MONROE — Girl Scouts of Wisconsin – Badgerland Council invites girls in kindergarten through 12th grade to attend a Girl Scout kick-off event from 6 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 9 at Monroe Middle School.

Girls interested in learning more about the organization can spend an hour participating in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) activity, similar to certain opportunities offered through Girl Scouts. Parents will learn about how to join, how troops are formed and how to get involved as troop co-leaders or volunteers.

Families from all communities are invited to attend; this event is not exclusive to those attending the Monroe School District. Pizza and refreshments will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

For more details about the event and to RSVP, visit GirlScoutsMonroe.Eventbrite.com. Families who want to join Girl Scouts but cannot attend the kick-off can connect with Badgerland Girl Scouts for more information: info@gsbadgerland.org or 800-236-2710. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify for the state’s Free and Reduced Price Meals program.

Girl Scouts of Wisconsin — Badgerland Council serves 23 counties in south-central and southwest Wisconsin, as well as Houston County in Minnesota and Allamakee County in Iowa. Its service centers are in Madison, Janesville, Platteville and La Crosse.

Girl Scouts is the premier leadership organization for girls in America, developed around time-tested and research-backed programming. The Girl Scout Leadership Experience centers around STEM, the outdoors, development of life skills, and entrepreneurship.

Studies by the Girl Scout Research Institute prove that the all-girl, girl-led organization helps girls thrive in five key ways: developing a strong sense of self; seeking challenges and learning from setbacks; displaying positive values; forming and maintaining healthy relationships; and identifying and solving problems in the community.