STUDIO 2B Fact Sheet

What is STUDIO 2B? STUDIO 2B is Girl Scouting for girls 11-17. It is a philosophy, or way to work with girls that is characterized by the girl/adult partnership and girl-led program. It centers on providing girls with opportunities to step into leadership roles and to determine what they want to do to define their Girl Scout experience. It's a community of girls 11-17 who want to make a difference in their lives and in the world and have fun while they do it.

How was STUDIO 2B developed? It grew directly out of what girls said during GSUSA’s 2001 New Directions for Girls 11-17 research project. The research explored what girls care about, whom they turn to for advice, what they like to do for fun, and what kinds of group programs are fun and engaging for them.

Over 1,300 girls in and out of Girl Scouting across the country – from cities and rural areas, and from diverse economic, racial and ethnic backgrounds – provided input. Girls were eager to talk and be listened to. Girls’ hopes, dreams, challenges, and fears became the building blocks of STUDIO 2B.

Why is it called STUDIO 2B? STUDIO 2B is supposed to be a place where girls can feel safe, comfortable, and free to be who they really are.

Why is Girl Scouts changing? The last major change to address the needs of preteens and teens in Girl Scouts was in the early 1960's, based on research conducted in the 1950's. Keeping pace with the changing trends in society and preparing girls to do the same has been a cornerstone of Girl Scout Philosophy since the founding of the movement. Girl Scouts is dedicated to meeting the needs of each generation of girls—change is essential.

Can girls still earn Interest Project patches and the Silver/Gold Awards? Yes! Nothing is going away, there are just more options added.

Can girls still call themselves a Cadette/Senior? Yes! The idea is that Girl Scouts looks like what the girls want it to look like.

Can girls be a part of a new adventure group that's forming in my area and still be a part of my troop? YES! There are groups forming around the council based on girl interests and girls can definitely be a part of more than one group.

Do you have to use the STUDIO 2B focus books to be in a STUDIO 2B group? No, STUDIO 2B is not defined by the focus books. The point of STUDIO 2B is that you do what is interesting and fun for you! That's going to look different from person to person and group to group. Some groups may use focus books, some may use the handbooks, and some may choose to use neither.

For more info about STUDIO 2B or the program resources available, visit GSUSA’s website at: www.studio2b.org.