Special Interest Troops

Harp Ensamble

Grade levels: All grade levels

The Harp Ensemble is a fun way for young harpists to play together in a non-competitive group setting and to participate in community performances. Meetings are monthly with occasional outings and service project performances. Girls choose the music and extra activities and can write their own parts if they’d like. This girl-led group is under the direction of Elaine Barber, Principal Harpist for the Austin Symphony Orchestra.

For more information or to join, contact Julie Wiedemeier at (512) 288-1319 or juliew@jandjw.com.

High Adventure Team

Grade levels: Cadette, Senior, Ambassador

Explore the trails on mountain bikes, build strength by rock climbing, adventure in the great outdoors with just a backpack, whiz through the air on a zip line, and do so much more with the High Adventure Team! This troop is ideal for Girl Scouts who want to experience outdoor activity-focused, girl-led programs. 

For more information, contact our Outdoor Program Specialist. 

Mariners 

Grade levels: Cadettes, Seniors, Ambassadors

Do you love the wind and the water? Are you ready for adventure? Mariners is for you! Mariners does not host traditional troop meetings. Instead, girls participate in sailing events where they learn and grow their sailing abilities. No previous sailing experience is necessary.

By attending multiple events, girls will improve their sailing skills and can complete the US Sailing’s Small Boat Certification! Most events are held at Camp Kachina on Lake Belton where we learn the fundamentals of sailing and get out on the water—sailing Sunfish and Aquafinns.

Through Mariners, girls will:

• Make friends
• Have tons of water fun 
• Develop lifelong skills
• Learn safety and gain confidence on the water
• Expand their leadership skills
• Learn teamwork and responsibility

For more information, contact the Mariners at ctxmariners@gmail.com.

Press Corps

Grade levels: Cadette, Senior, Ambassador

Stories and all their fascinating details are what keep us connected as one council with one mission. Members of the Press Corps are a select group of trained media girls who have the privilege and responsibility of sharing Girl Scout stories with our Movement and Central Texas communities.

Responsibilities:

• Report on a minimum of four assignments throughout the year.
• Attend council events as required for assignments.
• Act as an official GSCTX spokesperson for media appearances.

Robotics

Grade levels: All grade levels

Girl Scouts have an exciting opportunity to compete in robotics competitions! Discover and solve real-world engineering challenges, connect with engineering and science professionals, and take action to make positive contributions to society. 

Through robotics, Girl Scouts will learn valuable life and employment skills by creating ideas, solving problems, and overcoming obstacles. They will also gain confidence in their abilities to positively use technology.

No previous robotics experience necessary. Contact Customer Care and ask for more information about this exciting opportunity. 

FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology)

• FIRST® LEGO League Discover Grades K-1 (Daisy)
• FIRST® LEGO League Explore Grades 2-4 (Daisy/Brownie)
• FIRST® LEGO League Challenge Grades 4-8 (Junior/Cadette)
• FIRST® Robotics Competition Grades 9-12 (Senior/Ambassador)

FIRST® Robotics Competitions (FRC) combines the excitement of sports with the rigors of science and technology. Under strict rules, limited resources, and time limits, teams of six students or more are challenged to raise funds, design a team “brand,” hone teamwork skills, and build and program robots to perform prescribed tasks against a field of competitors. It’s as close to “real-world engineering” as a student can get. Girls get to learn from professional engineers, build and compete with a robot of their own design, learn and use sophisticated software and hardware, compete and cooperate in alliances and tournaments, and qualify for nearly $14.8 million in college scholarships. 

GSCTX sponsors the Lady Cans FRC team in Austin. For more information about this team please email frc2881@gmail.com.

SCUBA Divers

Grade levels: Cadette, Senior, Ambassador

Interested in protecting the oceans and aquatic life? Want to journey into the underwater world? Join the Girl Scouts Scuba Divers, a group for certified divers and those planning on obtaining their scuba certification.

Through land, pool, and open water adventures, you will:

• Conquer new tasks
• Discover the habits of unique creatures
• Experience new adventures
• Explore dives that appeal to your interests
• Sample new activities
• Try new equipment
• Extend your abilities to go beyond an entry level diver’s limits

Certified instructors from the Professional Association of Diving Instructors will organize and supervise activities to aid in exploring the local and surrounding diving environments.

For more information, contact SCUBA Divers.

Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) Queens

Grade levels: All grade levels*

STEAM Queens is a special interest Girl Scout troop located in San Angelo. This troop does not host structured, traditional troop meetings, and the majority of girl participation will be through STEAM-themed planned activities and programming.

STEAM Queens partners with the Tom Green County Library, Angelo State University, and Texas Association of Minorities in Engineering to ensure quality programming. This troop will attempt, annually, to set/break the Guinness Record for the largest all-girl STEAM troop K-12 in the state of Texas.

*Not all activities are open to all levels. Please refer to the STEAM Queens event calendar to note which programs are designed for specific levels.