ROBERT PIERCE
• Leader & Times
Girl Scout numbers in Southwest Kansas are on the rise, including those in Liberal, and Troop Engagement Specialist Michelle Daniels said she is looking to improve on what she sees as an already amazing local troop.
Daniels recently hosted a sign-up event in Liberal, the first of several taking place throughout the fall in the area, and she said Girl Scout officials are focusing much of this year’s recruiting on science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, activities, and letting girls know they can do anything.
“We want them to know they can do science, they can do anything, and they can have fun while they’re doing it,” she said.
Daniels said she has been hitting many of the schools in Southwest Kansas with this year’s science theme, showing young ladies what they are capable of and introducing them to the education part of STEM.
Though Liberal was the first sign-up event of the fall season, Daniels said local Girl Scout troop leader Sarah McIntyre has been getting more members throughout the summer.
“She’s been doing great,” Daniels said. “She’s getting more and more girls.”
Daniels herself was at the KSCB Home Shows during the Five State Free Fair in August, and she will be at the Liberal Chamber of Commerce’s upcoming Duck Race Festival in Light Park with some fun activities for kids and information about Girl Scouts.
Daniels and her daughter, Ashlyn, recently visited New York City through Girl Scouts and the travel education company Explorica. Though she found the trip overstimulating at times, Daniels said it provided much in the way of fun.
“It was a great opportunity because we were able to do it because of the fact we were able to do it because of the support of Girl Scouts, because of the support of her community purchasing the cookies and the fall product,” she said. “That’s how her part of the trip was paid for.”
In addition to Liberal, Daniels has visited Garden City, Sublette, Satanta, Kismet, Plains and Dodge City on her fall recruitment tour, and she said two of her volunteers recently hosted an event in Syracuse. She likewise made a visit to a service unit in Pratt.
Daniels said this year’s cookie sales were fantastic, and she looks for continued success in 2026.
“The girls blew it out of the park,” she said. “They sold way more than what was anticipated, and I think next year’s sales will be even better. We’ll have a new cookie as well.”
Fall Girl Scout product sales have started, and Daniels said a new candy is available this year. She too said 2026 overall is looking great for Girl Scouts.
“We’re doing great things,” she said. “GS-USA is pushing out more and more great activities for us, more education for the troop leaders through a program called GS Learn. They’re even starting to work on trainings that are going to be in Spanish too.”
Daniels said this does not impact all of Girl Scouts, but she is excited about the high impact it will make in Southwest Kansas.
“When we get those troop leaders who are nervous about signing up because of language barriers, it won’t be as big of an issue,” she said.
This, Daniels said, will also help with the push for more diversity in Girl Scouts.
“We’ve always been accepting of everybody,” she said. “We will accept you in whatever color, shape, form you come in, but we need to shout it louder. We are starting to do that, and I love that. While a lot of our communities in the northern part of Kansas aren’t as diverse, Southwest Kansas is. I love that we’re moving in that direction.”
Daniels said there are other means by which young ladies can sign up for Girl Scouts.
“You can always sign up on kansasgirlscouts.org,” she said. “We take girls all the time. We take volunteers all the time. Even if you don’t have a girl to sign up for Girl Scouts, you can still always volunteer. Our requirement is you are safe to be around the girls. We do a background check, but we are always accepting volunteers.”
Daniels said Girl Scout volunteers can teach girls sewing, painting and other activities.
“We are always looking for that,” she said. “You can take them to the zoo or other similar outings. You will see general information flyers in all of the areas at post offices and things like that.”
Daniels said Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland is utilizing QR codes in much of its online registration, and these codes lead to a drop form on the GSKH Web side.
“That drop form will allow you to sign up as a girl, a girl and an adult or just as an adult,” she said. “There’s financial assistance available for everybody who needs it, and KanCare recipients get the benefit of KanCare purchasing the memberships for them.”
