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The term "Brownie" has multiple meanings. In folklore, a brownie is a helpful elf that performs services at night. Within the Girl Scouts of the United States of America, a Brownie is a member typically in the second and third grades. An adult leader of a Brownie pack is referred to as a "brown owl".123

Brownies, as part of the larger Girl Guides and Girl Scouts movement, focus on training girls in good citizenship, conduct, and outdoor activities. They promise to follow a code of behavior, engage in community service, and develop skills through earning proficiency badges. A well-known aspect of their activities is the annual sale of cookies to raise funds for their council and activities.24

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