Girls across Ohio are bright, capable, and resilient, but many are also navigating serious challenges.
The 2025 Ohio: State of the Girl Report, a collaborative effort from the Girl Scout councils serving Ohio, takes a close look at the social, emotional, academic, and physical well-being of girls across the state.
The findings highlight both concern and hope.
One of the most pressing issues facing girls today is mental health. More than half of Ohio girls in grades 9–12 report feeling persistently sad or hopeless, and many say accessing mental health support can be difficult. Social pressures, especially online, can make things even harder. Cyberbullying and negative experiences on social media are common, and these experiences can take a real toll on a girl’s confidence and well-being.
School engagement is another challenge. While girls graduate from high school at strong rates, many report struggling with attendance and academic stress. Physical wellness also presents concerns, with relatively few girls meeting recommended levels of daily physical activity.
Yet the report also tells a powerful story of resilience.
Girls continue to achieve academically, pursue leadership opportunities, and work toward their goals. What they need most are supportive communities and programs that help them build confidence, develop skills, and navigate challenges.
That’s where Girl Scouts comes in.
Across Ohio, Girl Scout programs are designed to support girls at every stage of their development. Through hands-on activities, outdoor adventures, and leadership experiences, girls build the confidence and life skills they need to thrive. Girl Scout troops and camps create safe spaces where girls can form meaningful friendships and connect with trusted mentors.
Programs focused on mental wellness help girls develop coping strategies, practice mindfulness, and build emotional resilience. Outdoor experiences, from hiking and canoeing to overnight camping, encourage physical activity and help girls reconnect with nature while building confidence.
Leadership opportunities are also a cornerstone of the Girl Scout experience.
Through community service projects and the prestigious Gold Award, the highest achievement in Girl Scouting, girls identify problems in their communities and lead projects that create lasting change. These experiences don’t just benefit the girls participating today. They help shape the next generation of leaders, innovators, and community builders.
The 2025 Ohio: State of the Girl Report serves as both a snapshot and a call to action. When communities invest in programs that support girls’ wellbeing, leadership, and growth, the impact reaches far beyond individual girls; it strengthens families, schools, and entire communities.
Girl Scouts across Ohio remain committed to ensuring that every girl has the opportunity to discover her strengths, build her voice, and lead with confidence. Because when girls succeed, everyone benefits.
Hear more about the STEM programs at Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland in these Looking Forward Our Way podcasts:
https://lookingforwardourway.com/the-stem-leadership-center-a-hub-for-girl-scouts-and-community-learning/
https://lookingforwardourway.com/girl-scouts/
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