Scouts at FORA: An opportunity for students to learn new skills

BY: Trinity Maze and Lucas Wagner, FORA Communication Interns

Over the past year, FORA welcomed the establishment of Girl Scouts and Scouts of America troops, which now host programming for more than seventy students in FORA's educational center. Within only a few months, these partnerships have already made a notable impact centered around leadership, belonging, and skill building. 

Girl Scouts, founded in 1912, is a nationwide organization that empowers girls through leadership, community service, and hands-on learning. Its century-long mission aligns naturally with FORA’s commitment to supporting refugee youth as they grow, learn, and lead. FORA first connected with Girl Scouts in fall 2025, and the relationship quickly grew into a meaningful partnership founded on inclusivity and opportunity.

FORA's Junior Girl Scouts troop, Feb. 2026.

“Forming a Girls Scouts troop gives our community an opportunity to grow together,” Giulianna Larson, FORA Chief Public Relations Officer, said. 

Through shared experiences, the girls build confidence, explore new activities, and support one another. Programming plans include cookie-selling strategies, monthly badges, a future overnight trip, and culturally grounded activities like sewing, henna, celebrating Eid, and adapting traditional Girl Scouts songs. 

The Troop has proved to be a space where girls can discover new passions, gain confidence, and strengthen their sense of belonging. Through this partnership, FORA students and community members build skills, friendships, and joyful memories that last well beyond their time in the troop.

Scouts learning how to tie a knot, May. 2026.

With the success of the new Girl Scouts Troop, the following partnership with Scouting America seemed only natural. Formerly Boy Scouts of America, Scouting America’s mission is defined by its Scout Oath and Law. Part of the Scout Oath, “to help other people at all times; to keep oneself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight,” evokes character from young scouts that compliments FORA’s mission. 

FORA’s Director of Educational Opportunities, Byron Bell, has led a smooth kickoff of the program with about twenty FORA students and is excited about inviting boys living in the West Ridge neighborhood to join. “Scouting America is unique: we want our boys to feel empowered and to take this seriously,” he said. “Most importantly we want them to learn a certain set of leadership skills.” 

Scouting will help bolster FORA’s mission by providing hands-on engagement opportunities for students. Through Scouting, they will learn more about leadership skills, gain supplemental educational value and collaborate with more people within and outside of their community. 

“We want students to learn how to be a positive part of their community,” Bell said. "And that is exactly how Scouts promotes FORA’s mission: it empowers young students to become self-sufficient, while promoting their community as a whole."

If you are interested in getting involved as a Troop Volunteer, reach out to Yasmeen (yasmeenar@refugeefora.org) for more information about Girl Scouts, or Byron (Byronb@refugeefora.org) for more information about Scouting America.