Girl Scout Daisies?

[SereneOne]

I was a brownie and girl scout many years ago (over thirty, lol) and I have been hearing something about Daisies now? My daughter starts kindergarten this fall and I would love to have her participate. What does it entail? How expensive is it?

Thanks in advance!

 

[lovesmurfs]

I was a brownie and girl scout many years ago (over thirty, lol) and I have been hearing something about Daisies now? My daughter starts kindergarten this fall and I would love to have her participate. What does it entail? How expensive is it?

Thanks in advance!

Daisies is now pre-Brownie. Registration for GS will be $12/year in 2009/2010 -- we got the registration forms tonight.

The real investment is TIME. There's a limited number of moms willing to serve as leaders, and my daughter's been in mixed age groups since Daisies (she's now a Junior).

 

[SereneOne]

Daisies is now pre-Brownie. Registration for GS will be $12/year in 2009/2010 -- we got the registration forms tonight.

The real investment is TIME. There's a limited number of moms willing to serve as leaders, and my daughter's been in mixed age groups since Daisies (she's now a Junior).

Wow, that is all? I can give time. What do they do? It has been so long. I remember summer day camps that were really fun, earning patches, etc. What do the little ones get to do?

 

[Arielx2]

Wow, that is all? I can give time. What do they do? It has been so long. I remember summer day camps that were really fun, earning patches, etc. What do the little ones get to do?

You will need a leader and a co-leader. If you really want your daughter to be in GS you will probably need to volunteer to be a leader and start a troop. I recommend calling your local GS council and get the process started. There won't be a troop until someone steps up and starts one. If you do it then you and your co-leader will have time to get organized and get your activites together over the summer.

 

[SereneOne]

You will need a leader and a co-leader. If you really want your daughter to be in GS you will probably need to volunteer to be a leader and start a troop. I recommend calling your local GS council and get the process started. There won't be a troop until someone steps up and starts one. If you do it then you and your co-leader will have time to get organized and get your activites together over the summer.

A neighbor whose daughter is a Daisy was talking about it. There is already a Daisy troop here. She just talked about it in passing and knowing that there is such a diverse group of people on the DIS, I figured I would ask since I do not know when I will see my neighbor next.

 

[lovesmurfs]

Wow, that is all? I can give time. What do they do? It has been so long. I remember summer day camps that were really fun, earning patches, etc. What do the little ones get to do?

My dd's troop has never met during the summer -- just during the school year. There are council overnight camps in our area -- not sure about overnight camps. Our council is merging with 5 other ones (things are tough all over). You should google your local GS council and look at their website.

The curriculum is good -- there doesn't seem to be the emphasis on "badges" that there was when I went through (I was in Brownies through Senior), although DD says they work on them. To be a leader there's training you'll need to do as well.

 

[Arielx2]

A neighbor whose daughter is a Daisy was talking about it. There is already a Daisy troop here. She just talked about it in passing and knowing that there is such a diverse group of people on the DIS, I figured I would ask since I do not know when I will see my neighbor next.

Ours is by school and grade. Maybe it's different in other areas.

 

[lovesmurfs]

A neighbor whose daughter is a Daisy was talking about it. There is already a Daisy troop here. She just talked about it in passing and knowing that there is such a diverse group of people on the DIS, I figured I would ask since I do not know when I will see my neighbor next.

It's entirely possible that next year, that troop will be a Brownie troop -- the leaders tend to move up with the girls. It's great that there's activity in your area.

It just seems a lot tougher (and busier!) from when I was growing up. DD is in softball, and it conflicts with GS meetings now. There's some other girls having trouble with soccer conflicts as well.

 

[LV Disney Fan(atic)]

My daughter really enjoyed being a Daisy. They did crafts, sang songs, had field trips. They didn't earn badges but they did get "petals" when they completed certain activities. And most of the girls in her Daisy troop moved up to Brownies together. It was a great way to get her started in Girl Scouts!

 

[aprilgail2]

Wow, that is all? I can give time. What do they do? It has been so long. I remember summer day camps that were really fun, earning patches, etc. What do the little ones get to do?

That is so not all it will cost LOL- daisys is certainly cheaper than brownies but you also have dues to pay and trips to pay for. You need to buy the vest/smock, plus the identification patches, girl scout patches, pins etc for the new vest (the troop ususally pays for the petals or whatever they use now as they earn them) The first year of brownies costed me hundreds of dollars. camping alone ran 110.00 for the two of us for one camping trip. Sure she could have not went on trips but I didn't want her to be a kid not going on a trip plus I had the money so it didn't really matter- but it certainly is not just 12.00 LOL. Most troops do not meet in the summer, they meet after school at the school or later in the evening at the school. We call it quits for our troop about the first week of June- school ends June 26th. We have done some trips that were free and others that ran 100.00. There is also a bit of money spent on donating things as a troop- money or food or clothing etc to something or another.

A neighbor whose daughter is a Daisy was talking about it. There is already a Daisy troop here. She just talked about it in passing and knowing that there is such a diverse group of people on the DIS, I figured I would ask since I do not know when I will see my neighbor next.

Yes but they will be second year daisys next year and yours will be a first year daisys- around here that means different troops- we don't mix grades in troops- each grade and school has their own troop.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Wow, that is all? I can give time. What do they do? It has been so long. I remember summer day camps that were really fun, earning patches, etc. What do the little ones get to do?

It can be frustrating and a long term committment, esp. if you start a troop.

As rewarding as it is for the girls, as an adult it can be equally as hard.

Ask your neighbor about going to a neighborhood meeting. My suggestion to you is to do some homework within your council.

Find out what they do in your area.

 

[mjkacmom]

My 2 older girls were in Daisy's, but no parent stepped up for dd6 (including me!). In our case, they only met once a month, and didn't really do anything. In this day and age, kids have SO many other activities, that unless you have some parents really into scouting, the troups don't do that much. My oldest quit GS's in the 5th grade, ds quit BS's after 3rd grade, and the only reason dd8 is still in Brownies is because they only meet once a month, right after school.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Couple of things:

1) Daisies used to be a 1 year program for Kindergarten. It is now a 2 year program extending into 1st grade. Troops are usually organized by school and by grade level. We have a small school and our girls combined with the public school to have one larger troop.

2) You can contact your local GS Council and mention that you are interested in your DD being a Daisy and that you are interested in helping. If you commit to being a leader there will be training involved (free but still training). Ask them for the name of the school coordinator. They may not have it off the tops of their heads (volunteer position) but they will be able to get it. You can contact this person about becoming a leader and get some of the more inside information (in the trenches type info).

3) Most Daisies do small trips, if any. Costs are usually kept to a minimum. That being said, it is up to the leader to set a budget and parents will be expected to pay dues. If you can't afford dues, you can always put in a scholarship request to Council to see if there is some assistance available.
You will need to pay the registration fee. Your DD will want the blue Daisy smock (not that expensive) and then you need to buy the troop numbers, American Flag and whatever else they are putting on it now. As a leader, I put the cost of the petals and pins into the dues budget.

4) Someone mentioned Councils merging so I'll make a comment on it - this is an initiative that started at the national levels a few years ago. This has nothing to do with the current recession. It does make sense synergistically but it does take some getting used to. Ironing out the wrinkles of many councils does take time as with any merger.

Enjoy Scouting and feel free to PM any questions.

 

[luvmy3]

4) Someone mentioned Councils merging so I'll make a comment on it - this is an initiative that started at the national levels a few years ago. This has nothing to do with the current recession. It does make sense synergistically but it does take some getting used to. Ironing out the wrinkles of many councils does take time as with any merger.

Enjoy Scouting and feel free to PM any questions.

Our council merged 2 years ago, long before the recession
It did take time to get used to doing things in a new way but it has opened up so many opportunities for the girls that it was definitely a positive experience for all. I know in the beginning many were frustrated but now all is well.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Our council merged 2 years ago, long before the recession
It did take time to get used to doing things in a new way but it has opened up so many opportunities for the girls that it was definitely a positive experience for all. I know in the beginning many were frustrated but now all is well.

This is our first year of being merged and I agree that the benefits in the long term will outweigh the frustrations. We just need to get past the growing pains.

 

[lg3]

Our daughter is in Daisies and loves it. They earn petals as well as patches for their tunics or vests. Thank goodness they are all iron-on now!! They stay in daisies for 2 years. Here it is pretty much done by school, but she happens to go to a different school's daisy troop as the one at her school didn't have a Daisy leader until the last minute. They did participate in the cookie drive, but no pressure to sell a lot. The leaders do a LOT and make the meetings wonderful IMHO. I think I get more out of it than dd does, as it reminds me of my girl scout days. We skipped the camping this year - maybe next year when she gets older.

 

[LisaNJ25]

Even if you don't sign up as a leader make sure you resister yourself as a girl scout. This way you will be able to help out and attend events if needed.

Daisies are the easiest time.. girls are still cute and they listen to you. Now my 9/10 year old junior troop

Along with simple trips like the police station. fire house, etc you can participae in Service unit events.

I am also a service unit manager and I will be starting a Daisy troop for my other daughter this fall. With the service unit this year we have done/planned a Halloween Dance, International Night Event, Me & My Guy Bowling, Powder Puff Derby and a SU Encampment.

Now what Daisies are 2 years (which I don't agree with) they earn both the petals and can work on the journeys books. Which gives them other patches to earn.

You will also be selling cookies and nuts/magazines. This is new for daisies.

Remember your leader will need help.. a cookie mom.. nut mom... and lastly remember that we are all volunteers..

 

[The Mystery Machine]

If you do become a leader, make all parents sign up for the troop. This is for your protection as well as the kids.

Daisies and young brownies do alot of field trips and you need parents to volunteer with driving, meetings & service events in which they need to registered.

 

[SereneOne]

That is so not all it will cost LOL- daisys is certainly cheaper than brownies but you also have dues to pay and trips to pay for. You need to buy the vest/smock, plus the identification patches, girl scout patches, pins etc for the new vest (the troop ususally pays for the petals or whatever they use now as they earn them) The first year of brownies costed me hundreds of dollars. camping alone ran 110.00 for the two of us for one camping trip. Sure she could have not went on trips but I didn't want her to be a kid not going on a trip plus I had the money so it didn't really matter- but it certainly is not just 12.00 LOL. Most troops do not meet in the summer, they meet after school at the school or later in the evening at the school. We call it quits for our troop about the first week of June- school ends June 26th. We have done some trips that were free and others that ran 100.00. There is also a bit of money spent on donating things as a troop- money or food or clothing etc to something or another.


Oh, I do not mind if she is not in the same class as our neighbor's daughter. I actually prefer it. I find it best not to get neighbor's too involved in your business or it can result in bad neighbors.

She mentioned it was at the elementary school after classes. Her daughter is in kindergarten and will be in first grade. My Meg will be in Kindergarden. It sounds really great and I have NO PROBLEM volunteering lots! As far as the money, I am down to one child in the house (my other children are 21,20,19 and 18) and everything seems so cheap compared to paying for four! lol

Petals! That is so cute! And I can register as a GS? That is awesome! I was one in California and Germany in the mid seventies (I was forty this January). I do remember most of my experiences fondly with the brownies/girl scouts and I look forward to doing it with my daughter.

My daughter is special needs though (internal physical defects), I am sure she can still participate.

Thank you all so much for sharing your knowledge and experiences!






Yes but they will be second year daisys next year and yours will be a first year daisys- around here that means different troops- we don't mix grades in troops- each grade and school has their own troop.

Oh, I do not mind if she is not in the same class as our neighbor's daughter. I actually prefer it. I find it best not to get neighbor's too involved in your business or it can result in bad neighbors.

She mentioned it was at the elementary school after classes. Her daughter is in kindergarten and will be in first grade. My Meg will be in Kindergarden. It sounds really great and I have NO PROBLEM volunteering lots! As far as the money, I am down to one child in the house (my other children are 21,20,19 and 18) and everything seems so cheap compared to paying for four! lol

Petals! That is so cute! And I can register as a GS? That is awesome! I was one in California and Germany in the mid seventies (I was forty this January). I do remember most of my experiences fondly with the brownies/girl scouts and I look forward to doing it with my daughter.

My daughter is special needs though (internal physical defects), I am sure she can still participate.

Thank you all so much for sharing your knowledge and experiences!

 

[taylor3297]

My dd started as a Daisy this year. The troops here are organized by area if possible. Also, if a person is willing to start a troop then they are allowed to invite other girls of the same age to be a part of the troop. I called the GS Council here and they put my daughter on a waiting list. When a new troop was formed in our area, they gave me a call. All of the girls are in kindergarten. If we have openings next year, then the new memebers must be in 1st grade.

My dd has loved all the Daisy events she has done this year. Her troop even sold cookies. The GS council here does offer a day camp in the summer for Daisys.