Special Interest Groups
Girl Scouting is full of amazing opportunities for girls, and girls in San Jacinto Council also have the unique opportunity to do a deep dive into an area they’re interested in through our special interest groups. These groups can be joined in addition to – or even in place of – a traditional troop and give girls an outlet to explore their own interests with like-minded girls.
Whether your Girl Scout is interested in learning more about space or wants to sail the high seas, we have a group for her. Below you’ll meet our groups, hear from volunteers who lead the programs and, most importantly, learn from girls why joining one of these groups is awesome.
Archery 
Archers In Motion (AIM) is GSSJC’s archery special interest group. Any registered Girl Scouts fourth grade and older can join. AIM members follow a program from USA Archery and an individual program from Junior Olympic Archery Development (JOAD). The group meets monthly so girls can practice their skills and attain new JOAD and AIM shooting levels.
Who can join: Juniors through Ambassadors
How to join: Look for AIM special interest group listings in The Golden Link or on the website under Events.
Astronomy
Interested in the final frontier? Girl Scouts in fifth through 12th grade who want to learn more about space can join the council’s Astronomy special interest group. Members learn about moon phases, constellations, stars, and so much more.
They also put on events for younger girls during the year to share their knowledge, including Space Out for Brownies and Juniors, held each fall, and two Carousel camp weekends for Juniors. In addition, girls travel during the summer to learn more about space. Girls in this group also get the chance to have leadership opportunities in mentoring and facilitating.
Who can join: Girl Scouts in fifth through 12th grade.
How to join: Registration is open year-round! Look for Astronomy special interest group listings in The Golden Link or on the website under Events.
Backpacking
Dance Team (Green Starlettes)
The Green Starlettes is GSSJC’s dance team. Much like a high school drill team, girls meet to learn choreography, elect officers, host dance camps for younger Girl Scouts, and even perform at several public events throughout the year, including a self-hosted spring show. No tryouts are required, and girls can join one of the 12 divisions around the council.
Who can join: Girl Scouts in fourth through 12th grade.
How to join: Look for The Green Starlettes special interest group listings in The Golden Link or on the website under Events.
Gay Straight Alliance
STARS & SPURS (Horseback Riding)
GSSJC is fortunate enough to have two horseback riding programs available to girls: one at Camp Pryor called STARS (Super Terrific Awesome Riding Scouts) and one at Camp Misty Meadows called SPURS (Special People Using Riding Skills). Girls in both programs have the opportunity to ride horses, learn new skills, achieve new levels, and teach younger Girl Scouts how to ride. During summer camp, they can also attend a special training just for them at Camp Misty Meadows.
Who can join: Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors
How to join STARS: Attend a Saddlehorns (level 1) session to get started – look for listing in The Golden Link and on the website under Activities
How to join SPURS: Attend a weekend training – look for listing in The Golden Link and on the website under Events.
Rifle (GRIT)
Robotics
Love technology? Then Robotics is the special interest group for you! As members, girls learn and use technology skills to build robots and code them. Learn and expand your knowledge of how robots are built and how they work. Girls in this group also get the chance to have leadership opportunities in mentoring and facilitating.
Who can join: Daisies - Cadettes
How to join: Look for Robotics special interest group listings in The Golden Link or on the website under Events.
Sailing (Mariners)
Fancy conquering the seven seas? Then GSSJC’s sailing special interest group, Mariners, is the one for you! To join, girls must complete Red Cross Basic Sailing. As a member, Mariners participate in two sailing seasons at Camp Casa Mare – one in the fall and one in the spring. They can also attend a special two-week summer camp session at Camp Casa Mare, where they sail as much as possible. Girls also participate in non-sailing activities together throughout the year.
Who can join: Girls 11 and older. You can read
this document to learn more about swim requirements.
How to join: Look for Introduction to Sailing weekends in The Golden Link and on the website under Events.
GSSJC Media Team
