Girl Scout Founder’s Day
Girl Scout Founder’s Day is observed every year on October 31, the birthday of Juliette Gordon Low, who founded Girl Scouts in the United States. The day is a chance to remember her vision and celebrate the friendship, confidence, service, and adventurous spirit at the heart of Girl Scouting.
How the day started
Juliette Gordon Low was born on October 31, 1860, in Savannah, Georgia. After learning about the Girl Guides movement in Britain, she organized the first American Girl Guide troop in Savannah in 1912. The organization soon became known as the Girl Scouts of the United States of America.
Founder’s Day honors Low’s birthday and the beginning of the movement she helped establish. Girl Scout groups and supporters may mark the occasion with activities, service projects, or gatherings that reflect the organization’s values. The exact way the day is observed can vary from one troop or community to another.
Juliette Gordon Low’s vision
Low believed girls should have opportunities to build skills, explore the outdoors, and take an active role in their communities. Girl Scouting grew around those ideas, offering girls ways to learn by doing, work together, and discover interests ranging from nature and creativity to leadership and practical skills.
Her work also reflected a commitment to including girls with different backgrounds and abilities. In its early years, the movement offered girls a chance to take part in organized activities and develop independence at a time when such opportunities were more limited. Founder’s Day can be a moment to consider how those early aims continue to inspire girls today.
Traditions and ways to celebrate
There is no single required Founder’s Day ritual. Some troops use the date to learn about Low and the organization’s history, while others focus on doing something helpful together. The day’s connection to Halloween can also make it a fun opportunity for a themed meeting, as long as activities suit the group and its plans.
- Learn about the founder: Read a short biography of Juliette Gordon Low, look at historical photographs, or invite troop members to share what they learned about her life and work.
- Plan a service activity: Choose a manageable project that responds to a local need, such as making cards for community members or helping care for a shared outdoor space. Check with the relevant organization before making plans.
- Try a new skill: Arrange a simple activity in nature, crafts, cooking, navigation, or another area that interests the group. Let participants help choose what they want to explore.
- Celebrate together: Hold a troop gathering, share stories, or make a birthday-themed display for Low. Families can also talk about what friendship, courage, and service mean to them.
- Support a Girl Scout: Ask a local troop about its current needs or activities, and find an appropriate way to encourage its work.
Whether marked with a history lesson, a hands-on activity, or a community project, Founder’s Day offers a friendly reminder of the ideas that helped shape Girl Scouting.
Last updated November 3, 2026.
When is Girl Scout Founder’s Day?
Girl Scout Founder’s Day: Every year on October 31.
| Year | Date | Day of the week |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | October 31 | Sunday |
| 2028 | October 31 | Tuesday |
| 2029 | October 31 | Wednesday |
| 2030 | October 31 | Thursday |
| 2031 | October 31 | Friday |
Frequently asked questions
When is Girl Scout Founder’s Day in 2027?
Girl Scout Founder’s Day is on Sunday, October 31, 2027. After that, it falls on Tuesday, October 31, 2028. Every year on October 31.
Is Girl Scout Founder’s Day a public holiday?
No. Girl Scout Founder’s Day is an observance, not an official public holiday, so schools and businesses stay open as usual.
Why is Girl Scout Founder’s Day celebrated on October 31?
It honors Juliette Gordon Low’s birthday. Born on October 31, 1860, in Savannah, she organized the first American Girl Guide troop there in 1912.
What does Girl Scout Founder’s Day celebrate?
The day celebrates Low’s vision and the beginning of the Girl Scout movement in the United States. It also recognizes values central to Girl Scouting, including friendship, confidence, service, and adventure.
How can people celebrate Girl Scout Founder’s Day?
Troops and supporters might learn about Low, try a new skill, gather together, or take part in a service project. There is no single required ritual, so activities vary by troop and community.
Sources
- Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline Council: Girl Scout Holidays
- Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania: Girl Scout Days and Traditions
✓ Date matches Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline Council: Girl Scout Holidays (checked automatically on October 29, 2026).
