OT: Being a Daisy Leader

[suffolkprincess]

I LOVED Girl Scouts as a child, and I always thought I'd be involved with Scouts as an adult. I like to work with groups of children and have done a lot of volunteering over the years with Sunday School, backyard Bible clubs, etc. So-- I know for *me* that I will love being involved with Daisies, and I do have the time right now to take it on.

Here are DH's (very good, very valid) concerns:

1) Is this gonna get crazy expensive for us? Does anyone have experience with what kinds of out-of-pocket costs go into being a Daisy leader? Obviously buying the book and registering for events, but those aren't outrageous; he foresees us having to buy a lot of craft materials and food.

2) Is my daughter going to resent that I am the leader and like the activity less because I am the leader? Now-- if she is a Junior Girl Scout, well, by then I don't want to be her leader because I think that is very hard on the girl at that age. (Yeah-- somebody has to do it, but maybe not me.) I think that at age 5 she will enjoy the fact that Mommy is the leader.

Anyone have experiences with this that can share?

 

[Dimplenose]

I'm a Brownie leader in the UK. We are volunteers but the only expense I've had is buying my own uniform. The girls pay a termly subscription into the pack's own bank account and this covers the cost of craft materials, books, insurance, badges and training. Obviously one or two things get overlooked and I pay for but it's mostly phone calls or petrol to get to the trainings - although I could ligitimately claim the money back from the pack I just don't bother.

Libby

 

[Crazy4Disney72]

I LOVED Girl Scouts as a child, and I always thought I'd be involved with Scouts as an adult. I like to work with groups of children and have done a lot of volunteering over the years with Sunday School, backyard Bible clubs, etc. So-- I know for *me* that I will love being involved with Daisies, and I do have the time right now to take it on.

Here are DH's (very good, very valid) concerns:

1) Is this gonna get crazy expensive for us? Does anyone have experience with what kinds of out-of-pocket costs go into being a Daisy leader? Obviously buying the book and registering for events, but those aren't outrageous; he foresees us having to buy a lot of craft materials and food.

2) Is my daughter going to resent that I am the leader and like the activity less because I am the leader? Now-- if she is a Junior Girl Scout, well, by then I don't want to be her leader because I think that is very hard on the girl at that age. (Yeah-- somebody has to do it, but maybe not me.) I think that at age 5 she will enjoy the fact that Mommy is the leader.

Anyone have experiences with this that can share?

I was my DD's Daisy leader and first year Brownie leader (we just moved a few weeks ago so I am not the leader anymore, DD is joining an established troop). It was not expensive for me at all. I had 17 girls in my troop and they paid $40 dues at the beginning of the year. Because Daisies are not allowed to earn money (cookie sales or any other money earning projects), we did get a few small donations from parents' and grandparents' businesses, I think it was about $300 total. We finished up our Daisy year with about $180 left in our account. This is with the troop paying for all craft supplies, pins/patches and Daisy petals, as well as the bridging to Brownies pins/patches. We did a couple field trips that were either free or low cost, and the parents paid for those. All the troops in our school area had a few events throughout the year and the parents paid for those that first Daisy year. This year because we were Brownies and made money on cookie sales, the troop paid about half of the cost for trips and activities. I did spend some money myself, but not much at all.

My DD loved having me be her GS leader, she's kind of upset that I will not be the leader this upcoming year, so that wasn't a problem for us at all.

My biggest caution would be all the paperwork, it was way more involved that way than it seems it really has to be. There is also a huge push for making money and recruiting more girls. My mom was a leader in the early 80's and she said it never used to be this way. I enjoyed working with my girls, and I will miss them very much, but I won't miss all the paperwork and red tape. My DH was involved (again, before we moved) with a YMCA Adventure Guides group and it was much simpler and the true focus seemed to be on the kids, not making money.

 

[princesssfws]

I also was my daughter's Daisy and Brownie leader. I second what every one has said about the troop paying dues at the beginning to cover all cost. You should also reimburse yourself when you do buy something for the troop because it will start to add up.
Also Girl Scouts require that there be one adult per every 5 girls so most likely you will need another parent helper and this way you could spilt the paperwork. I didn't feel it was an outrageous amount and almost everything you need you will be able to find on the gs website.
Be forewarned though, with girl scouts once you start as the leader it will be hard to stop being the leader unless 2 troops merge into 1.

 

[mumom95]

I was my DD Daisy scout leader this past year (I also had a co-leader) and will be the Brownie leader this year.

Our girls paid $2 dues at every meeting (we had 8 girls). This helped pay for the crafts and other things. I did shell out a little money here and there, mainly because I would see something really cheap that would be great for the girls to do and didn't feel like messing with keeping the receipt and filling out the paperwork and stuff. But that was only a couple of times, and only a few dollars total each time.

If you do a snack at the meeting, have the girls take turns bringing them.

We also had an older girl scout troop take us on as a sister troop. And as one of their projects, they collected supplies for us that they gave us in a big box (scissors, glue, crayons, paper, etc) at the beginning of the year. They earned some patch for it and we got a bunch of supplies!! The only bad part, is I have to find a place to store the box at my house.

So really, it doesn't have to be a financial burden at all.

And my daughter loved having me as the leader (at this age they love having mom around). But you do need to realize, once you become the leader of the troop, you are kind of expected to be the leader throughout the whole time your daughter is in girl scouts. That doesn't mean you have to, but that is what the expectation is.

 

[disney6family]

I've been a cub scout leader for over 6 years and a girl scout leader for one -
We too collected dues to pay for supplies, took turns bringing in the snack and paid for any other high $ activities out of pocket - for example we planted flowers at our meeting place as a thank you and collected separately for that.
The only expenses I had, other than my own share, was for copies every once in a while and printing off different activities, notes, etc.
As for you being the leader, my children all enjoy the fact that we are the leaders of their scout groups - my husband is scoutmaster of our boy scouts - they get to help get ready for meetings and have an inside track to what is going on. They also bear the brunt of getting ready for meetings, but it seems they feel it is a good trade. My oldest, the boy scout, likes knowing his dad is helping all the other boys grow into young men, so I wouldn't discount not being the leader for the juniors yet - take one year at a time.

Good Luck - you'll have a great time! And TIA for being willing to devote your time and talents to children!

 

[McKelly]

I have been a Girl Scout leader for three years now. Sit down and look at what you want to do, estimate the cost and collect dues at the beginning of the year and later, you will earn Girl Scout cookie money. My troop alone earned $1200.00 this year in cookie sales. I have fifteen girls. Some sold 20 boxes, some sold 300. I make due with that and we do a lot!! A couple times a year, I will put a "wish list" out of things I know I will be needing and most of the time, parents will bring in the items. That saves money too, without putting families out who are having a tough time, and allowing families who can contribute more to do so.

I love being a leader. My daughter will be a Junior Girl Scout next year, and I can't imagine why she would have a problem with me being her leader!! She loves Girl Scouts, and well, if I didn't do it, there would be no Girl Scouts!! No one wants to do it!! Definately volunteer!! Your daughter will love bonding with her friends and Girl Scouts desperately needs volunteers, it is getting increasingly difficult to find good volunteers these days!! Don't worry, it will be fun!!

 

[grlpwrd]

Hi, I live across the bridge from you. Have you contacted the Council office? We have service centers in Chesapeake, one in Elizabeth City, and one in Newport News. I know the Membership Specialists on your side of the water. Have you called them or contacted any office yet? Here is our Council website: www.gsccc.com There are folks in the office that can help you get started.

I've been active for the past 7 years as leader, recruiter, and I am a member of our Leader Support Team. Our Service Unit just merged with another service unit so we are undergoing changes, but there is always someone to help. Have you contacted anyone from your Service Unit yet? We always have leaders who help other leaders.

As for fundraising, Daisies are not allowed to participate. No Fall Product Sales or Cookies. What most Daisy troops in our Service Unit do is to have dues and to have parents volunteer their time or supplies as needed. Daisy activities can be found online, there are a lot of community partners and activities in our area that don't cost much, and sister troops can help, too. Many times there are older girl troops that can host activities for the Daisies. I know our troop does this a lot.

I think it helps to have co-leaders and/or parent volunteers. That will help a lot, too. Yes, and there are issues with being a leader to your daughter - I have 3 daughters in our troop and sometimes it does get challenging, especially sharing mom, but it is workable. On camping trips, though, I purposely place them on other patrols guided by other parents/adults so they can have an experience independent of me so there are ways to work it where they are not always feeling attached to me lol.

GL!