Brownie Girl Scout moms

[Pembo]

What kinds of things does your troop do other than regular meetings?

 

[stsomewhere]

My DD-8 (3rd grade) troop goes on an outing once a month.( She has been with this troop since kindergarten)
Dec.-we went to a local pool
Jan.- science musuem and roller skating

Here are some of the things I can remember: a pottery night, gymnastic overnight, camping at our local girl scout camp, horseback riding, try it workshops, bowling, bounce house, ice skating, picnic, petting farm, zoo, glo in the dark mimi golf, build a bear workshop, went and saw STomp, went to Ringling bros circus, overnight Graet wolf lodge, overnight another waterpark hotel, Imax movie, dog show, wallyball, nature center with class.

I am sure there a more. I just can't think of any.
This year for their trip we are going to Michigan Adventures and staying overnight.

 

[Magic Mom]

When I was a leader, we met 3 times a month and had one field trip a month. Our scheduled meeting usually consisted of badge-work, and planning/business time (the girls helped run the troop). Sometimes at the beginning of a meeting they would vote to have a "free night." On those nights we would forget badge work and instead play games, sing songs, and go outside to walk in the fields next door. They loved free night. If I could I would try to squeeze in some games or songs that would meet some badge requirements.
For our field trips we did things like nature walks in the local park, campfire night in my back yard, council sponsored activities like cheerleading workshop, etc. We also went on several camping trips to the council camps and a few overnights to places like the science museum and the zoo. It was exhausting.

 

[piglet too]

In November we did an over-night at a Children's Museum. Next month we are doing an over-night at a camp. We will plan meals with the girls and cook together while we are there. Plus, have fun in the snow.

We have also done an outing to see "Princess and the Frog" and to a hockey game.

 

[LaraK]

We're second year Brownies. We switch up meetings between try-it work and games nights. Our girls love to socialize with each other and we do games that promote teamwork and support. We meet twice a month. As a part of out try-it's we also do a lot of service projects. We also attend council events...just did the Brownie Olympics last weekend. Thinking day next month. Powder Puff Derby the following month. Camping in April/May. We'll enter a parade in May...that sort of thing.

We have a big troop, so we have to watch how we plan things. It can sometimes feel like herding cats.

 

[Sgt Mickey]

We went to disney on ice. Last week we did walking with the dinosaurs. We had an over night at the air and space museum.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

I've been a leader for 8 years. Here are some of the things we've done:
waterpark, pumpkin farm, restuarant tour, newspaper tour, bowling, theater, camping, shopping for operation christmas child, cooking class, tumbling/fitness class, zoo trip with animal class.

 

[mykidsand_i]

bowling, meals in minutes (cooking, learning about food safety and prep), science museum, zoo, we host a 'movie morning' event each year where we 'rent' the theater and invite other troops to join us for $7 per person- it's a great morning and TONS of people come! beadIT- crafting store and activity center in town, pizza with papa event- each girl brings their dad or grandpa and they go out for pizza and play games. Apple orchard, we've hosted a carnival night and invited other troops (the older girls run the games and give out little prizes/candy, the younger girls play the games)..."sister troop" night. a troop joins us to make cards for retirement homes/nursing homes- we've also done it for troops...
Snow sledding down a local hill, ice skating, swimming, picnic in the park with a 'treasure hunt'...Visit the local art museum, post office, bakery, We've gone to our local pizzaria and the girls have each been taught how to 'fling dough' and make it into pizza crust. Then, they topped their pizzas with what they chose and watched them bake in the pizza oven.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Wow, you guys are really active. I feel like such a slacker.

Anyway, when we were Brownies we actually went to Petco. They did a nice presentation about different animals. Girls got to touch some, etc. This was FREE! One month we went to Justice (the clothing store). They taught the girls about how they need to stock shelves, showed them the back, spoke about the problems of shoplifting and how it affected the prices, then the girls each got to pick an outfit, they pushed the racks back and they had a fashion show. Of course they had to leave the outfits. The girls loved it!!! We also just did a Dance badge at our local dance studio (again for free). They did an amazing event for us!!

We've done overnights at the zoo, the aquarium and this year we are doing Beach Jam which is a big scouting event on the Jersey shore.
I made my own rule, which all my parents love, that we will not spend troop money on something you can do with your parents. Which means - no more Build a Bear, no Great Wolf Lodge, no Disney on Ice. Sorry but there are so many fabulous things that you can do with scouting that you can't do with your parents. Next year I'm going to convince them they want to sleep on the Battleship NJ. I'm quite persuasive. I would also like them to start fundraising/saving money for the 100th anniversary celebration in Washington DC. They did a big one for 95th so I would there will be a big one for the 100th!!

 

[Pembo]

Thanks for all the replies, now the vent. DD is a brownie and the spring schedule just came 1 meeting a month. Thats' it. The leader also has another troop of 5th graders, and they are doing a lock in and a campout and she said that our girls could go if they wanted but the events were really for the older girls.

I'd like to see the girls have more activities...read, fun things to do. And I agree with Eeyore, activities they can't do with their parents, more field trip type stuff.

I'm trying to find the best way to suggest to the leader that we do more...but I don't want to step on toes.

 

[Magic Mom]

Thanks for all the replies, now the vent. DD is a brownie and the spring schedule just came 1 meeting a month. Thats' it. The leader also has another troop of 5th graders, and they are doing a lock in and a campout and she said that our girls could go if they wanted but the events were really for the older girls.

I'd like to see the girls have more activities...read, fun things to do. And I agree with Eeyore, activities they can't do with their parents, more field trip type stuff.

I'm trying to find the best way to suggest to the leader that we do more...but I don't want to step on toes.

Some options...

Volunteer to plan, organize and chaperone. Tell the leader that your daughter is interested in doing more activities, and that you would be happy to help the troop make that happen. If she is agreeable, plan to meet with the girls, discuss their interests, research (the council website will have lots of info), meet with the leader to discuss your ideas, then with the girls so they can decide. Then recruit parents to help, and go for it. Undestand you may need some training from the council.

Option 2

Become a leader. That's what I did. I knew what kind of scouting experience I wanted DD to have, so I volunteered to lead a troop.

Option 3

Have dd become a Juliette and then take her to council sponsored activities.

 

[descovy]

Could she use more help? Troops should have 2 leaders...not just one... and I've known several who have 3. Don't step on toes... offer to help! Maybe you could be an "events coordinator" (my middle child's troop has 2 leaders plus an events coordinator, while my other 2 children have 3 leaders in each troop to share the load.

Is it a money issue? In our troops we have the girls finance their own troop activities through nut and cookie sales. The more you make, the more you can afford to do!

And if she doesn't want your help, and finances aren't the issue, maybe consider joining (or even starting!) a new troop. Don't have to make her feel bad... just say "Tuesdays" (or whatever day) no longer work for you.

But no, calling to complain, probably won't go over very well. She is a volunteer, (sometimes you get what you pay for). Put yourself in her shoes, how would you handlethe criticism in a position where you are giving your time and effort for free? Trust me, it wouldn't take much to make one say, "oh, I quit!"

You can be part of the solution, though!

 

[Tinkerbelle's Mom]

I am a leader and have been for several years. I can tell you that there is a lot more that can be done as brownies.

We go on hikes, campouts, overnights, field trips, council acitivites, have meetings, do community service at our school, and have a good time!! It averages out to two meetings and one activity a month. We are currently planning an overnight in Sea World, San Diego. The girls are very excited.

Each troop is different and is run differently. I would volunteer to plan some of the things you are interested in seeing the troop do.

I had one mom really jump down my throat complaining about our Spring Schedule. I calmed her down and explained that since no one volunteered to be our cookie mom I had to do it so we could afford to go to Sea World. SInce I was doing both jobs I did not have the time to plan extravagent field trips.

The mom refused to run the cookie sale but did volunteer to plan some activities and meetings during that time. So what started out as a bad situation (it really ticked me off the way she lit into me) ended up working out well.

Just remember that your leader is a volunteer.

 

[Pembo]

I am trying to volunteer however I've met resistance. I offered to have a Halloween costume party for the girls and their families. I did all the work, happily, and paid for everything. I did get one of the other moms to help me with crafts (she's a friend as well as a brownie mom).

The leader seemed to me to be on edge that she wasn't in control. I got the sense that she likes the control. But I could be totally mistaken. She was also very insistent that I give her my receipts and she would reimburse my expenses. I didn't, this was my idea and that $30 wasn't going to break me. The girls and families had a great time!

As for the assistant leader, I'm not sure there is one or if there is, it's unspoken. I am a registered mom.

I like the idea of volunteering to be the events coordinator. We have a meeting on Friday and I'll try to talk to her then. I do think she is overwhelmed and could use the help.

And by the way, I'm not complaining, I want to help. And I have a plan B...another one of dd's friends moms asked if we were in Brownies bc she has a troop. They are doing alot more stuff. I'd rather help make our troop better rather than just bail.

Any more suggestions, I'll be checking in...

 

[Magic Mom]

I am trying to volunteer however I've met resistance. I offered to have a Halloween costume party for the girls and their families. I did all the work, happily, and paid for everything. I did get one of the other moms to help me with crafts (she's a friend as well as a brownie mom).

I think your approach is off. Instead of telling her what activity you want to do, ask her what activity you can do that works with the progam she is running. It takes a lot of work to lead a troop, meetings, and trainings, and paperwork and lots of rules. It can be stressful. So when a parent says hey, I am planning a party for the troop, this is the date , let everyone know, I can see how a leader might be annoyed. (Not saying that's how you handled it.)

Hopefully, you get it all straightened out. But remember, it is about the girls and what they want not what we as parents want.

 

[LaraK]

My co-leader and I would LOVE an event coordinator. We spend hours and hours planning and executing things for the girls. It would be so wonderful if someone else could collect the permission slips and money and plan the budgets. Often these activities are occurring during the chaos of the pre/post meeting time.

Also, offer to go to the training and you can coordinate money earners for the girls to do bigger trips. I have a million ideas for easy and profitable money earners that I just don't have the time to execute...we're working on a couple of our parents to help out with events now, but they know how big of a time commitment it can be and their wary.

 

[descovy]

Check also, the pulse of the parents in the troop.

I'll fess up... I lead my youngest's Daisy troop. I co-lead my oldest's Junior troop. But my Brownie begged me last year to be in her bff's troop, so she joined an existing troop. (Run by someone else)

As Daisies last year it felt like a glorifyied playdate, honestly. I thought once in Brownies it would be better (knowing first hand what Brownies can do) But now in Brownies, I *see* where they could be doing so much more.

They meet twice a month for one hour. If you include snack, that's like 45 min. I try suggestions sometime,s but I have to try waay hard not to step on toes as a know-it-all.

But you know what? The parents in the troop are happy with the way things are run. They are all crazy busy and the thought of meeting *more* or doing *more* just isn't in the cards. So be it. That's the vibe of the troop. Each troop is different.

So do catch the vibe of the troop. Because if you can't get parents to volunteer to chaperone, kids are too overscheduled for the field trips, it's pulling teeth to get parents to fill out the required permission slips, or the girls aren't interested in what you are planning... it wont work.

(and please, let Brownies help in the event planning, especially if you are spending their money. Spend it prudently too. $20 doesn't seem like much, until you realize it takes about 40 boxes of cookies to earn $20!)

For all the Brownies who love to go camping and can cook over a campfire, I have Juniors that complain about bugs, heat, wind, if we just try to have a meeting in a city park. But these girls are all over service projects! Washing windows, setting up community festivals, etc., etc., It's what they choose to do. They also *love* science. Horseback riding, notsomuch. Someone could plan a campout for these girls, but it would be like pulling teeth. Instead, these girls make Girl Scouting mean something to them by planning their own activities. We leaders, just do the legwork (scheduling, driving, chaperoning) required to make it happen

 

[LisaNJ25]

Thanks for all the replies, now the vent. DD is a brownie and the spring schedule just came 1 meeting a month. Thats' it. The leader also has another troop of 5th graders, and they are doing a lock in and a campout and she said that our girls could go if they wanted but the events were really for the older girls.

I'd like to see the girls have more activities...read, fun things to do. And I agree with Eeyore, activities they can't do with their parents, more field trip type stuff.

I'm trying to find the best way to suggest to the leader that we do more...but I don't want to step on toes.

Talk to the leaded and see if she needs help and see if you can step up.

I have a daisy troop, a junior troop and I am about to possible take over a brownie troop that we are having issues with the leader. I am also a service unit manager that covers 3 towns.

With the Brownie troop the leader is failing in part because she cannot get anyone to step up and help her. It is a real shame.

I wonder if her 5th grade troop is working on their bronze award.. mine is and iT is a lot of work and takes up a lot of time. She may welcome the help.

Also get involved with your service unit.. see what kinds of activities they are attending. I find sometimes you have leaders that don't pass the info on to their girls because they dont want to go to a specific event, that doesn't mean you cant take your daughter.

I dont think a meeting once a month is enough.. especially when brownies used to be 3 years. Is she working on try-its? Even my Daisies meet 2 times a month and my juniors meet weekly.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

You know I really second the notion of getting the pulse of the other parents. My girls are too busy doing other things. If I stuck extra activities (at times other than meeting times) my parents would flip out. I have one that is extremely vocal and to be honest its a pain in the ***.

I tried to take them hiking and to the local GS camp. You would have thought that I had proposed taking them to a strip club and teach them pole dancing. Seriously, I had half the troop not show up because they didn't want their snowflakes to experience the out of doors. Umm, I live in Central Jersey. My area is surrounded by farms. The local camp is only 15 minutes away on 152 beautifully, wooded acres.

So anyway, my long, drawn out point was this: Just because you think they should be doing more doesn't mean that every parent feels the same way. Mine would HATE it!!!