Welcome to the website of Girl Scouts of Monterey Bay. Our Council is a local organization chartered by Girl Scouts of the USA to provide support for Girl Scouting and Girl Scout troops/groups in Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties.

The first group of Girl Scouts was organized on March 12, 1912 in Savannah, Georgia. Girl Scouts of the USA was chartered by the United States Congress on March 16, 1950. Local Girl Scouts organized a Council on the Monterey Peninsula in 1924. By 1935, a Council was organized in Watsonville. By 1936, Salinas had a Council and, in 1945, so did Santa Cruz. Girl Scouts of Monterey Bay was formed with the merger of local councils and troops in the tri-county area in 1963-1964.

Girl Scouts of Monterey Bay is headquartered in Castroville, a central location from which we take Girl Scouting to nearly 4,500 girls in 350 troops/groups and to more than 2,000 adults.

Central coast living provides a richness which when added to the Girl Scout program creates options only limited by the girls themselves in choosing and designing activities that follow their interests and dreams. From fitness in rock climbing, soccer and surfing to art and mural design, girls are presented with a multitude of options. Plus, by tapping into scientific and marine biology resources and the mosaic of cultures, food and music to be found in the local region, girls acquire understanding and growth in knowledge.

Just as the geography of the three counties is diverse, so are its communities and residents. Since its inception, Girl Scouts of the Monterey Bay has taken responsibility to be a community resource, leading as well as collaborating to create outreach programs in migrant camps and other non-traditional settings, and tackling such contemporary issues as teen parenthood, drugs and alcohol. A twenty-year collaboration with Pajaro Valley Unified School District's Migrant Education Program recently won a GSUSA Quality Recognition Award.

Come and learn more about Girl Scouting and Girl Scouts of Monterey Bay. Explore our site and see for yourself the exciting opportunities in Girl Scouting!