every Girl Scout, to respect authority, to make the world a better place, and to respect themselves and others. Many religious leaders have praised the rules for living embodied in the Girl Scout Promise and Law as being compatible with the values they bring to young people through religious education programs.

The partnership between Girl Scouting and religious groups is valuable to both parities.  The Girl Scouts can turn to religious groups to develop the spiritual component in girls and young women, and religious institutions can turn to Girl Scouting to help promote assets in social competencies, community values, service to others, creative activities, integrity, responsibility, planning and decision-making, personal power, self-esteem and more.

Religious awards programs are developed and administered by religious groups themselves.  Twenty-four different religious groups offer more than 100 recognitions to encourage girls to grow stronger in their faith.  These religious groups include Christian, Jewish, Catholic, African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.), Hindu, Buddhist, Baha i, Morman, just to name a few.  Girl Scouts may wear religious awards on their official Girl Scout uniforms.

The religious awards in Girl Scouting are also available to Girl Scout adults.  The adult awards are made by nomination.  Adults are nominated by their peers to be honored for their outstanding service to youth both through their religious institution and Girl Scouting.

The Girl Scout organization does not endorse or promote any particular philosophy or religious belief.  The Girl Scout movement is secular and is founded on American democratic principles, one of which is freedom of religion.  While the motivating force in Girl Scouting is a spiritual one, the organization does not attempt to dictate the form of a worship for members.  The Girl Scout organization believes that religious beliefs are private matters for girls and their families to address.

Many girls have learned some of the most popular graces in the world in Girl Scouting. However, there is no policy by Girl Scouts that prohibits or requires the saying or singing of grace, blessing, or invocation before meals by Girl Scout members in a troop/group setting, in resident or day camp, or at meetings, conferences, and other large events.  The decision to say grace, blessing, or invocation is made locally at the troop or group level and should be sensitive to the spiritual beliefs of all participants.

For more information on religious awards for girls and adults in Girl Scouting, contact your religious group or see the Programs of Religious Activities with Youth (P.R.A.Y.) website: www.praypub.org.