OT- Anyone a Daisies Leader?

[Benducci]

Can you tell me how much is involved? How much training do you need to do? I signed my girls up for Daisies & indicated that I would be interested in helping. Two nights later they call me up & ask me if I would be the leader. I was taken aback & said I would need to think about it but it sounded interesting. But now I am concerned with how much time and energy this is going to take. I do work fulltime & the 3 girls have things going on. Thanks for any info.

 

[my2minnies]

Funny ,the same thing happened to me! I signed up to be a helper and now they are telling other parents that I am the leader. They didnt ask me however. I too work and have four kids with my oldest in kindergarten. I dont think I have the time, but I feel bad that there now might not be a troop. I am interested to see if anyone has any Daisy leader experience and can tell us what the time committment will be. I have no idea what a meeting entails either.

 

[Aliisa]

Hi,
I am not a leader, but a helper. My DD 5 is in the 2 year Daisy program, she started last year in preschool. My good friend is one of the leaders. In our class of 10 girls there are 2 leaders and 3 helpers so no one has all of the work. We have delagated duties to Moms like dues, and crafts, finding out the info for our field trips and parades, etc. I'm sure your must have helpers (I hope!) Especially at cookie time!! There are meetings to attend, a bank to hold, and we had to find our own time and place to hold our meetings. But it is fun! Just make sure you are not doing all of the work- most Moms want to help
Good luck and have fun!!!

 

[The Disney Bunch]

This is what I am trying to find out- what work is involved. It seems like there is a lot of things to do. I am not sure there are any people willing to help out & I really don't want to get stuck with it and finding out that there is tons of things that are required. I want to know up front what is involved.

 

[WDWfor5]

I'm now a 2nd grade Brownie Leader but was the asst leader for my DD's Daisy Troop. It is actually a pretty easy year - no cookies to sell, no magazines to sell (not allowed to sell anything ) which is great for getting used to Girl Scouts. You need to have at least 2 leaders and can set up a troop commitee - my troop committee consists of a Refreshemnt Coordinator (SNACK MOM), Trip Coordinator (I plan the trips, she figures out the details like getting money from the moms, permission slips, transportantion, etc), a Group Photographer (takes photos at all trips) and a Treasurer(this was key for me because I always forget to pay myself back and she doesn't)

We meet every other week for 90 min but you can meet for only an hour as Daisy's if you prefer. They earn petals which are much less planning than the Brownie's TryIt's and you can do as much extra stuff as you feel like.

If you want more info, feel free to PM me.

 

[minniebeth]

I was only a helper for Daisies and now do a lot with my daughter's troop (she is now a Junior). It seems like how much you do after the "official" set up of leaders and troop responsibilities is up to how involved you want your troop to be. We kept it simple for the kindergarteners, yet had a lot of fun and completed the petals.
Please just be aware, many times when you take on the responsibility of being troop leader or asst. leader for Daisies, many will ASSUME you will continue on to Brownies...................
I so appreciate all the moms (and dads!) who step up to help with scouting. The life experiences are invaluable!
Good Luck in whatever you decide!

 

[Laurabearz]

I am a brand spanking new Daisy Scout leader (I handed out the regrstartion forms this morning! lol)

There is some training involved. Home study... some other things... Our troop is going to be a laid back one... Low dues, big fun. We will meet twice a month after school, or some months just meet once and then have a family gathering of some sort...

I have a few moms to help me at the meetings, other who will help with prep work (cutting out 50 circles... and such, things for them to do on their own time) and other's who will help organize the snacks...

I am winging it for the most part. This is really these girls first into into social clubs outside of school. I plan on keeping it light and if at the end they all can reciet the pledge I would be tickled (I still need to learn it myself... lol)

 

[ADisneyQueen]

You will have to go to two training sessions, but maybe your council has homestudy.
This is my 5th year of being a leader. We started in Daisies and now older DD will be in Juniors and I will start a Daisy troop for younger DD next month. The worst part of it for me is the finances. I hate keeping track of money. the best part is how happy my daughter is and the friends she's made. One year a little girl told me she wished her mom was a leader too. My DD and I have had a lot of fun with G.S. and it's nice that we have spent time together.

 

[Laurabearz]

Just wanted to update... I got back 2 completed forms today! WOOT!

I still have a lot of follow up calls to make... email adresses to add... but so far so good.

Hmmmm I should prolly start the homestudy portion tonight... we have a Area wide leader meeting on Thursday, and I would like to at least have the 110 thing done by then.

Woot.... getting excited!

 

[MommyBoo!]

Here's a helpful website (they also have other levels besides Daisies):

Daisy Info

This is one of the sites we give out to our new leaders; I have more that I can list later if you would like (I'm on my way out to run errands right now).

 

[Aliisa]

I'm now a 2nd grade Brownie Leader but was the asst leader for my DD's Daisy Troop. It is actually a pretty easy year - no cookies to sell, no magazines to sell (not allowed to sell anything ) which is great for getting used to Girl Scouts. You need to have at least 2 leaders and can set up a troop commitee - my troop committee consists of a Refreshemnt Coordinator (SNACK MOM), Trip Coordinator (I plan the trips, she figures out the details like getting money from the moms, permission slips, transportantion, etc), a Group Photographer (takes photos at all trips) and a Treasurer(this was key for me because I always forget to pay myself back and she doesn't)

We meet every other week for 90 min but you can meet for only an hour as Daisy's if you prefer. They earn petals which are much less planning than the Brownie's TryIt's and you can do as much extra stuff as you feel like.

If you want more info, feel free to PM me.

We had to sell cookies last year and the girls were still in preschool! My Lilah did earn her 100+ cookie patch This year is their second year Daisy's and we are earning the second half of their petals. I think keeping track of the cookies sales and money was probably the most challenging!!

 

[McKelly]

I always tell other leaders, it is as much work as you want it to be. You can meet as often or as little as you want, you are the leader, you make the rules. I found that initially, parents did not want to help, but as the year progressed, more parents stepped up to help. They just need to be asked. I am now a Brownie leader and the memories I have made for/with my daughter are worth every minute I have put into it. Good Luck!

 

[grlpwrd]

Our service unit offers online training class for new leaders. Of course, you need to comply with Safety First guidelines, such as adult/scout ratios, first aid requirements, etc.

My dd who is 8yo now had her Daisy troop meetings every other Friday with some activity on Saturdays, such as a short hike or other simple activity. Her leader would have rotating duties for parents, such as who would bring in snacks that evening or who would be assisting her that day.

Yes, it really is what you make of it. I have been a leader for Brownies, Juniors, and Cadets. Now I have Juniors and Cadets and I try to keep the meetings to 2 or 3 times per month with optional Saturday activities. Parents are integral to our success. I have had parents or family members volunteer yet if that doesn't happen I circulate a sign up sheet. I spend about 4 to 7 hours a week planning our activities.

There are lots of online resources. My favorite is www.scoutingweb.com/scoutingweb because it is comprehensive. GL!

Nice to see so many involved with Girl Scouts here!

 

[Laurabearz]

That is a great link grlpwrd!!! Thanks so much! I love the Daisy coloring pages low on the list.. the one where you make a book...

WOW!

I am reading it all while waiting for people to return my phone calls... lalala waiting lalala

 

[emma'smom]

How old do girls have to be to be a Daisy? How do I find out if there is a Daisy troop in my area? How many kids do you need to start a troop?

 

[Laurabearz]

Daisys start in Kindergraten.... 5/6...

And I am not sure of the min. needed to start a troop but I am finding that out tomorrow.

Also on a side note Troops must be registered by Sept 30th....

Here the link to the GSA officail site... GSA- daisys

 

[karla63]

I agree that you make it what you want it to be. I am a Senior Leader. I only have 3 girls left in the troop, but then they are sophomores in high school. We meet about once a month for 2 hours and then the girls are given badge work(homework) to work on before the next meeting. All my girls are in multiple sports and band so it is hard for us to meet more than once a month. We love to sell cookies and have taken some very fun trips(all-expenses paid) in the last 2 years. We have gone to Branson (6 days) and last year...we went to Washington DC (via Amtrak) for 8 days and saw Mt. Vernon,Phily,Gettysburg,Valley Forge,Hershey and DC. Next June 1-10,we leave for Disney for 10 days(flying too). Last year, my 3 girls sold over 8000 boxes of cookies, but they have fun too. We just finished our Silver Award and are starting on our Gold Award.

Karla

 

[ADisneyQueen]

I believe you need 5 to start a troop. In Daisies you need 2 adults per 10 girls.
I am going to have my troop after school on Firdays twice a month. I hope I can get someone to colead with me. We are new here and I don't know anyone to ask. I will mention it to everyone who signs up and hope for the best. Can you get many people to help out after school or is everyone working?

 

[Vickie46]

I want to know too!!!

 

[Aliisa]

How old do girls have to be to be a Daisy? How do I find out if there is a Daisy troop in my area? How many kids do you need to start a troop?

Last year when our troop started all of the girls were 4 and in preschool. I think they changed that this year though and now is kindergarten.