In October 2008, I signed up to be my younger daughter’s Girl Scout leader because no one else wanted to be in charge. With two degrees in education and over 20 years of teaching experience, I was up for the job.
Two months would pass before I held my first meeting, primarily because no one told me that I was cleared to meet!
I purchased the Daisy Girl Scout leader guide and to be honest, it did not help me much. I searched the internet for how to run a troop meeting, and the information I found was minimal at best.
While I was able to figure it out on my own, others leaders had a tough time. I know, as I heard other new Daisy leaders talk at my monthly leader meetings. Everyone seemed to be lost!
That is why I decided to start this blog. Leaders, especially new Daisy leaders, needed a place to find the information they were seeking.
It is my hope that I am able to help you!
It is great to meet you! I will list your blog on my Girl Scout Betsy site. I am wanting to learn more about Girl Scouting and the Journey Program this year. Thanks for this helpful site. I can’t wait to explore here more. You are doing a good deed. 🙂
That was my intention!
I’m a brand new leader of a multi-level troop (3 Brownies and 1 Junior). We are doing Quest & Agent of Change…HELP! I have no idea how to start. We’ve had one meeting, used as a get-to-know-you and a craft for the girl scout leader.
First of all, thank you for reaching out to me! I would drop the Journeys and work on badges. Journeys are too hard as a newbie and badgework is easy as there is overlap with the levels and each meeting can be done with an easy lesson plan. Both Juniors and Brownies do First Aid and Girl Scout Way badges, so you can start with those. There is overlap with the Brownie Dancer Badge and Junior Staying Fit badge. Be flexible and so the spirit of the badges to make it easy for you. February is World Thinking Day, so there is another meeting. March is Girl Scout Week. Do not be afraid to use the old programs as well. You can buy old badges on Facebook in Girl Scout groups (I have a blog post on this).
Also check out my other two level specific websites…http://earn-brownie-try-its.blogspot.com/ and http://earn-junior-girl-scout-badges.blogspot.com/
Good luck and I am here to help!
Hi, I’m starting my first full year working with our Daisies in our multi-level troop. I got asked to help since one of the TLs got a new job and could no longer attend meetings. I’m having a hard time working on the journeys, especially since the meetings are right after schools from October to June. I can plan a journey in a day, but none of the parents sign-up and only a few girls attend the outside meeting events. Do you have any suggestions? I have already figured out the financial leaves and the petals, but would like to do a journey in the meetings without feeling like my meeting plan is gasping for their attention. We have moved snacks halfway to the meeting due the to the fact that snack changes their interactions.
Hi Becky, and thank you for stepping up to be the leader!
I never recommend doing a Journey the first year, as it is too difficult. You never have to do a Journey…you only need to do one to earn higher awards, and that starts with the Bronze Award as Juniors. Do not let anyone tell you that Journeys are mandatory…they are optional, especially for Daisy and Brownie Girl Scouts.
Your parents have already told you the answer to your question about doing a Journey in a Day, since events outside of meetings are not well attended, and by the fact that they have not signed up to do it. It is not you, it is them and their schedules and interests. Do not take it personally.
I have a Daisy blog that is all about what you are doing, and I even have meeting plans for your first and second year. You can find everything you need here: http://daisyactivities.blogspot.com/
Do one petal, one leaf at a time and learn your way around being a leader before trying a Journey. Thank you for reaching out and please let me know if I can help you any further!
I just started a junior troop, I would welcome any help, advise or prayers. We haven’t even had our first meeting.
Hi Jamie! Thanks for stepping up and leading a troop. My blog has many posts about doing work with Juniors…just use the search tool. I also have an entire website devoted to earning Junior badges. You can find it here…http://earn-junior-girl-scout-badges.blogspot.com/
Hi,
I am an old (forever young 63) Girl Scout and Leader of a multi-level troop (all levels). I earned my First Class Award which was changed to the Gold Award last year. I would be happy to help answer questions. Don’t be afraid of journeys! Nothing is too hard or impossible for a Girl Scout!
Vicky, thank you for stopping by! How wonderful that you lead a multi-level troop…that is not for the faint of heart! I appreciate your offer and will take you up on it.