Girl Scout Founder’s Day
October 31
About Girl Scout Founder’s Day
Girl Scout Founder’s Day takes place every year on 31 October, marking the birthday of Juliette Gordon Low, the woman who established Girl Scouts of the USA in 1912. In 2026 the day falls on Saturday, 31 October. It is a moment for troops, alumnae, and supporters across the United States to honour the founder of one of the country’s most enduring youth organisations and to reflect on more than a century of leadership development for girls.
The Story Behind Girl Scout Founder’s Day
Juliette Magill Kinzie Gordon was born on 31 October 1860 at 10 East Oglethorpe Avenue in Savannah, Georgia. Known to family and friends throughout her life by the affectionate nickname “Daisy”, she grew up in a prominent Southern family and developed an early love of the arts, animals, and the outdoors. Her later years would be shaped by a determination to give young women opportunities for adventure, friendship, and self-reliance that were rarely offered to girls of her era.
The turning point came after Low met Sir Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Scout Movement, and his sister Agnes, who led the Girl Guides. Inspired by their work, Low formed her own group of Girl Guides in England in 1911 before carrying the idea home with her. On 12 March 1912 she telephoned a friend and declared, “I’ve got something for the girls of Savannah, and all of America, and all the world, and we’re going to start it tonight.” That same day she gathered the first troop of 18 girls in Savannah, planting the seed of what would become Girl Scouts of the USA.
The organisation grew with remarkable speed. In 1915 the American Girl Guides formally became the Girl Scouts, with Low serving as the first leader. She poured her own resources and energy into the movement, travelling tirelessly to recruit volunteers and raise funds. In 1920 the Girl Scouts established her birthday, 31 October, as the organisation’s official Founder’s Day. Low died on 17 January 1927 in Savannah after a private struggle with breast cancer, but the movement she built has continued to flourish, eventually growing into one of the largest girl-serving organisations in the world.
When is Girl Scout Founder’s Day Celebrated?
Girl Scout Founder’s Day is observed every year on 31 October, the anniversary of Juliette Gordon Low’s birth. In 2026 it falls on a Saturday, conveniently placed on a weekend that allows troops to plan gatherings, service projects, and birthday celebrations. The date never changes, which makes it easy to mark on the calendar year after year. Because it coincides with Halloween in the United States, many troops weave the two occasions together with costume themes and community events.
Traditions and Customs
Founder’s Day is celebrated with a blend of reflection, service, and good old-fashioned birthday cheer. Common traditions include:
- Birthday celebrations for Daisy – Troops often bake or decorate a cake in honour of Juliette Gordon Low’s birthday, turning the history lesson into a shared celebration.
- Learning about the founder – Leaders use the day to share Low’s life story, from her childhood in Savannah to the founding of the first troop, helping members connect with the organisation’s roots.
- Service projects – In keeping with Low’s spirit of giving, many troops carry out a good turn for their community, whether collecting food, writing cards, or helping local causes.
- Wearing the uniform – Members proudly wear their sashes, vests, and pins, a visible link to generations of Girl Scouts who came before them.
- Reciting the Girl Scout Promise and Law – Troops often renew their commitment to the values at the heart of the movement, reaffirming the principles Low championed.
Ways to Get Involved in Girl Scout Founder’s Day
Whether you are a current member, an alumna, a parent, or simply an admirer of the movement, there are many ways to take part:
- Host a troop celebration – Organise a meeting themed around Founder’s Day, complete with cake, stories, and a recap of the organisation’s history.
- Complete a good turn – Carry out a small act of service in your community, exactly as Low encouraged her first troops to do.
- Visit the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace – The historic home in Savannah, Georgia is now a museum and a National Historic Landmark that welcomes visitors and Girl Scout pilgrimages.
- Reconnect as an alumna – Former Girl Scouts can rejoin as adult members, volunteer with a local troop, or share their own scouting memories.
- Make a donation – Supporting your local council helps fund programmes, camps, and scholarships for girls who might not otherwise have access.
- Earn a badge or patch – Many councils offer Founder’s Day patches that members can earn by completing history-themed activities.
If you enjoy days that celebrate youth leadership and community spirit, you might also like Girl Scout Leader’s Day, which honours the volunteers who guide each troop.
Facts and Figures
- Juliette Gordon Low founded the first Girl Scout troop on 12 March 1912 with just 18 girls in Savannah, Georgia.
- The American Girl Guides officially became the Girl Scouts in 1915, with Low as their first leader.
- The Girl Scouts established 31 October, Low’s birthday, as Founder’s Day in 1920.
- Across its history, more than 50 million American women have been members of the Girl Scouts at some point in their lives.
- The Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace in Savannah, sometimes called “the Birthplace”, became a National Historic Landmark and remains a place of pilgrimage for scouts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Girl Scout Founder’s Day?
Girl Scout Founder’s Day is the annual commemoration of Juliette Gordon Low’s birthday on 31 October. It honours the founder of Girl Scouts of the USA and celebrates the organisation she created in 1912.
When is Girl Scout Founder’s Day in 2026?
In 2026, Girl Scout Founder’s Day falls on Saturday, 31 October. The date is fixed and is observed on the same day every year.
Why is 31 October the date for Founder’s Day?
The date marks the birthday of Juliette Gordon Low, who was born on 31 October 1860. The Girl Scouts formally adopted her birthday as Founder’s Day in 1920.
Spread the Word
Share Girl Scout Founder’s Day with your troop, your community, and your fellow alumnae using #GirlScoutFoundersDay and #GirlScoutFoundersDay2026. Whether you mark the occasion with a slice of birthday cake, a good turn for a neighbour, or a visit to Low’s birthplace, every gesture helps keep her legacy of courage, confidence, and character alive for the next generation.
Related Awareness Days
- Girl Scout Birthday – Celebrates 12 March 1912, the day Juliette Gordon Low gathered the very first troop in Savannah.
- Girl Scout Leader’s Day – Recognises the dedicated adult volunteers who lead and mentor troops across the country.
- World Thinking Day – A global day when Girl Guides and Girl Scouts worldwide reflect on their international sisterhood.
Links
- Read about Juliette Gordon Low on the official Girl Scouts website
- Explore more awareness days at AwarenessDays.com
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