Girl Scouts Beyond Bars

In October of 1998, the Girl Scouts-Columbia River Council (Oregon) received a generous grant that allowed the organization to create a local pilot program to serve girls whose mothers are involved in the criminal justice system. The program, which utilized a nationally-recognized template, is called Girl Scouts Beyond Bars.

From a core group of just seven girls and five mothers in 1998, the Columbia River Council Girl Scout Troop 60 has grown to serve about 80 girls and 65 women in both the minimum and medium security areas of Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Wilsonville, Oregon.  Through a partnership with the Girl Scouts of Santiam Council in Salem, Oregon, nearly 30 additional girls are being included in this popular relationship-building opportunity.

Troop 60 meets twice monthly at Coffee Creek where girls and their mothers, who serve as troop leaders, engage in traditional Girl Scout activities and games. Children whose mothers have been released or whose privileges have been revoked while still incarcerated continue to meet with the group that regularly visits Coffee Creek in other community locations. In addition to the activities enjoyed with their mothers, the girls of Troop 60 also have the opportunity to participate in other exciting events such as residential camp at Camp Arrowhead, a camping trip to Mountaindale and overnight adventures to the Pacific Science Center and the Oregon Zoo. 

Girl Scouts Beyond Bars Goals:

• Develop girls to their full individual potential by strengthening the mother/daughter relationship.
• Teach girls to relate to others with increasing understanding and respect.
• Teach value-based decision-making skills.
• Develop concern for the well being of the community.

According to the Girl Scouts-Columbia River Council, women who participate in the Girl Scouts Beyond Bars program report that visitations from their daughters increased 76% after joining the program and over half report that they didn’t see their daughters at all until they joined the Girl Scouts.

Girl Scouts-Columbia River Council provides full support for Troop 60 to ensure that any eligible girls is able to participate. From door to door transportation to books, camping and other special Girl Scout opportunities, all interested girls receive the encouragement needed to develop their full potential and achieve their personal goals.

The Girl Scouts Beyond Bars programs relies on the support of the community and enjoys valuable partnerships with organizations such as the Children’s Justice Alliance. CJA welcomes troop meetings and activities at its Center for Family Success in the St. John’s neighborhood of Portland, Oregon, and provides additional resources to ensure the continued success of this worthwhile program for girls whose mothers are involved in the criminal justice system

For more information about Girl Scouts Beyond Bars and volunteer opportunities, please contact Susan Hayes at 503-598-6560 or visit www.girlscoutscrc.org.