Are you missing your troop and want to attempt a virtual Girl Scout meeting? Here are tips on how to do it successfully.
We are in Week Five in my area of staying at home. Like most parents, I was feeling overwhelmed by it all-school, my job, caring for my mom. While my children are older, it does not mean that it is any easier.
With the “new normal” firmly in place, many leaders are now trying to figure out how to attempt a virtual meeting with their Girl Scout troop. After reading many posts on Facebook about how they are going, I am going to share the best practices that I have gleaned.
Tip 1 For Hosting a Virtual Girl Scout Meeting
Find Your Meeting Place
There are different platforms where you can host your meeting. There are Google Hangouts, which older kids are accustomed to using with school (my son’s teacher has one every day for any child who wants to hang out). WebEx is another option leaders use.
If you have everyone’s phone number, you can do a Facetime call that has no time limit. Skype is another way to stay in touch with your troop.
For my school, I have used Zoom. For those who are not teachers, there is a 40 minute time limit, and for younger girls, that can be enough. If you need more time for older girls, set up two consecutive meeting times.
Zoom also has a lot of great things, like Breakout Rooms and Screen Sharing, that you can use when you meet. Online tutorials are offered by the company, and that is how I have learned a lot of what I know.
Just make sure that you follow all of the safety guidelines for Zoom. One of the big ones for my school is that all devices must have a real name that the teacher or I recognize. If we don’t you cannot come into the meeting. Parents are aware of this rule and appreciate the extra safety measures we have taken.
Tip 2 For Hosting a Virtual Girl Scout Meeting
Do What is Right for Your Troop
You know your troop best. My girls are over badge work, so that is something I would not do. If your troop loves to earn badges, then you can do that. Do not compare yourself to other leaders who have had their girls earn badges or do Journeys virtually. Remember, comparison is the thief of joy.
For your first virtual Girl Scout meeting, I would make it all about checking in with the girls. They can take turns sharing what is going on in their life and how they are doing. Depending on their age, the length of your meeting will vary. Older girls have longer attention spans than younger ones.
Tip 3 For Hosting a Virtual Girl Scout Meeting
Structure
Children thrive on structure, and during this pandemic, that has been thrown out the window. For girls who can read, you may want to write a short syllabus or outline of the meeting so they know what to expect. for example:
4:00 Greetings
4:10 Pledge of Allegiance, the Girl Scout Promise and Law.
4:15-Tell the girls what the activity is and start it. Use a timer if necessary to keep everyone on track. Just remember to make your meetings as interactive as possible.
What if my girls just want to talk and not do the activity I had planned?
Then that is fine! You are ahead of the curve, as many leaders are struggling to get their troop engaged. You are seeking communication and connection, not badges. There will be time for badge work when this is all over.
Do you have any tips that you can share?
