Girl Scouts in the Vietnamese Community: Empowering Youth and Preserving Culture

The Importance of Girl Scouts Within the Vietnamese Community: Empowering Youth, Strengthening Families, and Preserving Culture

In Vietnamese communities across the United States, Girl Scouts has become a powerful platform for leadership development, cultural preservation, and family connection. Through the Girl Scout program, Vietnamese youth are discovering their voices, embracing their heritage, and building skills that will serve them for a lifetime.

Here in Northern California, more than 50 Girl Scouts of all levels and their families gathered together under the stars at Camp Hidden Falls for an unforgettable weekend of learning, camping, and sisterhood deemed Friendship Camp.

The weekend was packed with activities that combined STEM, survival skills, and teamwork. Campers took part in everything from using a compass and learning how to open coconuts to crafting candy sushi and painting rocks. Most importantly, Girl Scouts and their families got to connect with each other in the great outdoors.

Better Together

One of the most rewarding aspects of the weekend was the enthusiastic involvement of parents. Many stepped into leadership roles, guiding activities and encouraging the youth along the way. Involvement in activities like this strengthens the parent-child bond, fosters trust, and allows parents to witness their children’s growth firsthand.

Kim Tran accompanied her two daughters, a Girl Scout Cadette and a Brownie, to the weekend.

“The weekend meant good friends, learning, teamwork, and bonding. I truly value all the activities and the friendships this camp brought. The kids had so much fun, made new friends, and created great memories,” Kim said. “Events like this build stronger connections between troops, foster leadership skills in Girl Scouts, and create a supportive community where everyone can learn from each other. They give the girls courage to try new things and inspire us leaders to keep building meaningful programs for them.”

Girl Scouts offers parents, particularly immigrant parents, a bridge to the broader American community. Through Girl Scouts, they connect with other families, build support networks, and find a sense of belonging in a new cultural landscape.

Girls learn by watching the adults around them, and experiences like Friendship Camp teach them responsibility, collaboration, and critical thinking, all while showing them that their ideas and contributions matter.

Troops serve as community hubs, bringing together families, fostering intergenerational connections, and nurturing a sense of unity and purpose.

Looking Toward the Future

Friendship Camp was not just for current members. This two-night adventure was also an opportunity for prospective Girl Scout families to get an inside look into what the program offers. For these families, it was their first real look at what it means to be a Girl Scout, and how rewarding and accessible volunteering can be.

Several new families decided to officially join the Girl Scouts, inspired by what they saw and experienced over the weekend. Many parents left with a newfound appreciation for the program and a desire to become more involved in leadership roles.

Camp Director, Maggie Nguyen, was excited for the opportunity to lead the weekend.

“I love the Girl Scouting movement and the ideals we stand behind,” she said. “Girls from different troops could mingle and make new friends. I saw new friendships blossoming in this camp. I’m thankful for the council support to make events like this happen.”

As Vietnamese-American communities grow and evolve, the need for culturally grounded leadership education becomes even more important. Girl Scouts of Northern California helps develop youth who are confident, capable, and community-minded. Many former Girl Scouts go on to become mentors, professionals, and advocates who give back to their communities in meaningful ways.

A Legacy Worth Supporting

Girl Scouting continues to make a profound impact in the Vietnamese community, offering a place where girls can thrive, families can grow closer, and culture can be celebrated. It’s not just about earning badges, it’s about building character, creating connections, and shaping future leaders who are proud of their heritage and ready to make a difference.

In a world that often challenges identity and belonging, Girl Scouts gives Vietnamese girls the tools and confidence to stand tall, dream big, and lead with heart.

In every sense, Friendship Camp was more than just a weekend getaway—it was a celebration of community, connection, and the empowering journey of Girl Scouting. For those who attended, it was an unforgettable experience that deepened bonds, built confidence, and planted the seeds for future adventures.

For more information on other AAPI activities, contact lluu@gosnorcal.org. To join Girl Scouts or volunteer click here!

September 05, 2025