There’s no shortage of girls who want to be in Girl Scout troops in Lincoln County. But the organization needs more volunteer leaders to make sure every girl who wants to be in a troop, can be.

Girl Scouts of Greater Mississippi hosted a registration meeting last week and about 25 to 30 new members joined what was already a thriving program. About eight girls registered online. Last year, nearly 200 girls and 45 adults participated in scouting troops in the Copiah-Lincoln Service Unit, which stretches from Crystal Springs to Bogue Chitto, said Matilda Stephens, membership and community development specialist.

Three volunteers at the registration meeting also signed up to serve as Girl Scout leaders.

But more are needed.

“We never have a shortage of girls who want to be Girl Scouts,” Stephens said. “The problem is, we have a shortage of Girl Scout leaders.”

Registration is $15 for adults interested in volunteering and for girls age 5 to 18 who want to participate in a troop. Registration is also available online at gsgms.org.

Troops can accept members all year long, but Stephens said the sooner girls sign up the better because they’re missing out on fun activities at the weekly meetings. The troops in Lincoln County will also begin their fall fundraising soon, she said.

Stephens said the Girl Scouts is a great leadership organization. “To me, the  biggest benefit of the program is that the program is geared toward instilling leadership in girls,” she said. “If you teach girls leadership skills, you’re not just saying ‘You can be a CEO of a company,’ you’re saying ‘You have positive self esteem.’ Leadership is so much more than just being the person in charge. It’s about how you feel about yourself and how you function in relationships with other people.”

She said Girl Scouts has also become much more centered around science, technology, engineering and math, while also including the arts, in its programs.

“They’re learning skills that benefit them educationally, but they’re fun to do,” she said.

For more information about becoming a Girl Scout or leading a troop, call Stephens at 601-597-7485 or email mstephens@gsgms.org.