I guess I asked for it......

[Piglet]

My DD had a Daisy Girl Scout meeting last night and I have been trying to help the Troop Leader. And as I have posted before, I didn't think that she was planning and organizing very well to make the meetings enjoyable for the kids. I have tried to help and offered to plan some crafts and activites, but she didn't seem to want me to contribute. No other parents help and she told me last night, she doesn't like to ask them for any help.

Well my DD moves up to Brownies next year and they asked me if I wanted to be a troop leader. I would love to do it, but I need some info on Brownie Troops. What kind of activities do you plan, do you do crafts, how often do you meet. Our troop would meet right after school.

If I have someone to help out, I think I will try it out. I need to have someone else there, because my DD has an illness that sometimes requires emergency hospitalizations.

The lady that does it now is not being asked to do it next year because of not turning in money from fundraisers and not attending meetings.

Any thoughts????

Melinda

 

[Serena]

Only good luck. I'm sure you'll have fun.

 

[Cthia]

I am a mother to a second year Brownie. I can just give you ideas on what her troop does and some from another troop.

Depending how much time you can give some troops meet weekly. My DD meets every other Wed for 1 1/2. Her friends in another town meet weekly for an hour or so.

There is a handbook that you can purchase that gives you ideas for crafts and things to do toward the badges that they can earn.

My DD's troop also does short trips to places on half days like apple picking, Build A Bear at the mall, Girl Scout Museum, another troop went to a bank. During the summer they went to the Water slides in our town with some of the money they had earned through their cookie sales, nut sales and dues.

It will be alot of fun. Make sure you do have another Troop Leader to assist you.

I am sure other Troop Leaders could assist you if need help. (I hope they would).

 

[ltldeb]

I am a former Brownie Troop Leader and am now a Junior Troop Leader. If you would like to discuss any ideas, send me a PM. I'll be more than happy to help. I know what you are feeling. When I took over my daughter's troop, they were in the same situation your daughter's Daisy Troop is in. Feel free to PM or email me.

 

[nativetxn]

I've never done this. My mother was my brownie leader, though, and we made such wonderful memories that year.

Good luck with this, it sounds like you are perfect for the job

 

[MerryPoppins]

I was a Girl Scout leader for several years. The handbook gives you tons of ideas. My girls really liked earning the try-it badges. I had the girls look through the handbook at the beginning of the year and tell me some of the things that they were most interested in learning about. Then I made an attempt to work on some of the ones that they had chosen.

We did crafts, took field trips, and had visitors come to us to teach things. It's lots of fun and I would be glad to help you come up with some ideas.

When we met after school, the girls took turns bringing a snack. Parents signed up for the week they wanted and we sent a little reminder magnet for their refrigerator the week before. They were supposed to bring back the magnet with the snack the following week. When we switched to night meetings we did away with the snack idea and only had snacks occassionally.

I would agree that you need at least one assistant. I would welcome parents to stay and help out, too. We had some that did and it was very helpful when we did something particularly messy.

Also, see if you can get a parent to agree to be your cookie representative. It's hard to deal with the money and the cookies and have a meeting. Lots of parents are glad to be in charge of a one-time project like that and it would be very helpful to you!

 

[Piglet]

Thanks so much for all your suggestions and offers to help. I am sure I will be coming to you with a lot of questions.

I am supposed to attend the next meeting for the troop leaders and see how that goes then give them my decision.

I think, if someone will be there to help, that I will accept the offer.

Thanks Again

Melinda

 

[ltldeb]

Melinda, just hit that email or PM button and I'll be more than happy to help you.

 

[clutter]

Piglet, you can do it. I walked into becoming a Daisy troop leader with no idea what I was doing. Thinking day?? Service unit?? First, take the brownie training as soon as you can. They will give you marvelous ideas, and usually a lot of handouts. Also, talk to the other Brownie and Junior leaders in your school. They'll usually be willing to write up their ideas and pass them on. My co-leader said "don't you want to just write down what we did so we can share with the next bunch?" When you go to your service unit meetings, get to know the other leaders. They're usually willing to help.

Also, by our council rules, we have to have a second adult (two, if one is male) at all meetings. More, if we have more than 10 children. Talk to your co-ordinator for your school so she knows you want a co-leader!!! It's HER job to recruit one, not yours.

One thing we learned is that it's the GIRLS' troop. As they get older, the management of the troop becomes more and more their responsibility. Of course, with my Daisy's, the definately let us know what they want to do!!!

Good luck. It's a lot of fun and the girls are great!!!