When the Brownie Girl Scout program began in 1926, only girls in the second or third grade could become Girl Scouts. GSUSA believed that few first graders had the reading skills necessary to use the Brownie handbook and other program materials.
As the years passed, however, Councils became interested in extending membership to six-year olds. Officials argued that girls were maturing sooner in the 1960s and, therefore, younger girls should be welcomed to Girl Scouts. Society was changing and Girl Scouts needed to adapt. With more single mothers entering the work force, demands for day care and quality pre-school programs quickly grew. First graders were ready for Brownies.
The current display at the Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital main office looks at different programs for first graders: Pixies, Mini Scouts, and Daisies.
Lake Erie Council (Ohio) and Orange County Council (California) wrote their own programs for girls six and younger. Lake Erie created “Pixies,” while Orange County had “Mini Scouts.”
These programs targeted first graders, but four- and five-year olds were also welcomed.
This post focuses on Pixies, but the two programs were extremely similar.
The Pixie Legend
Just as Brownies have a special origin story, a fairy tale was created for the younger girls. The tale emphasized a love of nature, friendship, and the buddy system.
Once upon a time there was a small gray clearing in a magical forest. Green trees grew all around it and a tiny brook burbled over smooth stones. Little yellow, pink and white flowers stuck their heads up toward the sun. Under one of the tall trees lay a tiny person curled up asleep. Who is it? The small per on stirs in its sleep, throws its arms out, and finally rubs its eyes. Do you know who the tiny person is? It’s a PIXIE!.
And what is a PIXIE? A PIXIE is a magical little girl. This Pixie was a very little girl just like you. Her name was Emora. As soon as Emora awoke, she started thinking about all the beautiful things around her – the trees, the cool water, the smooth stones and the beautiful flowers. The flowers were so pretty that she picked one for a closer look.
Don’t Pick the Daisies
After looking at the flower for a while, the flower began to bend its head down and look very sad. Emora, too, began to be sad. All of a sudden, a Giant Frog appeared.
At first, Emora was afraid. But the frog said “Don’t be frightened little Pixie. I’m a Giant Frog, the biggest frog in the whole world, but I am a gentle giant. I know you are wondering why the pretty flower you picked began to look sad. It looks sad because it is no longer at home in the ground in the soft grass. Now it has no roots to make it strong. But don’t be sad, Emora. I want to give you a very special present.”
The Giant Frog hopped over to the brook and picked up the most beautiful stone Emora had every seen. “Emora,” said the friendly frog, “this is a sharing stone.” “Anyone who has this stone may come again to this magical place. When you go home, please tell your friends about our magical place. Show them the sharing stone, so they, too, can come and share this beautiful place with us.”
Emora thanked the Giant Frog for being so kind to her. Then she promised she would tell her friends about the sharing stone and bring them to the secret place.
Sharing with Friends
Emora’s home was a make-believe land where lots of Pixies lived. At first, Emora didn’t want to share her smooth stone or her secret spot with her friends. She wanted it to be a special place just for her and the friendly frog. But then she remembered that the frog was so kind to share it with her, and she had promised to share her stone with her friends.
When Emora finally got home, she was going to tell everyone about her adventure. But the other Pixies were worried about her because she wandered away by herself. The big fairy who took care of the Pixies was named Leandra. Leandra said to Emora, “Emora, we were all worried about you. You must never go away alone again. It’s lonely to be lost by your elf but with a friend maybe you wouldn’t get lost at all. Besides if you do get lost, there is somebody to talk to.” Emora knew Leandra was right.
Then, Emora told her story about the magical forest and showed everyone the sharing stone. Leandra said they all could go to share Emora’s magical place. The Pixies were very excited and each quickly chose a friend to walk with her. Emora and her friend led the way and all the Pixies laughed and sang. When Emora told them they were getting close, everybody was very quiet and began to tiptoe.
Suddenly, they were at the edge of the forest. There, the friendly Giant Frog was sitting on a big toadstool. He said “I’m so glad you have all come with Emora. Come dance, and I shall sing to you.” The frog sang in his funny voice, and all the Pixies danced around him.
Safety First
Soon they were hungry. The frog stopped singing and showed the Pixies where to dig for roots that they could wash in the clear brook and roast in the hot coals of a fire. Some of the Pixies gathered wood off the ground so that Leandra could build the fire, and others made seats for everyone out of flat rocks. When the flames died down, each Pixie fixed her dinner. As soon as they began to eat, the Pixies said they had never tasted anything so good.
Now the sun was dropping and when the Pixies began to see the moon, they knew it was time to go home. Leandra and the Giant Frog showed the Pixies how to sprinkle water on the dying coals to be sure the fire was out.
As they got ready to leave, the Giant Frog gave each Pixie a sharing stone. Now all the Pixies could come to visit his magical home again.
As the Pixies walked home, the tree frogs were singing, the crickets were chirping, and the pale moon grew brighter. The Pixies danced in the moonlight to the music of the night until it was bedtime. Tired and happy after the special day, they lay down on their bed made of leafy boughs and sweet-smelling ferns and had the most wonderful dreams.
How to Recognize a Pixie or a Mini Scout
Pixies and Mini Girl Scouts did not have official uniforms, but the leader guides suggested a brightly colored tunic or apron, with a pocket. Orange and blue were the most popular, but not the only choices. Spanish Trails Council believed their cute red-and-white checked tunics were the best possible recruiting tools, worn here by Marlene Altaver.
Troops had official numbers and were considered official by councils. Mini Scouts received a patch each year, while Pixies had membership stars with blue disks (purchased from Boy Scout shops!). Mini Scouts had their own mini-badges.
Programs Created by Councils, not GSUSA
GSUSA initially did not approve or advertise the Pixie and Mini Scout programs, but other volunteers and councils soon learned of their existence and wanted to try them.
Nation’s Capital became a Pixie council when Mary Baker, a veteran leader from Springfield, Virginia, asked for permission to create a Pixie troop for her granddaughter and her friends.
She traveled to Ohio to train with Lake Erie Council’s Pixie team.
Mary made her own adult Pixie uniform and later donated it and other Pixie memorabilia to the Nation’s Capital History Center.
GSUSA Acknowledges Pilot Programs
Councils considered these young girls full members in official troops, but GSUSA did not “legitimize” their troops until May 1973.
The November 1974 Leader magazine included an article about Pixies and Mini Scouts, “Our Younger Girl Scouts: What’s Happening Across the Country.”
The success of these programs led GSUSA to extend membership to six-year olds in 1975.
Now attention turned to the younger Pixies and Mini Scouts, who would form the basis of the Daisy program, which launched in 1984.
© 2026 Ann Robertson, writer, editor, Girl Scout historian, but NOT a Girl Scout employee.
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