This could be the start of something great!
I've been having a (silent) philosophical difference of opinion with the current leaders of my daughter's Girl Scout troop. They're great people - we're not of different opinions there! But I think my idea of what Girl Scouts can be is a little overwhelming and too much to consider for them. But there is no way I would expect the leaders to change the way they do things! So, I decided to start my own troop this fall.
Do you know what Girl Scouts is all about? Oh, I know what you're thinking - the 3 C's. Cookies, camping, & crafts. While Girl Scouts CAN do those things, that's not really what Girl Scouts is all about. At least in my book. It took a lot of research, and quite a bit of soul searching to figure that out.
Instead, I have embraced the REAL 3 C's of Girl Scouts: Courage, Confidence, Character. Isn't that what we want for our daughters? To be courageous in the face of the unknown, to have confidence in herself and her ability, and to maintain her ideals to the highest moral character. How do you pull that off, exactly?
Girl Scouts has the answer with the Girl Scout Program. The 4 Program Goals are:
Relating to Others
Contributing to Society
Developing Values
Developing Self-Potential
See, for me and my daughter, I would like a focus on the learning, leadership, responsibility, and selflessness that the goals represent. How do I provide that to a troop of 5 thru 12 years olds? (Good question! If you have any answers for me, let me know!) I'm holding a Parent Meeting in a week or so to talk with some other Moms about this new troop and it's goals. I'm hoping that I am able to convey my belief in what Girl Scouts can accomplish for our girls. Because, from my vantage point, the sky's the limit!
When I was first tossing around the idea of a new troop, I sat down and focused my energy on what I want. I came up with a Wish List. Some have scoffed at this list because they think it is overly ambitious. Naively, I disagree. I have already witnessed some phenomenal Brownies making decisions that affected the whole troop (20 girls) with alacrity and respect. And they said it couldn't be done!
Anyway, I'd love some input from some seasoned pro's. Here is The Wish List...
A Girl Scout troop should stress the program goals. Supporting the mission statement and the program should be the focus of most meetings.
Badge work should be secondary to the meeting.
1. Spend time on The Law and have the girls talk about each partof the Law and how she can make it a part of her daily life.
2. Have girls determine how many badges they want to earn in ayear as a troop (encourage them to focus on program andlimit badge work to 4 or 5 - but be flexible!).
a. Each girl chooses 2 badges from the book
b. discuss them all as a group
c. Determine as a group which will be done togetherd. Maintain a list of all others suggested – they will be added to the schedule as time permits.
3. Additional badge work can be done at home. Girls should beprovided with a Badge checklist for them to keep a record.
A Girl Scout troop should focus on Service Projects. Have the girls discuss possibilities for a year-long Service Project. Girls can research, present ideas to the troop, and vote on which Service Project the troop adopts.
Ideas:
1. Adopt an Assisted Living Center facility – monthlyvisits, make cards, holiday party, Game Day, Show &Tell, COA
2. Storytelling to younger kids – coordinate with library?
3. Volunteer at Humane Society – collect supplies,promote adoptions
4. Random Act of Kindness – at troop or individual level; be sure to share during circle!
Have the girls choose at least 4 or 5 activities to do as a troop outside the meetings (examples):
Songfest
Sea Turtle
Workshop
KSC GS Day
Women in Engineering
Planetarium Overnight
Nature Hike
Family Picnic/Sports Day
Museum GS Day
Host a tea party
Father/Daughter Dance
Suggest having 2 camping trips a year. One for just the girls, the other for the families. Camporee would be in addition to these, if desired.
The girls determine funds needed to accomplish their goals and activities. Create a budget, choose money-earning activities, set fall product & cookie sale goals. Hold additional money earning projects as needed (car wash, craft sale, etc.). Vote on dues and activity fee annually.
The girls vote on whether their annual GS registration will be paid for by the troop. Will the adult volunteers (Mom’s) be paid for by the troop?
Recognize and celebrate important GS dates:
Juliette Low Birthday
Thinking Day
GS Birthday
The troop members birthdays
The leaders regularly meet with each girl individually (5 minutes at the end of a meeting?) just to touch base on badges being worked on at home, questions about program, goals, larger projects (Junior Aide, Silver Award, etc.)
The girls will create and use a Kaper Chart or “In” and “Out” bags.
Each girl gets a chance to moderate the meetings. Use a “talking stick” so each girl knows who should receive the attention.
The girls will develop a Code of Conduct and sign an agreement to follow it.
The girls can create an opening and closing to the meetings that they like: flag & Promise/Law should be in it. Could also include 1 or 2 songs, sharing time, etc.
The leaders should always participate in the opening circle.
The girls should take ownership of all Investiture, Court of Awards, and Bridging ceremonies. They can create ceremonies that are meaningful and signify the Girl Scout mission. Ceremonies should be practiced, invitations sent, and all the girls should feel ownership. These are AWARDS for their hard work!
The girls will collect & record dues, take attendance, and rotate acting as treasurer.
Give the girls the option of working on a Cultural Awareness Patch each year.
Have a troop Dream Box where each girl can add ideas of what to do as a troop – when in need of ideas, we can dream.
Never make a decision for the girls that they can make for themselves. Never do a job for the girls when they can do it for themselves. Above all, never make the girls do what the leaders have planned because, after all, the girls should have done the planning.
_____________________________________
The Leaders should:
Communicate constantly with parents – handouts to girls at meetings, email, Yahoo group reminders, parents meetings, follow ups if a girl misses a meeting, etc.
Automatically provide each parent with a copy of the Financial Statement completed for the Service Unit 3 times a year.
Be on time and prepared for all meetings.
Participate in all opening and closings at meetings.
Get to know each girl individually.
Recognize strengths and encourage overcoming weaknesses.
Support the girls decisions NO MATTER WHAT. If something they choose will “fail,” let them fail and help them learn from it.
Be democratic and fair.
Ask Mom’s for help if needed – be specific and provide resources inadvance. Follow up.
Meet with new leaders and co-leaders to discuss training and scheduleclasses. DO THIS FOR THEM IF NEEDED.
Provide new leaders with needed resources within 2 weeks: leader manual, training schedule, age-level handbooks.
Organize group orders for needed GS products: uniforms, shirts, books, etc.
Remind the girls of their goals and objectives if they seem to be straying.
Promote Girl Scouting and the troop in the community (newspaper, SUwebsite, etc.)
Treat each girl fairly, with respect, and with the expectation that she contributes a vital part to the troop. Require others to do so as well.
Require each girl to live up to the Girl Scout Law & Promise. Encourage (but not force) her to assume responsibilities and leadership roles within the troop.
Provide a list of Citrus Council GS Program Activities going on in Central Florida for the girls to do on their own (if not doing as a troop)
Keep an updated Yahoo calendar so parents will get automatic updatesand reminders.
Invite sponsors, friends, sister troops, to parties and COA.
