Daisy Girl Scouts? Any leaders/parents out there?

[Barb D]

I'm being "recruited" to lead DD5's Daisies troop. I haven't said for sure whether I will do it. Does anybody know how much of a time committment this REALLY is? When I did DS's Tiger Cubs years ago I thought it would be a small amount of time, but when you added in mandatory leader meetings, full pack meetings, planning, etc. it ended up being a real time taker. I work full time, have 2 other kids in a variety of activities, and seriously need to exercise (for my health) often.

Tell me I'm being foolish for even considering this. Or that it is so worthwhile that I'll kick myself if I don't.

 

[kasar]

I'm sure you'll find plenty of people on this board and in your community that love being girl scout leaders. I'm not one of them. I too got talked into it (at first as just an assistant but then you know how that goes....) even though I really knew I wouldn't be good at it.

It was a big time commitment (leaders' meetings, planning the activities and trips, working on the badges, buying the supplies, bookeeping, etc.). I would have been happier if I had better parent involvement and if the people in charge (who like to have tons of requirements but no training for those requirements) would have helped me a little. I think if you had those two things it's very doable. For me, it wasn't. I gave it a good try but we decided that scouting wasn't for us and there are lots of alternatives out there.

 

[va32h]

I was a Daisy Troop Leader for my daughter. It was probably not as time consuming as Boy Scouts - the BS program just seems to be stricter all around, IMO - but it did require some time.

I had to attend training sessions, leader meetings. Daisies is not as complicated as other GS levels, since they don't sell cookies or do other fundraising. I collected dues from the girls, and had to keep that money organized, but that was all I had to do in terms of bookkeeping.

Daisies earn petals, each petal representing a part of the Girl Scout pledge. It was left entirely up to me how to construct each petal activity. I did have a handbook with ideas, though.

My troop did not meet every week - just every other week. I think the minimum is to meet once a month, in fact! I also planned some activities that the kids could do on their own time, at home (clean out your closet with mom, and find some toys and clothes you have outgrown that you can donate to our charity of choice. Then tell the troop about it at the next meeting). Stuff like that.

I also had a snack schedule for the parents, so I wasn't in charge of that task.

Unfortunately, GS is always short of volunteers - my daughter didn't even have a troop last year, because no one would volunteer for the job (including me! Last year was a hard year for us. I will probably do it this year.)

 

[Microcell]

I happen to be one of the recruiters that suckers people, I mean encourages people to be leaders.

Here is the deal, Daisies is the best year to do to be able to decide if you like it. You cannot sell cookies (which is a big part of the job in future years), and many activiteis, like camping are out as well. You don't have to deal with very much money, but you do get to help the kids learn the Girl scout law with crafts and activities. That is what the Daisy petals teach.

There are many resources on the web that first year, and the kids are young, so it does not take a ton of work to interest them. The leader book outlines a possible meeting for each petal. Daisy parents usually stick around that first year, so you should have support. It is after that you lose some parent support. Set the expectations high, and they will rise to the challenge.

I also involved my parents from year one by having jobs for each parent to volunteer for, and all my moms (and some dads) do something to help out depending on wilingness and ability. One mom plans the outings, one manages the cookies in Brownies, one keeps record of earning things, etc...

I also that very first Daisy year asked any mom who was comfortable teaching the petals to split up evenly so I have only run as many meetings as about 6 out of ten of my moms. The others offer to be the stay at home contact, or give food for the drives. It makes the parents feel helpful without having to deal with wild kids if it is not thier thing.

You will have to go to your Service Unit meetings once a month in Daisies, and be there for each meeting the girls have. If you get a co leader in the you might not have to be there for each meeting as long as the coleader is a registered girl scout. You probably should be in charge of the checkbook, but you will spend so little that it will be easy with Daisies. I estimate if you split up the teaching of petals, if you have to teach two or so, it may be 3 hours a month of work outside of the meetings, if that.

Good luck, and no I don't regret being a Daisy Leader! I am getting ready for my Brownies to go into Second Grade, so I might not be tired enough to be jaded yet!

 

[Microcell]

I had to attend training sessions, leader meetings. Daisies is not as complicated as other GS levels, since they don't sell cookies or do other fundraising. I collected dues from the girls, and had to keep that money organized, but that was all I had to do in terms of bookkeeping.

You cannot even collect dues in Daisies, you can collect an activity fee from parents ( I collected $20.00 for the year) as needed like once in the beginning and once later on if you need to. They slap your hands at the council if you call it dues! There are strict rules about Daisies because of thier age. You will learn all that at training if you decide to do it.

 

[Mom2Em]

My best advice is to get parents involved, for a few reasons:
1. It relieves pressure from you.
2. They have great ideas for activities.
3. Most importantly, we have found our girls love doing stuff with their parents!!

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

My best advice is to get parents involved, for a few reasons:
1. It relieves pressure from you.
2. They have great ideas for activities.
3. Most importantly, we have found our girls love doing stuff with their parents!!

I agree with this ABSOLUTELY. I didn't have much parent help, and after 5 years of me basically doing everything, I was burnt out and had had enough. By then the girls were moving on to other things, but there were a few who still had interest. I couldn't do it anymore, however.

Good luck, I did have lots of fun with the girls in those younger years.

 

[va32h]

Sorry Microcell, I did the Daisy thing four years ago and didn't even think about not using the word "dues". I didn't mean to mislead.

 

[AmyBeth68]

So much depends on the parents. I personally feel that although I am the leader, the parents should take on some responsibilities. Obviously those who work outside the home would not be required to help at meetings but there are other things they can do. As the years roll on I'm getting burned out...the parents are MUCH LESS available to help and I feel that much is expected of us in terms of service unit meetings, trainings, money management, etc, etc. Don't get me wrong, it can be fun and rewarding. The girls will appreciate you. BUT it is a big commitment IMHO....particularly if you volunteer for other things. Just go into it knowing that you must get help from the parents.

Best of luck!!!

 

[aprilgail2]

I am not a leader, but my daughter was a daisy last year. Her troop met every other week and went on many field trips to different places. They went on a camping trip, they went to the firehouse, a farm, the post office, the library, the supermarket, they had a Saturday bowling day and some other things that they did on weekends, they also did a home depot trip. Otherwise the weeks they had no trips they stayed at the school for their meetings. We sold girl scout cookies at a local supermarket one Saturday, marched in a parade....this year they have much more planned as brownies...we are going on a camping trip the beginning of Oct. I am pretty sure these leaders put a lot of time and effort into all this and I do appreciate them!!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Tell me I'm being foolish for even considering this. Or that it is so worthwhile that I'll kick myself if I don't.

Here is the thing...

Yes, it is time consuming. Yes, it is worthwhile. I did it for 8 years with my older dd. I had alot of special time with her.

I am burnt on it and just cannot do it for younger dd. You have to be a selfless person to contribute your time and energy to it.

 

[grlpwrd]

It definitely works better with co-leader(s) and parental involvement.

Yes, it is time consuming yet worthwhile. There will come a time to pass on the baton and there's nothing wrong with that....

 

[Ratpack]

I tried doing this 2 years ago, when noone would lead my DD's troop. I did have about 5 girls listed. But another small troop and leader wanted to combine. So, we did. She wound up doing most of the work (leg work) since she stayed at home and I worked. But, I did most of the meetings- keeping the girls under control and "busy". She didn't have a handle on this and I teach- so this balanced out.
Our parents really considered it a "babysitting service" for them. Drop offs were early and pick ups were late. We met every other week and about once a month or so for a 'field trip' somewhere.

It is alot of work- especially if you are already involved into other activities and kids too. I would really think it over- commitment, time, money (even though the parents did help some...there were copies, crafts, gas, gifts, etc. to think about- we had some girls that were not able to pay and we compensated for them) .

On the other hand, I enjoyed being around the girls, rewarding to see them earn petals, watching and being a part of my DD...

Weigh it out- do what is best for you and your DD. It might be a co-leadership somewhere out there. Best of luck!

 

[CarolA]

Here is my thought... One NO parent has a great excuse for not helping out... (OK, I did give the mom on bedrest a break LOL!) However, I did a Daisy troop and stayed with them for three years of Brownies (would still be there if I hadn't moved) I work full time and the other leader worked full time... and to make them feel really guilty... I don't have a daughter!


We did lay out the parent rules early. You can stay if you want, but you don't get to play. LOL! Pick up and drop off on time etc... We met after dinner and just skipped that whole Snack thing! Worked fine. However, you have to ask them to do stuff. Once you do it the first time they tend to catch on. When I have had to "intervene" with troops one of the things I discover is that some leaders who complain "on one helps me" don't ever ask and the other moms just assume that "superwoman" has it under control. (Of course there is the group of leaders known as the "I am killing myself for you" those are that complained the loudest, but turned down all help.. since they could do it better LOL!)

However, I agree that the Daisy year is a breeze. Play a game, do a little craft etc... We met twice a month. I really think that more then that is overkill. They don't need field trips etc.... And if you run out of things to do, just give them some crayons and tell them to color you a picture based on whatever petal you are working on.... And don't buy those overpriced aprons they sell the girls. We just did a posterboard and put one petal on it as the group finished!

You have to go to a short training and need someone who is first aid certifited, but knowing first aid is a good skill for any parent!

 

[clh2]

I'm a Junior leader, so maybe I can offer some general advice, but it won't be Daisy specific advice.

If you do meetings right after school, then your meeting might be percieved as a babysitting service.

Unless some parent is on bedrest, or is caring for a critically ill child, spouse or parent, they should not be allowed to not help out.

Different things to get their help on are: maybe have a different parent handle each of the petals, from the planning to the meetings. If you end up doing it all - you'll burn out much faster. Definitely have each parent responsible for a snack at 1 meeting. Have parents help out with the bridging to Brownies activities. Just because you are the one with the training, doesn't mean you should be stuck with all the work. Yes, you do have to be at the meetings, but you can assist a parent running a specific activity.

Depending on how many girls you have, if you need 3 or 4 parents to be at a meeting (I don't recall the safety-wise ratios for Daisy's). Have each parent sign up for a night to volunteer to just be there.

Encourage the dad's to help out. All parents have something to offer. Dad's have a way different perspecitve on things.

Schedule enough meetings so that the girls don't lose interest, and don't schedule too many that you drive yourself crazy.

There is a lot of information out on the internet. Don't try to reinvent the wheel. (There are some great sights for Jr. badges - I just wasn't a leader then.) Maybe find a Brownie leader from your school that was a daisy leader last year. If you run into her at school, try to get some info from her. What worked for her, what didn't etc.

As far as supplies, talk to your service unit manager, or your school coordinator. See if there are any older troops that are disbanding, and by any chance if they have some leftover supplies they wouldn't mind donating to your new troop. For example - eventhough our troop is not disbanding yet, we have a blundt of blunt-end scissors, crayons, and other craft-related supplies that we will never use again. I am going to see if I can hook up with the Daisy leader and donate them. It gets them out of my house, and allows them not to have to purchase them.

The girls can be a lot of fun. Make them clean up after themselves - teach them this early!

Unfortunately, from the leader perspective, GS is all about the rules and the paperwork. If you follow the rules, you'll be in great shape! And, while I may mock the rules from time-to-time, I will follow them. I think my worst moment was one of the parents (who I had know for 4 years at this point) questioned my ability to make sure that I had 1 seatbelt for each girl for a trip we were taking. DUH! My husband and I had been looking into an umbrella liability policy about then, and I made darn sure it was in place before we went on the outing.

I don't mind being the leader, but it is way on my schedule, as over the last year, I was working 50-60 hours a week.

Good Luck

 

[CarolA]

I am not a leader, but my daughter was a daisy last year. Her troop met every other week and went on many field trips to different places. They went on a camping trip, they went to the firehouse, a farm, the post office, the library, the supermarket, they had a Saturday bowling day and some other things that they did on weekends, they also did a home depot trip. Otherwise the weeks they had no trips they stayed at the school for their meetings. We sold girl scout cookies at a local supermarket one Saturday, marched in a parade....this year they have much more planned as brownies...we are going on a camping trip the beginning of Oct. I am pretty sure these leaders put a lot of time and effort into all this and I do appreciate them!!

OH NO!

This is NOT what Daisy's are about.. One Daisy's do NOT under ANY circumstances sell cookies!!! strike one... Sorry, but someone in the local council dropped the ball big time here.. Daisy's also don't camp. Both of these should never have happened. Please don't let this scare off any other potential leaders.

The GS organization has a "progession" plan. That means Daisy's do little things and Seniors do big things (like go to Europe) It also helps the girls grow and plan thier activites. Daisys didn't Plan a trip to the firehouse, Home Depot etc... the leader did. All that does is make more work for the leader. Plus what do these girls do as Brownies... Go to Disney I don't think so! I met a Daisy leader like this in training.... Turned out she had previosly been a boy scout leader. (Of course she also thought that things like the number of required adults, seat belts etc. were also optional... she kept telling me "Boy Scouts' don't require chaperones... I finally told her that if "boy scouts" were so much better GO!)

 

[BessVa]

CaroleA - while I in general agree with most of what you've written about Daisys, I have to point out that they can camp. According to Safetywise, page 47, "Daisy Girl Scout travel activities include local field trips (up to a day long) and overnight camping trips with family members."

Of course, then we can get into an interesting discussion of how that works with fathers (men) and the need to follow those Safetywise rules and whether the two-unrelated adult rule has to be followed and how LOL

 

[indigoxtreme]

All I can say is that I found GS wonderful for me and my daughter. I became a leader when the girls were in second grade. (We had just moved and prior to that there were not troops etc to volunteer for). I worked outside the home, inside the home and at GS as well. My daughter and my 20 girls along with a co-leader spent the most wonderful 10 years of our lives. I started oaut with 24 girls and ended with 20. I would have probably had all 24 except they had to move out of town. LOL My girls earned their silver award and some earned their gold. My daughter and I became (I think alot closer) because of scouts. Our area had special leader daughter activities once a year for us etc. She is now 28 and married with two little girls of her own. She asked me the other day if I wanted to do scouts again. I of course said yes.....So I guess next year there will be a new Daisy Troop here. I was in scouting myself until the 10th grade and we moved. There was no older troop for me at the time so I could go no further. You can make it the most wonderful time of your life and another opportunity to spend those precious years with your little one. My son is 6 years younger and we also did the cub scouts. I was a parent volunteer for that. Yes I had some great parents to help out. But the key was to ask them, once this was done many started volunteering. Toward the end of our scouting I also was a Service Unit Director for 600 girls. I was runnign crazy but had the time of my life. Hope you have a great time.

 

[AmyBeth68]

indigoxtreme....you sound like a WONDERFUL leader!

I agree that it can be so rewarding....and it suits some people perfectly. Those girls were lucky to have you. Congrats on getting involved again .

I will stay with my DDs troop one more year....then my younger daughter wants me to be her leader. It seems like it might be time to pass the baton to another parent next year but I'm concerned because I really doubt that none of the parents of the other 16 girls will be willing to help. That is where it gets frustrating . I needed a co-leader due to the size of our troop and not one of them volunteered. I've set up volunteer charts and unfortunately some....definitely not all....but some of the parents have completely shirked their one responsibility for the year. Whether that be volunteering at a meeting, helping with a party or field trip, etc. It can be discouraging.

Kudos to all the other leaders and parent volunteers out there. You all deserve a big cheer .

 

[aprilgail2]

I needed a co-leader due to the size of our troop and not one of them volunteered. I've set up volunteer charts and unfortunately some....definitely not all....but some of the parents have completely shirked their one responsibility for the year. Whether that be volunteering at a meeting, helping with a party or field trip, etc. It can be discouraging.

Kudos to all the other leaders and parent volunteers out there. You all deserve a big cheer .

My daughters troop never asked for any volunteers...they have 3 co-leaders and they seem to take care of everything. I would help out some if I could but the meetings are after school at 320 (they have to be held in the school or another public place, not allowed to do them at anyones house or anything like that and I am happy about that, I would never let her join if they met at peoples houses) and they last until 430 or so...I just get out of work at 4 and get home in time to pick her up....even for most of the field trips I have to arrange with another mom for someone to take her on them (which means I also have to arrange to get her car seat to them prior to that too).