The environment you create is as important—maybe more—than the activities girls do; it’s the key to
developing the sort of group that girls want to join. The following sections share some tips on creating a
warm, safe environment for girls.
Girl-Adult Partnership
Girl Scouting is for the enjoyment and benefit of the girls, so meetings are built around girls’ ideas.
When you put the girls first, you’re helping develop a team relationship, making space for the
development of leadership skills, and allowing girls to benefit from the guidance, mentoring, and
coaching of caring adults.
The three Girl Scout processes (girl-led, learning by doing, and cooperative learning) are integral to the
girl-adult partnership. Take time to read about processes and think about how to incorporate them into
your group’s experiences. (See the “Girl Scouting as a National Experience” chapter of this handbook for
more about using the Journey adult guides.)
Recognizing and Supporting Each Girl
Girls look up to their volunteers. They need to know that you consider each of them an important person.
They can survive a poor meeting place or an activity that flops, but they cannot endure being ignored or
rejected. Recognize acts of trying as well as instances of clear success. Emphasize the positive qualities
that make each girl worthy and unique. Be generous with praise and stingy with rebuke. Help girls find
ways to show acceptance of and support for one another.
Promoting Fairness
Girls are sensitive to injustice. They forgive mistakes if they are sure you are trying to be fair. They look
for fairness in the ways responsibilities are shared, in handling of disagreements and in responses to
performance and accomplishment. When possible, consult girls as to what they think is fair before
decisions are made. Explain your reasoning and show why you did something. Be willing to apologize if
needed. Try to see that the responsibilities, as well as the chances for feeling important, are equally
divided. Help girls explore and decide for themselves the fair ways of solving problems, carrying out
activities, and responding to behavior and accomplishments.
Building Trust
Girls need your belief in them and your support when they try new things. They must be sure you will not
betray a confidence. Show girls you trust them to think for themselves and use their own judgment. Help
them make the important decisions in the group. Help them correct their own mistakes. Help girls give
and show trust toward one another. Help them see how trust can be built, lost, regained, and
strengthened.
Managing Conflict
Conflicts and disagreements are an inevitable part of life, and when handled constructively can actually
enhance communication and relationships. At the very least, Girl Scouts are expected to practice self-
control and diplomacy so that conflicts do not erupt into regrettable incidents. Shouting, verbal abuse, or
physical confrontations are never warranted and cannot be tolerated in the Girl Scout environment.